Picture Book Picks

As some of you may know, I LOVE PICTURE BOOKS!  When I grow up, I want to be a picture book author.  Which is, frustratingly, so much harder than it sounds.  None-the-less, I’m an avid picture book reader in an effort to know the market, become inspired and mainly just because I enjoy it.  Here are my latest purchases and I must say, I am completely in love with all three.

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, Things About Me by Jenny Slate and Dean Fletcher-Camp (dig the hyphenated name by the way).  Sigh.  Love, love, love this book!!!  I know I keep throwing that word around, but it’s true.  Marcel, I’m in love with you!  This is a picture book rendition of their popular Youtube video of Marcel, which I’m embarrassed to admit I only heard about AFTER I got the book.  The illustrations are beautifully painted by Amy Lind, based on photographs taken by David A. Erickson and they masterfully lead the reader through Marcel’s world.  Marcel’s voice is evident through his words but also through the pictures and timing of the page turns.  Read it - you’ll love it too!

Mud by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Lauren Stringer.  This book will appeal to all your senses, as it perfectly depicts this eternal childhood fascination.  It’s the quintessential spring book.   “Winter will squish, squck, sop, splat, slurp, melt in mud.”  The lyrical language and lush, colorful paintings are a perfect match.  Your inner child will love it for sure! 

Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman.  Nancy Tillman is another one that I LOVE!  I adore the simple message of, what else, LOVE, that she conveys in all her stories.  Equally as appealing are her illustrations which combine photographs and painting, creating this magical feel.  It’s what every mother wants to convey to her children: I will love you, wherever you may go in life - and may you go far, knowing how much I love you.  Another sigh.  Dreamy.  Read it!

There you have it!  Those are my picture book picks.  I would of course, LOVE to hear about any great books you wish to share!

Spain - part 1

Barcelona

The thought of one day living somewhere warm, coastal and European has been a lingering dream for my husband and me.  Spain was one country neither of us had seen, so we packed up the three kids and five suitcases and off we flew.

We spent six days in Barcelona, staying at the Roger de Lluria Hotel.  It was a lovely hotel and centrally located.  The hotel clerks were always helpful, especially Hakim!  We were in walking distance to La Rambla, Passiage De Gracia,  the Gothic quarter and the Cathedral, as well as many of Gaudi’s famous buildings like La Peddler and Casa Batllo.

We didn’t get to do all the things we would have liked, based on the fact that we had an 8 year old, a 10 year old and a 12 year old to feed, transport and entertain.  Being that there were five of us, taxis were only an option if we wanted to take two and pay a fortune.  The busses and subways were fairly easy to navigate and buying a ten ride pass made it much more manageable.  Mainly, we relied on walking, and walking we did!

Highlights included spending the day at Montjuic: taking the gondola (or Funicular) up to the fortress at the top,  finding a playground in the park with gigantic slides (the kids favorite part), and visiting the Olympic Stadium and grounds.  

Museums were not really on our list, due to the amount of walking we were doing everyday.  It was a balancing act of keeping the kids busy and moving, but not getting too worn out. 

We also had fun visiting the waterfront areas called La Barceloneta, Port Vell and Port Olympic, and enjoyed a sunny lunch on the beach.  

Visiting one of the many markets was high on our list so we stopped at La Boqueria for snacks.  The fresh fruit smooties were a hit!  

There were other sights that we did visit but not listed here, and even more that we didn’t get to.  Keeping the troops happy required a laid back and flexible approach and meant seeing a little less.  Just one more reason to travel to Barcelona again!  

Next we headed to Grenada… Spain Part 2