Winter Gift Guide: Picture Books

Picture books are my go-to gift. Here are three ideas that follow the Read-Wear-Play magic formula.

18-months+:

 The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett (a heartwarming Inuit variation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears; recently published in board book form)
Sea World Polar Bear Youth Slippers
Carter's Footed Pajama Blanket Sleeper 24 months- Polar Bear

Newly Literate+:

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2011; 2012 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book)

Krochet Kids The Thomas Jr. (handmade in Uganda)  

Melissa and Doug travel-size Flip-to-Win Memory Game (because in the book, the bear "remembers" and "forgets" the rabbit...)

Tween+ (including grown-up mid-century modern fans and Finlandophiles):

Moomin: The Complete Tove Jansson Comic Strip: Book 1 (the five books in this series contain comics originally published in London Evening News in the mid-1950s)
Moomin Character Earphone Jack Accessory
Marimekko Tuuli Canvas Pencil Pouch by hannasboutique (use it for pencils/pens, snacks, hygiene/grooming kit, etc.)


I should mention, I got the idea for Read-Wear-Play themed gifts from Gabrielle of Design Mom--Santa brings her six children using that formula. I should also mention that I collected these images and links for fun and for your friendly use, and I am not affiliated in any way with any of the products or sellers.

What's your gifting formula? What books are on your wish list, or gift list?

DIY Book Costume: Flower from The Tiny Seed

This girl has loved Eric Carle's The Tiny Seed for over a year. She can "read" it by quoting and paraphrasing the story. I wouldn't have thought this dramatic, vaguely-anthropomorphized life cycle/season story would hold the attention of a toddler--but it does. Over and over again. It reminds me that she (and other children) should continue to get broad exposure to literature. A picture book "above" or "below" their development level may scratch a curiosity itch we didn't even know they had. And generally, I think two-year-olds are underestimated--they are often absorbing more patterns and cues, social-emotionally, scientifically, and otherwise, than we realize.

If you're curious, here's how my mom and I threw together this Tiny Seed-inspired flower costume in half an hour for $10.  (When I say half an hour, I am minusing hours of deliberation and over-thinking, window shopping, and a failed paper-mache project.)

We free-handed some leaves out of printer paper and wrapped them in duct tape. We ran a "stem" down a black shirt and pants.

We cut eight petals from foam paper. (After I cut the first one, I moved it around the ring to make sure it would fit an even amount of petals. Luckily, I picked just the right width for the bottom of the petal.) We popped out the inner ring of a 9-inch cross-stich hoop and hot-glued the petals onto it.

We hot-glued a plastic headband on an angle (30 degrees?), so that the petal ring would go around her face when the headband was on her head. 

 
This is the only time she's kept a headband on for more than five minutes. She hates headbands, but LOVES being a flower. 

Did you celebrate Halloween in a book-inspired costume? I'd love to see pictures!

Mathematic Picture Books

Have you heard of Wumbers? Amy Krouse Rosenthal wrote, and Tom Lichtenheld illustrated, a punny book that will stretch your brain!

I've always liked number patterns and words, but when I thought I wasn't "good" at math in 5th grade, I threw myself into the world of words. Now, I don't think in terms of Numbers vs. Words, and I love to see adults and children nurture a love of both.

Here's a list of counting and other math books! And another extensive list of math-related picture books organized by subject!

And here's a list with descriptions of how to use picture books to teach math!

Happy weekend!

Book-Themed Gift Combinations

Turning 3 is a rite-of-passage, don't you think? Suddenly, a 3-year-old is mature enough for a million toys with parts that their 2-year-old self apparently couldn't handle safely. A three-year-old is ready for their very own cubby at their very own pre-school! A three-year-old picks out their own big-kid underwear. Their world is blown wide open with possibilities! (I'm not being sarcastic; I am just simultaneously amused and terrified for the much-too-soon day when my daughter will somewhat officially make the leap from toddler to kid.)

What should you give in celebration of this auspicious birthday? I suggest the Magic 3 Combo: something to READ, something to WEAR, and something to PLAY with.  

I'm not suggesting that one person ought to give three things--themed gifts like this would be perfect from a group, from all the aunts and uncles, for example. But if you're picking just one, go with something to read, because books are sadly under-represented at kid's birthday parties.

The Magic 3 Combo works for anyone at any age at any occasion, but here are 3 examples for a 3-year-old (with an estimated total price):

1. Eight Silly Monkeys illustrated by Steve Haskamp; Foamies Monkey Stickers; Barrel of Monkeys

2. Miss Spider's New Car by David Kirk; Pluie Pluie Kids Green Bug Rain Boots (sizes Toddler 5- Kid 2); Hot Wheels Dirt Track Race Toy Car 5 Pack
(The boots are the bulk of this price estimate, on sale for $37.99 as I type. I'm bugging out, they're so cute.)

3. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom written by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert; pipe-cleaner-and-bead backpack name label* (you can make it with the child in 5 minutes!); Melissa & Doug Alphabet Art puzzle

*beads, pipe cleaners and lanyard hook shown are from Hobby Lobby



What do you think?

This post was not sponsored (although, I wish that it had been) and contains only my personal opinions without guarantees.

P.S. If you want to play with me on Pinterest, that would be cool.

7 Books to Give a Two-Year-Old

Since Baby A is two, I thought this list would be easy for me to put together--but it was tough! A lot of her current favorites (Peter Rabbit, Jamberry) are books I've mentioned recently, so I skipped my recent recommendations and pulled out a variety that cater in distinct ways to some of the curiosities and development milestones of typical two-year-olds. These seven picture and board books are both toddler-approved and grown-up-approved: chock full of humor, learning, and interest-led education.

Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems. Sharing out of friendliness or fairness may not develop until well into a child's fourth year, but it certainly doesn't hurt to build sharing habits much earlier. And who better to broach the topic than witty Mo Willems?

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban, pictures by Lillian Hoban. After bread and jam only for six meals straight, Frances might change her resolve and try something new. This classic reminds parents to go ahead and indulge some of the stubborn streaks that don't hurt anything in the long-term. It also sets up young children to come to their own conclusion about breaking a stubborn streak.

Happy Hippo, Angry Duck: A Book of Moods by Sandra Boynton. The very first trait of two-year-olds that pops into my mind is moodiness! They often feel so intensely and freely. Grown-ups can help toddlers by validating those feelings, and by giving them communication and coping tools, including introducing labels for feelings.

Oh, if only validating were so simple when I react to Baby A's high-pitched scream spurred by her frustration that the shoes (that I asked her to keep on) are difficult for her to take off.

Whose Eyes Are These? (also in this series: Whose Ears/Tail/Feet [...]) by Claire Belmont. Two-year-olds pick up on patterns, like that people and tigers and owls and rabbits all have eyes. This lift-the-flap book features ever-popular animals with clues for guessing which peepers belong to which creepers.

Let's Learn to Count! illustrated by Gill Guile (pictured in Finnish--like the one we have). Each page shows the number filled with a farm animal (one dog, two horses, three cows...), with a sidebar of numbers 1-10, the featured number hi-lighted. The text is one line of fun information about the animal. After number 10, there are two two-page spreads with scenes and questions for loads of exploration and learning. It is designed to grow with a child, and the overall feeling is fun, fun, fun.

Baby A loves to practice counting, and she finds numbers everywhere while we're out and about. She most often points out number 7--I wonder why?

How Loud is a Lion? by Clare Beaton, contributor: Stella Blackstone. The books in this series are made with felt, and they are charming, portable, and pleasant. The text is appealing to toddlers, because it asks repetitively How loud is a lion?, and gives rhyming retorts with bits of information about several jungle animals. Repetition, rhyme, quirkiness, and instruction: all in one book!

My Busy Day: 15 Tiny Books by Pat Hegarty, illustrated by Amanda Gulliver. Toddlers are particularly drawn to tiny things and collections. Tiny stuff makes them feel big, and it tucks away into pockets, bags, drawers...or wherever they are stashing. These miniature books cover common situations with cute, simple illustrations.

Baby A is really into stashing. I find things in the most curious places. Unfortunately, she doesn't stash her toys and books as often as she stashes my jewelry, the remotes, and kitchen utensils.

I've noticed that attention span ebbs and flows at this stage--sometimes, a two-year-old will focus on one book, reading it over and over, for half an hour. Other times, a two-year-old only gets through the first three lines of a six-line book before another activity calls. 

What are your favorite typical or non-typical two-year-old traits? Have you noticed a link between quirks and favorite books?

Ladybug On the Move: Extension Activities

Today I’m participating in the Ultimate Blog Swap. You’ll find me posting over at Bringing the Sunshine about an art project you can play with inspired by Good Dog, Carl, and I’m excited to welcome Kris from Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers to wise owl baby:

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a good book with a child. That enjoyment can be made even more special with extension activities that help the story come to life for him or her.

One of my kids’ all-time favorite books (and mine, too!) is Ladybug on the Move, by Richard Fowler. We discovered this gem during our local library’s story time when my oldest (now almost 17) was a preschooler.

Part of the fun of this visually-appealing book is the die-cut ladybug that is included. She comes out of her little clear pocket on the front cover so that she can take the journey in and through – literally – the pages of the book with the reader.

Ladybugs – and insects, in general – are such a high-interest topic with kids that it’s easy to come up with lots of fun related activities to move the story off the pages of the book. First, explore facts about real-life ladybugs with your child using a book such as Are You a Ladybug, by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries (the whole Backyard Books series is incredibly well-done).

Enjoy some fun and tasty ladybug snacks together, such as:

·         Ladybug cupcakes

·         Ladybugs on a stick

·         Apple ladybug snacks

Enjoy making ladybug-themed crafts:

·         Variety of ladybug craft ideas

·         Adorable ladybug rock (be sure to scroll down to look at the ladybug salad idea)

·         Ladybug paper plate puppet

·         Ladybug (or insect) sensory box (this links includes lots of other great ladybug-themed ideas)

You can even order live ladybugs to observe for a little while or catch your own and observe them in a ladybug habitat.

Have you done any fun ladybug crafts or enjoyed any unique ladybug snacks lately? Do you have any great resources for more ladybug extension activities?

Visit Life Your Way to see all of the Ultimate Blog Swap participants!

3 Gifts to Thank Teachers

Happy May Day!

I love May! It is full of fun holidays: May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, loads of birthdays, and Memorial Day. 

And a week from today (May 8th) is National Teacher's Day--did you know? I picked a few gifts especially for your favorite teachers:

 

Teacher Vintage Dictionary Pendant Necklace by kraftykash 
The New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons
a book for the classroom, such as Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett
 
 
Who are your favorite teachers? And why?

Earth Day Art Map and Arbor Day Book

How will you be celebrating Earth Day on April 22nd, and Arbor Day on April 27th?

Since I'm moving on Earth Day, I decided to celebrate a little early. I collaged this map, and wrote a couple of my favorite author's sentiments about Earth onto it.

Here's a simple how-to:

1)  Tear scrap paper into a variety of strips. 

2) Brush a thin, even layer of mod podge onto the cardboard rectangle, in sections, and quickly form continents and oceans with blank strips.

While I did that, Baby A 'painted" (brushed water onto her own scrap paper).

3) Write the quote(s) on the map.

I wrote my quotes across like a banner, but it would also be fun to write the words onto strips and paste them on for a patched look. I wish I had written them larger, in a more interesting color.

4) Gloss the entire map with the mod podge. 

 
The quotes I used:
"All things of the universe are miracles, each as profound as any."
-Walt Whitman

"Earth laughs in flowers."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

For Arbor Day, I recommend reading Grandpa Green by Lane Smith. Grandpa Green artistically carves out his life legacy. This might be my favorite Lane Smith book, though as a child I pouted and cried in the car until my parents went back into the book fair and purchased The Stinky Cheese Man for me. (I still feel guilty; it was totally uncharacteristic for me to whine like that, and for my parents to give in like that.) I won't throw a fit for Grandpa Green, but I will add it to my pretty-pretty-please-it's-almost-my-birthday list.

Don't you think that planting, saving, or appreciating a tree is one of the best ways we can build a legacy for our future generations?

P.S. more springtime and Earth Day books

P.P.S. Does your library read for the Earth?

Visiting Little Treetops

Thank You, I am also smart.

 Friends of mine have co-founded a delightful online shop: Little Treetops. Vintage-inspired and forward thinking words and images are hand-screened onto cotton onesies. I'll bet you can't pick just one. 

I'm excited to be a guest over there today, so hop on over to read my secret to building baby's first book collection, and have a look around the shop.

Easter Basket Books

If you're playing Easter Bunny this year, stock your baskets with some sweetness that can be enjoyed over and over again.

For the one in perpetual motion:

 

Peepsqueak! by Leslie Ann Clark

For the detail-oriented and/or the artist:

The Easter Egg by Jan Brett. You can also make a mural with the illustrations.

For anyone past the phase of ripping pop-up books:

Peter Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt. It's a gorgeous interactive pop-up adventure based on Beatrix Potter's original illustrations.

For everyone remembering the true new life of Easter:

If the Savior Stood Beside Me by Greg Olsen. This is a compilation of Olsen's  paintings, mostly of Jesus with children, with text inspired by (but not really quoting) the song by Sally DeFord. I'd like to make it a tradition to put a book in Baby A's Easter basket each year, and this year I chose this book. I prefer portrayals of Jesus to be realistic (as opposed to cartoonish) and I especially like to see portrayals of Jesus with children of diverse physical attributes and cultural backgrounds, because an overwhelming majority of portrayals that I've seen showcase only white, sandy-haired children. Any suggestions?

What are your Easter basket favorites? Have you been reading any Easter books this week?

P.S. A tip: Baby A is still playing with the plastic eggs my mom gave her last year. Opening and closing the eggs is great for fine motor skill development. Sometimes, when we're going somewhere she needs to stay seated, we put a tiny surprise in a plastic egg and pull it out when she gets antsy. 

Pictures Books About Moving

Pardon my absence; I've been trying to organize my thoughts before I pack up for a move.

We've lived in this apartment for three years. We brought our baby home here. We watched her grow curious and talkative in this living room. She cut teeth in that bedroom. She sits back with a book in that nook. We greet the ducks in the pond in the spring, and worry about the fish in the pond all winter. 

I have been thinking of ways to ease the transition away from this living room and this bedroom and this pond to the three new homes we'll make in the coming year. I suspect the transition(s) will be much more difficult for me than for almost-two-year-old Baby A. 

Of course, there are books for that. I've been trying to keep Tsh Oxenreider's advice in Organized Simplicity in mind as I decide what I want waiting for me in storage during the upcoming summer sub-lease and fall internship. Picture books can guide me to comforting pictures and words to give Baby A and myself, and maybe my husband, too. 

Are you planning a move?

A New York Times article suggests two recently published picture books about reluctant movers.

And this squidoo article lists ten picture books about moving (giving a review of eight), so the angle you and I may be looking to take is sure to be illustrated in one of them.

It seems most picture books about moving are directed at bike-riding, best-friend-making six-to-nine-year-old children. Do you think that's the toughest age for moving, or just the easiest age period for which to articulate a picture book? 

I would guess teenagers would have the toughest time--do you think a teenager would secretly appreciate a picture book about moving (particularly one not featuring a little kid)?

image: cover of Half A World Away by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Freya Blackwood

P.S. I'll be back in the swing of things here next week. Happy reading until then! Err...and after then, too. 

Springtime Traditions

Happy Spring! I thought it was fitting to kick off the official start of spring by hanging out some hope in the magic of nature--I made my second annual tree wish. I use only ribbons and things around my house, and write my wish on a scrap of paper. I try to make it appealing to birds, in the hopes that they'll steal the ribbon for their nests, which I'm sure would be extra good luck. This year, I hung it two-and-a-half-stories high in the tree by leaning over my stair well.

(Can you spot my escaped, barefoot toddler?)

My mom reminded me that this year is the centennial celebration of Washington D.C.'s cherry blossoms. I grew up near D.C., and both the cherry blossoms and dogwood blossoms bloomed divinely for weeks.

I'd love to add these books to my collection as a reminder of my fourteen years in Virginia.

Remarkable Trees of Virginia illustrated by Robert Llewellyn and written by Nancy R. Hugo

Eliza's Cherry Trees: Japan's Gift to America written by Andrea Zimmerman, illustrated by Ju Hong Chin

Don't you think a book collection can tell a version of a person's life? And isn't springtime a perfect time to both reminisce and look forward with hope?
 

P.S. Tell me if you make your own tree wish--I'd love to see!

P.P.S. my springtime book picks

St. Patrick's Day Party: Atypical Books and Activities

My friends and I are planning a St. Patrick's Day party for our 1-2-year-olds this weekend. My elementary school self loved doing the leprechaun treasure hunts leading to a pot of gold coin chocolates every year, and I was sure that one day I would find the end of a rainbow. I haven't yet. But for the next generation's younger crowd, I'm thinking balloons in rainbow colors and Baby A's favorite treasure: fruit snacks.

This musical board book would be a fun way to kick off a rainbow-treasure-friendship party. The Forgetful Little Leprechaun gets help from friends to find his pot of gold, which (spoiler alert!) he left at the end of the rainbow, of course. His friendships are his true treasure in the end. (I am geeking myself out.) The text is fun and the music is actually nice; it plays the tune "Irish Eyes Are Smiling".

Or, if you want something outside of the pot-of-gold, play up the (probably untrue) but fun legend of St. Patrick banishing snakes from Ireland.

I haven't read The Last Snake In Ireland, but it looks intriguing. For a party theme, you could hide a tiny rubber snake in one of many cupcakes decorated green like the hills of Ireland, and whoever gets it is "it" in a game of Sardines, or first up in an obstacle course. Goodie bags or treats could include sour gummy worms masquerading as snakes, homemade bread sticks shaped like snakes, or celery cut and shaped to look like a squiggling snake.


For a fun and easy game in the traditional rainbow route: Crafting Chicks Find the Colors of the Rainbow Treasure Hunt {free printables}

Got any Irish-luck plans up your sleeves? Do you know of any fun books about Ireland or St. Patty? Or snakes?

When My Baby Dreams

Have you checked out one of last year's internet sensations, Mila's Daydreams? Adele Enersen, formerly in advertising, started photographing her baby while on her maternity leave. (She's from Finland [cheer], and so it's possible her maternity leave is up to three years. I didn't ask her.) The photographs were made into a book, When My Baby Dreams, and I couldn't help but order it. It's like taking the sweetness of watching a baby sleep and the softness of happy daydreams and putting them into big pictures to flip through whenever you need an endorphin rush. Now, Adele's expecting her second baby, and her second book, (fairytales), is due next winter! You can see her talk about it on the Today Show.

Stranger in The Woods

Is it just me, or does that title send shivers down your spine? But I'm actually talking about the adorable and heart-warming photograph story, or as the authors put it, "a photographic fantasy":

Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick set up a snowman sprinkled with seeds and corn, and dubbed clever and lyrical words to the woodland animals' curiosity. "'Who-hoo's in the woods? Where? Where did the jays say? Where is he?' asked The Owl of Many Questions." The text is chirpy, and the excitement is so easy to relate to, if you have half as much snow as the Canadian kids in the book have. The back of the book even has a "Recipe for a Snowman". Building Baby A's first snowman is definitely on our to-do list this winter. Speaking of which, Stranger in the Woods is the book I chose for Baby A this year. It's not Christmas-y, just wintery, but I thought the photographs of animals and the brief, repetitive, fun text would draw her in. (If she were 3-8 years old, I definitely would have chosen the 25th Anniversary edition of The Polar Express.)

In other to-do news, our advent chain is nearly half gone. The point was not so much to give myself more things to accomplish, but to remind me to infuse the holiday season with family time and intentional joy. Here's what we've enjoyed so far:

give Baby A a Pikkujoulu book

make Christmas cards

hand-make gifts

decorate the tree

call grandparents

celebrate Itsenäisyyspäivä

make hot chocolate

hang a wreath

read a Christmas book

But there has been no sticking snow yet, for the snow angels and snowmen on our list. There is some rooftop snow--Baby A pointed to it and declared it to be ice cream! Oh, I wish.
Are you having a creamy white December? Have you been festive? What have you been reading?

Thanksgiving Harvest Storytime

Thanksgiving Day is practically here! 

It is one of my favorite holidays, because you can put as little or as much fuss into it, and either way, you will succeed! I also love the irony of pondering gratitude, then overindulging yourself into a food coma. It works for all ages, too. People in every stage of life enjoy gathering family and friends to eat a thoroughly thought-out meal. 

Baby A has had harvest food on the brain, too, lately, with repeat readings of To Market, To Market. My husband can't suspend his disbelief when it comes to a lady going to a market to purchase large, live animals, keeping them in her house, and then being surprised when they escape their pens. I buy in to it because it is charming, but I interpret it as a book about a woman who buys these animals, and despite the havoc they cause, she doesn't have the heart to cook them--so she makes soup and everybody is happy. I don't think it is actually intended to be plausible, nor vegetarian, necessarily, but in any case, it is fun! Baby A likes to say, "Uh-oh" at the appropriate parts in the book.

Here's a storytime perfect for Thanksgiving foodies:

Read: To Market, To Market, words by Anne Miranda (based on the nursery rhyme), pictures by Janet Stevens

Sing: Ask volunteers to hold various food toys, pictures, or real food in front of the group. Ask them to lift up the food, one by one, while singing to the tune of "Here We Are Together":

We're going to the market, the market, the market

We're going to the market to buy our food

Some [first food] and [second food] and [third food] and [fourth food]

We're going to the market to buy our food

This could be repeated with more foods, or by preparing the food (We're chopping up the carrots...).

Talk about: Thanksgiving foods, table manners

Sing: "Please and Thank You" (Shake maracas instead of or in addition to saying "cha cha cha" and replace some lyrics with lines such as If you'd like some mashed potatoes [cha cha cha] or a slice of pumpkin pie.)

Check out these lovely Thanksgiving book reviews.Would you like to peruse more Turkey Day reads?

And here's a list of Thanksgiving books that don't eat the turkey.

Do you have a kids' table? Check out these activity printables.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"A Smile Means Friendship to Everyone"

As the last challenge for The Happy Day Project, I shopped at Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog. I chose Gift #3: Teach a Child to Read and Write. Isn't that a priceless gift to offer? I feel a little more connected to my neighbor, even if my neighbor is far away, is of a different faith, dresses or eats differently, or learns to read and write in a different language. It reminded me that it's a small world, after all. 

Pondering that led me to a picture book (what else?) celebrating our small, happy, broken, growing world. Joey Chou's illustrations in It's a Small World are bright and bursting with color and warmth. The depictions of people around the world are predictably stereotypical, but not offensive, in my opinion. (See the castle on the cover? It is published by Disney.) The text follows the sweet lyrics and music by brothers Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman.

Reading in the NICU or PICU

I am most excited about Day 4 of The Happy Day Project!

I haven't decided yet what book to give to which friend, but I'm hoping to squeeze in a perusal at the bookstore this evening.

Had you heard of The Joyful Life Library? I am so glad I learned about it! We sent Sandra Boynton's A to Z to Rady's Children Hospital in San Diego (selected because of our recent vacation). A to Z is one of the chosen on Baby A's read every day several times a day list, so I hope another child and parent enjoy it, too. 

As a mother and a lover of children's books, the story and cause hit me at my core. Spending just one day in level 1 (least intensive) NICU with Baby A gave me a tiny glimpse of parents who spend so much of their tiny baby's life in worry and wait. I don't pretend to know their feelings, but I hope to lighten their load even a little. And here's an interesting short article about how reading may help with bonding and coping during hospital stays.

P.S. Isn't today's printable just the cutest?

P.P.S. This project is blissing me out with gratitude! Two more weeks until Thanksgiving! Can you believe it?

Formula and Pecan Pie

Sophie Blackall illustration in Pecan Pie Baby by Jaqueline Woodson

I fed a newborn for one month on Day 3 of The Happy Day Project, thanks to Compassion's Christmas Catalog.
I didn't hesitate to support this non-profit, because I've heard so much before about Compassion International from Tsh at Simple Mom. I think I'll send my five-year-old niece something handmade for Christmas, and ask her if she'd like to pick something out for a child in need, like a playground or school supplies!
 
I've been blessed to feed my baby (breastmilk, formula, and now strawberries and oatmeal) every day of her life, and my mom-heart breaks to think that babies go hungry. I think Baby A would like to help babies--she tries to peek in every car seat carrier and stroller to see a baby, and many of her frequently read books feature babies.


We recently checked out Pecan Pie Baby by Jaqueline Woodson, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. I liked the idea of it--a reluctant big sister-to-be tires of hearing about the new baby coming, but her mama helps her feel loved. It centers on a hard but real part of growing a family, without unrealistic expectations, and with warmth. The text wasn't my favorite, but I would like to read other Jaqueline Woodson books anyway, because I have a hunch I'll end up a fan. 
The illustrations have the charm I expected from Sophie Blackall. She never over-complicates, but plants back story details in all of her pictures. Don't you think?


Now I'm craving pecan pie. We'll wait on the baby sibling, though.


What are your favorite books about babies? Any second (or third or sixth or grand) babies coming your way? And are you going to pick something out at compassion--a goat, perhaps?

Read It Again, Again, Again, Again

I stifle a moan with a sigh every time Baby A says "mama mama mama". She's not asking for me. She calls me Äiti. 

"Mama mama mama" means "Read Llama, Lllama Red Pajama for the fifteen thousandth time, please." I even tucked it behind some other books on the shelf, but that wouldn't fool my toddler. She's determined to learn by repetition, and what can I do but cheerfully oblige? (95% of the time.)  

Llama, Llama, Red Pajama (by Anna Dewdney) says llama llama mama llama lamalalalmaaaa too many times for me to muster a recommendation at this time, but this phase reminded of when I read the girl I nannied Where Is the Green Sheep? four hundred thousand times. Then, I hid it on a shelf too high for that 15-month sweetheart to see--until her mom found out. The book came down and I read it three hundred thousand more times. 

But now, four years later, I can say that I was quite happy to find the green sheep with Baby A today. I am somewhat sure that only Mem Fox and Judy Horacek could make a book that continues to endear on the seven hundred thousand and first reading.

And FYI: Day 2 of The Happy Day Project was easy-peasy: write a hand-written note to a friend, just 'cause. I wrote one to my little friend (the girl I nannied) to remind her that I never really tired of finding the green sheep with her. The note was sent off with a pile of postcards from my family trip to California... yep, better late than never! 

Are you spreading the happy?

Do you have any books memorized by repetition?

P.S. How cute is this Green Sheep cake?