Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Book Review - Aaaarrgghh! Spider! by Lydia Monks

Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Aaaarrgghh! Spider! by Lydia Monks


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is Bess' current favorite book. She is always very concerned about the bugs who find their way into our house, and now she ushers them all "back to their families" with an "out you go"! She loves the spiderweb page and has been spending a lot of time recently trying to find dew be-sparkled webs in the morning. Very, very cute book.

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Monday, August 10, 2009

Book Review - A Child's Good Morning Book by Margaret Wise Brown and Karen Katz

A Child's Good Morning Book A Child's Good Morning Book by Margaret Wise Brown


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
My kids love Karen Katz books, and though this one is a little more wordy than what I would usually read to my little one (it's written by Margaret Wise Brown, you know, Goodnight Moon, Runaway Bunny) I think that the cheerful illustrations will hold his interest, especially with all the animals in the story who require sound effects - roosters, birds, horses, sheep, and buzzy bees. Lucky for all those animals that they live on such a pristine farm and can greet the morning with such cheer!

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Sunday, August 9, 2009

Book Review - My Nose, Your Nose by Melanie Walsh

My Nose, Your Nose My Nose, Your Nose by Melanie Walsh


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is another one of those books that's kind of contrived - I prefer when authors point out things like differences among people in a more organic way instead of cramming it down your throat. That said, this was a really cute book pointing out how people are the same and different. I like that is very simple and could be easily read to a very young child - it could almost be a board book (though my little guy is into eating books these days, so I probably won't get too close to him with my copy from the library!).

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Saturday, August 8, 2009

Book Review - Sleep, Sleep, Sleep: A Lullaby for Little Ones Around te World by Nancy Van Laan

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep: A Lullaby for Little Ones Around the World Sleep, Sleep, Sleep: A Lullaby for Little Ones Around the World by Nancy Van Laan


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I SO love this book - it may be my all-time favorite children's book to date. I don't normally like books in this style because it feels kind of, oh, I don't know...artificial. Look at how all the *other* people live, you know? But this one I love, for a lot of reasons. One is that I really love the illustrations - simple, vibrant, clear. The text is rhythmic and poetic, a perfect bedtime story. I love that the North American mother is a Navajo, not a suburban mom. I love that it includes non-human mothers as well, showing children that it isn't just us bipeds who have important, loving family relationships. There are moms in the book babywearing and co-sleeping, taking a nap outside under a tree, and a community of women cooking together while they presumably share the child-rearing responsibilities. This one was a great find.

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Friday, August 7, 2009

Book Review - Somewhere Today: A Book of Peace by Shelley Moore Thomas

Somewhere Today: A Book of Peace (Albert Whitman Prairie Paperback) Somewhere Today: A Book of Peace by Shelley Moore Thomas


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A children's book of Random Acts of Kindness, this quick read lists all kinds of simple things kids (and adults!) can do to make the world a better place. Being a friend, learning new things, fixing our toys instead of throwing them away - all great lessons for those big and small!

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Book Review: Girls Hold Up This World by Jada Pinkett-Smith

Girls Hold Up This World Girls Hold Up This World by Jada Pinkett-Smith


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I got this one when I was pregnant with my daughter over four years ago, and it's still one of my favorites. "Girls hold up this world with a strength that's all their own..." The photos are beautiful and diverse, the text is lyrical and powerful, a great addition to any little girl's library!

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Book Review: That's What Friends Are For by Florence Parry Heide and Sylvia VanClief

That's What Friends Are For That's What Friends Are For by Florence Parry Heide


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Elephant has a problem - he hurt his leg and can't go visit his cousin. Some of his forest friends have advice for him, but unfortunately none of them can help him with his problem. Finally (!) the opossum comes by and reminds elephant's friends what being a friend is all about. It's not about giving advice - "Friends are to help."

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