by Fleurzty on February 3, 2012
As a child, wouldn’t you have loved a day when the answer to every request was Yes. Does this not sound fun? A day when you can put off your chores, eat ice cream, have a piggy back ride, eat lunch outside, use your sister’s hair gel and have a food fight or whatever else your little heart desires. I know I would have enjoyed it as a child.
Ty has a wonderful day when we say “yes” to more than two things. I can only imagine what he would do with a YES day. Though he is not himself given a “Yes” day once a year, we love going into the world of a little boy who has this awesome privilege. Once a year, the character in this book gets to have everything he wants no matter how insensible the request is. His day is filled with thrill and excitement because it is “yes day”.
When we read “Yes Day”, Ty escapes to a world full of imagination. After the story, he then tells me a few things that he would do if he had a “Yes day” and it typically includes video games, sugary treats, juice, books and lots of TV time. Although he never adds it to the list, I honestly think that a “Yes Day” for him would include having lunch at the animal rescue center with Diego, Alicia and Jaguar; among visits with many other friends of his. His sense of adventure is growing and he is moving away from his earlier interests and book choices.
However, rather than using the book to tell him that “Yes days” are possible, I take the opportunity to remind him that rules are good and boundaries help keep kids safe. In other words, at the end of the wonderful experience in an imaginary world of “can dos”, we slowly step back into reality to a world where we “No or Maybe” are needed more at an early age, but knowing that in time, it will yield the results that both he and us will say a resounding “Yes” to.
by Fleurzty on January 17, 2012
After an extended holiday break, we are back to book reviews. I missed writing about what we have read lately, especially given the number of new books added to our library. We are still reading some old favorites and have added new books to the rotation during the day and at bedtime. We recently read “I Like Myself” after a long hiatus and Ty could not stopped laughing.
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont is quite a comedy. The story is about a cute little girl expressing just how much she likes herself with … and despite… The book delivers quite a cute kiddie self-love and admiration. I love when she exclaims that she likes herself when she is wild and tame, fast and slow. This section is particularly helpful to us because Ty now gets very upset if someone else runs faster than him. He melted yesterday because his friend was running faster. We had a conversation, and I immediately thought of this book. Not only does the beautiful little girl in the book express her self-like very well, but she also exerts so much confidence that the reaction of others to what she does do not get to her. She likes herself even when she is called a silly nut… Would she still like herself if she were to change you may ask? Yes, even if she had a silly snout that snorts, grew hair that’s like a porcupine or purple polka-dotted lips (Ty’s favorite part) and lots of other silliness (that quite frankly were a bit much for me, but Ty found them hilarious), she would still like herself and the reason is…because she is her and she likes herself not because of her accomplishments or her looks, but because she is her.
Was that not cute? If you are not convinced that this cutie pie is absolutely fine with herself as she is, you simply have to take a look at the pictures in this book illustrated by David Catrow, you will discover the love, satisfaction and admiration that she is deep within her heart for herself. And, this feeling is contagious. I walk on clouds myself every time I read this book and I know Ty does too. He laughs a lot the entire time we are reading and in the end says “she’s silly” almost every time. I agree, our character is silly cute, with a contagious healthy self-image.
by Fleurzty on December 6, 2011
Ty got some more books to add to his growing library a few weeks ago. Granted, he has a number of books we have not yet reviewed, I wanted to share this particular Berenstain Bears book, entitled “No Girls Allowed”. As you have probably guessed, I had very little to do with this book selection. In fact, I ashamedly have to admit that I tried to discourage the choice. Not because I thought the book would have information that I did not want him privy to, but rather because I did not want to admit that my [growing boy] could be at this awkward NO GIRLS ALLOWED phase already. Alas, we took the book home and read it for the first time that evening.
Now, onto the story line. Sister, like younger sisters do, loved to tag along when brother was playing with his friends. When she was younger, it annoyed brother and his friends because no one wants their little sisters tagging along and slowing them down… However, over time, sister grew and she became faster and stronger and athletically more adept than brother and his friends. Not only was Sister faster, stronger and a better player, she also had a victory dance, fueled with cartwheels and war whoops that aggravated the boys. The boys wanted to get away from sister, her winning and bragging. They managed to keep the new club a secret for a few days, until Sister grew suspicious and began searching for her missing boy friends. She later finds them, only to learn that she was not welcome in their new club. Disappointed and upset, Sister rallies support from Papa Bear who was ready to dismantle the boys’ club. This is exactly the set of circumstances that resulted in the “No Girls Allowed” clubhouse. Thanks to the voice of peace (i.e. Mama Bear), Sister decided to create her own club instead. Sister quickly learned that she was not the only sister that was upset and seeking revenge or fairness in Bear Country. The little girls put their brains and talents together to create a wonderful club. With the help of Mama and Papa Bears, they had the boys knocking at their doors in no time. Of course, they had a tough decision to make. They could either welcome the boys and squash the drama or they too could refuse to house their brothers. I will allow you to read at least this part on your own 
.
I am a big fan of Berenstain Bears. I love how they combine fun with life-long messages for children. Every scenario in a Berenstain Bears book or TV episode is relatable and show parenting that is done with grace and tact. I also loved the action in the book. On every page, he was hanging on to the author’s words to find out what happens. He even predicted the end of the story. It turned out that I liked the book better than Ty did. He was a big fan of the introduction, but seemed a tad disappointed that the boys allowed the girls in their exclusive clubhouse after all. After some parenting on this end, he admitted that it was not fair that Sister could not be in the funhouse, but still maintained that sister was little.
by Fleurzty on November 8, 2011
Photo Credit to the Publishers
If You Give…Laura Numeroff and illustrator Felicia Bond the opportunity to publish a book, they will astonish you. If You Give a Dog a Donut became an instant sensation in our home. Ty learned the story line very fast and this book has been a part of our daily reading either in the car, after dinner or a bedtime. I too love If You Give a Dog a Donut. The book takes you to the adventure of this cute puppy, who of course cannot stop at a donut. Rather, having a donut reminded him that he needs apple juice with it. Once the juice is done, he invites the little boy to go out and pick more apples to make apple juice. The exercise reminds him of playing ball…and so on…and so on…until we return to him having another donut that of course, he will want apple juice with.
Our minds race to the next item on dog’s action list when we read this lovely little book. Dog is adventurous and tireless. His boy friend tries to keep up with him, as do we. I love books that keep Ty’s mind engaged as we read and even after the books are closed. He is developing critical thinking and learning that an action sometimes leads to another. We have had conversations about the characters in this book, what dog is going to try next, or what he thinks would have happened if the story did not end. It is not always cohesive, does not always follow the logic in the book, but it encourages him to think. We will add more books from this series to our library as well. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is one of my all-time favorite young children’s books. I cannot wait to find out what other adventures these fun-filled pets and rodents have in store for our little boy.
