Mommy Read It Again: Two More Hits from the Library

Preschooler Monkey and I enjoyed a lot of books this past month, but I thought I’d share a couple that really stuck in my mind as unique and interesting:

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds; Illustrated by Peter Brown

When my daughter chose this off the shelf, I was worried it was going to be too creepy for her, and that she was going to be crying about monster carrots in her room in the middle of the night. But that’s not what happened. We read it over and over again, and each time she was intrigued by the idea of a bunny being scared of carrots (because, you know, carrots aren’t scary, are they?). It’s not quite clear whether the carrots are really creeping around after the bunny or whether the whole thing is in the bunny’s imagination. I think you could interpret it either way. Very well done.

While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat by Amy Reichert; Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger

I can’t even count the times I’ve told my daughter, “Hang on a minute! I’m on the phone!” only to be on the phone for at least five if not ten more minutes. This story plays on that idea–while Mama’s on the phone, the doorbell rings numerous times, a party starts and ends, and at the end Mama is none the wiser (I hope that hasn’t happened at our house!). The illustrations are engaging and boisterous, and the rhyming text is very fun to read out loud. So cute.

#bookreview #picturebookreview #alexandraboiger #aaronreynolds #peterbrown #preschoolermonkey #CreepyCarrots #library #amyreichert #mommyreaditagain #whilemamahadaquicklittlechat

What not to say in front of your children

As a writer, I think a lot about word choices. The words you choose can make or break a sentence. And as a writer, I usually have time to sit and ponder my word choices and run them past someone else. I can change things when they don’t quite sit right with me, or if I’ve said something I didn’t intend.

But I don’t have that luxury when I’m talking. I make remarks off-the-cuff when I’m angry or upset, or even just being silly. Especially when I don’t think little kids are within earshot. I often cringe after I’ve said something, realizing that it wasn’t quite what I intended.

And when you have children, you really have to watch what you say. And I’m not (just) talking about swear words, I’m talking about putting down myself and others, even privately at home. Something I’ve realized about myself is that I can be harsh about my own appearance, and my three year old really is quite the sponge. Everything I say, she takes in and it all gets squeezed out later at school with the other children. When I say things like “I really need to lose some weight” or “I just don’t look good in this” or “I wish I were a little bit taller,” I hear it again later. “Mommy has a big tummy,” or “Mommy’s shirt is funny.” While for the most part this is harmless, it’s a slippery slope. I worry that repeatedly showing my daughter that I’m unsatisfied with myself will show her that it’s normal to be unhappy with yourself and disparage your own appearance. Right now, when I tell my daughter she is beautiful, she usually says, “I know!” and I want her to continue to think that way. Because, well, of course she is :)

Likewise, I’ve been thinking about what I say about other people in front of her. For example, who hasn’t said “Wow, she looks awful in that photo!” when talking about the latest starlet’s paparazzi shot. Is denigrating other women’s appearances really appropriate behavior? I’ve been making an effort not to speak negatively about people we see in magazines or on TV–saying things like “oh wow she’s skinny!” or “why is she wearing that hideous dress?!?!” (things we all say and do). Just as word choices matter when writing, there are ways to phrase things so that they come across as personal preferences, rather than value judgements on someone’s personality or intelligence.

Of course all of this is easier said than done.

Fellow writers and parents, what do you do?

#parenting #preschoolermonkey

4 Fairy Tales and Folk Tales that My Preschooler Loves

My preschooler has been really into fairy tales and folk tales these days, thanks in part to the Disney Princesses. Yes, she loves princesses because they are sparkly and wear pretty dresses, but it’s not just that–the weird, scary, magical nature of these stories really appeals to her.

As a parent, I have to admit that reading fairy tales with my daughter makes me a little uncomfortable. Do I really want to explain death, betrayal, kidnapping, jealousy etc. with my three year old (who repeats everything I say back to her teachers at school)? But at the same time–these books do introduce topics like those in a safe way, and for the most part these stories have a happy ending. Whenever we reach one that doesn’t, like some versions of the Little Mermaid, we talk about it.

Another thing–stories having different versions and different endings kind of confuses my daughter (since the Disney princess are really real since we met them in person (OMG!!!) at Disney World) but at the same time, it really intrigues her in a way I can’t explain. She gets this faraway look on her face when she’s really considering things.

Anyway, here are a few books we’ve checked out from the library that both of us have enjoyed (the first three were ones we had to read over and over):

The Beautiful Butterfly Adapted by Judy Sierra; Illustrated by Victoria Chess

This book is about a butterfly who is courted by several singing suitors. She chooses a mouse, who soon falls into a pond and is swallowed by a fish. Everyone laments his loss with the poor, sad butterfly. The 3 y.o. LOVED this book. I had to read it to her approximately a million times. I’m thinking about buying a copy, she loved it so much. Apparently this is a combined version of several folk tales, changed a bit so there is a happy ending (the author includes an explanation).

Rapunzel Adapted and Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

Gorgeous illustrations accompany this classic Rapunzel tale. While yes, this version does include the whole prince is pushed off the tower and goes blind bit (which I hated as a kid), the preschooler finds the whole story fascinating. This book also includes an author’s note about the tale, which I enjoyed.

The Stonecutter: A Japanese Folk Tale by Gerald McDermott

This story is about a man who makes a series of wishes in order to become strong and powerful, but things don’t quite work out the way he expected. I thought this one would would fly straight over the preschooler’s head, with its symbolic shape drawings and its very deep themes, but she really enjoyed it. We got the book + CD version from the library, which I enjoyed for naptime, since I could just hit repeat when she inevitably wanted to hear it again…and again…and again… (though, she preferred to hear it “in Mommy’s voice” so, oh well).

Full Belly Bowl by Jim Aylesworth; Illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin

In this story, an old man is kind to a small magical being who repays him with a bowl that can reproduce whatever is placed into the bowl. As you would expect, complications ensue. The tale involves cloning kittehs and magic, so what’s not to love?

Princess Furball by Charlotte Huck; Illustrated by Anita Lobel

I absolutely loved this beautifully illustrated tale (a variant of Cinderella) though my daughter enjoyed the title more than the actual book. I’m not sure if it was just a tad too long for her to enjoy, or if she just got a little too caught up with wondering where the princess’s mommy was. But for whatever reason, she didn’t want to read this one more than a few times. Maybe in a couple years she’ll appreciate it as much as I did. (I also enjoyed the audio version for this one, though it was too long for the preschooler, I think–maybe it would’ve been better in the car?).

#bookreview #picturebookreview #JimAylesworth #WendyAndersonHalperin #Cinderella #fairytales #GeraldMcDermott #picturebooks #JudySierra #disney #AnitaLobel #TheBeautifulButterfly #CharlotteHuck #TheStonecutter #preschoolermonkey #PaulOZelinsky #folktales #PrincessFurball #rapunzel #FullBellyBowl #VictoriaChess #princesses