Check it Out: In the Small, Small Pond

Assalamu aliakum,

When I first read this book aloud I thought, "Here is yet another book that I really thought was going to be a 'handed to me over and over again book' but wasn't...alhamdulillah. Maybe my audience is still too young for this book."  I sat the book aside on the shelf. I didn't remove it because I intended to re-introduce the book a few days later insha'Allah. So, a few days later I suggested we read this book and I began. Small hands quickly let me know that I should stop (smile). I sat it aside again. Reintroduce it later I told myself and I read another story. The third time I read the book aloud I was asked to read it again and again alhamdulillah. Usually, I can't get away with trying to read a book a child just does not like - they don't stand for it (hehe) and toddlers that can talk will certainly let you know that they "don't like that book!" and this is why I suspect it was the illustrations that took some time to get used to (even for me). I think they stood in the way of appreciating the playful verses. The illustrations may be described as vivid but others may find them a bit busy at first. With that said, I still recommend the book because the story is cute and fun to read and artistic tastes vary (smile).

In the Small, Small Pond has very catchy rhyming verses that are short and expressive, making it fun to read and have read to you insha'Allah. As the spring is upon us alhamdulillah, this book may be a nice compliment to your planned spring activities insha'Allah. The book made me think of Umm Tafari (River City Homeshoolers) and her family as they just recently had a wonderful experience learning about pond life in their area. You can read her post here insha'Allah.

You can buy the book by clicking on it in the Amazon widget on the right hand side of the page (under Our Most Requested Read Alouds) or....the next time you're at the library: Check it Out insha'Allah!