Math Minded

I try not to brag about my kids on other social media platforms, but I figure this blog has a readership of about 2.5 so it is a good venue for posting braggy things I want to remember.  I love watching my kids grow, develop, and discover.  Pretty much, I love their brains.

I came home from a kindergarten readiness workshop with some bears and cups to teach children basic math skills.  Henry grabbed the blue cup and proceeded to add only the blue bears to the cup.  I couldn't believe that he knew to sort them.  He has done it since so I know it wasn't a fluke.

Joshua and I have a lot of conversations like:

Joshua:  Yesterday I had 2 vitamins and today I had 2.  That's 4.  Tomorrow, I will have 2 more and that's six.

or

Joshua:  Mom, I want 5 crackers!
Me:  How many did I give you?
Joshua:  3, I need 2 more.

It is so fun watching these kids grow up. 

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin

"They say the Year of the Dog is the year for friends and family.  But there's more to it than that.  The Year of the Dog is also for thinking.  Since dogs are honest and sincere, it's a good year to find yourself."

from The Year of the Dog, by Grace Lin

I have been so excited for Chinese New Year this year mostly because the Year of the Dog is my year.  I have checked out a ton of Chinese New Year books to share with the kids.  I am not always sure how to share their Chinese heritage with them, so I do it largely through reading, and Grace LIn is my go to author. 

Pacy celebrates Chinese New Year with her family.  She cleans, helps her mom cook, and keeps a tray of sweets stocked.  But she doesn't get to stay up to welcome the New Year because it is a school night.  At school she is called Grace and has only caucasian friends until another Taiwanese girl shows up and they become fast friends.  Pacy/Grace sets out to find herself and what she wants to be during the Year of the Dog and experiences both successes and setbacks.

This is a simple, fun, and easy book that I find appealing for a lot of reasons.  First, it is a young girl trying to find herself in a way that is relate-able to a large audience, not only Chinese-Americans.  Grace feels Chinese, Taiwanese, and American at different times and in different ways.  She has friends that are both Taiwanese and Caucasian.  She is also searching for her identity in her talents.  She tries acting and art and does her best to be creative and stand out, and she eventually finds herself.

Second, Grace Lin uniquely weaves family stories into her books.  Pacy's parents are constantly using humorous stories from their youth in Taiwan to help her and her sisters navigate the challenges of childhood in America.  I have read a lot by Grace LIn and I am now discovering that these stories are part of her signature style. 

Third, it's a story of a typical girl trying to navigate life.  Many parts of this story seemed to similar to things that happened to me as a child.  The episodes are simple and everyday yet very engaging.  She brings together the cultural elements very well.  Pacy bounces between red egg parties, school plays, Taiwanese conventions and American holiday celebrations.  The book is quick, fun, and really got me excited about celebrating Lunar New Year. 

Book Love 2018

February has turned out to be such a busy month that I nearly forgot my Valentine's book installment.  This year, I am writing about a book that I love because Henry LOVES it.  Apple Bear Orange Pear by Emily Gravett didn't impress me when I first saw it.  We got it in a welcome bag at our first baby storytime last year.  I was happy to get a new book, but wasn't sure how the kids would like it.

Henry insists we read it multiple times a day.  He points at it and says "ap, ap, apple"  The book is very simple and has only five distinct words, but man does Henry love that bear.  I love this book, because it is so fun to watch kids fall in love with books.