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sweet and savory storytelling: the great lollipop caper

 Reading with Walnuts
May 142013
 

I’m in the midst of planning a cooking birthday party for my daughter, so I definitely have food on the brain (more than usual). So when a copy of The Great Lollipop Caper landed on my desk, I admitted to being a little more than curious. After reading the book jacket and learning the gist of the plot (the evil Mr. Caper vows to teach the kids of the world to love capers as much as they love lollipops), I knew I’d found a story worth delving into. Let’s just say that my love of salt competes with sweets on any given day, making this one tale I could relate to. A cross between The Grinch and a tenacious troll, Mr. Caper pulls out all the stops to make sure kids will adore him just as much as they do Lollipop, a lovable candy man if ever there was one. When Mr. Caper invades a candy factory to secretly alter the flavor of candy from sweet to salty, readers won’t be able to contain their horror over his wrongdoing. But, much to his unpleasant surprise, the kids don’t naturally gravitate to capers and instead lose their very essence that makes them so loveable in the first place. Thanks to the smarts of the all-day sucker himself, lollipops return to their original taste, everyone is happy again and life returns to normal. By story’s end, Mr. Caper not only gets a real-life lesson in appreciating what you have, but he makes a new friend. And that makes for the sweetest treat of all.

In a Nutshell: Calling all foodies. Here’s a new story that’s one part sweet, one part salty and a satisfying read overall.

Lollipop Caper

wash me: down at the dino wash deluxe

 Reading with Walnuts, The Playful Walnut
Apr 222013
 

My car is in desperate need of a wash. After too many months of wet weather, muddy feet and the like, this mom taxi has taken quite a beating. Of course, the line at our local car wash has been five miles long lately. If only my imagination could transport to the pages of the latest picture book to cross my desk. Down at the Dino Wash Deluxe is the place to be, especially if you happen to live with anyone who knows his T-Tex from a triceratops. It’s also the center of a make-believe business where these prehistoric creatures come to have their regular scrub-down (where else can these guys fit when a bath tub is out of the question?). If I ever thought the job of keeping two kids clean was hard enough, this book makes me appreciate the fact that I don’t have to clean all those spikes and knobs on an Ankylosaurus; now that’s exhausting! Regardless of whether or not your kid has a love affair with these monstrous creatures, this story will certainly make them a little less scary. A T-Rex who’s afraid to get shampoo in his eyes? Who knew!…

In a Nutshell: How do you keep a dinosaur dirt-free? This silly story turns a car wash into a creative clean-up spot that’s dino-mite.

Down at the Dino Wash

 

 

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look what the waves dragged in: seashell guide for kids

 Reading with Walnuts, The Smart Walnut
Apr 182013
 

When my husband was invited to choose some used books from a colleague’s retired collection, he brought home a treasure trove of reading materials. Among his findings was a well-worn copy of a guide to seashells, one that had yellowed with age and whose pages were slowly losing their binding. While it was the thought that counted, we wound up recycling the book after a cursory look-through–and long before having a chance to consult it on beach excursions with our young daughters. Having practically grown up on the beach myself, I was always collecting the jewels of low tide, but my knowledge of seashell classification never went beyond periwinkles and mussels. This summer, however, we’re going to do things right, thanks to the just-published Seashells: Treasures From the Northeast Coast. This paperback guide is the perfect primer for kids who have moved past the art of sea collecting, and want to know just what they’re putting in their sand pails. Equally balanced with soft watercolor illustrations and straightforward text, this engaging book reads like a teacher might speak: asking thought-provoking questions, while cleverly tucking in some lesser-known factoids (as with a tree’s rings, you can count the number of lines on a clam to learn its age) . We like that it’s as appropriate for preschoolers just beginning to learn about the coast, as it is for middle school-aged kids who can benefit from some detailed information. Perfectly sized to fit in your beach bag, this is the book to have on hand the next time you’re combing the shoreline.

In a Nutshell: From New England to New York, seashells are in abundance. Help your kids make sense of their summer treasures with this easy-to-read pocket guide to the shoreline.

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dream big!: oh so tiny bunny

 Reading with Walnuts
Mar 182013
 

What kid doesn’t doesn’t long to be big? When I was little, I envied my older sister who got to stay out late and wear Bonne Bell Lipsmackers (lips that smelled like 7-up…alright!). I remembered my dad telling me not to rush my life away, and thought he was a bit mad (today I can only look back and smile at my naivete and his sage advice). As my own daughters try to push the envelope–the older one begging for her own iPod and the younger one crying over the fact that I won’t let her wear one of those stick-on tattoos–I refuse their demands with my own version of “’cause I said so,” while I smile knowingly at their inherent need to spread their wings. For now, we can still settle down with a good book that understands that familiar tug of a child wishing to be all grown-up. Oh So Tiny Bunny is just that book, and its timeless message resonates with readers big and small. Author David Kirk, best known for his Miss Spider line of children’s books, brings a sense of whimsy to his creatures, and this bunny is no exception. With each page, we see Oh So testing his boundaries, as he steps out into the great unknown with his sense of adventure to guide him. Sure, a world of carrots as big as railroad cars and lettuce fields as wide as oceans sound delightful theoretically…but when he soon realized that life on a grand scale isn’t always so…grand, our hero happily returns to the life that had more meaning than he realized. In a world of grande lattes and super-sized meals, we sometimes forget that bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. A delightful springtime read, Oh So Tiny Bunny ends with a telltale message for your favorite little bunnies.

In a Nutshell: Who says size matters? This charming story salutes the child who yearns to be all grown-up, but who still has a lot of dreaming left to do.

OhSoTinyBunny_cvr_lorez

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give unto others: little raccoon learns to share

 Reading with Walnuts
Mar 052013
 

My 4-year-old has a definite sweet tooth, and her latest sugary obsession is Pez (remember those candies that come in their own dispenser?). Because she covets her Hello Kitty Pez like it’s gold, she has a hard time sharing with her big sis (who also loves Pez, but not nearly as much). During a recent battle at the dinner table, my little one reluctantly agreed to give her sister some of her treats…but the biggest surprise came the following day when her sister graciously brought home some leftover coloring sheets for her art class. As my girls have come to learn, a kind gesture like sharing something with others–especially something you love–doesn’t go unnoticed and sometimes yields its own reward. This is the perfect lesson for a young animal in Little Raccoon Learns to Share, a delightful new picture book by Mary Packard. Looking at the cover alone, I knew there was something utterly familiar, and once we delved into the story, I realized just what it was. The adorable animal drawings by illustrator Lisa McCue were instantly recognizable, as she has illustrated many of the Corduroy stories my girls and I have read over the years . Also familiar was the story line of the title character desperate to hold on to her treasured berries, even at the expense of her friends. As she ponders what might happen if her generosity costs her more than she bargained for, I couldn’t help but smile at my own daughter’s propensity to over-think a situation (wonder where she gets that from?)  and potentially miss out on the fun. Luckily, thanks to a wise suggestion from the raccoon’s mom and the acceptance of her peers, she learns as my 4-year-old did: that sharing with others makes it’s all the more likely that they will share with you. That’s a lesson learned that can last lifetime. Little Raccoon Learns to Share will be available in April.

In a Nutshell: No one ever said sharing was easy. With charming illustrations and a gentle subtext, this new children’s book helps little ones understand that giving a little can go a long way.

Little Raccoon

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goodbye, dust bunnies: secrets of an organized mom

 Reading with Walnuts, The Organized Walnut
Feb 282013
 

Psst! Yeah, you. Can you keep a secret? OK, here it goes….my house is a mess! I mean, no matter how much I try to move the newspapers into the recycling bin, the toys into their bins, the laundry into the dressers, I just can’t keep up. And since I work from home, I feel guilty that our home isn’t as tidy as it could be. Barbara Reich must know just how I feel. Her just-released book, Secrets of an Organized Mom, speaks to me in a way that doesn’t make me feel so terrible about my chaotic household. Instead it leaves me with practical tips that don’t require a fancy smancy organizing system–just some common sense. Reich’s how-to book breaks down the otherwise arduous task of house-cleaning into a more manageable series of mini projects: room by room. You can read the chapters out of order and start with whatever part of your house needs the most attention (for us, it’s the playroom) and jump right in. Personally, I liked Reich’s starter advice, especially about making a decision and acting on it (I am queen of holding on to papers for those “what if?” moments.)  And if ever you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, recalling her digestible mantra–purge, design, organize and maintain–will get you back on track. And you may just have a cleaner house…even if it only lasts for a little while (sigh…)

In a Nutshell: Just in time for spring cleaning, Secrets of an Organized Mom is a breath of fresh air that helps de-clutter your house and your mind.

Secrets of an Organized Mom Cover

 

 

 

 

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fired up by a good book: honeywell 360 surround heater

 Reading with Walnuts
Feb 252013
 

How are you staying warm this winter? If you enjoy hunkering down and cozying up with a good book in hand, you’re in good company. According to the folks at Honeywell, there are plenty of satisfying reads making this winter’s top 10 list. Whether you’re settling in for the night with a dog-eared copy of Fifty Shades of Grey (or are admitting to it) or you’ve just downloaded the new J.K. Rowling onto your Kindle, you’ll want to keep warm and toasty as you dive into a new read. Honeywell is offering the chance to win one of six $50 Amazon gift cards and an EnergySmart 360 Surround Heater. Enter to win by clicking on the book list link. Good luck!

BookCurl

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slapstick baseball: who’s on first?

 Reading with Walnuts
Feb 192013
 

Spring training is well underway, and myriads of baseball fans are snatching up season tickets in anticipation of Opening Day. As all this snow slowly melts away and thoughts turn to warmer days, it’s only natural that kids will want to grab their mitts and throw the ball around with Dear Old Dad. Just because my baseball enthusiasm is limited to catching an occasional game on TV (more when my dad was alive) doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the peanuts and crackerjacks part of the experience (wink, wink). But for those of you bona fide baseball fans who’ll go to the ends of the earth (or so it seems) to defend your home team’s honor, comes a delightful new picture book that will resonate with both the seasoned pros and the novice pinch hitters. Who’s on First? takes the witty comedic shtick of Abbott & Costello and brands it for a new generation. No matter whether you know your outfield from your flyball, you’ll undoubtedly understand the humor of this hilarious duo immortalized on the printed page–and in color, no less. I remember my own dad introducing me to their wacky routine, and wondering why he found it so funny, he could barely get through their dialog without cracking up. Now as a parent myself, and one who has come to fully understand (and appreciate) word play, it gives me great pleasure to share this timeless exchange with my own kids. Set within a baseball theme, this story stars a new player named Abbott (played by a rabbit) who is coached by Costello (as a bear) about the ins and outs of the game…and therein the humor lies. You truly won’t be able to get past the first few pages without seeing your child go from confused to amused. This easy-to-read format makes the comedy more accessible, and puts a fresh spin on a classic set-up. Baseball lover or not, Who’s on First? hits a home run with readers young and old.

In a Nutshell: A laugh-out-load read, this book of baseball banter knocks one right out of the park.

whosonfirst_catalog_300dpi (2)

 

 

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call of the wild: the intrepid parent’s field guide to the baby kingdom

 Bathing Walnuts, Diapering for Walnuts, Feeding the Little Walnuts, Reading with Walnuts, The Playful Walnut
Feb 062013
 

Eight-plus years into the parenting game, and I still feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. Whenever I think I’ve finally figured things out with my 8- and 4-year-old, WHAM!–they go and pull a fast one on me. The younger one lovvvves Double Noodle soup? I stock up at the store…only to have her tell me she “no longer likes the noodles ’cause they’re too long.” The older one showing signs of being more independent? Suddenly she can’t go 15 minutes by herself without wandering into the kitchen to “find out what you’re doing.” (Laundry, kid. It’s just not that exciting.) I know I should feel like a pro after this many years on the job, but I continue to live and learn…and take comfort in the fact that I’ve been feeling this way since Day One, with only my sense of humor still intact. That’s probably why the cleverly titled parenting book The Intrepid Parent’s Field Guide to the Baby Kingdom jumped out at me when it crossed my desk. With each chapter, author Jennifer Byrne embraces the wackiness that is parenting, while packaging in some hands-on advice between the laughter. One of the more poignant parts appears in Chapter 9, “Grooming the Wild Infant,” featuring practical tips on how to trim your baby’s fingernails without biting off yours in the process. (One of the few areas of babycare I relegated to my husband, I could never manage manage the nail clippers while holding on to a baby escapee.) Byrne offers up some rather blunt suggestions, but never loses her knack for injecting subtle chuckles (I admittedly fall into the “be a wimp” category). For the crazy ride that is parenting, this book makes a great gift for a new mom or dad who doesn’t claim to be an expert–and doesn’t plan to check her sense of humor at the door.

In a Nutshell: Attention don’t-know-it-all’s: This tell-all parenting book tells it likes it is, without taking itself (or the job) too seriously. The perfect approach to modern child-rearing.

Intrepid Parent

 

 

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breaking ground (and bread): wooby & peep

 Reading with Walnuts, The Playful Walnut
Jan 252013
 

Our next-door neighbor has been renovating his home for the past six months. Thanks to Superstorm Sandy and some other setbacks, it’s been taking a lot longer than expected. But because he is such a kindhearted guy (and always apologizing for the noise and commotion), we could never truly be angry with him. So when I opened the pages of Wooby & Peep new picture book, I couldn’t help but look over my shoulder–had someone been spying on us these last few months? Did the author see when a tree guy was removing some broken limbs from next door and accidentally knocked over our garden fence? Let’s just say that sometimes neighborly mishaps make for new friends…like they do in this charming tale where a quiet, keeps-to-himself Wooby is suddenly befriended by a boisterous Peep (his name does not do him justice) who practically bends over backwards to get in Wooby’s good graces. And yet, every attempt at kindness–from fixing a broken fountain, to replacing a lost tree  (ahem, ahem)–backfires. You might cringe from all this devastation if it weren’t for the hilarious comic-book panel illustrations and tongue-in-cheek asides from resident onlookers. And yet no matter how many times Peep fails, in the end, it’s the sincerity of a simple message–to have a friend, you have to be a friend–that resonates with us all. As for us, we’re looking forward to a housewarming party…any day now.

In a Nutshell:  A heartwarming picture book that shows how friendship can sometimes happen when you least expect it.

WoobyPeep

 

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