The Littlest Book Club // August 2020
"Who are you reading to?" Elliott wanders into the living room to find me reading outloud to an empty room.
"Well, I was reading to Leo but he didn’t like my book choice so he left."
I continue reading, and he squeezes in next to me. Another page later his sister enters the room and climbs up onto the top of the couch (why this is comfortable, I’ll never know but they all do it. I wonder if the couch testers put bodies onto the couch ledge when they test for durability?)
The toddler finally returns, sitting at my feet thumbing through his own stack of books.
When I finish, they all wander off again. I continue to answer questions and make meals and follow them around like a personal Roomba.
But for that moment, it was calm, the reset that I needed.
It’s been a rough week. I’m tired of answering the question "what are we doing today?" I’m tired of making meals, I’m tired of listening to their whines, I’m tired of picking up their endless trails of stuff. This is not unusual for the end of August. This part of the summer is necessary for making the launch from the nest into the classroom easier for all.
But there won’t be a launch this year. Not in the way we once knew. The weight of this reality hangs like the humidity cloud outside our windows.
I’m trying to dissipate the stress in the usual healthy ways. But it feels like it still trails me, on the running path as I listen to my podcasts, on my social media feeds as I mindlessly scroll, and in bed when I should be sleeping but instead my mind is doing mental gymnastics.
And yet, there is something magical about these children’s books. I might be tempted to say reading them takes me back to when I was a child and my world was simpler. But I don’t think that’s the case. I actually think children’s books can be just as complex and enriching as adult reading, perhaps even more so. As a writer I’m learning the art of saying more with less. Children’s authors have that nailed. And art to push it over the top.
I learned long ago that the right children’s book is as good if not better than an entire self help book. Our neighborhood library reopened for easy holds pickup recently. Which means I can walk off my stress to pick up another antidote to my stress, and be home in time to read to anyone, or no one.
This collection of books I share today are exactly the right amount of cozy, emotional, and uplifting. I can’t speak for whether or not the kids are into them. But as I’ve said before. I don’t pick children’s books for them. I pick them for me. And if they wander in to listen every now and then, that’s just icing on the ice cream book cake.
PS I threw that in because I made the cutest ice cream cake for Caroline’s birthday with a reading theme and I figured this August Book Collection wouldn’t be complete without that little nod. Happy Reading and Happy Eating!
My Favorite Children’s Books Read in August, and one great Ice Cream Cake.
Elliott has asked me to read this one many times, and I do not tire of it. I am always trying to remind my kids there are many ways to be brave. And we need this reminder more and more these days.
This story took my breath away. It is sad and lonely and then it is warm and tender. I can relate to all of these feels. Also it makes me miss parties with friends and the healing power of this.
What’s Cooking 10 Garden Street
Speaking of parties with friends, this book ends with a potluck dinner with all of the members of the apartment buildgng and it reminds me why I love living in mixed housing communities. Every shows a peak into someone’s kitchen, including the recipe they make. But it’s the details in the illustration that show each person as unique that i love so much. Part of my obsession with peaking into windows at night! I just love how food is a connector in our communities.
This story is a meditation from beginning to end. And the page that reads “somewhere…an idea is blooming,” I choke up every time.
I was drawn to this book because of the little house in the woods that reminded me of my cabin. But I had no idea the story would be so lovely. This one also begins sad, but with the mother’s hope. The illustration where she is in bed with all of her children, awake nursing her baby and “whispering to the stars,” oh mama, I feel that.
These last two books I feel especially drawn to from a writer perspective. The poetic nature of this story is such a lovely example of how simple repetitive words can tell a story too. I love any book that tells of the season changes.
This story is of a girl who decides the best way to share the voices of her community is to be a writer. I love the message it shares with young children.
And one more thing…that ice cream cake!
Heres a quick recipe that I plan on using every time:
Quarter ice cream sandwiches and arrange upright around the edge of a spring form pan, as if setting books on a book shelf with pages facing out (get the book thing now?) Crush up Oreos and add to bottom of pan inside ice cream sandwiches. Cover Oreos with softened ice cream. Freeze. Top with whipped cream, hard shell chocolate sauce and any decorations, refreeze. Slice and enjoy!
P.S.When you make a purchase though my links, I make a small commission. That being said, these are my honest opinions and I was not paid to talk about any of the products mentioned. I just think they are pretty great! And Happy Shopping!