‘Dr. Seuss’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Book Review: Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo (Mercer Mayer)

May 1, 2013 · Narrative

When it comes to Mercer Mayer, I am a huge fan. With over 300 titles to his credit, his imagery is, in a word, amazing. The illustrations in his books are so vivid and colorful, you can’t help but be drawn into the story. Although I’m very familiar with his catalog of books, Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo is not a title that I was familiar with. It was originally published in 1976, but was re-released just two years ago, destined to become a favorite against a new crop of children.

Madeline and I have read the book several times over the last few weeks, and the storyline has a way of making something scary (monsters) seem not so scary after all. And if you have kids, you know that anything that takes the sting out of monsters is a pretty big deal. Professor Wormbog has amassed quite a collection of cute, loveable, and downright odd monsters, but he is still intent on finding the Zipperump-A-Zoo, the last, and quite elusive, monster for his alphabetical collection. You’ll have to read the book if you want to see if he’s successful or not.

Some of the phrasing and made-up words throughout the book remind me of the tongue twisting words that a Dr. Seuss book will throw out at you. Which I happen to like, because if you can’t escape into a world of made-up words and downright silliness in a children’s book, when can you? We loved the story, and the fantasy-like nature of the idea of collecting monsters, but we were a bit let-down with the ending (don’t want to spoil it for any of you). That being said, much like the illustrations in Maurice Sendak books, it’s worth a read and a serious look for the pictures and detail alone.

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Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

March 1, 2012 · Narrative

I have a ton of favorite authors from my childhood, and without a doubt, Dr. Seuss is right up there in the top 5. His silly rhymes and nonsensical words draw you in with each turn of the page, and his library of books is a go-to choice when I’m reading to the kids at bedtime. Tomorrow, he celebrates his 108th birthday, and it was the perfect thing to celebrate with friends last night.

Lasagna, homemade pizza, salad, and then it was time for a quick craft with the kids. We made marshmallow pops, decorated with red, white, and blue sprinkles, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ favorite colors.

What you’ll need:

lollipop sticks
candy melts
sprinkles
marshmallows

Melt the chocolate melts while your young helpers are sticking the lollipop sticks into the marshmallows. Dip the end of the marshmallow into the melted chocolate, and then the colored sprinkles, and put it on a sheet of waxed paper while it sets. Indulge.

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Boredom Buster: A Fun Snack to Make with Your Kids

January 24, 2012 · Narrative

Thanksgiving seems like so very long ago. And yes, I’m going to tell you about something I made for Thanksgiving. Fact.

But here’s the rub.

A – I actually have stuff heaps older to still tell you about. That may or may not make it better.

B – This is something you can make anytime. Not just Thanksgiving.

So we’re cool then, right?

My sister hosted the holiday for the first time, and I brought my Cranberry Conserve. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter who is hosting the holiday, it just isn’t right until that conserve is on the table. Period.

Besides the conserve, I wanted to bring something a little fun for the kids. And I wanted my own kids to be able to participate in the making of said “something.” When I spied this super cute picture on Pinterest (yes, again, with the Pinterest addiction; if you’re a fellow addict, I need not explain more), I was set.

It takes seriously just minutes to make.
The kids loved making it and once I gave them the basic instructions (and melted the white chocolate for them), they did it completely on their own after that.
It yields something that is nothing short of adorable.
I bet you might even have the ingredients in your own cupboard, ready to make right now.
If you like the salty-sweet combination, you’ll be all over these.

You don’t need more convincing than that do you?

These would be supercute for a Dr. Seuss “green eggs and ham” mini-celebration.

Or a fun afterschool project with your kids.

Or make a pink version for Valentine’s Day.

Or when you’re snowbound and stir-crazy.

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Graduation Gifts Courtesy of Dr. Seuss

November 16, 2011 · Narrative

Is it too early to be thinking about graduation presents? Um, totally not. Especially since this one is years in the making. I first saw this idea online somewhere last year, and then it popped up again (and reminded me about it) on Pinterest. As a huge fan of Dr. Seuss in the base case, any gift that involves one of his stories is a sure-fire hit. At least with me. And this book happens to be one of my favorites, right up there with Green Eggs and Ham.

But this gift is more than just gifting Oh the Places You’ll Go. See, you buy it when your child first starts school, and every year, you have their teachers write a note in it and sign it. So when you finally present it on their college graduation day, it will be filled with words of wisdom from some very important people who they met and learned from along the way. Coolest idea ever, right?

I started it last year for Madeline, and have another one for Nick. It’s not too late for you!

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Summer Reading: It’s Fundamental

July 5, 2011 · Narrative

For as long as I can remember, reading has been a huge part of my life. Growing up, having a tv in our bedroom was not allowed. But more often than not, you could find me in my bedroom, door closed, lying on my bed, completely engrossed in a good book.

The Trixie Belden series.

Nancy Drew.

Beverly Cleary.

Judy Blume. Who could forget being forbidden to read “Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret?“

The Sweet Valley High girls.

I dove head first into The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and the rest of the Narnia world. Escapism at its best. And without a remote.

Roald Dahl and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Followed by James and the Giant Peach.

How to Eat Fried Worms. Which was more recently turned into a fun movie that I introduced the kids to.

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Playing Catch-Up

March 3, 2011 · Narrative

Miss me? I get so accustomed to sharing here with you all five days a week, I am quickly lost when the site goes down. And I hold my breath until it comes back up. Apparently the host took it down because of some suspicious surge in traffic, and didn’t warn anybody before doing so. Luckily my ace designer got it back up, alive and well. Nice to see you all again! Moving on…

Just a little photo catch-up today, and then tomorrow I’ll share the recipe for the Carnitas Salad. A busy weekend is on the horizon… fundraiser and birthday dinner for one of Nick’s friends tomorrow night, sleepover and dinner for ten Saturday, a play on Sunday, along with the usual spate of gym work-outs, errands and enjoying sunshine. There are little peeks of blue skies and big white fluffy clouds lately, giving us a small taste as to what’s coming up, and this girl couldn’t be happier.

Project 365
March 1, 2011, Photo #59
Some of the robots that Madeline’s classmates made.

Project 365
March 2, 2011, Photo #60
If you’re a regular reader here, you know I have no problem with the occasional use of food coloring (or for us, gel food paste), but I draw the line at green ham. It makes my stomach turn just a little bit. This week is Read Across America in the schools, and Nick’s class had a Leprechaun Cafe celebration. No, I don’t quite know why we’re celebrating green and leprechauns three weeks before St. Patrick’s Day (there were also green bagels, as you’ll soon see), but yesterday was also Dr. Seuss’ birthday, hence the green eggs and ham. My mom and I went into Nick’s class to read with him and join the celebration, and I stopped in to Madeline’s class in the morning to read a Dr. Seuss book (Green Eggs and Ham, one of my favorites) to them as well.

These did not taste any better than they looked.

Some of Nick’s artwork in the school hall.

A wall of rainbows… oh how that makes my heart happy. I seriously wanted to take them all and bring them home so I could enjoy them, but I think the other kids might have been a bit upset with me.

Outside one of the younger grades’ classrooms. Don’t be surprised if this turns into an art project for my kids this summer. You know, when I get brave enough to do hand painting with them.

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