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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.

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cool runnings: the iciest, diciest, scariest sled ride ever

 Reading with Walnuts
Nov 262012
 

When I was a kid, a snow day meant trekking over to the local country club, squeezing between the fence and sledding until the sun set. Never mind the fact that I was trespassing; I was in plenty of good company, as evidenced by the many sled tracks up and down the hilly grounds. I joined my older sister and brother and their friends, happily trudging up and down that blasted hill, with mittens so soaked I could barely feel my fingers. And that was a good thing. I’m lucky that I can relive fond memories like these, thanks to a charming new picture book from Islandport Press. The Iciest, Diciest, Scariest Sled Ride Ever is a fitting title for an especially active story. Anyone who’s ever experienced the excitement of feeling the wind whip past you as you glide downhill in a winter wonderland will surely appreciate this story. And even if you’ve never belly-flopped a Flexible Flyer, you’ll enjoy the tale of these adventurous children who recreate the wonders of slick sledding when they convince their grandfather to loan them his custom-built runner sled. With each turn of the page, vivid watercolor illustrations set the stage for a magical ride that carries readers up and down, and back up again. A delightful romp of a read for all ages, this picture book deserves a spot under the Christmas tree this year…right next to a sled from Santa.

In a Nutshell: Time to dig out your trusty old sled, and find the nearest hill. And when you’re back indoors, you can settle down with this storybook and compare notes.

 

 

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greetings from lobstaland: crustacean vacation

 Reading with Walnuts, The Playful Walnut
Aug 232012
 

As my family and I wrap up a week’s vacation in coastal Maine, we can head for home, confident in the fact that we’ve completed all the requisite Maine specialties: We visited a lighthouse, sampled just-picked blueberries and, of course, gorged ourselves on lobster (well, maybe not all of us, but my husband was definitely had his fair share). And no matter the destination, what’s a vacation without a good book? My husband and I are happily devouring our selected reads, but I also wanted to make sure that my girls had some fun reading of their own. I was especially delighted when I saw that the picture book I had packed had made its way into area bookstores and gift shops from Portland to Portsmouth. The aptly named Crustacean Vacation is a fitting title for a summertime adventure. Set against a beach backdrop, this charming story follows a family of crabs as they spend the days lolling in the sun, catching some waves and doing all the things expected from a seaside soiree.  My girls marveled over the fact that this crabby crew shared many of the same experiences that they had done that very day, like visiting a zoo/amusement park, to jumping in the frothy surf. While my husband and I might have envied the crab parents who had some times to themselves, we could certainly relate to the tongue-in-cheek crabbiness of the worn-out kids by day’s end. A delightful reading romp for anyone headed to the shore with the kids, Crustacean Vacation helps make the joys of summer last a little bit longer.

In a Nutshell: This endearing picture book will allow you and your kids to revisit summer vacation memories, long after their swimsuit suntan lines have faded.

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bibliophile baby: new picture books

 Reading with Walnuts
Mar 222012
 

When someone I know has a new baby, my favorite gift to welcome their little one is a book. It doesn’t matter if it’s a board book about bunnies or a picture book about penguins; I love the inviting prospect of sitting in a comfy chair with a little person on my lap, inhaling their fresh-from-the bath scent and snuggling in for some one-on-one time. It’s a small moment of parenting that gives me the greatest pleasure, and my hope is to offer that same experience to my new mom friend. If you’re on the lookout for a new baby gift this spring, be sure to check out Hey Little Baby! by Heather Leigh. The tender tale of a brand-new person and all the possibilities that lay before him, this story features beautifully muted watercolor illustrations that invite new parents to imagine the endless opportunities for their child. This charming book makes a delightful gift for any new baby and is the perfect excuse to share some quiet time with Mom or Dad. And of course, if there’s a big brother or sister in the picture, it’s always nice to remember them, too–especially at a time when they could use some extra attention. We’ve got just the thing to make them giggle: Tickle Time! by Sandra Boynton. As fun to say as it is to read, this tongue-twisting tale will get even the grumpiest kid to crack a smile. The sing-song, repetitious verse will have them reading along and eager to turn the pages. Don’t be surprised if you’re challenged to a tickle fight by the time the story ends.

In a Nutshell: Reading aloud is a wonderful way to bond with your baby, not to mention her older sibling. Here’s to two new books just begging to be opened…

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a creature of habit: c.r. mudgeon

 Reading with Walnuts
Feb 072012
 

My husband likes to tease me about my preference for the predictable, but in the topsy-turvy world of parenting, I take great comfort in the repetitive rhythms of my day. Because of my 7-year-old’s after-school activities, I plan make-ahead meals of roasted chicken on Mondays and spaghetti and meatballs on Tuesdays. (No need to phone home and ask “What’s for dinner?”) And when I make my twice-weekly visit to our local fish market, the guys behind the counter are already poised behind the flounder and shrimp. “What’s the matter?,” one of the fish men once inquired when I opted for salmon. Geez, am I really that set in my ways? Maybe that’s why I can relate to the title character in the brand-new children’s picture book, C.R. Mudgeon. He’s a hedgehog who knows just what he likes and when he likes it: from his favorite nightly routine, to his special dessert reserved just for Tuesdays. As the book says, “C.R. Mudgeon liked things to stay the same.” But one day when a new neighbor named Paprika the squirrel moves into town, C.R.’s life gets a bit shaken up, to say the least. Suddenly, there’s too much color, too much noise and before you know it, WHAM! Sensory overload knocks the hedgehog off his paws. He finally has the last straw when Paprika tries to introduce her neighbor to a world of spicy food and wild music–neither of which suits this practical curmudgeon in the slightest. But after a odd twist of events, C.R. suddenly realizes that a life without Paprika is a life that’s…frankly, boring. Whenever I try to remember my own life before kids, I can hardly remember what silence sounds like. And from what my empty nester friends and family tell me, I’ll miss the cacophony of kids once they’re gone. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself swallowing back the lump in your throat when reading this delightful story to your own little nutty bunch. As for me, I may not break with routine often  …but I do add a dash of paprika to my roasted chicken. On Mondays.

In a Nutshell: A story that reminds us that a little spice in our daily lives goes a long way. C.R. Mudgeon will be published March 6, 2012 and is available now for pre-order.

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let the music play: juno baby

 Reading with Walnuts
Dec 202011
 

My 3-year-old has pretty good taste in music, if I do say so myself. Having introduced her to everything from ABC to ZZ Top–and oh yes, all those cool kiddie rockers thrown in for good measure–she knows her “Smokey Sings” from “She’s Got Legs.” And my 7-year-old is no musical slouch either, even though her play list  is lately to Katy Perry and the soundtrack to “Peter Pan” these days. (An odd combination, and yet it’s diverse.) No matter my girls’ tastes, the one thing that unites them is their interest in music. As we parents have been told from the get-go, expose kids to a passion early on, and watch them take to it like moths to a flame. That’s the idea behind the new picture book from Juno Baby, “The Day the Music Stopped.” Set in the aptly named Harmonia Springs, the story takes young readers on the adventures of Juno and her friends who learn just happens when their world is silenced. Along the way, kids are introduced to the concepts of rhythm, harmony and melody and the crucial parts they play in music-making. While the text can be wordy on some pages, the storyline is otherwise engaging and the illustrations, eye-popping. As is true when learning a new song, practice makes perfect. And that’s a wonderful, lifelong lesson to teach kids even at a young age.

In a Nutshell: A delightful read that blends the worlds of make-believe and music, this storybook hits all the right notes.

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