The Newest Titles for the Newest Families

Cuddle up with your cutie in the sweet spring months with these great ideas!

The Monster Within: The Hidden Side of Motherhood by Barbara Almond (University of California Press). Uncertainty over having a child, pregnancy fears or doubting your parenting skills are subjects that are taboo in the race to parenting perfection. Almond opens up this conversation with a beautiful and gentle book that examines the emotional turmoil of having a child. It is a call to put down those shiny expectations and strive toward a healthier balance of honesty and support.

The Good Stuff Guide. A blog started by Heidi Farmer and Sarah Farthing, this website also has a Facebook and Twitter presence. Like following a friend’s Pinterest board, the guide provides great ideas for moms, kids and the home. With posts of their favorite things, helpful articles on parenting and cleaning and lots of giveaways, you won’t want to miss it! www.TheGoodStuffGuide.com

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray, illus. by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane Books). Full of wonder, this is a great choice for an older sibling to read aloud. Ray captures childlike observations of the world (“Snowflakes are stars.”), while exploring why stars have so much meaning to us. Frazee’s luminous illustrations captivate young minds as the story reveals fact and mystery about this heavenly symbol.

Children Make Terrible Pets (DVD by Weston Woods). Winner of the 2012 Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s videos. Lucy, a young bear, brings home a little boy from the forest. “Can I keep him?” Against her mother’s wishes, Lucy quickly learns the troubles of taking care of the little boy. Hilarious, full of energy and adapting the trademark look of Peter Brown to animation, this title is a keeper.

The Land of Sometimes (Audio CD by Nova Sales, UK) This new title will be a huge hit for fans of all things British. With just one look at the cover, the magical journey begins. Twins Alfie and Elsie travel to an enchanted land where four seasons pass in one day. The music covers a tremendous range of styles, from Irish folk music to jazz, reggae and disco and is a fine example of the power of storytelling.

Spring Is Here/My Friends/Bus Stops Board Book Boxed Set by Taro Gomi (Chronicle). A wonderful gift for an Easter basket, this set contains three classic books from artist Gomi of Doodles fame. Perfect for little hands, these stories show the world as only the creative Gomi sees it.

Julie Hubble loves spring flowers in Leawood.