Friday, December 23, 2011

Book 97

Books I Buy for Christmas:

Bad Kitty, Nick Bruel, Roaring Press Books 2007


The star of Bad Kitty is a black and white female kitty who is very sweet, until her food dish is empty. Then she becomes a terror through the alphabet. The concept is funny and even oddly educational, with the alphabet words and the cautionary tale, and the illustrations are delightfully quirky.

I have a sweet black and white cat and a sweet female cat, who both turn into not-so-pleasant kitties when there food dish is empty. When I was recovering from a broken leg, their food dish was empty more often than usual. So, Bad Kitty, I bought for my husband. I'm sure it will end up in my son's room, but it will amuse me on Christmas Day when my husband opens this gift.


*For other reviews on books to buy, please see my companion blog, Books I Buy and Why

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Book 96

Books I Buy for Christmas:

I Want My Hat Back, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, Candlewick Press 2011

This is a fun, quirky little book. Most reviewers/purchasers loved this book because of the twisted ending. Some hated it because they felt the ending suspended reality too much (as if talking animals didn't do that already). Anyway, the talking bear is wonderfully polite, if not terribly understanding.

The illustrations, not surprisingly, are fun and quirky. So the only real surprise is the ending, and I'm not telling you what it is.


*For other reviews on books to buy, please see my companion blog, Books I Buy and Why

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 23

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty Fairy Tale?
Old silk magic hat sparks life
In three balls of snow

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Book 95

Books I Buy for Christmas:

Knuffle Bunny, by Mo Willems, Hyperion Books 2004

In this cautionary tale written and illustrated by the talented Mo Willems, Trixie is a toddler who carries a toy rabbit named Knuffle Bunny with her everywhere she goes. When Trixie misplaces her toy rabbit, she becomes most upset.

In my house, Thomas is a toddler who carries a toy rabbit named Hop Hop with him everywhere he goes. When Thomas misplaces his toy rabbit, he becomes most upset.

'Nuff said.

*For other reviews, please see my companion blog Books I Buy and Why

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Book 94

Books I Buy for Christmas:

Boom Chicka Rock, by John Archambault, illustrated by Suzanne Tanner Chitwood, Philomel Books 2004

A few weeks ago, my little boy checked out Chicka Chicka Boom Boom from the library. He loved the rhythm of the book. So I did a little research and found Boom Chicka Rock. Boom Chicka Rock used numbers like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom uses letters (that will be another review), and is every bit as silly and fun.

The illustrations are bright and intense, although a bit too rough for my taste. That doesn't they won't appeal to a three-year-old, because he often surprises me.

Anyway, I can't wait until I can read this little rhythmic gem to my son. After Christmas, of course.


*For other reviews, please see my companion blog, Books I Buy and Why

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Book 93

Books I Buy for Christmas:

The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman

The Spirit of Christmas was another Kohl's Cares find. I'll try not to gush, but I do love the Kohl's Cares program. This book came with an adorable plush lion, which represents the most striking illustration in this book. All of the artwork is truly beautiful, but the double pages containing the lion, lamb and dove and arresting in their simplicity and beauty.

The words for the book again came from a song, so they again read like a poem. The words are fine, and at time quite good; however this book with a lesser artist would not have worked nearly as well.


*For other reviews on books to buy, please see my other blog, Books I Buy and Why

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 22

The Seven Swans

Treed silent sister
Knits thirteen nettle sleeves for
Seven swan brothers

Friday, December 9, 2011

Book 92

Books I Buy for Christmas:

It's Time to Sleep, My Love, written by Eric Metaxas, illustrated by Nancy Tillman, MacMillan 2008, reissued through Kohl's Cares

I know I've raved about the Kohl's Cares program in the past, so today I will try to contain myself. Still, a beautiful, hardbound book for $5, and the proceeds go to a cause that helps children -- what's not to love?

Even though there were four titles available the day I went to Kohl's, I settled for two and bought the plush animals that went with both titles. When I flipped through It's Time to Sleep, My Love, I fell in love with the tiger illustration: It is breathtakingly beautiful. My son wanted a panda bear, and since the panda bear went with the book, this book was an easy choice.

All the illustrations in the book are stunning. The writing is broken down so there are only a few lines of text per illustration; therefore, more stunning illustration. The text originally was a song, so naturally it reads like a well-rhythmed poem. The writing is good, but honestly I don't think you buy this book for the writing. You buy it for the spectacular artwork. And the panda. And to benefit children.

*For other reviews on books to buy, please see my companion blog, Books I Buy and Why

Monday, December 5, 2011

Book 91

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Suess, Random House 1960

Yesterday I took my brother to the main VA building in downtown Charleston. As usual, I had my little boy with me as well. The very kind lady at the Information Desk gave my son a book to read while we were there. It was: Green Eggs and Ham.

I've tried reading a few other Suess books to my son before but they just seemed a bit too long for him. Not so with Green Eggs and Ham. He sat still and listened to the entire story. And so did most of the grizzled veterans that were sitting with us in the waiting room. It turns out that Green Eggs and Ham is my brother's favorite book (not just one of his favorites).

When we finished at the VA I tried to return the book to very kind lady. She wouldn't take it back and told us it was for my little boy. So now, not only do I love this book, I love the memory associated with it.

Even as I type, my brother is giving a dramatic reading of this book to my little boy. Yet another happy memory being created.


*For other reviews on books to buy, please see my companion blog Books I Buy and Why

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 21

Little Red Riding Hood

Don’t stop, Little Red!
Wolves lurk ev'rywhere. Even
On road to Grandma’s