Jack's class at daycare consists of about 15 kids. They are all between 2 years old and 2.5 years old. It can be a wild environment.
But one thing that they all love is this series of Maisy books. We learned about them during parents' night back in September or October? I don't remember. It's all a blur lately. But I eventually ordered a half dozen of these Maisy books from Amazon.
Jack LOVES them. He takes them to bed. When he wakes up he carries them around the house. He insists on taking them to daycare, even though they already have Maisy books there. He and his Maisy books are at this point inseparable. We read all six Maisy books every night before bedtime. I tell him he can take one book to school with him. He says "No, six."
Maisy looks to be a big white rat who wears clothes and has an unflinching smile. She has friends named Tallulah (some kind of bird with a similar smile) and Charlie (an alligator with that smile too). They do things like go shopping, take a bath, make lunch -- average things. But for some reason two year olds who read them become devoted to them in a cult-like way, similar to, you know, the way they have deified of Dora.
Anyway, our favorite ones of these is Maisy Takes a Bath
It's my favorite because it's funny, and there's an unexpected twist that doesn't quite follow the rules. Also, the name Tallulah is fun to say. Maybe that's why it's Jack's favorite one too. Although he's happy for us to read every single one of them.
In addition to the gifts I was planning for the daycare teachers, I am getting a few more of these for Jack's teacher to add to her existing collection. She told me the other day that she went to a local Barnes and Noble store and they did not stock them anymore. She asked to see the manager and told her that these were the FAVORITE books of two-year-olds and how could you possibly not stock them. And the manager said that when they had them there they didn't sell. Obviously, shoppers there did not know about the Maisy phenomenon. I know my two-year-old does not yet have his first credit card, and would not be able to buy these himself.
So I am taking it upon myself here to spread the word of Maisy. If you know a two-year-old, he or she will love this series.
We loved Maisy! One of our favourite books of all time.
Posted by: Aurelia | December 14, 2007 at 08:14 PM
Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Eva | December 14, 2007 at 08:28 PM
Yes - Maisy's been a big hit around here too.
Posted by: maggie | December 14, 2007 at 09:12 PM