Inside Jacket

I really really wanted to do a video review with my two boys reading Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea so you would get an idea of how high energy Bob Shea’s books are.  But sadly, I don’t have access to a camera at the moment.  I could wait yes, but I just couldn’t.  Yesterday I shared with you Dinosaur vs. the Potty and I really want to make sure that you don’t miss its companion picture book Dinosaur vs. Bedtime.

We recently had a dinosaur themed birthday party for my now five-year-old boy. I collected all of my dinosaur books and stood them up all around the room.  As kids came in and played many of them found books to read.  This one was really popular and so I decided to read it out loud to several of the kids.  They were totally into it.

Nothing can stop this dinosaur.  He takes on a pile of leaves, a big slide, a bowl of spaghetti, talking grown ups, bath time and toothbrushing and he always wins the battle.  But can he beat bedtime?

A fantastic bedtime book.  Which admittedly might get your kids more riled up when you want them calming down but this book is just too good to miss. Love this character.


Links of interest: Bob Shea website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction picture book. Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH September 9, 2008.
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 1423113357
Source: Library
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

How lucky are you? Two potty training books in a row! Dinosaur vs. the Potty by Bob Shea released just today and I HAVE to make sure that you know about this simply adorable book.  And if you are in the midst of potty training like I am (I swear I’m NEVER going to get this little guy potty trained) than you want to have this book on your radar. You might recognize Dinosaur from Dinosaur vs. Bedtime (which I hope to be reviewing next) and in Dinosaur vs. the Potty he makes another starred appearance.  This time taking on the potty.

Dinosaur is having a great time making lemonade, splashing in the sprinklers, taking on a three juice box lunch, splashing in the rain puddles.  Nothing can beat him! He does a victory dance.  But wait, that might not be a victory dance after all.  Will he make it in time?  Will the potty win?

Such a fun, fun book to read aloud.  High energy and lot’s of roaring.  Both of my kids LOVE it.  As soon as we finished, the three-year-old said “Again!”  And then after a second reading “Again!”  We could go on and on reading this book over and over.  On just the second exposure to the book my 5-year-old was already reciting and anticipating  the text.

Love the big bold lines, the bright color, and one heck of a cute dinosaur.  Seriously love here for Bob Shea.  Thrilled that I met him at Book Expo America.  Loved the look on my kids’ face when they saw their names on the inside of the book signed by the author.  A bit confused to tell you the truth, “How did that get there?!”

Add this one to your potty training book collection.  It’s a must have.


Links of interest: Bob Shea website, more book reviews.
Genre: Fiction picture book. Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH. September 28, 2010
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 1423133390
Copy Source: Review copy picked up from 2010 Book Expo America.
Dinosaur vs. the Potty is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

I am going to tell you a secret.  I have checked out The Potty Train by David Hochman and Ruth Kennison and illustrated by Derek Anderson from the library SO many times that it is really ridiculous that I haven’t bought it yet.  I am most ashamed of this because if I have checked out the book no less than half a dozen times (renewing three times for three weeks each – meaning I’ve had the book in my home at least for 54 weeks off and on) then the least I can do is to actually buy this this book thus supporting the authors and illustrator.  So by putting this shameful secret on the internet I will remedy the error of my ways and make the book a permanent book in my collection.

We started reading The Potty Train when I was potty training my oldest who has since mastered it some time ago.  And sadly, I do have to say that no matter how many times we read The Potty Train much to the enjoyment of my three-year-old we have come to a standstill with the potty training.  I’m hoping that you will have better luck than me.

That said, we LOVE The Potty Train! I mean come on, any book that says “Chugga chugga pooo-poooooo!” not only on the cover but also in the story is going to be a huge hit.  My boys love trains so this is perfect for them.  The illustrations are ADORABLE! And we love how learning how to go potty is just like taking a train ride – sometimes you get off track, you might get wet, sometimes you have to wait at crossings but one day you’ll even be able to ride through the night.

Highly recommended for the potty training toddler in your life.  Sadly, I think mine just might enjoy the book more than actual potty training.  We’ve already read it twice today.  I do wish potty training books would come with a 100% guarantee to actually potty train your child. I can dream right?


Links of interest: David Hochman website, Derek Anderson website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction picture book. Approx ages baby to preschool.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. January 8, 2008
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 1416928332
Copy source: library.
The Potty Train is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

In my last post I gushed about how much I love Marla Frazee.  Leslie Patricelli is another one of those illustrators that I LOVE!!  Two years ago (man -was it really two years ago already?!) I was able to interview Leslie and honestly, being able to interview Leslie is one of the best highlights I’ve had from blogging thus far.  I love her books so much.

Higher! Higher! came out last year and I feel guilty that I’m just now reviewing it here on the blog.  It is one of the books that my boys will pull out frequently.  In fact, they have it memorized (actually not a hard feat when each page only says “Higher! Higher!”) but I will hear them looking at it to themselves and reciting the text.  It never gets old for them.

In Higher! Higher! a little girl is being pushed on the swing and keeps asking to go higher and higher.  And she does go higher.  So high in fact that she finds a surprise.  One that I won’t spoil for you but one that my boys get a kick out of every single time.  They especially love the monkey and they love to spot the baby which is the main character in Leslie Patricelli’s other books.

Sadly, I don’t have Leslie’s newest book Potty which just came out last week.  And I NEED this book right NOW.  Not having any luck in the potty training area.  Crisis situation.  Hopefully Leslie Patricelli will come to the rescue.  Is that too much to ask from our favorite illustrators?

Links of interest: Leslie Patricelli website, Maw Books interview with Leslie,  Maw Books spotlight on Leslie Patricelli’s board books.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Candlewick.  March 24, 2009.
Hardcover, 32  pages. ISBN 0763632414
Source: Review copy for 2009 Cybil’s nomination for which I was a panelist.
Higher! Higher! is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Marla Frazee!  When I went to Book Expo America this past May, Frazee was top of my list of  people that I wanted to meet.  Even though it was just a short moment in which I  could gush over how much I enjoyed her books, I was thrilled. The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee is her newest picture book (which I was able to get signed!) and I was not disappointed.  But then again, I enjoy her style so much that I doubt I could be disappointed.

What a cute book! And a perfect book for new parents.

What happens when you get a new boss?  He puts you on a round-the-clock schedule with no time off, sets up office smack dab in  the middle of the house, makes demands and when they aren’t met right away has a fit. He conducts many, many meetings and loves to have them in the middle of the night.  No matter that nobody understands him. The boss loves the perks: the lounge, the spa, the gym, and drinks 24/7.  But one day his employees are so tired that they don’t respond to his latest demands.  He’s not getting results!  What’s a boss baby to do?

I can so relate to the demands of the boss baby in this book as well as being the tired, overworked employee.  I think that this is one of those picture books which parents just might enjoy more than their own little bosses in their lives.

Illustrated in Marla Frazee’s traditional style, it’s as usual amazing.  Love it!

Links of interest: Marla Frazee website, also reviewed on Maw Books and illustrated by Marla Frazee: All the World, Santa Claus, the Number One Toy Expert, Walk On! A Guide for Babies of All Ages and The Clementine series.
Genre: Fiction picture book.  Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Beach Lane Books. August 31, 2010.
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 1442401672
Source:  Review copy from BEA 2010.
The Boss Baby is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.