Book plug: A Crazy Day At The Critter Cafe

 

Mr. Fliz and I have been reading to Micro since he was out of the womb. Some parents do it while the child is still in utero. My in-laws kind of laughed at us for it. But I believe in fostering a love of books at an early age. Since then, we've been steadily amassing a collection of books about cars, trucks, trains, and more trucks. No, not really, but we've got plenty to keep Micro browsing all types of vehicles with big wheels. Every now and then, we've come across a book that we thoroughly enjoy reading to him over and over and over. Books that enlighten a toddler along with Mom and Dad. I've decided to start a children's book review (ohh, how novel right?) once a month. The books I will review are either books from our own library at home or borrowed, and ones that I find will be a great fit for babies or toddlers. Most often, the books will have some personal meaning to my kids or myself. If for some magical reason, you agree that my book review appeals, or will appeal to you or your toddler, click on the link and you can purchase the book from Amazon, which in turn provides me a small commission. Now, onto my first book plug review that I find totally entertaining for toddlers.

 A Crazy Day At The Critter Cafe is one such book. Given to Micro by one of my dearest friends and signed by the author, it's a book Micro can't get enough of. There have been plenty of books we've read to him where it might be the upteenth time we've read it that day, week, or month (roll eyes). It's safe to say, some stories get pretty old fast. However, "A Crazy Day At The Critter Cafe" is seriously a fun and poetic book for toddlers. The artwork in the book is playful and brings to life the hilarity of animals behaving like humans. You can have your toddler point out the different animals and types of food found on all the pages. Because the book rhymes (not in the way Dr. Seuss books do), it's aiding Micro's language development. He will often say the next line in the story as we read it together (without us prompting him). This book (along with a few others, which in time, I'll reveal, so your toddler too can share in the joy) will have your toddler laughing and wanting you to read something other than Goodnight Moon (no offense, we've read that book like a bazillion times and still love it). 

Make reading fun. Though it might be the fifth time today you'll be reading a particular book, make each time more interesting than the last. How? Change your voice, challenge your little one to find certain things in the story, ask your toddler how he/she would change the actions of the main character or its ending. Or, act it out. CRazY I tElL ya! Besides, nothing's more boring than listening to a bored storyteller.