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It’s been a most wonderful week so far!  I want to share some good news before I review the picture book I choose for today’s post.

Of course, every coin has a flip side…and I guess we all decide which side of the coin we will focus on.  Sunday afternoon, I pulled my back out and was in quite a lot of pain.  No, that is NOT the good news. 🙂  Then, on Tuesday, I went to my doctor who did an adjustment of my back (OUCH!) and when I went to the parking lot to get in my car, I noticed I had a flat tire!  No, that is still NOT the good news. 🙂

The GOOD news is that one of my fellow bloggers, Eliz of Mirth and Motivation presented me with the Versatile Blogger Award…an honor coming from the best blogger I know out there.    She asks that I pass along the “good vibrations” to other great bloggers out there…so many of them were on her list already. 🙂  But, when I get back from my trip to the east coast, I will try to send it out to some of the people whose blogs are so very helpful to so many.  

The other GOOD news is that Jamie of Avant Garde Parenting selected me as Parent of the Week and I’ve posted that button on my sidebar.  You can click on her link to read the article.

Oh yes, and there is still more good news!  I leave on Friday for New Hampshire to spend a LONG weekend with my daughter and her family…I am really excited to see them…I know my 2 ½ year-old grandson has grown so much since I saw him in October.  I’m excited to be reading, crafting and cooking with him and I’ll definitely try to do a post while I’m there…but, if you don’t hear from me for a few days, you’ll know why.

This week, I’ve been concentrating on the theme of companionship and, in SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING, I found the perfect picture book to review, Yes We Can! by Sam McBratney.

YES WE CAN

Written by Sam McBratney

 Illustrated by Charles Fuge

Little Roo, Country Mouse and Quacker Duck start to make a giant pile of leaves, but stop to rest.  While they are resting, they start making fun of each other for what they don’t do well.  Roo’s mother suggests that each show what they CAN do best.  Little Roo jumps over a log.  Quacker Duck floats on a puddle.  Country Mouse chases and catches his own tail.  The friends agree that each one is special and has unique talents and qualities.

Little Roo’s mother found a creative way to teach her son and his friends to appreciate their own special talents without envying those of others.  Being a good friend and companion does not always come naturally.  As parents, we need to encourage our children to value their own strengths and qualities, as well as the strengths and qualities of others.  We make a start by recognizing their uniqueness and by supporting their creativity, even if it veers in a different direction from ours.

If you are looking for 99 other MUST READ picture books, please visit my website where you can purchase a copy of SHOW ME HOW!…a unique resource that pinpoints and summarizes 100 picture books every young child should hear and provides a matching craft project and cooking activity for each recommended title.  Leave a comment here about why you would like to win the Crafty Easter Basket for your preschooler or fill out the contact form on my website.  At 50% off the cover price, this MUST HAVE BOOK is now a CAN HAVE BOOK.