This Is Mommyhood | Category Archive

Archive | books RSS feed for this section

Book Reviews: I Have A Dream and Harlem’s Little Blackbird

By Elle on March 2, 2013 in books

I Have A Dream – Paintings By Kadir Nelson

This is a beautiful book with the speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and gorgeous paintings by Kadir Nelson. It includes a cd with the original recording of Dr. King’s speech on August 28, 1963.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Harlem’s Little Blackbird – Renee Watson and Christian Robinson

This is the story of singer Florence Mills who’s wonderful voice made her a hit in the 1920′s on Broadway. Born to former slaves, she never forgot her roots. She faced racism during her career, for example when she went to London and people threatened to boycott the the show but she quickly won over the audience with her singing.

Ziegfeld was a famed broadway manager who offered Ms. Mills a leading role, which would have made her the first black woman to star in the Ziegfeld Follies but she turned down the role, opting to support shows that gave unknown black singers a chance to be heard.

I loved reading this to the little hummingbird and it really opened up a discussion about different races. Yes, she’s only 3 years-old and doesn’t really understand why there was such a separation between whites and people of color, but I loved talking with her about how the color of your skin doesn’t matter. It’s what’s on the inside that matters the most. It’s something I hope will stay with her throughout her life.

Comments { 0 }

I wrote a children’s book. Ummm, now what?

By Elle on February 22, 2013 in books

So, yeah, I wrote a children’s book a few months ago. It’s a book for ages newborn to 3 but what makes the book beautiful and amazing is the illustrator that did such an incredible job on it. I couldn’t have asked or wished for anyone better.

I’m also working on a book for adults, that may turn into a screenplay instead, and a story for kids in the 4-8 range. I’ve been a busy girl.

Back to the book at hand. It’s called Dream Of All The Stars Above and while it’s pretty much done, I have no idea what to do next. I plan on self publishing it but still don’t know what the hell I’m doing.

I really want to publish it in book form, not as an ebook, and as much as I’ve read about self publishing, I’m still completely lost. I know I’ll figure it out eventually but I’m a blonde so it may take me longer than most people.

If you know somebody who knows somebody who knows of somebody else that knows about how to get this book published or into the right hands, for the love of all things chocolate, please drop me an email. elle dot mommyhood at gmail dot com.

Any advice at all on self publishing and distribution is welcomed and very much appreciated.

Comments { 3 }

Book Review And Giveaway: Wonder

By Elle on January 30, 2013 in books, review

When I interviewed Nicholas Sparks (I’m still drooling over Josh Duhamel… swoon) over the summer, a question I asked was what is one of his favorite books to read with his kids….he has five! One of the books he mentioned is Wonder.

It’s a beautiful book about a boy named August who has a facial deformity that literally makes kids scream and run away. He’s home schooled but in 5th grade, he’s given the opportunity to go to public school.

After being sheltered for so many years, he faces the reality of putting his face out there…literally.

August tells his side of his story and others tell their side, including what they really think of Auggie. It’s a beautiful story about beauty and what matters inside.

This book is great for ages 8 and up.

Guess what?

I’m giving away a copy to one of you. Just because I want to spread the word about Wonder.

Let me know in the comments what you think is beautiful. It can be anything that you find beauty in. A song lyric, a book, a piece of art, Ryan Gosling, anything. What? I was seeing if you were paying attention!

The winner will be contacted by email. If the winner doesn’t respond within 3 days, another winner will be chosen.

This book giveaway is open to everyone, anywhere, and the winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Just one entry per person, please. Good luck everyone!

This giveaway ends February 4th at 10 am PST.

Comments are closed

Book Review: Poopendous

By Elle on January 25, 2013 in books, review

Poopendous by Artie Bennett

Poopendous is stupendous, I’m sure you’ll agree. It’s all about poop, that’s cool as can be.

The little hummingbird really loves this book so. It’s hard to look at that sweet face and tell her no.

So, I read it again, sometimes two or three times. I’m having some trouble keeping up with this rhyme.

Go pick up this book and see for yourself. Poopendous is great for our little elfs.

It shows different animals and all kinds of poop. What it’s used for, this book gives you the scoop.

It tells why monkeys throw poop and shows feces galore. Different uses for poop, I’m sure you’ll want more.

Take my word for it, I have no reason to lie. This book is Poopendous, don’t let it pass you by.

Comments { 2 }

Book Review: Rocket Writes A Story

By Elle on January 13, 2013 in books, review

Rocket Writes A Story by Tad Hills.

I really wanted this book for the little hummingbird so she can get some idea what it is that I do all day. Rocket’s a dog who loves books and there’s a little yellow bird, Rocket’s teacher, that shows Rocket how to put a story together.

Rocket even liked the way books smelled. When he opened a new book, it smelled like a place he’d never been to, like a friend he’d never met.

Of course Rocket get’s writer’s block, something I know all too well, and the little yellow bird encourages Rocket to tap into his imagination.

While trying to find inspiration, Rocket comes across an owl who ends up becoming the story Rocket’s been looking for. He also finds a friend in the owl who helped inspire his story.

My husband and I had differing opinions about this book. I can’t wait to read it again but he just read it once and had no interest in it after that. Good thing the hubby isn’t the target audience. Bada-bing!

Rocket Writes A Story is for kids 4 and up and is 40 pages. I love the illustration and the way the book shows how to put a story together. I know when the little hummingbird is a little bit older and starts to read, this book will be good to have around when she also starts writing.

There’s a prequel to this book called How Rocket Learned To Read that I can’t wait to get for the hummingbird.

Comments { 1 }

Book Review And Giveaway: We Hope You Like This Song. An Overly Honest Story About Friendship, Death, And Mix Tapes.

By Elle on November 23, 2012 in books, giveaway, review

UPDATE: The winner is Katie from the blog Katherine The Great. Congratulations!

Firstly, I loved this book so much that I bought a copy to give away to one of you. That’s how awesome this book is.

We Hope You Like This Song is one of the best I’ve read in a while. I consumed it within days while I laughed, cried, and laughed some more. The book is about Bree who’s best friend Shelly died from pre-eclampsia which turned into HELLP.

The two had been friends since the fourth grade and the story is intertwined with the past and when Bree is preparing for her wedding…. without Shelly being there.

To keep Shelly’s spirit alive, Bree and her older sister, Courtnee start a blog to honor Shelly and do weekly tasks such as random acts of kindness and paying it forward.

There’s a crew of main players in the book and it feels like you really get to know each person. Get a box of tissues ready for this heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and loss.

~~~~~

Now, here’s your chance to get a copy. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me who you will give this book to after you’re done reading it so you can pay it forward and spread this great book around like a back alley hooker. Not that hookers spread books around.

Anyway….

One comment per person and the contest is open to everyone, anywhere. If the winner doesn’t claim their prize within 5 days of being contacted, a second person will be randomly selected. This contest ends Wednesday, November 28 at 10 am PST.

Good Luck!

Comments are closed

Book Review and Q and A: The Chicken Problem

By Elle on November 13, 2012 in books, review

The Chicken Problem. It’s a wonderful book and currently read at least once a day at my house. Sometimes I even read it to the little hummingbird.

Emmy award winner Jennifer Oxley (and creative director of Wonder Pets) and playwright Billy Aronson are the creators of this adorable book and I was able to do a little Q and A with them.

Q: What are some of the ways you get your inspiration for your work?

A: Deciding what you want to write or draw is like deciding what you want to wear to school, or eat for dinner, or what music you want to listen to. You just follow your heart and trust your gut.

Q: This is a question from Sydney, 11, who wants to work behind the scenes in television when she grows up. How did you originally start working on kid shows and did you go to school to learn what you do?

A: Since she was a little kid, Jennifer loved to draw, and knew she wanted to work in kids TV. She went to NYU Film School to learn animation, and got a job at SESAME STREET soon after.

Billy went to Yale Drama School to study playwriting. While he was there he started writing children’s plays, and found that he really loved writing for kids.

Q: Besides The Chicken Problem, what are some of your all time favorite children’s books?

A: Jennifer’s favorite children’s books include WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE and FOX IN SOCKS. Billy’s are THE GIVING TREE and YERTLE THE TURTLE.

Q: If you could be stuck in an elevator with anyone, who would it be and why?

A: We don’t want to be stuck in an elevator! It’s one of our worst all time nightmares! We actually walk up 5 flights of stairs every day to our office to avoid having to take an elevator!

But if we had to be stuck in an elevator, Joni Mitchell would be cool!

Q: Is there a question you’ve wanted to be asked in an interview that you haven’t been asked before?

A: Why are you so smart?….AND GREAT LOOKING!

~~~~~

This book will definitely grow with the little hummingbird. It’s a story about Peg and Cat. They like pie and have a tiny piece that they give to a tiny chicken.

Then Peg realizes she has a chicken problem on her hands when all the chicks get loose and she has to round them up. I love the counting involved in the book.

Also, instead of page numbers, it has addition…for example…page 5 is 4+1=5. Peg and Cat use their math skills to get the chickens.

The story and flow along with the illustrations will keep your child interested and entertained. It’s best for ages 3 and up.

Jennifer and Billy are currently working on Peg + Cat which is based off of the this book and will be on PBS Kids so keep an eye out for it and make sure to grab a copy of this really adorable book, The Chicken Problem.

Here’s a really cute trailer for the book….