The Grass is Always Greener

Spoon wishes that he got to do more exciting things like cut into food like a knife, pick up hot things like a fork or work as a pair to pick up exotic foods like chop sticks.  Meanwhile, his friends think that he lives the grand life, scooping, stirring etc and Mama Spoon points out the wonderful aspects of his life, like bathing in a warm cup of tea.

It is a sweet and endearing tale of appreciating your own life for its positives and not dwelling on what others have.  BB was mostly interested in the happy illustrations.

Book for Both Ages

We read a lot, as you can probably already tell, but one of our biggest challenges is finding books with are interesting enough in subject for BB and manage to be short enough and engaging enough to hold LF's attention for the entire book.

We found just that in Orange Pear Apple Bear.  The plot is simple, the words are few but repetitive in a fun way which grabbed the attention of both kids (now nearly 3 and 16 months).  LF is still repeating Apple, Pear, Bear and BB thinks the rhyming and rhythm were hilarious and delights in it each time LF brings it up again.

The illustrations are simple, to the point and enjoyable.

Misbehaving Feet

 If you are up for another alternative princess tale, give The Queen's Feet  a try. This queen is in possession of a pair of feet that simply will not conform to the staid and regimental life of a queen.  She battles them as they dance, squiggle, squirm and kick, until the day when she finally comes up with a solution to please both her royal obligations and the free spirit of her soles.

We all had a good laugh reading this story and to be honest, I don't blame her feet. BB and I agreed that we would want to bust a move too, if we had so many restraints on our lives.

Whimsy, to put it lightly

If you are looking for fun, look no further than The Duchess of Whimsy.  This is a tale of a quirky, elegant and beloved Duchess of Whimsy who barely notices the boring Earl of Norm, who adores her.  Barely noticed him; that is, until one evening when an unexpected turn of events, and a grilled cheese sandwich brings them together in a fortuitous way.

Not only does the moral of the story suggest that you look further and the surface of a person, but it is also refreshing change from the run of the mill princess or romance tale and the illustrations are simultaneously beautiful, unexpected and amusing.

If you are looking for other alternative princess tales, try Princess Hyacinth

Help Tackle New Sibling Jealousy

 Does your little one struggle to share the lime light with a younger sibling. BB does and I think this book is a great way to confront the issue in a fun way.

Smile, Principessa! is the story of a small girl who is adored by her parents and is the center of the photo taking storm that we are all guilty of with our first born.  When Baby Bino (her little brother) comes along and she notices that her father takes more pictures of him she looses her smile.  Sweetly, she rediscovers it by making her brother laugh.

If you have more than one kid you might find this a helpful book.  BB thought Baby Bino was hilarious and likes to recreate the scene at the end of the book.