Books

10 books about white privilege and racism

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Lindsay Books

Let me preface this post by saying that I a) am white and privileged and b) have a lot to learn about our country’s race issues. I have added to this list for months now because I wanted to get different perspectives. While I am certainly not an expert, these books have helped me better understand racism in America and how I can combat it. Here are 10 books about white privilege and racism to check out:

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I read this book several years ago, and I have never forgotten it. It’s the true story of an African-American lawyer who started his law career in Alabama working with death-row inmates –many of them people of color wrongly accused of crimes. Stevenson continues his work through the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama today. This is such a powerful book. The movie is also wonderful (but hard to watch).

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. This lyrical letter from a father to his son about what it means to be a black man in America is amazing. It didn’t take me long to plow through the audiobook, which Coates beautifully narrated. His experiences and way with words are unforgettable.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. I will warn you right now that this book has a lot of language. It may not be a good option as an audiobook, especially if you have little kids around. However, this timely and important novel revolves around a teen who watches police kill her best friend. The themes are just as important today as in 2017. I haven’t seen the film, but I love the actress who plays Starr and have heard good things about it.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah. This memoir absolutely blew me away a few years ago. You probably know Trevor Noah for his comedy. While this book has its funny moments, it’s also a heartbreaking story of apartheid and racism. Technically, this book is about South Africa, but it’s fascinating to compare this country’s history with United States history.

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. What I found most fascinating about this book is that Kendi admits he himself has struggled with racism against other Black people. He also defines lots of different forms of racism and explains how it goes beyond race and extends to treating everyone with respect, no matter their gender, sexual orientation, or body type.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. While this book is incredibly hard to read (or listen to) because of racial slurs and language, it really helped me to see white supremacy and racism in a different way. Ruth, an African-American nurse, can’t care for a newborn because the parents are white supremacists and refuse to let her near the baby. When the baby later dies, Ruth embarks on a legal battle and risks losing her career. I still think about this book all the time, and I read it nearly three years ago.

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. Of all the books I read this year, this was the most conversational and approachable. I actually suggested it for my neighborhood book club, and we had some great discussions about it. Oluo answers lots of common questions about racism and offers concrete ways to talk about differences. She even has a chapter about why it’s not OK to ask to touch an African-American woman’s hair and another all about cultural appropriation.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. If you read just one book from this list, make it this one. Wilkerson explains America’s hidden caste system and the ways those in the upper caste fight against those who try to rise above the places they’ve established for them. I listened to this and wished I had my own copy so I could highlight entire chapters. It’s fascinating and horrifying at the same time.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. This new release has me continuing to think about how race impacts so many lives, even weeks after I finished reading it. It’s the story of identical twin sisters with light skin raised in an African-American community. One sister decides to pass for white and never tell her husband and daughter about her heritage. The other sister marries a Black man with dark skin and is ostracized in her hometown. This is a fascinating book that raised so many questions for me.

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. This book appears last on the list for a reason, as it’s my least-favorite. I think the other books on list written by people of color are better and more conversational. However, I included it because it introduces the idea of “white fragility.” In other words, white people often become defensive when someone brings up racism. Even when I talk about what I learned in this book with friends, I’ve had people shut down and quickly say that they’re not racist. It’s not an easy book to read, but it’s important and helped me better understand the biases I hold.

Have you also been reading books about white privilege and racism this year? I’d love to hear what you liked best! If you’re looking for lighthearted reads after one of these, check out 6 fun books to get you through social distancing.

More Halloween picture books to enjoy

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Lindsay Books

While I don’t enjoy dressing up for Halloween and am definitely more into the cute decorations than the creepy ones, I do love getting my kids skeleton jammies (this year I got a matching pair) and reading lots of Halloween picture books.

Last year I shared 13 favorite Halloween books, but I’ve discovered a few more books we love. Grab these from your library or add to your collection!

Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex. I read Goodnight Moon to my kids so many times when they were babies and toddlers that I have it memorized. This parody of the bedtime classic still has the rhyme scheme and rhythm of the original, but I love the illustrations and fun Halloween characters it introduces. Both my kids read this several times before we returned it to the library. I’ll probably buy our own copy this year.

A Tiger Called Tomás by Charlotte Zolotow. Apparently this book was originally written in the 1960s and has been updated a few times, but I’d never read it before. A little boy is afraid to play with his neighbors because he thinks they don’t like him. His mom brings home a tiger costume for him to wear trick-or-treating, and he’s excited to hide behind a mask on Halloween. Tomás realizes that his neighbors know it’s him and that he doesn’t need to be afraid after all. This would be a perfect pick for a school library! Bonus: It uses a mixture of English and Spanish words throughout.

Mother Ghost: Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters by Rachel Kolar. I found myself singing these spooky nursery rhymes out loud, since they’re parodies of classics like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” and “Hickory, Dickory Dock.” My 6-year-olds had fun reading them aloud, too, and the illustrations added a scary-but-not-too-scary element. These are great for bedtime.

Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas. Last year, my kids came home from kindergarten telling me all about this silly book their teacher had read them. I got it from the library and then immediately bought it. Winnie the Witch keeps bumping into her cat, Wilbur, because everything in her house is black, including Wilbur. She comes up with various ideas to change Wilbur’s color (none that Wilbur like) and finally realizes SHE can change, too. This is such a darling book, and the illustrations make it even better.

Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman. This is another classic Halloween book that’s really fun to read aloud in a classroom (or just at home with your kids). When the witch wants to make pumpkin pie but can’t seem to pull her big pumpkin off the vine, a bunch of friends try to help, including a vampire, a mummy, and a bat. The repetition and rhythm make this one stand out.

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago. Technically, this is a Day of the Dead book, but I thought it was adorable. Brand-new this year, the book tells the story of Gustavo, a shy ghost no one seems to notice. When he has trouble making friends, he decides to invite everyone over for a violin concert on Día de los Muertos. The illustrations are so cute, and I love the message of acceptance.

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins. We LOVE this book so much and have it in our collection. Poor Stumpkin is a little pumpkin who sits in a store display and watches all the other pumpkins become jack-o-lanterns in homes. Why? Because Stumpkin doesn’t have a stem, which makes it harder to carve him. It’s got a sweet message about rising to your potential even when you’re a bit different.

Tell me about your favorite Halloween picture books and traditions! Do things look different at your house due to COVID-19? We’re still planning on trick-or-treating here, but there’s no costume parade since our kids are currently learning from home. Wishing you a fabulous holiday!

8 reasons I will always love picture books

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I feel like picture books get a bad rap sometimes. You grab them all the time when your kids are little. Then once they’re in preschool or kindergarten, you see lots of easy reader books or have the idea that your kids need to “move on.”

My 6-year-old twins are fully capable of reading longer chapter books to themselves now. They’ve each read The Boxcar Children at least three times this summer. Yet, I continue to get picture books from the library each week and occasionally buy new favorites for their shelves. I have no intention of weaning my kids off picture books, and you shouldn’t feel the need, either! Here are a few reasons I love picture books:

They’re an easy way to introduce diversity. I have been immersing myself in books about racism and racial equality over the past few weeks to better understand our country’s history and become better myself. I’ve also been getting picture books for my kids with characters of color. Representation matters. When my kids read books with characters of all different races, skin tones, and abilities, they see that these characters have a lot in common with them.

They are short enough to get a reluctant reader to read. Your child may be voraciously ripping through all the books in your house, and that’s great. More likely, though, your child is not as excited about reading when there’s a favorite toy around or a TV show to watch. My son gets especially grumpy when I enforce the 20-minute daily reading rule while school is out. It’s much easier to get him to read several picture books than to pick up a chapter book he thinks is “too long.”

They are often written at a higher reading level than many chapter books. You may not realize this, but your child is actually learning difficult words when they pick up an average picture book. The Berenstain Bears series, which my kids adore, uses words with multiple syllables. A quick search also revealed that the books average a fourth-grade reading level. Even Mo Willems’ book Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs (also a favorite) uses the words exhausted and gigantically, which my kids didn’t know at first. Pick up many picture books and you’ll be surprised by the word complexity.

They help your child appreciate art. One of the biggest reasons I love picture books is the range of illustrations that accompany the stories. Some feature simple geometric patterns (like Jon Klassen’s illustrations in Triangle). Others are detailed and multilayered (see Ocean Meets Sky by The Fan Brothers). I don’t have a lot of art hanging in my home, but I consider many of our picture books works of art. Marla Frazee, Jarvis, Genevieve Godbout, Sophie Blackall, and Oge Mora are just a few favorite illustrators.

They make a difficult concept or history easier to digest. I love history. Yet I would almost always pick a picture book about a historical figure before checking out a dry (and often picture-free) tome. A beautifully illustrated picture book can not only make history easier to understand but pique your child’s interest (or yours) in a person or event. For example, we recently read A Scarf for Keiko together, and my kids asked questions about Japanese internment camps. Then I became even more interested and learned that there were internment camps in both Idaho and Utah (where I live). I had no idea. If you want to explain something difficult, a picture book is a great place to start.

They often rhyme or employ great rhythm. Can you imagine reading an entire chapter book in rhyme? I cringe even thinking about it. On the other hand, a picture book with rhyme, like No Sleep for the Sheep, is fun and fresh every time you read it. Rhyme is a great way to teach kids to read, because they can anticipate which word is coming next. It also makes something memorable. I still recite “30 days hath September” in my head when I can’t remember how many days are in a certain month. The books your kids turn to over and over again will probably rhyme or have a comforting rhythm because they remember them.

They’re short enough to convey a strong message. We recently read the book It Could Always be Worse. I remembered again how much I love fables and fairytales. They exist today because they’re short stories with a memorable message, and families liked them so much that they told them to their own children. You don’t have to stick to fables, though. Think about your favorite picture books. Would they work as well as chapter books? I love that picture book length enables writers to tell compelling stories.

They can become timeless favorites. Both my kids have shelves in their rooms full of picture books, but I rarely buy books for myself. Why? Because my kids will remember the books they read as kids fondly. They may even want to read them to their own kids. I love seeing my kids pull books they’ve read over and over off the shelves or hear them relate to something in real life that happened in one of their favorite books. I enjoy tradition and nostalgia, and I think it’s inevitable with a beautifully written and illustrated children’s book.

Have I convinced you that picture books are appropriate for all ages? I don’t think my kids will be devouring a stack of picture books at 12. However, I think they’ll still occasionally look at them if I check them out from the library. There are too many benefits to reading picture books to let them go so early.

5 summer reading programs that reward kids (and parents)

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Lindsay Books

It’s summer, which means no kid is being FORCED to read for school. If you’re like me, you still want to encourage your children to read so they don’t slide back when school starts again.

I’ve rounded up several reading reward programs (one is local to Utah, but the rest are open to anyone) to help you get your kids reading this summer! Make sure you check your local library, too. Ours are offering digital programs that are easy to enroll in.

Little Mama Shirt Shop reading challenge. Technically, this reading program rewards YOU for reading to your kids, so I thought I’d start with that. You deserve a reward for reading, too! Go to Chynna’s site, download the reading log, add a checkmark each time you read to your kids, and then list your favorite books on the back. Send her a picture of the completed chart (200 books, but you’ve got this) and she’ll send you a coupon code for her shop. We love all her cute tees (I even got my husband and kids matching Daddy/baby shark shirts last year). I also love that she encourages parents and kids to read.

Barnes & Noble summer reading journal. This program for kids in grades 1-6 is SO simple, and I love that. Have your kids read just eight books, write the titles and what they liked best about them, and bring the completed paper to a Barnes & Noble store to pick out a free book from the list. They offer some good titles, too, like Mercy Watson and Ramona Quimby books!

Read Today summer reading event. Utah friends, this is for you! Print off the cute baseball diamond and have your kids read for 20 minutes each day. They color in the baseballs and get rewards each time they reach one of the bases. One is a Happy Meal, which my kids probably would love more than a new book. Then email a picture of the completed baseball diamond before July 20. Easy and fun.

Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza. I like that this program rewards kids for reading every day and encourages them to see how long they can keep up their streak. They earn digital experiences when they log into Home Base, and they also unlock 100,000 books, which Scholastic donates to the United Way. I love that they’re giving back to families in need!

Book-It! reading program. I used to LOVE this program as a kid, because it rewards you with Pizza Hut pizza. I was shocked to find out that it still exists! Keep track of your kids’ reading time each day, and they earn different prizes for consistently reading.

I hope these motivate both you and your kids to read this summer! In some ways, I feel like it’s a good time to try to get into a new series, because normal activities are still limited here. Let me know if I missed any great summer programs!

10 kids’ audiobooks under $3

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I talk about audiobooks a lot, but they are a fantastic way to squeeze books in when you don’t have time to sit down and read (or would rather be doing something else). They’re also a great way to introduce kids to stories before they can read or help them recognize new words by following along in a book.

I get ridiculously excited when I score new audiobooks for my kids at a great price. They often ask to listen to them at home (through our Echo Dot) or in the car. These are a few of our favorites, and they’re all under $3 each.

Olivia by Ian Falconer. We have probably listened to this book in the car about 15 times, and it never gets old. It’s hilariously narrated by Dame Edna Everage (I have to admit I didn’t know who this was) and also features beautiful classical piano music in the background. I will point out that this is a book your kids need to be familiar with first, since part of Olivia‘s charm is the funny illustrations, so I highly recommend the hardcover or board book, too.

Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel. Honestly, I love all of Arnold Lobel’s early reader books, but this is the first one we bought on audio and it’s a favorite. The author narrates them and does a fantastic job of bringing Frog and Toad to life. I love that it’s a bunch of short chapters and stories together, so you can listen to it in chunks if you need to. Plus, you get a lot of bang for your buck with a longer book. If you love this one, Frog and Toad Together, Frog and Toad All Year and Days with Frog and Toad are also under $3 each.

The Bad Seed by Jory John and Pete Oswald. My kids and I love this entire series (which also includes The Good Egg and The Cool Bean). They’re great ways to teach kids about behavior, specifically perfectionism, kindness, and judgment. At under $2 each, you could get all three books if you wanted to. It’s probably helpful to start with the picture books first so kids can think about the illustrations as they listen.

Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherry Duskey Rinker. My son is still ultra-obsessed with tractors and construction vehicles, and he always asks to listen to this in the car. The narrator is very animated (although I recommend notching the speed up to 1.25 on this, because it seems really slow). There are also fun construction noises in the background. Plus, this is less than a dollar. You really can’t go wrong.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I have to admit that I was never a big fan of this book, but I like the audio version. The narrator seems to make the story come alive, even if it’s been a long time since you’ve read the story. It’s also less than $1.50, so you won’t break the bank.

Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal. While I don’t actually own this audiobook, I adore the print version and just discovered this deal today. Paris Rosenthal narrates it, and it’s only $1.59 right now! That’s a fantastic deal, and I’m probably going to buy it for my kids.

Splat the Cat and the Quick Chicks by Rob Scotton. My son especially loved this book when we checked it out from the library a couple months ago, and the audio version is really fun. There are even little chick noises! I recommend checking out the print version for the hilarious illustrations.

Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff. This was one of my favorite books as a kid, and the audiobook is wonderfully narrated by a little boy. I think this would be a great way to help a reluctant reader get into this book. You could also have your child look through the hardcover while they listen.

Penny and Her Doll by Kevin Henkes. Both my kids loved this early reader series from the amazing Kevin Henkes. Seriously, I love all his books. This is my daughter’s favorite, and it’s narrated by Cynthia Nixon. If you like this one, Penny and Her Marble and Penny and Her Song are the same price.

Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes by Kimberly and James Dean. My kids loved their hardcover book so much they tore pages out, so they got really excited when they saw the audiobook was available. This is a fun counting book for preschoolers and kindergartners, and I like the message about giving friends another chance.

I hope these audiobooks give both you and your kids a fun break! Share your favorite audiobooks in the comments. You can also see 5 more favorites (and how to use Audible without a membership).

5 board books to give new moms (and baby gear you can live without)

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Lindsay Books Life

Several friends and family members are welcoming new babies this spring and summer, and with social distancing still in place, it’s impossible to have traditional baby showers. That doesn’t mean you can’t show them you care, though! Whether you’ve bought some essentials and want a board book to tuck into the gift or were asked to bring a book instead of a card, these are a few of my favorite books to give to a new mom.

Emma: An Emotions Primer by Jennifer Adams. Contrary to what you might think, your babies are not going to learn the classics from these literary-inspired board books you read to them. However, we had several of these when my twins were babies, and this was their favorite. It has bright colors and tells Jane Austen’s Emma through the different characters’ emotions (like excitement, anger, boredom, and surprise). My kids reached for this one again and again.

If I Were an Owl by Jellycat. It looks like my favorite Jellycat book isn’t available on Amazon anymore, but there are a bunch of similar books to choose from. My kids and I loved the textures of this book on every page, especially the soft owl feathers on the cover and the scratchiness of its claws. All of the titles look adorable!

Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny set by Margaret Wise Brown. I have almost the entire book of Goodnight Moon memorized because we read it so much to our kids at bedtime. This is a classic for a reason. The rhythm and rhymes are so soothing, and kids love the bright pictures (what kid’s room has bright green walls and red floors?). This board book set also includes The Runaway Bunny, which has enchanting illustrations and lets you search for the hidden bunnies in the pictures.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. This is another one of those books my kids can recite from memory. I love the rhyming and rhythm, and I also like that it’s an easy way to introduce even babies to the alphabet. Lois Ehlert’s illustrations are bright and colorful. When my kids were too old for board books, we upgraded to a paperback and they still love it.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I absolutely adore this book, and so do my kids. The board book version still has the holes showing what the caterpillar ate, and it’s fun for little fingers to grab these as you turn the pages. What’s even more fun is to watch the caterpillar transform from a fat green blob to a stunning butterfly at the end. Eric Carle also narrates the audiobook, which I highly recommend.

I posted the following items on my previous blog a while back in response to a coworker who wanted to know what he really needed for his new baby. I feel it’s applicable now, when so much is scarce or takes weeks to deliver. Manufacturers and influencers want you to think having a baby requires a ton of gear, but it really doesn’t. When I had my twins nearly six years ago, I tried to be conscious about what we could do without. Here’s my list:

Bumbos: I seem to be in the minority here, but I’ve always thought Bumbos were ugly and expensive. A friend brought over her old one for us to try, which was nice, but my kids didn’t really like sitting in it. Some pediatricians also say it doesn’t help your baby develop the abdominal muscles needed to sit on their own.
High chairs: I am pretty anti-high-chair, mostly because they take up a ton of space and are a pain to clean. When my babies were born, we were living in a condo with a pretty small kitchen, and the kitchen in our current home is also pretty small. High chairs are not worth the cost or space, in my opinion. The alternative is inexpensive booster seats that strap to kitchen chairs or even folding chairs. They wipe down easily (you can even spray them off outside), and your kids can sit in them for years. Mine used them until they were almost three and were tall enough to sit up to the table.
Swings: I know some people swear by swings, but I don’t like the giant amount of floor space they take up. I recommend waiting until your baby is born to decide whether you really need a swing. You may be able to find one secondhand or get one that folds or doesn’t take as much room.
Bouncers: We had a bouncer I bought secondhand for about two weeks, hoping it would help my son’s croup if he was more elevated while sleeping. I don’t think it really helped. If you want something to entertain your baby while you do something else, propping a Boppy or nursing pillow behind him does the job.
Diaper Genies: Dirty diapers are gross, and no one wants to smell them or deal with them, but I thought this gadget was way overpriced and unnecessary. We put all the dirty diapers in a small garbage can with a lid and then took the bag to the dumpster when it was full. As a new mom, it was also a chance for me to get some fresh air even just running out to the dumpster.
Walkers: We borrowed an old walker from my husband’s mom, and my kids did like playing in it. However, these also take up a lot of room, and you use them for a short time. They’re also gross to clean when your kid spits up on them (or worse).
Big baby tubs: You use baby tubs for such a small window of time before your baby can sit up on their own, and the big, bulky plastic tubs take up room. We loved our Puj flyte tub because it was easy to fold and clean and didn’t take up a ton of room. Once my kids were bigger, we bought an inexpensive inflatable duck bath you could deflate and store flat. At about 10 months old, they were fine sitting in the tub on their own.
Bassinets: Because bassinets are so small, your baby can only sleep in it for a few months. Then you’re stuck with another piece of gear you have to store. I suggest buying a pack ‘n’ play instead. You can easily fold it and take it with you when you travel, and your kids won’t outgrow it for a few years.
Toddler beds: Toddler beds aren’t worth it because you have to buy specific toddler sheets and mattresses that then don’t fit a twin bed OR a crib. We bought cribs from IKEA with one removable side instead so we could keep the crib mattresses and the crib sheets. Once they were three and too big for the cribs, we bought two twin beds and mattresses they can hopefully sleep in for years.

I’m always curious what your must-haves are for babies and what you wish you’d never bought. Please also share your favorite board books!

6 fun books to get you through social distancing

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I haven’t posted a lot here because COVID-19 has meant a lot of stress, thanks to a full-time job at an events company. With so many unknowns, it’s hard to be positive and even harder to post about books when libraries are closed and it’s hard to get anything from Amazon before the end of April.

If you need a distraction through reading, this list of books is for you. They’re lighthearted, available digitally (though I sadly can’t tell you what the wait list is like), and won’t take months to plow through. I have laughed (and cried) through all of these. I’m not linking to Amazon since there’s such a delay, but you can get these there, at your library, your local bookstore, or even from smaller sellers on eBay (which I prefer).

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes. First, two caveats about this book: You have to listen to the audiobook, and you have to have seen (and mildly enjoyed) The Princess Bride. Technically, the first one isn’t a must, but Cary Elwes narrates it and it has clips from many of the actors, so you’re missing out if you read it. This was such a fun memoir about a favorite movie, but I also learned a lot about the way they produced it and heard many insights from the actors themselves. It’s incredibly entertaining.

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan. I’ve listened to this one and read the ebook, and they will both make you laugh out loud. However, Jim Gaffigan narrates the audiobook, so listening is almost like sitting in one of his shows. As bizarre as this sounds, this book is literally about Jim Gaffigan’s adventures with food and where he has eaten it. Just trust me on this one.

My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows. This retold story of Lady Jane Grey had me laughing out loud and waiting for the next ridiculous thing to happen. This is historical fiction with a fantasy twist, and while I do not normally like fantasy, I devoured this one. I’m pretty sure I listened to the 12-hour audiobook in two days. This is another one that’s better on audio, thanks to Katherine Kellgren’s phenomenal narration.

Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas. I absolutely adored this memoir about an Iranian family who moves to California for several years when their father gets an engineering job. Dumas is such a talented writer and humorist, and this is one of those books that will make you embrace your quirky family. It also gave me a profound respect for Iran and a better understanding of the Middle East.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. I debated over sharing this, because it has a lot of language and is definitely darker than the other books on this list, but even seeing the cover brings me joy. Ove (pronounced “Ooh-veh”) is horribly depressed after his wife dies and is thinking about ending his own life. Fortunately, his quirky neighbors end up interfering without even knowing what they’re doing and showing him how much he matters.

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham. Admittedly, if you are not a Gilmore Girls fan, you may not enjoy this book as much, because Lauren Graham does talk a lot about her experiences on that show. However, she also talks about Parenthood (another show I really enjoyed) and touches on her career and her life outside of Hollywood. She narrates this book, but she doesn’t talk quite as fast as she does in the show that made her famous.

I hope these bring you some joy right now. Share your favorite lighthearted books in the comments!

7 St. Patrick’s Day picture books to read with your family

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I have long loved St. Patrick’s Day because I love green and love an excuse to wear it (since oddly I don’t wear it much otherwise). I’m sure I learned about what the holiday is really about in elementary school, but I admit that I had long forgotten it when I started reading up on it.

My kids and I learned so much about St. Patrick through these books, and we loved reading about leprechauns’ tricks, too. Here are a few picture books to help you ring in St. Patrick’s Day with your family.

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola. Yes, he’s known for Strega Nona, but Tomie DePaola has also written several great bios and Irish picture books. If you’re looking for a book that tells all about St. Patrick and why we celebrate him, this is it. It also explains a few of the legends, like St. Patrick casting all the snakes out of Ireland. If only he could have done that in the United States (I’m a little scared of snakes).

How to Trap a Leprechaun by Sue Fliess. I’m not the mom who helps her kids build leprechaun traps or really encourages that, so I was hesitant about picking up this book. Fortunately, it’s got really cute illustrations and shows the kids building these cool traps with rainbow slides and glitter. It’s also more about creativity than the greed of stealing a leprechaun’s gold. Plus it rhymes, so it’s fun to read out loud. Of course, the leprechaun gets away, and the narrator tells you to try again next year.

St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting. The vintage-looking illustrations are what make this picture book shine. When parents tell a little boy he’s too young to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, he sets out to prove them wrong and brings his dog with him. Along the way up the hill, he meets people from his village who keep an eye on him and even give him gifts (like an Irish flag) to prove he can go to the top on his own.

Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman. This story captures the magic of Irish folktales and also has stunning illustrations. The leprechaun king has stolen all the good luck from Ireland, and a girl named Fiona decides to outwit him and get it back. I just checked out the audiobook from my library, and the narrator reads it in an Irish brogue. That might be a fun way to introduce your kids to this book, too.

The Leprechaun’s Gold by Pamela Duncan Edwards. I really love folk stories (if they’re done well), and this one about two men competing to be the best harpist in Ireland is so good. When the young man tries to sabotage the old man by breaking his harp string, the old man is rewarded for helping a leprechaun and ends up with more than he ever dreamed. Yes, it’s predictable, but sometimes you want a story where good triumphs over evil.

St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks by Mary Berendes. Normally I don’t like nonfiction children’s books about holidays because they’re often dry and instantly look dated. This one surprised me and was very engaging. There is one picture that looks straight out of the ’90s with a mom and her son dressed up for a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Other than that, though, it felt classic and was a great way to learn about St. Patrick’s Day traditions and shamrocks. Also? I am in my 30s and somehow never knew the shamrock was a symbol of the Trinity. I’m a little embarrassed (and glad I know now). I couldn’t find this on Amazon to link to it, but your library may have it.

Too Many Leprechauns: Or How that Pot o’ Gold Got to the End of the Rainbow by Stephen Krensky. Finn O’Finnegan comes home to find leprechauns have overrun his village and are making so much noise while making shoes that no one can hear themselves think. He decides to trick them into leaving his village. In the process, you also discover why leprechauns hide their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This book was so fun!

Share your favorite St. Patrick’s Day books with me! I still have a few waiting for me at the library, and there’s plenty of time for us to check out more.

Review: You’re Not Listening

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I know we’re only two months into 2020 and it’s not really fair of me to have a favorite book already, but I was so enthralled with this book that I willingly spent hours walking at the gym just so I could listen to it. I am not much of a gym rat, so that is saying something.

What is this magical book, you ask? It’s called You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, and it’s written by journalist Kate Murphy. While I checked out the audiobook from my library through the Libby app, the print version of this book would be just as good, and part of me wants to check it out again to highlight parts that stood out.

You’re Not Listening is a book about the importance of actually listening to the people in your life. I thought I was actually a pretty good listener before I finished this book, and I think most of us have an inflated opinion of how well we listen to each other. I soon realized I can be a much better listener –and that it’s going to take some work.

Part of the problem, Murphy explains, is that we have so many ways for people to express themselves today. Because we can all indulge in soliloquies on social media or send videos to people whenever we want, we have forgotten that we also have to listen to what the people around us are saying. We also have to make an effort to look at the person we’re speaking to and not be distracted by a phone or a long to-do list.

One of the most fascinating parts of this book was the chapter about silence and how our discomfort with it makes us jump in when we really should be listening. Because I am introverted and work from home most of the time, I crave a quiet home and don’t mind sitting in silence for hours. I know most people don’t enjoy this (and don’t get this luxury).

However, I find I am less uncomfortable with pauses in conversation when they happen, and this book made me more determined to stop jumping in immediately when someone stops talking. I always appreciate the people who listen without an immediate solution or opinion, because I know they are trying to understand what I’m feeling.

The chapter also reminded me of something that really frustrates me in my church. The first Sunday of each month is called “testimony meeting,” and it’s a chance for anyone to stand at the pulpit and share their feelings about God and other parts of their religion. I’ve been in meetings where someone stood and said they “couldn’t handle the silence anymore” (because no one had shared anything for a few minutes).

Another time, I left furious because a leader had closed a meeting I was in charge of early because he didn’t want people to sit in silence anymore. Silence is how people process their feelings and figure out what they’re going to say. If you jump in whenever there’s a pause, you stop people from forming ideas and opinions. I have tried to teach my kids that it’s healthy to be quiet and to sit in silence with nothing to do sometimes.

I also loved the chapter on deciding NOT to listen, because you do get that choice. Murphy points out, however, that you must be careful using this choice, because listening is how you make another person feel loved and understood. We’ve all been in that situation where someone is checking their phone or watch or looking around the room while you’re talking. It makes you feel like you don’t matter.

I could go on and on about this book, but you really should just check it out from the library or buy it and read it yourself. If you give it a shot, drop me a comment! I’d love to hear what you thought.

10 Valentine’s Day picture books you’ll love

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Lindsay Books

Valentine’s Day kind of gets a bad rap as a “Hallmark holiday” or “Singles Awareness Day.” Honestly, I did not love this holiday after we stopped handing out valentines and candy in grade school and everyone became obsessed with romantic love.

Today, though, it’s one of my favorite holidays! I hang heart banners in the window and decorate with red and pink, and of course I read lots of books about love (though not romantic love) to my kids. For me, it’s a day to celebrate love for my family and friends.

Here are 10 of my favorite books about love for Valentine’s Day!

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright. I saw the original Love Monster book on Instagram and checked it and all the sequels out from the library this week — and I have to say that sometimes the sequel is better than the original. In this one, Love Monster returns from a trip to find a box of chocolates on his doorstep and agonizes whether to share them with his friends (because then he might end up with a yucky coffee chocolate). The ending surprised me and was SO sweet. I’m already planning to buy this one for our collection.

Love Is by Diane Adams. I read this adorable book to my kids a few years ago and immediately bought a copy. It’s that cute. A little girl rescues a duckling who got separated from its family and cares for it at home for a while. In the process, she learns how to feed and bathe and take care of it and then has to return it to the park when it grows too big to keep as a pet anymore. The illustrations are absolutely darling, and I love the message about how love is taking care of others.

Mirabel’s Missing Valentines by Janet Lawler. In this sweet book, a timid mouse named Mirabel makes valentines for all the kids in her class and is anxious about delivering them during the school party. Unfortunately, all of the valentines fall through a hole in her backpack as she walks to school, and other people in town pick them up thinking they’re for them. It’s a fun story about how you can brighten someone else’s day with kind words.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. A lonely man, Mr. Hatch, receives a heart-shaped package filled with candy and tied with a note that says “Somebody loves you!” He has no idea who the package is from, but he starts to be happier just because he knows he has a secret admirer. Of course, there’s a twist and he discovers the mystery behind the package (but it has a happy ending). This is a great one for little kids and helps you have a discussion about how everyone deserves love.

I Heart You by Meg Fleming. I just discovered this book a few weeks ago, and I thought it was appropriate for Valentine’s Day. The rhyming verses talk about different ways to show love (I hide you. / I tease you. / I find you. / I squeeze you.), while the beautiful illustrations show lots of animals with their children. One page finally leads to a little girl and her mother. Little kids will love the rhythm and rhyme and sweet pictures.

Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson. I bought this a few years ago as a gift for a friend who has a pet hedgehog, but then I ended up loving it and buying my own copy. Two hedgehogs, Horace and Hattie, love to play together but have realized that they can’t hug each other because it’s just too poky. As the seasons pass, they try different tactics like covering themselves in leaves to soften their sharp quills, but nothing quite works. The solution they come up with is SO cute. I also like this because I’m trying to teach my kids that not everyone likes hugs and it’s OK to not have a hug if you don’t feel comfortable.

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. My kids absolutely LOVE this book, and I do, too. A little girl plants a kiss in the ground, and then it sprouts and grows lots of sparkly glitter — which, of course, is raised, touchable glitter that you have to run your hands over. The kiss grows and spreads love to everyone! I love all of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s books AND Peter H. Reynolds’ illustrations, and this is a match made in heaven.

My Heart by Corinna Luyken. Have I mentioned that I really like children’s books that help kids understand and process their feelings? Only all the time, I know. But this one has stunning illustrations and rhyming text all about the emotions your heart feels. It’s also a great way to tell your child that they’ll be angry and hurt and even heartbroken sometimes, but their heart can heal and open up again. This one is on my kids’ bookshelf, and the cover always makes me smile.

Love by Stacy McAnulty. This book has beautiful illustrations of people of all different colors and sizes and talks about the many different ways to show love, like giving someone flowers, sharing video phone calls with a parent overseas in the military, speaking in sign language, and cooking dinner together. I love all the diversity in this book and the message that love (and life) isn’t perfect.

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond. This book is nearly 40 years old, and yet somehow I never read it as a child. One day, it rains hearts, and a little girl catches them and realizes they would be perfect to use for making valentines. She decorates the hearts and sends them to her animal friends! The pictures are adorable, and fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will recognize this author and illustrator.

I want to hear your favorite books about love (or Valentine’s Day specifically). Any great ones you read each year?

Books

Lindsay

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