Digger Man

I had such idealistic aspirations for raising my children. I wanted to defy stereotypes and gender biases yet no matter what, my daughter likes princesses and dolls and my son likes trucks and construction.  Yesterday we went to Kroger and took advantage of their "free balloon."  Molly requested a pink one and Connor requested a blue one. Does it get anymore stereotypical?  Despite my best efforts to push dolls on my son, he tosses them aside (or throws them violently!) for a giant truck that makes obnoxious noises. Molly will barely play with trucks.  What am I doing wrong? 

The truth is, probably nothing. Some studies show that we are genetically wired and predispositioned  to conform to these gender stereotypes; it's built into our genes.  In typical "boy" fashion, Connor is completely enthralled with Digger Man by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemsha.  We must have read it 1,000 times. We've read it so many times that he has it memorized and if I leave out the last word, he'll finish the sentence for me.  It's adorable! 

This story in particular is a great one because it's also about a relationship between siblings. A little boy who loves diggers is going to buy a digger one day, and teach is younger brother to use a digger too! My favorite part is them cuddling in bed together at the end of the book. Perhaps that's the female in me, bringing relationships and love into a book about diggers. Perhaps that's what makes this book great -- it plays to both genders beautifully. 

Do you know a little boy who loves trucks, construction and diggers like my son? This one is for you! Buy it now here on our blog for 10% OFF or come into The Storybook Shoppe in Bluffton, South Carolina to get it and many others like it.  We have a "construction" shelf that little boys go crazy for.  Happy reading to your little boy or girl! 

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Tools Rule!

What is it about little boys and their fascination with tools and construction? For Connor's 2nd birthday we got him a toy Black and Decker tool set. It's his new favorite toy (along with the pretend vacuum!) The toy drill lights up, the saw actually moves, there's a hammer and plenty of nuts and bolts to screw in.  A real hit! He's so into how things go together, tools and construction, that we threw him a "construction themed" 2nd birthday party.  Here are a few quick photos before my review of Tools Rule, a new book recommended to us by The Storybook Shoppe! 

 

Isn't he the cutest?  Connor just loved Tools Rule by Aaron Meshon. It's a funny mix of adult humor and puns for children that they'll pick up on.  The simple, cartoon like illustrations keep them interested and all the friendly tools come to life.  If you are fan of the book Chopsticks and Spoons, I recommend this one for you and your family! 

Do you have a little boy interested in these topics? If he or she loves tools, construction, and putting things together, definitely check out Tools Rule! Buy it now right here on our blog for 10% OFF and have it shipped directly to your door. 

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Superworm

Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe recommended Superworm, a new book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.  My nearly 2 year old son, Connor, has branched out with the books that he likes (up until recently, his interest was limited to just a few favorites.)  He absolutely LOVED this one. Giggled even.

The brightly colored illustrations and friendly looking animals (bees, worms, slugs, toads, and other insects) all captivated his attention.  And the short, rhythmic sentences almost read like a song.  And who can resist a tale about a super hero?  Superworm can save a toad in trouble or a bee in a jam. 

But what happens when the Superworm gets stuck? Will his friends help him?  It's a story about helping your friends and good deeds that come back to you.  We just loved it!  This book makes a great addition to a children's library and makes a good birthday gift.  Toddlers and young children will love it because it keeps everyone entertained.  

You can buy this book right here online, just check out with PayPal. We offer 10% OFF to help cover the cost of shipping.  Check out all of our books now available online! You can shop based on age and interest and read personal recommendations written by our staff.   Check it out and shop now!

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Steam Train, Dream Train

The part of me that revolted against all things princess for my daughter wants to scream and shout in protest for all things train and construction for my son.  What's with all this gender stereotyping?  Turns out if you can't beat them, you really should join them... at least I will with Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld.  They're the same team that created the wildly popular Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site. 

Train books are popular with my 17-month old son because he loves things that move!  This one is no exception as the dream train pulls into the station and car by car, it's loaded by animals (another bonus for Connor) with balls (bonus again!) and polar bears even stack one car with ice cream (you guessed it! another bonus!) 

Once again, this writing/illustrating duo have created a soft rhythm.   Readers get into a natural pattern and a song-like voice emerges.



We love the unique perspectives and vantage points, the brush strokes and moonlit lighting throughout this gem!   While I don't honestly think it's as good as Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site (there's no "pipe down!" or sassy onlooker for us here!) we still think this was a fabulous recommendation by Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe.

Embrace the gender stereotype for a train loving boy!  He'll delight in every page. And hey, let's not forget that she will love it too!  Buy it now at 10% OFF from The Storybook Shoppe and support Bluffton, SC's local bookstore.

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Enemy Pie

If only world peace were as simple as this.  Enemy Pie by Derek Munson sure makes us think it's possible...

When a little boy is having trouble with Jeremy Ross, another boy who laughed at him when he struck out at his baseball game, had parties that he wasn't invited to, and the new kid on the block -- his Dad takes out his recipe for "enemy pie."   Then his Dad challenges him to spend the whole day with his enemy.  Soon enough the boys are playing basketball, throwing the boomerang, and playing in the tree house!

Copyrighted material - used via Citrus Blog

When the pie is cooled and they're ready to eat it, the boy can't help but warn Jeremy of the pie!  But his Dad is eats it with gusto.  Enemy Pie isn't what it seems.

Copyrighted Material - used via In The Pages of A Book

This delightful book teaches 1st and 2nd graders the value of turning your enemies into friends.  It's a lesson about extending the olive branch and trying just a little bit harder to get to know someone.  Your enemy might after all just be your best friend.

Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe recommended this book to our family because she knows Molly loves whimsical illustrations and she's entering that "best friend" stage.  (Where it's very important to have a best friend. And if someone hurts your feelings or says something wrong instantly they aren't your best friend anymore!  I dislike every minute of it!)   When Molly says that someone "is mean" to her at school, I challenge her to make that person her "best friend."   This book is a great way to share that lesson.

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Demolition by Sally Sutton

Little boys love books about construction. It seems books with a steam shovel, bulldozer, or crane instantly gets you some crib cred and more than a few have risen to the top of The New York Times Best Seller list. But I couldn't help falling in love with Demolition by Sally Sutton.  It seems my 15-month old son, Connor, loves demolition even more than construction, so this book was a perfect recommendation by Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe.



Page by page, Connor loves the catchy rhythm and repetition. It's hard not to feel like you are singing a song while reading.  Illustrations by Brian Lovelock delight with every turn. The O'Regan's particularly love this page with a reference to dinosaurs.

Image via Booktopia - Copywrighted Material

And after the Demolition crew has destroyed an old building, constructing an inviting playground will excite little ones!  We adore Sally Sutton, an Auckland, New Zealand playwright and children's author, who produced the award-wining picture book, Roadworks.

Do you have a little one that loves to destroy things almost more than he loves to build things? He sounds like my son, Connor.  And even my girlie-girl 4-year-old daughter is captivated by this one! You can buy Demolition by Sally Sutton right here on this blog.  Check out using your major credit card via PayPal and your book will be shipped to your door within days.

Support Bluffton, SC local children's bookstore and buy Demolition right here for $14.49 plus tax and $5 flat rate shipping. That's 10% off the list price! Find out how this became an instant classic in The O'Regan home!

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