The Couch Potato by Jory John illus by Pete Oswald



This has been a long strange year.  Back in March my work shut down and I didn’t go to work for over 5 months. I was able to do some small stuff at home but not much. I thought this would have been a perfect time to work on my blog.  Sadly I didn’t do much of anything all the time I was off except eat too much and watch a lot of bad TV. One of the reasons I loved today’s book is because I was pretty much a “couch potato” the whole time I wasn’t working. It wasn’t until I was about to go back to work that I started going out for walks and do things around my house. This is why The Couch Potato resonated with me so well.  

 

 

The Couch Potato by Jory John and Illustrated by Pete Oswald is the perfect book for these uncertain times.  This duo of Jory John and Pete Oswald has totally touched a nerve with a book that is so current and fresh. 

 

 

I love the illustrations, which are charming and expressive. The book is about a potato that loves sitting on his couch watching shows and playing video games. He actually reminds me of my little nephew who loves his games. But as always there is an ulterior motive in this duo’s stories. This story reminds children (and possibly some adults) that while it is ok to spend time relaxing and sitting on the couch it is good to go out and experience the natural world from time to time.  I don’t know if this book was in the works before so many were forced to stay home but their timing is perfect.  This is a great book to read to little ones to encourage them to go outside and have fun.  

Barnaby Never Forgets by Pierre Collet-Derby

Wow it has been 6 months since I last posted and blogged about a book.  It has been a crazy few months.  The whirlwind of selling my home and moving has kept me occupied. On top of that work has been truly busy.... which is a long way of saying the past 6 months have gone by in a flash.

It was brought home to me that time has passed when I went to the graduation party for two of my nephews....one just finished college and the other will just be beginning.  This morning I talked to my sister who is packing to take her son back to school....so yes time has been flying....today is a day when I have a bit of downtime and looked at my blog for the first time in a long time.  It's not that I haven't been thinking of it....I kept seeing books that I would love to write about but then being too busy or tired to get it done.  I hope I can get back into suggesting so many of the wonderful books I come across....this one seemed the perfect place to start:

I came across today's book and had to laugh.....it so felt like my life....trying to remember everything.....and always realizing it was right in front of me.....

Barnaby Never Forgets written and illustrated by  Pierre Collet-Derby is a sweet story of a bunny who never forgets anything like ice cream night or brush his teeth but when he needs to remember something important he can't....I think we have all been there.  This is a funny book to read for story time or bedtime (although there might be too many laughs to sleep)....I love the palette of this book because it reminds me of books I had as a child. This book has a freshness to it while at the same time a sense of nostalgia.  A great book for the start of the new school year...it will help to reassure children that they shouldn't be stressed about remembering everything all the time...great new book for a child's library....Enjoy!

I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

It is a rainy kind of a day here in New Jersey. I have been spending the day with my "nephew" Little Bear a very cute Yorkie Poo.  Beyond that  it has been a bit of a lazy day sitting and reading with him on my lap.  Just now though I thought to myself---I'm a bit bored.  I am also waiting for my actual nephews to come home.  Being bored I reminded myself of a book we have at the bookstore....when I saw it and read it the other day it reminded me of  my niece and nephews when they were little.  This was a common phrase for them.

I'm Bored written by Ian Michael Black and illustrated perfectly by Debbie Ridpath Ohi it is the best book to read to children  when they say they are "bored".  When I first read it I didn't realize it was by the comedian Ian Michael Black.  I didn't even know he wrote children's books. All I knew was that it was a great book to read at story time or at bedtime.  He has really captured the essence of childhood in the most entertaining and quirky way.  I dare anyone to read this book and not identify with any child they might know.  This is a must have book for today's child.  Oh and I love how a potato is central to the plot....with the surprise addition of a flamingo.  Love it!

Flashback Tuesday: Miss Daisy is Crazy by Dan Gutman (My Weird School #1)

Here in the Northeast it is still summer vacation.  On the West Coast and places in between it is already back to school time.  I thought I would recommend a really fun series of books for kids about school---starting with the first book.

My Weird School #1: Miss Daisy is Crazy by Dan Gutman starts on the first day of school for AJ a precocious who hates school.  Luckily he has a very savvy teacher who he thinks isn't too smart.  In reality she is very smart because she plays into her students hands by making them "teach" her how to do things.  Reverse psychology at it's best.  Dan Gutman really knows how kids think which is probably why he is such a popular author.  This is a great series for the reluctant reader....just don't tell them that!  A must have series of books....