Adele Enersen. When My Baby Dreams. New York: Blazer and Bray, 2012. 46 pages. After Adele Enersen’s daughter Mila was born, Adele noticed that the baby slept a great deal. Adele, however, was so excited to be a mom that … Continue reading
Dan Yaccarino. All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. 32 pages. Most picture books communicate simple concepts of family: a child or more, a mother … Continue reading
Antoinette Portis. Kindergarten Diary. New York: Harper, 2010. 27 pages. Every adult can remember the anxieties of starting a new job. What’s it going to be like? Will I make friends? Am I going to like it? But few of … Continue reading
Douglas Florian. UnBEElievables: Honeybee Poems and Paintings. New York: Beach Lane Books, 2012. 29 pages. Often, parents have to choose between picture books that engage their children’s curiosity and imagination and those that are scientifically accurate. With UNBEELIEVABLES, Douglas Florian … Continue reading
Spring is almost here and everyday Prima asks me if it’s a warm enough day to wear her new dresses. As it’s been so nice out, it’s hard to refuse her requests. I bought this dress, the Zaza Couture “Robin” … Continue reading
When I was shopping for summer clothes for my girls last winter, (yes, you read that right) I came upon this Zaza Couture halter dress. I understand that from some perspectives a halter dress for a toddler might seem inappropriate. … Continue reading
Anna Harwell Celenza, with Don Tate, Illustrator. Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. Watertown, Massachusetts: Charlesbridge, 2011. 32 pages. In early 1960, Duke Ellington and his collaborator, arranger and composer Billy Strayhorn, decided to step out of the jazz mainstream and record … Continue reading
I know I’ve been talking a lot about how I like to put the girls in bright colors. And generally speaking, that’s true. This dress is an exception to that rule and frankly, it’s exceptional. It’s by Hannah Banana and … Continue reading
The Fresh Beats were only in Vegas for one night, but if you’re living somewhere else in the country where they’re touring this spring, I thought you might appreciate one dad’s perspective on the show. So here are my impression … Continue reading
Paul Schmid (story and pictures). Hugs from Pearl. New York: Harper, 2012. 34 pages. Hugs from Pearl is a fun, sweet look at a school-age porcupine who loves giving hugs, but doesn’t love the “ouches” she gets in return. Schmid’s illustrations are simple … Continue reading
