Read it Again Mommy!

I love to read with my children. I love the way their bodies fit perfectly against mine as we cuddle together a the end of a long day to read a story before bed. When one of my children is sick a good book often chases away the feelings of confinement as one's imagination soars. Settling in together to share a story allows previous tensions to evaporate with each turn of page. Reading together with your children can ease your mind and recharge the spirit as hearts and minds are focused only each other. Stories can be fun or can teach a lesson, and if you are lucky a good book does both with subtlety, wit, and illustration.

Unfortunately, sometimes it takes all my energy to read the same story over and over again, Some stories just weren't that good the first time and I have found myself cringing when my child says "read this one mommy." Thankfully though there are those that have earned their worn out bindings, chewed corners, and tattered (and taped back together) pages. below is a list of a few of my children's (ages 6 and 3) favorite stories that any parent will enjoy reading again and again and again....
(these are not in any particular order)

Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems www.mowillems.com
This deceivingly simple plot with even more deceivingly simple drawings has become a family favorite. This is the story of a pigeon, who you guessed it, wants to drive a bus. As the bus driver steps away he asks the reader to watch his bus with the caveat to "Please don't let the pigeon drive the bus"
Both my children laugh out loud starting with "vroomy vroom vroom" to the offer of five bucks or to be your best friend. This pigeon will try anything. He may not be able to fulfill his dream of driving the bus but don't be sad, he discovers bigger and better dreams. www.pigeonpresents.com

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis illustrated by Daniel Kirk www.danielkirk.com
I often give this book as a gift for a new baby as it also come as a board book. My daughter's hardcover is worn from reading it and my son's board version has been chewed. He loved it so much he ate it. (we have since replaced it). The train takes various journeys in rhyme over the bridge, through the tunnel to the city to unload the freight. Final destination, the roundhouse for some deserved rest. A perfect bedtime story.

Fancy Nancy (any one of them) by Jane O'Connor illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser www.harpercollinschildrens.com/kids/gamesandcontests/features/fancynancybooks/
This series of books is sublime, that's a fancy way of saying great. A must read for the child who loves princess stories and dressing-up, as well as for the parent who would prefer not to continue promoting the damsel in distress story. Fancy Nancy is an extravaganza in organza as children learn new words and ways to wear accessories. Each story ends with Nancy learning a little more than just a new vocabulary word.

I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont www.karenbeaumont.com illustrated by David Catrow
www.catrow.com
This book (like another of hers I Ain't Gonna Paint No More) is just fun! Through whimsical rhyme about liking yourself regardless of a pig nose or polka dotted toes, Karen Beaumont with the talents of David Catrow's illustrations bring to life the important message of this book. The silliness appeals to children and adults alike as it is as much fun to read as it is to imagine oneself with hair like a porcupine. Beaumont/ Catrow combination (they team in other books as well) highlight the inherent good time you and your children will have reading this book with a message that doesn't hit you over the head but makes you appreciate the exuberance of a child's imagination and open heart.

Mousepaint by Ellen Stoll Walsh: My son loves this book and its not about trucks! This simple "tail" is about three white mice who find some colored paint and jump right in.They discover by dancing in the colors they can make new colors! In the end they wash off the paint to a nice soft white "because of the cat." My son loves to point to the colors as we say them. What I thought was just a clever way to learn colors turns out to also be a unexpectedly playful book. ( I love the larger board book version.)

Alphabetter by Dan Bar-el and Graham Ross: www.danbar-el.com/book-alphabetter.html
Alphabet book are probably one of the most commonly written books as well as the most purchased by parents. How many different ways can you say the alphabet? Well, in Alphabetter (and my next favorite kids book), they have come up with a unique and creative way for kids to learn their letters. Their is a child for each letter who has something that the next child needs and on and on throughout the alphabet until the end when they finally get it all figured out and go for a swim. Besides the the unique introduction of letters this book also has a twist on multiculturalism using names like Joo-Pyo and Khalil. I appreciate the subtlety of bringing in a variety of cultures without hitting the reader over the head with it.

What Pete Ate From A-Z by Maira Kalman: www.mairakalman.com This book is genius! It's funny, clever, and ridiculously believable all at the same time (at least for those of us who have pets we love in spite of their voracious appetites.) A must read. The illustrations are definitley a little strange; however, they seem to fit the story perfectly. Pete (apparently a real dog) eats everything and anything. Starting with "A" Pete eats cousin Rocky's accordian and after eating his way through the alphabet, the author finishes with what he won't eat "zug zug dog grub!" My daughter likes to point out the various types of shoes Pete enjoys when we get to letter S. She has also learned to "read" the various necessary egg items needed for the Egghead Club; eggslicer, eggbeater, and the common cuckoo egg. Pete ate those too.

Nighty Night Sleepy Sleeps by Brian Andersen www.dogeatdoug.com Every parent will be able to relate to this story of a little boy and his dog who try to dodge bedtime. Its' simple rhyme and colorful illustration are a sure hit with the toddler set, as the duo hide in the closet, laundry and then rethink their plan to hide in the basement. Its very reminiscent of what we call in our house the pre-bed crazies that last until he literally crashes. My son loves this story and asks for it often. I love reading it also, as I enjoy adding my own voice changes and intonation depending on the hiding spots.

All books are available through www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com
but I suggest checking out your local library to give them a test run first to see if your kids love these books as much as mine do.

Genevieve M. Lowry M.Ed, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist/Reiki Master
Practical Parenting Solutions
For families facing extraordinary circumstances
www.practicalparentingsolutions.com
genevievelowry@practicalparentingsolutions.com

Reiki and the Family

As parents we reach out and hug, stroke, and caress our children. We do this when children fall and skin their knee, have first day of school jitters, or wake up from a nightmare. Instinctively we draw our children into or arms and hearts to let them know no matter what, we will be there with them.

As parents we often feel exhausted by the needs of our children, spouse, and work. What if there was a way to energize the body, mind, and spirit while also enhancing our ability to parent. Reiki a gentle hands on healing therapy, promotes relaxation, eases pain and reduces anxiety and stress. Reiki can be offered to anyone, infants to elderly, children with special needs and autism as well as those managing a chronic illness. No one is too sick, too old or too young to receive Reiki. It is ideal for parents looking for a natural way to soothe their children as well as manage their own stress leading to a peaceful, calmer, more balanced family life.

Reiki is easily integrated into daily routines: Bedtimes, homework, or just sitting on the couch, Reiki can be easily integrated into a busy schedule. When hugging a child/teen, parents are offering Reiki, with an encouraging pat on the shoulder, parents are offering Reiki, giving a child/teen that extra boost of loving energy.

Reiki helps children sleep well: A few minutes of Reiki at bedtime calms the mind and eases anxiety so a child can experience a more restful sleep. For the child who experiences nightmares, a few minutes of Reiki before bed often replaces the bad dreams with sweeter more peaceful ones.

Reiki connects parents to their child/teen: Whether snuggling on the couch watching television, an injury from a soccer game or the "hug" in passing, Reiki provides parents the opportunity to support their child/teen through gentle touch. Connecting with their child/teen by offering him Reiki as a therapy provides the "excuse" children sometimes need to still be "cool" receiving support from their parents.

Reiki increase parents' intuition: Using Reiki consistently increases' parents' energy therefore; the body is more sensitive to changes in children/teens' energy. So even though a teen may say everything is okay parents may sense otherwise.

Reiki transcends words: Sometimes children and teens are unable to express into words what they are thinking or feeling, Reiki provides parents with a subtle tool to support children and teens until they are ready to talk.

Reiki calms, soothes, and eases anxiety: The dentist office, an algebra test, or a skinned knee, Reiki calms, soothes, and eases anxiety simply by holding a child's hand, placing hands near an injury, or a supportive hand on the back while reviewing homework material together. Reiki offered to oneself can also alleviate parents' stress when coping with the daily struggles of raising a family.

Reiki helps the child with special needs, chronic illness, and autism: Research has shown that Reiki helps children stay on task, focus and manage pain, nausea, and anxiety more effectively. Reiki has no contra-indicators and can be combined easily with other complimentary and conventional therapies.