Library Book Review: The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony

The Dandelion Seed, written by Joseph Anthony, and illustrated by his wife, Cris Arbo, is a lovely book about the lifecycle of the dandelion flower. 

I must admit that I was moved by the image of the little dandelion seed that reluctantly leaves the dandelion plant and through its journey, discovers the world and begins to understand the way things are.  It made me think about how people cling onto the things that they find comforting and familiar, resisting change.  It made me consider how much people mature when they begin by putting away childish things, and experiencing what the world has to offer.

Besides being beautifully written and illustrated, I found that it was a useful starting point to talk to Stardust about the lifecycle of plants and the changes of each season.

Stardust loves this book so much that he was utterly gutted when we had to return it to the library. 

He is, right now, bouncing up and down next to me and patting my leg, yelling "Dandelion Seed! Read the Dandelion Seed!" which probably means I should end this post before he gets over-excited.

I must try and find a copy of this book somewhere.

Book Review: Bird Songs by Betsy Franco

We were so fortunate to come across this book in the library - somebody had left it lying on a table in the Adult Fiction section.  Stardust was immediately drawn to the papercut of a chickadee on the front cover and we just had to borrow it out.

This is lovely little book which uses onomatopoeia to describe the different bird songs, which makes it really fun to read.  MDH loves reading it to Stardust, who would occasionally run around the house with his arms outstretched, singing 'eeyah eeyah' (seagull) and 'chip chipchip' (sparrow).

I like the collage style of artwork used by illustrator Steve Jenkins in this book.  It seems to give each picture some depth and texture.  The first time we read it, Stardust ran his finger over the page, trying to lift up the pictures.  Looking at the pictures certainly gave me some ideas on craftwork I could do with Stardust!

My New Brother

For my birthday, after much wheedling and coercion, my parents finally agreed that they would give me a new brother.

Here he is:

Isn't he lovely and red?

I opted for the cheapest, most basic model available because - let's face it - I am no surgeon and I cannot sew to save my life (or anyone elses for that matter). I vaguely recall sewing a pair of electric blue boxer shorts during home economics class. I believe the result of my feeble attempts caused my stiff-lipped teacher to shudder outwardly.

Anyhow, I reckon that it's time I learned how to be more crafty! There are so many cool tutorials out there on the internet for needle-fools with sausage fingers like myself and I cannot wait to try them out.

Online Jewellery Shopping: Lushae Jewelry

I like to try and support small businesses as much as I can. Small businesses are always friendlier, more personable. Now that many small companies have started stores online to save on overhead costs, it is so important for them to maintain good customer service.

I was a little bit apprehensive when LuShae Jewelry contacted me via email and asked me to write a review of the store. I have never done a review on request before, so I was rather worried that I would not have anything nice to say about the shop. My anxiety tripled after having a quick glance at the store's homepage which, although highly comprehensive and simple to navigate, seemed rather devoid of personality.

The descriptions of the jewellery (if one could call them descriptions at all) were very concise, with clear pictures, but they mostly lists of measurements - how big the stones were, what they were made of and so on. I looked at the picture after picture and felt very uninspired and very scared.

However, I realised that the plain appearance of the website and it's honest, no-nonsense approach to retail is probably what an online shopper is looking for - especially if said person is trying to buy a gift. Lushae Jewelry also has a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a free exchange policy, so it is particularly good for the nervous buyer.

Finally, I plucked up the courage to reply the email.

And I was very pleasantly surprised.

Underlying the cold exterior of the shopfront is the warm and affable Sarah, shopkeeper extraordinaire, who responded to my emails very promptly with the honest and friendly fair dinkum Aussie attitude.

Lushae Jewelry sells a range of rings, earrings and necklaces in 14ct white gold or sterling silver with precious gems and crystals in a variety of rainbow colours.

I chose the simple Lucent necklace from the wide range available and hoped for the best.

Again, I was very pleasantly surprised.

Nine days later, a package arrived for me by USPS International Mail (apparently, the business is based in Tasmania, but the factory is located in California).

The necklace is so gorgeous! I love the clear golden sparkle of the pear cut champagne cubic zirconia, and the clean brightness of the white gold rhodium chain.

I always worry about buying colourful gemstones, because they can sometimes look cheap, especially if they are poorly cut and badly set.

This necklace, however, does not look like at all like costume jewellery made from paste and coloured glass. Considering the workmanship and the quality of the materials, this necklace (US$77) is a real bargain. It looks impressive. It looks expensive. I love it.

In fact, I loved the necklace so much that I decided to wear it to Stardust's birthday party.

I got so many compliments! Even my mother, who is usually very fussy about jewellery, commented on how pretty it was and even asked if it was from Tiffany's! How great is that?

For more details and to see more of the collection of sparklies, pop on over to Lushae Jewelry! You won't regret it.

Alphabet Art - E

Stardust received this brilliant book over Christmas, Alphabet Art, by Judy Press. It has so many cool crafts ideas for preschoolers!

After looking through it, I went out to Art Friend one weekend and bought a whole load of tempera paints and coloured construction paper. It was so exciting!

We've been going through the book systematically and learning a new letter each week. Stardust just loves the change in activity and looks forward to 'do-ink craffs' at his little table.

Some of the activities take a little bit of planning on my part to make sure that I have all the necessary materials.

For example, Stardust was learning the letter 'E' this week. Over the weekend, I saved the eggshells from our breakfast and made sure they were clean and dry. I also outlined the uppercase and lowercase letters using black marker on a paper plate and cut off the rim so that I could tape it flat to the tabletop.

I put the eggshells into a ziplock bag and gave Stardust a wooden mallet to use. He was rather bemused at first, but after I showed him what to do, he quickly got into the spirit of things and unleashed his destructive powers.

There was a very satisfying crrrrr-ackkking and crrrrrr-unching sound as he smashed the eggshells into a gazillion tiny pieces, cackling evilly to himself.

I applied dribbly glue liberally over the surface of each letter, and Stardust very carefully sprinkled the eggshells over the glue, tapping them gingerly into place with the tips of his fingers.

Tadahhhh!

The best part of all this is that Stardust very clearly remembers this activity and will repeat 'Eh, eggshells!' whenever he sees the letter 'E' printed anywhere.

I've made a new friend!!

I've just finished reading The Time Traveller's Wife byAudrey Niffenegger. Reading this book made me feel very happy - and I will probably spend the next few days daydreaming about it.

I have favourite books and Favourite Books. To me, a novel is truly exceptional (not just 'good' or 'enjoyable' or 'interesting' or 'cool') when I get so absorbed by it, that even the words on the page seem to disappear and I am watching the scenes through the author's eyes - as if I too am a part of the story. The characters are real to me, and I love them.

I start to associate the book with places I have been and events in my life, each page brings with it a certain scent, a certain taste, a certain piece of music (Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, for example, always evokes the taste of toffee fondant icing and the smell of pastry crust). The book sits on my bedside table for weeks and travels with me in my haversack.

I read the book over and over again, and every perusal is like a reunion with old chums. The cover becomes cracked along its spine from being loved too much and shallow indentations on the pages from being held too tightly on bumpy busrides. It becomes a Favourite Book.

There are many other books that are really excellent, penned by geniuses (Brighton Rock by Graham Greene springs to mind), but the characters they write about make me feel so ill - they torture me, make me nauseous, even give me headaches - and I can't bear to read them again. These novels do not make it to the status of Favourite Books, or favourite books. I put them on my shelf but in inconspicuous positions (I don't like throwing books away, and I can't give them away either because I don't want to make anyone else suffer). I probably won't recommend them to friends; although if asked, I'd say 'it's really good but borrow it from the library'.

Every time I find another Favourite Book, I feel like I've made a new best friend. And the best thing to do is share a Favourite Book with a friend.

Some of my Favourite Books that are reserved a place of honour on the shelves (in no particular order):
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin
Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres
Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Aura by Carlos Fuentes
Anne of Windy Willows by L.M. Montgomery
Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery
The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle
The Complete Robot by Isaac Asimov
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
The Complete Short Stories by Saki