Say Hello to Zorro!

Written and illustrated by the lead character designer for Despicable Me, Carter Goodrich, Say Hello to Zorro! made me laugh aloud. 

In this new release from Simon and Schuster, Mister Bud's life is perfect until another dog, Zorro, shows up. That's when the trouble starts.  Suddenly there's exceptions to Mister Bud's routine, and he is less than amused. 

The simple storyline is more for entertainment value than a moral lesson, although it contains a great picture of friendship once Mister Bud and Zorro realize that they can make life at home a lot more exciting if they tackle it together.  My favorite example is when they realize that walks can be more fun if both of them chase Slim the cat. 

Say Hello to Zorro! is sure to become as much of a favorite with your children as the movies (Finding Nemo, Monster's Inc. and Ratatouille) that Goodrich has helped to create.

What is something that your children know is more fun with two?

Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Read-Aloud Treasury

As a child, I often climbed up on the sofa next to my grandmother during story-time with the book,  Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Read-Aloud Treasury by Johnny Gruelle in hand.  I loved the stories about the two rag dolls that lived at Marcella's house.

Ninety years ago a story about a rag doll found in a grandmother's attic captured the hearts of Americans. Through many generations, Raggedy Ann and Andy and their stories have inspired a sense of adventure, friendship, and devotion.

On April 5, 2011, Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Read-Aloud Treasury became available to a whole new generation of readers through Kindle and Simon and Schuster.  The E-book contains ten of the most popular Raggedy Ann and Andy stories and all of the stories' original full-color illustrations.  A library-binding edition is available for those who do not wish to own the book on Kindle.

Some comments about the stories included in this book:
"How Raggedy Ann and Andy Came to Marcella's House": This story combines two original stories into one to set some background.
"The Nursery Dance": In this story, readers see how Raggedy Andy first day and night pass in the nursery with the other dolls.  He is friendly and kind and even comfortable enough in his own skin...er...fabric to invite the others to dance around the nursery with him. Best moral from this story:"You see how easy it is to pass over the little bumps of life if we are happy inside."
"Raggedy Ann Learns a Lesson":  Raggedy Ann is normally very mature and wise, but every once in awhile, she get a mischievous Big Idea.  Like getting in the pantry and making a terrible mess.  In the end, however, Raggedy Ann mends her ways and shares her new-found nugget of wisdom with the other dolls: "We must never take without asking."
"Raggedy Ann and the Painter":  This has long been my favorite Raggedy Ann story, for it is in this story that Raggedy Ann gets her candy heart.  Best moral from this story: Always make amends for what you do that is wrong or foolish.
"Doctor Raggedy Andy": Raggedy Andy to the rescue!  When the French dolls ends up "ill" because of some sticky medicine that Marcela poured into her, leave it to Raggedy Andy to think of a solution.  Some parents may wish to note that Raggedy Andy's solution includes all of the dolls pulling off the French doll's head and washing the sticky medicine out. While it is a doll, this may not be something you wish to encourage.  Otherwise, it is a very cute story about one doll's desire to help his friend.
"Raggedy Ann's Trip on the River" is the perfect sequel to "Raggedy Ann and the Painter."  After a tossle with Fido the dog, Raggedy Ann takes a dip in the river that leaves her with a melted candy heart.  But this is not bad because "happiness is so easy to catch when you love each other and you are sweet through and through."
"The Taffy Pull": Although the dolls get caught up in a crazy raid of the kitchen, again, they learn that it is very rewarding to give.
"Raggedy Ann and the Strange Dolls": Two new dolls, Annebelle and Thomas, come to live in the nursery.  They speak ill of Raggedy Ann, making fun of her looks.  But Raggedy Ann knows that there is so much more to life that that.  Leave it up to Raggedy Ann to perform a deed of kindness in return!
Raggedy Ann's New Sisters": Imagine Raggedy Ann times several hundred and that's what you get in this story.  A man with a silly story about fairies visits Marcela and asks to borrow Raggedy Ann for a week.  He then makes hundreds of dolls that look just like Raggedy Ann, and that is where the dolls your little ones cherish originated.
"The Singing Shell": A present from Marcela's grandmother, the seashell enters the nursery scene. It has an intriguing story to tell as well as a valuable lesson: "Those who are unselfish may wear rough clothes, but inside they are always beautiful, just like the shell, and reflect to others the happiness and sunny music within their own hearts."

What is your favorite Raggedy Ann and Andy story? Did your grandmother introduce you to it?