Can't, Don't, and Won't bother.
I've been wanting to "review" some books and films that I've consumed recently. But I'm lazy/distracted with mommy-stuff, so let's keep our expectations low, shall we?
First: With the last batch of library books we checked out for the Kinglet, I tried to find some stories that would touch on themes we're working on at home: responsibility and teamwork. One of the books I snagged is called "Can't, Don't, Won't", about three little penguins that go out of their way to avoid helping Mama penguin with chores. Super! Great! Snagged it.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of those vapid kid's books with a message that, rather than imparting valuable life lessons, leaves any conscientious parent thinking "WTF?!?"* Lazy little Can't, Don't and Won't don't (won't/can't) actually learn anything about responsibility - when Mama Penguin asks them to catch fish for dinner they run away instead, and wind up stranded on an iceberg for a few dark and chilly hours. Then the iceberg miraculously floats back to the very shore from which they disembarked, where Mama Penguin is waiting to take them home. Oh - and don't worry about shirking your duties, Papa Penguin caught plenty of fish. Let's go home to fill our bellies and go to bed.
It's not even well-written: picture books are meant to be read aloud - you don't use complicated sentence structures and annoying alliteration. Parent's stumble and get, like, tongue strain.
I feel compelled to mention this because this author has published over 40 books for children. Why?
Why. Really.
*naturally, it's the Kinglet's new favorite. The God-King and I have each read it a million times.
First: With the last batch of library books we checked out for the Kinglet, I tried to find some stories that would touch on themes we're working on at home: responsibility and teamwork. One of the books I snagged is called "Can't, Don't, Won't", about three little penguins that go out of their way to avoid helping Mama penguin with chores. Super! Great! Snagged it.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of those vapid kid's books with a message that, rather than imparting valuable life lessons, leaves any conscientious parent thinking "WTF?!?"* Lazy little Can't, Don't and Won't don't (won't/can't) actually learn anything about responsibility - when Mama Penguin asks them to catch fish for dinner they run away instead, and wind up stranded on an iceberg for a few dark and chilly hours. Then the iceberg miraculously floats back to the very shore from which they disembarked, where Mama Penguin is waiting to take them home. Oh - and don't worry about shirking your duties, Papa Penguin caught plenty of fish. Let's go home to fill our bellies and go to bed.
It's not even well-written: picture books are meant to be read aloud - you don't use complicated sentence structures and annoying alliteration. Parent's stumble and get, like, tongue strain.
I feel compelled to mention this because this author has published over 40 books for children. Why?
Why. Really.
*naturally, it's the Kinglet's new favorite. The God-King and I have each read it a million times.