Child book recommendation: The Slightly Annoying Elephant by DavidWalliams

Sorry for not posting in a few days but my laptop is not working properly. It's at the doctors and I'm on the iPad which is not ideal for blogging. Well, not for me anyway. However I'm determined to give you guys a quick child's book recommendation.

 We have covered a lot of serious, sweet and spiritual books lately.  So I thought I would mix thing up a bit with a silly, fun book.  One of our favourite funny books is The slightly annoying elephant by David Walliams. David is a British comedian, and a well known face in the U.K.  I bought the book figuring it would be funny as I'm a big fan of his work on television.

The story starts with a boy named Sam opening the door to a very large, rather unexpected visitor. A giant elephant who knows his name! He thinks back and remembers filling out an "adopt an elephant" form at the zoo and immediately regrets the decision. He did not think an elephant would actually show up! 

Still Sam tries to make the best of the situation. He gives the elephant everything he demands. Even after he overflows all the water in the bath tub he still gives him all the food in the house when the elephant gets peckish.  When Sam asks questions, the elephant gives him patronising answers in an abrupt tone.  This elephant seriously sucks.

Just when he thought things couldn't get worse, what with the elephant breaking his brand new bike, things start to get real. Whilst the elephant is napping ( in Sams bed I might add) he gets a knock on the door. A whole herd of elephants is standing in his doorway claiming their friend invited them! So Sam has himself in a sticky situation. All the better for us though, as its great time watching the story unfold. 

I like to use a silly voice when saying the elephant lines and Scarlett always gets a kick out of that.  This book gives us a chance to loosen up and be silly for a couple minutes  out of our sometimes stressful lives. The pictures are colourful and very funny.  It gives our kids a chance to laugh, learn a bit of good manners, and most importantly ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT..

Childrens book recommendation (mothers day edition): The paper dolls by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb

Last night Scarlett and I read the book "paper dolls" and really enjoyed it.With it being Mother's day tomorrow (in America) I thought I would use it as my weekend child's book recommendation.

The paper dolls is by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb. Inside the book you meet a little girl. She has a very nice mother who makes paper dolls with her. She makes:

                              "Ticky and tacky and Jackie the backie
                               and Jim with two noses
                               and Jo with the bow"

They go on all kinds of adventures together. They danced with pigs, met a tiger, a roaring dinosaur and a crocodile! All whilst holding hands and chanting their rhyme of unity.

I like the way the mother joins in with the daughters fun and they play together. I also like the use of all the household objects ( Like a slipper as a tiger). The illustrations do a great job of showing kids ways to use their imaginations.

One day a boy  comes and snips all her paper dolls into little pieces.(darn boys sometimes. x)

What happens to them? what happens to the little girl? I think that the story has an adorable way of answering these questions. The book explains that the paper dolls become a memory. In her memory they come across mice, fireworks, starfish soap, and a kind granny. More and more things get added each day and each year. I just think that is so cute. especially the kind granny bit ( it always brings a tear to my eye).

Then comes Scarlett's favourite bit of the book. You get to see the girl grow up. First into a teenager, then into...a mother!

A mother who now sits down with her little girl and teaches her to make paper dolls.

I feel like this book is a gentle reminder that what we do today is going to influence the generations to come. All wrapped in a perfectly adorable, creative, and whimsical book. It would make a great mothers day gift from a child to a mom. (Or am I the only adult who like receiving children's books as gifts?).

 Why don't you have a go making your own paper dolls and giving them a funny rhyme? you could have a go at my DIY washi tape bracelets , or at the very least sit and enjoy a book with your child.why? Because as this book shows us, then they will do the same with their children. Those moments, that bonding, that's the good stuff right there. Have a great mothers day! And a very special  happy mothers day to my mom Sandy, who is, and will always be my best friend.

                                                                      Always, -Kass

check out some other child's book recommendations like, Mr. Tiger goes wild, Journey, or Buddha at bedtime

Child book recommendation: Mr Tiger goes wild by Peter Brown

Do you ever get sick and tired of being polite and following the rules? Mr Tiger certainly did.

 He lived in a very boring, dull town where everyone spoke properly and dressed...in,well,.. clothes.

They are wild animals though! Mr Tiger knows that, and he starts letting his "freak flag fly" more and more.

First he starts walking on all fours, and feels MUCH more comfortable.

Than he starts "roaring" in public.

Finally he takes things too far by stripping down to his birthday suit in an unfortunate water fountain incident.

This is the last straw for his friends who advise him to go live in the wild, if hes going to behave like that.

So Mr.Tiger runs off to the wilderness to be free, and wild. Hes incredibly happy catching fish and roaring as loud as he likes.

But Mr. Tiger has a new dilemma in the wilderness. Aaaand you'll have to read the book to find out  what it is.

Besides being a funny and easy to follow book, the pictures are gorgeous! They have a geometric looking theme throughout the book. They stay with a continuous muted colour pattern throwing in pops of bright colours to add interesting contrasts. The illustrations were made with India ink, watercolour,gouache,and pencil on paper, then digitally composed and coloured. The text was set in Rockwell, and the display type was hand-lettered by the author Peter Brown.

Overall this book is a quick, visually stimulating read for children and adults alike.

Thanks for stopping by!                                      Always, Kass