Books for Mothers Day!

A few weeks ago I told you I had gone to a small independent bookstore near me that had just hosted Kathie Lee Gifford and her new book Party Animals.  While I was there I took a look at the books they had on their Mothers Day display.   I have already talked about the Tomie dePaola bk My Mother is So Smart but there were a few others that I liked on the table as well.  I thought I would suggest them as books to help celebrate Mother's Day.

You and Me by Martine Kindermans is a beautifully sweet book of a mother Goose and her gosling.   I was touched by the words as they reminded me of my beautiful Mother.   The illustrations are warm and soothing. 

Just Like Mama by Lesléa Newman & illustrated by Julia Gorton is a new book from Abrams Books for Young Readers.  This is also a great book, the illustrations have a different and modern feel to them but the story is timeless.   This book reminded me of my sister Ann and her daughter Celia~it is a great book for moms & daughters. 

Are You My Mother (cloth book) by P.D. Eastman ~ this is a new version of one of my favorite Dr Seuss books.   I don't normally like when books are shortened for toddlers but this one is done extremely well.  Great way to introduce to toddlers the world of Dr Seuss.

Cinco De Mayo: Celebrating the Traditions of Mexico by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith

I never really knew what Cinco de Mayo was....I just thought it was a Mexican holiday that was celebrated with great food.   (Of course the best to celebrate any holiday is with food but that is just me.) Anyway I came across this wonderful book that is a perfect way to explain this holiday to children, it certainly explained alot to me.   There are many books published about this holiday non-fiction as well as fiction so I thought I would just suggest one of my favorites.

Cinco De Mayo: Celebrating the Traditions of Mexico by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith with photographs by Lawrence Migdale is a great book for kids about Cinco de Mayo because it is easy to read and understand for even the youngest child.   I love the fact that it uses photographs as they show the colorfulness of the holiday and celebrations.   It is pact with information but also tells a story.   So if your child wants to know what this holiday is all about then this is the book for you.

Happy Cinco de Mayo or Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Flashback Tuesday: When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli illus by Jane Dyer

                                               

When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Jane Dyer is one of my favorite new classics.   First I love the cover and illustrations. Jane Dyer perfectly captures the love of parent and child in a beautiful way.   The words are soothing and rhythmic~a perfect bedtime book.   What I always loved about this book is that it was one of the first I had seen that dealt with a working mother.   I know some have said it isn't a realistic view of working mothers because most are too tired when they get home.  I argue that all mothers who work want to cuddle and spend with their children and this is the perfect book to help them achieve that desire.   It is a soothing and wonderful way to spend time with a child....

My Mother Is So Smart by Tomie dePaola

                                                    


If you have been reading this blog you know that I have a soft spot for Tomie dePaola.   I found his most recent book to be a new favorite.   It is a beautiful book that captures the thoughts of a child so perfectly about his mother.   I so can see my own Mother in this book because my Mother was not only smart but beautiful.   A very special book that I can see giving a new Mom for her first Mothers Day. 


My Mother is So Smart by Tomie dePaola is a simple book but eloquent and if you love Tomie as I do it will be a must have on your child's bookshelf.

Reference Sunday: Explaining Oil Spills to Children

                                                        

All weekend long I watched the news about the huge oil spill near Louisiana.   This spill is considered an environmental disaster.   I children are probably asking questions about this....I know they are wondering what it could mean to them.   I thought I would list some books to help parents explain to their children the ramifications of this disaster.   I hope they help.


Oil Spill by Melvin Berger~ from Harpercollins Let's Read and Find Out Series of books.   These are great for preschoolers to about 2nd grade.   Easy to read and understand.  

Oil Spills: Damage, Recovery, and Prevention by Laurence Pringle ~ A Save the Earth book from William Morrow is for older children ages 9-12....great photos and explanations kids can understand.  Laurence Pringle is really great at this kind of thing. 

These are just two titles I think would help explain this current event~

Get Talking Chinese from Dk Publishing

                                                           


Today is my nephew Joseph's 11th birthday.   He is the kind of kid who lives by his own rules.  I remember the day of his birth so clearly.   All week long my brother asked me if the baby was born in the middle of the night would I come and watch his other boys.   I said no problem.  So early Saturday morning on May 1, 1999 around 4am my brother called and said to come over.   I threw on some clothes and raced out the door.  They live about 40 minutes from me but I think I made in 30....when I got to their house I saw an ambulance and police car parked outside.   I raced inside to find a cop at the top of the stairs smiling, to quote him "it's a done deal"....little JoJo didn't wait until I got there or for the hospital he came when he wanted to....in his parents bed.   Like I said---he lives by his own rules.

This year I was struggling as to what gift I could get him....I saw one day a notice on their table for his classes next year.   Under language he checked off that he wanted to take Mandarin Chinese.   That's my JoJo~

Get Talking Chinese  from DK Publishing is a book for beginners.   It is perfect in that it not only explains about the language but talks about the Chinese culture too.  It even comes with a CD to help with pronunciation.   I am not sure how long my nephew will be interested in this but it couldn't hurt to help him along.  

Happy Birthday Joseph Anthony!

Happy Arbor Day!

                                        


Today is Arbor Day~I remember this used to be such a big thing when I was a kid.   Now I only realized it because I was looking for something to write about.   It is still celebrated and there is a great website devoted to it ( http://www.arborday.org/)  but I don't think it gets the press it deserves.  I always liked the idea of planting a tree to commemorate an event or person, it is very uplifting.   I discovered two new books that I think would be perfect for today and would be a nice way to remember what this day stands for.

We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrew illus by Bob Staake (2010 from Golden books).   This book shows people from different parts of the world planting trees.  It talks about the benefits trees provide us in a beautiful poetic way.   It is not preachy or boring~but very sweet.   I love the illustrations....it is said that it is a modern style by I feel like they are almost retro with an art deco sensibility.   I just love them.  

Arbor Day Square by Kathryn O. Galbraith illus by Cyd Moore  is the perfect book for today ( 2010 from Peachtree Publishers).  Usually books like that are specific to a theme can seem institutional and not something for everyday story time with your kids.   This is an exception. This sweet story about a girl and her father is simple and pointed but a joy to read.  The illustrations really evoke a time and place much more simpler than today.