A love story and love song by Eric Carle

The Very Quiet Cricket
Written & Illustrated by Eric Carle
1990

Hey kiddos! Happy Valentine’s Day! I was inspired by this book yesterday while viewing my niece’s art work, which is lovingly displayed in my sister’s kitchen. The similarity of her work to Eric Carle’s was surprising. It just proves that Carle’s work truly corresponds with the mind of a child. When you’re an adult, you seem to lose that whimsy that characterizes seeing the world for the first time. All the impressions that we hold on to and shape our lives are remarkably simple in adolescence.


Then, Eric Carle himself posted this book on his blog today in honor of Valentine’s Day; being that this book is one of The Boog’s favorites is quite a happy coincidence.


As the book explains:

“There are four thousand different kinds of crickets.
Some live underground, others live above.
Some live in shrubs or trees, and some even live in water.
Both male and female crickets can hear,
but only the male can make a sound.
By rubbing his wings together he chirps.
Some people say that it sounds like a song!”

Isn’t that sweet?! A true love story, complete with a serenade at the end. (The book chirps when you turn the last page.) It’s important to never lose your whimsy kiddos, and if you do, high tail it to the nearest little one and beg them to color with you. I’m certain it won’t take much convincing :)


Happy Valentine’s Day, all!

P.S
Here is the youtube version. Enjoy!



Also By:
Brown Bear Brown Bear


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A Gorey Rumpelstiltskin

Rumplestiltskin
Retold By Edith H. Tarcov
Pictures By Edward Gorey
1973

Once upon a time there was a poor miller who had a beautiful daughter… and thus the story goes of Rumpelstitlskin and his grave ill tempered behavior. This story is plenty gruesome (the miller’s daughter has promised Rumpelstiltskin her first born in exchange for some golden straw) but what makes it a bit more macabre are the illustrations by Gorey.

"Now the poor miller's daughter was all alone.
She really did not know how
to spin straw into gold.
She did not know waht to do.
So she began to cry."


"Don't cry miller's daughter,
the little man said. I will help you.
But
you must promise to give me something...."

"Anything! Anything you ask! she cried"

"A year later, the king and the queen
had a beautiful baby."

"You promised to give me your first baby, said the littleman."

When the queen refuses he gives her 3 days to figure out what his name is. The queen sends her messanger to do some recon and he overhears the little man singing:
" Tonigth my cakes I bake.
Tonigt my beer I manke. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
The queen's little baby I take!

Lucky Ill go as lucky I came
for R U M P E L S T I L T S K I N is my name! "

"Now it was the third evening and the little man came again.

Good evening, queen, he said
Do you know my name?

Tell me, is it Tom? the queen asked.

No.

Hm... let me see. Is it Dick?

No.

Well, let me think... Is it Harry?

No. The little man laughed and he shook his head.
No, no. That's not my name.

Then .... tell me... asked the queen.
Could it be.....?
Is it...
Perhaps....
R U M P E L S T I L T S K I N?"

It doesn’t end well for Rumpelstiltskin and his temper gets the best of him. He ends up stomping so hard he banishes himself deep into the earth…..No one has seen him since.



I grew up loving the dark and whimsical works of Gorey. I own a few of his books and must say that now that I look back, they seem to be more suited to adults than to children. All the same, I think it’s good to instill something a bit different from the realm of kids books The Boog is used to. Like myself, The Boog, has developed a penchant for Melancholy.

The story was reprinted into a collection of Three Classic Children’s Stories illustrated by Gorey, along with Little Red Riding Hood and Jack the Giant-Killer.

Also By:
The Gashlycrumb Tinies

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Book Cover Tees

Hey Kiddos! Just came across Out of Print Clothing offering classic titles on basic Tees. Here are some of my faves :)





They also carry adult sizes ...... Just incase you were wondering.

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Give the Gift of Reading (and why I read to my kid)

I can wax poetic all day and night about why books make the best gifts, but that would make for one very long post. I'll try to keep it short and sweet…. But I won’t promise anything. :)

Books can make really great gifts if you think about it. They far outlast some of the more popular gifts out there, don’t require batteries and come in a one size fits all ratio. Plus they are easy to wrap! They inspire imagination and creativity not to mention a good book can transport you anywhere in the world without setting one foot outside. They really are the best gift that keeps on giving, so in honor of Christmas I would like to share some of my favorite books that would make great gifts for the little munchkins in your life… and the mamas too!

For baby:

Brown Bear, Bown Bear, What Do You See?

The Monster at the End of This Book

Goodnight Moon

The Snowy Day

I am a Bunny

All of which can be found in board book version. Perfect for little hands and almost indestructible! (almost)

For the Pre-Schooler:

Anything Curious George

Where The Wild Things Are
The Nutshell Library

There is Something There: Three Bedtime Classics

For the animal lover:

Over in the Meadow

The Magpie’s Nest

A kiss For Little Bear
The If You Give Series:

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

… There are tons more in the series but these are our favorites.

Mama and Baby:

The Kissing Hand

Are You My Mother?

For The little traveler:

The Red Balloon

For the budding artist:

Roy Lichtenstein’s ABC

Counting with Wayne Thiebaud
Andy Warhol’s Colors

Books about potty time:

Once Upon a Potty

Everyone Poops

Now onto the next subject. Why I love story time with The Boog.

Reading is beneficial in a lot of ways but it’s the snuggling and laughing that inevitably ensues which brings us closer together. After a day of hustle and bustle it’s nice to grab a few quiet minutes, just the two of us. I also feel a tinge of accomplishment when she grabs her favorite book and sits on the couch “reading” to herself. I read to The Boog because I treasure moments like that. Of course I read to her because of the countless educational benefits but reading for us is so much more than that. I read to her so she feels loved, safe, creative, passionate…. I want her to love books as much as I do. They are magical doors to endless possibilities. But first and foremost, reading gives me an excuse to cuddle and show her that mommy loves her, in her own words, “always and forever.” So give the gift of reading and know your giving someone so much more than just a book!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

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If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
Written by Laura Numeroff
Illustrated by Felicia Bond
2008

"If you give a cat a cupcake, he'll ask for some sprinkles to go with it. When you give him the sprinkles, he might spill some on the floor. Cleaning up will make him hot, so you'll give him a bathing suit" . . . . . I had no idea this existed or else I would have added it to our collection by now! Decided to buy it for The BOOG for Christmas... Oh how we love our cupcakes!


Also By:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
If You Give a Pig a Pancake

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