DOUBLE FEATURE

***Oops, I thought that I had posted this first book last week.  However, my "smart" phone let me down.  So you lucky people get TWO books this week!***

So I will tell you right now that this book may not apply to everyone's family.  However, I can't resist telling you all about it.  Hopefully you'll never need a book like this but maybe you will or maybe you have a dear friend who will.  Even if it helps even one person from me posting this it will be worth it.  

It is about a mom who is being treated for cancer.  Julie Aigner Clark (think Baby Einstein) has written how despite all the pain and sickness that goes along with cancer there are bright beautiful moments too.  I am often called "cold hearted" in my home because unlike my husband I don't cry during most movies or touching commercials.  That being said, I had to pause while I was reading this so I could regain my composure and I'm getting misty just writing this post and thinking about this amazing book.

Jana Christy's illustrations are so incredible!  They are as soothing and comforting as the words that are written next to them.

So the most important thing to remember is, make sure you have a box of Kleenex close when you read this!

I love Carolyn Crimi, I mean who doesn't!  Rhyming, wild, silly stories that kids and parents just cannot resist!  Principal Fred Won't Go To Bed is really no different.  Poor Fred can't find his teddy bear and so he can't go to sleep.  My kids loved finding the bear hiding out in the book and I felt relieved to know that it is okay to sleep with a stuffed animal even when you're the adult!

Donald Wu is an excellent artist and I loved the pictures.

Plus my favorite comment of the night, courtesy of my cute little first grader:

"Mom, do you think my teacher has a teddy bear?"

"Probably not sweety, it's just a story."

"But her boss does huh?  Cause Principal's are the boss!"

Sweet Dreams!!

2009 GOBLIN OF GREATNESS AWARD GOES TO...

I'd like to thank everyone who participated in this year's Goblin of Greatness Contest.  I appreciate your time and opinions.   The winner of this year's Goblin of Greatness Award is...

....DRUMROLL PLEASE....

WHERE'S MY MUMMY?

Congratulations to John Manders and Carolyn Crimi for their addictive mummy tale that still has my kids begging me to read it even though Halloween is over and the candy is almost gone (yes, already!).

Where's My Mummy?

My favorite time of year is here!

In case your wondering what that is exactly, it is OCTOBER.  My birthday month, when leaves start changing and it becomes okay to eat high carb food and snuggle in a blanket, and best of all...Halloween!  In honor of such a joyous occasion I'll be featuring mostly Spooky, Scary, Spectacular books for the rest of the month!  (I just heard a cheer go out among the masses!)

So what do Elephants and Mummies have in common?  They are both afraid of mice!  At least in this spook-tacular book they are.  I know I say all the books I put on here are fabulous but honestly, this one IS!  And to prove it:      

“Manders's appealingly round mummy child
and the text's rhythmic "clank clink clanks"
will find happy audiences.” Kirkus

I recently found out that Kirkus almost never gives great reviews.  So if you get a great review from them, it means something!

The inspired writer is Carolyn Crimi.  Just by reading this book you can tell it was written by a true Halloween expert!  All the classic monsters are present but in a non-threatening, fun way.I love that she not only tells the story but lays out a whole bedtime routine.  I actually used it on my kids the other night.  (Brush your teeth like Bones.  Now let's clean faces like the swamp monster.  Should we clean ears like Drac?)  It is great!  I had just checked this out from the library but will definitely need to buy it since I don't foresee my kids being too happy about returning it in 14 days!  Plus the truth is, I'm as excited to read it at bedtime as they are!  (Partially due to the fact that it isn't too long so I know bedtime will be done with sooner!) Click on her name for more fun books and info!

Mere words can  NOT describe how cool the monsters and scenes in this book are.  They are done by a very talented man named John Manders who has a great web page that you should check out if you want to find more books that he has done.   The illustrations in this book are hilarious!  My absolute favorite is the Vampire in bat pajamas.  It is so comical and cute that I finish reading the page and pause (this is a rare thing for me to do in my life) and look at the picture because it makes me laugh.  

The other day I asked my daughter (she's 5), "Aren't those jammies Cool?"  

She "uh-huh"-ed me. 

I asked, "Did you see those cute bat slippers?"  

She put her little hands on her waist like a put out teenager and said, "Mo-uhm!  Turn the page already.  Huh!"  (Exactly like that.  I'm not exaggerating, just ask anyone that knows Sydney!)

If you need a book that will get you in the Halloween Spirit, grab this one!