Little Bat

Today marked a very important day for me - Mamma went back to work. She was a little more upset about it than I was, but in the end it all worked out. She was super happy to see me when she picked me up from the sitter. As soon as we got home I ate, and then we played together and then read this little book called, Little Bat. Mamma's friend from work gave me the book on Halloween and we read it together periodically. Don't be fooled though - this isn't a Halloween book, just a really awesome chunky board book about a little bat (Mamma LOVES bats). As soon as I can hold things a little better, I will be really excited to hold this little book and turn the pages by myself. It is just the perfect size for little hands. The most awesome feature of this book is that there is a finger puppet in the center that can move around as you read the story. I especially love it when my moms read me the story and then make the little bat move in the way the story explains. Even though it isn't part of the story, Mamma makes the little bat give me a kiss on the nose at the very end. I love when she does that! It always makes me smile :) This book is perfect for a number of reasons, but the brief sentences, rhyming text, puppet, and small chunky pages with sturdy binding make this a book I will enjoy from now through my toddler years. I really want to take a look at some of the other little finger puppet books like this one such as Little Crab and Little Spider. Hmmm... I wonder if Santa reads my blog?

Good Night Maryland

Today as a gift I received this wonderful little book called, Good Night Maryland by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper. I admit that I am not terribly knowledgeable about the state of Maryland just yet, but this little book gave me a great start. I would imagine all Maryland babies would enjoy learning from this book. While I am still a little young for the book (even though it is a board book) I can see myself eating up this story in no time (both literally and figuratively :)! I enjoyed listening to Mamma telling me all about the different places in the story. For example, one part of the story says, "Good morning, Ocean City boardwalk." Mamma proceeded to tell me about the many summers she visited Ocean City as a kid, and even now still loves to sit by the ocean to read a good book and pay a visit to the ten cent claw machines and skee ball games at Marty's Playland. There was also a picture of the Inner Harbor which showed the Aquarium - yet another place Mamma enjoyed as a kid and still enjoys as an adult. I can't wait for my family to take me to all of these different places so I can learn even more about them! Mamma also pointed out the various places in the book where we could get a stamp for the National Passport book (she is a little addicted to visiting the various National Parks). There is so much to learn! I loved the pictures in the story too, and I imagine I will be pointing to and counting the different objects I see on the pages in no time. The story takes place over the course of a day, though my Mamma says it is a unrealistic to be able to visit all of the many places included in this book in just one day. Still, the book makes for a great introduction for any little Marylander. I highly recommend and give this story two little thumbs up! I was happy to see that the Howard County Public Library System already owns a number of copies of this book for you to check out (click on the link to reserve your own copy :) Also, if you are interested in getting your own children excited about exploring our National Parks, why not get them a National Passport Book as a stocking stuffer? Click here to learn more!

Five Silly Turkeys

Forgive me for posting this review so late - I was in a turkey induced coma for the past few days. Or at least that's what I'm saying. My moms think differently and believe I may be going through another growth spurt.  

Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon was the perfect little Thanksgiving story for me to read. As you can see from the picture, there are five shiny turkey tail feathers that stick out from the pages of the board book. As you count down from five turkeys, to four turkeys, etc. the tail feathers help you to remember how many turkeys are left in the story. Personally, I liked the rhyming in the story. I thoroughly enjoy a book that has rhyme because usually whomever is holding me will bounce me to the rhythm of the words in the story (which coincidentally I have learned doesn't go over very well if it's done after I have just eaten). I was drawn to the shiny tail feathers most of all, and even managed to grab one and pull it towards my mouth. I was thoroughly disappointed that it didn't actually taste like turkey.

*Spoiler Alert* At the end of the story, the five turkeys get together to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast. On the table made of a chopped tree trunk was a pie and some corn. I was glad to see that the turkeys were not eating turkey. My mamma told me that a book I will enjoy when I get older that involves a pie and cannibalism is a book called, The Mystery of Eatum Hall by John Kelly and Cathy Tincknell. I thoroughly look forward to reading this story. For now I am going to set this little book aside and wait until next year to read it again since it is a Thanksgiving story.

I think if I were just a couple of months older I would have enjoyed this story much more because I would have been able to turn the pages on my own (those turkey tail feathers would make it really easy). I would give this little book a 4/5 star rating.

A Kiss For You!

Today we read a number of books, but I'd specifically like to discuss the book, A Kiss For You! by Joan Halub and Caroline Jayne Church. I'm not quite 3 months old, and while I was able to snuggle and listen to longer stories being read aloud to me just a few short weeks ago (such as The Art of Fielding and A Confederacy of Dunces - I read whatever my mamma reads),  I seem to have developed an aversion to sitting and listening to/looking at short stories. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, A Kiss For You! Why, you might ask? Well, this book has a fantastic moveable hand so for every time you turn the page, the hand can be moved to demonstrate how to blow a kiss, how to hold a teddy, or even how to high-five (something my moms like to do with me when I accomplish something exciting such as smack a toy or have a bowel movement). It really kept my attention. While the book doesn't rhyme, it does have simple and colorful pictures. I highly recommend this book for other babies my same age. I'm taking a big step here, but I'm also going to go ahead and predict that I will continue to enjoy this book as I get older. It may even be something I would be able to memorize and retell on my own.

Five out of five stars for this little book.