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

Review It Wednesday -- this one's for the guys

Did you ever notice that most of the resources out there are mother/child related and not father/child oriented? Well, Jonathan Aspatore noticed it, and it bugged him. So he did something about it.

WonderDads is a new media company expressly positioned for today's dads. Through their books, website, mobile applications, and events, they inspire fathers to engage with their children and families. They work with an editorial team spread across the country to bring dads the tools and ideas they need to turn them from parents into heroes, and create a community of engaged consumers ready to interact with brands and services that reward them for being dads. WonderDads supports and celebrates the moments when dads go beyond the usual, the routine and the mundane to do extraordinary things with their kids.

A couple of weeks ago, Joanna Green contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in reviewing one of the WonderDads books. "Of course," I replied. After all, who doesn't like getting free stuff?! I checked out the website and fell in love with the whole concept Jonathan Aspatore came up with. As Founder and "Chief Hero Helper" of WonderDads, Jonathan's frustration over the lack of materials available for dads spurred him on to creating this wonderful outlet that enables and inspires dad & child activities, trips and traditions. He wanted to make it easier for dads to become heros in their kids' eyes.

The company offers over 45 Dad-centric books, published within the last three years, including 37 city guides full of the best dad/child activities. I must say, I was disappointed to find that Pittsburgh wasn't among the lucky cities. At this point, the 37 cities include:

Albuquerque, Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Chapel Hill, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Durham, Greensboro, Indianapolis, Inland Empire, Jacksonville, Long Island, Los Angeles, Marin County (CA), Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Mobile, New Orleans, New York City, Orange County (CA), Phoenix, Portland (OR), Raleigh, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, St. Paul, St. Louis, and Washington DC.

I have to admit, there is one thing I do not like about the website. You can't access it until you choose your city from the pull-down menu (or, as in my case, click on the "Don't See Your City" link. Then you have to enter your email address. That was enough to almost stop me from going any further, and I imagine there are countless others who feel the same way. It's something that, in my opinion, should be changed. If you can get past the login issues, the website is worth a visit.

Once I was on the site, I found so much to be excited about. Dads ... this site is for you!!! Seriously. In addition to the books, there is also other merchandise, like T-shirts, toolboxes and reusable cloth bags. There are loads of 'dad resources,' something you simply don't find very often. 

The board books are perfect for toddler's little hands. Joanna sent me goodnight, Dad by Chris Gattorna. It has an eye-catching cover and a cute story. It came in the mail on a day when my 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter, Laura, was going to spend the night. When it came time for her bedtime book, I read goodnight, Dad to her. When I was done, she turned the book over and said, "Read it again." Normally, she hops off my lap and reaches for a different book. Not this time. Instead, she wanted to read this book again and again. After the third read, I put the book aside and shuffled her off to bed. For me, her enjoyment of the book was the stamp of approval I needed. This book gets my green thumb's up.

goodnight, Dad usually sells for $9.95 in the U.S. and $13.95 in Canada. But you have a chance to win this delightful little gem. We haven't had a giveaway in awhile, so I thought today seemed like a perfect time to have one.

And entering is simple. Just head over to Facebook and 'like' my page and the WonderDads page. Post a message on the WonderDads page letting them know I sent you and post a message on my page telling me why you, your husband, your dad or some other outstanding guy deserves the 'WonderDad' title.

Contest ends at midnight EST on Monday, July 4th and the winner will be announced here on the blog on Tuesday. The winner will be chosen via Random.org. S/H charges will apply if the winner lives outside of the U.S. or Canada.

Celebrating the heroic efforts of dads everywhere,

Hana