Book Review: "Goldie and the Three Hares"

Our current favorite book is "Goldie and the Three Hares" by Margie-Palatini, illustrated by Jack E. Davis.

The book tells the story of what happens to Goldilocks after the three bears chase her out of their home. It's silly and lots of fun.

In our house, Goldie (or "you know who" as she's known in the book) gets an obnoxious voice. She's pretty obnoxious so I think it works. Plus, it seems to add to Milo's enjoyment of the book. I think you really do have to be willing to put on voices when reading this book to a youngster.

Milo's favorite line from the book: THUMP. BUMP. KABOOM. KABOOM. KABOOM! (Which much be read in an increasingly loud voice.)

The illustrations are bright and goofy and a bit over-the-top -- in a good way, adding to the silliness of the story.

The rabbits have to figure out how to get this "big little girl" to leave their tiny rabbit hole and quickly. If they don't she may eat them out of house and home. And Little Baby Hare may be a permanent TV antenna.

There's not much of a lesson in this book - except how not to act as a guest in other people's homes - but it is a lot of fun for story time. We have read it numerous times since we checked it out from the library a couple weeks ago. Neither one of us are tired of it yet.

Bonding with the bump

Because I suffered a miscarriage in the past and because I am considered "advanced maternal age," a lot of things about this pregnancy have freaked me out. I spent the first trimester in an almost constant state of worry ("almost constant" because nausea has a way of pushing other thoughts out of your head).

I know my anxiety isn't good for the baby and have been able to find ways to calm my fears and start to look ahead.

Recently, I read this article from WebMD about Bonding with Baby Before Birth. I found this part interesting:

Studies have shown that babies -- who begin hearing by the 18th week of pregnancy -- prefer classical music (Mozart and Vivaldi are good standbys), or any music that mimics the mother's heart rate of 60 beats per minute (lullabies and New Age music, for example). Hard rock is not the way to go here, especially since the amniotic fluid amplifies the sound.

I was always kind of skeptical about people playing classical music for their unborn babies, but now that I'm a mom-to-be, I think I'll have to try it. I know that listening to classical and/or New Age music helps me sleep when my mind doesn't want to turn off for the night.

Maybe I shouldn't be playing guitar or singing for baby -- I'm not that talented. And I had no idea the amniotic fluid amplifies the sound.

The article also tells me it's a good idea to touch my belly, either resting my hands quietly or gently massaging. I've done that. Something I haven't done that the article suggests is talking to Baby.

Talk to the baby. Say goodnight before you go to bed, good morning when you wake up, and talk to it throughout the day. "Newborns know their mom's voice after birth," (Marilee Hartling) says. "That's the voice they will turn to."

So, let me give it a try:

Good morning, Baby. I hope you slept well, because -- and this isn't a criticism -- you are really starting to make my hips hurt and make it hard for Mommy to sleep. But you know, I'm sure you're going to keep me awake a lot more than that and sooner than it seems. And I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait to meet you.