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Book 64: My Potty Book for Boys, by DK Publishing 2001. Baby to Toddler
As I learned when I worked in the children's department of the library, DK publishes really great real-life, photo books. This one is no exception.
I bought this book for my son when he was one and I was very optimistic. He is now two, and I am more realistic, but he does still like this book. He recognized his potty from the pictures in the book. He saw he was supposed to sit on his potty like the boys in the book. He even knows to wash his hands because that what the boys in the book do. So, he never was really afraid of the potty and he has no problem sitting on it, and he can't wait to wash his hands, it's just that middle part that is giving him trouble.
This book, as all books that are given to toddlers to handle to should be, is a board book. It is colorful and simple and using photographs of real children to convey the message. And it works, if I can just get him to sit longer and more often.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Book 63: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Philomel 2010. Toddler to Preschool
Every so often, Kohl's runs their "Kohl's Cares" program and offers really great books at a really great price, and the net proceeds of which benefits children's health and educational issues. Right now, four of Eric Carle's books are featured in this campaign: The Mixed-Up Chameleon, The Grouchy Ladybug, The Foolish Tortoise, and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Of these four, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is my favorite, and not just because the matching toy at Kohl's was a caterpillar, although that did play a role in my purchasing decision.
For the most people, I probably don't have to explain why the Very Hungry Caterpillar is a wonderful book for any child's library -- it is a counting book, a progressive story, a food story, a color story and a true metamorphosis story. Instead, I will explain why this edition is so wonderful. First of all, the price for a hardback book is outstanding. And it comes with a matching toy (a really large and colorful caterpillar, just like the cover). And it benefits children. And finally, and most exciting to me, there is a foreward by Eric Carle describing how The Very Hungry Caterpillar came into existence.
So, run to Kohl's before this present campaign ends and buy a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar (or any of the other three). Not only will you be getting a great book, you'll be helping a very worthwhile cause.
Every so often, Kohl's runs their "Kohl's Cares" program and offers really great books at a really great price, and the net proceeds of which benefits children's health and educational issues. Right now, four of Eric Carle's books are featured in this campaign: The Mixed-Up Chameleon, The Grouchy Ladybug, The Foolish Tortoise, and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Of these four, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is my favorite, and not just because the matching toy at Kohl's was a caterpillar, although that did play a role in my purchasing decision.
For the most people, I probably don't have to explain why the Very Hungry Caterpillar is a wonderful book for any child's library -- it is a counting book, a progressive story, a food story, a color story and a true metamorphosis story. Instead, I will explain why this edition is so wonderful. First of all, the price for a hardback book is outstanding. And it comes with a matching toy (a really large and colorful caterpillar, just like the cover). And it benefits children. And finally, and most exciting to me, there is a foreward by Eric Carle describing how The Very Hungry Caterpillar came into existence.
So, run to Kohl's before this present campaign ends and buy a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar (or any of the other three). Not only will you be getting a great book, you'll be helping a very worthwhile cause.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Book 62: The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
Book 62: The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon, Four Magical Stories, by Crockett Johnson, first story published in 1955, collection reprint 1987, HarperCollins Publishers. Toddler to Preschool
A while ago I reviewed "Not A Box" (Book 29) and commented on how it reminded me of "Harold and the Purple Crayon". I liked "Not A Box" because the genderless rabbit could be male or female and therefore could appeal to a boy or a girl. I love "Harold", though, because he reminds me of my fair-haired, toddling son.
Not only that, "Harold" is about a child's imagination, which I think is an excellent subject for a children's book, especially a clever child's imagination.
The illustrations are simple; the colors are few, although purple does play a prominent role; and the result is perfection in illustration.
A while ago I reviewed "Not A Box" (Book 29) and commented on how it reminded me of "Harold and the Purple Crayon". I liked "Not A Box" because the genderless rabbit could be male or female and therefore could appeal to a boy or a girl. I love "Harold", though, because he reminds me of my fair-haired, toddling son.
Not only that, "Harold" is about a child's imagination, which I think is an excellent subject for a children's book, especially a clever child's imagination.
The illustrations are simple; the colors are few, although purple does play a prominent role; and the result is perfection in illustration.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Book 61: Just Like My Mom
Book 61: Just Like My Mom, by David Melling, 2004 Hodder Children's Books. Toddler to Preschool
I recently reviewed "Just Like My Dad", also by David Melling (Book 41), and then promised to review the companion book, "Just Like My Mom".
"Just Like My Mom" is not quite as funny as "Just Like My Dad", but it is sweeter. There is probably an object lesson there. Certainly in my family, although my husband can be nurturing and I can be fun, usually the roles are reversed, or corrected, depending upon your opinion.
So I do like "Just Like My Mom". It make me say "awww" and smile instead of laughing out loud. And if you buy one of David Melling's mom/dad books, you should definitely buy the other. They tie together very well.
I recently reviewed "Just Like My Dad", also by David Melling (Book 41), and then promised to review the companion book, "Just Like My Mom".
"Just Like My Mom" is not quite as funny as "Just Like My Dad", but it is sweeter. There is probably an object lesson there. Certainly in my family, although my husband can be nurturing and I can be fun, usually the roles are reversed, or corrected, depending upon your opinion.
So I do like "Just Like My Mom". It make me say "awww" and smile instead of laughing out loud. And if you buy one of David Melling's mom/dad books, you should definitely buy the other. They tie together very well.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Book 60: The Little Engine that Could
Book 60: The Little Engine that Could, by Watty Piper, Platt & Munk 1930. Preschool to Early Elementary
"The Little Engine that Could" is another much maligned book. It is often criticized for being too saccharine or preachy, and if I read it every day, I might find that to be true. But reading occasionally (maybe once a month), I find it delightful.
First of all, it features a train, toys and a circus. What more could you want? Personally, I could do with less of the clown (as in, not at all), but not everyone shares my quirk or phobia.
And it is a sweet story with an easy-to-grasp point. Is there anyone who grew up in before 1990 who can hear "I think I can" and not remember the engine? And the illustrations (again excepting the clown) are colorful and enjoyable.
Overall, it is no wonder this book is a classic of children's literature.
"The Little Engine that Could" is another much maligned book. It is often criticized for being too saccharine or preachy, and if I read it every day, I might find that to be true. But reading occasionally (maybe once a month), I find it delightful.
First of all, it features a train, toys and a circus. What more could you want? Personally, I could do with less of the clown (as in, not at all), but not everyone shares my quirk or phobia.
And it is a sweet story with an easy-to-grasp point. Is there anyone who grew up in before 1990 who can hear "I think I can" and not remember the engine? And the illustrations (again excepting the clown) are colorful and enjoyable.
Overall, it is no wonder this book is a classic of children's literature.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Book 59: I Saw Esau
Book 59: I Saw Esau, A schoolchild's pocket book, edited by Iona and Peter Opie, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, Candlewick Press 2000 (collection originally published in Great Britain in 1947). Preschool to Elementary
This is one of those books that I picked up, years before my son was expected, just because the cover amused me. It helped greatly that Maurice Sendak was the illustrator, but it is an amusing book.
I don't want to give too much away, but in the introduction Iona Opie explains how this book came into being. She says the rhymes contained "were clearly not the rhymes that a grandmother might sing to a grandchild on her knee". However, for the past two Aprils, I have been choosing some rhymes out of this book to read to my toddler son for National Poetry Month. I've probably warped him for life, but maybe in a good way.
This is one of those books that I picked up, years before my son was expected, just because the cover amused me. It helped greatly that Maurice Sendak was the illustrator, but it is an amusing book.
I don't want to give too much away, but in the introduction Iona Opie explains how this book came into being. She says the rhymes contained "were clearly not the rhymes that a grandmother might sing to a grandchild on her knee". However, for the past two Aprils, I have been choosing some rhymes out of this book to read to my toddler son for National Poetry Month. I've probably warped him for life, but maybe in a good way.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Book 58: It's A Colorful World!
Book 58: It's A Colorful World!, by Todd Parr, Discovery Kids 2006 (board book). Baby to Toddler
This is the last of the books that I pulled from my son's stack to review when I was repairing them. And this is the book he's probably been missing the most.
It's A Colorful World! is not a paragon of brilliant writing, but for a toddler who likes to "read" books himself, it's probably even better. Not surprisingly, It's A Colorful World! is a colorful book. It also is the best lift-the-flap book I've encountered.
The pages of this board book are about one-an-a-half times to twice as thick as a regular board book. That makes the flaps almost as thick as a regular board board and strong enough to withstand repeated (read "endless") lifting. I'm not sure if my son understands how the pictures change when he lifts the flap, but he giggles all the same. I love his giggle, so, therefore, I love this book.
This is the last of the books that I pulled from my son's stack to review when I was repairing them. And this is the book he's probably been missing the most.
It's A Colorful World! is not a paragon of brilliant writing, but for a toddler who likes to "read" books himself, it's probably even better. Not surprisingly, It's A Colorful World! is a colorful book. It also is the best lift-the-flap book I've encountered.
The pages of this board book are about one-an-a-half times to twice as thick as a regular board book. That makes the flaps almost as thick as a regular board board and strong enough to withstand repeated (read "endless") lifting. I'm not sure if my son understands how the pictures change when he lifts the flap, but he giggles all the same. I love his giggle, so, therefore, I love this book.
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