Kitchen Dance

CRASH! "Hush!" SMASH! "Shush!" CLANG! Perhaps, as a kid, you were lucky enough to have been
woken up by your folks gearing up for a dish towel-snapping cha-cha.

Maurie Manning catches the magic of a midnight merengue in Kitchen Dance. The parents try to be quiet, but it's so hard to wash dishes while singing love songs into a wooden spoon. Their two sleepy children tiptoe down the stairs. They crane their necks around the kitchen door for a better look and catch Dad bending Mom backward over his arm. Cheek to cheek, their parents tango the tamales to the fridge. A samba. A rumba. And then Dad flings open the door.

Busted! Mom and Dad each lift a child with open arms. Soon everyone is singing into wooden spoons and twirling in a flash of pajamas and aprons. Step by step the dance slows and the children are danced back up the stairs. After a shower of goodnight kisses, eyes flutter shut to the soft words of a love song trailing off into the night...

This is one of those tender books that successfully avoids being either too sweet or maudlin. Every child should have the experience of being whisked off to bed on the tails of a kitchen dance--and a good story.

MightyM

Book Review: Seasons by Marie Greenwood

This beautiful boardbook explains in simple terms with emphasized vocabulary, the details of what happens when the seasons and weather change.  With bright colors, it first describes the seasons, and then continues through each, describing events, such as new animals being born and flowers growing, as well as possible activities for that season.

Seasons by Marie Greenwood is a wonderful blend of science facts and new vocabulary for those parents who want something more for their children.  Learning is fun for the very young!

Enjoy this book available at your public library.

Guest Post by Sheila

Book Review: Some Monsters are Different

     David Milgrim dedicates his picture book Some Monsters are Different  to  "...everyone who, like myself, has ever felt a little different."  Although the concept behind this book isn't new, the message is a good one that bears repeating:  Some people/monsters may be different, but they're also "... completely, perfectly wonderful ...just the way they are!"

Book Review: Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin

Pick up the phone and order in some pizza, because after you read Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin, you'll want to have your very own secret pizza party!  Rubin tells the sad tale of Raccoon, who only wants pizza in life.  Just pizza.  He's a simple creature; he doesn't ask for much.  Yet, unkind humans are constantly swatting him away with their prickly yellow brooms.  Happily, Raccoon gets a brilliant idea--he's going to host a pizza party of his own...in secret.  Everyone knows that secret things are special and regular things are boring (see page 9-12 for a detailed diagram of why this is true).

Shaggy Dogs, Waggy Dogs

Dogs! Who doesn't love them? It can be overwhelming the variety of dogs there are in the world, and Shaggy Dogs, Waggy Dogs by Patricia Hubbell and illustrated by Donald Wu, trys to showcase them all!

The illustrations are beautiful and we are reminded that each dog has their own unique personality. Many breeds are displayed in this book, which is great because it's delightful to see all of them as well as important for breaking up stereotypes. Our dogs are our companions. They can be our finders of lost things, kissers of boo-boos, listeners, sled pullers, and our feet warmers. But most of all, they give us love. Shaggy Dogs, Waggy Dogs doesn't let us forget it!

Read this with your child and enjoy!

~ Roller Derby Librarian

Faster! Faster!

Sometimes it's hard to remember who you were before you brought forth that vortex of manic energy euphemistically called "A CHILD." You were cool, well-dressed, an amazing conversationalist... ("Who me?" I hear you ask). Now, at the drop of a hat, you surge forward to the command of, "Giddyup!" Storming the house with a three-year-old gripping your head or neck, you neigh, snort, and paw the ground to the whooping delight of the real boss of the house.

Leslie Patricelli has perfectly captured your little adrenaline fiend in her book, Faster! Faster! The poor dad. He's a horse. A dog. A rabbit. But no matter how fast he goes, his darling, laughing little despot shrieks, "Faster! Faster!" Finally, out of gas, the tuckered out parent (tongue protruding) collapses.

Your audience will love to see how handy a purple dotted tie can be when racing the wind or riding the waves. As the merciless imperatives give way to the halting interrogatives, a ice-cold glass of lemonade might be in order for both the rider AND the mount.

MightyM

How To Experience the World from a Child's Perspective

 In this "how to" book you can share with your child some familiar, as well as, unconventional ways on how to make a sandwich; how to wash your face; how to be brave and happy and so much more.  The words are few, but coupled with the pictures will take you to a somewhat nostalgic world where children play outdoors, where time slows, and modern technology is absent.  Julie Morstad's pastel drawings are large, well defined and charming.  This almost wordless picture book lends itself easily to talking about what is happening. Ask your child to describe in her own words what she sees and encourage her to try some of these how to's. Some pictures will surprise.  Some will make you laugh. My favorite is the illustration for "how to stay close."  Morstad's children are drawn with sweet, if somewhat doll-like expressions.  But it is what they are doing in a natural, uncomplicated world that will draw you in. Find How To  at your local library and discover for yourself just how to experience the world with your child.

If you like this book you might also like When you were small and When I was small written by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Julie Morstad.

 Miss Julie