For more about Perplexus, please see TechyDad’s review about this amazingly fun puzzle that makes you really think two steps ahead.
I will be the first to admit it. I enjoy books that are clever and make you laugh. As a teacher with a science background, I can even handle ones that use a little bathroom humor and/or items about body functions. I am a firm believer that we need to get children to read and why not learn about things in a fun manner.
One of NHL’s favorite books, when he was about JSL’s age (3), was Everyone Poops. He thought it was amazing and wanted everyone to read it to him. Thankfully, he expanded his horizons into many other books since that time. The other day, we all went to the library together. NHL and I immediately stopped at the new book cart. We picked up a lot of interesting titles that we have been reading. As a second grader, NHL is asked to read 100 books by the end of the school year. He did well over 200 last year since he enjoys reading so much.
While we were busy in the new book section, TechyDad and JSL were looking in another area. When I went over to them, TechyDad proclaimed that he had a book that Papa had to read to the boys. Here it is:
Yes, Chicken Cheeks by comedian Michael Ian Black has the subject matter that you think by looking at the front and back cover of the book. Page after page of fun and new ways to describe posterior parts of animals. Nothing inappropriate for kids and gets you thinking and giggling, of course. I could certainly see using this as a spring board for a lesson on synonyms. This book alone gives you countless options for your child to use rather than butt! The other part that makes the book even more special are the amazing illustrations by Kevin Hawkes.
More about Chicken Cheeks:
Some bears will go to any length to get some honey. This one recruits every animal that comes along to form, well, a stack. The result? Tail of the duck to the gluteus maximus of the duck-billed platypus (with many other rears in between). Readers will giggle with delight at the bird’s eye view of some hysterical animal bottoms. Follow this back-sided journey up the tree – where the real surprise awaits. The pairing of Black’s minimal text with Hawkes’s visual story line will keep you chuckling from the bottom up.
Chicken Cheeks – Written by Michael Ian Black – Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes – Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing – Published January 2009 – ISBN 978-1-4169-4864-3 – 40 pages – Ages 3-7
Photo from inside the book:
Although this book may not be everyones taste, we really enjoyed it. Sometimes, just having a fun book that makes you laugh as a family is well worth it. Thank you to Chicken Cheeks for a fun read along with Papa!
So what have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Tuesday Tales and/or leave a comment below. Include something you read on your own, with a child or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.
Disclosure: My family took this book out of our local library compliments of our tax money. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were in no way influenced by anything. Two links within the review are Amazon Affiliate where I will receive a percentage of money for the sale of the books should you opt to buy the books mentioned.
Anyone that knows me, understands that I have a love for all things Disney. Growing up, I went to Walt Disney World almost yearly. I still remember the time I was bribed to go on Space Mountain as a kindergartener and seeing EPCOT for the first time.
When it was time to plan my honeymoon, I was able to convince TechyDad that Disney World would be the perfect destination for us. He had never been and it had a while since my last visit. I think I put as much, if not more, planning into our Disney World honeymoon. We stayed at the Beach Club Resort which was magical alone. We went on several behind the scene tours and dined at amazing restaurants each day.
As our boys got older, we thought it was the perfect time to take them to Disney World. I actually selected going to Disney World with the entire family over going to Chicago to BlogHer in 2009. I sat and planned out our meals, hotel, and where we would go (park wise) each day. The trip was even more magical since my parents went with us. It was only fitting since they are the first generation of Disney vacation fanatics in the family. I learned so much from watching my mother plan each and every trip to Disney World over the years.
Then it was announced that there would be the Disney Social Medial Moms Celebration at Disney World in February. With less than a month to spare, I planned a week long visit for the four of us to Disney World. It was beyond magical and amazing. Meeting people in person that I had talked with online at Walt Disney World was a dream come true.
The truth is, I love talking, writing, and helping to plan Disney vactions. Family and friends often e-mail or call me for my thoughts and suggestions. I honestly will drop anything for my love of Disney since it is such a genuine passion of mine.
So today, I wish everyone applying to the Disney Moms Panel much Peace, Love & Pixie Dust. I know that I will be following my heart and hoping to be part of this special group of men and women.
Last December, my mother asked me to figure out what I would like for my Birthday. I am horrible at putting myself first and coming up with ideas of things that I would like. You see, this was not just a gift for last year, it was also for the year before that. Finally, I decided that I would really like to look at Pandora bracelets. I really liked the idea of making a bracelet that had beads that were filled with memories.
This is what my bracelet looked like when I originally received it.
I have the two boys and a Murano glass bead that looks like each birthstone. A week or so after this, TechyDad bought me the forget me-knot bead to symbolize our marriage.
Just after that, I received a gift certificate to Pandora from my Aunt S and Uncle M. I knew that I wanted to get the angel charm, but also wanted to get one to represent TechyDad. Sad to say that Pandora has nothing technology based. So I waited to see if anything new and perfect would come along.
Pandora mentioned new beads several times, but nothing really perfect came along. Last night, I decided to go to the local Pandora store with my mother to see what new beads they had. I really wanted to use my gift certificate before I accidentally misplaced it. There were two beads that immediately caught my eye. I quickly decided to go for it. Here is a look at my Pandora bracelet with the two new additions.
I went with the angel thanks to The Angel Forever. The book symbolizes being a teacher and having my Masters Degree in Reading. Of course, I have my eye on a few other great beads, but still looking for just the right one that represents TechyDad. Now if only Pandora would team up with Think Geek. A girl can dream right?
Dear NHL & JSL,
Today is September 11th. This is just another day to both of you, but for people like Mommy and Daddy, it was a day that changed the world we grew up in. Something pretty bad happened on that day nine years ago. When you are older, you will learn more about the specifics. Today, we remember the heroes that saved countless lives, and those that sadly lost their lives.
Most important today is to be able to show the world that people of the United States will continue on with life. We do not live in fear and will celebrate how our country banded together to support one another nine years ago today. Daddy and I will continue to teach both of you about other cultures and how important it is to learn and respect everyone within the melting pot that is The United States of America.
We will never forget, but we will continue on and the reason we do is to teach other children like you tolerance and unity.
Love,
Mommy
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