Category: Board Books

Love By the Numbers

12/18/2018

How Many Hugs? by Heather Swain ill Steven Henry

This board book is a little gem. Consider the following:

The engaging text has a song-like quality using rhymes and rhythms.
Lesser-known animal species are introduced.
Math multiples, an interesting concept rarely covered in picture books, is a major component.
It's forever and always a celebration of the enduring love of a parent.

Heather Swain infuses the text with some powerful scientific terminology: appendages, arachnids, cephalopod, isopod, tentacles. She weaves them so smoothly into the rhymes that they easily roll off the tongue.
Steven Henry's charming illustrations provide important context clues for unknown words. The bold color pallet and winsome facial expressions on the animal faces are a delight.

How Many Hugs? pays tribute to parental love and affection and is offered with a generous serving of STEM.
This checks off the boxes on my great gift criteria for: baby showers, young readers, kids who love animals, and youngsters who are fascinated by numbers.
How many hugs can I give to How Many Hugs?

The Benefits of Hugging

“We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
Virginia Satir, family therapist

According to Healthline newsletter:

Hugs reduce stress by showing your support
Hugs may protect you against illness
Hugs may boost your heart health
Hugs can make you happier
Hugs help reduce your fears
Hugs may help reduce your pain
Hugs help you communicate with others

Hug + Book= Happiness

Copy provided by publisher

Pub date: December 18, 2018, 2018 Publisher: Feiwel & Friends ISBN: 978-1250066510

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Story Stork

11/27/2018

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Babies. Beautiful babies. Anticipating the arrival of an infant is often a joyful occasion. Creating handmade items for mothers expecting the arrival of a little one is one of life's pleasures

Here's the small "fish" shaped cap I knit for a newborn whose parents are aficionados of the seashore. I decided to make this a thematic gift and include a few other items related to fish. It proved to be a terrific idea.

I wondered: Could I create thematic baby gift packages featuring my handcrafted items? If so, what would I include?
The answer was simple: board books.
Viola! a small, actually a teeny tiny, cottage industry was created:
Story Stork
The premise: pair a board book with a handknit infant hat. I was in business. The knitting needles began to fly. I would match cute little head toppers with a charming board book that would be just the right size and shape for chubby hands.
Heads up. Hands down. This is one great gift idea!

Making and printing Story Stork tags to accompany each gift was the finishing touch.
I like the idea of giving books to expectant mothers. It's never too early to begin cultivating a love for books and stories.
Story Stork. Coming to a baby shower near you.

The Story Continues

After I moved to South Texas, warm woolen items became a bit more problematic. The summer heat presented the opportunity for Story Stork to branch out and create something new.
Embroidered little cotton shirts and onesies are better suited to this temperate climate.
It is fun to coordinate the gift wrap. I like to use pages from picture book galleys as wrapping paper. The excess paper strips make eye-popping decorative bows.
The Story Stork strikes again!

Bonus

Incorporating children's books into gifts doesn't need to be limited to gifts for babies. For many years I have participated in the Red Scarf Project, knitting red scarves to be included in care packages to foster care students.
I include a personalized gift tag that features Jon Klassen's art from the award-winning Extra Yarn. (Note on the card attributes the art.)

Bonus Part Two: Related Reads

Get your knit on or keep it going with delighful knitting-related picture books.

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Love By the Numbers

The Benefits of Hugging

Story Stork

The Story Continues

Bonus

Bonus Part Two: Related Reads

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Barbara Moon