Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi

Stars: *****

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (2011)
Illustrations by Tim Bowers
Picture Book
4 and up

Summary: Poppy the Pig has big dreams - lots of them! But following her dreams isn't always easy, and whenever Poppy thinks it might be time to give up, her family reminds her to "Dream Big!"

Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi has created her very first picture book. I am normally reluctant to read picture books by celebrities as it feels to me like they just aren't happy being famous for TV, movies, music and/or sports and want to be great at everything.

The summary of the book is what drew me in and made me want to check it out and I'm glad I did. It can be very disheartening when you try something you like only to be told you are no good at it and should try something else. The book is all about realizing your dreams with practice and enjoyment of what you do, no matter what anyone else says or thinks.

The illustrations are absolutely adorable and the cover has sparkles, which according to my girls, is the best thing ever. We will be revisiting this book when my children express interest in a certain activity but then feel discouraged.

About the Author:
Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic gold medalist and world champion who knows about dreaming big. The motto "Always Dream" serves as Kristi's personal inspiration, as well as the name of her charitable foundation for children.

Links of Interest: Always Dream,

Other Reviews: Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile, For Immediate Release Reviews - Kids,

Buy Dream Big Little Pig! at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of this book to review from the publisher.  All opinions are honest and are not affected by how I acquired the book.

C'mon Papa: Dispatches From a Dad in the Dark by Ryan Knighton

Stars: *****

Knopf Canada, a division of Random House (2010)
Nonfiction: Memoir/Biography/Parenting
272 pages

Summary: C'mon Papa is Ryan Knighton's heartbreaking and hilarious voyage through the first year of fatherhood. Becoming a father is a stressful, daunting rite of passage to be sure, but for a blind father, the fears are unimaginably heightened. Ryan will have to find novel ways to adapt to nearly every aspect of parenting: the most basic skills are nearly impossible to contemplate, let alone master. And how will Ryan get to know this pre-verbal bundle of coos and burps when he can't see her smile, or look into her eyes for hints of the person to come? - from Random House

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be blind AND a parent? Wonder no longer. Ryan Knighton tells us the good, the bad and the ugly in his most recent memoir. The book switches from educational, to humourous, to breath holding moments, to sympathy inducing.

I learned about blindness in general as well as parenting while blind. I already knew that blind people keep things in their house in a certain spot so they can maneuver around but it never occurred to me that a blind person could have a job. (I apologize to all blind people who work.)

I think this is a much needed memoir that more people should read. Most of us don't really know what it's like to live with a special need let alone how to be a parent with a special need. Ryan Knighton is the perfect author as well, he tells a great story.

However he does include just a few swear words.  I am turned off my swear words and could have done without them but there were only a few so it was easy to just ignore them and continue reading.

Links of Interest: Ryan Knighton, Ryan Knighton on Twitter,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy C'mon Papa at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

A Read-a-thon with a 2 week old???

I am officially signing up for the Spring 24-hour Read-a-thon but I will have a two week old baby to take care of and will be recovering from a c-section so I'm not setting any goals or anything. You are supposed to take it easy after a cesarean anyways so when the baby is sleeping or nursing, I can read. We'll see how it goes.

Welcoming Spring with Picture Books

Spring is Here by Will Hillenbrand

Stars: ****

Holiday House (2011)

Summary: Excited that spring has finally arrived, Mole tries--unsuccessfully--to wake up Bear, but then he comes up with the perfect plan.

This is the first book by Will Hillenbrand I've read but I'll be on the lookout for more (and he's certainly written a lot!) It's very simple but very cute. It contains some sound words, "Toot, Swish, Knock" that kids love and the illustrations (also by Will Hillenbrand) are adorable.

Since it's not too long, a two year old should be able to stay interested but it's not so simple that a five year old would be bored.

Links of Interest: Will Hillenbrand,
Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Spring is Here at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer

Stars:  ****

Holiday House (2011)
Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Summary: In this exuberant, rhythmic story, March, personified as a lion, enters a boy's cozy home and leaves a trail of snow flurries and muddy footprints. The boy calmly observes the pouncing, howling, growling lion until in comes the lamb on the crest of a huge sneeze. Escorted by grass, flowers, sunshine, showers, and animal babies large and small, the lamb brings forth spring.

This was a cute book but involved a lot of explanation to my three and five year old on what Spring has to do with a Lion and Lamb and that the Lion and Lamb don't really roam around when Spring comes. However everyone learns the meaning of the saying eventually and explaining while reading a story helped them understand better than just an oral explanation.

The illustrations were created with pen, ink and watercolours and have a nice Spring look to them. I like the combination of ink and watercolour. The story is very poetic and includes great vocabulary words.

"Or will he skulk through the greening grass,eyes scheming,teeth gleaming,waiting for the lamb to pass?"

I always like picture books that increase my children's vocabulary.

Links of Interest: NONE

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of these books to review. All opinions are honest are are not affected by how I acquired the book.

What I Do With The Books I Receive for Review When I'm Done

I do various things with the books I receive:

• A select few I keep.
• Some are passed on to friends and family.
• Some are donated to the Public Library.
• Some are brought into my local playgroup for other parents to pick through.
• And some are donated to my children's school library.

I don't have the money to giveaway my personal stash whether as a blog giveaway or to other book reviewers or even BookMooch like some other bloggers do.

I decide what to do with the book based on what book it is. If it has a very specific focus I donate it to the public library so it can help as many people as possible. The parenting and fiction books I get go to playgroup. The children's nonfiction and picture books go to the school library.

Well today I received a nice letter in the mail I'd like to share:

Dear Mrs ___________,

On behalf of **school name**, we would like to extend a very hearty thank you for the donation of books that you have provided to our school's library. We are certain the students will enjoy reading the books.

We sincerely would like to thank you for your donation as our school is in an area where today's economic times have created added stress on our families. While **school name** does everything we can to help support the need of our community, your donation allows us to make an even greater contribution. 

Your time, energy and kindness are greatly appreciated. Thank you for thinking of our students and for your support! Your donation will be put to good use.

Sincerely, 

Mr. __________
Principal

I'm not sharing the letter to brag but because it means so much to me that I want to encourage others who receive children's books to review to donate to a school library and because I want those that sent me the review books to know where they are going.

Upcoming Giveaway from CSN Stores

CSN Stores is a set of 200+ online stores that sell many things from LCD TV stands to chairs, outdoor playsets to a new dresser and everything in between. Even a new set of dishes or a rocking horse.

The review I mentioned coming up many months ago will still be coming up, I just received the item (it was out of stock). However there will be a $100 CSN Stores Giveaway coming up very soon too. I know it's not book related (unless you buy a book shelf!) but I know book lovers like to win things other than books too so be on the lookout!