"be proud of your bottom. it's lovely!"

"be proud of your bottom. it's lovely!"

I'm pretty sure the reason I read this book so many times had nothing to do with the funny story, the cute illustrations or the healthy body image messages. And I’m pretty sure my kids found it totally hilarious that I kept reading the word ‘bum’ out loud. This is a FUNNY book.
ages baby to 12 years

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Someday: capturing perfectly the love between mother and daughter

Someday: capturing perfectly the love between mother and daughter

ages 4 years to grownup
Heavens this is a beautiful book! It’s a teary one; a lovely wander through the life of a baby girl told through the eyes of her mother. Truly, I get goosebumps every time I read it—i
t’s my go-to baby shower or pregnancy present for mothers who are expecting girls .

A young mother holds her newborn and kisses her fingers. And she tells the baby of her mother-wishes for the baby’s life. Things like: 

Someday your eyes will be filled with a joy so deep that they shine.
 

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The Museum: a fun and physical look at art through the eyes of a young girl

The Museum: a fun and physical look at art through the eyes of a young girl

ages 4 to grownup. 
I’m not a really big fan of telling children how they should react to art, but I am a big fan of reminding adults that when children do react to art – or anything for that matter – it’s very often physical. The Museum is a fun book written as a poem that follows a young girl through an art museum (think MoMA). She’s an exuberant child who lets her body show what she is feeling.  

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decision making, one pea at a time

decision making, one pea at a time

When my children were little, we did Joy School and No Peas For Nellie was recommended by them. I think it was for the joy of decision making. But in the end I think we’ve liked this book for so long because it’s funny.

ages 0 to about 4 years

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Baa Baa Smart Sheep: a hilarious look at a certain bodily function!

Baa Baa Smart Sheep: a hilarious look at a certain bodily function!

ages 4 years to grownup
This hilarious book comes from a husband and wife team from New Zealand and in NZ they know a thing or two about sheep. The cover has a warning label ‘Contains Mischief’. It sure does! Books about poo are a mainstay of children’s stories—with good reason. 

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A Nice Walk In The Jungle: vindication for every child who has been ignored!

A Nice Walk In The Jungle: vindication for every child who has been ignored!

Age guide: 2 to 8 years & grown-up
With the friendliest looking boa constrictor ever greedily gobbling children on a nature walk with their teacher (it’s pink and green instead of the usual yellow and green or brown) – this is a joyful and funny book. It’s especially funny if you could possibly be one of the people the book is inscribed to: ‘all absent-minded parents and enthusiastic teachers’. 

Which I imagine covers most adults at one time or another.

This is the story of a school nature walk gone horribly wrong, then most satisfyingly redeemed. 

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My Wobbly Tooth Must Not Ever NEVER Fall Out : a funny look at change and perspectve

My Wobbly Tooth Must Not Ever NEVER Fall Out : a funny look at change and perspectve

Age guide: 2 to 6
Clearly another Charlie and Lola book! This is one based on text from the TV program - and although purists would draw the line at those books actually written initially by Lauren Child, this is still a fun book - fun to read, fun to look at and laugh about.

Lola decides that loosing a tooth is not so bad if the tooth fairy will bring you cash that you can exchange for a farm animal. It's typical Charlie and Lola faire - cute and charming - a sweet glance into the life of a funny little girl. It's a lovely book for children who are just a little older than Lola to read - if you have already lost your first tooth you can look back on those ever so slightly anxious days and giggle about Lola's reaction - knowing that all will be well.

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