Anakalian Whims

The Weekly Low Down on Kids Books 2/05/12

February 6, 2012 at 4:33 am (Reviews) (board books, books, children's books, picture books, reviews, weekly kids books review)

Moo, Baa, La La La! And But Not the Hippopotamus – Sandra Boynton

We liked the last Sandra Boynton book so much; we had to try these ones.  Moo, Baa, La La La! Is wonderful, Ayla had me read it over and over again, even when she wasn’t feeling that well.  She’s been sick, diagnosed with Pharyngitis, and lost about 3lbs. That’s a lot of weight for a 15 mo.  But Moo, Baa, La La La! kept her in good spirits. But Not the Hippopotamus is cute, Ayla just didn’t care for it as much.  It might be an issue of color; Hippopotamus is a dark green, whereas Moo, Baa is a bright teal.  Who knows why babies go for the things they do, I just document my kid’s ‘reviews’ because she can’t do so herself!

Celestine, Drama Queen – Penny Ives

I didn’t think I’d care much for this, but Ayla grabbed it so I said ok.  After reading it though, I think its really cute.  Ayla wanted to read this as an ‘I’m sleepy’ read this week.  We would read through Celestine and then the usual signal of ‘Nurse me and let me rest’ she’d grab the Edna St. Vincent Millay poetry collection.  Ives story is wise and the watercolor illustrations appropriately girly for my little girl.

Which Witch is Which? – Pat Hutchins

This is one we’ll have to grab a few months down the road.  It’s a brilliant piece about twins Emily and Ella who are at a costume party and like different things, and its up to the reader to decipher who is who in each illustration: ‘Ella likes pink, Emily blue. Which witch is which?’ and one holds out a pink gift for the host and one holds out a blue one.  Between being ill and not really knowing her colors and whatnot, it just didn’t hold her attention this time.

What You Never Knew About Beds, Bedrooms, and Pajamas – Patricia Lauber

This is a great book to put curious minds to sleep.  Part of the Around the House History series, it goes through the entire history of beds, bedrooms and pajamas.  Ayla fell asleep about halfway through, but an older child would be more than capable of making it to the end.  It’s a great way to make bedtime learning time too, but no worries about making fun cozy story time in pajamas too scholastic, the illustrations by John Manders keep it all pretty fun.

Finklehopper Frog – Irene Livingston

With all the bright illustrations by Brian Lies, I thought this one was going to have a shoe in for Ayla’s affections without a doubt.  Quite to the contrary, she just wasn’t interested and kept pushing it aside to make me read Moo, Baa, La La La! again.  The poetry is fun, the rhymes mimicking the hopping of a frog as he tries to do things like the other animals.  In the end a bunny rabbit convinces him to be content being himself.

Geraldine First – Holly Keller

I was drawn to the illustrations, but they didn’t really captivate Ayla.  The story is definitely geared toward older children with younger siblings, and I think my nieces and nephews would find it quite funny.  Ayla probably wont share in this sentiment any time soon, if ever.

Introducing Limelight Larry – Leigh Hodgkinson

We both LOVED Limelight Larry.  It’s funny and clever, and the illustrations are exciting and beautiful.  The very best part?  All the different fonts and the surprise foil additions to Larry’s beautiful peacock feathers.  Had I seen this book prior to having Ayla, I may have done the entire nursery in Limelight Larry, maybe Ayla and I can paint her room that way together one day.