I can't cover them all here but I will start today.
#1. Babies Are Boring
By: Jon Ritchie and Alex Ritchie
This one only came out a couple of years ago. A friend picked it up for me at a bookstore where the authors were signing copies. I thought it was really funny and much more fun to read than most baby books. But it wasn't until I started nannying baby Jacob who also had a copy that I realized how great it is.
While it is sarcastic and written to entertain mommies and daddies, it is still sweet and kid-appropriate.
Jacob loved it. Maybe it was the simple cartoon illustrations but I think it was the rhymes and flow of the story that he really loved. "Babies are boring, boring, boring, boring! Some when they're awake, others when they're snoring."
At eight months old Jacob new exactly where my voice would pitch and could mimic the hand actions I would make for each page seconds before I actually made them. And although he couldn't understand the books sarcastic humour, he knew it was funny.
Now when I read it to my belly the baby really likes the rhythm as well. If increased fetal movement is an indication of enjoyment.
#2. Good Night Vancouver
By: David J. Adams and Anne Rosen
I'm guessing only locals or tourists will be interested in purchasing this book, since if you've never been to Vancouver it would be of little interest to you. But there are many others in the series that cover other cities - so look for yours at the link above.
This book is also fairly new. It hit the shelves in 2009. I picked up my copy from The Vancouver Aquarium bookstore, but I've seen it at other specialty shops and bookstores around town.
I discovered it last year when I was taking care of baby Thomas. He was only three months old so it was hard to judge if he actually preferred this book, but I thought it was a nice novelty to have a baby book about our hometown.
There's not much to say. It's similar to other good night books. I had one when I was a baby, I think it was called goodnight city and of course there is the adorable classic Goodnight Moon - neither of which are part of this series.
Basically the book runs through a list of major Vancouver landmarks, saying hello to each and expressing appreciation for it.
Not an amazing story but an inexpensive cute cardboard baby book that is much more special than a cardboard book about fluffy kittens.
#3. Oh The Places You'll Go
By: Dr. Seuss
Ok. Pretty much all his books are terrific. If you're buying books as a gift for a child aged 1-6, you really can't go wrong with Dr. Seuss. But check to make sure the kid doesn't have them all already because Dr. Seuss books are that popular.
Even if the story is a little too simple for a more advance reader, there's usually a great message in Dr. Seuss's words and the pictures are always weird - which is good for kids.
This book was the last to be published, one year before Dr. Seuss' death in 1991.
I cried when I bought this for my baby because I have dreamed of reading it to my own child. I first found it on three-year-old Jessica's book shelf and I thought the message was so great I often agreed to read her two nap time stories as long as this was one of them. She always took the deal, although that had more to do with stalling bedtime than appreciation for the book.
What can I say? I think it is actually a book for graduates (of any age). Its an introduction to the real world telling the reader all about success and failures and the ups and downs that taking a new path brings.
While the wisdom is lost on little readers some of it will surely seep through over time and it's a good reminder for grown-ups. It was an absolute must-have for my child. As soon as I bought it I sat in the car and read it to my belly - twice.
#4. Go The F**k To Sleep
By: Adam Mansbach and Ricardo Cortes
Fresh off the shelves! I have never read this to anyone because it's new and I haven't had the chance. Also because I might have been fired for doing so had it been around when I was nannying.
I'm reviewing it because it's a book that is all the rage right now during my own pregnancy and because of that I wanted it for my child's collection.
Will I read it to my baby? Not sure yet. I read it to my belly the other night saying "F" instead of "Fuck".
Cortes' illustrations are great. Really sweet detailed pictures of children incorporated in jungle scenes, city scenes, farm scenes, etc. And the story is funny, you can't help but laugh. I don't think my boyfriend (J) really got it, but he will once he has experienced the frustration that comes with a bombardment of bedtime excuses from a little one.
This book really only suites a certain kind of parent/reader. I think those that enjoy it do so because this is exactly what they are sometimes thinking inside their heads but would never say to their child. If you don't have those thoughts, then this may just be offensive for you.
I think it's witty and I giggled a lot. I guess only time and my level of frustration will decide if I actually use it as a bedtime story.
PS: It wasn't in the kids section of my bookstore (for good reason). I found it in humour.
Stay tuned for future reviews.
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