Brian McClure Children's Books

I recently got three books from the Cadence Group by author Brian McClure. All three books are Universal Flag books (which I will get to after I talk about the books). All the books were great stories, with excellent messages and the illustations made the books even better. One thing I'd like to point out is that all three books are written in verse. I found that I had trouble reading them to myself, as I got hung up on finding the rhymes. However, when I read the book aloud to my daughter, the writing flowed off the page. These books are great for reading aloud, and their message of oneness, is one that is wonderful to share.

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The Sun & The Moon
By: Brian McClure
Illustrated by: Buddy Plumlee
http://www.briandmcclure.com/

It happened one day right out of the blue, the Sun told the Moon he was tired and through. "What do you mean?" the Moon asked the Sun, "That would be the end of everything, and that wouldn't be fun!" The Sun and the Moon soon allow their fears to turn into anger. In that very instant, they walk out on their responsibilities, and cause unseen harm to the Earth and all who inhabit it.

Eventually, the Sun and the Moon remember their interconnection with all, and quickly work together to restore balance. The Sun and the Moon is an entertaining story that reveals the unseen effects of fear and anger on others. It encourages children and adults to take a closer look at their behavior when they are overcome by anger. (from brianmcclure.com)

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I enjoyed this book probably the most of the three. This story starts with the Sun deciding that he was tired and no longer wanted to work at lighting and heating the earth. The moon was taken aback and was scared of what would happen if the Sun simply quit. The fear turned to anger and pretty soon the Sun and Moon were fighting, and in their anger they ignored the plight of the earth, which was suffering due to their anger. What is essentially a simple story about the Sun and the Moon and how their fight affects the earth, is quickly connected to how people's anger can affect the people around them. As the Sun and the Moon fight, the earth begins to freeze and the humans and animals suffer. We also see how people, motivated by fear can give into their anger, which can cause relationships to become cold.

Eventually the Sun and the Moon's anger turns to sadness as they realize their fight is hurting both of them. They see that they need eachother, and beyond that, the earth needs them, that everything is connected. They apoligize and agree to start over and get to work healing the planet.

The lesson to be learned is a simple one. We are all connected and our actions (especially those motivated by fear and anger) reach far and wide.

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The Birds and the Frogs
By: Brian McClure
Illustrated by: Buddy Plumlee
http://www.briandmcclure.com/

"I'm smarter then you, because your just a frog, why in the hierarchy of animals, you're really a clog!"

"I'm sorry," the frog said in reply "I'm sure I'd be smarter, if only I could fly."

The conversation continued on in the very same way...unfortunately, it was always the same in each new day. After a time, and who could say how long, all frogs believed that they didn't belong. First there was one, and then a dozen more, and before you knew it... it became part of the core. Their thoughts of less had reached critical mass, causing all frogs to believe, they were lesser a class. (from the back cover)

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This book was adorable, and packed a wollup of a message as well. The book begins with the birds picking on the frogs, in typical bully fashion. They tell the frogs they are nothing but clogs, that they are not smart and that they don't belong. After awhile the frogs begin to believe what they birds say and resign themselves to being something less-then, something not worthy. It's not until a new generation of frogs, a group of tadpoles, see what is going on and intercede. They stand up to the birds and remind everyone that just because you are different (as birds and frogs are) doesn't mean that one is better then the other.

Again, there are asides to the main story that focus on how the plight of the birds and the frogs relate to they way humans treat eachother. Bully's often pick on those who are different, they might be motivated by fear, or self-consciousness, but there is usually more to their actions then meets the eye. The story of the birds and the frogs remind us that we are all different from eachother, but it doesn't give anyone the right to bully anyone else.

Again, the message is clear and concise, our differences are what make us great, not what make us less-then or not worthy. We have to recognize the differences and embrace them, instead of being afraid of them and using them as a reason to put people down.

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The Raindrop
By: Brian D. McClure
Illustrated by: Buddy Plumlee
http://www.briandmcclure.com/

"I am just a raindrop, I am smaller than small. What am I doing here? I have no use at all..."

So begins the story of The Raindrop. In this adventurous journey, many Truths are uncovered which help the Raindrop remember the higher purpose of his life. This simple and heartfelt story, allows children and adults of all ages to remember the Truth of who they are. (from brianmcclure.com)

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The Raindrop was the last of the three books that I picked up, and it's message varied slightly from the other two books, but still enbraced the greater message of interconnectedness.

In this story the little raindrop thinks he is to small to be of any use, he doesn't understand where he fits in, or what he is good for. The cloud can only watch as the raindrop leaves and heads to earth to be part of the water cycle that the raindrop doesn't fully understand. As the raindrop travels through the air, into the ground, down a river, out a hose and helps to nourish the crops, he comes to realize that no matter his size he does have a place in the cycle. By being a part of that process he helps grow crops and nourish the world. He eventually travels back up to the clouds, where he encounters a cloud who believes much the same as the raindrop used to. The raindrop can only stand by as the cloud begins his own journey to see his place in the greater world.

This is another story that relates back to the way people feel. It's easy to sometimes feel out of place and insignificant like the raindrop did. You find it hard to see your place in the world around you, and that can be depressing. Like the raindrop, sometimes you just have to look around and see all the people whose lives you touch and who are better for having known you. We are all connected.

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The idea of interconnectedness is a big one in these books, and it's a theme and idea that can be seen in the Universal Flag, which represents our interconnection and oneness with all. It's a great message that reminds us that we are all connected to eachother and everything, and that if you look past differences to see how we are alike, you can eliminate the fear and anger that arises, and create a difference in the world around you. Learn more about Brian McClure's books and get other information about the Universal Flag here.

Kids Corner

We're Going on a Bear Hunt
By: Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury
http://www.michaelrosen.co.uk/

A father and his four children--a toddler, a preschool boy and two older girls--go on the traditional bear hunt based on the old camp chant: "We're going to catch a big one. / What a beautiful day! / We're not scared. / Oh-oh! Grass! / Long, wavy grass. / We can't go over it. / We can't go under it. / Oh, no! / We've got to go through it!" The family skids down a grassy slope, swishes across a river, sludges through mud and, of course, finally sees the bear, who chases them all back to their home. It's a fantastic journey--was it real or imagined?--with the family's actions (and interaction) adding to the trip a goodnatured, jolly mood. The design of the oversized volume alternates black-and-white drawings with gorgeous full-color watercolor paintings, which Oxenbury uses to wonderful effect. Readers accustomed to her board books will find a different style here, of puddled colors and sweeps of light and shadow. The scale of the pictures and the ease with which the text can be shouted aloud make this ideal for families or groups to share. Ages 4-9. (from amazon.com)

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This is one of those classic picture books that I think is a must have in any home library, especially one that will be frequented by kids. This story is one that I think everybody has recited at one time or another and this beautifully illustrated edition really brings the chant to life. For me, it also expands on the story. My memory only recalled the first two verses (so, not a very long adventure) and it was wonderful to take what I recalled and see it bigger, longer and better!

Kids Corner

It's been awhile since my last kids corner, life got busy there for a bit. Hopefully this posts marks my getting back into the swing of things! Just because I haven't been posting doesn't mean we haven't been reading, and one of our new favorites is...

By: Mo Willems
http://www.mowillems.com/

This book is adorable, has some great pictures and of course, a great message. The book is nice and big, so it's easy for little ones to grab onto, and you can even buy a little naked mole rat stuffed animal to accompany the book.

The books starts by telling you the three things you need to know about naked mole rats:

"1. They are a little bit rat.
2. They are a little bit mole.
3. They are all naked.

Well they were, with one exception."

So starts the story about the little naked mole rat, Wilbur, who likes to wear clothes. Wilbur is his own mole rat and he loves getting dressed each day, he loves clothes so much he even open a store, but all the other mole rats just won't allow it and they go to the head of the mole rats, Grand-pah to make Wilbur stop. In the end Grand-pah sees the point that just because the mole rats have always been naked, doesn't mean they always should be, and that each little mole rat should make the decision to go naked or clothed for themselves.

The messages are easy to see for older children: be yourself, swim against the crowd, and change is good. And the funny pictures and easy reading are great for the little ones. Plus, who doesn't giggle just saying "naked mole rat"?

Kids Corner

ABC
By: Eric Carle
http://www.eric-carle.com/

This week we are reading Eric Carle's ABC book, which, much like all of his books, is a fun, brightly colored easy reader. This book takes your basic ABC's and combines it with a great fold out page layout (referred to a 'fun flaps') and animals. What I really liked about this ABC book is that it did not use the stereotypical animals for every letter. Instead of "Cat" for C, we get "Crocodile". Carle even goes for some more exotic anumals, such as "Narwhal" for N and "Quetzal" for Q. If there hadn't been one of Carle's unique illustrations with Q, I'm pretty sure I would have had to go look it up! For the record a quetzal is a bird found in the tropics.

Overall, this is a great beginner ABC book that will definitly expand your childs knowledge of different animals while helping with the alphabet.

Kids Corner

How Big?

By: Emily Sollinger

Illustrated By: Betsy Veness

First let me say, I love this book. One guarenteed way to get my baby giggling is to spread her little arms up over her head and proclaim "Little Mo is Sooooo Big!" Little did I know I could by a book! This book is great for the little ones because it is a resiliant little book that is extremely colorful and unfolds in a different way. Once they are a little older then my 2 month old it will also help with teaching animals. Since this is a Fisher Price Precious Planet book it has the same animals that are on all their Precious Planet toys and books, so there is a continuity there which I like. My only complaint here is that the book is too short. Although the pattern of "How big is baby giraffe? Sooo Big!" is repetitive, I thought that this book was short at only 10 pages (i.e 5 different animals, and 5 pages of Sooo Big). Since this book gets even my little one laughing, it's definitely a keeper!

Our second book for this week was:

My Daddy & Me

By: Tina McNaughten

My little munchkin is definitely not ready for this book yet, but it certainly is a good one to keep in the library to come back to when she is a bit older. This book is all about all the things the little bear does with his Daddy and how he is the most brave bear so long as he is with his Dad. It is beautifully illustrated and is part of a set (with My Mommy & Me, which I have not picked up yet). I would recommend this book for anyone with a 2-3 year old who is a daddy's girl or boy. It's a cute story with great pictures, and is sure to entertain little ones, especially oones who like to go on adventures with their Daddys.

Kids Corner

I have a two month old, so we have embarked on the wonderful adventure of finding great new children's books as well as rediscovering some of my childhood favorites. I will comment on some of the greats that I come across, and won't shy away from pointing out any that I think fall short of the mark.

The Velveteen Rabbit
By: Margery Williams

This book is a classic and for a good reason. It illustrates the relationship of a boy and his favorite stuffed rabbit and what it means to be real. In this book a boy is given a velveteen rabbit, who he loves and takes everywhere. The other toys that the boy owns, specifically the skin horse tells the rabbit that eventually he will be real. After the boy falls ill and the Rabbit is thrown away, he discovers that not only was it possible for him to be real to the boy that loved him, but also become really real and live with the other rabbits in the forest. This is a great story that, although it doesn't catch my daughters eye as much as some of the more vibrantly illustrated books we have, is still a wonderful book that I'm sure she will grow to love.

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
By: Eric Carle
http://www.eric-carle.com/

Eric Carle was one of my favorite authors when I was a child, I think my parents bought my sister and I the entire collection and revisiting this book did not dissapoint. Even my two month old enjoyed the colorful pictures. Since she has a short attention span, it is a tribute to both the writing and the illustrations that she seems to be able to sit and look and listen to this particular book repeatedly. There's no great story to this book, but through the pictures children will learn about what the different animals in the zoo look like and through the words will learn what each of these animals sound like. It's a great beginners book and is timeless in its pictures and story.