Book Review: Board Book Round-Up, Part 2

Sometimes not every book gets read with Carter. I might read it quickly at the library before checking it out but we never get to at home. I might read it at my desk for my committee work but it never makes it home. He has so many books at home that sometimes one more library book is too much, so this one didn't make it home. I read it for the committee but Carter never saw it.

I love the concept of How do You Say I Love You by Hannah Elliot but I have a hard time reading language books if I am unable to pronounce the words. I stick to Japanese and that's about it. We all know I struggled with French. I did a little better with Italian but every time the professor would ask a question, the Japanese answer came first to mind. This book does a little better than most (and these language books are popular lately) at giving the pronunciations, so you could essentially read it to your child and sound somewhat fluent.

I am a huge fan of these books. The language barrier sometimes does intimidate me though but I love the opportunity to teach young children about the world, especially because the younger they are the better chance they have of picking up a second language. I love how the illustrations show various landmarks, homes or activities specific to that country too. That's it's just not how do you say "I love you" in other cultures but a lesson in how others live around the world.

The universal message is very understandable even for this young age though...regardless of where we live, what we look like, what language we speak...we all say "I love you." We all show the same love towards each other and really need to show it more.

Check this sweet book out for your older baby or toddler. Tell them "I love you."

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Picture Book Review

Before becoming a parent, I used to think that a child she have any book they want. I still believe that but more than ever I believe that board books for the most part are the perfect format for babies. I know view picture books are more fragile. Books that should be used with a parent. I just feel like the pages tear easier for little hands and book jackets are a useless cause.

One of these books is, A Small Blue Whale by Beth Ferry. It ended up on my Best Books for Babies but like I said I'm a huge fan of board books for babies right no matter how great the story. Carter didn't get to review this one because it never made it home.

I loved the artwork in this simple picture book and the message. The little whale longs for a friend. There are beautiful comparisons about nature and friendship using the five senses. The whale wonders if friendship is "warm and steady" like the sun for instance. As much as I love these references, I feel that these are way too much for a baby to grasp but the text flows so nice.

The whale finds a cloud that he thinks is a friend and follows the cloud to find three penguins that he also thinks are friends until he gets stuck on some ice trying to play with them. But then he realizes that they really are friends and he understands how friendship works when the penguins leave and come back with hundreds of other penguins to help him back to the water.

Like I said, this is a very sweet story but one that would probably be a better fit for a toddler or preschool aged child. Carter would have probably loved it because he does love reading about whales.

Head to the library and check this out just to read as an adult or to read with your little toddler.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: January 22 Board Book Round-Up, Part 1

So, I separated this post into two because I only actually read two of them with Carter. The rest I read on my own for the committee.

One might ask, how do you determine whether Carter likes a book? I think some of the indicators for me are 1.) whether he sits and listens to the entire book, 2.) whether he points at items on the pages or starts "talking" about something that was read or 3.) if he brings it back for another read. The latter is really only books we own. We rarely read a library book twice for multiple reasons - we don't let him have access to the library books yet since he might rip the pages or break the cover and we don't keep library books that long since Carter and I go the library once a week and I'm sometimes at a library every day depending on meetings and holds coming in to the West End.

The two titles I read to Carter this week from the list we were reviewing on the committee were The Opposite Zoo by Il Sung Na and Baby's First Words by Christiane Engel.

The illustrations in The Opposite Zoo are beautiful, borderline artwork and appear to be watercolor. The plot, however, doesn't match the level of quality. While it's great because it introduces some new vocabulary for a toddler but maybe not a baby, the words are all adjectives that are ones that are typically not geared at this age group. The first and last page are the only ones with text more than the adjective which follow on each page with the opposite.

Carter really had no reaction to this book. He listened but he showed no emotion and promptly walked away when the book was over. I think had the artwork, which to an adult looked nice, been brighter or the animals more recognizable he might have been more engaged.

It should be noted as well that this book comes in picture book and board book format. We read the picture book was so much better because it was larger.

Baby's First Words was a much different book from the first. It was day in the life of a baby (i.e. wake-up, playtime, getting dressed) and each page featured multiple vocabulary words. The wonderful thing about this book is the diversity featured. The baby has two dads and both it appears are of different ethnic backgrounds.

Carter sat and look through this one on his own. He wanted to look more closely at each page and didn't want to be read to. I think this is great because it shows his print awareness skills and curiosity of each page. He was of course most impressed with the vroom vroom page, which featured a fire truck and lots of wheels.

You aren't missing much if you skip The Opposite Zoo but I would highly recommend reading or checking out Baby's First Words for your baby.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Witness for the Prosecution (Book Club)

I must say I'm pretty excited for our book club selections this year. The first title on the list is The Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie. I believe this title was chosen because we wanted a mystery, we love Agatha Christie and it is possibly about to be a movie.

I listened to this short story and let me tell you if you've never had the opportunity to hear an audio version of Agatha Christie - do it! It's like Masterpiece Theater in the car. The voices are so delightfully British - I didn't want it to end.

In the short story, Leonard Vole is arrested for the murder of a wealthy, elderly woman named Emily French whom he befriends and becomes the heir to her fortune. Unbeknownst to the older woman, Vole is married. The solicitor seeks a testimony from Romaine Vole to free her husband yet she is a witness for the prosecution.

This is a short story, so I don't want to give away any more information. Read or listen to the title to learn whether the jury finds Leonard Vole innocent or guilty on the testimony of his wife and the work of his solicitor.

It's interesting because upon further research I found that their were additional endings to the book because Agatha Christie was dissatisfied with the original. Look into these after you finish the book and you will find what these endings entail.

This short story is perfect for mystery lovers and anyone who is a fan of Agatha Christie! Plus it's a very quick read or listen!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: January 15 Board Book Round-Up

Carter had to take a little break from library books. He figured out how to break a board book. Impossible you might say! Carter's a baby. Board books are indestructible. Well, I'm here to tell you that they are not. In all of my years working in a library, I have never seen a book break like he has destroyed two of his at home. What's even more shocking is he isn't even doing anything out of the ordinary or that destructive to them! He just likes to open them and see how far back the covers can go until it inevitably snaps. It's basic print awareness as he explores the book but maybe a little bit too much. So, no library books for Carter without parent supervision.

We've been reading a lot of new board books together that we get at the library. I'm serving on the Best Books for Babies Committee, so I get to read and review a lot of the new ones from last year. Part of my review process is testing them on Carter. He's a tough critic of books (I wonder where he gets that!). He also is a creature of habit with his books. Sometimes we read Fire Engine Man three times and other nights Llama Llama five times! My favorite is when he has to throw open Pout Pout Fish (and he literally throws it open) just so we can study one page.

Here are some cute books from my committee work and our recent library visit that I tested on Carter. 

Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions

I picked this book up at the library for Carter before I joined the committee but sure enough it ended up on our list. I was drawn to the book because I love baby books with real pictures. To me, the pictures make the reader able to relate better. The baby looks like me or the dog looks like my pet. 

The book shows one baby featuring a different emotion - happiness, anger, sadness, surprise, etc. Then on the next page it shows a range of babies featuring different emotions and the reader has to pick the baby with that page's emotion. At the end there is a mirror, so that the reader can see his own face and emotion.

Carter was very attentive during the book. I wouldn't say he was interactive though with the book. He did like seeing himself at the end and I think if I tried the book again on him I might get a different response. He does seem to gravitate to books with real pictures. He has a similar book at home and he likes to point to the different babies.

Dance by Matthew Van Fleet

I put this book on hold not knowing what it looked like or really even what it was about. It popped up on a list of books for babies. It also then later appeared on our list of books to review for the committee.

I was so excited when it arrived on the hold shelf for me. It's so cute and interactive! There are tabs that the reader can pull to see the animal dance. It seems a lot sturdier than most pop-up/tab books. Of course Carter would probably be a great judge of that but I wouldn't let him touch it. I actually stood while I read it to him. Ha ha!

The sad part is that he completely lost interest. It's very wordy. He liked the animals but was done about halfway through. It's weird because the interactive part works best for a young child while the text is more for an older child I feel. It's too old for babies but too young for preschool. Toddlers would probably enjoy it, especially those that like to dance.

Black Cart & White Cat by Claire Garralon

Carter goes to the library for two reasons in his mind and neither is to get books. He goes to play with the train table and get a cookie. Perhaps this is why he doesn't do well when we go to two other libraries for storytime - no cookie and no train table. So, we were at the library for our weekly visit and I normally pick up any new board books for him. There wasn't much of a selection, so I took this older board book because it looked good and might catch his attention.

I thought he would instantly gravitate to the book because it is about two cats. He was initially excited by that fact. After all, his best friend is a cat. He didn't even get one page in before he was up and walking away off to torment said best friend of course. OK, so not a great book for Carter. Maybe it was the lack of color since it is black and white although the last page is color? Or maybe the lack of words since it is really simple and he's use to a little bit more of a storyline? Whatever the reason, he gave his vote and it was a flat out no.

Regardless, it's simple. I'm sure it's perfect for some babies/toddlers out there just not mine.

So, that my friends, is a board book round up for this week. Head to the library if you don't already with your little one and get them some books and take them to storytime. If you need recommendations of good storytimes, I can give that as well!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Matchmaker

Yesterday I finished The Matchmaker by Elin Hildebrand. The book is a light read about a woman who is determined to find love for those she loves before it is too late.

Elin Hildebrand weaves an intricate story of love - first love, companionship love, dangerous love and family love. Dabney Kimball Beech is the unofficial matchmaker of Nantucket Island. She has spent her life finding love for others yet regretting the love she lost many years ago when the man who holds her heart left the island. Fear keeps her on Nantucket. Married with a wonderful job and a grown daughter, Dabney must come to terms with the return of her first love, a stagnant marriage, a pending engagement for her daughter and life-threatening discovery.

Who doesn't want to read a book set on Nantucket in the summer during some of the coldest days of winter here in Pittsburgh? I love Elin Hildebrand's books, as predictable as some of them maybe they offer an escape to summer in a beautiful location. The books always have a story line that makes it hard to put the book down, always wanting to find out what happens next. I love her books because although the books are not a series, there are always characters that appear in more than one. The more you read, the more you realize these connections.

Obviously, I love Elin Hildebrand's books and not just because they are set on Nantucket. She's a great writer as well. I read more fiction now than I used to but there are really only three authors I highly recommend for beach reading - J. Courtney Sullivan, Jennifer Weiner and Elin Hildebrand. If you haven't read one of hers or their books, do! I normally only read them in the summer but let me tell you that reading it in the winter might have even been better! Bundle up, go to the library and check the book out and return home for a nice little escape to the beach!

Happy Reading!

Healthy Living: Hydration

I used to be so healthy. Then I picked up some bad habits along the way. I got lazy. It was hard to focus on me when there was a family, house and job to manage. I know. I'm preaching to the choir of working moms out there but 2017 was a wake-up call of sorts for me. 

I realized that I'm only one person and that I can't do it all. I might need help sometimes. The laundry might not get done one day or the dishes not washed. It's OK. Isn't what important that I spent quality time with my family? That they are happy?

What is also important is me though? I need to take better care of myself too. By the end of 2017 I was exhausted, moody and just down right blah feeling. I had gained weight from stress and not working out. I had a result on my always impeccable blood work that I didn't like.

So, I have devoted 2018 to getting healthy in all senses of the word. Aside from a ridiculous amount of sickness the last few weeks, I've learned to manage my time better, realize what my priorities are and make time for myself. I'm off to a good start, so now I just need to keep motivated.

A few years ago, I came across the book 52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier, Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal at Barnes & Noble. Like any good librarian, I wrote down the title and put it on hold at the library later. It's a pretty good book but sadly I never actually tried any of the small changes.

I bought the book after reading it, thinking I would eventually use it. Well, 2018 is the perfect opportunity to embark on a journey through this book. Little changes. Anyone can do that right? I mean I'm not going to try some crazy diet or fitness fad - it's one little change a week.

The first change is to: Drink an adequate amount of water each day to maintain a healthy level of hydration. Easy one might think? Yes and no. We have a filtration system at work, so I always (try to) drink as much as I can there but I'm not drinking enough at home.

To jump start my hydration habit I filled the pitchers of water at home, always kept a cup around while working and downloaded My Water app. It helps track how much you drink and sends tips throughout the day that are also quiet reminders to make sure you are hydrating.

I've always drank a lot of water. Water is my non-alcoholic drink of choice so this change was more of improving a habit I had already cultivated and being consistent. It's amazing how great you feel when you are hydrated and awake in the afternoons when you start to feel sluggish.

So, my challenge to you this week is are you drinking enough water? Drink up my friends!

Organizing Our Buena Vista

Well, we've been in the Buena Vista for nine months now. It's a work in progress. We make progress, take a break, work some more. For the most part, the rooms we need are usable. Everything that can be unpacked is with the exception of the guest room, office and the basement. My challenge for 2018 is organization.

(Put a blindfold on to ignore my eyesore behind the house.)

We unpacked hurriedly in some rooms to get boxes cleared and projects completed. I have so much storage space that is poorly used and in desperate need of help. I also have rooms that have terrible storage space that I need to figure out solutions. The linen closet, bathroom storage and kitchen come to mind as major red flags.

In January, my plan is to tackle the kitchen. The cabinet space is pitiful. Maybe because there is another kitchen - who know? I need to figure out a way to make it usable. To make all of the items we use daily available in cabinets. To figure a better way to store food other than on carts, which is what I'm using right now and which Carter loves to move if he is in the kitchen and also throw his plates down the basement stairs. Task accepted.

OK, January let's do this!

Book Review: Sisters First, Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

Last night I finished Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. The book is an autobiography/memoir about the famous sisters who not only had a father who was president but also a grandfather.

The book is a quick read but entertaining and moving. There are many recognizable stories about the Bush twins but they also provide new insight about growing up in a political dynasty, the relationship with their parents and grandparents, as well as aspects of their personal lives that the press did not cover during both presidential campaigns and terms of office. The personal letters, emails and texts helped to prove the importance of family to Jenna and Barbara.

Let's keep one thing in mind friends since a book like this could be controversial but should not be - regardless of politics - the men that lead this country as president are husbands, fathers and grandfathers. We are all humans. Life in the White House is short and what remains a constant in the lives of these political leaders is their families (in some cases). I won't lie. I loved this book but these are my favorite kinds of books. My bookshelves are lined with memoirs by presidents, first ladies and their children. I wrote my thesis and honors thesis about presidential families. I named my child after two presidents. In all of these instances, I remain bipartisan and look beyond the political party.

Soap box rant aside, I loved when Jenna and Barbara talked about both sets of their grandparents. I cried through the section about their maternal grandfather's death and how he didn't know who they were anymore. I laughed at their antics and saw similar traits among my sisters and I. I too had wonderful relationships and now memories of my grandparents. I too watched my maternal grandfather die and not remember who I was in the end. And I too have two sisters and understand the amazing bond that is sisterhood.

These books are wonderful for those who are interested in history but don't want a huge political book. It's entertaining, it's fun and it's quick. I encourage you to give it a try. You might learn something about a family that you otherwise chose to ignore or not care about.

Happy Reading!