by Brianna

In which Brianna introduces the readers to one of her family's favorite books for dealing with a common childhood anxiety. This article contains affiliate links. By using them you're helping to keep Busy Nest News running. Thanks for your continued support!

​April is the Month of the Military Child. As the mother of a military child, I’d like to share one of our favorite books that helps us thrive in this lifestyle. The best part is, it’s a great book for any kiddo, whether they have a military parent or not. Lots of kids have worries about big things, but all that is required to sooth them is often gentle, steady reassurance. Debi Gliori’s No Matter What contains the simple, but important message that a good parent loves their child, even on a bad day.

No Matter What features two kangaroos, known only as Small and Large. Large discovers Small throwing a fit and knocking over furniture. When Large asks what’s wrong, Small replies that they’re “grim and grumpy” and worry that Large does not love them at all. Over the next several pages, the two progress through dinner time, bath time, and bedtime while Small questions the steadfastness of Large’s love. “If I was a grumpy grizzly bear, would you still love, would you still care?” Each test is met with a calm “Of course...I’d always love you, no matter what.” When Small has calmed down and is accepting that Large’s love will survive any tantrum, they have more questions. Can you fix love? When they’re separated, does the love go with Large, or does it stay with Small? ​

By Ariel

In which Ariel discusses the BabyLit Primers that feature famous female authors and strong female characters. Celebrate Women's History Month by bringing the classics alive with these board books! This post contains affiliate links. By using them you help keep Busy Nest News up and running. Thank you for your continued support!

By Brianna

By Brianna

By Brianna

In which Brianna and Ariel discuss the pros and cons of the parenting book UnSelfie, which touts "9 Essential Habits that Provide the Empathy Advantage." Should you read this book? Could being kind really help your kid get ahead? Or is it so much touchy-feely fluff? Read on to find the answers. If you decide you'd like to purchase this book, the links in this article are affiliate links. Buying this book will result in a payout to us, which helps keep Busy Nest News going. Thanks!

​By Brianna

​Most of us probably remember reading If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond.  In the original, charming tale, depicts a little boy trying to appease a mouse with a cookie, and then a glass of milk, on and on, until the story comes full circle and the mouse asks for another cookie. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie was followed up by several more in the same vein; If You Give a Pig a Pancake, If You Give a Dog a Donut, If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, and more.  These books are all super fun for preschoolers and early school-agers, but they’re still a bit much for my toddler to sit through. 
I’m here to tell you that even if your little one is still very squirmy and hard on books, you can still enjoy the charming artwork and storytelling of Numeroff and Bond.  The first time we encountered one of these Mouse board books was in the form of It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse!  It’s time for Mouse to decorate his pumpkins.  He paints faces on four pumpkins, and each is a different emotion.  Then, his friend, Dog, joins him, and the two have even more fun together. 
The story is very easy to follow, and the pictures are just as charming as those in If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.  This is one of Monkey’s favorite books to read over and over.  I like to ask her where Mouse is on each page, as well as quiz her on the emotions depicted by the various pumpkins.  There are also a few chances to count all of the pumpkins.  Since Monkey likes this book so much, and it gives us so much to learn in such simple pictures, I’ll give this book a five egg rating.  If you want a charming board book for fall, this one is a great pick.  It will keep your little one learning while they play with Mouse and Dog.

Numeroff, L., & Bond, F. (2012). Its pumpkin day, mouse! New York, NY: HarperCollins .

If you want to buy It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse! click the cover below.  This is an affiliate link, so Busy Nest News will get a little something from your purchase, which will help keep us running.  Thanks!