For Emily and for All the Little Princesses: The Paper Bag Princess

Since my kid is a boy, I prefer books where the main character is also a boy. Stories about princesses and ballet do not get him excited as dinosaurs and worms do. But since I can’t stop thinking about Emily, I often get so close to bringing home books like  Pinkalicious, Eloise, Madeline and Olivia. There is a  princess book that I could not resist buying though. I try not to buy books that cost more than 100 bucks in Booksale but this anniversary edition of the Paper Bag Princess is extra special. It is nothing like that sugar-sweet damsel-in-distress princess stories that I grew up reading. This book was written by the same author who wrote I Love You Forever.

The story starts with the usual princess opening line. Elizabeth was a beautiful princess…

It gets interesting when a dragon burns her castle and all her pretty princess things and kidnaps Prince Ronald, her fiance.

Fortunately for Ronald, Elizabeth is no pushover princess. Wearing only a paper bag since all her princess clothes were burned, she set out to save her prince. I love how Elizabeth won over the dragon without resorting to violence. She challenges the dragon to burn forests and fly around the world.  The dragon successfully accomplished the Elizabeth’s challenges but got so tired that it fell asleep. Elizabeth rescues Ronald.  It does not end there.

Akira to Zoltan

I posted here before that I have been looking for a children’s book where the main character is named Akira. I have seen a hundred Davids and Mary’s in my many trips to Booksale but no Akira. I have almost given up hope actually. I thought to have that elusive book, I would have to make one myself. It is my dream to make a children’s book for Aki. I have made three (texture book, feelings book, Father’s Day book)  but what I really want is a book with a story.

I am happy to report that I finally have an Akira book. It is not a story book  but it still is an Akira book. Mega super thanks to my sister in law, who bought this for our little bookworm.

Akira to Zoltan was written by Cynthia Chin-Lee. This inspiring book is about 26 men, one great man for each letter of the alphabet.

Amelia to Zora, the female version of the book, would make a wonderful gift to tween girls.

I like that this book chose influential men from modern history like Pele, Walt Disney and Nelson Mandela. The write-ups are also kid-friendly They are not yet for toddlers but grade schoolers would appreciate knowing that great men used to be children like them and had to overcome obstacles to pursue their dreams.

(Not Really A) Book Review: You Are My I Love You

 You are my I love you
by Maryann K. Cusimano
Philomel Books, 2001

I am your parent;
you are my child.
I am your quiet place;
you are my wild.

I am your calm face;
you are my giggle.
I am your wait;
you are my wiggle.

I am your carriage ride;
you are my king.
I am your push;
you are my swing.

I am your audience;
you are my clown.
I am your London Bridge;
you are my falling down.

I am your carrot sticks;
you are my licorice.
I am your dandelion;
you are my first wish.

I am your water wings;
you are my deep.
I am your open arms;
you are my running leap.

I am your way home;
you are my new path.
I am your dry towel;
you are my wet bath.

I am your dinner;
you are my chocolate cake.
I am your bedtime;
you are my wide awake.

(Not Really a )Book Review: Little Gorilla

Little Gorilla

Story and Pictures by Ruth Bornstein

Once there was a gorilla and everybody loved him.

His mother loved him.

His father loved him.

His grandma and grand pa, and his aunts and uncles loved him.

Even when he was only one day old, everybody loved Little Gorilla.

Pink Butterfly flying through the forest,

Green Parrot in his tree,

and Red Monkey in her tree,

all loved Little Gorilla.

Even Big Boa Constrictor thought

Little Gorilla was nice

Giraffe, walking tall through the forest,

was there when Little Gorilla needed him.

Young Elephant, and Old Elephant too, came to see him.

Lion roared his loudest roar for him.

Even Old Hippo took him wherever he wanted to go,

because she loved Little Gorilla.

Just about everybody in the great green forest loved Little Gorilla!

Then one day something happened…