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1. With Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and MIchael Jackson passing away this week, I’ve heard dozens of references to the irrefutable “deaths happen in threes” rule. “Deaths ALWAYS happen in threes.” Really? The Wall Street Journal listed some examples last night:
• Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the “Big Bopper” all died together in a plane crash in 1959
• Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison all died in close succession in 1970-71
• In 2003, Johnny Cash, John Ritter, and Warren Zevon all died within the same week
• In 2005, King Fahd, Peter Jennings and Robin Cook died within a week of each other
• The following year brought the closely timed deaths of Don Knotts, Darren McGavin and Dennis Weaver
• Heath Ledger, Suzanne Pleshette and Brad Renfro all died within a week of each other in January 2008
OK, maybe not “ALWAYS.” For the myth of this theory to live on, there must be some better examples, right? I’ll add JFK, C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley, who all died November 22, 1963. Got any?
2. There wasn’t much interest in my Mo Willems quiz on Monday, but I did get a few emails from enthusiastic supporters of The Pigeon, Elephant Gerald, and Piggie. There must be a lot of smart parents in the audience – what are your favorite children’s books? My daughter and I have a library date this afternoon; maybe we’ll pick up a few of your suggestions. (She’s 11-months-old. So I guess I’m really looking for books her mother and I will enjoy.)
3. What is the best experience you ever had at a concert or sporting event?
4. Let’s pretend you’re the kind of person who would put your life on TV. What would be the name of your reality show?
Comments (109)
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1. George Carlin, Bernie Mac and Issac Hayes. Though I, too, hate when people say, “This always happens in threes!”
2. My twin boys love Mo Willems! We have to re-read “Time to Say Please” from time to time. You can’t go wrong with classic Seuss, either.
3. My husband (then boyfriend) dragged me along to a Guns N Roses, Metallica, Faith No More concert in the early 1990s. I was not a fan of any of the groups, but it was the first time I met his brother and sister-in-law. She and I bonded over not wanting to be there and have been great friends ever since.
4. Hmmmmmm….you could call it “Mary & Drew, Plus Two.” But nobody would watch (we’re regular sized people without deformities.)
posted by Mary on 6-26-2009 at 10:44 am
4. An American with big boobs in Italy.
posted by Kate on 6-26-2009 at 10:49 am
we love the pigeon books and knufflebunny! my two year old’s very favorite book is where the wild things are. i love dinosaur vs bedtime, llama llama mad at mama and the story of ferdinand.
posted by emily on 6-26-2009 at 10:49 am
2. Both my girls loved Sandra Boynton’s books especially Barnyard Dance and But Not the Hippopotamus.
4. A Cure for Insomnia
posted by toddes on 6-26-2009 at 11:01 am
1 – I can’t think of the third, but I’m sure someone of note died a few days before or after Jim Henson and Sammy Davis, Jr.
3- I was at Game 7 of the 2001 World Series (Diamondbacks-Yankees). I’m a Mets fan, so I was happy to see the Yankees lose, and it was an incredible game to see live.
posted by Glenn on 6-26-2009 at 11:02 am
RE #2:
One of my favorite books to read to my son when he was younger, like 3-5, was “Ten Apples Up On Top” by Dr Suess.
The Harold and the Purple Crayon series was good too.
For when your daughter is older, you should definitely get the “Maggie B”. My dad used to read it to me and now, 30+ years later, “poop deck” still cracks me up! Thanks, Dad, for that life-long association, ha.
(Hah, reCAPTCHA: lying bookman)
posted by Sarah in CA on 6-26-2009 at 11:04 am
How about this for the 3 deaths. Same day, 11/22/63
Aldous Huxley
C.S. Lewis
JFK
posted by Franko on 6-26-2009 at 11:06 am
Shel Silverstein is a given. I also like Someday by Alison McGhee. Children’s books are amazing. Less than a hundred words and convey such tender stories.
posted by Marty on 6-26-2009 at 11:11 am
Is Franko kidding with that?
“OK, maybe not ‘ALWAYS.’ For the myth of this theory to live on, there must be some better examples, right? I’ll add JFK, C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley, who all died November 22, 1963. Got any?”
posted by Jon on 6-26-2009 at 11:13 am
My fave children’s book of all time – The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
I’m 25, and I still quote it.
posted by AmandaStretch on 6-26-2009 at 11:14 am
Zen Ties and Zen Short by Muth
Beautiful!
posted by Rachael on 6-26-2009 at 11:14 am
#2 – I’m going to second the Sandra Boynton’s books. Hippos Go Berserk and Barnyard Dance are great!
#3 – Van Halen at Marcus Ampitheatre in Milwaukee. I was in 8th grade and I got to bring my boyfriend. It was the first time went to a big event with a boy.
#4 – My last name is Urban, so my reality show would have to incorporate my awesome last name. “Urban Adventures” or “The Urban Life”.
posted by surban on 6-26-2009 at 11:16 am
Dag Drollet, Cheyenne Brando’s boyfriend killed by brother Christian
posted by oakl on 6-26-2009 at 11:24 am
#2: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith is hilarious.
posted by KMJ on 6-26-2009 at 11:24 am
Lynley Dodd is genius at children’s stories – though a little hard to get in US: Hairy McClarey series – charming characters, great rhyme and meter. Order them online, on faith. You will track me down and thank me.
Peggy Rathmann’s \Remember the Day the Babies Crawled Away?\ is a brilliant, fun romp – esp for houses with a new baby and an older sibling. A family fave – we can all recite by heart.
3. All very different, one music, two not – one not even tangentially related to music OR sports, but an event: a) Avett Brothers. 2006 at a bar in Lake Worth, FL. A phenom band, with some bluegrass and some punky roots – the tour was sold out. Lake Worth is such a vacuum of culture that NO ONE was there. There were some 20 ppl in audience + 20 people that worked there. Intimate, amazing – then saw them 2008 with a crowd in ATL and it provided this great counterbalance of a memory. b) Hunter Thompson at a speaking engagement in Lincoln Nebraska. I was working for him. He was charming and coherent. I was elated. c) 1996 Olympics, Opening Ceremonies. On the field with athletes after- amazing rush to be a part of something.
4. Big and Littles. My 6′7\ 350 lb husband, and our three kids 4-9. I would be off-camera, cleaning up.
posted by CatrinkaS on 6-26-2009 at 11:25 am
2. Morris Has a Cold (Morris the Moose) and The Stay on Star. I think the latter is a little more difficult to find, but it’s a real gem.
3. My first concert was The Vines and Jet (yes, I was a little old for it to be my first concert). It was pretty much amazing considering the lead singer for The Vines was stoned out of his mind and fell off stage.
posted by Laura on 6-26-2009 at 11:28 am
#2. Go Dog Go, and my girls love anything by Graeme Base. They love the pictures!
posted by Paige on 6-26-2009 at 11:28 am
1. Not three, but two: April 23 1616 : Cervantes and Shakespeare. Surely someone else died that day?
posted by CatrinkaS on 6-26-2009 at 11:29 am
Children’s books:
Knuffle Bunny (and Too!)
The Giving Tree
Love You Forever
Olivia (!)
But Not the Hippopotamus (a personal favourite)
posted by Ali on 6-26-2009 at 11:32 am
2. The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge, The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip, Babymouse, The Mad Scientists Club (more middle schoolish), The New Adventures of the Mad Scientists Club. Any Anansi folktale.
posted by Mike on 6-26-2009 at 11:35 am
2. What are your favorite children’s books?
We have a set of “Tonka Town” books my 19 month old son THINKS he loves (they are shiny and colorful), at bedtime he always runs to get one, but he will never sit through the whole book. He will sit through all of “The Giving Tree” (my favorite) even though it is all in simple black line drawings and the book is longer.
I think the trick is getting a book with as few words between page turns as possible. If he doesn’t have to wait long for the next picture he is into it.
3. What is the best experience you ever had at a concert or sporting event?
Last December, second to last game at Texas Stadium, NY Giants at Dallas Cowboys! Eli Manning sacked at least 75 times, several Cowboy touchdowns, got to boo at T.O.
I went with my Dad, we tailgated, saw John Madden. Cowboy’s won, good day!
4. Let’s pretend you’re the kind of person who would put your life on TV. What would be the name of your reality show?
No one would watch a show about me.
posted by Witty Nickname on 6-26-2009 at 11:39 am
toddlers (16 – 30 mo):
“teeth are not for biting” (not sure of the author)
“brown bear, brown bear” by eric carle
“museum colors” (not sure of the author but it’s boston museum of art)
young pre-school (30 mo – 4 years):
“the very hungry caterpillar” by eric carle
“color zoo” (can’t remember the author)
“good night moon” (can’t remember the author)
“mouse paint” (can’t rmember the author)
Late pre-school, kindergarten and early elementary
“my many colored days” author is sometimes listed as theodore geisel and sometimes as Dr seuss
“bad case of stripes” by david shannon
“Zin zin zin, a violin” (don’t remeber the author
and anything by robert sabbuda (gorgeous instricate pop-up books)
“rainbow fish” (can’t remeber the author)
“christmas clown” by tommy depaola (this is sad one but it’s awesome)
posted by hillary on 6-26-2009 at 11:40 am
Redwal series by brian jacques
posted by andres on 6-26-2009 at 11:42 am
Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies
posted by ivb on 6-26-2009 at 11:47 am
I work at a library, and I get to receive all the new childrens books! Anna Dewdney’s “Llama llama” books are adorable, and very read-aloud friendly.
Of course, the classics, Runaway Bunny, Goodnight Moon, Where the Wild Things Are, and anything by Richard Scarry, Dr. Seuss, or Eric Carle. Neil Gaiman’s written several beautiful children’s books. Jane Yolen has dozens of books, including several of fairytales and legends featuring very strong women When she’s older, you MUST read the Clementine books by Sara Pennypacker. No clever little girl should go without Clementine.
posted by Maggie on 6-26-2009 at 11:49 am
1. I remember Jim Henson and Sammy Davis Jr. died on the same day or so. Jim Henson devastated me. I still get choked up every time I hear Rainbow Connection, even the punk cover version.
2. Kids’ books: there’s a Canadian book called Alligator Pie that I loved as a kid, but don’t remember who wrote it.
3. One of the best shows I ever saw was at the Baggott Inn in NYC- 4 Irish Bands: Flogging Molly, the McCabes, Rogue’s March and Black 47, followed by the house band, blues guitarist David Kolker. All that amazing music on one stage!!!
4. I’ve worked in a gym, and I’m convinced that those trainers would be a better show than the one currently on Bravo.
My pub trivia team would also make a great reality show- a weird combo of Cash Cab, Friends and Ballykissangel.
posted by Elizabeth W. on 6-26-2009 at 11:50 am
2. The Giving Tree, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, and Where the Wild Things Are.
3. I saw the Backstreet Boys in concert on Valentine’s Day in my junior high days. It was a good Valentine’s present for any tween.
4. I would love a reality show, although I am probably pretty boring, maybe “Monica: Behind the Scenes.”
posted by Monica on 6-26-2009 at 11:52 am
1 –
Here’s three for you: Mother Theresa – September 5, 1997, Princess Diana – August31, 1997 and John Denver- October 12, 1997.
posted by Kate on 6-26-2009 at 11:55 am
2. I bring my kids to the library all the time, and these are ones they really love. I think they’re great too.
Some great examples of telling stories without words –
The Adventures of Polo and subsequent books by Regis Faller.
Robot Dreams by Sarah Varon. Really great for grownups as well.
posted by Doug on 6-26-2009 at 11:58 am
Chicken Soup with Rice and Caps for Sale were my favorites (along with Where the Wild Things Are).
posted by B on 6-26-2009 at 11:59 am
Was going to see U2 in Milwaukee. I had bought 2 GA seats off Craigslist, but none of my friends wanted to go, so I sold the other one on Ebay and was going to meet the guy there.
They had us wait in a line outside for hours. It was raining and kind of miserable, and we could leave the line (if we were back in time for the line checks) so I decide to go to a bar and get some food.
While at my table, I take my tickets out and set them on the table. I eat my food, and leave.
I get back to the line, and about 15 minutes later, they’re doing a line check. I reach into my pocket to pull out my tickets and “Uh oh.” (there was more profanity) Without telling anyone, I bolt out of the line and sprint to the bar.
I run up to the bouncer and say something bordering on the line of gibberish like “IwajustherletticketsU2!” He tells me to calm down, I’m able to tell him what happens, and he gets an “Uh oh” look on his face too. He tracks down my waitress and asks where she bussed the table “Into that garbage… which we just took out.”
They let me go out by the dumpster and dig around for about 20 minutes, but I didn’t find anything.
Now, this is supposed to be the best concert experience ever, right? Just wait.
I walk back to the line, all dejected. I realize I might as well check and see if any tickets have dropped–I’ll at least get to see the show. It turns out there are at least 2 GA tickets available and $120 later they’re mine.
I meet up with the Ebay guy, give him the ticket and get back in line. This whole time I had checked back in line a couple times, and when the people saw me with tickets, they actually applauded.
The way floor works at U2 shows is the majority of people are behind this fenced off area called “The Pit” which stretches about 30 feet. But when the tickets are scanned, about one in 15 tickets will pop up on a screen saying “Vertigo Vertigo Vertigo.”
Nobody around me gets it, I go up, scan my ticket, the screen stays black for what seems like eternity. I’m about to continue on to the normal spot of the floor when I see it “Vertigo Vertigo Vertigo.”
Ended up with a great spot at a great show. I didn’t care if I was still soaked, I was out an extra $120 and I was tired, I was about 10 feet from The Edge.
posted by Kevin on 6-26-2009 at 12:00 pm
John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe all died on July 4th (Adams and Jefferson in the same year).
posted by Allison on 6-26-2009 at 12:01 pm
2. Any books by Doreen Cronin make me smile and are the only ones that don’t make me cringe the 100th time they’re pulled off the shelf at bedtime. The hot one with my 4 year old right now is Duck Soup by Jackie Urbanovic. He can’t read, but listening to him recite the words on his own with such inflection cracks me up every time.
posted by Kathi on 6-26-2009 at 12:01 pm
4. – “Why Are You Watching This?”
posted by me on 6-26-2009 at 12:02 pm
Stinky Cheese Man!
posted by WildPetals on 6-26-2009 at 12:06 pm
Best concert moment: I was going to a Van Halen concert in around 1979?? I stole a pair of lacy panties (new with tag) from my mom’s drawer….doused them with perfume and threw them onstage at the Van Halen concern, right at DLR. He made a big deal out of it, twirling and dancing with them. Highlight of my senior year :)
posted by MrsPurrbottom on 6-26-2009 at 12:12 pm
1) I found out that Paul Winchell, the voice of Winnie the Pooh in the original movies, died the day before John Fiedler, who voiced Piglet in the movies too! I thought that was kind of weird.
2) I have to vote for “Knufflebunny” as well. It has a lot of pictures and emotions that kids can relate too. Another one of my favorites is called “Diary of a Wombat”. It’s amazing and made my 36 year old boyfriend laugh hysterically. I think then it would make any child’s day.
3)The most memorable concert I’ve been too was Coachella in 2003. My cousin took me there as a graduation gift. I wanted to wear jeans that day (big mistake!) and I got overheated in line and fainted in front of like 100+ people. We finally got inside and then I had to throw up because of being overheated. But the rest of night was awesome and it got cold at night so I guess I was happy I did wear jeans.
4)Mine would be “Holly and the Humans”. Holly is our 6 month old miniature dachshund and she thinks she runs the household which she does anyway.
posted by Colene on 6-26-2009 at 12:16 pm
Another indisputable fact: People always die within 6 months of their birthday.
(I kid you not. A hospice nurse actually said that to my family, as if it were some real earth shattering piece of news. My mom died within days of her birthday, but it also happened to fall within the 6 month window. Duh.)
posted by Hyacinth on 6-26-2009 at 12:28 pm
1- Gregory Peck (June 12, 2003); Katherine Hepburn (June 29, 2003); Buddy Hackett (June 30, 2003)
2- I was all about the Berenstain Bears growing up. I want to be a childrens’ book editor when I finish my masters degree so I can get more work like that out there. Although, for an 11-month-old Pat the Bunny would make more sense.
3- When I was 14 my favorite Dodger, Shawn Green, threw his batting glove to me. I got really excited so Vin Scully decided that I needed to be shown several times throughout the broadcast. I ended up all over ESPN, Fox Sports and the local networks that night. It was really embarrassing and hilarious now that I look back on it. He did sign the glove for me afterward.
posted by Lauren on 6-26-2009 at 12:30 pm
Oh, yeah, forgot this part…
Favorite story (out of print, but worth trying to track down) “There’s a Cow in the Road.” My kids are in college and we still quote lines from this book! Too silly!
Favorite concert was Elton John and Billy Joel. No particular reason, except I love their music.
A show about me!? Seriously! How cool would that be? Oh, no wait. Too boring for you. Too embarassing for me!
posted by Hyacinth on 6-26-2009 at 12:35 pm
2. My favorite childrens book is “I love it when you smile” by Sam McBratney (superb illustrations!) but a great story is “Love you forever” by Robert Munsch (especially good for parents!).
3. Saw the Little River Band at Naperfest in Naperville, IL some years back. Had no idea I even liked them until they played and I remembered every song!
4. Hell in a handbasket
posted by kristi on 6-26-2009 at 12:42 pm
Hyacinth:
Although technically wouldn’t EVERY day be within six months of your birthday? (one way or the other?)
Just thought I’d ask
posted by kristi on 6-26-2009 at 12:44 pm
There’s a book about a bat named Stella Luna who gets adopted by a bird, and it’s a hilarious “odd man out/be true to yourself kids book”.
posted by Lynne on 6-26-2009 at 12:53 pm
2- We love the Pigeon books. I still bust out “Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late” whenever by son tells me “he’s not tired”
3- Best concert experience was U2 at the Garden for their first show there after 9/11. I cannot explain the experiece and have chills just thinking about it.
posted by Walter on 6-26-2009 at 12:54 pm
2. We’re into the bear books by Karma Wilson and the Little Quack books by Lauren Thompson. I love the illustrations as much as the stories.
3. The best sporting event was watching my brother dive in a regional meet. He went to a MAC school and I was so worried when he had to go up against the Big 10 guys. He didn’t win, but he held his own and did his big sister proud as usual.
4. “The Cowtown Chronicles” – the title may be ambiguous enough to draw viewers in at first, because the subject matter certainly wouldn’t be!
posted by bev on 6-26-2009 at 12:54 pm
2. Here are a few favorite books of the kindergartners I serve in my library (some might be books to grow into, but most have great illustrations that the younger kids enjoy):
- The ‘No, David!’ series by David Shannon
- Click, Clack, Moo (and other books) by Doreen Cronin
- ‘Bad Kitty’ by Nick Bruel
- Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann
- Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
- The Dinosaur books by Jane Yolen
And of course most of the classics like Clifford, Eric Carle books (don’t just stop at Hungry Caterpillar!), and others mentioned in comments here.
posted by Katie on 6-26-2009 at 1:01 pm
Books – All the classics are pretty already here but a good, kind of off the wall one is Arnie the Doughnut – I read it to my nieces and foster daughter. I used to do voices for each character, but it wears you out.
Sporting event – Game 5, 2009 World Series (both games – with my lovely, beautiful and forgiving wife). Cold, wet, angry (during the postponement), nervous, joyous – could not speak for 2 days.
Reality TV – I would say Boringest Catch or The Not-So Amazing Race, but if that’s true, why am I so tired. Besides, I like those shows, so I wouldn’t denigrate them with a parody.
reCaptcha – Yangtse Kiang crepes – Say what?
posted by Lance on 6-26-2009 at 1:04 pm
#2 Berkeley Breathed’s “Mars Needs Moms” is cute and funny tale that makes a kid appreciate his mom. Me and my two boys like this one alot!
posted by Jason on 6-26-2009 at 1:05 pm
Whoops – 2008 World Series. But a Phillies fan can always dream.
posted by Lance on 6-26-2009 at 1:05 pm
2. “But No Elephants” by Jerry Smath, “Henry’s Awful Mistake” by Robert Quakenbush, “Happy Birthday, Moon” by Frank Asch, and “The Pokey Little Puppy” by Janette Sebring Lowrey and Gustaf Tenggren were some of my favorites.
posted by Kristen on 6-26-2009 at 1:18 pm
Thus far the best concert I’ve seen (and this was last week) was Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood – fantastic!!!!
posted by Anne on 6-26-2009 at 1:25 pm
It wasn’t the same week but, Giani Versace, Mother Teresa and Princess Diana all within about a month of each other.
posted by Stephanie on 6-26-2009 at 1:27 pm
A Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends (My sister and I have matching ‘Sister for Sale’ illustration tattoos), The Giving Tree, and The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate The Wash (or as I used to say “the Warsh”)
311 on 3/11 Day at the UNO Arena in New Orleans. They played for 6 hours straight. Later on we were wandering down some street in the Garden district and the band was on the street corner by their tour bus. We got our “minds right,” with them
posted by Byron on 6-26-2009 at 1:29 pm
Walter the Farting Dog is a great kids book. All four of mine love it. But you have to be able to say “fart” a lot without cracking up at your kids reaction or you’ll never get through it.
My reality show would be called “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” and it would feature my energetic kids wrecking things around the house and me potentially blowing my arms off fixing them.
posted by Anthony on 6-26-2009 at 1:32 pm
I must agree with The Stinky Cheese Man and ANYTHING by Berkeley Breathed. Those stories are so amazing with hilariously great illustrations.
Something for later on in life – Le Petit Prince.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers in Nashville was killer. Gnarls Barkley opened but they weren’t too great. Also, Vanderbilt’s annual festival had The Roots. SO GOOD.
posted by Zoe on 6-26-2009 at 1:37 pm
Upon first glance at this I thought that Mo Wilems had died. I gasped and was upset for the first time this week about the death of a famous person. Whew, so glad that I kept reading and saw that your piece on Wilems was not related to the Death in Threes piece.
posted by beki on 6-26-2009 at 1:39 pm
My TV-show would be called “Fat Woman on Couch”.
posted by Ursula on 6-26-2009 at 1:44 pm
2. Don’t forget Mo Willems “Leonardo, the Terrible Monster!”
Before I could read, I memorized “The Monster at the End of This Book” by Jon Stone. Very fun read-aloud.
I learned to read with Frog & Toad by Lobel and Little Bear by Minarik
Sandra Boynton is always awesome- check out her music books too. “15 Animals” cracks me up every time.
You’ll need “How I Became a Pirate” by Long for Talk Like a Pirate Day.
AND I l-o-v-e “Not A Box” by Portis.
Ask me again sometime, and I’ll give you a whole new list.
3. My dad took me to a Rolling Stones concert and a guy dumped his beer on my head and then fell down the stairs. Hilarious!
4. Miss Kiki Sees the World. Who cares if people watched, I’d get to travel the world!
posted by Miss Kiki on 6-26-2009 at 1:44 pm
“Fat Woman On Couch”.
Truth in advertising, baby.
posted by Ursula on 6-26-2009 at 1:44 pm
Yep, Kristi, that is the point. Of course everyone dies within 6 months of their birthday. But the nurse said it as if it were this great revelation.
posted by Hyacinth on 6-26-2009 at 1:57 pm
One must read children’s book is Tad Pole’s Promise!!!!! Trust me. Even if you don’t have a kid you should find and read this picture book. It will blow your mind.
posted by waffleman on 6-26-2009 at 2:02 pm
1. George Carlin, Bernie Mac and Issac Hayes. Though I, too, hate when people say, “This always happens in threes!”
Funny you should say that. George Carlin had a bit about this saying:
“Everything happens in threes!… Everything doesn’t happen in threes, everything happens in ones. People just get confused then three ones come together.
posted by Troy H. on 6-26-2009 at 2:18 pm
Tadpole’s Promise seems like a real life lesson! Whew! (Just read the synopsis, not the book.)
posted by Hyacinth on 6-26-2009 at 2:36 pm
2. Just read and loved The Fartiste by Krull and Brewer. While appealing to base, giggly instincts, it also manages to be based on a true story from 19th century France. So, you know, it’s culture! The illustrations are rich and lovely, and the text is in verse – great for all ages.
posted by EJ on 6-26-2009 at 2:41 pm
I started my son in Dr. Seuss when he was still a baby. I would do different voices for the characters to make him crack up. He’s now 4 1/2 and he can read them on his own.
We started with “If I ran the zoo” and “If I ran the circus”. For a little while he kept asking us to buy him an iota, but he quickly learned the concept of imagination/creativity.
It would be awesome if you had a Dr. Seus quizz!
posted by Sandra A. on 6-26-2009 at 2:42 pm
3. While visiting some friends at Rice University one weekend in fall 2003, the four of us girls decided to go to the Dropkick Murphys show. Well, it was during their campus-wide event of “Screw Your Roommate” (you set your roommate up on a date sort of thing) and were wearing Pepto-Bismol pink event shirts that said “Screw Your Roommate” right on the front. So as I’m getting patted down by the security guard when he looks at my shirt, looks at the other girls, and proclaims, “Are you all roommates? I wish I had a roommate to screw”! It was hilarious when a few of the people behind us in the line were nodding in agreement as well. It was a pretty awesome show too!
posted by Elizabeth on 6-26-2009 at 2:59 pm
Kids books are all I ever read!
For younger toddlers:
Leslie Patricelli makes the most awesome board books, hysterically funny.
You really can’t go wrong with language repeaters like Goodnight Moon, Hand, Hand Fingers Thumb, and others. And you will get the warmest fuzzies from Guess How Much I Love You. And you MUST read,
More More More Said the Baby. It is just a beautiful love story.
For older toddlers:
Click Clack Moo – it’s union organizing for children! A Must Read.
I like the funnier, odder books – Bad Kitty is great, and Caps for Sale, but only if you do it in a really fakey Italian accent… Sandra Boynton is lovely, as is anything by Peggy Rathman… you have to read 10 minutes til bedtime… the teeny hamster potty training had me in hysterics!
3 and up, definitely Olivia!!! Especially for proud, strong little girls.
Call me a rebel, but a lot of the older books… are just tooooo texty for kids, or the illustrations are really dry… I loved Leo Lionni as a child, but my kid hated it. I never really read her Dr. Seuss either. We went from the Kindergarten List right to My Father’s Dragon, now she’s reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid on her own – in Kindergarten!!!
Reading pays off, it does, it does. And don’t EVER dumb it down, EVER. Kids will take anything you give them and make it their own.
recaptcha: Total priggish
well, now, really?
posted by Marion on 6-26-2009 at 3:27 pm
4. An American with big boobs in Italy.
posted by Kate on 6-26-2009 at 10:49 am
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Hey Kate, how’s it goin?
posted by SimonCabron on 6-26-2009 at 3:42 pm
1- My favorite group of three: James Brown, Gerald Ford, and Saddam Hussein, all within five days.
posted by Amanda on 6-26-2009 at 3:44 pm
1- James Brown, Gerald Ford and Saddam Hussein, all within five days. That group of three struck me as the set up of a joke just begging for a punch line.
posted by Amanda on 6-26-2009 at 3:47 pm
If you like the movie Watership Down, you’ll love the original book
posted by Scotty A on 6-26-2009 at 3:51 pm
3. Tough call between being at the Orange Bowl on Jan 2. 2007 and the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 2009. Although both of my teams, Wake and the Blackhawks lost, it was such a huge day for both of those little guys. Watching the white sox win the world series in ‘05 on TV was pretty amazing too though.
I can’t even begin to decide which is my favorite concert I’ve been to.
posted by funinatl on 6-26-2009 at 4:00 pm
My father was a minister and swore my the people die in 3 rules. He spent many busy weeks performing funerals.
posted by Amy on 6-26-2009 at 4:16 pm
To complete the Sammy Davis Jr. (5-16-90), Jim Henson (5-16-90), add Jill Ireland (5-18-90).
posted by Sparky on 6-26-2009 at 4:19 pm
1. Henry Fonda, Ingrid Bergman and Grace Kelly
2.
3. Play off game between the Dallas and Carolina: On the way into the stadium, met a hguy selling shirts that said “Carolinas vs. Convicts”. THis was during the time Dallas was having some criminal issues with the team members. Bought the shirt, Deon Sanders got hurt, and the Panthers won. All was good!
4. With a last name Greathouse, it would have to be “The Greathouse Adventures”
posted by Jeffrey on 6-26-2009 at 5:35 pm
I haven’t read Mo Willems’ books, but “Sheep in the Big City” was AWESOME. I miss it so.
posted by M on 6-26-2009 at 5:58 pm
My favorite kid’s book ever was Miss Rumphius. Its the only one I still own.
I’m also a fan of Berenstein Bears, The Monster at the End of This Book, I’m My Mommy/I’m My Daddy (another Sesame Street book, but I think from the 70’s and out of print…), The Clown of God (Tomi DiPaola), and classics like Goodnight Moon.
I also strongly second Le Petit Prince–I read it for the first time when I was 6, and its stuck with me ever since.
posted by allyson on 6-26-2009 at 6:43 pm
1. Mother Teresa and Princess Di died within a few days of each other in 1997, and one of my classmates grandfathers died in between them, but I’m sure there was a 3rd famous person, as well.
2. My favorite children’s book is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Love it!! Love it so much!!
posted by MW on 6-26-2009 at 6:54 pm
Try the If you give series by Laura Numeroff, or the Parts series. Both are very funny. My daughter loves them.
posted by DarleneW on 6-26-2009 at 8:50 pm
Madame Hen and Little Horace, by Hugh Heaton, published in 1940. Absolutely gorgeous little book, the typeface is adorable, the rhyming in the story is sublime, the illustrations are so cool, and the story is such a good one! I found a copy at a library sale about 30 years ago, and have loved it ever since!
posted by NB on 6-26-2009 at 9:04 pm
4 “Going to Italy to Look for Kate!”
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 6-26-2009 at 9:09 pm
For both the 11-month-old and Mom and Dad: Gallop! and Swing!
posted by Day on 6-26-2009 at 9:15 pm
2. I see “The Monster at the End of This Book” has been mentioned,and I’ll 2nd,3rd,and 4th it!
Also a fairly new series of books begins w/ “Llama Llama Red Pajama”.
“Elmo says Achoo!”
I teach preschool and my students ALWAYS get excited when they see me sitting down w/ these books. All 3 are simple and your daughter can grow into them.
1. Also,didn’t Micahel Landon die very shortly before or after Jim Henson?
posted by LJones on 6-26-2009 at 9:28 pm
I see lots of suggestions for kids’ books that I love, too. I particularly agree with Sarah in CA’s pick: The Maggie B. I read it to my kids when they were little, and I recently read it to my daughter’s first-grade students. Love it, love it, love it! Clown of God (suggested by Allyson) is one I like, too, but I would add that you can’t go wrong with any Tomie diPaolo. Jan Brett is pretty cool, too (e.g., The Mitten). Have fun!
I might add that a recent interview with Mo Willems on NPR inspired me to have an art project at my daughter’s college graduation party; guests drew pictures in honor of her. Since she blogs about artists, these pictures made an especially appropriate commemoration.
My reality show might be called “Grammar Geek Gone Wild.”
posted by Therese on 6-26-2009 at 9:49 pm
I just want to mention that Mo Willems is a great guy. He did a presentation at the Young Authors Conference in Milwaukee a few years ago. He really did a great job with the kids and taught them all how to draw pigeon.
posted by Surban on 6-26-2009 at 10:02 pm
Anthony Browne is an amazing kids author.
Blueberries for Sal: great book
When We Were Very Young, Now We Are Six: great book
Anything by Jane Hissey (Old Bear and Little Bear series)
Anything by Janet and Alan Alberg
Anything by Helen Oxbury (The Day the Wind Blew is a great one)
I loooove children’s lit, so much that I took a kid’s lit class in college and it had nothing to do with my major
posted by Natalia on 6-26-2009 at 10:04 pm
Forgot the “No, David” series by David Shannon. They’re great!
posted by Natalia on 6-26-2009 at 10:06 pm
i dont know if the alamo would qualify but here’s a try danial boone, sam houston,david bowe
posted by brian on 6-26-2009 at 10:25 pm
I have to say, some of my favorite children’s books have to be the collages books by Eric Carle. It doesn’t get any better than The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Brown Bear, Bear, What do you see; the Grouchy Ladybug; Papa Please get the Moon For Me; and A House for Hermit Crab are fantastic. The stories are cute and the artwork is amazing.
posted by Amanda on 6-26-2009 at 10:26 pm
The Phantom Tollbooth is a fantastic children’s book. The Abarat Series by Clive Barker may be a bit advanced, but it’s still great for young people.
Then there are classics like The Secret Garden and anything by Roald Dahl.
posted by Liz on 6-26-2009 at 11:18 pm
Laszlo Kovacs (legendary cinematographer) died on July 22nd, 2007, followed a week later by both Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni, on July 30th, 2007.
posted by cameron on 6-27-2009 at 12:48 am
#4 – “The Learning Curve”
posted by Rachel O. on 6-27-2009 at 7:47 am
Books – SkippyJon Jones is still loved around here (my youngest is 8), as are the “If You Give a….” books. Happy Reading!!
posted by Laurel R. on 6-27-2009 at 12:26 pm
2. Anything by Eric Carle especially the Very Hungry Catepillar. Where the Wild Things Are (can’t wait for the movie!!!!), Dr. Suess and all related books by the publishing company (PD Eastman and other authors). Those are what I grew up with, I read them to my son and I’m now reading them to my daughter.
posted by Katy on 6-27-2009 at 5:48 pm
2. Alexander and the terrible, Horrible, no good, very bad day.
I love that book especially when I’m having a bad day.
4.The Kate and Julia show
I’m Kate, based on Kate Winslet, especially from the movie “The Holiday.” That’s the movie of my life.
My Best Friend is Julia, after Julia Robert’s character in “Pretty Woman”, except she’s not a hooker.
it would be quite boring though, we usually just hang out at a coffee shop.
posted by hidden sunshine on 6-27-2009 at 8:17 pm
Its not three but the woman who did the voice of the evil stepmother in Cinderella and snow white died the same day as Walt Disney.
posted by SarahM on 6-27-2009 at 9:58 pm
1. Princess Di, Mother Theresa, and Viktor Frankl (Holocaust survivor and famous psychiatrist – wrote “Man’s Search for Meaning”) all died in the same week in 1997.
posted by yasulh on 6-28-2009 at 9:56 am
Billy Mays (the guy in the oxyclean commercials and so on…yells at the tv all the time) just died TODAY! (sunday)…so that FOUR within a 7 day period!
posted by Megan on 6-28-2009 at 12:48 pm
Billy Mays is dead.
Farewell, our favoured sponsor of orange glow….
posted by Sam on 6-28-2009 at 5:38 pm
Billy Mays is dead now so the the three thing doesn’t count any more.
Now its every man for himself.
Chuck Norris is next I have a feeling..
posted by Isabella on 6-28-2009 at 5:48 pm
I can’t believe I didn’t read about the “If you give a mouse a cookie” series. It’s so cute! I like classics like “Cloudy with a chance of meatballs” and Where the wild things are. I love children’s books!!!
posted by PoGo on 6-28-2009 at 8:29 pm
RIP Billy Mays – but wait, there’s more.
We’re going to miss you.
ReCaptcha: went moronic
posted by roi_ratt on 6-29-2009 at 12:02 am
For the toddler-to-be and parents to laugh at besides Mo Willems’ books:
Bark George-Feiffer
Snoozers: Seven Bedtime Stories – Boyton
Click, Clack Moo: Cows that Type – Cronin
The Day the Babies Crawled Away – Rothman
1000 Times No – Warton
And then check our their other titles.
posted by MotherReader on 6-29-2009 at 6:36 pm
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Read it to a child or kids you know before October 16 and get ready for a surreal adventure.
posted by justin on 6-29-2009 at 8:11 pm
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Read to a child or kids by October 16th to experience a surreal adventure.
posted by justin on 6-29-2009 at 8:13 pm
2. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Love You Forever by Robert Munsch (you and your daughter will LOVE these books)
posted by Cephei on 7-1-2009 at 11:18 am
Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey. Think Walter the Farting Dog, except clever. I also love anything by David Wiesner or Caralyn Buehner. You always have to look at the clouds her books. The illustrations are amazing!
posted by Janel on 7-3-2009 at 4:42 pm
Oh and Stephanie’s Ponytail. I can’t remember who wrote it, but I remember my sister LOVED it when we were little.
posted by Janel on 7-3-2009 at 4:45 pm
#2 – One of my kids’ favorite books along the pigeon lines (they love all the pigeon books): “I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean!” by Kevin Sherry. Cute pictures and very funny.
posted by maggielou42 on 7-18-2009 at 12:24 am