Posts Tagged ‘toddler’
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
“A Bad Case Of Stripes” by David Shannon is a fun and whimsical story about individuality and accepting yourself. Of course it is beautifully illustrated in David Shannon’s signature style (although much more refined than in his “David” books) which adds to the appeal, but the most enchanting thing about this book for me is the message: be true to yourself. While the subtleties of the story line may be above your child’s head until the age of four or five, the colorful and dynamic illustration designs can keep the attention of children as young as two or three. This is a classic book that will grow with your child, I glowingly recommend it.
Tags: book, child, David Shannon, illustrations, kid, Review, toddler, Write A Review Wednesday
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | No Comments »
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
Last day at the pool for the summer.
Tags: passed out, pool, sleeping, tired, toddler
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
“Ruby In Her Own Time” by Jonathan Emmett and Rebecca Harry was a disappointment to me when I first read it. The storyline is based on an over used underdog plot that follows the troubles faced by the smallest duckling out of five who hatch at the same time. I couldn’t help feeling like if you replaced the name “Ruby” with “Rudy” and replaced the ducks with a football team, you could come away with the outline for a sappy Hollywood movie script. Also, the illustration style, which is done in pastels, is filled with bright colors and cartoonish characters that were not immediately appealing to me. But, my son LOVED it. So I dutifully read and re-read it every night for several weeks.
During this time, a funny thing happened. I found myself enjoying the rhythm of the writing, and developing an appreciation for the illustration style. Also, as I puzzled over my son’s ardent admiration of the book, I realized another touching point. My son was born extremely premature and has had to play catch up with other kids his age all of his life. I saw that it was entirely possible that he saw a bit of his own struggle reflected in the little ducklings story as she learns to eat, swim and fly. After that perspective hit me, it became very difficult to read the book without bursting into tears.
All blubbering aside, however, as I continued to read this book to my son over the course of a few months I noticed the clever visual design of the text, the subtle and supportive roll that the parent ducks portray and even came to appreciate the sweet and sentimental underdog plot. Although I never would have thought that I would like this book, I now find myself in the position of heartily and enthusiastically recommending it. Give it a chance and you’ll find that you too will grow to love it…
…in your own time.
Happy parenting!
Tags: babies, baby, baby's, book, read, reading, Review, story, toddler, Write A Review Wednesday
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
When I was a young reader, I remember coming across my uncle’s collection of “Mr. Men” and “Little Miss” books by Roger Hargreaves. I enjoyed them so much, that as a teenager, in anticipation of the day I would start my own family, I bought a copy of “Mr. Happy”.
This same old wrinkled, beat up, worn out copy is now one of my son’s favorite books. Every yellow happy face he sees has been dubbed a “Mr. Happy”, and he knows the story word for word.
Now, one of the wonderful things about Roger Hargreaves writing style is his creative and abundant use of language. In this book when someone laughs, they don’t just let out a laugh, or even a loud laugh, they let out a great big huge giant large enormous laugh! They giggle, chuckle and laugh until their eyes water. And my son now also knows all of these great and beautifully descriptive words.
The book is a little light on storyline, the plot is odd, and not fully resolved at the end, but the writing is so engaging, and the illustration style is so accessible that you probably won’t really mind so much. I know I never did, and my son certainly doesn’t. Though it has been decades since I have read Roger Hargreaves other books, and so I cannot speak for them, “Mr. Happy” is a wonderful book with a sweet, though clunky, plot line. I heartily recommend it!
Tags: babies, baby, baby's, book, Hargreaves, infant, little, Mr. Happy, newborn, one, Review, Roger, toddler, Wednesday, Write
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
There are a lot of toilet training systems out there, and most of them involve trying to get your little stinker to stay on the pot long enough for something to come out. This is undoubtedly the most difficult part of toilet training, and my favorite high-tech solution is my Tripi’s Tip of the Day!
To get your potty trainer to stay put: Use your Iphone!
Whether you go on “youtube” to watch other children singing and playing on their potties or download free toddler game apps, letting your little pooper play with your favorite gadget is a great way to keep her still.
I do try to keep the videos on youtube relevant to potty time, but luckily there is plenty to choose from. My son loves to watch as other kids sing, read stories or make funny faces while sitting on their potties.
Maybe it is a cop-out or a short cut, but it is a great tool to try when you are out of other ideas. If you don’t have an Iphone, any phone with Internet access will work or even a Nintendo DS if it has some fun games on it.
Potty training is rarely fun or easy, but my son enjoys it a lot more now that he has something to look forward too when it is time to go sit on the potty. Since I started using my phone my little genius has gone pee on the potty 3 times! Hopefully this is the beginning of a lifelong habit. Happy parenting!
Tags: apps, babies, baby, gadget, high-tech, Iphone, kid, little, one, potty, potty training, time, toddler, training, youtube
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
“Not A Box” By Antoinette Portis is a simple but very graphically captivating portrayal of the magical combination of a cardboard box and imagination. I not only love the simplistic illustration style, but the ideas for ways to play imaginitively with my toddler are fantastic as well.
It is a quick read, and it inspires sudden requests for various active games, so I don’t recommend it as a bedtime book. However, as a rainy day book, or a “Mommmmyyyy… I’m borrred!” book, it is perfect.
Tags: babies, baby, book, infant, read, Review, toddler, Wednesday, Write
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
“My Little Yellow Taxi” By Stephen T. Johnson is a wonderful interactive board book that is perfect for your little car-lover. This amazing book walks you and your child through the process of getting a taxi ready for work. It includes steps like filling the gas tank, checking the oil and, my son’s favorite, checking the air in all four tires.
The tabs and removable pieces are heavy duty, but they will rip if your little one is too rough with them. Over all, it is one of the best toddler books I have read with my son. It is his very favorite book right now, which means we read it a LOT. It is a bit on the pricey end, but on amazon you can buy used copies at a huge discount. Just be sure they are not damaged before purchasing.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Yellow-Taxi-Stephen-Johnson/dp/B0011T0EWI
Happy Driving!
Tags: baby, board, book, interactive, little, my, Review, Stephen T. Johnson, taxi, toddler, yellow
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Thursday, July 9th, 2009
One of these days your little one will begin to develop a particular affinity for some blanket, toy or stuffed animal. This will be his comfort, his companion, his world! Unfortunately, the time will come when the item of your little Linus’s affection will need to be washed, or worse yet it might get lost and need to be replaced. This is a delicate operation, but I have an idea to help you get through it unscathed, and that is my Tripi’s Tip of the Day!
To help your little one adjust to a new, or new-looking-and-smelling security item: Keep a supply of lovey-doubles!
Lovey-doubles are like body doubles but they are extra copies of the item your little kangaroo needs to feel safe and secure. The moment your son begins wanting to drag his blankie everywhere with him, go out and purchased three more just like it.
Then, every few nights, after he has gone to sleep tip toe into his room and switch out the blankie for another one of the doubles. Now you can wash the one you swiped and add it to the pile that are waiting to stand in. This way, if you ever lose one, or one gets ruined in some terrible juice-accident, you are not left with a terrified and emotionally scarred little boy.
When the time comes, your little guy will be able to let blankie stay home more easily, because he has never has his faith it it’s ability to last through anything shaken. Also, if you want to use one for decorating a scrap book later on, you won’t feel like you are betraying him if you take one to cut up.
I got lucky in this way. My son likes silky tags. Tags on shirts, hats, stuffed animals and blankies. Tags, just as long as they are silky, soothe him like nothing else in the world. I was all prepared with the teddy I wanted him to bond with picked out, and a store where I could order more of them lined up, but there is no accounting for taste. Hopefully you will be more lucky than I was and your little fella will bond to something cute like a dog shaped stuffie, and you can have three or four cute stuffed animals rotating through your child’s arms. I on the other hand have to explain to people why my boy likes to carry his dad’s t-shirts around. Happy parenting!
Tags: animal, babies, baby, baby's, blankets, blankie, kid, linus, lovey, security, stuffed, stuffie, toddler
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
A day at the park is pretty much always a good idea.
I remember when the “big kid” slide scared me half to death. Doesn’t look like that fear was a genetic trait.
Whee!
Tags: brave, fun, park, picture, slide, teeter, toddler, totter, Wednesday, Wordless
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
My son and I have been exploring inexpensive ways to have fun. Turns out, a roll of TP is pretty cheap!
I’m running a bit behind this week, but part of the reason for that is my son’s new fascination with climbing everywhere and everything. Not to mention getting into everything, dumping everything on the floor and making a huge mess out of it! Wow, that’s a lot of words for a Wednesday.
Tags: Add new tag, cheap, fun, inexpensive, mommy, paper, toddler, toilet
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | 1 Comment »
