Review: ABC: An Alphabet Book

ABC: An Alphabet Book by T. Matthiesen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



My in-laws have this ABC book and got it out to read to my daughter. She likes to turn the pages, and I love the snarky tone. X is for xylophone; no matter how hard you beat it, a xylophone will never cry. O (for owls) and E (for eggs) are also notable.



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Review: Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods and Helping Your Baby to Grow Up a Happy and Confident Eater

Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods and Helping Your Baby to Grow Up a Happy and Confident Eater by Gill Rapley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I should probably wait and see if the baby chokes to death before I review this one, but so far, so good. I really didn't want to buy or make purees, so I got this book in an effort to bolster my laziness and reframe it as a baby-friendly feeding philosophy. Totally worked. The kiddo makes lots of big messes, and I get to pat myself on the back for fostering her independence and fine motor skills.



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Review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



It's been a while since I finished this one, but I loved it. Actually, when I was finished I turned right back to the front and started again.

I love stories of people who are living small lives well, and that's exactly what this is.



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Review: What's On My Head?

What's On My Head? by Margaret Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Like the rest in this series, this book focuses on photos of babies and the single descriptive word on the opposite page. Toddlers who are entertained by things being out of place would love it. My baby just liked to look at the faces.

The bad: the objects on the heads of the babies appear to be photoshopped into the pictures, which is just odd.



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Review: Very Hairy Bear

Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Kiddo wasn't really interested in this one, but I loved it! I'll definitely check it out again when she's older and has more interest in the sounds of words. This is really a Gerard Manley Hopkins-style, sprung rhythm poem about a bear and his nose. I found it delightful, and the pictures are equally charming.



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Inevitably

Toys my baby owns:
Stuffed animals
Books
Blocks
Drum
Rattles
Teething rings

Things my baby actually plays with:
Books
Kitchen utensils
The toothpaste tube
Large plastic hair clips
Shoes
Keys
Small electronic devices (only when I'm not watching)
Boxes and baskets

Review: What the Bible Says about Parenting: Biblical Principle for Raising Godly Children

What the Bible Says about Parenting: Biblical Principle for Raising Godly Children by John F. MacArthur Jr.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Light on "practical" advice, this book is an overview of the Scriptures pertaining to the relationship between parents and children. It's nice to read a parenting book that is truly biblically-focused and that acknowledges that Christian parents don't all have to raise their kids the same way.



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Review: Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice And Encouragement For Those Shaping The Next Generation Of Women

Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice And Encouragement For Those Shaping The Next Generation Of Women by James C. Dobson

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



Never finished. I couldn't deal with the alternately sappy and alarmist stories about girls, and I never came to any practical advice either. But I didn't get very far into it.



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Review: Soldier Dogs

Soldier Dogs by Maria Goodavage

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Interesting, sweet, sometimes sad, but nothing remarkable, this book fulfilled its purpose but not much more. So now I know about the training and roles of dogs in the military, in addition to why that dog on the cover is wearing Doggles.



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Review: Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Mr. Bourdain is a wonderful writer, but, hoo boy, did I learn some new vocabulary! Not the kind of vocabulary I can use on the fifth-graders, either.

Anyway, this is a memoir of Mr. Bourdain's career as a cook in NYC. His description of that life is remarkable, but what I loved were his reflections on his vocation and his self-description as a fatherly Machiavelli in the kitchen.



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