Susan Patterson (1)

As the title implies, this picture book introduces our youngest readers (or those being read TO) to some new vocabulary. There is no “C is for Cat” here. Instead it’s “C is for Catawampus.”

The illustrations by Hsingping Pan are marvelous. And the Pattersons include (in bold type) some more common words beginning with the same letter in every explanation of the big word. Example: “Catawampus means tilted, diagonal, or just a little bit crooked.”

I learned a couple of new words, show more too! I’m going to buy this for my grandniece. Can hardly wait to read it to her. show less

This is a realistic account of a potential mother / daughter delicate relationship. They are good times, tense times, and frank discussions. The two adult women take a trip to France and Norway after the mother suffers a heart attack.
However, the entire trip is a series of discussions and back and forth between mother and daughter. Expectations and disappointments, stories of past loves and hopes for the future.
The ending was a bit of a surprise, but really beautiful. It made perfect sense show more to me.
Very enjoyable. show less

It was fun to listen to this book just before Mother's Day on May 14, 2023. Authors nicely contrast the characters of Dr. Liz and her grown-up daughter Laurie and as a result - some of their interactions are hysterical. The twist at the end of the book turns this special mother-daughter trip into a very unusual journey for Laurie.

Although many daughters might want to read this book, I highly recommend it to mothers, too - both need to share more real journeys, laughter, and stories before it show more is too late.

I wish some of the settings were not so stereotypical - honey moon in Paris and nice guy with a British accent in the hotel bar:)
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A star for the pronunciation guide, and another for the illustrations that actually *illustrate* communicatively. Another star for the fact that many of these are some of my favorite words, and that I find the illustrations appealing. Another star for concept. Another for appendix of bonus words, and inclusion of a new-to-me word that I can use, zoosemiotics. Minus a star for oversize and celebrity author (sorry, personal distaste, I probably shouldn't be so judgmental).

Recommended for ages show more 4-104. ;) show less