Quick reviews of two wonderful kids’ books that my family is enjoying right now. Both are set primarly in Paris, France and are a joy to read aloud to a toddler.
Little Miss Liberty
by Chris Roberston
Chronicle Books, 2005
Buy today from Amazon.com for only $4.99!
You may be surprised to learn that before she climbed up onto her pedestal in the middle of New York Harbor, Lady Liberty was just a little kid growing up in Paris, France who had loving parents, went to school and loved to eat and read. All of it is true, at least according to the delightful Little Miss Liberty, penned and illustrated by Chris Robertson. This quirky tale is set in Paris (until the end, of course), and conjures up the childhood of America’s most famous and welcoming gal. Our green heroine grows quick, right from birth, and has her parents perplexed as they scramble to find adequate clothing and to keep the refrigerator stocked at all times – a rapidly growing girl’s gotta eat, you know! Robertson does a terrific job bringing life and a back-story to the iconic landmark. This book is ideal for young toddlers up through, say, seven-year old children. By the end your child will wish they had a stuffed Little Miss Liberty to snuggle with at bedtime and will most likely want to hop on a boat and set sail for Lower Manhattan!
Adele & Simon
by Barbara McClintock
Frances Foster Books, 2006
Buy today from Amazon.com for $10.88
Set in gay Paris, in what appears to be the turn of the last century, Adele and Simon is a remarkable achievement in both narrative and imagery. The tale is a simple one. Older sis Adele is in charge of the daily collection of her little brother after school and the subsequent walk home. Simon, however, makes this seemingly ordinary task a rather adventurous affair for Adele as he repeatedly loses articles of clothing (scarf, clothes) and most of his possessions (knapsack, crayons) each step of the way. McClintock’s visual renditions of Paris are alive with color, expression and humor. Hidden within each page is the particular item that has gone missing, adding a creative I Spy-style activity while reading the book. I cannot recommend this children’s book enough. It is tremendous – cover to cover.
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