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Tag Archives: humor

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Lauren Child

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Lauren Child The liquidation book fairies were very kind to me last week. As I was cleaning up what was left of our Kids’ department for the umpteenth time one morning, I stumbled upon this lovely version of Goldilocks, as told by Lauren Child. When I saw that it was illustrated with photographs of handmade dolls posed in a handcrafted cabin, I knew that I had to buy a copy for fellow bookseller and reviewer hardboundandgagged. In case you don’t know her in real life (which I imagine most of you don’t), she is not only a fantastic kids’ bookseller, but she also does some very unique artwork. A lot of that artwork utilizes dolls, and she poses them for photographs that are works of art in and of themselves. So, basically, this book could have had her name written on it.

After I bought it and brought it home, however, I realized that I had a problem. Although this book was perfect for her, after looking through it in more detail, I realized I was going to need a copy for myself. And that is the really impressive part – somehow, the very next day, while cleaning up the Kids’ section yet again, a second copy materialized in front of me. A liquidation miracle! That kind of magical discovery would never happen while buying books online. Suffice it to say, we both have our own copies now, and she kindly allowed me to write the review.

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Posted by Recidivist Reader on September 13, 2011 in Art / Photography, Book Reviews, Children's, Must Read, Recommendations

Tags: art, book review, children's books, creepy, emily l. jenkins, fairy tales, goldilocks and the three bears, humor, lauren child, must read, photography, polly borland

Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach, illustrated by Ricardo Cortés

16 Jun

Go the F**k to Sleep A friend and loyal reader of our blog requested that I review this book, and what a great suggestion that was. Timely and certainly a fun book to review! Her reasoning was: “Because if you like it, I’m buying it for all my friends who have kids.”

With that kind of endorsement, who could resist? That is what we’re here for, after all.

If you live under a rock and haven’t heard about this new picture book, it started as a joke. Author Adam Mansbach posted the following status update on his Facebook profile one night: “Look out for my forthcoming children’s book, ‘Go the F**k to Sleep.’” It received an overwhelming response, so he began to draft some actual verses. Originally scheduled to be released in October, the release date was moved up several times due to demand and insane levels of pre-ordering. It was finally released June 14th. And it gets better: Samuel L. Jackson narrated the audio version, which is available for free on Audible.

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The Practical Napper by Jennifer Eyre White

06 Jun

The Practical Napper

Napping is one of the finest pleasures in life. The idea of stopping everything in the middle of the day and crawling into bed, or onto the couch, or perhaps just putting your head down on the steering wheel for a few moments, is intoxicating. So many napping possibilities, so few napping hours in the day. Yes, I am decidedly pro-nap.

Now there is a book to support nap enthusiasts like myself: The Practical Napper (available on Tuesday, June 7th). This volume is a hardcover, but its small, gift-book size ensures that you will not sustain blunt force trauma from dropping it on your face when you doze off in the middle. (Beware the corners, though – those are still sharp and pointy. I added foam padding to mine.)

Each page contains a quotation, fact, illustration, or anecdote, all revolving around the ancient art of napping. Take this one, for instance: “A nap makes a fine Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift for your weary spouse, the beloved parent of your young children. Because nothing says ‘I love you’ like letting your partner check out for awhile and forget all about the life the two of you have built together.” (120) That’s some sound advice right there.

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Bossypants by Tina Fey

08 May

Bossypants I was looking forward to this book like a person looks forward to things they look forward to. And there were parts of it that totally piqued my interest and made me “LOL” in the literal sense (and then explain myself to whoever was in the room). But for the most part this book was only mildly entertaining. I know! Sacrilegious.

The vague premise of the book is Miss Tina Fey teaching you how to rear your child to grow up like her: a confident, witty, feminist geek who doesn’t march to the beat of her own drummer only because she decided to play the triangle instead. And let’s be honest with ourselves: who wouldn’t want to be Tina right now? She writes great shows and movies, gets to star in said great shows and movies, has a great family, supportive parents, and counts Amy Poehler as one of her friends. Sign me up!

But the way she goes about teaching you is kind of an organized mess of anecdotes that show how Tina or someone she loves/admires responds to a given life experience. Which, okay, I guess you are the sum of your actions. But hearing about her honeymoon cruise debacle, how she discovered she liked white guys, and her inability to decide whether or not to have another kid is stuff that is interesting only to close friends. And although I’d like to consider myself and the great T.Fey besties, my lack of interest in such anecdotes proves that I’m not.

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Posted by ipsedixit on May 8, 2011 in Book Reviews, Humor, Memoir / Biography

Tags: Amy Poehler, autobiography, book review, bossypants, humor, Sarah Palin, Tina Fey