Me and You, written by Janet A. Holmes and illustrated by Judith Rossell, is a book I chose for two reasons: a) I LOVE IT, and b) nobody else ever seems to have heard of it.
Which, if you ask me, is a crying shame. Because it is one of the cutest picture books of all time. Even Donald says so.
And that man never agrees with me when I call something cute. Never.
Unless we’re talking about Charlotte. BUT I DIGRESS.
So the book is cute, which is a big plus in my opinion. If I am going to read a book three thousand times in a row, it needs to look half-decent.
On that note, if I am going to read a book three thousand times in a row, it also needs to have compelling text. It could be a fun rhyme, a rich story, an important lesson, WHATEVER, but it does need to capture my attention. After all, if I am not enthralled by it, how can I expect my daughter to be?
Me and You is told from a rabbit’s perspective. The rabbit begins the book by saying that they like being them because of the many fun and playful activities, such as building sand castles or blowing up balloons, they can engage in. (cough, COMPELLING TEXT, cough). And in all honesty, I would have probably loved this book if it stopped there because it’s a fun way to introduce children to a variety of outdoor activities and their related vocabulary.
But instead of ending there, the rabbit continues to wrap up his story with one of the sweetest lines of all time. He leaves the readers with the message that happiness is more wonderful when shared.
Pros: The illustrations are adorable. The activities are all child-appropriate and can be used to jumpstart discussions, focus on vocabulary, or share memories. More than anything, though, I love this book because it reminds children that sharing fun with friends or siblings is best of all.
And we could all, no matter how old or young we are, use a little reminder from time to time that our friends and family should be cherished.
Cons: I hate to say this book has a con, because I love it as it is, but I think it might hold a child’s attention a little better if it rhymed.
Borrow or Buy: Buy.
What to do: You can enter this giveaway by leaving a comment below or sending me an e-mail answering this question: what is something that you like about being you? All you need is an e-mail address. The giveaway ends Sunday evening at 9 P.M. Pacific Time and the winners will be announced next Tuesday morning. You can leave one entry every day, for a total of up to six entries.
For extra entries: This is on the honor system, so please be honest. I will award you one extra entry if you vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs by clicking here or at Top Baby Blogs by clicking here. Each day you vote, I will award you two additional entries. Don’t forget to let me know! I am hoping to maintain or move into a spot in the top ten on both sites so that we can slowly begin to reach more parents about the joys and importance of reading with children. If we inspire just ONE parent to read to their kid today, it’s worth a vote or two, don’t you think?
To purchase this book: You can buy Me and You through Amazon.com (that link uses my affiliate code) or locate a local retailer through Indie Bound.org.
A note from Odin the Owl: Next week is Charlotte’s first birthday, so I have arranged to feature and giveaway an entire set of my very favorite, VERY VERY FAVORITE, children’s books of all time. There are eight books in the series and, trust me, YOU WILL LOVE THEM. They are awesome – appropriate for a boy or girl (there are two protagonists), appealing to children and adults alike, fun to read, and beautifully BEAUTIFULLY illustrated.
So here’s the thing. I thought a fun idea might be to include one of those little Mr. Linky widgets and encourage any of you with a blog to post about reading to the children in your life then link up your post on my site. I have two questions: a) does anybody know how to work one of those Linky things?, and b) DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS?
Come on. It can be simple: write about reading to a pregnant belly, about teaching a four-year-old to recognize numbers on freeway exit signs, about telling bedtime stories (reading isn’t all about words on pages) to your niece, about taking a teenager to the library, etc. Anything and everything will be welcome, as long as it encourages reading. What do you think? Is it lame or are you in?
*** The winner of last week’s book giveaway (Wave illustrated by Suzy Lee) is Bethany. Congratulations, Bethany!
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I like that I am creative!
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I like that I am a positive person!
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I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs!
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I voted for you on Top Baby Blogs! Sorry if I was supposed to leave only one comment saying all that.
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I won! How exciting! I can’t wait to read Wave with my little girl. Do I need to email you or something? I don’t think I’ve ever won a giveaway on a blog; I don’t know how it works. :)
Re: Odin: I would totally blog about reading and link back to you. I am of no help on the whole “how to work a Linky” question, though, sadly. And how is Charlotte already turning one?!
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I like being me because even with the hardships i have had in my life, i am still a positive and optimistic person.
Charlotte is adorable!
Claudia
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oh, and i voted. :)
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I like that I know how to make web sites. :)
Can you give me an example of a “Mr. Linky widget”? Is this the real name of it? Maybe I should just google Mr. Linky?
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Well look at that! Mr. Linky is indeed the name of it! Looks like if you register on their site, they should walk you through how to add it.
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I’m totally down for blogging about reading and linking it back to you. That’s a great idea.
I like how I’m continuing to mellow as I get older. I’m so much more easy going than I was as a kid and teenager.
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You always have the best book giveaways! And I agree - if it’s something that you’re going to have to read many, many times, it should be compelling to you too!
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I like my work ethic (and I like that I’ve been able to re-prioritize and get some perspective after having a little munchkin a month ago).
Voted on both sites!
It’s amazing how quickly a year goes! Enjoy reminiscing in the coming week! -
I like that I am “mama” to my beautiful little Lyla Bean.
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I’m in for the blogging and linking back.
This is the best tutorial I’ve seen: http://blog-op.com/inserting-mr-linky-autolinks/
And I voted for you!
What do I like about being me? The communities that support me! Family, friends, church etc…
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I like how I’m l earning to be a mommy!
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I like that I’m patient - with my daughter, my husband, my students, and the person in front of me in line. I hope I teach Molly how to be patient.
I’d link to your reading post. I love reading and we’re getting ready to celebrate a first birthday, too, so I’m in! -
One thing I like about myself is my sense of humor. I may not be funny to anyone else, but I make myself laugh all the time. :)
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I voted too!
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I like that I am a good listener. I’m enjoying your blog!
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I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs and Top Baby Blogs…. I think. All I had to do was click “vote”. Seemed a little too easy….
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i like that i can cope with stress well, and that i have a sense of humour. both of these things save me.
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just voted for you on both top baby and top mommy blogs!
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Oh, Charlotte is getting so big and even cuter! :)
I really really love being me because of my awesome family. I am so thankful for my parents and sibilings!
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I voted on both sites!
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What do I like about being me? Definitely my super hot rack…just kidding…I’ll go with sense of humor.
And I would absolutely blog about reading and link back to you. Great idea!
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I like…hmmmm…I like that I am a huge encourager to people…I just wish that I believe in myself sometimes…
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Voted for you again :)
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i like being me because i couldn’t ask for more. a happy, healthy baby, a loving husband.. you know.
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I voted again today!
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I voted yesterday and today. I like being me because I have a great sense of humor and an amazing husband and probably the most adorable little boy you have ever seen (of course I’m biased).
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I love kids :)
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i voted today
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Voted again today
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I voted today.
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what i like about being me is that i have come out on the other side of some awful things to become the woman i am today… i am determined to make a different life for my child than the one i grew up in, and i’ve done it with a smile on my face despite the hurt.
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This sounds like a great book, and you’re right, I’ve never heard of it!
What I like about being me is that I’m laid back. It takes an awful lot to shake me up.
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I voted for you at Top Mommy Blogs AND Top Baby Blogs!
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Voted for you again
By Elin on July 13, 2010
No way, the first comment… One thing I like about being me is my curly hair. I’m a Leo, so my “mane” is important! I hope, I hope, I hope I win.