New Books

Ok, maybe this should read, New to US Books, but you get the idea.  The girls got so many wonderful books for Christmas and after our latest big run to the library we are swimming in amazing literature over here.  Just thought i'd take a minute to share all the goodness.



Let's Go Home

Oh my, such  a wonderful book.  Cynthia Rylant is one of my FAVORITE authors and Wendy Anderson Halperin is one of my new favorite illustrators.  This book takes you through the rooms of a home, with beautiful nostaligic language and even more beautiful intriciate illustrations.  Louise could spend HOURS just looking at the pictures.  Me too.  Definitely a new favorite.

Love Is

Another one my Halperin and perfect for Valentine's Day.  Quotes from the bible, illustrated to perfection.  Another one of our favorites.

Snowsong Whistling and Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven

Ok, really, I could talk about Elisa Kleven all day.  I know you're sick of me talking about how great The Paper Princess is so I won't bore you, but here are two of our other favorites by her.

This one is pure fall/winter magic.  It's a bit past season now, but I pull this out at Halloween and we don't stop reading it until the last snow has melted.  I don't think it's possible to capture the magic of the fall to winter season better than this book does.  Far and away my all time favorite.

And speaking of magic, this book has quite a bit of it's own.  A beautifully rhymed book all about a dark cold stormy day (plenty of those of late and to come I'm afraid) brightened by the brilliance of a baker who thinks to make a sun bread to urge the sun to show it's face.  Of course it does and a lively jamboree ensues.  At the end is a recipe for buttery yellow sunbread (which I will shamefully admit we have yet to make) but this would make for the perfect rainy day story and a project afternoon.

Stars

Another one of my favorite illustrators, Marla Frazee, in a new book we received for Christmas.  This has to be one of the best bedtime books ever written.  All about stars, real and imagined, with adorable pictures and characters.  It's a bedtime staple around here.  Simply delightful.

One of Each and The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman

Ah Hoberman, another one I talk about too frequently, but the brilliance of Seven Silly Eaters aside, I LOVE HER SO MUCH.  I really haven't ever come across a more brilliant author for little ones.  Her prose is genius, so clever, yet light enough for even the youngest listeners.  I have yet to find a book of hers that I don't adore.  These are two of our new favorites.  I can't WAIT for Ainsley to be big enough to do her read alongs with.  Those look simply amazing too.

Zen Shorts by Kent Muth

I'm always searching for a super calming, lesson learning story that grips the girls' attentions and I must say I've come up short.  There've been lots that I've loved, but no winners for them, until Zen Shorts.  The adorably friendly Panda won them over right away and the zen stories were succinct enough to hold their attention.  Ainsley in particular loves this book and we've revisited it often to talk about the stories.

Silly Books

I Want My Hat Back

If you haven't read this book with your kid, you need to.  It's amazing.

Ponytail by Muncsh

Ainsley got this book for Christmas and it's a new staple for mid day giggles.  She loves the funny story, I love that underneath it's a story about the problem with blind conformity.  I also love that it's made getting Ainsley to put something in her hair a lot easier.

Ain't Gonna Paint No More

Louise recites this book randomly throughout the day.  It's repetition is clearly infectious and the story is so cute and hilarious.  I find it's great for after the girls have made a big mess and I've feeling flustered.  It makes us all laugh.

Books for Cantankerous Kids (and their parents)

As Ian and I delve further and further into this parenting journey of ours we've found it necessary to consult some resources now again for new or persisting troubles we encounter with the girls.  After a particularly rough streak a few weeks back I requested a bunch of books from the library and from those found a few that have proven very helpful.

I've said in the past, and still maintain  that "parenting" books, as a general rule, don't sit with me well.  I don't like labeling any children, especially my own, and find that boxing in their personalities  or my idiosyncrasies as a parent does no one any good.

Still I needed a bit of guidance and these next two books fit the bill beautifully.  I think either or both would work for any child/parent who wants the ultimate goal of their relationship to be one of mutual respect, kindness and love, even in the toughest times.

Unconditional Parenting

Author Alfie Kohn is a name I've heard since my first job out of college.  He's talked about a LOT in the progressive education world, as a strong voice against behaviorism and for unconditional parenting.  This book is really the cornerstone of his philosophy.  I had so many "aha" moments while reading this book.

One of his main tenants is that some parents try to control their children too much, when in essence we really CAN'T control most, or any of their actions.  We can't actually make a kid fall asleep or enjoy eating ALL of their dinner.  We can create encouraging environments and comforting rituals, set examples and above all show them respect and love in everything they do.

I haven't been able to put this book down since I got it.  It's a real eye opener and very very hopeful.

Above All, Be kind

Similar to Kohn's book, this book by Zoe Weil focuses on the humanitarian aspect of child rearing, rather than instant gratification rule following.  I will admit, after reading the first few chapters I ended up skimming a bit as I felt I got her point right away.  But it's definitely worth a trip to the library.  It's helped me refocus my tone and brush up on my own attitude, knowing that the examples that I set for my girls are their most important teachers.

Harriet, You'll Drive me Wild

And now a book for the kids.  Ainsley in particular is quite taken with this story of little rambunctious Harriet and her patient until she can't be patient any more mama.  The brilliance of this book is that it's so simple and a road we've all been down.  Your child makes a big mess, you calmly ask them to clean it up, 10 minutes later they goof up again, you take a deep breath, you ask them not to do it again, 10 minutes later, again, double deep breaths, then while they should be napping they TRASH their bedroom and you LOSE it because you just have no patience left.  The book ends with Harriet and her mom cleaning up the mess together laughing, but the point is clear.  Harriet goofed up, but so did the mom.  We ALL make mistakes sometimes and it doesn't make us anything other than human, and after all is said and done, we of course still love each other to the moon and back.

So there we are, a few new favorites.  Any great finds of late for you?