Photo by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Poetrees
Written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Beach Lane Books, 2010
I finally had a chance to borrow Poetrees from the library. What a fun book!
Written and illustrated by Douglas Florian, the pages resemble different aspects of trees – bark, roots, rings, leaves, and more. I love the way the reader needs to turn the book on its side to read up to down the long way, resembling the height of trees. So much fun!
Why I Like This Book:
~ the variety of trees included in the book, each as unique s the next
~ the wordplay and fun-on-your-tongue poetree
~ the artwork gives glimpses into the words and thoughts inspired by the poetree
~ what I learned about trees, especially the ones not found in my Pacific Northwest region
~ the glossatree gives more info about each tree or tree part
~ the sense of awe, wonder, and amazement which exudes from this book of trees
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
black baby bunny
basks
but
beware
boy blocks, bundles
black baby bunny
bumbles
bounces
burrows
beautiful baby bunny
black baby bunny by Angie Quantrell
What do furry kitties and people noses have in common?
Both sometimes need de-furring (or de-zitting). I doubt that last is an actual word. But you know what I mean.
I’ve personally used the Bioré strips on multiple occasions, to some success. But after a week of so of poofs of kitty fur falling from Monet (our hunting monster girl cat) and floating around the RV, I was getting pretty tired of wearing gray itchy hair.
After one snuggle session, I accidentally wiped my fur-covered hands on my navy shorts. Oops. So off I went to get the lint strips, which quickly took care of the problem.
. . .
And then. Could it be that easy? Let’s try and find out. (With Monet, this is risky business, trying stuff like sticky lint strips on her body. I could be putting myself in the way of scratches, bites, or hisses. Such is the personality of Her Highness.)
. . .
But it worked! For a few times. And then she was done. But oh, the wonder and delight of cat-ching that much fur before it was displayed around the RV.
Go ahead. Try some kitty Bioré strips this shedding season. Let me know how it goes.
Nibbles, A Green Tale
Written and illustrated by Charlotte Middleton
Marshall Cavendish Children, 2009
I have so many wonderful memories of the guinea pigs we loved during my years of teaching preschool. Our mama gave us hours of delight as we watched her lead her trail of babies around the room. Rustling plastic bags brought squeals demanding whichever “greens” we had brought. Both preschoolers and my family members loved snuggling and playing with these cuties.
Imagine my delight when I saw Nibbles, A Green Tale at the library! Nibbles is obviously a guinea pig, one who loves dandelions. With our current pasture-wide crop of dandelions, I couldn’t wait to read this picture book. If only I could borrow a city of dandelion-loving guinea pigs and let them camp out in the pasture for a week or two. That would take care of the clouds of white seeds.
Why I LOVE this book:
~ guinea pigs! Wheet, wheet!
~ guinea pigs who eat dandelions
~ guinea pigs wearing clothes!
~ a fun story of how one guinea pig rescued dandelions from becoming extinct
~ a green strategy to solve dandelion problems (though the sheer number of them needed to clear a pasture…)
~ adorable illustrations
~ wonderful story and characters
There is a sequel to this book, Nibbles: Another Green Tale. I can’t wait to track down a copy.
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Love, Laughter, and Life 