Anyone picked some personality traits for polishing? New Year's resolutions can be tough to follow the whole year. Hannah's was to throw a difficult tumbling pass without a spot. When she hit it the second day of the new year, that left room for some other resolutions to check off her list. Monica's is to write in a daily journal about motherhood. Enjoy this smattering of "behavior" books to open conversation about being one's best!
Hannah recommends:
SLOPPY JOE. By Dave Keane. HarperCollins. Ages 4-7. $16.99.
Joe always spills, talks with his mouth full, slurps and slouches. He never tucks in his shirt. Grammy spreads newspaper around Sloppy Joe's chair whenever he eats at his grandparents' house. But when a friend of Sloppy Joe's mom doesn't let him come into their house because of his messes, Joe decides that he needs to clean up his act.
The next day, Sloppy Joe becomes Neat Joe. He cleans his room, showers the dog and even changes into a nice outfit. Expecting his family to be pleased, Neat Joe is disappointed with their lack of reaction. His entire family has the flu. Neat Joe takes over and cares for his sick family.
SMILE! By Leigh Hodgkinson. HarperCollins. Ages 2-6. $16.99.
A little girl named Sunny has lost her smile. She looks everywhere. But the missing smile can't be found in the sofa, or in any pockets or in the dog's basket. No one took it.
Poor Sunny can't remember where she last saw it. Her annoying twin brothers are no help either. Sunny figures that her smile must be lost somewhere in the huge world. She learns that happiness is a choice!
FAR FAR AWAY. By John Segal. Penguin. Ages 3-5. $16.99.
What child hasn't wanted to run away? This little piggy plans out his whole trip. His plan is to sleep on the ground under the stars. He wants to take his pets, food, blankie and tent on his small bike. But his mother helps him realize that not everything will fit, especially not all his toys. The little pig stays after all, once he realizes that everything he needs is at home.
Monica suggests:
YES DAY! By Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld. Ages 4-8. $14.99.
This humorous book looks at what happens when "yes" is the answer to a boy's every question. From using hair gel to a food fight to staying up late with his dad, every request gets a yes. The result? A totally wonderful, memorable day and a reminder that saying yes to outrageous requests can make a day so much more fun!
FANNY & ANNABELLE. By Holly Hobbie. Ages 3-6. $16.99.
The author/illustrator of the beloved Toot & Puddle series delivers another winner. Fanny is writing a story inspired by a real event in her life -- finding an envelope of money on the sidewalk. Fanny, and her main character, must decide what to do with the money. This is a great morality tale with just the right subtlety. And of course, the art is as scrumptious as we've grown to expect from Holly Hobbie.
MIND YOUR MANNERS, ALICE ROOSEVELT. By Leslie Kimmelman. Ages 4-8. $16.95.
Based on true people and events, this book brings attention to the antics of Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of President Teddy Roosevelt. Alice was independent and outspoken, something proper young ladies at the turn of the century were not expected to be. Alice rode pigs, climbed out on the roof, was one of the first women in America to drive a car, and had a pet snake. Alice Roosevelt was a character. Once her father was asked what he planned to do about Alice. "I can do one of two things," he responded. "I can be president of the United States or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both." What a fun picture-book biography!
For the older set:
TEEN MANNERS: From Malls to Meals to Messaging and Beyond.
PROM AND PARTY ETIQUETTE. Both by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post. HarperCollins. Ages 12 and up. 134 pages. $15.99.
Monica Young and Hannah McRae Young can be reached at cyoung9@triad.rr.com. View book reviews at the Journal in Education site at www.jie.journalnow.com
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