Archive for April, 2010

Zoo by Anthony Browne

What a disappointment! I picked up this book at the library, flipped it open to a page with a boy sitting down stating that he had a dream about animals and wondered if they dreamed, too. I thought this very profound, thought provoking and the title made me believe I’d be teaching my son about the animals found at a zoo.

Zoo taught nothing I’d want to pass on to my son. After reading the first two pages aloud to him I realized the rest I would read silently. After the father told off the son, told jokes no one laughed at and got angry at the man selling zoo passes just because there was traffic and a line up I merely shook my head. Later that day, out of curiousity as to how a book like this could be printed and sold to children I continued silently reading.

Calling animals stupid, miserable, and constant fighting is not something I want to encourage so I took this back to the library and was tempted to tell them to take it off their shelves.

Thank you for reading,

Sarah Butland


My Review of What About Me by William G Bentrim

What About Me is a cute book that addresses the feelings one healthy child may have about the attention received by a sibling feeling under the weather.

We’ve all been there, those who have siblings have been anyway. When you are told you have to go to school but your sister or brother doesn’t as they are sick. When your sibling receives presents and can eat ice cream before dinner. I’ve been there, jealous of my sister for having Tonsillitis and able to eat frozen treats, jello and ice cream any time she was hungry. Wanting to spend the night in the hospital just so people would visit me and call to ask how I was.

These feelings are normal and Bentrim tells a story we can all relate to. And not only does he tell a heartwarming story but he also includes parenting tips and additional resources at the end of the tale.

I can’t wait to read more of Bentrim’s stories to my son.

Thank you for reading,

Sarah Butland


Jamie Oliver Has a Wish

Jamie Oliver , famous chef, wished, through TED, to Educate every child about food. He stars in Food Revolution and is making efforts to change the American school lunch menu’s to be healthy and remain delicious. He has already met this goal in his country of England and wants to spread his efforts to the rest of the world through USA.

He’s asked for others to tell him about their efforts in creating a Food Revolution and making the world a healthier place so I knew I had to tell him about the Adventures Of Sammy. I have done so in through the following video.

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If you like this video and have a YouTube subscription please vote for it and comment. If not, please email Jamie Oliver to tell him what you think of it.

Thanks for watching, thanks for reading and I would appreciate all the support and comments you can offer.

Sarah Butland


Mark June 10th on Your Calendar

I’ve recently been interview by author and friend Kelly Moran for her website and it will be presented on June 10th, 2010. With this interview I am giving away 2 free Sending You Sammy books for you to enjoy.

If you haven’t yet read this book this could be your opportunity to read it and share it with your friends.

Learn if my being a new mom has slowed down my writing as well as what books I loved as a child.

If you go to her site now you’ll have a chance to win many more books before June but be sure to visit on June 10 and comment for your chance to win a copy of my book.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland