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| Guess who owns this board book? Note the corner. |
Today, I’ve chosen Snuggle Puppy for Perfect Picture Book Fridays.
Snuggle Puppy
Written and Illustrated by Sandra Boynton
Workman Publishing, 2003
Snuggle Puppy is based upon the song of the same title from Boynton’s book/cd set, Philadelphia Chicken.
Suitable for: Ages 2 and up. We’ve been reading this to Enzo before he was born.
Theme/Topic: Family, Encouragement, Love
Opening: Well, I have a thing to tell you,
and it won’t take long —
The way I feel about you is kind of a song.
Brief Synopsis: A parent sings a love song to his/her child. I can’t tell if the dog is the Mom or the Dad.
The back cover says: Ooo, Snuggle Puppy of mine. Everything about you is especially fine. And, enourgaes you to check out eight more books from Boynton.
Link to Resources:
The Mommy and Me Book Club offers a craft, a song and activities using conversation hearts to go with the book.
I’ve had parenting issues on my mind this week, so here’s a link for parents to a discussion about how we raise our children. A blog comment I made about being CEO of Enzo Corp. made Sharon Bially’s post. The comments add another layer to her post looking at how Americans and French parents do it. Posts like this are why I love Veronica’s Nap, the blog and the book.
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| As always, fun illustrations from Boynton. |
Why I chose this book: As CEO of Enzo Corp., I focused on market research (or asked other parents for suggestions). My parenting conundrum: Enzo seems too young to move to a toddler bed, but he’s jumping the crib railing. He hasn’t fallen. He’s tall for his age (everyone tells me) and hooks a leg over the top rail. His freedom soon turns to panic and cries as he clings with all his might until I rescue him. He’s done this twice at random.
A temporary solution courtesy of a Facebook friend involved rearranging his room. I slept little this week. The toddler bed transition will create it’s own challenges, but I’ll feel better as he’ll be closer to the ground.
How this relates to Snuggle Puppy? Enzo chose this book one night before bed. His giggles at the singing and smooching gave me a much needed boost of energy.
To find more picture books and resources, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and look for the Perfect Picture Books page.
Catherine
What a lovely book Stacy. We moved both ours early and rolled up towels either side of them to. Help stop rolling and something on floor of course. Can’t say it was perfect they woke up so much no matter where they were, still do 🙂
Stacy S. Jensen
Catherine, I suspect that’s what Enzo will be doing too. Thanks.
Susanna Leonard Hill
Where to start? First off, I love anything Boynton, and a title like Snuggle Puppy has me from the get-go! This book sounds lovely! Second, I love CEO of Enzo Corp – very creative and funny… and true! Third, the transition to a toddler or twin bed is hard, but not as hard as worrying about him falling out of the crib while climbing. He’ll get used to it and so will you. When we moved our kids, we had a bed rail. We put one side of the bed against the wall, and the bed rail tucked under the mattress and kept them from falling out the other side. It was inexpensive and a perfect solution. The other issue with a toddler bed is harder – they can get out 🙂 So expect a frequent visitor 🙂
Stacy S. Jensen
Susanna, I know Boynton is great. We have a small board book box set and these books made Enzo laugh out loud. His crib converts to a toddler bed and has a small rail. I’ve got to figure out how to convert it. To stop the roaming, several mothers suggested a baby gate at his door and to toddler-proof his room. :)Thank you.
Linda at teacherdance
My daughter is just going through this too, actually a couple of months ago. When my granddaughter comes to stay, we make her a ‘bed’ on the floor right now with long pillows tucked at the sides. So far, she seems to like it. She sleeps on a double bed at home & they’ve taken the support off the bottom to make it lower. At first, getting up was such an adventure, but now she is sleeping through without waking. I thought I knew the Boynton books, but not this one. Thanks for sharing about it, Stacy! Best wishes for the transition. Changes every day, right?
Stacy S. Jensen
Yes. Linda. I thought it might be silly to mention this issue, but I learn so much by how others have dealt with this transition or are dealing with it. Thanks.
Joanna
I love Enzo’s choice this week! Those illustrations are adorable! Bring on more great PPPF books, Enzo!
Stacy S. Jensen
Boynton is great.
Kelley
I cute is this! Ah, someday when I have kids… 🙂
Stacy S. Jensen
Kelley as many have mentioned, the box sets make great baby gifts. 🙂
Clarbojahn
Enzo Corp. sounds so true and honest. Perfect for saying you’re a concerned parent. In another vein it is funny because it’s so honest and true.
After my sons learned how to climb out of their cribs we made their beds on a mattress on the floor and there they stayed all their lives as children in my home. I also had sleeping bags and they stayed covered up better than blankets. Yes, you could say I’m a little different than the norm. Lol
I’m glad Snuggle Puppy gave Enzo the urge to snuggle and giggle with you giving you some needed energy. Those sleep deprived years are hard. 🙂
Stacy S. Jensen
Clar, We’re still in footie PJs, but the sleeping bag is a great idea when he gets too old for those. Different than the norm? I say whatever works.
Robyn Campbell
Boynton is extremely brilliant, Stacy! Enzo is sooo smart! Takes after Mama. *smiling*
These years are tough, my friend. I like Clarbojahn’s idea. Sleeping bags. We just put them in bed with us. I know you are supposed to do that, but this Mama needed shuteye. It worked and when they were just a bit older they slept by themselves and loved thinking they were big boys (and girl) by being in their own bed.
Happy weekend, my friend! xoxo
Stacy S. Jensen
Robyn thanks for the input and the help on comment responses.
Cathy Mealey
The slightly chewed, bent corner of the book won me over instantly.
All books should taste as good as they read.
Boynton can’t miss. Right length, perfect pictures. Such a good choice this week!
Stacy S. Jensen
Cathy, Very true. Boynton is especially great for the younger years.
Patricia T.
Such a sweet parent child read. Love the theme and message. Am not familiar with Boynton books – just cards. CEO of Enzo Corp. is very creative. Made me laugh and remember I’m with a very creative group. There was a spot on TV the other night about how differently the French raise their children – caught the ending. That would be interesting to know about how parents in other countries parent their kids.
Stacy S. Jensen
Patricia, Have you also watched the documentary Babies? I so loved to see how Babies grow up in other cultures.
Jennifer Rumberger
I love Sandra Boynton! Don’t read her much anymore with my boys being older, but still find her books at my niece and nephew’s house. As for the transition, my boys were both climbing out of their cribs by 18 months, so they both changed to twin beds with bed rails at that point. After a week or so, they learned to stay in the beds and sleep. It’s a tough time – good luck! 🙂
Stacy S. Jensen
Jennifer, Boynton is perfect for a small age. I’m glad I mentioned the bed issue. I appreciate the feedback on how everyone else did it. 🙂 Thank you.
Helena Juhasz
Thanks for the review. I’ll pick this one up. I’ve found the Boynton books are reliable and adorable AND almost indestructable 🙂
Stacy S. Jensen
Yes Helena. Almost indestructable!
Laura Renauld
Sandra Boynton is amazing. I’ve given a number of her books as baby shower gifts. I have so many that I a Boynton storytime for my moms group! Too hard to pick a favorite (and have to seen/heard the book/cd sets?!? Amazing! We love Blue Moo.) but Hippos Go Berserk and Red Hat, Green Hat are in a dead heat.
Stacy S. Jensen
Laura, My son picked up his first bit of humor from Red Hat, Green Hat. I love the book for that alone.
Kirsten Larson
I sing this song to both of my kids every single night. Oh how I love Sandra Boynton.
Stacy S. Jensen
Kirsten, I’m not the best singer, but my son doesn’t get that yet. 🙂
Angela Orlowski-Peart
I’ve always loved Sandra Boynton’s books. When my oldest was just a little tike, one of my girlfriends’ gave him a set of Sandra’s books. We both (and then my younger child too) adored every book of Sandra Boynton we put our hands on.
Stacy S. Jensen
Her books are consistently fun.
Peggy Eddleman
I love the reason behind why you chose this! The book is awesome.
Stacy S. Jensen
It is Peggy.
Tonia Marie Houston
I need this book for Zeke, too sweet. Little boys are snuggle puppies. I’m in the same position with Zeke, right down to the convertible bed. He’s my third but he’s a regular curious monkey. Lots of adventure ahead!
Stacy S. Jensen
Tonia, I think boys are much more snuggly than I expected. Hubby heard a report that they are very cuddly until they go to school. Darn stereotypes! I love my snuggle puppy and the adventure of it all.
thiskidreviewsbooks.com
Suggle Puppy is one of our FAVORITE books! My Dad sings the song in a very finny way 🙂 This is a great book for PPBF!
Stacy S. Jensen
Erik, Hooray for your dad for singing. And, I’m glad to hear you still enjoy it. Maybe my son will too.
Tracy Bermeo
Snuggle Puppy was a favorite in our house, especially when my kids were toddlers. I used to just make up a tune to go with the song in the book and my kids loved it. They still love to snuggle. Great choice.
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between
Stacy S. Jensen
Glad to hear they still enjoy it. I don’t know that I’ll create a tune. You are a brave Mom!
Amy D
I love Sandra Boynton, too. Your copy of the book looks so well-loved. We moved my son out of his crib when he was 16 months. He never took to sleeping very well in the crib, so I figured, what did we have to lose? We actually put the crib mattress directly on the floor so that there was nothing really to fall out of or climb on. It worked great!
Stacy S. Jensen
Amy, yes our copy is well-loved. Thanks for letting me know how you did it. We’re trying the converted crib. If that doesn’t work, we’re “to the floor and beyond.” Or just the floor. 🙂
Julie Hedlund
Oh how I LOVED reading this book to my kids when they were little (er). Enjoy each and every time you get to read it. Glad it gave you a much-needed burst of energy!
Stacy S. Jensen
Julie, We do. Actually, on Perfect Picture Book Friday night, he selected it again. Maybe he’s reading the blog. 🙂
patientdreamer
Loved this book STacy, great choice. And by all the comments here, sounds like you are not alone raising a littleone and plenty of advice available. Good luck. (need a babysitter?)lol
Stacy S. Jensen
Diane, We are always in need of babysitters. 🙂 Come on over.
Lara Schiffbauer
I love the Sandra Boynton books. We got a four book set, and my kids wanted to read them all the time. Now that they are too big for them, I look at them longingly in the library. They’re so fun to read.
Stacy S. Jensen
Lara, They are. You might want to sneak one off the shelf. Who knows, the kids might come over to read along.
Robyn Campbell
Answer my comment as a reply. :-)Hugs and smooches. Kiss Enzo for me too.
Stacy S. Jensen
I did. I may have to post on this issue on Monday. Thanks for the help.
Heather
This comment has been removed by the author.
Heather
My last comment got botched. Try again! Sandra Boynton has so many fun and sweet books. But Not the Hippopotamus and Blue Hat, Green Hat are good ones, too!
Stacy S. Jensen
Heather, We love Blue Hat, Green Hat.
Kelly Robinson
I love Sandra Boynton! So fun. Glad to have found your blog.
Stacy S. Jensen
Kelly Thanks for stopping by. Every Friday there’s a huge list of picture books over at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
Lydia Kang
I haven’t read this one. How could I not have known about this Boynton book?
Thanks!
Stacy S. Jensen
I hope you find a copy Lydia. It’s a fun one.
Leigh Covington
Awww! We have this one. It’s adorable. I love all Sandra Boynton books!
Stacy S. Jensen
Leigh, She has so many adorable ones, it’s difficult to choose.
Barbara
What a sweet book. I’m going to jot this one down for when I become a grandma. Which apparently could be in just a couple of short years 🙂
Take care!
❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
Laura Barnes
I love Snuggle Puppy! And the whole Philadelphia Chicken album. I have that same little board book. I sing it to my baby and she adores it.
Loni Edwards
I love this book! Sandra Boynton is awesome! Thanks for adding it to the list.
Toddler bed is definitely the way to go. We bought one by Little Tykes. It was a little bear. The arms were the rails on either side. It was PERFECT! They also carry one that is like a race car, so the mattress is sunk in a bit more and the whole car makes rails all of the way around. Baby gate is a great idea for the room. And you can always buy a baby monitor to hear if he wakes up.
A of Tray and A
I love Snuggle Puppy! My mom used to read it to me when I was a baby. Even though I’m ten I still LOVE it!
Jennifer Lee Young
Sandra Boynton books are the best! This one looks well loved from the cover. Thanks for the review, can’t wait to snatch this one up.
Lara Schiffbauer
Hi, Stacy! I gave you blog awards! Come over if you want to claim them! http://www.motivationforcreation.blogspot.com 🙂
Penny Klostermann
I love Sandra Boynton. I have some of her apps on my iPad…just because they are so darn cute. (My son is grown and I have no grand kids yet.) I have given her books as gifts and I have gifted the app to several great nieces and nephews. She’s wonderful.
Vivian
Stacy…love your pick this week…but most of all, I love the photo of the corner-chewed book…well-loved for sure. 🙂
Can I share the experience I had while visiting my daughter and grandson last October? It relates perfectly to what you have described with Enzo and the crib adventure. 🙂
My daughter had spent several sleepless nights with the monitor by her head as Jeremy had been standing in his crib and hefting himself up on the railing, in preparation for jumping out.(he is also tall) She had tried going in and even had slept in the room on the futon. My daughter and son-in-law left for their mini-vacation away. That night, after putting Jeremy to bed, I observed him on the monitor. When I saw him stand, throw his little blanket and little stuffed lambie onto the floor and grab the crib railing, I knew he would be next! I sped upstairs, went into his room, threw the futon mattress on the floor and plucked him out of the crib and laid him on the mattress. I explained that jumping out of cribs was not allowed 🙂 and that he could sleep on the floor. Did he cry? You bet he did! But after several minutes, he fell asleep. The next night, I didn’t even put him in the crib. We read our stories on the futon and he only cried a minute or two. The third night…after the stories, he just went to sleep.
My daughter did get him a toddler bed…a race car, I think, and he loves it. But the floor works in a pinch.:) Good luck, Stacy…they do keep us hopping!