Mom and Me Reviews: My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World

Henley is given a homework assignment to bring his favorite book to class the next day to share with the class. He goes to the library and the bookstore but cannot find what he is looking for. Then, Mama makes a suggestion that helps him fix his problem.

First Line: Hi! I’m Henley. And this is a story about finding my very favorite book in the whole wide world.

Summary: Henley is given a homework assignment to bring his favorite book to class the next day to share with the class. He goes to the library and the bookstore but cannot find what he is looking for. Then, Mama makes a suggestion that helps him fix his problem.

Ratings:

               

Free 5 Star Images, Download Free 5 Star Images png images, Free ClipArts  on Clipart Library
Maggie

               

???? - thinking face emoji - What does the thinking face emoji mean?
2 “hmm”s: Conor
3,143 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock
Mama Lala

Their Thoughts: Conor was screaming when we started reading this, so the fact that he quieted down enough to pay attention and copy what the boy in the book was doing (saying “hmm”), shows that he enjoyed it, or at least the illustrations. Maggie said she could relate to the book– “I don’t have a favorite book, maybe I could write my favorite book!”

My Thoughts: This was a cute story, with thought out reasons I hear often from kiddos struggling to find a good book they enjoy. I enjoyed the solution Henley (and his mother) found to his problem. I do wish the librarian had been able to find Henley something, but I suppose I understand that wasn’t the point of this story.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: You are Enough

This book explains how people are different, and how being different doesn’t make you less. The book’s inspiration is Sofia Sanchez.

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion: O'Hair, Margaret, Sanchez, Sofia,  Cardoso, Sofia: 9781338630749: Amazon.com: Books

First Line: “No two people are exactly the same.”

Summary: This book explains how people are different, and how being different doesn’t make you less. The book’s inspiration is Sofia Sanchez.

Ratings:

               

Free 5 Star Images, Download Free 5 Star Images png images, Free ClipArts  on Clipart Library
Maggie

               

animated shaking head yes gif - Clip Art Library
Conor: one head nod
3,131 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock
Mama Lala

Their Thoughts: Maggie liked this book because it was a “feel good” book. “It makes a point. You should feel good about yourself no matter what– no matter how you look or how you talk, as long as you are yourself. It shouldn’t matter what other people think about you, it should matter what you think about yourself.”

My Thoughts: This book was a great conversation starter. It covered many topics, or types of people who might feel excluded. We were able to talk about all of those, but we focused on the inspiration of this book (sofia sanchez) and what makes her different, and some times excluded. Sofia Sanchez is a child with Down syndrom. Like many people, my kiddos didn’t quite understand what that meant. Luckily for us, the book has some information in the back to help explain all the “big” questions.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: This is Not That Kind of Book

In this book, the characters discuss (and argue over) what kind of book this is, and what should be happening in the story.

This Is Not That Kind of Book: Healy, Christopher, Mantle, Ben:  9780525580294: Amazon.com: Books
This is Not That Kind of Book by Christopher Healy, Illustrated by Ben Mantle

First Line: “Hey! This is not an alphabet book!”

Summary: In this book, the characters discuss (and argue over) what kind of book this is, and what should be happening in the story.

Ratings:

                Maggie:

3,128 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock
Maggie

               

The One Word in Public Speaking That Conveys Uncertainty | Inc.com
Conor: Constant engaged chatter
3,128 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock
Mama Lala

Their Thoughts: Conor seemed to enjoy this book, or, at least, he had a lot to say. When asked what he thought about this book he nodded his head and said, “Yep!”. Maggie said this book reminded her of Elephant and Piggie. I’m guessing that it reminded her specifically of Elephant and Piggie’s We are In a Book, because it breaks the 4th wall. She also said that the book was fun to read, and that it’s funny the character “A” only said “a” words.

My Thoughts: This is a fun and different book. The apple reminded me of Groot from Guardiands of the Galaxy (it only says one phrase). This is an engaging story, and a fun mix-up from the usual, especially if your kiddos have come to expect certain stories.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard

Huggy has a problem. He loves to hug the things he loves, but he tends to hug them too tight. Can you help huggy learn how to hug gently?

Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard (Wee Beasties): Dyckman, Ame, Griffiths,  Alex G: 9781534410800: Amazon.com: Books
Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard by Ame Dyckman

First Line: “This is Huggy the Python.”

Summary: Huggy has a problem. He loves to hug the things he loves, but he tends to hug them too tight. Can you help huggy learn how to hug gently?

Ratings:

                Maggie: “I’m too old for this book.”

                Conor: One Hug + Two fights over who gets to hold the book

3,110 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock
Mama Lala

My Thoughts: This was a simple cute book. It was silly, which is great for my kiddos, but also loving.

FYI: This book is part of a series!

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: A Song About Myself

This is a collection of four poems with the same subject- a “naughty” boy on his travels.

A Song About Myself: Keats, John, Raschka, Chris: 9780763650902:  Amazon.com: Books
A Song About Myself by John Keats

First Line: “There was a naughty boy,”

Summary: This is a collection of four poems with the same subject- a “naughty” boy on his travels.

Ratings:

               

3 Stars Is the New 5 stars
Maggie

                Conor: Zero Attention Given

SleepSomatics Patient Review: Two of Five Stars (Sriharinaidu S., Round  Rock, TX) — Austin's Top-Rated Sleep Lab
Mama Lala

Their Thoughts: “It’s not what I expected.” She suggests you look through the book before checking it out. She didn’t really understand the content.

My Thoughts: I disagree on the intended audience for these poems. Kids don’t talk like this, and they aren’t used to hearing people talk like this either. While it is good to expose them to new things, it is also important to hold their interest. I’d hold out on this picture book until middle school, when they are taught to evaluate their reading more critically.

FYI: This is a poetry book

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: On a Magical, Do-Nothing Day

The main character travels to a cabin in the woods with their mother. They experience a day like every other day the spend together in the cabin. Until, their game gets dropped into the pond! (exclamations inserted) At first the main character was very sad, then they started to notice all of the things around them, turning the forest magical.

First Line: “Here we were again.”

Summary: The main character travels to a cabin in the woods with their mother. They experience a day like every other day the spend together in the cabin. Until, their game gets dropped into the pond! (exclamations inserted) At first the main character was very sad, then they started to notice all of the things around them, turning the forest magical.

Ratings:

                Maggie:

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                Conor:

out-sick - Cardinal Services

                Mama Lala:

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Their Thoughts: “It was adventurous.” (9 year-olds can be so difficult to talk into expanding on their opinions!)

My Thoughts: I give you permission to be frustrated with me for judging books by covers, or in this case titles. I expected more “magic” in this story. It was still a lovely read, i just hoped for a bit more imagination. The illustrations were well-done. I like the thematic color choices and the bright orange hoodie.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: Moving to the Neighborhood

Jodi Platypus moves into the house next door to Daniel Tiger. The new house doesn’t feel like home, because things are different! Together they learn how to feel better when things are new and different.

First Line: “It was a special day in the neighborhood!”

Summary: Jodi Platypus moves into the house next door to Daniel Tiger. The new house doesn’t feel like home, because things are different! Together they learn how to feel better when things are new and different.

Ratings:

                Maggie: Did not participate in today’s storytime

                Conor: CONSTANT Excited chatter

                Mama Lala:

3,110 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock

My Thoughts: This BOARD book was a little too wordy for my two-year-old. He made it through all but the last page, though, so I know he liked the book! This book taught a great lesson– something every young child experiences. Even better, it included a Mr.Rogers/Daniel Tiger jingle!

FYI: This is part of a series, and stems from a television show. The show, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, is actually based off another show, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood!

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

Based oon an old Cuban folktale, Martina the cockroach decides she is ready to find a husband. Her abuela suggests she give each suitor “the coffee test” to determine how they might treat her when they are angry.

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale by Carmen Agra Deedy,  Michael Austin, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach– A Cuban Folktale by Carmen Agra Deedy

First Line: “Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha was a beautiful cockroach.”

Summary: Based oon an old Cuban folktale, Martina the cockroach decides she is ready to find a husband. Her abuela suggests she give each suitor “the coffee test” to determine how they might treat her when they are angry.

Ratings:

3,110 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock
Maggie

                Conor: Too long to hold his attention

3,110 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock
Mama Lala

Their Thoughts: “I didn’t get some of the jokes.” — Maggie. She also said she prefers human characters to animal characters, but that it didn’t affect whether she enjoyed the story or not.

My Thoughts: Reads like a good folktale. I enjoyed reading a folktale I hadn’t heard of before– I try to subject my kids to as many different cultures as possible, especially through literature. The story, as written, was pretty punny, which was a nice addition for the adults reading the story. My only complaint is the idea of “finding a suitor” as a topic. Obviously that idea is a little dated, but when viewed in the context of a folktale it is still enjoyable.

FYI: ¡También tenemos una copia de esta historia en español en la sucursal de Park City de nuestro consorcio!

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: If You Come to Earth

Quinn writes a letter to anyone who might visit Earth, and tells them about all the things they might see if they were to visit. Quinn tells them what earth looks like, who lives here, and how life is different for each of them.

First Line: “Dear Visitor from Outer Space, If you come to Earth, here’s what you need to know.”

Summary: Quinn writes a letter to anyone who might visit Earth, and tells them about all the things they might see if they were to visit. Quinn tells them what earth looks like, who lives here, and how life is different for each of them.

Ratings:

                Maggie:

Four Stars Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock

                Conor: one point toward the planet earth

                Mama Lala:

Four Stars Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock

Their Thoughts: My children did not have much to say about this book. They read it with me, dutifully, but didn’t think much of it. Maggie “liked” it, that’s about as much as I could get out of them.

My Thoughts: The illustrations in this book are beautiful, which makes sense since Sophie Blackall is a two-time Caldecott Medalist. I also appreciate the lettering of this book. (For those unaware, lettering is the style and placement of the words and letters in a book, though not the content of the words themselves.) The idea behind the book is quite lovely, as well. A beautiful book, top to bottom. I suppose the book may be a bit too cerebral for the audience it is directed at, which is why it lost a star for me. A great idea can only go so far, if it doesn’t connect to its audience. I recommend it more toward older readers, or teachers prepared to discuss the content with their class.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: I Am Every Good Thing

First Line: “I am/ a nonstop ball of energy.”

Summary: This book puts on display a set of inspiring poetry about a group of young black boys. It speaks of their virtues, and insinuates their innocence, kindness, and goodness. Each page reads like its own poem, but they flow together to form a larger piece.

Ratings:

                Maggie: 5 stars (2 – 4 stars after it made her emotional)

                Conor: 5 stars for page 23; 0 cares of all other pages

                Mama Lala: 5 stars

Their Thoughts: Maggie says, “Its like when you go home after a bad day, and you just sit on your bed… and your mom brings a blanket and just holds you. It feels good. Like that.”

Conor: My assumption of what he would say, “the picture on page 24 is pretty! I want to touch it!”

My Thoughts: This book was beautiful and inspirational. It can be (and should be) read both with and without the context of race. These statements and lyrics should be felt by all young people. That said, this book provided an excellent opportunity to discuss race and the issues surrounding race at this time.

I should note, Maggie said this was a 5 star book before I had this conversation with her. After I provided the context of the dedication page, she became emotional. I told her about Trayvon Matin, who was still a child when he’d been attacked. I told her he was about the same age as one of her cousins. This made the tears flow (which made her star count drop).

I explained to her that these conversations are sad and uncomfortable, but important to have.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor