But not the hippopotamus

A hog and a frog

cavort in the bog

but not the hippopotamus.

I started reciting those lines to my children nearly three decades ago, sometimes as we would sit and read directly from the book, and other times as I sang the words to a tune I made up. Years later, I sang the same song to my first grandchild when she was just a baby. This is the one song I would sing to her that would calm her down and grab her attention, right from the start. Laura's a smart kid ... she loves Sandra Boynton, too!

There is no question that Sandra Boynton is my favorite children's book author and illustrator. I adore her books. My kids loved her books. And now, both of my grandchildren want to have these whimsical stories read to them again and again.



Pap Pap reading Blue Hat, Green Hat to Lincoln

 If you've never had the pleasure of reading a Boynton book, you've missed a real treat. Even if you don't have children or grandchildren, I suggest you pick up one of these delightful little board books (perfect for toddlers' little hands), just to read through on days you need an attitude adjustment. And Boynton has the perfect book for just that -- Happy Hippo, Angry Duck: The Book of Moods. This is my grandson, Lincoln's, favorite.

Other family favorites include Moo, Baa, La La La!, The Going to Bed Book (another one I used to sing to my kids), Blue Hat, Green Hat (the grandkids both love this one), and, of course, Bob.

When it comes to Boynton, what's not to love?! Her sense of humor coupled with her impeccable timing make every book a sheer delight. And for those of us who are true Sandra Boynton fans, nothing could have made us happier than when she released CDs of her verse put to music! And let me tell you, these aren't cheesy productions, either!
Philadelphia Chickens was even nominated for a Grammy and includes the musical talents of  Patti LuPone, Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, The Bacon Brothers, Laura Linney, Eric Stoltz, Natasha Richardson, and Scott Bakula. It's just an amazing CD that is at times silly and other times a bit moving ... I mean, who wouldn't get a bit choked up over a song like, Poor Lonely Peas? Oh wait, Poor Lonely Peas is on one of her other equally wonderful CDs, Rhinoceros Tap.

What I'm trying to say is, "I LOVE Sandra Boynton." It's an affection born in me back in 1982 when my daughter, Bethany, was born and remains to this day.

Did Sandra Boynton send me a book to review? No. Am I hosting a giveaway? No. Quite simply, I'm just sharing with you a love I have of quirky children's books ... ones you hold in your hands as let your little ones turn the pages. Ones that don't require batteries or chargers. Ones that can be dropped and spit up on and only cost a few bucks. To me, nothing beats a good toddler-sized board book. And no one beats Sandra Boynton in providing one.

Reviewing it for you,

Hana

A green birthday

If you follow my blog, you know my granddaughter, the lovely little Lady Laura, celebrated her first birthday on Saturday. It was a lovely party, complete with Laura's first taste of.... gasp....sugar! My daughter, Jess, cleverly arranged cupcakes in the shape of Eric Carle's Hungry Little Caterpillar and made Laura a "smash" cake in the shape of an apple. Very cute. (Pictures by my daughter, Bethany Schad)

When I started thinking about what to buy Laura for her birthday, I realized I had little choice but to buy her green products. After all, that's the proper thing for the Green Grandma to do. In case you're looking for ideas for gifts of your own, here's what I bought:

• 6 AIO diapers from Bottombumpers (http://www.bottombumpers.com/)
• a pair of ScooterBees eco-friendly infant/toddler shoes (http://www.scooterbees.com/)
• a 10 pack of BabyKicks Baby Wipes -- natural hemp wipes to use in place of disposable ones (http://www.babykicks.com/)
• a 2 pack of Kushies "On the Go" Wet Bags -- perfect for toting wet cloth diapers around (http://www.kushiesonline.com/)
• a Thirsties Diaper Duffel -- this is perfect for long days away from home as it holds up to 6 cloth diapers and can be tossed directly in the washing machine when it's time to wash them (http://www.thirstiesstore.com/)

Of course, these gifts were appreciated more by Mommy than by the active one-year-old. So I had to have something else for Laura to get excited about. Sandra Boynton to the rescue! When it comes to toddlers, no one beats Boynton, in my opinion. Her books are the perfect combination of zaniness, education, and creative illustration, as well as being appealing to both parents and children alike. My grown daughters can still recite from memory, But Not the Hippopatamus, The Going to Bed Book, and Red Shirt, Blue Shirt. So, Laura got 3 new Boynton books in addition to the eco-friendly selection of gifts geared toward making life easier and greener for her mother. Plus the books were "wrapped" in her own cloth bookbag.

Oh, and I gave her one more thing...a small picture of a train I cross-stitched for her mommy in 1989 with the saying, "I think I can..." It brought tears to Jess's eyes. I hope someday it's as meaningful to the lovely little Lady Laura.

All in all, it was a fun day and Laura was both delighted and delightful. How blessed I am to have such a sweet little one in my life.

Keeping it green,

Hana