The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

from goodreads

4 stars

Lately the kids haven't been looking for new books. They seem to be wanting to read their old favourites. For Miss P that means a lot of Where is the Green Sheep.

Sometimes it is nice to go back and revisit old friends. I have many books that I like to go back to from time to time. I love spending time in their world. With my books-to-read list getting longer and longer I don't spend as much time with these old friends as I am forging new reading relationships. Perhaps I will need to change that.

Synopsis

Sally and her brother are stuck at home, with their mother out, feeling bored. Then comes the Cat in the Hat to change all that.

My Thoughts

I have a love hate relationship with this book. Currently I am loving it, but that can change. I think the main reason why I am loving it now is that over the Christmas Break we watch a lot of The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot about That. It is a cute show and shows the Cat as a more thoughtful character than what is portrayed in the the book. The show helps flesh him out and he becomes more loveable. (It helps that he his voiced by Martin Short... I adore Martin Short.)

I do like that the book is simplistic. It is a story that not only helps kids learn to read but is interesting too! That combo does not always exist. I also think that this story is very relatable. Who hasn't been bored wondering what to do, or been worried about getting found out by their parents or someone in authority. I also like how the Cat picks up everything. I wish my kids would catch that hint.

I don't like the Cat's total disregard for the discomfort of those around him. I know it is fun to have fun and try new things, but when it is causing massive anxiety for someone else, then perhaps it is time to stop. This lack of caring is something that I do not like.

This book is a classic kids book and will be around for a long time. It has that timeless quality and that sense of fun and adventure that is going to have kids keep coming back to it again and again. The copy we read from I had when I was a little girl, and I'm sure it will be around when my kids have kids. (The binding is exceptionally good.)

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton

from goodreads

3 stars

November is such a strange month. In one week you can go from a balmy 16 to snow. On Saturday we went to my husband's company's Christmas party. When we arrived it was chilly, but not snowing. By the time we left 5 hours later it was a winter's wonderland outside with about 2-3 cm of snow over everything. Good thing I finally got around to buying Miss P her winter boots!

Synopsis

Friends out for a walk want to catch a beautiful bird. It's okay... they have a plan. What could possibly go wrong?

My Thoughts

To be honest, I wasn't as impressed with this book as I thought I would be. The premise seemed really cool and I was ready to be thoroughly entertained, but, it just didn't happen for me. My kids and husband on the other hand were giggling away. Perhaps this is a case of it's me not you.

It is a good book for kids who are learning to read or for young readers who enjoy repetition as it is a story of repetition.

I did enjoy the illustrations. I thought they were kind of cool.

I think this is a book that might grow on me over time and I didn't mind reading it over and over. I just would choose a different book over it if I had a choice. But, your 2-6 year old will probably love it.

The Little Sleepyhead by Fran Manushkin Illustrated by Leonid Gore

from goodreads

4 stars

Now that we are in full swing of summer bedtimes and waking up times seem to have gone out the window. While we are still trying to keep up sort of semblance of a schedule I can still hear the older girls whispering far into the night. In the mornings I have been able to sleep into a delicious 8:30, this morning it was even pushed back to 9. Man am I spoiled. I probably should try to be more rigid with the bedtime. Getting back into the school routine in a month and a half might be a bit challenging. But, sometimes, you just need a break from it all. And if that break let's me sleep until 9, well I think I can handle that.

Synopsis

There is a little sleepyhead wandering around trying to find a place to sleep.

My Thoughts

I really liked it and the kids really liked it.

It was cute to see the sleepyhead try to mimic the animals that it sees to find a new place to sleep and having some pretty epic fails. I liked how the animals woke up each other. Sort of like a domino effect.

I like how it ends. It is almost like a motivational speaker slogan.  If this sleepyhead can fall asleep you can to! I don't know about your kids but mine are the masters of coming up with reasons why they don't need to sleep or why they can't fall asleep. I think the ending is for them.

Butterfly Park by Elly MacKay

from goodreads

4 stars

Yesterday we went to Kiwanis Park. They have a pool there which is like a lake where it is shallow around all the edges and then gets deeper in the middle. While the kids and I were paddling around a butterfly decided to flit around us. It went from head to head as if it was trying to figure out which one of us was the most sweet to land on.

There is something about butterflies that make me smile. When I see them I feel at peace and that I am in some magical point in time. They are so delicate and beautiful. They definitely give me a lot of joy.

Synopsis

A little girl moves from her country home to the city. She is sad to be leaving behind the beautiful butterflies. When she notices that beside her house is a park called Butterfly Park she is excited and can't wait to see butterflies again.

My Thoughts

This was a a sweet story. My older kids really liked it. They liked when everyone got together to build a butterfly garden in the park.

I liked how it showed that children's interests and desires help to build community. It was through the children's desire for butterflies to remain in Butterfly Park that children and adults alike pulled together to make it a beautiful place. I loved that.

I loved the whimsical quality of this book. I loved how the little girls dress looked like butterfly wings. It was just lovely

Stuff by Margie Palatini Ilustrated by Noah Z. Jones

from goodreads

3 stars

Today I signed the kids up for the summer reading club at the library. My kids loved doing it last year. They were always excited about what their next prize would be. I liked it because Miss V won a pizza dinner! No cooking for me that night!

And while my kids should want to read with out getting prizes, I will take whatever encentive I can get. Sometimes in the summer our days can be so lazy that it will be the end of the day and I will realize we haven't done any reading or anything. So, if the kids can help remind me, so much the better.

Synopsis

Edward the rabbit loves is stuff. He has so much stuff that it comes between himself and his friends. Then something happens that makes him rethink his hoarding habits.

My Thoughts

To be completely honest I got this book for my husband. We are slooooowly decluttering our space and  I thought this would be a cute book to help as a motivator. Not sure what he thought about it, but he definitely identified with Edward and not wanting to get rid of stuff.

This definitely wasn't a wow book and sometimes didn't make the most sense to me. While it is a children's book it looked at the whole hoarding thing with a rather simplistic approach. People with major hoarding issues can't just get rid of their stuff just like that. They hoard for complex issues and if their friends came and just had them get rid of stuff they would probably harbour resentment.

So, this was an okay book. Definitely nothing to write home about though.

Nuts to You! by Lois Ehlert

from goodreads

4 stars

Growing up in the country squirrels weren't a bit thing. Yes, I knew they were around, but they were definitely few and far between. Now living in the city squirrels are everywhere. I can usually always see at least one whenever I look out the windows. And man can they be a nuisance.

One summer I had a tomato plant growing in a planter. Even with wire and fencing around the plant the squirrels always managed to get the tomatoes right before I would pick them. That year I was only able to pick one tomato from the plant and even it had a tiny squirrel chew mark on it.

I guess I should be happy that I was able to help feed nature, I just wished nature would have let me partake of one unblemished tomato. Oh squirrels, they sure can be wily.

Synopsis

This book follows a squirrel doing all the normal things squirrels like to do when they are out on the town.

My Thoughts

I could totally identify with the narrator of this book. Seeing the squirrel digging up bulbs and creating a nuisance is something I can relate to.

I love how on each picture there are labels to what each thing is. What a great way to identify plants and animals that some kids might not have had experiences with yet. It helps to open up the world of nature to them.

I loved seeing how the squirrel moved. He was hopping into a planter and hanging from a window sill. I felt that the author/illustrator really captured squirrels move and how they like to sneak around.

I loved the pictures and the medium used. They are so bright and beautiful.

My two-year-olds favourite part was the cover. It has a hole that makes it seem like the squirrel is in a hole in a tree. She would open up the cover and put her face in the hole to play peek-a-boo. It was really fun. A lot of the time we never ended up reading the story because she was having so much fun with the cover.

All in all, this is a cute book with some educational qualities. If you think squirrels aren't a plague on this world you will probably like it. If squirrels are not your favourite thing in existence I would just leave it.

Olivia by Ian Falconer

from goodreads

4 stars

Being a busy mom has some perks. Honestly, if you are into comedy be around a 6 year old. Sometimes Miss G's wit is astounding. Miss P is more into physical comedy. She loves looking at you through her legs. What a goof ball.

As a busy mom who likes to read I love reading books that show how parents really see their kids. I love it when authors get the nuances of what kids do. I love when they share the same frustrations you do. It makes you feel you are not alone. My husband recently picked out a book for me at the library and said, "I think you should read this." It was Go the F$#@ to Sleep by Adam Mansbach. The book spoke truer words to me then ever. If you can handle a bit of profanity and you have kids that are constantly coming out of their room at night or are now toddlers and still have trouble sleeping, this is truly a book you will appreciate. (Just don't say what is in the book to your kids, you definitely won't win parenting points then.)

Synopsis

This is a book about Olivia, who is good at lots of things. See a day in the life of one awesome girl.

My Thoughts

We got this book when Miss V was little. She is now 8. Where did the time go? I loved in then as much as I love it now. This is definitely a modern children's classic.

I love the illustrations. They are simple, using only black white and red, yet they express so much. I love the use of other famous works of art in the story. It starts to pique the children's interest into what art can be and how it can be used to make us feel different things.

I love some of the dry humour used, especially when talking about the sandcastle. It's one of my favourite bits.

I love how I can see different bits of my kids in this book. Not all children are the same or identical. I can't say, "oh yes, Miss G is definitely the same as Olivia". Yet, each of my kids share some personality traits that I can see in the character, and that is kind of cool.

If you haven't read it I would put this on your kids to read list. If you have read it, it is worth another read, even if your kids are all grown up.

Chicken Butt! by Erica S. Perl Illustrated by Henry Cole

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Like most people I have a few pet peeves. As mentioned before some of them involve how people spell their names. Another of mine is not getting a serious answer when I ask a question. For example, when I ask, what should we eat this week and the answer is food... well... that irks me to no end. It is daunting planning menus week after week and a little help and consideration would be lovely.

Another pet peeve is when I ask "Guess what?" And my husband answers "Chicken Butt". Oh my how my blood starts to boil. I don't consider myself to be a violent person but I just feel like pummeling him!

Do you have any weird pet peeves?

Synopsis

(This synopsis is from the back cover of the book because I really don't know how to describe this book.) When a little boy successfully uses "fowl" play and ridiculous rhymes to get his distracted dad's attention, he gets so excited he keeps going and going. Dad wants to stop the silliness, but he's no match for... chicken butt! This two-voice tale perfectly captures the familiar face-off between a child's exuberance and a parent's exhaustion. A laugh-out-loud, read-it-again delight for the whole family.

My Thoughts

My kids and my husband loved this book. They loved the rhymes, they loved the word butt, and Miss V loved the monkey at the end. I did not quite share their joy over this book, probably because of the aforementioned pet peeve. I totally felt for the parent in this story and I could feel my annoyance level rise.

The pictures are fun, the story is fun (if you can stand it), and the kids will get it and love it. So if you can handle the chicken butt, this might be a story for you and your family.

Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox Illustrated by Judy Horacek

from goodreads

3 stars

Today is the last of the birthdays for our family. Miss G.'s was on Friday and Miss V.'s was today. I felt sort of bad for Miss V as she had to wait to open up her presents. They both got Our Generation dolls and Miss V. wanted hers sooooo badly, especially after seeing Miss G.'s, but we made her wait. What mean parents we are.

Lately I have been reading a lot of board books to help get Miss P. interested in reading. She loves watching Winnie the Pooh and Frozen on the Ipad. But, now I'm trying to broaden her entertainment medium horizons. It is definitely a work in progress. She is a creature of habit and sometimes those habits are very hard to break.

Synopsis

This synopsis was found on the publication information page. It was so succinct and to the point there was no way I could do better.

A story about many different sheep, and one that seems to be missing.

My Thoughts

This was a pretty good book. I'm not over the moon about it but it is definitely one that I could handle reading over and over. Although, always saying "But, where is the green sheep?" can be a bit tedious.

I liked how it showed opposites and had the sheep doing funny things. I would have used some different shades of the colours, for example, the blue sheep could be seen as more of a purple or grey. A more distinct shade would have been nice just for easier colour identification for the kids. The actual picture looks very nice. The red sheep wasn't the most red either, but it wasn't as bad as the blue.

Miss P. really liked the pictures and would point things out like the car, the stars, the moon. She even started baaing with the sheep but after awhile she was done with that.

This is a cute book to while a way your time. I think your kids will like it and you won't feel like knocking yourself unconscious by the end of it, and that's a good thing.

Tuck Me In! by Dean Hacohen and Sherry Scharschmidt

from goodreads

4 stars

I don't know about you, but here, bedtime can be quite adventurous. The kids are constantly keeping us on our toes. Some nights, when we say it is bedtime, the kids quickly and without complaint brush their teeth, get in their p.j's and bam! their in bed. No dragging their feet, no begging for an extra story, even Miss P. goes to sleep quite easily. Those nights are bliss. Then other nights... oh man... there is so much whining and insisting on a big bedtime snack. They refuse to brush their teeth and getting them into their p.j.'s is one of this centuries epic struggles. By the time they're in bed my husband and I are done and all I want to do is sit quietly, with no one touching me and escape into my latest book.

Why the difference? I have no idea. But at least it keeps things interesting. I really can't complain about being bored.

Synopsis

It is time for different animals to go to bed. Your little one gets to tuck them in.

My  Thoughts

This is a really cute book. I love the illustrations and the different prints used for the blankets. I love it when books use half pages to completely change the look and feel of a picture. All kids love to use these half pages. Miss P. likes turning them back and forth to see the changes. Her smiles make me smile.

I like the variety of animals. There are pigs and crocodiles and things in between.

The story is very repetitive. After the second page it was a bit tedious for me. But then, the book isn't intended for me. It is intended for kids 2ish-5ish so for that reading audience it is perfect.

This really is the perfect book to add to your going to bed routine. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing after the cover closes.

Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton

from goodreads

5 stars

Man, yesterday seemed like such a busy day. I hardly had time to check my email let alone put up the post.

We had a pretty slow January, but our February seems to be picking up. That is a good thing activity wise but, reading wise, not so much. It is a good thing I got so much reading done in January that I can allow myself a bit of a slow down if needed.

I definitely am feeling a touch of the February Blahs. I think it is because we are having round after round of sickness lately. It will be nice when Miss P. goes to sleep and stays asleep in her own bed! I don't mind sharing, but, between my darling husband's snoring and Miss P.'s need to touch me, it does not make for a very nice sleep.

Are you in the February Blahs? Do you have any tricks for getting out of them?

Synopsis

Little Owl falls out of his nest and a squirrel helps him find his mommy.

My Thoughts

This was a fabulous book. I loved the illustrations. I loved that half page flip book that showed the little owl falling and then bouncing from his nest.

I loved that it was a nutty squirrel who tried to help Little Owl. Seriously. Squirrels in book are so nutty. They seriously make the best characters some time. I loved how the squirrel took Little Owl from animal to animal thinking that they would be Little Owl's mother, because of one physical feature. Awesome!

I like how it ends... though, that mother owl should really invest in some taller walls.

The kids liked this book too. Miss V. would read it to the younger two. It warmed my heart seeing them cuddled together on the couch reading. (And it takes a lot to warm my heart as my husband can attest. ;)

While there is no real depth or super moral of the story, this was still a fun one. I think your family will love it just as much as mine.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

from goodreads

5 stars

The year is winding down. And though the holiday season is gearing up, I feel eerily relaxed. Perhaps I am missing something or forgetting about something. I don't know. I hope not. But it is such a nice feeling that when you can be relaxed about things. That does not mean to say that everything is ready for Christmas, but rather, I have this feeling that everything will turn out okay.

I am in the process of making some presents currently. And it has been fun. I haven't been reading as much, but I have been enjoying re-watching one of my favourite BBC mini-series Hamish Macbeth. I think when I start to sew I will listen to some audio books. That is always nice to do. That is how I read The Book Thief and reread the Harry Potter series. The orators are so good. They bring a whole other dimension to the story. It is just magical. I still remember how emotional I got at the end of The Book Thief when Liesel called out "Papa". Man it was a blurry eyed moment. Do you like listening to audio books? Which is your favourite?

Synopsis

The mouse took a walk in the deep dark woods, and to all the animals he looked tasty and good. Then he meets a Gruffalo.

My Thoughts

I have read, and read, and read, and read, and read this book to my kids and man, they love it and so do I. The rhythm and the poems are so top notch. I love putting different voices to the different animals. I love how saavy that mouse is. I love the pictures and illustrations, I love everything about this book.

I love how the mouse thinks he has outwitted all these other animals by inventing the Gruffalo and then all of the sudden he runs into one. Yet does that keep him down, nope, the mouse just rolls with it and in the end enjoys a nice acorn without anyone bothering him. My kids love it when the mouse meets the Gruffalo.

I don't know what else to really say about it other than it is just top notch. It is one book that I can stand to read over and over again, and that is saying something. I just love it so much.

So, if you haven't read it yet, well get on it. You will not be disappointed.

The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock Bill Peet

from goodreads

2.5 stars

Man it is blustery out there today. School buses in the country around us were all canceled. Unfortunately, living in the city, I still had to brave the elements to get my kiddies to school. Thank goodness for my chariot stroller. That thing goes through snow like a hot knife goes through butter. We are on our sixth winter with it and it is still in amazing shape. I love it.

Synopsis

Prewitt Peacock does not have the nicest of tails. One day his tail decides to grow and become wild. The other peacocks have a problem with that and give him an ultimatum. Either the tail goes or Prewitt does.

My Thoughts'

This was an alright book. But it was kinda weird. It has a great message of "be proud of who you are and looks don't matter", but it was still strange. The dream sequence kinda freaked me out.

I picked this book up because of the author. Bill Peet worked for Disney and was part of the story development and animation process for many films. His movies are among my favourites. The drawings are classic Bill Peet. I could almost see them in animation form. The story to me just felt lacking. It was okay but for me it just didn't have that special quality about it.

My kids liked the book well enough but, they were not asking for it to be read again and again. So, in my view that means it was a sort of a meh book for them too.

If you do decide to pick up this book, I would say you would be enjoy the illustrations and the nostalgia of Bill Peet.

Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin Illustrated by Harry Bliss

from goodreads

3.5 stars

I am a day late posting. Yesterday was such a busy day and then my little one decided that would be a great day not to nap. I don't know about you but I need the nap time to get things done. I am able to do some stuff when she is around. But other things, it is impossible to do, like computer items or putting anything away (as she promptly take it out again).

Yesterday I had to do the finishing touches on an activity that I was co-ordinating at my church. It was really fun. We learned how to make our own laundry soap and salad dressings and sweetened condensed milk. It was really interesting and yummy.

Today is my catch up day and luckily the little one is napping! Oh the things I will be able to do. I think I might read my book!

Synopsis

We get an in-depth look at this little spiders life. We get to see spider from is prospective. Very cool.

My Thoughts

This was a really cute book. I like how they showed the spider going to school, the rivalries between spiders and insects, yet, they also showed things spiders do like molting and catching wind to make their webs.

The drawings were really neat and engaging. It was great seeing some of the fun ways the illustrator interpreted the authors words.

The negative to this book, is that it is not the best read out loud story. There are the journal entries but then the pictures themselves have word-bubbles or other words that I had to read to my kids, as they are still learning to read. It broke up the flow of the story and I had to pause to explain things as it wasn't automatic.

My seven year old liked it more, she is able to read more than the 5 year old, and could get more from it on her own. My five year old didn't really like it as it was harder for her to engage with the book. It is definitely a picture book for an older child.

That being said it was a fun read, it is just better for older kids.

Wombat Walkabout by Carol Diggory Shields Illustrated by Dophie Blackall

from goodreads

4 stars

Last week my family and I went camping with a few other families. Of all the weeks of this summer it was the coldest and wettest yet. Not the best week to have gone camping but we still had fun. I didn't get as much reading done as I had hoped, but I did get to go zip lining, swimming and hiking. I also got to chat with a my friends which was nice.

But I am glad to be back to the blog and writing about what I have read! Here it is much warmer and drier, which I do appreciate.

Synopsis

A family of wombats go out for a walk. But they do not know that a wily dingo is about. Will they all make it home for tea?

My Thoughts

This was a cute book. It is nice that at the beginning they give definitions of some of the words that are used in Australia that are not as common in other parts. The depiction of the Australian flora and fauna enhanced this book, which without it risked being just another run of the mill counting book.

I liked the rhymes and the rhythm of the book. I love how the wombats are able to able to outwit the dingo. The wombats look so cute, though in real life I don't know if I would want to run into one.

My kids liked this book too. They were excited and felt a bit of dread when one by one four of the wombats did not come back.

This is a great book to snuggle up and read together. I think this is one that we will get out again and again.

Chester by Melanie Watt

from goodreads

3 stars

Well, it has been a successful library program so far. My oldest won one of the weekly draws which was dinner for the family at Panago pizza (some of the yummiest pizza around). Out of all the weekly prizes available, this one was probably the best one to win. I mean, what mom wouldn't love a night off from cooking. Two pizza's, two salads, and a drink, for free! Yes please! So thank you wpl and Panago! Both of you officially rock.

Synopsis

While Melanie tries to write and illustrate a story about a mouse in the country, Chester and his red marker take over, making the story about him, Chester.

My Thoughts

If I was rating this just for me, it would be a 4.5, I thought the pictures and story were clever and I loved how persistent the cat was to make the story about him. But since I am rating this for my kids too, I had to give it lower. My seven year old thought this book was hilarious. She loved how the cat changed everything and how the mouse was looking peeved and loved how the cat wore a tutu near the end. My five year old looked at me at the end and said "what the heck! That was dumb, I don't get it." So  for seven and up a great book. Younger, not so much.

I liked how the author didn't mind poking fun at herself. She was making this a fun story about the writing process and her cat. It's nice seeing someone having fun with their work and not being completely serious about it.

There were some times when it got a little annoying, and I thought to myself "hello, keep your stuff up from the cat, he his a menace!" (But then, I am not the biggest cat fan in the world, so perhaps that is why I didn't find his antics as lovable as others might.)

As with the other Melanie Watt book I have reviewed, this is a great book for older/more savvy children who have a better understanding of how relationships etc. work. It is not a book I would read to younger children. This really is a book that is better if the child reads it themselves as there are lots of little things written around the page which does not make it a real linear story, so not as conducive to reading aloud.

Proud Rooster and Little Hen by Carl Sommer Illustrated by Greg Budwine

3 stars

from googlebooks

Eek! I can't believe I forgot to post yesterday. This whole keeping up with everything is really getting to me. I guess I need to work on my posts more in advance then the day of, as the day just slips away from me.

It has also been hard to figure out which children's book to choose as 1) we are reading a lot and it is hard to narrow it down and 2) a lot of the books the kids are choosing are the learn-to-read one's which I can't stand. Now when we go to the library I let them choose one of those kind but their other book has to be a picture book. So help me, if I am going to read to them it will be a story worth reading, not some crazy swiss cheese type plot book. (Swiss cheese referring to the holes, like holes in the plot, not cheesy plotlines.) Do you put limits on what your kids get from the library? Do you try to steer their choices, while letting them still choose or do you give them complete freedom?

Synopsis

Proud Rooster thinks that he knows better than anybody else. He does not listen to warnings and that sometimes gets him in trouble. His father tells Proud Rooster if he doesn't change soon he may learn his lesson when it is too little to late. Read and watch to see if Proud Rooster changes in time or not.

My Thoughts

Books with a moral are not a bad thing. It can be helpful when children see characters in books behaving inappropriately and they can identify that. It is easier for them to see what someone else is doing wrong and then internalize it than seeing what they are doing wrong. But good grief. Can we teach kids a moral with out it seeming like, listen or you die!

Proud Rooster doesn't listen. He doesn't listen to his friends when they tell him not to climb as high on the tree. What happens, the branch snaps and he falls to the ground breaking his arms and legs and he is unconscious. Does he learn his lesson then? Nope! After months of being in casts Proud Rooster can finally go out to play and what happens. He nearly dies because he goes on ice and falls through. He seems to finally learn his lesson after that catastrophe. But seriously. You would have thought that after breaking all his limbs and probably having a severe concussion Little Rooster might have been a bit more cautious about the whole ice thing. Like, really the day his casts come off that's when he goes on the ice? I'm all for teaching kids the dangers gravity can pose and learning ice safety, but really?

It just seems a bit to in your face to be too much of an enjoyable story. When my husband was reading this to the girls he was laughing with shock at the storyline. And the illustrations were pretty crazy too. When Proud Rooster is unconscious there are x's over his eyes. Very stark.

So, this book is great if you want some pipsqueak to learn a lesson in a pretty upfront type of way. If you are looking for a nice story to cuddle up with you kids and possibly learn a nice message, I don't think this is the book for you. It doesn't really make a great cuddle book.

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

from goodreads

3.75 stars

Sometimes, when the children are asleep and my husband and I are talking, we think of occupations that might be fun to try, or occupations that we would not want to do in a million years, even if the money was excellent. Doctors and vets are two jobs that we have no aspirations to ever try. Don't get me wrong, we are very glad that other people have chosen the noble professions and that they are there for us to use. But, both my husband and I don't want to have to put our hands or fingers up anyone's rectum. No thank you. Now, we aren't that squeamish. After having kids bodily fluids don't really affect me too much, but I'll be had if I'm going to put anything up someone's rectum. Reading Herriot has once again reinforced the fact that I like my hands and it's digits where I can see them. So for those who are doctors and vets, my hat goes off to you.

Synopsis

James Herriot recounts the days when he is newly graduated from vet school and has landed a job working in the Yorkshire dales. He tells about animals he's helped, bosses he has dealt with and farmers who he tries to please.

My Thoughts

This was an entertaining read, though not as entertaining as I remember All Things Bright and Beautiful as being. I read All Things Bright and Beautiful in high school for a class assignment and I remember myself laughing aloud a lot. While interesting things happened in All Creatures Great and Small it didn't hook me as much as the other one and I guess I just wasn't as amused. Perhaps if I reread All Things Bright and Beautiful I would change my mind about it. I don't know?

What is great about this book is how it transports you to a different time and era. It seems to be a simple time, a quaint time. Yet even though things were so different the types of people remain the same. There is the boss who doesn't listen or act promptly when you tell him something and then all of the sudden it is your fault if the thing you warned about goes wrong. There are the pompous people who think they know better, or know of an uncle or cousin who would have known better. There are the humble who though have meager circumstances yet are so thoughtful and giving. And then you have the crazy rich ladies who have stationary for their pets. This could have been set in almost any location around the world and you probably would have a similar cast of characters.

This book covered the courtship with his wife Helen. That is something we all can relate to. The awkward first stages, the courage to ask them out, the wishing to show off or please them. The disastrous dates and then the great redemption when you are just yourself. He probably wasn't laughing about it back when it happened but it is nice when you can laugh about it years later.

A friend of ours is a large animal vet. While reading about Herriot's dealings with cows and horses, it made me think of my friend and wonder how similarly he does things now. In Herriot's time there weren't a large array of antibiotics or other medications. Often they used random elixirs and hoped for the best. If an animal was birthing he had to stick his hand in and have a feel. Now my friend has ultrasound machines, and arsenal of medications that can be used. He still has some great stories to tell and his wife is encouraging him to write them down.

One thing I was amazed at while I was reading was how they didn't get into any accidents with the driving after drinking, having cars with bad tires and not always functioning brakes and crazy roads. Someone must have been looking out for him.

So, while this book did not inspire me to want to be a vet in the slightest it did inspire me to live a simple life and take joy in the scenery around me.

Duck, Duck, Moose! by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

from goodreads

4 stars

Today is a beautiful day. It is not too hot or too cold. The humidity is low and now the sun is out and the sky is a beautiful blue. Life is pretty good.

The schedule I wanted for the summer isn't in full swing but, that is okay. T.V. and YouTube watching has been at a minimum, I am actually reading to my kids consistently and we are having fun going to the library. Yesterday they went to a cool program that the University of Waterloo is putting on (at the library) and learned all about animals and the different senses they use to help them in life. They were so excited on the way home. Instead of arguing or asking for things, they were telling me all about what they learned. That is a win for the day!

Yep, this summer is going awesome. I think the only thing that could make it even more great would be a hammock. (wink wink, nod nod)

Synopsis

Using just the words duck and moose we learn of the tense relationship the ducks and moose have. But in the end friendship is key.

My Thoughts

This is a great picture book that is geared to probably 5 and under, though there are elements that older children would enjoy. The use of simple words help the early readers.

I totally identify with this book. In it the ducks are neat and orderly and some how the moose always messes things up, like missing the door and running through the walls, walking and reading and running into a giant cake and other mayhem. That is my life. I have all these excellent plans, like having the living room tidy for longer than a minute, but then my three little moose, especially the youngest one, always manage to do the one thing that inflicts the most damage. It's like, "really, you had to do that one thing." Sometimes you just have to shake your head and go with it. But, like the ducks, I love my moose and want to make them happy and special.

The illustrations are fun. They convey the fun and mayhem perfectly. And you can't help thinking "poor moose" when you look at them.

I think your kids will really like this and after a few times through they will be reading it themselves, so you can read your own book. That is a win!

Hogg, Hogg, and Hog by Margie Palatini

from goodreads

1.5 stars

Well the school year is winding down here. Every summer I have these grand plans in my head. Each week we will have a theme with activities and it will be so cool and I will win the super mom of the year award. Then reality hits, or rather the humidity and we are lucky if we get out of our pyjamas.

Well this year is no different. I have these grand ideas still in my head. The trick will be to have them prepared before school ends so I am not scrambling during the actual summer. We will see how it goes.

I guess that is the great thing about summer. Being able to just chill and take a break from it all. It is nice not having to worry about schedules or getting lunches made in the morning. I just want to make sure that my children don't turn into turnips by watching to much youTube!

Synopsis

Well, from what I can gather, these three pigs moved from the farm into the city and had a great marketing ploy that made everyone think that oinking was the greatest thing ever. When oinking began to be passe they begin to think up the next great thing to become relevant.

My Thoughts

I don't mean to be harsh, and I am sure that the author worked hard crafting this story and making the illustrations, but, for a kids book, this was a waste of paper. This almost seemed to be a adult book masquerading as a children's book. My kids did not like this book at all. When we finished reading it (which is a miracle because I wanted to give up multiple times through and it is only like 30 pages or something) my 5 year old looked at me and said "I don't get it". Me neither.

The story did not flow at all which made it hard to know what was really happening. It was so choppy going from headlines, to story, to some other format. It was hard for me to follow, let alone kids. How did these pigs convince people to oink? Wouldn't people notice that they are pigs?

I think what the author was trying to do was show kids the importance of thinking for themselves and not just doing things because it is the current fad because fads come and go. That is an important lesson.  But, unless you have a really exceptional kid who is good at reading behind the lines, no child is going to get it. They are just going to say, "well, that was a weird book".

If you see this at the library, don't bother bringing it home. If you want to see for yourself why I gave it 1.5 stars, quickly browse it there and then put it back on the shelf. Sometimes when I see people give something a bad review I think "surely it can't be that bad". Sometimes it isn't, a lot of the time it truly is. Happy Reading! (Hopefully not this book.)