Book 37: Little One Step, by Simon James, Candlewick Press 2003
This book is so true! My eighteen-month-old son runs around the house like an idiot, or runs through the library pulling books off of the shelves if I set him down for a SECOND. But will he walk on his own when I want him to? -- No way! And so, Little One Step finds he can walk no farther.
I could have sworn that the author is French, because he style is so clean, simple, and yet elegant, but when I looked on the back cover, he appears to be as American as I am. So, there is hope for me yet in the elegance department.
Anyway, Little One Step is a sweet, encouraging book for anyone, especially anyone who needs a little encouragement.
* For other reviews, please see Books I Buy and Why
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Book 36
Book 36: Mirror Mirror, by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Josee Masse
I love this book! I checked this book out from the library the first week it came in, and I had to order a copy for myself. This is a great book for anyone who likes poetry, fairy-tale and beautiful illustrations (who doesn't?), and a must-have for anyone who likes all three.
The poems offer a succinct summation to common fairy-tales, and from two different points of view. I won't even pretend that my toddler son understands this book, although he will sit still to listen to poetry, but I love how it stretches my "mommy-brain" and forces me to respect the subtleties of good punctuation -- something I have obviously let slide. Any cure for "mommy-brain" is a very good thing. And this book has inspired my new favorite form of poetry: The Reverso. It is pretty hard to write, so Marilyn Singer has a good deal of my respect.
As I am a visual person, I will have to mention the illustrations, which are clever, vibrant and beautiful. My favorite is probably the one for Little Red Riding Hood. You'll have to check out this book from your library, or better yet, buy it to see it.
*For other reviews, please see Books I Buy and Why
I love this book! I checked this book out from the library the first week it came in, and I had to order a copy for myself. This is a great book for anyone who likes poetry, fairy-tale and beautiful illustrations (who doesn't?), and a must-have for anyone who likes all three.
The poems offer a succinct summation to common fairy-tales, and from two different points of view. I won't even pretend that my toddler son understands this book, although he will sit still to listen to poetry, but I love how it stretches my "mommy-brain" and forces me to respect the subtleties of good punctuation -- something I have obviously let slide. Any cure for "mommy-brain" is a very good thing. And this book has inspired my new favorite form of poetry: The Reverso. It is pretty hard to write, so Marilyn Singer has a good deal of my respect.
As I am a visual person, I will have to mention the illustrations, which are clever, vibrant and beautiful. My favorite is probably the one for Little Red Riding Hood. You'll have to check out this book from your library, or better yet, buy it to see it.
*For other reviews, please see Books I Buy and Why
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Reverso
Here is my poem for the week. Another Reverso.
A baby turtle is exposed--
Defenseless.
Danger!
No!
Swooping hawk
Surprises
Musk
Turtle.
Turtle
Musk
Surprises
Swooping hawk.
No
Danger.
Defenseless?
A baby turtle is exposed.
A baby turtle is exposed--
Defenseless.
Danger!
No!
Swooping hawk
Surprises
Musk
Turtle.
Turtle
Musk
Surprises
Swooping hawk.
No
Danger.
Defenseless?
A baby turtle is exposed.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Book 35
Book 35: Unlovable, by Dan Yaccarino
Unlovable by the incomparable Dan Yaccarino is anything but. I'm not a huge fan of small dogs, like pugs; I prefer the sturdier breeds, like Rhodesian Ridgebacks, but my sister and her husband are pug fans. In fact, they have two. And they are lovable even though the old arthritic cat teases them.
So when it came to building my son's library, Unlovable was an early choice. He sees my sister's silly dogs and can relate them to Dan Yaccarino's adorably quirky illustrations. That makes Alfred in the story pretty darn lovable. And what a great story it is.
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Yaccarino a few years ago. A kinder or more considerate author is just not possible. My only problem with Mr. Yaccarino is that he's about my age and he's created this amazing body of work in so many forms of media. That is a bit depressing. He, however, is a darling, and although I'm reviewing Unlovable in this entry, any of his books is worth buying.
* For other reviews, please see Book I Buy and Why
Unlovable by the incomparable Dan Yaccarino is anything but. I'm not a huge fan of small dogs, like pugs; I prefer the sturdier breeds, like Rhodesian Ridgebacks, but my sister and her husband are pug fans. In fact, they have two. And they are lovable even though the old arthritic cat teases them.
So when it came to building my son's library, Unlovable was an early choice. He sees my sister's silly dogs and can relate them to Dan Yaccarino's adorably quirky illustrations. That makes Alfred in the story pretty darn lovable. And what a great story it is.
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Yaccarino a few years ago. A kinder or more considerate author is just not possible. My only problem with Mr. Yaccarino is that he's about my age and he's created this amazing body of work in so many forms of media. That is a bit depressing. He, however, is a darling, and although I'm reviewing Unlovable in this entry, any of his books is worth buying.
* For other reviews, please see Book I Buy and Why
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Book 34
Book 34: The Best Pet of All, by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama, Dutton Children's Books 2004
Such a good book! The story is great: repetitive without being annoying; funny -- the dragon eats spaghetti in the bathtub and roasts hot dogs in the living room, but the illustrations make this book buy-worthy.
Hanako Wakiyama is great at capturing a retro feel that is somehow modern. Mom is this book is so stylish. (I love that. Frumpy moms in illustrations depress me.) Yet, she seems relate-able to those without her slim physique and fun clothes. The little boy is adorable, and often pictured helping out around the house. You've got to love that. And the dragon -- well, any dragon that's found a drug store wearing dark glasses and hat is worth knowing.
One of the best books of all!
* For other reviews, please see Books I Buy and Why
Such a good book! The story is great: repetitive without being annoying; funny -- the dragon eats spaghetti in the bathtub and roasts hot dogs in the living room, but the illustrations make this book buy-worthy.
Hanako Wakiyama is great at capturing a retro feel that is somehow modern. Mom is this book is so stylish. (I love that. Frumpy moms in illustrations depress me.) Yet, she seems relate-able to those without her slim physique and fun clothes. The little boy is adorable, and often pictured helping out around the house. You've got to love that. And the dragon -- well, any dragon that's found a drug store wearing dark glasses and hat is worth knowing.
One of the best books of all!
* For other reviews, please see Books I Buy and Why
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Book 33
Book 33: Curious George/Jorge el Curioso, by H. A. Rey, Houghton Mifflin Company
This is another example of my ambition in secondary language far outstripping my skills. I'm starting to realize that I all really learned in my first and second grade class was how to say "boys and girls, sit down", how to count to twenty and a few colors. Still I'm always up for a challenge.
I would recommend any version of Curious George, especially the original 1941 version. The story is sweet and the illustrations are delightful. I would not, however, recommend reading it all in one sitting to a toddler. I broke the story into two readings and that seemed to work out pretty well. Also, even though this is not a chapter book, it seemed like a good way to introduce the concept of them.
My book is in paperback, which is fine since I'll probably be reading the book to my son. It is a good idea to reinforce the spine of paperbacks with clear packing tape. It will help them last much longer.
*For other reviews, please see Book I Buy and Why
This is another example of my ambition in secondary language far outstripping my skills. I'm starting to realize that I all really learned in my first and second grade class was how to say "boys and girls, sit down", how to count to twenty and a few colors. Still I'm always up for a challenge.
I would recommend any version of Curious George, especially the original 1941 version. The story is sweet and the illustrations are delightful. I would not, however, recommend reading it all in one sitting to a toddler. I broke the story into two readings and that seemed to work out pretty well. Also, even though this is not a chapter book, it seemed like a good way to introduce the concept of them.
My book is in paperback, which is fine since I'll probably be reading the book to my son. It is a good idea to reinforce the spine of paperbacks with clear packing tape. It will help them last much longer.
*For other reviews, please see Book I Buy and Why
Reverso
Reverso
In the bed,
Chloe Cat
Fat cat
Sweet cat
Warm cat
Cuddles against
My aching back
My aching back
Cuddles against
Warm cat
Sweet cat
Fat cat
Chloe Cat
In the bed
In the bed,
Chloe Cat
Fat cat
Sweet cat
Warm cat
Cuddles against
My aching back
My aching back
Cuddles against
Warm cat
Sweet cat
Fat cat
Chloe Cat
In the bed
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