MamaBlooMarriage. Motherhood. Life.

MamaBloo Book Review: Gorgonzola – A Very Stinky Saurus

§ March 26th, 2010 § Filed under Book Reviews § Tagged Book Review, books, children's books, dinosaurs, preschool § 1 Comment

Gorgonzola the triceratops is a real stinky-saurus! Apparently, as an orphan he has never been taught about good hygiene. So the book presents our hero.

This book gets a mixed review. My son is drawn to all things dinosaur right now and so that aspect of the book is compelling as are the vivid and interesting illustrations. I think this book would really work best, though, not for dinosaur lovers alone, but for dinosaur lovers who also never want to bathe or brush his or her teeth! Since Ty loves both tasks, the content of this book was lost as it wasn’t really a dinosaur book.

Gorgonzola learns to brush his teeth and scrub his body while his bird-friend shouts instructions like: “And don’t forget to floss”, “Don’t just splash. You gotta scrub, boy!” and my favorite, “Remember the tail, buddy” At the end when he is finally clean, he is also finally accepted by his dinosaur friends and is declared “Ex-Stink”!

My biggest complaint, actually, is Gorgonzola’s bird friend who calls our stinky hero names like “big baby” and “primo stinko”. He also cracks jokes that just are not funny and are at the expense of Gorgonzola, “You could petrify a rock with that prehistoric aroma of yours”. The bird is suppose to be helpful, but he doesn’t act compassionate or kind – that bugs me. The bird seems to use humiliation to motivate Gorgonzola and holds out the promise that only when he is clean will Gorgonzola be included in the bird’s group of friend.

Overall the book just didn’t feel that original or special to me. I actually had the thought as I was reading it that I should write a children’s book since the publishing standards were not too steep… ouch! But, I will say this. You may want to check it out if you have a kiddo that hates baths and maintaining his or her good hygiene – just keep the cheeky bird in mind.

By Margie Palatini

Illustrated by Tim Bowers

Ages 4-7

MamaBloo Book Review: On The Night You Were Born

§ March 5th, 2010 § Filed under Book Reviews § Tagged books, children's books § 3 Comments

On the night you were born
the moon smiled with such wonder
that the stars peeking in to see you
and the night wind whispered,
“Life will never be the same.”

I first heard this book when it was read aloud by a good friend at her one year old’s dedication.  I then went out and got the book to give to Emme.  

This is a book of power and majesty.  The author tells the story of what happens on the night “you” were born.  All of creation stops and takes notice as the child in the story is told again and again how unique, perfect, wonderful and loved he is.  It is one that sinks deep into a mother’s heart, and still remains relevant to the child — it doesn’t go above a child’s head, but instead simply reveals each child’s profound place in the world.  And, of course, to mom and dad, that child IS the whole world.

This book is a poignant reminder that God’s creation is, indeed, for each of us.  And each time a new “you” comes into the world, there is reason to celebrate.   This book would make a beautiful gift for any mom and it is a wonderful addition to a child’s library.  Its message of love is too special to pass up.