8 Picture Books That Make Us Wish We Were Kids Again

In honor of the 76th Caldecott Award to be given tomorrow, NPR took an informal poll of titles readers thought could receive that shiny circle.   The article, by Nicole Cohen, show lush illustrations that make me want to leap into the story.


Journey by Aaron Becker is being added to my library list stat.





As I was reading the article and drooling over the artwork, Miss C climbed on my lap and read the title. 
"Well, I don't wish I were a kid again.  I already am a kid."


So: 8 titles that make some of us wish we were a kid again. 
Or, 8 titles that make us feel like we're a kid again.
Or 8 books that will make you want to roll around in paint and paper and see what happens. 

The Majesty that Surrounds

This morning while making breakfast, I watched squirrels spasmodically chasing each other up and down and around every tree.  I thought of my sister, who shudders at sight of the creatures, then I thought of my cousin who came to visit from Ireland for the first time in 12 years.  One morning she looked out the window to our back yard and observed the squirrel activity.


"They're just so...majestic," she'd breathed. 


Say who? 


"They're squirrels," I'd said. 
Same category as pigeons and sea gulls. 
No shortage of them, and no majesty either.


"No, they're just perfect," she sighed.   "I'd like to take them all home."


She also determined that flavored Oreos and root beer are majestic, but only the Oreos got through customs.   

I.E.P. for dolls

Miss C received two new dolls over Christmas and has been very busy incorporating them into her already established classroom.  It's hard to get new students mid-year, especially when you've set the classroom up in the bathroom.  There are just so many interruptions, like showers.  Each time I want to take one, I find a new note taped to the door, "DO NOT ENTER EVER thank you."
And then when I want to empty my hamper, there are 14 Barbies sitting on top and the teacher is so pissed that I'm interrupting again.  How are these kids ever going to learn anything? 

Today, I cleared myself out of the bathroom for an hour and after she'd been up there stomping and banging (I think she uses corporal punishment), she left the classroom and asked me to help her move a large easel from the basement to the bathroom. 
"I have to work with Ayla during recess.  She's behind and needs to catch up."

I lifted the easel up the stairs, saying, "Sounds like Ayla needs some help."  As I'm noticing all the space in the basement that could serve as a perfect classroom.  But what do I know.

Miss C clarified, "It's not that Ayla has special needs.  She doesn't.  She's just very stubborn.  Not extremely stubborn, but very stubborn."

"Ah," I said.  "Very stubborn."  Grunting as I maneuvered the easel through the door, placing it---as directed---in front of the toilet. 

"Perfect.  Now," she said, turning toward Ayla, who as I studied her face, did seem to have a bit of an obstinate look to her. 
But I tarried too long.  Miss C took my arm, gently but with purpose, and led me out of the classroom. 

"Being very stubborn is not a special need," she  repeated, "But.  It can make learning hard.  Thank you for the easel." 
The door clicked closed and the dedicated teacher returned to her pupils with varied needs. 
I took leave to the janitorial closet, presuming I'd be called in again when one of them puked on the floor or a desk needed fixing. 

It takes a village to teach one doll.  And some extra help for those stubborn ones. 

Laps, Not Apps

Every year, the Campaign for Commercial Free Childhood gives an award for The Worst Toy of the Year.
Often the award is tongue-in-cheek, pointing out the insane marketing or terrible ideas some companies will use to sell a product that stretches the meaning of the word toy.

This year, they gave the award, then had to update it, because of this product:
the iPad bouncy seat.

If this "toy" strikes you as just one stroke past ridiculous, there is a great letter you can sign that takes 10 seconds.  It is a petition to let the creators of this product know that it's not educational for infants to be plugged so early, as backed up by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here's the link to sign.  Sometimes a quick response from consumers can have a powerful impact.

Flicks

I have a confession to make: I saw Frozen and I loved it. 

I have another confession to make: I saw WADJDA and loved it too.

I have another confession to make:  (I don't know what it is but everything sounds more interesting by adding that preamble).

Two completely different films, but with great fodder for discussion afterwards.

C and I saw Frozen with Nana and C's friend.  And it led to some interesting chats about "what is an act of true love?"  The script has expanded!  That's all I'm gonn say. 

And Wadjda.  Just lovely.  Here's a trailer.

Heroine

We like to write our stories around other people. It’s hard not to. Relaying responsibility is the easiest and most instantly gratifying thing. We like to make ourselves the side-stories, the parties affected by the main characters. 

This is, of course, pretty universally applicable, but especially to girls, who are conditioned to be perpetually pleasing someone else. We often forget to make the narrator start telling our story, not who we are from the perspective of other people.

Love, especially when it’s genuine, serves best to bring up the unhealed parts of you. In itself, it won’t fix what’s broken in the first place. 

Came across this beautiful essay by Brianna Wiest, titled Why You Need To Be Your Own Heroine

best Arthur episode ever

Do you ever find yourself watching a children's show, and when it ends you think, "Whoever wrote that had a lot of fun in the writers room. And possibly a toxic amount of espresso."


I was watching Arthur with Miss C today and I don't usually love this show.


But this episode had an appearance by Neil Gaiman, and then this falafel maker who dispenses deep thoughts on life, and a concept of round people versus pointy people (pointy people always need to make a point!) and I wanted to rewind it and watch it again.

If you are a fan of falafel, or Neil Gaiman, or have an inner-critic when you'd rather have an inner-Neil, or are writing your first graphic novel and need a boost of support, I share with you, Falafelosophy:




If you don't want to give 9 minutes to this, I'll give you the edited version, in print:

"What you seek will be found.
Trust ghosts.
Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn.
Trust dreams.
Trust your heart, and trust your story.”

---Neil Gaiman, from Instructions