Monday, October 25, 2010

82. Let It Fall


Let It Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Fun book about autumn.

Mom's Review: A whimsical versed book with cute illustrations. This book mentions all the fun things to do in fall. Simple and cute.

Daughter's Review: I like it because there's a pie eating contest and a leg race and the biggest pumpkin. And that's it.

81. Never Ever Talk to Strangers!


Never Ever Talk to Strangers by Anne Marie Pace Illustrated by Guy Francis

Title kinda sums up the book.

Mom's Review: I wanted to find a book that touched upon this topic without being overly alarmist or frightening. This book really filled the bill. My favorite part is the summary at the end with "Rules for Stranger Safety." Rule #4 is about what a child should do if s/he gets lost "in a busy place, like a grocery store or the mall" and I think this is an important item worth mentioning... I never even thought of: "Stop walking and look for a mommy with kids or a person who works in the store behind the cash register." I thought of the cashier thing before, but I think it's a smart and good idea to find a "Mommy with kids." Great tip!

Daughter's Review: I liked it because it has safety in it.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Still Reading...

So, it's been quite awhile since we reviewed a book. I'm sorry about that, but we've been rereading a lot of our books and (blush) some nights have even skipped reading to watch Sponge Bob.

There is no satisfactory explanation other than:
1. I'm chronically exhausted lately.
2. School is a pain in the butt when you have a kid.
3. I have been reading a few non-school-related books for myself!

We will hit up the library at some point this week and will have a new batch of books. Please hang in there with us!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

80. The Man Who Kept House


The Man Who Kept House by PC Asbjornsen and JE Moe illustrated by Svend Otto S.

The (Swedish?) story of a man who criticized his wife's housekeeping abilities. They swapped for the day and the rest, as they say, is history.

Mom's Review: This is a book I bought at the thrift store. It was thirty-five cents. That was too much. This books is all sorts of wrong. Yes, we laughed because the illustrations and the predicaments the man put himself in were just pure insanity. It's the whole "bumbling dad" thing that gives good fathers a bad reputation. But seriously, this man was the most stupid creature to grace the pages of a children's story. He put the cow on a roof to graze and then rigged the cow to a rope, placed the rope down the chimney and then tied it to his pants. Really? Really, stupid Swedish man?! Why did you think this would be a good idea? Of course, the cow ended up dangling off the roof by the rope around his neck. Who thinks this is a good illustration for a children's book? (Put your hand down before I smack it!) Seriously, I couldn't help but laugh and make light of the hanged cow. Oh, and the man beat a pig; I edited the part where the pig couldn't get up because it was so badly beaten. Eventually the wife comes home to "save the day" and cuts the cow down from the roof. The man, who was dangling over a boiling cauldron of porridge, since the cow he was attached to was dangling off the roof, ends up falling, head first, into the bubbling pot. ACK! This isn't a bad book, it's mental abuse. This is a book written by some one who hates children. Yeah, I should have read it first, but I was looking for a book we haven't yet read since we've been rereading some old favorites and therefore, I haven't really been blogging.

Daughter's Review: This book was horrible!

79. Something from Nothing


Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman

An adaptation of a Jewish folktale.

Mom's Review: Loving tale about a grandfather, his grandson, and how a blanket changes over time. The illustrations are beautiful and intricate. You really need to pause on the pages to absorb it all. As a superficial aside, the illustrations of the little boy were annoying to me because he looks like Nevel from iCarly.

Daughter's Review: I like it because I like when he kept going over and over to his grandfather's

Monday, October 4, 2010

78. The Milkman


The Milkman by Carol Foskett Corden illustrated by Douglas B. Jones

The early morning life of a milkman.

Mom's Review: Love it! This is the predecessor to Market Day. Cute story and great verse. Adorable illustrations.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because it was just like Market Day.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

77. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything


The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams illustrated by Megan Lloyd

A little old lady is followed by disembodied clothing.

Mom's Review: This book was cute, but it had that annoying repetition. I did enjoy the woman's solution to the clothes that were following her. I think this book could have been frightening for Abby since she's afraid of inanimate objects that move on their own, i.e., battery-operated toys. I read it with an upbeat voice and deleted certain descriptive words with "scare potential." Would I recommend it? This is one of those books that a mom has to read first and decide if it's right for her kiddo.

Daughter's Review: I like when the clothes were following the lady. I like to read the book by myself.