Des Moines Families

One More & Then It's Bedtime! "I Am Absolutely Too Small for School"

By Jodi Whitsitt

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child

I was so excited when I saw that the kid-hit show, Charlie and Lola, had a book! (several actually)  Most of the time I despise books based on children’s television shows. Honestly, if I have to start another Goodnight read with, "Hola! I’m Dora, and this is my friend Boots," I’m going to lose it. But THIS one is an exception to my no-character-book rule.

Like the TV show, Lola is a very opinionated little sister, while older brother Charlie is the calm, patient and rational type, always coaxing his little sister into what is best for her.

This time, Lola is nervous about starting school, stating that she is “too absolutely small for school.”  She makes her defense in true Lola fashion, noting, “I probably do not have time to go to school. I am too extremely busy doing important things at home.” 

Charlie reasons with her, explaining all of the predicaments she would find herself in if she didn’t learn how to count past ten, if she didn’t learn to write letters and if she didn’t learn to read. And don’t forget about Lola’s imaginary friend, Soren Lorensen! He would be lonely at school without Lola by his side! 

I adore the loving and supportive big brother/little sister relationship – no matter how unrealistic it may be. I love the colorful images and crazy fonts on each page. I love Charlie & Lola!

This book should help any pre-schooler with the new daycare/starting school jitters – and besides… it’s REALLY fun to read in a fake English accent. Isn’t thaht ri-eet, Chaaaah-leee?

One More & Then It's Bedtime! "You're My Little Love Bug"

By Jodi Whitsitt

You're My Little Love Bug

This book remains one of my favorite board books for babies and toddlers.

At the time I purchased the book (2 ½ years ago), it wasn’t readily available at big box stores, but good news! I saw it at Target the other day!

This book is like a sweet little love note from you to your baby. Filled with kid-friendly illustration and charming text, it is sure to remind your little ones of how much they are loved.

It captures the pet names we use for our children to communicate what a wonderful gift they are. (“You’re my Punkin Wunkin, my Peaches and my Pie, My Bread-and-Butter Peanut Butter, Apple of my Eye.) It even has a space where you can insert a photo of your child, which shows through as you turn each and every page. 

Although the small lights that flash are entertaining for the kids, the tin-ey music that plays when you open the book is more than slightly annoying after the first read-through. The good news is that with a miniscule screwdriver and about 15 minutes of parental frustration, you can remove the battery that powers those features.

This is one of my absolute favorite gifts to give new parents or as a birthday gift for a small child. So much do I love this book that after I bought the book I immediately contacted the publisher to see if the author would be releasing new books soon. (I told you I love it!)

At that time, she didn’t offer anything new – but in ’06 she released “I Love You More Than…”  I have not purchased this book yet, but if it is anything like this one, it's sure to please.

One More & Then It's Bedtime! "Picky Mrs. Pickle"

Thanks to Urbandale mom of three Jodi Whitsitt for our new regular feature, One More & Then It's Bedtime. In each submission, Jodi will review a children's book and give us the real deal on how it went over in her household.

Picky Mrs. Pickle
Recommended for ages 4-8

I’m pretty sure that getting kids to try new things is a universal struggle for parents. In this silly rhyming story, Mrs. Pickle (who always dresses in green, wears green eye shadow, eats pickle pie and even feeds her dog pickle poodle food) says, “I like the things I like, I’m very sure of that. I needn’t ever change because I’m happy where I’m at.”

Mrs. Pickle’s stubborn niece, Sophie Claire, makes a deal with her pickle-loving Aunt. If she tries a bite of something new, she’ll walk her dog for a year and polish all of her shoes. (This bribe sound familiar, parents?). This story provides an entertaining reminder that it can be fun to try new things, and we just don’t know until we try it.

If you are looking for this book to cure your picky eater though, don’t get your hopes up. Although my 2-year-old found Mrs. Pickle to be a riveting read, she still refused a single bite of her meatloaf.