Welcome in Spring with a Good Book -- Kiki's Blankie by Janie Bynum (Review)

Publisher: Sterling Children's Books
Published: February 2012
Age range: up to 3
22 pages
ISBN: 1-4027-9762-1
ISBN13: 9781402797620
$6.95 US; $8.95 Canadian
7 X 7 Color Board Book

Summary:

The irrepressible, irresistible monkey is back in board book form--and the cover now features a wide band of snuggly, soft, polka-dotted flocking around the spine that looks just like Kiki's special blankie.

With her adored polka-dot blankie in hand, Kiki can do anything and be anything she wants. In a flash, it transforms her into a cowgirl, a pirate, even a caped superhero! So when the blankie blows away, Kiki will do whatever it takes to get it back…even face a very scary crocodile.

Janie Bynum's delightful heroine proves that love makes us brave and strong--even when we don't have our special blanket to protect us!

My Thoughts:

I remember seeing this book a few years back in the bookstore, when we were beginning Savannah's book collection, while waiting for her arrival.  But, I thought to myself, that I had wished it came as a board book, as a paper book would tear easily with little hands.  So, when I found out that they were releasing this title as a board book this year, I couldn't wait to pick it up and share with Savannah.  

Did you have a blankie or security blanket when you were little.  I had a crocheted yellow and white zig zagged one that my great grandmother had made.  I vividly remember carrying it around everywhere I went, and even the day that it supposedly went missing.  Well, it didn't really go missing -- my mother had taken it and packed it away.  It was hard giving up my blankie, as it comforted me in the dark and when I was scared around new surroundings and people.  My daughter, Savannah, has a green minkie blanket with brown ribbon trim that we gave her, and which instantly became her blankie.  She brings this blanket on road trips and sleeps with  it each night.  I ended up having to buy a couple of extras, so that she would have her blanket when I needed to wash her other one. 

When I read this story about Kiki and her blue and white polka-dot blankie, Savannah cuddled up next to me on the couch, clutching her blankie.  As we turned and read each page, we saw how attached Kiki was to her blanket and how, like Savannah, she never went anywhere without it (even in her dreams).  This adorable monkey became an instant favorite of my daughter, and whenever I ask her to choose a book to read before bed, this is one of the few she brings to me to read.  The priceless moment when reading this board book with Savannah, is at the part where Kiki turns her blankie into a cape. Savannah turns to me and asks me to make her blankie a cape.  Then, she sits with her cape on, as we read the rest of the story.  I wish I could bottle up these memories and keep my little girl little!

About the Author:

Author-Illustrator Janie Bynum lives in Kalamazoo, MI. She is a graphic designer, but makes time to write and illustrate picture books whenever she can. Along with KIKI'S BLANKIE, she is the creator of THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN TEXAS (where she used to live). Learn more about Janie at www.janiebynum.com.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.