By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 9, 2009
Lisa McCourt is well-known for her cheeky Stinky Face titles, but whether you have a stinky face or a snugly bear for a child, she has stories that will draw a crowd, wild or tame.
by Lisa McCourt (Author), Cyd Moore (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Board book: 16 pages
Publisher: Scholastic (March 2004)
What to expect: Love, Animals, Parent and child, Fiction
McCourt has masterfully managed to be playful and energizing in this distinguished bedtime story. How can you put playfulness and energy into a bedtime story? By using a soothing and reassuring tone.
Mama, what if I were a big, scary ape? Would you still love me then?
“If you were a big, scary ape, I would make your birthday cake out of banana, and I would tell you, ‘I love you, my big, scary ape.’ “
A great way to wind down from a busy day of play is to smile, giggle, snuggle, and read. This book offers all of that and more. Unconditional love is one of the most important parts of developing a secure, and emotionally healthy child; I Love You, Stinky Face delivers that message loud and clear. While this is a book that both boys and girls enjoy, it will certainly strike a chord with the dudes. It’s a winner!
Add this book to your collection: I Love You, Stinky Face
by Lisa McCourt (Author), Laura J. Bryant (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (January 1, 2009)
What to expect: Love, Bears, Parent and child, Fiction
Yummiest Bear is delightfully sweet, just as its title depicts. The book beholds the wonderful magic of love that is created by the natural foundations of a parent-child relationship that strengthens on an everyday basis. McCourt’s writing is energetic without being loud, and captures regular moments and makes them all special by proclaiming a parents unconditional love. The illustrations have a gentle, angelic charm, and re-enforce the mutual admiration between parent and child. The pictures are fairly gender neutral, which makes the book work for any family combinations. I believe this book also helps parents to be able to laugh at the more mundane situations that are a part of parenting.
Like when you hate broccoli.
Then it’s your favorite.
Then you hate it.
Then it’s your favorite.”
Slightly more mellow than I Love You, Stinky Face, Yummiest Bear is a calm and expressive book for the sentimental — sure to produce sweet dreams.
Add this book to your collection: Yummiest Love
You may also like: It’s Time for School, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt, Would They Love A Lion? by Kady McDonald Denton, and Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown.