Recommended title: The fabulous song

The fabulous song / Don Gillmor [author] ; Marie-Louise Gay [illustrator]
by Gillmor, Don
Stoddart, 1996.
Music -- Fiction

ISBN: 0773728600 ; 0773760997 (pbk.)

I was reading this 4 times last night and you know I do just like this book. I think it is not as well know as it should be so there you go. If I could get it past the Library of Congress I would add Subject: Being yourself and loving it without driving your parents crazy -- Fiction. Which indicates why my kid is getting a lot of reading of this book.

Also a time to post a seasonal photograph of my children. Serving suggestions may not be exactly as illustrated.

Nonlinear Babies Shower: The Day the Babies Crawled Away

The finest blogger on the subject of picture books has to be the Mad Hatter. She has more than earned those stripes. When it comes to a present for the Nonlinear Ones there is something I learned from Mad I wanted to share. It is not just the book itself but also the place of the poignant, prescient picture book post. I have said before:

I want to write about all the people who have given us books. The feeling it gives me to be with the books and my children. It always seems to me like about five hundred souls are all crowded in a little child's room filling it with love and thought. Authors, illustrators and the gift-givers piled high enough to fill the room.

That's what I want for you Nonlinear Girl as these days come with the babies. A literary dogpile of all of us who look and read your dear, wise, giving stories, a little something to give back. You are a special girl and mama too. It has been a bit getting here and so much ahead, showers of happiness upon you all. As you can imagine for me it is always tough to single out certain books. Allow me to share with you the result of my torture. Here goes...

For my recommendation I insist you get a copy of The Day the Babies Crawled Away -- if I haven't already foisted one upon you. This book is many things. It is a loving tale of a mother in conversation with a curious and intelligent child that makes me think of Ada at times, gotta love a link even when it's old fashioned. It is a fine poetic text with superb image value and direction just like you NLG! It is a book of community -- something you ooze out through the blog from your communities virtual and concrete. The aforementioned oozing really defies blogging logic, I challenge any of us to demonstrate how clearly we love our local, physical communities they way you share yours with us, Nora.

This book is at its heart an adventure which more than seems a fit. But, yeah, there are lots of babies so maybe the multiples thing is my impetus for the choice? I mean I just as easily could have picked Little Rabbit's New Baby or the best book ever, Flotsam.

My knowing of this book comes to us thanks to a distant an unexpected trust in a lucky find of a blogger-mother. Someone I have come to adore and rely upon in some small way. I know from those days of second pregnancy and the babyhood after I needed those connections their intimacy and their distance. I wanted to bundle a reminder that when everything else is going crazy you can still have so and so to click at in England or on the East Coast or downtown from you. And, we will still click at you. IRL support is fantastic and though I have not said it till now, I will tonight, the online fills another need, different and important. My shower gift is a little a push on that and a lot of reflection on your thoughtful exchanges with us all this while. Nora you are one of the most generous bloggers I know. Thank you.

And, when -- or if -- you get that more children less blog feeling: we know. Go with the mama flow. Congratulations and good luck with your babies our hearts are filled with gladness for you all.

"You are our hero. Have some pies!"

From - The Day the Babies Crawled Away
by Peggy Rathmann

Want to write a post like this? Here's the deal.

Recommended title: Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep

Elsie Piddock skips in her sleep / illustrated by Charlotte Voake.
by Farjeon, Eleanor, 1881-1965

Candlewick, 2000.

Subjects Rope skipping -- Fiction ; Fairies -- Fiction ; England -- Fiction

ISBN: 0763601330 ; 0763607908

This simply and beautifully illustrated skipping story lays plain the history of the oligarchy's corruption of the natural world while remaining an exceptionally fun, albeit long, read. Try it! And, if you are a Canadian who has ever heard Alan Maitland read the Gift of the Magi or the Shepherd on CBC radio tell me, can you read it in your own voice? I simply seem to automatically channel the storytelling spirit of Fireside Al as my own version of a Sussexian accent.

ANdy SPANdy
Sugary CANdy
French Almond ROCK
Bread and buttER for your suppER's
All your mother's got.

-- for Elsie, a born skipper.

Recommended title: Sleeping Dragons All Around

Sleeping dragons all around / Sheree Fitch.
Doubleday Canada, 1989.
Subjects: Dragons -- Fiction ; Bedtime -- Fiction ; Stories in rhyme
ISBN:0385251653; 0385253982 (pbk.)

Canadian book publishing is a fickle thing. Canadian childrens' book publishing perhaps more so.

As you can imagine I am a pretty avid library user but some books I just HAVE TO OWN. And Sleeping Dragons All Around, by Sheree Fitch, is one such book. We discovered it at the library and have blessed the fine free status of Vancouver children for two years. I have sought to buy it new and sat on the out of stock lists. I have scrounged and begged for used copies. I was prepared to pay the exorbitant 'rare' book price this MUST have was garnering.

This past school libraries day I read this poetic chronicle of dragons from Priscilla in pink pantaloons through Ching-Chung, Lindy Lean and all the rest to two classes of Vancouver kids -- always a winner. As recent as this morning I was angling to have the school library I was visiting rank their copy 'discard' so I could, quite shamelessly, ferret away with the product for myself.

Then tonight I learn -- oh, bonnie day! A reprint will be run for the 20th Anniversary of Sleeping Dragons, January 2009. Here's hoping it will be a bit hit, again! And, if you prefer to just check it out on the library shelf off you go.

ps. Do investigate my source here, Just one more book, a bright new podcast source for m'self.

Recommended Title: One witch

One witch / Laura Leuck ; illustrations by S.D. Schindler.

Walker, 2003, 2005
Subjects: Witches -- Fiction ; Halloween -- Fiction ; Counting ; Stories in rhyme
ISBN: 9780802777294 ; 0802788602

Just in case you are not all ready with a great holiday book here ya go.

Don't get dismayed with all the schlock holiday formula drek on the bookshelves this October. There are still great Halloween books to use just get past those new titles lists. We have a few favorites but when pressed to recommend we just have to introduce you, if you don't know, to One Witch. Totally excellent ink and watercolour illustrations coupled with rhyming couplets in a counting story for Halloween!! What more could you ask for? Lovable even under the age of one and transfixing for ages two and up.

One witch on a hill had any empty pot to fill...
get thee to the library and find out about her gruesome brew. (For even more book ideas see the list from kittenpie.)

ps.. tell me, have any of you ever used the worldcat searches? I mean I do think it's pretty cool you can just type in your zip or postal codes and find a book right in your library. But ya know, I'm a geek and all.

*** Our report from the pumpkin field coming soon. ***

Recommended Title: Mungo and the Picture Book Pirates

Mungo and the picture book pirates / Timothy Knapman.

Puffin, 2006, c2005.
Subjects
Books and reading -- Fiction
Imagination -- Fiction

ISBN:
0141380608; 9780140569742 (pbk.)

Wow. What a long time it has been since I have posted a simple recommended title. But I do love doing it.

I was quite surprised to have trouble finding this book in the library when a good friend suggested it for us. When I purchased it I guess I could see why the public library might not have it. It is not a very sophisticated book. But we have really come to love it, both our boy and our girl. This is a great gender cross-over pirate book. And it is where our daughter learned the phrase 'jump right into a book'. For that reason alone I think more libraries should get this book.

Having a Ball

We have recently completely dovetailed the bedtime routines of the two kids. All the story times are held to complete the day on a blanket in my son's room. When we wrapped up Sometimes I like to Curl up in a Ball a few days ago the kids got up and headed for the door. Seems they were out to put us to bed.

Hand in hand they prepared to exit the room. Looking back briefly Miss Fancy said to her father and me, "Nigh-night. And, don't worry. When you wake up in the morning we will be here."


By the way. I do like Wombat books. Check them out!

At Home

If I look at my peer group about 70% are staying at home. I live in sort of the last affordable family neighbourhood there WAS (past tense) in Vancouver so I am lucky. But for some reason I largely credit bloggers for supporting my decision to spend more time at home? Odd? I dunno.

It seem clear to me that if I didn't know:
L. and Alpha D and if I hadn't heard the cheesefairy say she would do it I might have never gone for it. Thank God I have Crunchy showing me through the screen and in real life that it can be done. If I didn't know Sarah of the Goon Squad, or if I had overlooked Dutch's input at sweet|salty that argued spending time with your kids isn't about adequate maternity/paternity leaves but rather about choices.

It reminds me of that scene in the book Rainbabies when the Moon spirit awards the old people a baby of their own because they had forgone riches to protect the rainbabies, among other things.

I really feel sometimes that the mirage of financial security as a precursor to parenting is ass backwards. I am still addicted to the notion even tho' I feel very little drive for it in the face of the priceless and proportionless existence I have with my two little people.

I do thank you all -- at home or not -- for opening your homes, families, hearts and experiences to the Internet and to me. I do love it. Helps me find my way.

Recommended Title: How Many Miles to Bethlehem

How many miles to Bethlehem? / Kevin Crossley-Holland ; illustrated by Peter Malone.
Orion, 2004.

ISBN: 1842552775

This Christmas we acquired a copy of this excellent book of the Nativity. Clever and poetic text conveys the story from the points of view of many participants, the Mother Mary, the Shepherds, the Sheep, the Donkey in the stable, etc etc. I think good religious works are actually about many points of view so this is religious story that's right up my alley.

If you are looking for a beautiful book to discuss the mystical aspects of the Christmas tradition this one is a must-have. Though I might just be a sucker for the gorgeous figurative images that play on my own baggage as an Eastern-rite Catholic and graduate of a medieval studies program.

As with all our recommended titles, a really nice book. Check it out at your library or buy it at your local bookstore this Christmas.

Recommended Title: Grumblebunny

I shall, for want of the interest and time to post about my latest theory of government (our PM is, in fact, a crypto-Islamist), recommend the above title. The book is for your kids, because it is full of cute rabbits. It does not pander to your kids, because these rabbits inhabit a difficult and inhospitable world. That, and the titular character is clearly depressed. As opposed to normative kidlit, which tells the reader that danger does not exist, that actions are free of unpleasant consequences, or that a prince is waiting somewhere to sublimate your daughter, Grumblebunny appears to stand for the proposition that one must be an individual, and one must be conscious, in order to survive.

Or maybe I am reading to much into this book. Let me know... You can check for at copy at your library by clicking here.

P-man out.

Recommended title: Click, Clack, Moo

Click, clack, moo : cows that type / by Doreen Cronin ; pictures by Betsy Lewin.
Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, or Childcraft, 2001, c2000.
Subjects
Cows -- Fiction
Domestic animals -- Fiction
Typewriters -- Fiction

ISBN: 9780689832130 (Simon) ; 0689832133 (Simon) ; 0439216486 (Scholastic : pbk.) ; 1586690760 (Childcraft : BB)

Caldecott Honor Book

If you like to type.. and you do... this is the book for you and your kids. Bonus points for railing against the man.

Recommended title: Sector 7

Sector 7.
by Wiesner, David
Clarion, 1999.
Subjects
Empire State Building (New York, N.Y.) -- Fiction
Clouds -- Fiction
Stories without words

ISBN: 0395746566

We have been quite remiss not to have yet sung to the high heavens praise for our latest love in the stories without words category. To say Sector 7 is beautifully is illustrated is inadequate. It is awesome in the actual meaning of the word. And, it is a damn entertaining tale. This is a great book. We are certainly not alone in our love of all things Wiesner so don't just take our word for it. And, while these reviews are coming from little girls' mommies (and dads!) I think this is a don't miss for the next little boy gift you seek. I might make it a vitural gift to this little shot with a nod to his artful eye.

Recommended title: My Mama Says

My mama says there aren't any zombies, ghosts, vampires, creatures, demons, monsters, fiends, goblins, or things

Viorst, Judith
Atheneum, or Aladdin 1973
Subjects: Mothers -- Fiction; Monsters -- Fiction
ISBN: 0689301022 (Atheneum); 0689712049 (Aladdin : pbk.)

Sort of a lesser known Viorst gem (after Alexander) this book came to us from p-man's young step-brother's library. My MIL shared it with our Girl Friday and at first I didn't like it. But really this is a great book. I use it strategically when I have one of those days when either me, or the kids, need a reminder about the Mama inside the monster. Really the world needs more books with Mamas that are less than perfect.

But how does she know when she can't even drive me to
Christopher's house without getting lost on the way?
So, sometimes even Mamas make mistakes.

...ps. My Mama don't like this book either don't take her book reviews; trust me.

Recommended Title: Babies R'Us Catalogue

I write this as amanuensis for Mo. The title of note is recommended for the following purposes. A: making up funny stories about the individuals and products represented in the images. B: Good toilet-time reading for the toddler (while lacking in any topical content this glossy "magazine" is nonetheless inspirational, and this correspondent finds a certain parallel between the reading-time efforts of the toddler and the majority of the products shown in the catalogue). The downside of this publication is its utter lack of absorbency.

P-man out.

"I'll add the note that since the age of about 18 mos this was one piece of reading material Miss Fancy could pour over unassisted for some 30 minutes at a stretch. It is a completely unrivalled toddler-time-suck. Don't pass up your opportunity!" -- MoWo

Recommended title: You can't take a balloon into The Metropolitan Museum

You can't take a balloon into The Metropolitan Museum
by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman ; pictures by Robin Preiss Glasser.
Dial, 1998 or Puffin, 2001

Subjects
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.) -- Fiction; Balloons -- Fiction ; Stories without words
ISBN: 0803723016

I am currently in the throes of my first post-natal work-at-home deadlines so posting will likely be a bit sporadic in the coming weeks. It is at the moment 3:30 AM and I just submitted my first draft of the online course content I'm writing. Ah, the nostalgia of the collegiate all-nighter.

That done I suppose I can -- in good conscience -- throw up a little post. Here's a title p-man and the girl picked up on their last trip to the library. It is our first real story-without-words book and Miss Fancy loves it. Check it out at your local library. We have been telling this tale of the little girl and her grandma again-and-again (like we have a choice). I recently told it from the perspective of the balloon, fun. A while back I misspoke and called it "You can't take a balloon into The Metropolitan Museum of Art" and now bossy boots corrects anyone who overlooks the 'of Art!!!' part. P-man has spiced up the story for Mom with his patented characterization of 'the man with the large instrument'.

ps.. thanks to the Tompkins County Public Library for the following synopsis of the book on their summer booklist of art in kids lit.

In this wordless story, a young girl and her grandmother view works inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while the balloon she has been forced to leave outside floats around New York City causing a series of mishaps that mirror scenes in the museum's artworks.

Recommended title: Baby Brains

Baby Brains.
by James, Simon, 1961-
Candlewick, 2004.
Subjects: Babies -- Fiction
Intellect -- Fiction
ISBN: 0763625078

Simon James's story about the smartest baby in the world was a hit with our girl as one more title in the baby preparation program. As one reviewer attests parents might like it too but do so with a sometimes odd, wry smile of self-recognition. How smart is your baby? Check out this title and see... Find it at a great bookstore or in YOUR local library

But don't just take my recommendation on its own..Over 25,000 UK kids selected this book for the Red House Children's Book Award

This book has me psyched to check out James' first book The Day Jake Vacuumed, too.

Recommended title: My mum

My mum / Anthony Browne.
Doubleday or Random House, 2005.
Subjects: Mother and child -- Fiction
ISBN: 0385608217; 0552552348

Summary Note: A child describes the many wonderful things about "my Mum" who can be the boss, make anything grow, roar like a lion, be as comfy as an armchair.. and be my Mum!

Oh my God!.... Just in time for pre-sibling quality Mama and Child week at the Wo house... Miss Fancy selects this recent gift from the book aunties for reading and re-reading? Such a wonderful book, has us a bit drippy eyed around here but I am sure all our readers made of sterner stuff will not have such reactions. The killer is that at the huggy punchline my daughter throws herself at me for a cinematic quality embrace. Lovely. (Also, have to love the real life look of this Mom, no airbrushed, photoshopped Mommy like in all those run of the mill kids books! hee.)

ps... Thanks to everyone for the get well wishes. I am on the mend and regaining my strength in preparation for birth to take it all away from me again.

Recommended title: Daddy Kisses

Daddy kisses by Anne Gutman.
Chronicle Books, 2003 ; ISBN: 0811839141.
Subjects: Fathers -- Fiction ; Kissing -- Fiction

On a last minute Father's Day shopping mission? Check out this title. Comes complete with ACTIONS!

Recommended title

There will be no recommended title this week. At storytime last night Girl Friday responded with, "No, thanks." Bibliophile parents are still recovering.

We hope to resume our regularly featured recommendations shortly. And, we are sure the literary refusals are simply because she loves her new bed so much. Right?

Boo-hoo.

Recommended title: Mysterious Theolonious

Mysterious Thelonious
by Christopher Raschka

Publisher: New York : Orchard Books, ©1997.
ISBN: 0531300579 ; 0531330575

Subjects: Monk, Thelonious -- Juvenile literature


This amazing book matches the tones of the diatonic scale to the values of the color wheel to make a great read in sight and sound. Some of you already know of my pushing of great jazz books for kids, this one is perhaps the best I've found so far. 'Cept of course I didn't actually find it. It was a gift to us from a good friend a dogs age ago. Miss Fancy discovered in on OUR bookshelf last month and loves it. She is a keen mimic of the tones and enjoys playing along to fill in a broken syllable or two. We highly recommend you check out the "stor-y-a-bout-the-love-ly-mu-sic-of-Mis-ter-Monk."

Find it in a library near you with this link!