Toy Thursday: It's a Book

I don't give my kids handheld games. I don't let them play video games. They don't have a Nintendo DS, they don't have a NOOK. They don't even play on our computer.

I'm a mean mom.

But they do know about their books. Which is why when I ran across "It's a Book" at our local bookstore, I had to get it.While the book may not be best for small children, it is a fun read for older kids and adults. In the book, it says you don't need to plug it in, you don't need a password....it's a book.


As an English Literature Major, I cherish my books. I love the smell of old books, I love the smell of new books. I love the crackling of binding of new books and I love the soft covers of old books.

I even love the smell of the Scholastic book orders my preschooler brings home. It takes me back to my first love, books.

So yes, I may be a "mean mom" but my preschooler can read. And he LOVES his books. Our two year old got FOUR books for his birthday...and they came in a close second to his "froggy hat" as his favorite gift.

Books. They don't need charged, batteries or a password. Just imagination.

Shuffle Saturday: A Book for a Conservative Family (with Children)

I recently purchased and read "Help! Mom! Hollywood's in My Hamper" a book by Katherine DeBrecht. While it's not a great read for my toddler, my preschooler liked it and understood the message from it. You don't HAVE to follow what Hollywood and the Stars wear, say and believe. Just because they are Stars doesn't mean that they are an "EXPERT" as they claim to be.

The story opens with two sisters wanting to save money for a bike. Just then Daisy Smears (you see where this is going) pops out of the hamper and convinces the girls to spend all of their money on a silly old flower pot hat. One of the girls claim their mother has old flowerpots in the garage but Daisy Smears informs them they have to have a specific flower pot, as it is "All the rage". She takes all of the girls money and gives them flower pots to wear.

Needing more money for the bike, they babysit. After returning from the job, Rayonna tells the girls to buy her special Rayonna pants, Onion perfume "It's OR-GAN-IC", that they need to "strike a pose" in their new clothes. They told her they couldn't wear them to church and she informed them of "Toenailology" and that "smelling your feet unlocks all of the secrets of the universe". Yeah, you know who she's talking about now.

Once again, the girls are out of  money and have to babysit. Upon their return, the final Star pops out of their hamper. Barbara Buttersand is a "funny girl" and tries to convince  the girls that their parents have to vote for someone who doesn't have values. Besides, she's a star and knows everything.

This book, while amusing and does have a point, really doesn't seem like a book for little ones. My preschooler enjoys it, but it doesn't move fast enough for my toddler. I enjoyed this book myself. I realized who the author was talking about and found it rather amusing. You might too! The author also includes a biography of each star she mentions so you can get a better idea of who she is talking about. It's a cute and clever book that has a message.