Parrot Tico Tango Revisited

A while ago I wrote this blog posting about the book:  Parrot Tico Tango:

http://miretteandmommy.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-of-day-parrot-tico-tango.html.

This book has been a continuous favorite of ours and is just a gorgeous book in every way.   One day
I was browsing in a small consignment shop on our island that a friend recently started.  On the table, there was a big pile of the Parrot Tico Tango books. 

"That's one of our favorite books," I commented.

"Did you know she lives on the island?"  Emma replied.

"WHAT!"

Today Mirette and I were lucky enough to listen to Anna White read her two stories and sing to a group of about 6 kids.  It was so sweet and she made it fun with her Spanish words and guitar playing.   I am thrilled that she lives here and seems such a warm and wonderful person!

We also got in a little chat about picture books.  She said that it's very difficult to publish rhyming books--publishers don't want them these days.  I think it's probably because so many rhyming books are god-awful and trite.    But how sad to pass up a book like this with rich, complex, intersting rhymes.      

Book of the Day: Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World

Tibetan Tales for the Top of the World
Naomi C. Rose
Clear Light Publishing (2009)

Back in the pre-kid, pre-husband days, I spent much time working on my self and my inner demons.   I did several mediation workshops with a teacher named Svadesh (still a dear person in my life).   One of these workshops was held in the mountains of British Columbia and it was there that I met the lovely Naomi C. Rose and her husband Robin.  

One thing I loved about this couple was how real and genuine they were.   I went to their house to meditate and did several other workshops with them for several years, but they moved away and our connection faded.   I ended up friending Naomi on facebook and found out that they moved to Santa Fe and that she has written two books for kids.

Right away, I put them on hold in the library and read them both to Mirette.   We are definitely reading way up with these books, but Mirette's attention was held the whole time and she has continued to request them.   They are beautifully told Tibetan tales translated into Tibetan underneath the English writing (which is really cool to look at).  The pictures are gorgeous and there are all kinds-of interesting tid-bits about the Tibetan culture such as vocabulary words, animals that live there, and an introduction by the Dali himself.  

I am so proud of my friend and wish her the best success in bringing joy and learning to children everywhere.

Book of the Day: Puppies, Pussycats, and Other Friends

Puppies, Pussycats, and Other Friends
Gyo Fujikawa
Grosset and Dunlop (1975)

Everyone should have an Aunt Marni.   Our Aunt Marni is not a blood relative, but a dear friend that took on her role as Mirette's Auntie with gusto.  We don't have much family near by and the ones that are close don't have the time or energy to have a relationship with a toddler (major exception is Steve's two daughters who are Mirette's other BFF's).  The rest of em'  love her, but from afar.  What was once a source of sadness, has created the opportunity for other wonderful people to fill in these roles.

When Aunt Marni  comes to call, Mirette pulls her away and they play for hours.   I think she has no idea that Aunt Marni is actually an adult.   When she comes, she often brings something along.  Her little gifts are well thought out and often become our favorite toys round here.  For example, once she brought a bag of tiny teddy bears in four different colors.   They have been played with so much.   Another time she brought a paper house that has little doors and windows that open.  

Aunt Mari loves the illustrations of Gyo Fujikawa and brought Mirette the book Puppies, Pussycats and Other Friends.  Gyo's children have big round heads and are very friendly-looking.  She makes excellent use of alliteration such as :Wouldn't you like to have a furry, fuzzy, feathery or slithery-smooth friend?" .  She also keeps it very simple and clear---"some animal friends are very small like fishes and frogs."  Our favorite page is one where seven beatuful kids are standing in the grass, each with an small animal atop their heads.  

What Gyo Fujikawa, who died in 1988, is most known for is featuring children of many ethnicities (rare at the time).    She also created several postage stamps.   Here's an article in celebration:
http://ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/diversity/versed/versedbackissues/september2005a/fujikawa.cfm