Kneeded to Be Away

By Library Romp - 10:28 AM

Little Reader and I have returned from our week in Austin.   Not a trip of leisure, but tending to my mother after a knee replacement.  We read bunches, hung with the doctors, raided the third floor kitchen, and I even got my first scorpion sting.  If you ever have an encounter with this “lobster bug” put a couple drops of oil of oregano on your tongue and also on the sting.  This hill country remedy really works!  

It’s so good to be back home with the rest of my family.  And after surviving a 17th birthday party for my son yesterday, I’m glad to be sitting here.  At least for the moment, that is.  This morning I’m looking out at the pergola construction and my odd fibrous plants.  I’m pleased to announce that I’m harvesting my shower sponges for next year.  Yes this sounds strange, but it’s true - I’m growing luffas!  I thought they came from the sea, but these garden vegetables can actually grow in your backyard.  Let me interject here that I’m not an earth hippie mother, nor have any involvement with the so called “green” movement.  I just think luffas are interesting, and the idea of harvesting them into sponges for Christmas presents next year will definitely have people talking.  So now you want to become part of the luffa revolution and grow your own right? 
“If they came from the ocean, it would be Sponge Bob Square Pants house!” -  Little Reader 

Waiting for the luffas & long handle dippers to climb!


Check out this luffa garden!


Kneed to Read Books

Milo Armadillo
By Fearnley, Jan




Talllulah only wants a pink rabbit for her birthday and when Grandma knits her one, it takes the shape of a pink fluffy armadillo instead.  And feeling dejected, Milo the armadillo runs away from home only to... 
I’m not going to spoil this, but will say absence does make the heart grow fonder.   This is “sew” an adorable smile inducing read.

And Then It’s Spring 
By Fogliano, Julie




A lesson on patience for one little boy. “When will the brown disappear and green appear?”   You plant seeds, check them daily, and after the rain and sun, they finally sprout.  A simple springtime story that should be read leisurely, as to marvel in the pictures.   “Our garden is magic, growing super fast!” Little Reader  

Hiding In The Magic Garden


Beautifully Amazing!


Clumsy Crab
By Galloway, Ruth




An author/illustrator cutesy picture book about a crab who doesn't like his big claws.   But when Octopus gets stuck in seaweed, Nipper the crab comes to the rescue, realizing his claws aren’t useless after all.  This book may appear a little message heavy, but we tend to like books with an underwater theme.    

Fidgety Fish
By Galloway, Ruth 



Good for toddlers and preschoolers with its bold pictures and simple story line.  Tiddler is one squirmy fish and when his mom sends him out to swim away his wiggles, it’s the squiggles that end up saving his life.  “Hey I jump on the trampoline to get rid of my wiggles!” - Little Reader

Smiley Shark
By Galloway, Ruth 




An underwater tale about a shark who loves to smile his sharp toothy grin.  But the other sea animals are frightened by him, that is until they are caught in a net.   But you can’t fool some.  Little Reader quickly pointed out this could never happen, “Cause sharks never make friends with other fish, they only eat them!”

Six Perfectly Different Pigs
By Geoghegan, Adrienne




A we are different in our own way and that’s what makes us special story.  Six pigs deliver a few giggles in their discovery of what makes them perfect.   Good, but not a re-read request.

My Garden
By Henkes, Kevin




A whimsical garden tale told from the perspective of a little girl.  Through vibrant illustrations her dream garden fills up with chocolate bunnies, jelly-bean bushes, umbrellas, and old rusty keys.  “We have a lot of weird things in our garden, but not candy bunnies or scarecrows!”  - Little Reader 
Nothing better than wild imagination in the garden, right.  I’ve got it, a librarian scarecrow for next fall!

Gimme Cracked Corn & I Will Share
By O'Malley, Kevin




Totally corny and imaginative!  What’s a chicken to do with dreams of everlasting corn?  Grab his buddy and cross the road to seek his dream of course.  I enjoyed the figurative language and though Little Reader didn't pick up on all the puns, the comical pictures induced laughter.

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