DADS READ: “A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals” by Lucy Ruth Cummins

-




JER: “A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals” by Lucy Ruth Cummins is perfectly summed up by one of my other favorite authors: “So smart and so cute and so dark all at the same time.  Sheesh.” - Jon Klassen (from the back cover). Just when I through I figured out the story arc, it would take another dramatic turn.  Well worth tracking down.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DADS READ: "Who Has What" by author Robie H. Harris and illustrator Nadine Bernard Westcott

-
Image
Being a parent involves setting societal and cultural norms for your children.  When and where is it appropriate to eat, when and where is it appropriate to use electronic devices, when and where is it appropriate to sleep, when and where is it appropriate to urinate and defecate, etc.  That last one has an instructive, humorous story. One of my nephews had been on a long road trip to California, and something many people can relate to on long road trips, this nephew needed to urinate, but there wasn't an exit, a gas station, or any bathroom for miles in either direction.  His parents tried to explain to this nephew that in this circumstance, it was okay to urinate outdoors, on the side of the road, because there isn't any other alternative.  Great, no problem, many people have experienced needing to urinate outdoors when camping, traveling, or otherwise in a pinch.  Fast forward to after their road trip is over, they jad made it to Carlsbad, California, and...
Read more

JER: “Plain Jane and the Mermaid” by Vera Brosgol

-
Image
  JER: “Plain Jane and the Mermaid” by Vera Brosgol was a bit uncomfortable to read.  Jane is quickly confronted with the possibility of being homeless after her parents die and a cousin is set to inherit her home in a week.  Jane has a low estimation of her worth, having been convinced that she is, indeed, “plain,” fat, and ugly.  I was uncomfortable with the emphasis on looks, size, and desirability.  I suspected that the story would eventually confront these stereotypes and social constructs, but I was uncomfortable with discussing size and appearance for fear that the discussion itself would reinforce the beauty and size-ist standards I was trying to avoid or overcome with my children.  However, my wife correctly surmised that although it is easier to ignore these topics and pretend they don’t exist, size and beauty standards nevertheless exist because societies inevitably and perpetually create them.  Unfortunately, as a parent, you can’t simply i...
Read more

DADS READ: “Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill

-
Image
JER: “ Where’s Spot? ” by Eric Hill might be the most well “loved” book in our house.  It is so well “loved” that many of the distinctive flaps in this “lift-the-flap” book were “loved” off of their board-book-pages . . . But I am pretty proud of my make-shift replacement flaps.  A fun way to increase interaction with a toddler is to sign the name of the animal as they are revealed behind the flap. “Is Spot behind the door? ‘No’, says the snake” (accompanied by a hissing snake sign). The “Learn ASL App” is really great for learning basic sign language. 
Read more