Children's books, part 1.

There are definitely different views on what makes a good children's book. Lots of people in the Montessori world, don't give young children books that are not reality-based books because young children cannot distinguish between reality and fantasy. So -- talking animals, for example, are not age-appropriate so some believe books that encourage or promote talking animals or story lines that wouldn't and couldn't happen shouldn't be given to young children. However, I feel like there is something to be said for developing a child's imagination through books. I like the bright colors, funny stories, talking animals and creative illustrations. So while I try to have a mix of books for Javi, I don't restrict book selections at all. (Though when they get misused or ruined I'm quicker to get rid of the books that don't quality as "good" children's books.)

We've recently added some new books to Javi's library. Typically, we get hand-me-down books. They are super used and well loved and we've been given them by generous people whose children have already read them a million times over. So the books that I'm talking about today are special because we bought these for Javi brand new. 

Corduroy - This book is a bit too long for Javi right now. There are too many words on each page so by page 4, he starts turning the pages himself to hurry you along. 

Hello World, Solar System - I love this book. It's so bright and colorful. Javi loves it too and it's one that we look at again and again and again.

Please Mr. Panda - I didn't get this the first few times I read it! I finished it the first time and I was all "wait, what?". But after reading it a few more times, I understood it and it does have a cute message about manners/politeness. The illustrations are wonderful and now that I know what the point is, I like it more. 

Small, smaller, smallest - This one is definitely Javi's favorite new pick. He loves the pull-up, pull-down and pull-out tabs and I'm actually surprised the book isn't ruined yet because he's not the most gentle.

Don't push the button - This one is cute. I personally like it because Sean picked it out for Javi and I think that's sweet. I'm not always sure that Javi understands what I'm saying to him but every time I read the words "don't push the button" -- he pushes the button on the page. :) 

Soon I'll share my favorite "reality-based" children's books. 

Books.

I have a weakness for books -- children's books specifically. Books that I've read or like and liked to collect I can easily buy, read and donate without putting much thought into it. I've pared down our books quite a bit during our last few moves. Something about carrying around those heavy boxes filled with books we've already read didn't interest me. But I also feel that children will read more if they watch their parents read and if they are surrounded by books. You can't read books you don't have access to -- know what I mean? When I was pregnant my classroom gave me a book baby shower and every child gave me a book for Javi. The baby shower my mom and aunt threw for me was a "book" shower. I used to sell for Barefoot Books and have kept my previous inventory for Javi. Plus any time anyone offers me used books I accept. So Javi is fortunate to have many books. A few months ago we finally got around to organizing all our books -- from board books to Euclid's Elements and everything in between in our Ikea 5x5 expedit shelf. 

Since the first 3 shelves are all for Javi's books we come in this room once in a while to take a few books and move them to a basket in his playroom. I try to switch out books based on seasons or holidays so right now we are reading books about love and valentines day!

Javi loves books and usually greets our house guests with a book in hand... for them to read to him! He reads books over and over again and doesn't get tired of hearing the same story or looking at the same pictures. Right now we're working on treating books with care since he likes to bend the pages. :)

10 books I'll read this summer.

Yesterday, I posted about my summer plans and goals -- one of which is to read one book per week. I enjoy lighter reads -- I think I'm still getting over my years of reading books I really didn't enjoy in college. I also love to read books that famous people wrote or books related to shows or movies that I've watched. So those types of books will account for five weeks of my time. Three weeks of my time will be spent diving into happiness and a minimalist lifestyle. And two weeks will include books off the NYT bestsellers list. Curiosity got the best of me. 

Here's to ten weeks of reading. :)

Husbands.

So yesterday, I made Sean bring me to TJ Maxx because I wanted to find a cute shirt. And while I was browsing the racks he found his way to the register (where they always put those eye-catchers that make you buy more things at the last minute). Check out what he found...


;) the funniest part of Sean finding this book (other than him reading almost the entire thing while I was searching for a shirt) is that when we went to check out he actually bought it.

That's right. He owns it now. And let me tell you -- it's going to come in handy.

It has some really good lessons. For example:

"How to remember things men don't remember"
"How to survive shopping together"
"How to grocery shop in less than 30 minutes"
"How to fold clothes"
"Five great, classy dates"
"How to make the bed"
"10 things every married man should have"
"How to make decisions"

Hysterical. I'm telling you. But as far as I can tell -- it's pretty legit. Told in a comical way, of course.

And while we were walking around Sean said to me, "wouldn't this book be so funny to blog about?"

Oh yes, yes it is. ;)