I've fallen for Dev Petty and Mike Boldt again. I Don't Want to be a Frog reunites us with our spunky frog friend and his glasses-wearing dad as he continually asserts that he'd rather be anything except a frog. Once again, the humor and illustrations pair together perfectly to tell a fantastic little story about an adolescent amphibian that doesn't feel overly satisfied with his lot in life. (Frogs have to eat bugs after all. Yuck!) Get ready for the end because it's sure to cause howls of laughter with the little people in your life as you read it out loud to them. I could go on and on about how much fun I think this book is but I have to get back to reading. :-P

PS This is definitely one for storytime.

I didn't mean for this to happen but somehow I ended up running across another picture book that prominently features a frog. This one is I Don't Want to be Big by Dev Petty with illustrations by Mike Boldt and much like Frog on a Log? it's part of a series. It was the artistic style which originally drew me to this book but it's the humor that had me taking it along to storytime. This is a fantastic book to read to kids since it deals with that all-important topic: 'growing up'. Our main character is adamant that growing up is the absolute worst and he is determined that he's not going to do it. His father (an adorable frog wearing glasses) tries to convince him of the merits (all in the name of eating his dinner I might add) but the little frog has some pretty convincing arguments. I'd say my one niggling criticism is the way that the speech bubbles tend to overlap on the page which can make it a bit confusing at times (especially when you're doing different character voices). Other than that, it's a solid readaloud book that I highly recommend. 9/10

Source: Amazon

My reading slump is officially over.   Going to grab some comics while I go out and get dinner for everyone - before we hit Lewis Black tonight.   (I've seen him once  before, live as well, and I loved it!  I think I liked it more than the rest of my family did, in fact.   I also bought a signed book from him, and I plan on getting another if they're selling them as well.    That being said, I plan on getting to his Black Christmas book soon as well, but I want to finish up some reading for Readercon and keep up with comics, too, so...)

I probably won't read all that much tonight, but I'll be done with my essay - and hopefully have submitted my application by Monday.   (Going to call and verity they have the transcripts and GRE scores first, though.)

That being said, I'm not as anxious anymore, not now that it's nearly over.   I'm feeling better, and I think setting a general sleeping pattern - in bed by ten, up by about six, sleeping in late if I can, and if I don't sleep well - and using both the relaxation of coloring books and getting sun - or faux sun via the sunlight - is really helping.   

May not be on again tonight.   

"He didn't answer and didn't look anywhere but at my lips, which I pursed subconsciously."

I loved the first book and am quite enjoying this one, as well.   But that doesn't help my annoyance at this, one of my reading pet peeves.   This use of subconsciously doing something always jars me when the person who's narrating it uses it, particularly in first person POV.  

How do you notice that soon if you're doing it subconsciously?   You're mind isn't fully aware that you're doing it, and yet you're telling us that you're doing it subconsciously.  I pick up on this immediately and it jars me out of the story. 

And the thing is, loads of authors do it, and it always feels wrong to me.   

I'd like to turn my posts a little more active, and I'm wondering if anyone else notices and is annoyed by this.   Do you?   Do you care about something like this?   It makes me grind my teeth, but I've always felt like I might be the only one.   Thoughts?

Just thought I'd mention it here.