Simplicity is sometimes under-appreciated in children’s books, but I think there’s something to be said for a book with minimal text and adorable illustrations that also leaves both child and parent with a warm feeling. Lezlie Evans’ new picture book for young children, titled Who Loves the Little Lamb?, is simple but quite lovely.
Featuring a cast of babies including a “fussy lamb,” a “pouting calf,” and a “messy pup” among others, the story shows animals portraying many of the behaviors that seem to come naturally to young children, yet so often are bothersome to their parents. Yet, these loving mamas respond with tenderness and compassion on page after page, finding ways to encourage better behavior while still expressing their love. As the mama of three children who seem to only have one volume setting- EXTRA LOUD- I particularly enjoy one mother-child interaction depicted:
Who loves the noisy bird?
“Sing sweetly, please, you’ll still be heard.” Mama loves her little bird.
The softness of David McPhail’s illustrations perfectly match the tone of this dear book, creating a beautiful visual to accompany the reassuring text. My own toddler and preschooler have both enjoyed our multiple readings of Who Loves the Little Lamb?, and even more importantly to this (too-often-impatient) mama, I very much appreciated the reminders these animal mothers provided for me.
Luckily, five of you can win a copy of Lezlie Evans’ Who Loves the Little Lamb?, signed by the author! Please leave one comment here to be entered, U.S. and Canada residents only, please.
We’ll announce the winner on May 10 right here in the 5 Minutes for Books column.
Also, over at 5 Minutes for Books, we recently featured TWO wonderfully informative pieces by author Lezlie Evans entitled
Parents of children all ages will find helpful tips that encourage children to develop a love for books!
The winners of My Brother Charlie, a great picture book from the point of view of a girl whose brother has autism, are #2 Sarah at themommylogues (autographed copy!), #50 Gianna, and #45 Rebecca.
Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You is still open for entries. We also have several giveaways going on right now at 5 Minutes for Books, including a fun new book called the Book of Awesome. Check them out.
Dawn has always loved books and is proud to be a part of the 5 Minutes for Books team. She also deeply loves her own “pouting calf,” “naughty kid,” and “noisy bird.” Their pouts, naughtiness, and noisiness are often on display at her blog, my thoughts exactly.
This sounds like a precious book to read to our littlest grandson 🙂
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/05/who-loves-little-lamb.html
And I’d love to share this with my daughter!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
What a sweet book! And such a great little lesson!
jewell330 at aim dot com
My niece would luv this one, thanks.
Sounds great! I’d love it.
What a sweet book for my little great granddaughter. I’d love to win it.
I’ve heard the author read it out loud and now I definitely want a copy! Pick me, please!
The cover is cute and it looks like a great childrens book. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I would love to win this adorable book for my daughter. thanks for the chance!
mainlandmama at gmail dot com
we love books!
This book looks so neat! Would love to win for my kids!
What a SWEET book!
LOOOOVE children’s lit!
Here’s to praying I win! 🙂
This sounds like a wonderful book. I remember my favourite books when I was little were very simple but memorable.
Sweet! Books are great!
Please enter me. What a cute cover on this book.
I just Love “Who Loves The Little Lamb” What a sweet and wonderful book. My boys would just love it. Especially my eldest who is learning to read. Thanks for the opportunity!
This sounds like such a sweet book!
looks so sweet, thanks!
A “fussy lamb,†a “pouting calf,†and a “messy pup†– That sounds like my house!
What a cute book!
Oh, my sweet little lamb would love this book! Thanks!
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lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This looks so cute.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I’d love this for my kindergarten class.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
We love children’s book here. My toddler would love this one. Thanks for offering.
Cute! I’d love to share this book with my daughter!
Would love to win this!
My little bookworms would eat this up 😉
I love lambs, and my kids do, too. I’d love to add this to our collection or give it as a gift!
i love getting new books to read to my son
Oh I just love children’s books – okay I just love books – any and all books but I do love adding to my kids’ library. 🙂
Looks like a super cute book!~
Always looking for a new book for my baby!
I have 2 adorable granddaughters I would love to give one of these to.
Penny
So sweet! Would love to read this to my grandbabies. 🙂
One of my twins LOVES lambs (maybe a bit too much) and would adore this book!
I would love to win this book! So cute.
Lezlie is soooo on target! With so much electronic media available for upcoming tweens and teens, it is imperative to keep an open relationship with our kids on what reading material they are interested in. Setting an example for the types of beneficial reading materials available plays a huge role in how they view reading. Discussing topics they are interested in and supporting their interests with electronic and physical reading, can support an open line of communication for thoughts or issues they might want to discuss, but haven’t been able to bring up on their own. A family book club is a great way to keep the relationship going with older kids. Sometimes a book might be the only thing a parent has in common with their tween/teen, and when all else fails, the book becomes the source of carrying on the relationship. If we start reading and discussing when they’re little, then when they are older, it could become a valuable tool for more insightful parenting. Thank you for sharing your expertise on this issue Lezlie!
I’d love to win this book for my sister. Thanks for the chance.
So sweet….I would love to win a copy!
What an adorable book. Would love to win. Thanks
Sounds like a great book.
This sounds like a lovely book!!
absolutely adorable! I’d love to win. Thanks!
This would be a perfect book to read to Sidney before bedtime. Please enter me and thank you.
Me! I want to win a copy! I lovelovelove books around here. 😉