Feed Me Books Friday: From Parents with Love

Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching a friend's two kids while she took Only resale shopping.  Now before you think I got the short end here, let me confess that I DON'T LIKE SHOPPING!  It doesn't matter whether it is for groceries, clothes, whatever... The first thing I think is how much is it and I can never find anything that I feel good in when shopping for clothes. Only likes clothes shopping and Shawnda is a FANTASTIC resale shopper.  So I happily agreed to watch her two in exchange for Only having a little Girl-Time with her D-Group (discipleship) leader.  

Of course our day had to include a trip to the library when they had a blast looking for books that looked good. Here are a few books we picked up and guess what - they all had to do with parents!  

1.  I fell in love with Billy Crystal's (yes the actor) I Already Know I love You, which actually deals with a grandpa eagerly anticipating his grandchild's arrival. I had no idea he had written a book, but I was drawn simply by the title on the spine.  Because this week was the first week of Piggy Tales, in which the story of the day we were born, I thought this was perfect! The pictures alone are a delight, but the story equally matches the hopes and dreams.  Look what gem is penned on the inside front and back cover:

I'm waiting to see you in ballet shoes or is it football pads? To listen to your music and say, "it's just a fad." I'm waiting to meet your boyfriends or hear you say, "she's the one." Oh, unborn child, this wait is getting fun!  I want to read your poems and get postcards from afar. I can't believe I'm writing this, 'cause I don't know who you are."   B.C.

2.  Can you, just for a minutes, think about what bedtime would be like if it were up to your kids to "put" you to bed?  Would you throw a fit, go willingly, or milk it for all you can?  If you're curious or tempted to try this, I highly suggest Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Again there are some utterly delightful illustrations and dialogue that will make just about anyone giggle just reading each page and thinking of what could happen if this took place in your home... Might just be a fun-filled experiment!  


Just imagine:  Your kids prompting and leading you to stop what you're doing to take a bath, brush your teeth, pick out your clothes for the next day (actually for me that would be great as Only has a great eye for this), reading a "bed-time" story...  I really hope you're able to find this little gem!  It was so funny that last night, at 10 p.m., Youngest came up to me, with a sly grin on his face and said "Time for bed, Mommy!" 

If you have a minute, please visit her blog, head on over here.  It is filled with a complete book listing for kids and adults, and so much more.  

3.  Now I must confess that it was the cover that drew me to this book.  The Rainbabies by Laura Krauss Melmed. I was intrigued and settled down at the table to see what Rainbabies were.  I was not disappointed with the story or the soft watercolor type illustrations. 

Imagine an older childless couple who has everything they could want except they never were able to have children. One night that wish was granted in the most unusual way and suddenly the Old Couple find themselves caring for and loving twelve very special babies!  

While it was an adjustment, they become very devoted to caring for these babies, risking their lives to protect the tiny babies against mighty waves, a horrific fire, and a wishful thieving rodent only to have the real mother appear and offer them a reward for caring for her special offspring.  I'm not going to spoil the ending, but would rather urge you to look for this beautiful book and read the rest.  

 

If you'd like to know what other books that Melmed has written, I hope you'll pop over to her website and take a moment to explore, possibly add a few books to your wish list!  

If you'd like to find other great books written just for kids, head on over to The Adventure of Motherhood and check out more great reviews!