What We’ve Been Reading and Listening To: May 2016

What We’ve Been Listening To

Ludovico Einaudi: Portrait. Artists: Angele Dubeau & La Pieta — 5 stars

I’ve been listening to this album for over a year sporadically. I love having it on especially when I need to relax but still get some work done towards the end of the day. It is refreshing and haunting. I particularly love the third track, “Experience.” The primary instrument is a violin, and it absolutely sings. It was one of the earliest things I had my daughter listening to as well.

What We’ve Been Reading

Toys Meet Snow: Being the Wintertime Adventures of a Curious Stuffed Buffalo, a Sensitive Plush Stingray, and a Book-Loving Rubber Ball by Emily Jenkins and Paul O. Zelinsky — 5 stars

These endearing characters are featured in the Toys trilogy, a set of chapter books, as well: Toys Go Out, Toy Dance Party, and Toys Come Home. After reading this book, I am totally adding the chapter books to our to-read list. This was an endearing perspective of three toys experiencing snow for the first time. Their voice and view of the world was heartwarming and highlighted some of the best aspects of childhood. Their view of the world highlighted for me some of the enchantment that kids have and yet also some of the ways in which we can help guide them to understand the world more accurately (like explaining what snow is without losing some of the magical aspects).

Journey by Aaron Becker — 4 stars

I had really high expectations for this book, and because of that, I was a bit disappointed. It was still a very cute book, but it wasn’t as amazingly fantastic as I was hoping for. There were elements of Harold and the Purple Crayon, but part of the plot actually didn’t make sense to me. I realize that at this age, that isn’t necessary, but as an adult reading it, I found issue with that. Still, it was very enjoyable, had magical elements that encourage creativity and thinking in imaginative ways.

Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems — 5 stars

We loved Knuffle Bunny, so it was a no-brainer to check this one out from the library as well, and it did not disappoint. The message in this book was about sharing, finding things in common, and getting along. Of course there were humorous elements because of the parents’ perspective on everything going on.

There’s No Place Like Space: All about our solar system by Tish Rabe — 4 stars

This book combined Dr. Seuss-like rhyme with information about space. What’s not to love? It flowed nicely to read, which made the content very easy to engage with and hopefully remember.