Reading Roundup – August 16, 2021

It’s been so nice getting back into a bit of a blogging routine – I used to love participating in the #IMWAYR community every week, and while I don’t know that I’ll be able to commit to that kind of regularity, I’ll hopefully be able to pop in now and then and check out all the amazing books that everyone is sharing! I always end up adding so many to my TBR list, which never seems to shrink…

In case you missed my earlier post, my dear friend Nafiza has a new book out, The Wild Ones, so if you’re looking for a new fantasy YA title to carry you through the end of summer, definitely check it out! Nafiza is so incredibly creative, the worlds and stories she can imagine always take my breath away.

And now, on to some recently-read books!

TRICERATOPS STOMP

I have long been dinosaur-obsessed. As a child, I knew the names and basic stats of dozens of dinosaurs. I borrowed dinosaur videos from the library (I’m old…), read dinosaur books, had dinosaur posters on my wall and could recreate Jurassic Park with my toy collection. One of my fondest childhood memories is of a summer trip to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Alberta. I. Loved. Dinosaurs.

So you can best believe I’m nurturing that same obsession with dinosaurs in my own tiny human. Except it hasn’t quite been going to plan. You see, he much prefers trucks and cars and diggers to dinosaurs! If it doesn’t have wheels, he’s not interested. But I’m not giving up that easily. I keep sneaking in dinosaur picture books here and there, hiding them among the trains that go and the cars that beep.

This is a cute book, it has fun repetitive sound effects, and has a fierce mama triceratops duking it out with a ferocious T-Rex. The simple text would probably work really well at a story time, and there’s a nice little bit of tension that’s exciting but not too scary for any tiny dino fans.

HOP

While things that go are his favorite subjects to read about, the tiny one does adore bunnies – his two most beloved toys are a couple of ratty bunnies named Bunny and Bun Bun, who have been dragged everywhere since he was a wee babe. So, books about bunnies are likely going to be a win in our household.

The pictures here are simple but absolutely beautiful. There is a potentially frightening spread, where a fox chases after the bunnies, but rest assured that everything turns out alright for our rabbit friends. My son shouted “bunnies go!” when he saw the fox, and was very happy when they all snuggled up together safely at the end.

DOGGIES – A COUNTING AND BARKING BOOK

Because I’m trying to share the books we actually read together, and not just books that are sent to me as PR (though I do really appreciate every book I’m sent), you’re going to see a bit of a mix of new titles and old familiar favourites. Sandra Boynton is one of our favourite creators, my mum has amassed quite a collection of her board books. The toddler loves dogs (or PUPPY! as he exclaims every time he sees one), but alas we live in a pet-free building (and mum and dad both have terrible allergies to all living things), so story books will have to satisfy him for now!

As I’ve probably mentioned before, the toddler is OBSESSED with numbers. He could identify numbers up to 20 just after his second birthday (he also knew all his letters before he had any other words) and we can’t go anywhere without him gleefully identifying every number he sees. So, a counting book is always going to make him happy, and one that combines numbers and doggies is even better!

I really like this one because I’m a giant goof and enjoy making all the different dog noises, so everyone wins.

Have a good week, book friends!