“Suzie Bitner was Afraid of the Drain”

If you have children, or you yourself are a child at heart, then don’t miss this wonderful book with 124 marvelous and humorous children’s  poems with over 100 illustrations all by author and illustrator Barbara Vance.  Suzie takes us to her world where we explore everything from the day to day to the wild and wonderful.  My children especially enjoyed “Dear Santa” where there is a list even longer than those my boys have this year, “Sandwich Sister” where a girl turns into her favorite food (PB&J), and my oldest really likes “My Brother is Driving Me crazy” where the younger imitates the older brother (a common occurrence around here). Personally, one of my favorites is “Night Dreams” and “Ode to Sugar Flakes.”  My children (from the youngest at 17 months to the three year old and five year old) have enjoyed exploring the different poems, listening to the rhymes, and laughing along as we go.

Barbara’s poems and illustrations are fantastic and take me back to my childhood reading (and loving) books by Shel Silverstein.  They have the same lyrical and humorous feel and they really engage the children.  Barbara Vance, who by day is a university professor, may not yet be a household name when it comes to books, but I imagine she soon will be.  It warmed my heart to hear my five year old rhyming to himself after we read several poems.  I know that I can still recite poems I learned as a child, and I love that my children are developing that same love of reading.  Although, with a book like “Suzie Bitner was Afraid of the Drain” it would be difficult not to want to read more (which is what I hear when we’ve been sharing this book, “Just one more, Mom! Please!”).

So this holiday, when you’re fighting over the last Wii game with some other Mom in ToysRUs, just let her have it and get your kids a gift they’ll enjoy for years and one you’ll love just as much as it helps foster a love of reading.  Order your copy of “Suzie Bitner was Afraid of the Drain” on Amazon or through the Suzie website: http://www.suziebitner.com/ where you can also read an excerpt and see what others are saying.