Scaredy Squirrel at Night

Kids Can Press
Melanie Watt

Melanie Watt knows a good thing when she creates it and millions of readers agree. We have all fallen for Scaredy Squirrel. I love his name, his overly white rectangular smile and his neuroses. Yes, his *foolproof* plans are destined to fail from the get-go, but it's highly entertaining to watch him plot so carefully, only to tailspin into a wild panic.

We shouldn't be terribly surprised to find out that Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of the dark. Technically, he's not afraid of the actual dark, but rather of the bad dreams he could have if he were to fall asleep at night. There are many terrible things that might appear in his dreams, including, but not limited to dragons, monsters, bats and fairies. Scaredy has found a solution to his problem: NO sleeping. He stays awake by being a busy beaver, er, squirrel.
Our furry friend creates a list of activities to keep him so busy that he won' t have a chance to even flutter his eyelids. Night after night, he avoids sleeping. Unfortunately, there are some side effects to sleep deprivation, not the least of which is exhaustion. In typical fashion, Scaredy puts together an action plan, involving a detailed schematic. This one is particularly entertaining as it employs molasses, cupcakes and traffic cones.
Luckily for the readers, Scaredy's plan is (as usual) an unqualified failure. A horde of hungry raccoons invade the scene, causing him to panic and ... you'll have to read the book to find out. In true Melanie Watt fashion, there is plenty of humor and scads of action. Scaredy Squirrel is his own worst enemy, worrying about the worst case scenarios and desperately trying to avoid them. He's a nut for sure, but we love reading about him and his hare brained adventures!
Check out the three books preceding this one in this hilarious series.

The Gift of an Ordinary Day Giveaway

Luxury Reading is one of my all time favorite book review blogs. Blogger Vera's reviews are well-written and honest. She posts frequently and hosts a large number of book giveaways. Today she is giving away 5 copies of The Gift of an Ordinary Day.

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Publisher's description: This is an intimate memoir of a family in transition - boys becoming teenagers, careers ending and new ones opening up. Her family attempts to find a deeper sense of place, and a slower pace in a small New England town. It is a story of mid-life longings and discoveries, of lessons learned in the search for home and a new sense of purpose, and the bittersweet intensity of life with teenagers.

Poised on the threshold between family life as she's always known it and her older son's departure for college, Kenison is surprised to find that the times she treasures most are the ordinary, unremarkable moments of everyday life, the very moments that she once took for granted.

123 I Can Collage!

Kids Can Press
Irene Luxbacher

I would describe myself as a person who has very little imagination. Naturally, this means I lack the ability to mastermind clever little art projects for my children to complete. Luckily for them, I'm great at following directions and fairly resourceful at locating the good ideas of others.

The Starting Art series by Irene Luxbacher contains some of our very favorite craft books. They are well laid out, easy to use and full of cute ideas. It does make me feel a teensy bit bad when I see how simple an idea is and at the same time know with certainty that I would never, ever have come up with it. The very first page gives a simple explanation of collage: art you make by gluing paper, photographs and other colorful things onto another piece of paper. Um, I can do that! They then provide a list of materials (complete with photos!) you will need. These are all very basic craft supplies such as white glue, markers, scissors and scraps of paper. Immediately following are the plans for seven great undersea creatures you can construct - flying fish, octopus, whale, crab, starfish family, turtle and a sea dragon.
Although the seven projects shares a common theme, there is a fair amount of variance, so you don't feel like you're making the same project several times over. The flying fish requires many circles of different colored paper for the scales, while the octopus calls for long strips of torn paper for his legs. The whale is my favorite, because it is made to be whimsical instead of trying to be realistic.

The instructions for each project are very clear cut, with helpful step-by-step illustrations. While you are following a basic template, your own project will be personalized based on the materials you chose to use and skill level. Try out the free activity page which gives the instructions for making a cool octopus to see what you think.

I think the very best part of this book is that is shows children how to create a collage and gets them started. Once they have a handle on the process, they will come up with their own ideas and activities. We made the flying fish pictured above, which came out beautifully. After that we had a great time creating with the leftover papers, making a few birds of our own design. What a wonderful way to jump start a child's imagination!

Check out Irene's 123 I Can Make Prints, which equally inspiring!

Shaun the Sheep: Little Sheep of Horrors

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

The mute, yet impossibly funny flock is back. Of course, these sheep are clever. Of course, they are also sneaky and a little bit weird. Add those characters to a wristwatch wearing, coffee drinking dog and you can't miss, right?

Little Shop of Horrors - While the Farmer is watching a horror movie, he doesn't realize the whole flock is peeping through his window. After he goes to bed, the littlest sheep, Timmy, slips into his recliner and helps himself to the leftover pizza. Havoc ensues as Shaun organizes a rescue mission.

Sheep Walking - Shaun has developed a troublesome nighttime habit - walking around the farm while fast asleep. Of course, the Flock's natural instinct is to follow, which leads to trouble and hilarity.

Abracadabra - When the Farmer decides to throw out his magic set, Shawn scoops it up to put on a show of his own. Things get out of hand when members of the Flock start disappearing.

Things That Go Bump - It was a dark and stormy night and the Flock could not sleep. Something out there was making a racket and it's up to Shaun to find the culprits.

Heavy Metal Shawn - The Farmer inspects the lawn with a metal detector. When Shawn and Bitzer try it, they discover a metallic threat behind a hedge.

Troublesome Tractor - The Farmer's tractor is not running well and seems destined for the scrap heap. The sheep do him a favor and give it a complete makeover.

I think Shaun the Sheep videos are a little bit different from the rest of animated programming. They are silent but very expressive, and they have that great humor. While five minute shorts currently air on the Disney Channel, full length episodes are only available on DVD. Join Shaun as he leads his fearless flock through six new adventures that mix the spooky, the kooky, and the just plain funny.

Thanks a Lot Emily Post

Random House
Jennifer LaRue Huget; Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger

Before reading this one to your kids, you may have to give them a brief rundown of what we have to thank Emily Post for. She was a maven of propriety whose name is still synonymous with proper etiquette and manners. In 1922 her book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home was a best seller, and updated versions continued to be popular for decades.

This book is a humorous look at what happens to one poor family of kids when Mother gets her hands on Emily's etiquette book. Suddenly nearly everything they are doing was wrong - no slumping, no poking, no yelling. Basically, no fun. Mother is determined that her four children will behave properly and is quite sure they will thank her for it someday. They may not have money, but that doesn't mean they need to act like wild monkeys!


Emily Post invented characters in her book to show examples of good and bad behavior. These fictional persons (Mrs. Toplofty, Mr. Kindhart, Mrs. Wellborn and Mrs. Wordly) appear in cloudy blue, as if ghosts. They interact with the children, dispensing advice along with disapproving looks.



Finally it occurs to the children that if they have to adhere to the rule of Emily Post, why, so should Mother! They begin pointing out the small errors of her ways and suggest she follow Emily's directive. Thus begins a standoff that results in Mother showing Emily's book and her characters to the door. Maybe the children are not models of etiquette, but they are certainly having a much better time.


What a great book to teach children a bit of history about Emily Post and the importance of having good manners. The actions of the children in the book actually may serve as a better lesson for small readers on how not to behave. These children are certainly mischievous - drawing mustaches on each other, quarreling, shoving and making huge messes at the kitchen table. Even the dog is up to no good, begging at the table and sneaking toys from the toy chest. By the end of the book, poor Mother looks simply wiped out. I think a box of wine would do her more good than sage words from Emily Post.

Trick or Treat Tales

Lionsgate & HIT Entertainment

These compilations they put together for each holiday are such a clever idea! It's so neat to get the all the best shows centered around a specific theme. And what better to watch than some spooky tales for Halloween?

In Flour Power, Sir Topham Hatt asks Thomas to go on a midnight Halloween run to the mill to bring back flour for the bakery. On the way, Thomas decides to cover himself with flour to make himself look like a ghost. Does him prank go awry?

In Trix’s Pumpkin Pie, Trix the Forklift has offered to help Bob transport lumber for the new school jungle gym and help haul two huge pumpkins to the pizza parlor. But Trix can't be in two places at the same time, and she decides to ask Spud for help. Uh, oh, we all know how Spud can be. Thankfully, Bob the Builder comes through to help his friend.

Enjoy these, plus Guess Who from Barney and Friends, Fifi and the Flowerpots in Pirate Primrose and Angelina Ballerina in The Costume Ball. The bonus episode is Cat Magic, where Fireman Sam saves a furry friend from a chilling experience. Get ready for the season with this sweet and scary collection of Trick or Treat Tales!

The Birthday Box

Candlewick Press
Leslie Patricelli

Leslie's winning trio of Yummy Yucky, Quiet Loud and Big Little quickly became some of our favorite board books when they came out in 2003. I love her bright, simple style and our kids were equally entranced. For that reason, I was so pleased to see the nearly bald baby from those books make a special appearance here - for a big celebration!

The birthday boy is presented with a beautifully wrapped gift from his grandma. At first, he thinks the gift is the big brown box inside (aren't babies easy to please?) and he is delighted, giving his new box a big hug. The cardboard flaps open to reveal grandma's real gift - a wiggly puppy. The baby immediately dubs his new friend Oscar and they climb right back into that box.


The plain cardboard box is fueled by imagination, taking the duo on a series of adventures. First it takes the shape of an airplane, flying them across the ocean. Then the box morphs into a sled and they glide down a snow covered hill. With some careful cutting (of course with safety scissors!) the box is transformed into a robot costume.


Man, grandma really knows how to give a gift that goes the distance! After embarking on several adventures, the box fulfills one final need. With the addition of some cozy pillows and a soft blanket, the box serves as a snug little bed for the two friends to settle down in. It was the baby's birthday and he had a big day.

Finn Throws a Fit

Candlewick Press
David Elliott; Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering

As the title implies, Finn has been known to fall prey to a bad mood or two. And when Finn feels the urge to throw a fit, he really gets into it. His body language belies his dark mood - blanket clutched tightly about his shoulders, scowl on his face and (most telling) a big black cloud hovers just above his head. His mom, dad and the dog seem equally clueless - big doofy grins on each of their faces.

Finn's mom makes the mistake of offering him peaches. Usually Finn likes peaches, but today he storms off into the nursery, kicking toys out of his way and slamming the door hard. Everywhere Finn goes, his bad mood creates havoc. There's thunder in the nursery and lightning in the kitchen. Finn's fit becomes a storm that takes over the entire house, shaking it to the core. And just as quickly as it started, it runs it's course and blows over. Finn smiles sweetly and accepts the peaches.


This is an all too easy book for parents to relate to. Who hasn't dealt with a crazy toddler fit? This is also a great big exaggerated way to show kids what their fits can be like. The illustrations are awesome, portraying real storms swirling through the house - an avalanche in the family room and tidal waves in the living room. Best of all are the reactions of the family's pet - the little white dog who steals the show.


Ah, the unreasonable fits of children. So hard to deal with when you are the parent, and yet somewhat enjoyable when you are a bystander. How great to find a picture book that realizes that little irony. The humor and beautiful (yet crazy) illustrations make this a terrific read that we most thoroughly enjoyed.

Waiting for Winter

Kane Miller
Sebastian Meschenmoser

I've had this book on my desk for awhile, wanting to write the review, but then hesitating. It's important for me to do a good job of conveying exactly wonderful this one is. Really, I think this is one of the very best children's books of the year. The illustrations are glorious and the writing is darn funny.

Squirrel (on the cover) hears from Deer that winter is nearly here and that snow will be coming soon. Squirrel has never before seen snow and decides this will be the year he does. All he needs to do is stay awake instead of hibernating and he will be sure to see the first snow of the season. Waiting ... waiting ... waiting is boring. And being bored makes Squirrel sleepy. To keep from drifting off, Squirrel darts around rapidly on his tree. His scrabbling wakes Hedgehog, who decides to join his friend in his snow quest.



To keep themselves awake, the pair decide to sing sea shanties. Their boisterous singing wakes Bear, who looks none too happy. Nevertheless, Bear agrees to help them keep watch. Deer told Squirrel that the snow would be "White and wet and cold and soft." In turn, each friend finds an item lying in the forest that partially fits the description: a toothbrush, a tin can and a dirty sock. These pages are hilarious, where each animal imagines their item falling in clusters from the sky. Just as the friends are feeling discouraged and very tired, the very first snowflakes start falling.



Beautiful, amazing illustrations make this book a joy to read. Several of the pages are devoid of words, but the drawings can definitely stand on their own, which is hardly the case with most books. This is a terrific mix of humor, lovable characters and gorgeous art! I wholeheartedly recommend this - I hope you'll love it as much as we do.

Honest Pretzels

Tricycle Press
Mollie Katzen

Mollie Katzen happens to be one of my favorite cookbook authors. Apparently, I'm not the only who feels that way, as she is listed by the New York Times as one of the best-selling cookbook authors of all time. And deservedly so, after writing such classics as The New Moosewood Cookbook and The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest.

Thank goodness she has applied her skills to helping children become proficient in the kitchen! Mollie believes that cooking with children can be an absolutely wonderful, eye-opening experience for the adult as well as for the child. This great book provides the directions needed to make this an enjoyable process for both age groups.


All the recipes are broken down into simple steps, with each one nicely spaced in a neat white box, most accompanied by cute little drawings. This presentation makes it exceedingly easy for a new cook to follow. Step one? Check, ready to move on to step two. Take a look at the easy to use format for Guacamole or Not-from-a-box Macaroni and Cheese. Mollie gives thorough explanations on the components of each dish and is careful to point out the sections that require adult assistance.

The book is aimed at cooks "ages 8 & up", which seems to be the point at which a child could pick up this book on his/her own and start cooking. But don't count out cooks younger than this! A child as young as age four or five could still appreciate the process, as well as interpret some of the photos. We picked one of the easier recipes (Peanut Butter Doo-dads) for my five year old to start with, which he loved.


I really like that the recipes are actual dishes, not easy peasy little throw together things that just give the illusion of cooking. Here, kids are actually helping put meals on the table, with dishes like Spunky Chili, Gingerbread French Toast or Garlic Bread. There are also healthy snacking options to make, such as Sappy Trails Mix or Honest Pretzels.

Hands down, this is one of the best children's cookbooks that I have seen. Healthy food, easy to follow recipes and great instructions. This is a wonderful way to introduce your children to the kitchen and learn the basic process of following a recipe. Mollie says "Open up your kitchen to your children, let them lead you through the recipes in these pages, and make the leap. I think you'll be glad you did." I wholeheartedly agree!

Pandas in the Wild

Infinity Entertainment Group & Smithsonian Networks

Smithsonian Networks always gives us the very best in nature programming. This time we get a rare, close up look at the secret lives of one of the world's most beloved creatures - pandas!

Were you aware that only about 1,600 Giant Pandas survive in the wild? This video takes us into China’s mist-shrouded Quinling Mountains, which extend for thousands of miles and where few people gain permission to enter. Here there are 200 to 300 of the amazing creatures, and we can experience their wild habitat through the eye of the camera.

Pandas in the Wild captures the loving warmth between a mother panda and her newborn, the fierce competition among male pandas fighting for females as spring approaches and the harsh struggles pandas endure to survive the snow-buried winter. Smithsonian Networks captures the pandas in their natural habitat for the first time, behaving in ways you just can't experience at the zoo.


Watching this DVD is akin to taking a journey into a remote and exotic locale and getting an inside look at these rare mammals. As always, there is the same great quality we have come to expect from Smithsonian Networks!

Little Blue and Little Yellow

Random House
Leo Lionni

I'll be honest here. I have always liked Leo Lionni, but have never come across this book before. A little internet digging and I learn that Little Blue and Little Yellow has cult following, with many people claiming it as the best book of their entire childhood. The release of this 50th anniversary edition means older fans can delight brand new groups of readers with their favorite tale of color.

On the surface, this is very simple story of two color dots who are the best of friends. Little blue and little yellow live across the street from each other and play together every day. On one such day, they were so happy to see each other that the two friends hug tightly until they turn green! They play as green all day long, visiting the park, chasing their friends and getting plain worn out.
When the duo returns home, mama and papa blue do not recognize little green, nor do mama and papa yellow. Rebuffed by both color families, they cry big blue and yellow tears until there is no green left. Only then do their parents hug and kiss them. When papa blue hugs little yellow, they suddenly realize what had happened! They all hug with joy and everyone is terrifically happy again.

This is possibly the most simply illustrated book I have ever seen and yet manages to be utterly charming at the same time. The pages are composed of blobs and smears of paint against plain white (although there is one black and one red page) backgrounds. Like the paintings, the words are simple, but beautiful. The end result is a wonderful book that you and your children will most certainly fall in love with.
Leo Lionni wrote this story while on a train trip with his two grandchildren. His charges were becoming increasing animated, and Lionni realized he needed some fast, creative thinking. After finding a page in his magazine with a colorful design, he ripped the page into small disks. Voila, the story of little blue and little yellow was born. The result of that train trip is a legendary book that has stood the test of time and continues to be delightful after fifty years.