I find myself crying or snapping at every annoying moment that happens this week. Is it the usual exhaustion from Mommying? Is it the dreary weather? No. It's sadness. One year without my dad. The year has flown by. He creeps into my thoughts daily, but this week is different. It's grief again. The kind that takes your breath away and hurts in your heart. 

I started my picture book writing journey last Summer. It really helped me get my mind off of the unbearable. I haven't shared details of my manuscript with any of you yet, but now is a good a time as any. Through multiple revisions and refining, I naturally ended up with a story about a little girl and her father. Go figure! Subconscious much?

Bella is little girl with a big imagination, who wants nothing more than to play with Dad. He is busy working in the pizza shop so she makes it her mission to cook up diversions to distract him from his busy day. But Dad works hard because he loves her more than anything in the whole world. He teaches her lessons in love, patience and hard work, so when she grows up, Bella can be anything her heart desires. 

This book means a lot to me on a personal level. I will work hard, just like my Dad taught me, to bring this dream to life. (I will make you proud, Dad. I miss you every day.)

It's a little tough this week, but I will post a Father's Day Picture Book Gift Guide soon. It will include some of my favorite books featuring father/daughter/son relationships with links to buy. If you have any favorites, please comment below.

Call your Dad if you can and thank him for all he did for you as a child and for all the lessons he taught you.  He will appreciate it.

Thanks for reading.

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​There’s a lot of hoopla going on at the moment about The Royal Wedding and we'll only get to see a small glimpse of the celebrations from across the pond. But I can’t help my enthusiasm! The little girl in me can’t wait to see a real-life Prince and Princess wed at Windsor Castle, in front of the Queen.  
 
I mean, HELLO!!!  ARE YOU KIDDING???

​So, it’s time to find that tattered box in the basement of your parent’s house and dust off the classics. While their storylines may be dated, these books will always stand the test of time. Read these with your little ones and whisk them away to a land far, far away. Because, hey, we all need to be transported to another time and place every now and again, don’t we?

​Ah, love is in the air. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my own true-to-life fairytale. Once upon a time, my very own Prince Charming carried me away to his enchanting country and proposed to me in Warwick Castle. He knew just how to make our engagement absolutely magical. I felt like a real princess that day. Five years later, we now have our own little prince to cherish every day. 

Today is my first Mother’s Day. Yay! Hayden handed me a card with a smile this morning and it was the SWEETEST moment. (Thank you, Hubby.) He gave me a big hug and kiss and it’s a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. I’m so proud to be part of the Mom’s club. WE ARE SOME BAD ASS LADIES! In honor of this very special day, I’m sharing picture books that celebrate Moms. So grab one of these books (and a box of tissues), and read it with your little ones tonight because to them, you are their HERO every day. 

​The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Celebrating 75 years!  A little bunny keeps running away from his mother in this imaginary game of hide-and-seek. Children will be profoundly comforted by this lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time.
 
​If I Could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond
Explores the powerful feeling of wanting your child to grow up while savoring every moment. Beautifully written and illustrated to showcase the complex emotions we all have.
 
Someday by Alison McGhee
A mother's love leads to a mother's dream -- every mother's dream -- for her child to live life to its fullest.
 
My Mom is Magical by Sabrina Moyle
Featuring a magical unicorn, a joyful tribute to just how amazing Moms (and their kids!) are.
 
The Best Mother by C. M. Surrisi
Maxine wonders what if she could try out a new mom who doesn’t make her brush her teeth or comb her hair? Enlisting Mom to help her with the search, Maxine interviews various prospects to be her new mother at the park, the toy store, and the zoo. Unfortunately, these other mothers present a host of new problems and concerns. Maybe her “old mother” was the best mother of all? There’s nothing better than your own mother’s love.
 
 I've Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb
A celebratory and poetic testament to the timeless love felt between parent and child. This beautiful picture book is inspired by Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb’s heartwarming adoption of her baby girl.
 
Kiss Kiss! By Margaret Wild
One day when Baby Hippo woke up, he was in such a rush to go and play that he forgot to give his mama a kiss. As Baby Hippo wanders through the jungle, he hears "Kiss, kiss!" from all the other animal parents and babies. Finally he realizes what it is he forgot to do.
 
Ladybug Girl and Her Mama by Jacky Davis
Ladybug Girl loves her mama, and can’t wait to spend the day with her. They plant flowers in the garden, share a special lunch, and enjoy a favorite movie. Together-time has never been so sweet. Just right for Mother’s Day!

 






Naughty Kitty!
Written & Illustrated by: Adam Stower

This book is another winner! I really enjoyed the unpredictable nature of Naughty Kitty! at every page turn. What makes this book incredibly special is the text is telling you one story but the illustrations are telling a completely different one. It's super cute!

Anyone with a sibling will relate to this story. As a kid, were you ever blamed for something naughty your brother or sister did? No matter how many times you stated your case to your parents (I DIDN'T DO IT, IT WASN'T ME, I SWEAR!!!), they just didn't believe you. And your sibling was over there sticking his/her tongue out at you from behind your parent's back. Naughty Kitty! explores this scenario in such a hilarious way. It really is a must read. Pick it up at your local library or book store.  You can also buy it here.

Lily wants a dog but Mom thinks they are way too messy. She surprises Lily with a kitten instead. Although Kitty can't do any tricks, she is pretty cute...until EVERYTHING changes. Whenever Lily leaves Kitty alone, she comes back to find a total CATastrophe! How is this tiny kitten making such a HUGE mess? Lily can't see what is happening behind her back, but we can. Hehe. A massive tiger keeps sneaking into the house wreaking havoc in all the rooms. Poor Kitty! She keeps getting blamed for Tiger's bad behavior. I won't ruin the ending for you, but there is a sweet twist that is sure to make you and your little ones giggle.

Adam Stower also wrote and illustrated Silly Doggy! I'll have to check that one out next.


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Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy
Written By: Jane O’Connor
Illustrated By: Robin Preiss Glasser
 
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. Admittedly, I must have been living under a rock,
because this was the first time I heard about Fancy Nancy. But I have a good
excuse. I have an 11 month old son. Need I say more?
 
This book is spectacular (or as Nancy would say, “That’s a fancy word for great.”) 
I enjoyed it for a number of reasons. First, the main character, Nancy, is adorable, spunky, and precocious. She is driven by the need to feel, dress, look, speak, eat…well, just be everything fancy.
She is a beautifully imagined character created by Jane O’Connor.
 
Calling all girly-girls everywhere! The illustrations, by Robin Reiss Glasser are gorgeous and fun. BRAVO! They practically drip with glitter and all things pink and flowery. I can just imagine Nancy’s world and her insatiable need for the finer things in life.

I think this door is the perfect reflection of this book. I imagine Nancy walking passed this door on a London street, dreaming of all the lavish trinkets inside. 

I just adore how Nancy uses “fancy” words, and tells us what they mean and how to pronounce them. Example: “I hope we get a papillon, like our neighbor’s dog. You say it like this: pappy-yawn. In French, it means butterfly.” It’s such a clever tool to teach your kids new words and to expand their vocabulary. A great exercise would be to pick a new word from the book, and find ways to use it in sentences throughout the day.
 
Now, I was the complete opposite of Nancy as a child. I was a total tomboy with grass stains on my clothes and dirt in my frizzy hair. But what Nancy and I did have in common, was our desire for a puppy. Fancy Nancy is a series, but in this book, she is wishing for a posh (that’s another word for fancy) puppy. When her parents want a much larger dog than the one of Nancy’s dreams, she develops a plan to dogsit her neighbor’s papillon. When her plan backfires, she finds out just how delicate a fancy dog can be! Nancy finally comes around and realizes a papillon just isn’t going to work. She rescues a dog, in need of a home, from a shelter instead.  Her new dog is perfect for the family, a little fancy, and most of all unique...which Nancy decides is better than being fancy anyway.
 
I highly recommend this book for anyone with a little girl and/or if you are thinking about rescuing a dog. It’s a wonderful device to spark a conversation about finding the right breed for the entire family and how rescuing a dog is a truly rewarding experience for all involved.
 
I think you’ll fancy this book too.  ENJOY!