Tales of Life with a Girl on the Go

In the morning, we read Your Personal Penguin by Sandra Boynton, or rather I sang it (to use the term loosely). There is a notice on the front cover that you can hear Davy Jones sing the story. We haven’t ever listened to it but I try to put it to a Monkees-ish tune. We also read Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom. Reid’s excitement every time we see the page where Daddy bear comes home is funny to see. She doesn’t remember when I was on mat leave and we used to wait eagerly the last half hour or so for Ken to come home. Or maybe she does. She often comments on how Mama bear stays home with Jesse but I go to work. It doesnt seem to bother her, she just notices the difference.

In the evening, we read:

• Don’t Forget to Come Back! by Robie H. Harris about a little girl who is left with a babysitter (after many protests) and then has a nice evening. We may need to refer to this one if the stars ever align just right so that we find a babysitter. Reid doesn’t consider staying with relatives to be anything but a visit without Ken and I to interfere;
• There’s Only One of Me! by Pat Hutchins, which was as good as I hoped, if a bit tongue-twisty as the little girl was her “half-brother’s half-sister” and her “stepfather’s stepdaughter” and each page contained all relationships that had been identified previously;
• I started The Gift by Kristine L. Franklin but there were too many words for Reid and Ken kept making fun of the little boy’s name – Jimmy Joe;
• Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch, with which Reid really identifies. I will have to offer her Stephanie-style ponytails from now on; and
• My Little Book of Sharing by Marjorie Decker.

In the morning we read Benny’s Bus and I Love You as Much by Laura Melmed. We have had this book for a long time and Reid first liked chewing on it, then naming the animals  and saying what sounds they made and later labelling what the mama’s and babies were called. I’m not sure at what point it is useful for a two-year-old to know that mama sheep are called ewes and their babies are lambs but if ever she is asked, Reid is ready. Today, it was like revisiting an old friend that we haven’t seen in a while.

This evening, we read Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman. We have a copy of this as a board book, which I learned tonight is an abridged version. There are more not-mothers in the hardcover book. We also read Dr. Seuss’s ABC. Reid was excited to point out the letters that she recognized and I was happy to get into the Seussian rhythms.

When I was in university, Dr Seuss died and there were rumours that his widow had announced that once the extant books were sold, no more would be printed. I got quite a few sets of Dr Seuss/Beginner Books for Christmas that year. It’s nice to have someone to read them to again. I used to read to Melissa’s kids but haven’t done so since Reid was born. Oh, and you can buy Dr Seuss books at any bookstore. Author deaths are good for business, though.

Ken and I are tag-teaming through the book of poems entitled, Bear Hugs: Romantically Ridiculous Animal Rhymes by Karma Wilson. The rhymes are bouncy and fun but we generally read only three or four at a time. I’ve also been working through One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr Seuss. Reid enjoys it but there are many words and we have had a busy week with many interruptions. Before bed, we read Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch and Shiny Dinah by Susan James.

In the morning, we read Busy Witch by Bettina Paterson and Mama Loves You by Caroline Stutson.

After our pancake supper, which involved no pancakes for Reid, we went back to Melissa’s for tea. While there we read Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell twice and also Mickey Mouse on the Ice (no author). It is always interesting me to note the differences in our book collections and to see what Reid chooses when she is there.