I admit I have hardly been here at all. Too busy parenting and learning Chinese... well, perhaps not too busy, but just not motivated enough.
But if you are interested, I am doing a new blog, "Big Boy and Xiao Chien" at wordpress.com about parenting in English, French and Chinese, with some dog thrown in too.
Before I was a mom, I used to make books. Artist's books, self-published zines, the like. Now I buy a lot of books (yes it ruins my budget, but I am addicted) and sometimes make cards with small son, for special occasions and special people, and other craft projects. But I haven't tackled books...
I joined this site: Brillkids, which is interesting for people wanting to raise their child bilingually (which is why I am there, despite their heavy emphasis on drilling unsuspecting babies with flash cards... not at all what I am into), and today someone had posted several youtube videos about making your own books.
Now why in heaven's name not?
First of all, I didn't realise that you could get premade blank boardbooks, though it shouldn't surprise me... talk about taking out a lot of the hassle!
And secondly I discovered this website, Making Books, through the posted "Make your own Accordion Book" video. It is really great, and has suggestions for kids, adults, etc. Check out their free projects. They are very big on reusing and recycling materials, so it is economical and earth-friendly.
Why not get started now, no matter what our kids' ages? We can make board books for toddlers and babies, feely books, and get our older kids to make their own book content, with photos, cutouts, stickers, drawing, words or not. Very cool. I think small son will be into it. Let me know if you have made any books yourselves!
Andrea U'Ren: Pugdog Pugdog just wants to be a dog, not a GIRL dog. Adorable illustrations, but a bit of overkill with the poodle ending. (****)
Rigoberto Gonzalez: Antonio's Card Antonio is nervous to show his mother's card with his two moms after the kids laugh at the butch one outside school one day. Nice to see a butch mom. Extra points for being bilingual English/Spanish. (****)
Peter Parnell: And Tango Makes Three Another beautifully illustrated book about gay fathers, in this case, two male penguins in the zoo, who raise Tango, their baby from egg. My only problem, "it takes 2 to make a Tango". drat from the single mom point of view. (*****)
Latifa Alaoui: Marius Wonderful french canadian book about Marius, whose parents are divorced, and his mom has a boyfriend, and his father does too. Beautifully illustrated by Stephane Poulin (*****)