‘A Bad Case of Stripes’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Book Review: The Kissing Hand

October 3, 2012 · Narrative

Last night, as I read this book to Madeline, Nick whined in his bedroom about me being the meanest mom ever.

So I read louder and added two more books to our to-read stack, snuggling in with my very happy four-year-old.

Mostly because I am totally not the meanest mom ever, and because adding more titles to the books we were reading would secure at least one of the kids would go to bed happy.

And as an aside, Nick woke up this morning, apologizing to me.

Because see? I am not the meanest mom ever. That title is surely held by someone else.

So there.

The first time I discovered The Kissing Hand was when Nick was Madeline’s age, having a hard time adjusting to a new school. We read the story together, regularly, night after night after night.

Until he felt better. About school. And not being home with me during the day.

And that life was really not ending because he got to play. And color. And craft. And snack. And nap. And make new friends.

Seriously.

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Book Review: If I Could Keep You Little

September 13, 2012 · Narrative

One of the things I’m really mindful of is to not rush any stage of our life.

As in “I can’t wait until they can walk…”

Or “I can’t wait until they are in school full-time…”

Or “I can’t wait until the terrible two’s are over…”

Or “…until they’re driving…”

Or “until the house is quiet again…”

Because even with all the challenges that come along with being a mom, I know I will miss this all.

The messes in their rooms.

The sticky cups left in my bathroom.

The frustration of trying to teach how to convert fractions to decimal points.

The overly long Christmas concerts.

The surprises I find in the couch cushions.

The tear-stained cheeks.

Sometimes, at the end of a long day, that all might push me over the edge. But one day, it will be gone.

They won’t need me as much.

They’ll grow up, and go to college.

Away.

Start their own families.

And it will all be gone.

I almost cannot even bear the thought.

(Although they both have said they plan to live with me forever, and Madeline said I can drive her and her family around.)

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Book Review: A Bad Case of Stripes

April 23, 2012 · Narrative

A few weeks ago, I came across the children’s book, A Bad Case of Stripes. The book was originally published in 1998. Why has it taken us so long to discover it? Well, in 1998, I was knee-deep in wedding planning, and had no kids, so that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. But now you can enjoy this title along with us.

Colorful.

Beautifully illustrated.

Cute story.

With a message.

What more could you want from a children’s book?

And I think what I love most of all?

Is that it doesn’t talk down to children. I hate children’s books that purposely water down the “big words” so younger children can fully understand it. Why not use some larger words, and create moments for kids to ask what the word means? Give them credit. Or even more credit.

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