SHOES by Elizabeth Winthrop, Illustrated by William Joyce, (1986)

I got this one at a thrift store because I couldn't resist that adorable cover! Truthfully, you never really know how good the book is until you get it home. But, this 1980s picture book extraordinaire can go toe to toe with any modern picture book. 

The story is sweet, the rhyming easy, and, once again, my kid easily finished the rhyme.  But, the illustrations take this rhyme to another level. The kids sort of remind me of the Little Rascals in the sense that they are so adorable and beautiful to look at that you can't stop staring at them. The illustrations of low shoes and high shoes is wonderful.

You and the kid will take forever to turn the page.

SHOES is a definitive classic. No matter what your style or size SHOES will be a perfect fit! Awwww.....

The NeverEnding Story (1984) - MOVIE review

Two words: Wolfgang Petersen. 

I didn't know. I had no idea. While the rest of you already saw this when we were teenagers in the 80s, I did not. Unless, it was "Class," "Young Doctors in Love" "Trading Places" or every movie HBO played a million times, (can you say "Sgt. Pepper's" with Frampton and the Bee Gees?) the world of sci-fi fantasy storytelling escaped me.

But with a 3 1/2 year old who loves all things muppet-like and scary, I figured it'd be a good choice. But, when I saw that Volf-y directed and partly wrote it, my head almost exploded.

Your physical reaction to something like art speaks volumes about the piece. Like, during Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives," I remember standing up and pacing when the Judy Davis character rejects Liam Neeson. I remember some shouting. I remember some cursing. It was me and my friend, Judy, experiencing it so viscerally, that our reaction was physical.

Which is sort of how my kid reacted. She sat upright and leaned towards the tv the ENTIRE movie! But that's how compelling it is...from start to finish. I've never seen her react like that and she worships Shrek. But, admittedly, Shrek the movie loses her in moments. Though we love him so.

I don't recall any moments in this film feeling too cheesy or sappy or dated. Though I realize it must have some of that, but it's so well done I didn't notice. In fact, I'll bet Volf-y would do an AMAZING job with Roald Dahl's BFG.

BRILLIANT!

I Love You Stinkyface By Lisa McCourt, Cartwheel. (2003)

 

This picture book has long been in our reading rotation. Great premise. A little boy looks for reassurance from his mother that she would still love him even if he were an alien, or if he had a repellent smell or an iron lung. It's an excellent way of illustrating unconditional love. Got it.

The scenarios escalate in absurd detail and he wonders aloud if he were a sea creature who couldn't leave the water or he'd die would his mother stay with him forever. You do start to think, well that'd be a drag, but you are the love of my life, so, I suppose, yes. 

But soon he goes over the top..."but mama, but mama, what if I'm an alligator who east the neighborhood kids and I blame it on you? Would you still love me then?" Or, "but mama, but mama, what if I have agoraphobia and never leave the house so you have to care for me till you die? Would you still love me?" That's when you start thinking, good question.

So, you turn the tables. You ask the kid, "What if I had elephantiatis of (pick your body part?) Would I still be welcome on parents' night?" Or, "what if mommy and daddy dressed and spoke like frontiersmen and we talked about our ox and plow to everyone? Could we still come to your ball games?" I don't know either.

Of course, we do love this book and every iteration of it. We have them all, but when you read it so many times this is where your mind goes. Well, now it certainly will, but you'll appreciate it on a whole new level!

Have You Seen Chester? by Andrew Murray, Harper Collins Publishers (2003)

 

Just the name Chester makes me happy. And, that face? Actually, the cover is of Buddy the dog who beats up Chester the cat so much that Chester just leaves. He's like, "I may be brave, but the a-whoopin' I get ain't worth it. I'm gone."  So when Buddy the dog starts to miss Chester and feel guilty he runs away to find Chester and bring him home. 

And, I must say, it's such a dramatic plot twist that I was shocked. Kids, pets, parents don't run away in picture books...they escape, they move, they hide, but running away? Shocking. 

Great edgy premise, violence, runaways, late night shenanigans,  but the illustrations really make the story. It's all in that Chester's face and body language. His giant body with skinny little arms. The angry look of ultimate defeat on his face, "I lose, you win. Grreat!" In fact, his face sort of reminds me of the boss on Parks & Rec. You know the guy with the mustache who is SO GOOD that you look at him for 2 secs and you're totally in? 

Alas, I digress. Of course, the story ends happily ever after, but there's great drama till then. Plus, you will use a million different voices to say, "Have You Seen Chester?" Now this one we got at the thrift store...recycle, reuse! Well, actually, I'm just cheap. But, I washed it.

Don't You Feel Well, Sam? by Amy Hest, Illustrated by Anita Jeram, 2007, Candlewick Press

 

Where do I even begin with Sam, Mrs. Bear, Amy Hest and Anita Jeram? This simple and brilliant story about Mrs Bear tending to her sick little baby bear, Sam, hits me deep. So lovingly written and drawn, we get to share the intimacy between Sam and Mrs. Bear as she comforts and nurses him through the night. She coaxes him into taking his medicine, comforts him with stories and gives him hope of snow falling all to make him feel even if just a little bit better. It fills me with love.

If I could just live in their world for one night waiting for the snow, dozing till morn, then building snowmen with them I'm sure it would cure all that ails me.  Everything looks and feels so safe and full of love. Your kid will feel it too!

The best part is that this is just one of a few stories about Sam and Mrs. Bear. Each one as loving and intimate as the other. You'll find yourself trying to read it in a loving voice. Of course, is it any coincidence that there is no mention of a Mr. Bear?