Dads Read Too

JER: “ Good Night, Gorilla ” by Peggy Rathmann is a picture book triumph.  I don’t know of a children’s books with as much story hidden in the background than this book.  I legitimately go back and forth on whether the Gorilla is the protagonist, or merely a puppet to the clever influences of the Mouse.  Like, why is the string tied to the banana, if not to entice the Gorilla?!?!

JER: “ Book of Bones ” by author Gabrielle Balkan and illustrator Sam Brewster is one of those rare books that works equally well with 2-year-olds and 5-year-olds.  Ejler (2 yr old) loves rubbing her hand over the sandpaper shaped bone structure of the animal, but she wants to quickly turn through the pages - too fast to read the detailed explanations.  Ms. Balkan may have foreseen this challenge, and helpfully provided 3 quick bullet points about each animal, which I can quickly read before Ejler turns the page.  The illustrations by Mr. Brewster allow my kids to see the exquisite bone structure of each skeleton before bringing it to life in a vivid picture of the animal in their natural habitat.  Lake (5 yr old), on the other hand, loves learning all the minute details of each animal.  We have our friend Caroline - @linebarna - to thank for this wonderful book #gift #catinchinese #mao