{image from Amazon }

Book: Spring Is Here

Author & Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand

We had above freezing temperatures today. I’m finally starting to believe spring is on the way. What better way to celebrate that hope than a review of a book celebrating its arrival? In this tale, Mole is trying to wake Bear from hibernation. Can he do it?

STORY

Writing: This story is very simply written. Perhaps too simple for my family’s taste, but probably appropriate for very young children (even if mums and dads aren’t enthralled). That said, it is sweet in its simplicity. The simple sentences also help slow down the reading, as counterintuitive as that may be. Because there are so few words on a page you end up pausing to savour the illustrations instead. It also includes a lot of onomatopoeia and sound words, such as “snore.” It can be fun to read aloud until you encounter a word and you find you are unsure whether to read the word or make the sound effect itself, or both. 3.5 STARS

Content: This simplistic story is really great, I think, for younger kids. Mole is trying very sweetly to wake his roommate and friend Bear to tell him spring has arrived. There is a cute little twist at the end that little ones will probably appreciate. 4 STARS

ILLUSTRATIONS

Style: The illustrations are very sweet, very calm, and very lovely. Much of what I want to say about them is covered below. 4 STARS

Skill: The use of pattern and texture in these illustrations is really great. It’s quite clear that Hillenbrand put a lot of love into these very artistic images. He seems to have an eye for detail, without getting lost in it. The character’s emotions are easy to see but drawn in an understated way. The subtle depth of the images really draws me in. 4.5 STARS

KID FACTOR

Mom’s Opinion: Totally cute. I just really like this one. It will definitely need to be revisited every spring for as long as Lucy is interested.

Toddler’s Opinion: Lucy hasn’t had much to say about this one. But I think she enjoys the bear.

OVERALL RATING

If you want to build a collection of seasonal books this one is great for spring. If nothing else, see if your local library has a copy. If they don’t, request they order one. It’s a simple story on the surface, but the lovely illustrations make it enjoyable for even adults to look at. Plus, there are some opportunities to expand on the story with questions and discussion, and maybe even a cooking activity should you feel up to it.

4.5 STARS

 

Stay tuned for more book reviews this week, and throughout the month of March!

*All books for the “It’s Raining Books” month of reviews were provided by Allen Thomas & Son. I received no additional compensation for providing my honest opinion. All links to the books are affiliate links, meaning if you choose to purchase a copy you will be supporting Domestic Dork. However, I will not encourage you to spend your hard-earned money on a book unless I honestly think it’s worth it. I value you, my readers, too much to take advantage of you that way.

{image from Amazon }

Book: The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah

Author: Leslie Kimmelman

Illustrator: Paul Meisel

Most people are familiar with the story of the little red hen. This Passover-themed retelling is a humorous take with a message of forgiveness.

STORY

Writing: This version includes Yiddish words and phrases (with a glossary in the back of the book). That little twist was enough to get me through the repetitive tale without feeling bored and it made it very fun to read aloud. 4 STARS

Content: This is not a book for those unfamiliar with Passover traditions. Without at least a basic knowledge of Passover you may feel a little in the dark. But that won’t be a problem for Jewish families, for whom this book is undoubtedly written. We’re not Jewish, but we’ve been exposed to seder traditions (I’ve attended two) so I knew enough to not be confused.  As a bonus there’s a matzah recipe in the back of the book. I am all for story books that encourage family learning activities! 4.5 STARS

ILLUSTRATIONS

Style: The illustrations are cute ink, watercolor, and pastel cartoon-like compositions. The hen and her little chicks are particularly adorable. Overall the illustrations are nice, but nothing unusually fantastic. 4 STARS

Skill: I admit, this is probably very nitpicky on my part, but there is one animal among this all farm animal cast who is inconsistent with the other animals as he is fully clothed as well as a picture within a picture of a fully clothed animal. But that’s really the only thing with which I took issue. 4 STARS

KID FACTOR

Mom’s Opinion: This is a very cute version of the little red hen story. It is fun to read aloud. And I really enjoyed the little chicks throughout the story.

Toddler’s Opinion: Lucy was able to pay attention for the whole story. She enjoyed the animal cast and even entertained herself for a few minutes looking at the pictures and “reading” the story to herself.

OVERALL RATING

The story and illustrations are quite cute. But this book really is better suited to families who actually celebrate Passover or who at least like to explore religious traditions. Passover is April 18-26th this year. So you have plenty of time to order a copy for your family should you feel so inclined.

3.5 STARS (4.5 for families who celebrate Passover)

Stay tuned for more book reviews this week, and throughout the month of March!

*All books for the “It’s Raining Books” month of reviews were provided by Allen Thomas & Son. I received no additional compensation for providing my honest opinion. All links to the books are affiliate links, meaning if you choose to purchase a copy you will be supporting Domestic Dork. However, I will not encourage you to spend your hard-earned money on a book unless I honestly think it’s worth it. I value you, my readers, too much to take advantage of you that way.

Welcome to March! Spring is nearly here, and with it will come the rain. To celebrate the season it’ll be “raining” books here on Domestic Dork!

There will be some giveaways for you and lots and lots of book reviews throughout the month of March sponsored by Thomas Allen & Son!*  If you love children’s literature, like me, you won’t want to miss out!

I was an avid reader as a child. I spent a great deal of my free time perusing the library and would come home with teetering stacks of books almost as tall as my young self. That hasn’t changed, and neither has my love for kid lit. I may have added adult fare to my proverbial plate, but I still read children’s books (and not just to Lucy). Some of my prize possessions are books from my childhood, and I continue to buy and add more children’s literature to my own personal library (which is kept away from messy, careless toddler hands until a certain person is able to share with care). Good children’s and young adult books are charming, touching, funny, educational, any number of wonderful things. They are imaginative and have narratives as rich and compelling as most novels meant for adults. Some of my all time favorite books, even now, were written for children or teens.

As an artist and art lover, I have a deep love for picture books. Some of the finest art I’ve seen has been the illustrations created to accompany a story for children. Actually, if you want a cheap way to get artwork for your child’s walls your best bet is often buying two copies of a wonderfully illustrated story, one for the bookshelf and one to remove pages for framing.

So, with my love for children’s literature and the art that is paired with it, it seemed natural to include both areas in my review criteria. Each book review will include the following categories and a rating from one to five stars (five being the best, of course):

STORY

Writing: Is it written well (not awkward to read aloud, no glaring grammar issues, etc.)?

Content: Is the content enjoyable (is it a good story, or suitably poetic verse, etc.)?

ILLUSTRATIONS

Style: Is the style of the art unique or otherwise appealing?

Skill: Is the art well executed?

KID FACTOR:

Mom’s Opinion: Do I feel it is a good read for a child audience?

Toddler’s Opinion: Did Lucy seem to enjoy it?

OVERALL RATING

Obviously, taste is highly subjective. So please don’t be offended if I poo-poo a book you love. It’s not personal. Additionally, I may include other factors when I determine my overall rating.

I hope you are as excited as I am for the rest of March! My first review is about a book specifically celebrating this month. I think you may end up wanting to order a copy right away. And “beware the Ides of March**” because if you miss that day’s review/giveaway you will be sorely disappointed!

*They provided the books but the reviews are not paid and all reviews are my honest opinion.

**March 15

1. It uses e-ink technology. That means NO backlit screen. It reads like paper and doesn’t cause the same eye strain as reading on a computer or iPhone. It also means a very long battery life {a month at a time} if you turn the wireless connection off.
2. You can get a lot of free and really cheap books, especially the classics.
3. You can read it in the bathtub! Just buy a water-proof or splash-proof case and you’re good to go. Or you can do the poor-woman’s version and stick it in a gallon-size Zip-loc bag or double-bag it if you’re paranoid}.
4. You can put your own documents on it. Amazon will even convert them to the right format for you. All you have to do is e-mail the file.
5. I am the proud owner of one!

That’s right. I saved up all my birthday money, and all my Christmas money {thanks again, Mom!} and all my other spending money and ordered a second generation Kindle in January. Verdict? I’m in love. I used to think e-readers were silly. But then I learned about the e-ink technology and decided to give them another look. I’m very glad I did. Faramir {that’s my Kindle’s name, Faramir Took} is easy to read with one hand. That makes reading while breastfeeding much, much easier. Every time we’ve moved I’ve left behind a lot of books {they’re heavy and they take up a lot of space}. Now I don’t have to do that; considering we’ll be moving again relatively soon that’s a comfort. Plus I can take notes and “clip” sections. I can also scroll to a word I’m unfamiliar with and the definition pop-ups. Neat, huh?
An e-reader isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. And don’t think I don’t still love the dead-tree version of books, I do. But I’m thrilled with my Kindle. That’s why I wrote this post. What, did you think I was getting paid to write this? Ha! I wish! Nope, I just really love the Kindle and wanted you to know.
Do you have an e-reader? Do you think you’d like one? What’s your favorite gadget? Tell me in the comments!

In January I survived the first month of parenthood and more fully realized how much my life had changed. I learned just how LOUDLY a baby can fart. Adam started classes for his second degree {which has nothing to do with his first degree}. And we began using cloth diapers.
In February we announced our exit from Mormonism. We enjoyed a great visit with Lucy’s Uncle Jared. Then my inner mama-bear made her first appearance in the form of a rant.
In March I celebrated MS Awareness by writing educational posts and you helped me raise funds for the MS Walk. I also learned that parents will try anything to get a baby to stop crying.
In April I struggled to learn how to do my own blog design. I also had a dental adventure.
In May I celebrated my first Mother’s Day as a mama. I finally launched my new blog design {which has since been replaced}. I started taking better care of my body. And Lucy wrote her very first blog post.
In June we took Lucy on her first road trip. I finally became a permanent resident of Canada…and it SNOWED {yes, in JUNE}. I learned how to make tutus. I also let you in on my toilet cleaning secret.  I finally submitted to temptation that is Twitter.  And I came to terms with my birth dissatisfaction.
In July I had fun celebrating Canada Day and prepared for the announcement I made in August.
In August I unveiled my graphic design business. We flew to Ohio to visit my family and had a mini-adventure on the way there. And I had wonderful guest bloggers while I was on vacation.
In September I made my first {and thus far, only} video tutorial. I shared my thoughts on arguing. Adam went to court. And I had trouble getting my hair dyed purple.
In October Yeti Freddy became a part of my life. I opened up about being a bullying victim. Lucy did another blog post. And we had a great Halloween dressed as Beatles’ songs.
In November I started {but did not finish} NaNoWriMo. We found a new apartment. And I did one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
In December my Lucy began to walk. We had a big party to celebrate her first birthday. I reflected on her first year and managed to not cry my eyes out. Lucy met Santa and was less than thrilled about it. I made two of Lucy’s uncles {Spencer and Jared} feel welcome when they came to visit and we enjoyed the holidays. I also celebrated 4 years of marriage with Adam.
And now, on the eve of 2010 I can’t help but wonder what exciting changes the year will bring. The last year has been a good one, a great one, filled with baby tears and laughter, growth, hard work, fun, new ideas and lots and lots and lots of nursing sessions. Thank you for all you’ve contributed to my blog and my life this past year. May the new year treat you as well as the last year treated me.

Adam gets to see a lot of movies for work. He works with disabled individuals and they do all sorts of things; grocery shopping, job hunting, bowling, and, yes, movies.

So he sees a lot of things before I do. It works out quite well. I don’t have to see movies I’m not interested in but that he wants to see. And when I do go to the theatre he can take baby-duty {i.e. diaper changes and soothing fusses} and he isn’t missing anything he’s not already seen.

Now, we’re Star Trek fans. We don’t own our own Federation Uniforms, or Tribbles, or anything {yet}. But we do love it. We were pretty stoked for the new movie. Not surprisingly, Adam saw it first. It took a while before I was ready to try venturing to the theatre with Lucy to see it. But finally the time came that I was ready to give it a go. We made plans to see it the very next day.

And then the movie theatre switched out the shows and it was no longer playing.

We were both very, very bummed. It was going to be my first time seeing a movie since Lucy had been born. And Adam had been dying for me to see it so he could actually talk about it with me without giving anything away.

Then we had to head to a different city for immigration stuff. And that city happened to have a dollar theatre,* a dollar theatre still playing Star Trek. So we made plans to see it while we were there.

And then the movie theatre switched out the shows and it was no longer playing.

Then, on our flight to Toronto, they had the little TV things built into the seats that had TV shows and movies. One of the movies? Yup, you guessed it. Star Trek. So we did our best to watch it while keeping Lucy happy.

And then the screen froze in the middle of the movie.

We did manage to finally see it in a dollar theatre in Ohio. Lucy even slept or cuddled quietly the whole time!

So, what did I think?

TOTALLY WORTH THE WAIT.

Also?

The new Kirk is totally hot a very good casting choice.

*Why, why, why don’t we have a dollar theatre in this town?

First I got this:

Dear Ms. Dork {they used my real name},

Thank you for taking the time to contact us concerning your recent stay at The Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport West.

I am very sorry to hear that your stay with us has not been up to the standards of Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. One of our company values is that we succeed only when we meet and exceed the expectations of our customers and I sincerely apologize that we did not do so during your stay.

I have forwarded your comments to the General Manager to assist us in resolving this situation for you. Please allow us up to five days for a thorough investigation and for an appropriate response to be provided to you.

In the meantime, should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us either by replying to this email or by phone at 1-800-328-6242. If you are outside of the United States or Canada, please email us at customercare@starwoodhotels.com. Your reference number for this matter is ************.

Your present feelings are appreciated; however, I do hope that you will not judge us solely on the basis of this particular experience.

Thank you for choosing Sheraton. If you have any further customer service questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at sheraton@sheraton.com.

Best Regards,

Bertha {names have been changed to protect the innocent}

Then I got this:

Dear Ms Dork
Thank you for taking the time of your busy schedule, to share your experience about your stay with us. I profoundly apologize on behalf of the hotel, for all the inconveniences you had to incur during you stay on the 9th of August 09. We sincerely appreciate your feedback, and wish to inform you that the hotel will be going through a complete renovation, starting at the end of this year. I have also addressed the service related issues with the concerned staff, ensuring they do not repeat the mistakes again in future.
The next time you are in this area, kindly give us another opportunity to exceed your expectations. Please feel free to contact me directly, so my team can personally attend to your needs.
Thank you!
Helga

Translation: Sorry we suck. We’ll try to make sure OTHER people have a better experience. Please come back and give us more of your money.

No idea what I'm talking about? This will clear things up.

I recently read the children's novel Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes for the 2009 Banned Book Challenge. Some people found the book to be offensive due to language and because they felt it was "sexually explicit." I think there were a few "damn it" moments (from the mouth of the father if memory serves). But it is a book for older children (bordering on the young adult genre). You hear the same (and sometimes worse) in PG movies and PG-13 movies. The protaganist is, if I recall correctly, 12 going on 13. So I don't think it's a big deal. At any rate, it is realistic (who's never ever heard their mom or dad swear?). As for being "sexually explicit," puh-leeze! A first kiss experience is a main plot point. Aside from that there's this:

More kissing. Martha's parents were standing by the sink--kissing and smiling and kissing and laughing and kissing. If Vince had been around he would have said that his parents were exhibiting MSB. Morning Sex Behavior.

"When they do it in the morning," Vince had informed Martha earlier that summer during one of their nightly chats, "they're all giggly and kissy and weird for at least an hour afterward. It's unmistakable."

If that's "explicit" then there are 13 year old kids the world over reading books that are downright pornographic (Twilight series anybody?). Come on folks. You really find it offensive that puberty-aged youth are aware that their parents have sex? Do the people who find this objectionable wait until their kids are 18 to tell them where babies come from?

My official opinion? This book is harmless, completely unobjectionable (unless you're the most uptight person in the world). And it's pretty good.

Remember the Banned Book Challenge? It's not too late to join in! Many of the books are children's books so it's not as reading intensive as it looks!

Today I'm reviewing the first book on the list: And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell

This picture book tells the true story of two male chinstrap penguins in the Central Park Zoo. The penguins, Roy and Silo, form a bond and build a nest together. They even sit on an egg shaped rock in an attempt to hatch it. One of their caretakers provides them with a real egg from a male/female pair that has two and has never been able to care for multiple eggs at a time. Roy and Silo hatch the egg and the baby penguin is named Tango. You can learn more about these penguins here.

What an appropriate book to be reviewing on the day the California Supreme Court will be announcing their decision on Prop 8! {Update}

I think it's pretty clear why this book gets people riled up. Personally, I think it's a cute story with sweet illustrations. Lucy wasn't too interested in it (she prefers bolder colors) but I have no qualms about reading it to her when she's older. It seems like an age appropriate way to teach that families come in different shapes and sizes. Some are big, like Adam's family. Some are small, like our family. Some have step parents and siblings, like my family. Some families are built through adoption, like my friends' beautiful family. Some have two mommies or two daddies, like Tango's family. And no matter what religious beliefs one holds I think it's not too much to ask that we acknowledge that families are different and we can all get along. That's a message of love and tolerance that I hope my daughter learns.

There are some truly awful movies out there. Eragon comes to mind, as does Poseidon (the 2006* remake of the not nearly as horrible Poseidon Adventure). The Star Wars Holiday Special was a portent of future disappointments.** And let's not forget Jaws 3 and 4***, Jurassic Park 2 and 3, and Tremors 2 and 3****. But recently I saw the ultimate bad movie, the king of horrible cinema, the "make it stop! make it stop!" movie that makes you want to go back to school, study physics, build a time machine, go back in time, and destroy the human race in it's infancy to prevent the cinematic atrocity from ever being conceived. Ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about:

Batman & Robin

Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't have all that respectable of an acting career to begin with, neither does Alicia Silverstone. But George Clooney? I'm embarrassed for him. Truly, I am. Actually...I'm embarrassed for anyone even slightly responsible for the horror that is Batman & Robin. If I had worked on that film I think I would leave it off my resume and hope the world forgets that I had anything to do with it.

The acting was horrible!

The costumes were ridiculous (rubber nipples?)!

The sets were like something from a nightmare the lovechild of Dali and Rodin might have.

The script seemed to be written by 12 year old boys. Not many people like puns to begin with. I do. And I couldn't stomach a single one.

The plot was so impossible that science teachers the world over probably had heart attacks watching it.

The characters were so flat they could make paper feel self conscious about it's weight.

And I'm sorry guys...but there is NO EXCUSE for the opening butt shots!

I'm not the only person who thinks this movie, well, sucks. It was nomiated for a total of 11 Razzies and won 1. How it failed to win more I will never understand. It merits a shameful 12% on Rotten Tomatoes. This movie is just bad, really, really, really bad. It killed the entire Batman series and they (Hollywood) had to start over (and thank goodness they did)! I about died when, while watching it, I suddenly realized millions of dollars (125 million) were spent to make it. I can think of at least 125 million better ways to spend 125 million dollars (some examples: getting root canals, tickets to the Creationism Museum, Backstreet Boys albums, or getting a tattoo of Hitler on my face).

The only thing that made watching the movie tolerable?

RiffTrax

And knowing it would eventually end.

So there you have it. My feelings about Batman & Robin. Or, to put it another way:

Holy $#*!, Batman!

What movie tops your Worst Ever list?

*2006 really wasn't a good year for Hollywood: Eragon, Poseidon, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest, The Illusionist, Superman Returns...However 2006 also gave us one of my favorites, V for Vendetta, so all is forgiven.

**Though...Episodes I, II, and III were not totally without merit. But don't tell my husband I said that.

***Why Michael Caine, why?!

****Projectile farts? Really?

It's time for another movie rant. First, let me make it perfectly clear that I really like the movie Hairspray. I like the story, the music, the dancing, and the characters, as one dimensional as they may be (and hey, it's a musical...they're supposed to be one dimensional). None of those things are a problem.

"Then what's the big deal," you ask?

John Travolta.

Well, not so much John Travolta as the fact that they cast him as Edna (the lead's mother).


See, here's my beef. One of the main messages of the movie is loving yourself the way you are, and that big is beautiful. Yet the casting director saw fit to cast a man wearing a fat suit rather than an actual fat woman in what is a pretty big role (no pun intended). Would it have killed Hollywood to give the role of the large mama to an actual large mama?

I have some experience with the process of casting (albeit in local theater rather than big budget movies). And I'm here to tell you that it can be incredibly frustrating to be rejected for a role simply because one doesn't look right for the part. Now, considering the shortage of roles available for larger women in the first place I can't help but imagine how I'd feel if I was a plus sized actress learning about Mr. Travolta getting such a prime part. I'd be "cussing angry." Isn't it enough that larger women have to watch hundreds of parts go to the eating-disorder elite of Hollywood without watching the role practically made for them go not only to a man, but to a thin man?

I think that sucks.

What do you think?

As I was working on a post listing my top 10 movies (a topic recommended here) I briefly touched on the Star Trek TV shows. Since I was having trouble pegging my 10 favorite movies I decided to put that post aside for a while to discuss the all important ranking of the various Star Trek shows. I won't be including Enterprise as I have not seen it, have no desire to see it, and haven't had anyone give me a good reason to see it. That leaves Star Trek (the original series), Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), and Star Trek: Voyager.

At the risk of outraging purists everywhere I'm going to drop the original series to the bottom ranking straightaway. I like Spock, Scotty, and Kirk. I love "The Trouble With Tribbles." But no one is going to convince me that the original series is of a higher caliber than its spin-offs (as counter-intuitive as that may be). There's just no contest as far as I'm concerned.

That leaves us TNG, DS9 and Voyager. I'll take a look at four main catergories: series plot, episode plot, characters and wildcard.

Series Plot:

My first inclination was to pick Voyager as the winner, but as I thought more carefully I realized that the overarching storyline for Voyager was so consistent as to be downright boring at times. So then I thought of DS9 (TNG was entirely too episodic to even qualify in this category). DS9 had a pretty nice story line (if we ignore all the alternate universe episodes) until the very last season. I have a theory that all the writers for DS9 were fired just prior to the last season and a bunch of high school fan boys were hired in their place. There were too many unexplained plot points and too many infuiriatingly frustrating events (which, to avoid spoiling the ending for those who have not yet watched DS9, will remain undescribed). Nevertheless...I'll give this catergory to DS9.

Episode Plot:

TNG. No contest.

All right, all right...a brief justification: TNG had the greatest number of individual memorable episodes ("There are four lights!!!") as well as the greatest variety of episode plots.

Characters:

DS9 had Quark, and Odo as well as Gul Dukat (who was a deliciously wicked bad guy). Voyager had The Doctor, and Seven of Nine Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero-One.** Personally, I loved Seven of Nine. She was my favorite Voyager character. Neelix was occasionally an asset in this catergory, but sometimes not. Chakotay made a fine first officer, but wasn't special enough to clinch the characters category for Voyager. No, that honor goes to TNG.

TNG had Troi, Geordi, Riker (beared Riker, not clean-shaven Riker), Guinan, Barclay, Hugh, and by far, the best captain, Captain Picard. TNG also had Miles and Keiko, Worf, and Q who were so lovable they were used in the other two shows. And last but certainly not least is Data. Data is not only my favorite Star Trek character but one of my favorite TV characters. The sheer awesomeness of Data alone is enough to not only earn TNG the win in this category, but also forgiveness for the unfortunate character that is Wesley Crusher.

Wildcard:

DS9 gets points for taking place in a setting other than a starship, but loses points for having episodes that take place in a universe other than the regular one.

Voyager gets points for inclusion of musical performances. Voyager loses points for bad technobabble, contradicting themselves, and contradicting facts well established in other shows.

TNG gets points for exceptional use of poker as a character and plot development tool. TNG loses points for the first season and a half as they were getting into the groove of things.

Winner of the wildcard category? No-one.

Overall Winner:

TNG. Really, it shouldn't be surprising that TNG took the win. It was the only one of the three popular enough to be made into movies. Speaking of which, keep an eye out for my Top 10 Movies post in which one of the TNG movies is listed.

*Technically only the last Saturday of every month is Shatnerday, but whatever.
** Adam feels she should get bonus points just for having the longest name.