A few last books to share with you (Did I mention we love books at our house?)…
A BOOK TO MAKE YOUR CHILD LAUGH:
Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett, illustrated by Kevan J. Atteberry (Compendium, 2008, $16.95)
A furry pastel blue monster with a stripedy tail and horns on his head flies in from Planet Tickle to tickle your child’s adorable footsies, cute bony knees, and little tum-tums. My daughter starts giggling as soon as I reach for the book and the matching Tickle Monster Mitts (sold separately, $14.95). The rhyming text is fun to read aloud, the glossy pages are filled with brilliant colors, and the massive mitts are soft and so-so fun. My only critique is that the book uses two phrases that we don’t use in our house: “what the heck” and “holy moly.” We’re pretty particular about our language around here so we creatively “skip” those phrases in the book when we read it.
A BOOK FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS:
Along Came You by Karona Drummond, illustrated by Estelle Corke (Zondervan, 2009, $15.99)
Author Karona Drummond shares a sweet story about a mama and her little girl. On each page, the dark-haired mama tells her daughter what life was like “before you” and “after you.” Essentially, the book’s premise is that life changes when a baby enters the world. It may be messier, sillier, crazier, and noisier…but it’s also better (much, much better). That is a great message. My only critique – and this is a minor one – is that the story doesn’t give any “hints” that there is a dad in the house – or other siblings. I realize that the point of the book is to showcase the love between a mother and her preschool daughter, but it struck me that all of the everyday scenes lacked other members of the family. Perhaps, though, that “lack” would make this an especially ideal pick for single moms.
A BOOK TO INSPIRE CONVERSATION:
Could You? Would You? by Trudy White (Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 2007, $12.95)
Simplistic, sketch-book-inspired illustrations and open-ended questions make this book a delight to share with a child. This ISN’T a “come-sit-on-my-lap-and-I’ll-read-you-a-bedtime-story” book. It’s more of a dreamer’s book. It’s the kind of book you might take out in the backyard with a big blanket to lay on, some jars of fresh-squeezed lemonade to drink, and not a care in the world. Then, you could sit there and look at the clouds and ponder: “What is the best thing about where you live?” OR “Where will people live in the future?” OR “Could you imagine waking up one morning as a baby again?” My almost-three-year-old loves those kind of questions – and I love hearing her answers.
YOUR TURN: What books have you been reading to/with your kids lately?
WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of each of the above titles: Tickle Monster (PLUS, the Tickle Monster Mitts!!!), Along Came You, and Could You? Would You? To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, September 8th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
*UPDATE* The winner is #77 susan. Congratulations!
