If I Built a Car

My prayers have finally been answered!  I went through such a rough patch with books that I wasn't sure if I would find a book in time to write my next post.  This last week, however, I must have meandered out of the "Parental Torture" section in our local library and into the "Hallelujah!" section.  I have such a huge stack of awesome books to share and this is at the top of them.

If I Built A Car is by Chris Van Dusen, author of the Mr. Magee and Mercy Watson books.  So needless to say I knew I would love the illustrations and I was expecting to like the book.  "Like" is such a feeble word when describing how I feel about this incredibly funny and entertaining book!  I adore this car and wish it really existed, not that I could afford it but the dents in my front and back bumper can attest to the fact that I deserve...no, NEED this car!  Plus, can I tell you how many times I have been driving in town and the warm sun mixed with my usual sleep deprivation and an added unusual silence coming from kids in the back seat have had me all but falling asleep at the wheel?  I could totally use a robot to take over while I snoozed on the couch (most likely a standard feature on all models)! 

I will admit that there are drawbacks to this book.  There has been fighting and massive shedding of tears over who got to have this book for bedtime, a minor inconvenience really considering what follows the temper tantrums is silent, content children...sniffling away....while I read this brilliant book!

When I Grow Up

Okay, okay...how could you go wrong with a book written by Al Yankovic? 

This is honestly one of my favorite books ever!

Did you know that I have only worked at a mere fourteen different jobs and only switched my major when I was in college six times before deciding on what I wanted to be when I grew up.  Guess what? Since finally deciding to become a massage therapist I have dabbled in children's book writing, learned to successfully trade stock, taken up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu all while cultivating patience in my most important job, commonly referred to as MOM!  I thought maybe I was decisionally challenged or flighty but according to this book I'm normal!  Yep, you heard me right, NORMAL!

Reading this book is like winning a prize for having sat through all the less than superior books that my kids grab off the shelf at the library.  It is definitely one of those diamonds in the rough.  There is rhyming (my favorite), witty humor, hilarious pictures by Wes Hargis, and best of all a wonderful lesson to share with your kids.  I love that this book tells kids it is okay to do and be a million things as long as you are happy!

Well that's enough praise for one night...go find a copy...NOW! 

(Oh and in case you ever read this post Mr. Yankovic, I would love to have the recipe for Twinkies Au Gratin!  That's my kinda meal!)

Bug and Bear

A Story of True Friendship

This book is so adorable you are just gonna wanna hug it!

Several years ago my brothers and I were playing a game and they had to pick the saying that best described me and they chose, "Grumpy as a Bear!".  Maybe they were right because I could really relate to Bear in this story.  This story reminds me of a mom and her child.  Bug wants so desperately to play and Bear wants so desperately to nap!

My kids love the pictures in this book and I think they are spectacular as well.  They are very animated and yet soothing.  Seems impossible that they could be both, right?  Yet Layn Marlow manages to pull it off! 

Like I said before, this book is beyond precious!  Ann Bonwill teaches the value of friendship while keeping little ones entertained.  Plus every time we turn to the last page my kids all go, "Aaaah."  What can I say?  It's that cute!

Please don't just take my word for it...go get it and decide for yourself!



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!!

Brewster The Rooster

Did any of you struggle with poor eye site as a child?  I did and I remember hiding my glasses in my desk and only pulling them out for brief moments so I could quickly look at the chalk board and then slide them back into my desk.  I was embarrassed by them to such an extent that my parents got me contacts by sixth grade.

Brewster is a rooster with an award winning Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!  Only problem is he's having a hard time discerning when the sun is coming up!  Luckily there is a smart little girl and a Rooster Optician that find a way to help him out!

Devin Scillian has written a bunch of books and I'm sure if you visit his page you'll find some that you've already read.  His writing is superb and you all know what a sucker I am for great rhyming books!   Lee White has done illustrations for this and other books that I've loved like Crazy Day at the Critter Cafe and The House Takes a Vacation.

So clear your throat and get ready to crow with your kiddos!

Say Hello to Zorro!

I was having trouble figuring out how to describe this book to all of you.  I was finally able to sum it all up in one sentence!  Are you ready for it?  Here it is...

Carter Goodrich, you owe me BIG!

Every stinkin' night I tell my three beautiful, little cherubs, "Go pick out your story." (translation: Ready, Set, Go FIGHT!)

Every stinkin' night within seconds of me uttering the above sentence, I tell those same three little cherubs, "Okay, okay!  Calm down!" (translation: Who ever is the loudest will win!)

Every stinkin' night, my three cherubs are FIRMLY told, "Now, you three get along!" (translation: I'm cracking please don't stop until I agree to read Say Hello To Zorro three times tonight!)

Every stinkin' night, I tell my three, "Would you guys knock it off?!" (translation: You did it!  I cracked! Say Hello To Zorro, three times in a row, here we come!)

Mister Bud has his very own schedule too!  His is sane and calm and wonderful until, like us, his schedule becomes quite more chaotic when Zorro comes along.

 

I'd urge you not to even bring this one home to your kids but you'd do it anyway!  The curiousity that is already building inside you will eventually win!  As you sit there reading, you are already wondering, Are the illustrations awesome? (YES!)  Her kids are crazy, I don't think mine would act that way with this book.(Oh they WILL!)  Easter's just around the corner, I need one more Easter Bunny treat for my youngest. (Buy one for all of them or you'll regret it!)  

In the end we all have to admit that if it is a good enough book for three children of different ages to all fight over, it's a keeper!

Until next time,well, just pray that my kids will let me read them another book so there will be a next time!