How Will I Be So Kind?

I review books as part of my job. When Nico and Lola came across my desk, I was impressed with how the author, Meggan Hill and photographer, Susan Graunke, had captured the essence of kindness in the face of a three year old little boy named Nico and an adorable pug, named Lola. 

The photographs tell the story, but the concept behind this wonderful book is the message to be kind. Meggan Hill explains that this broad concept of teaching a child what it means to be kind is what prompted her to write the book. Susan's photographs capture the actions of these two rascals as they learn what it means to be kind, to share and help others. 

This delightful book not only takes a unique approach to teaching children the concept of kindness but draws an immediate connection through the use of photographs of real people and animals. Listening to their conversation about the book, you realize the fun they had in writing this story and the passion they share for bringing strong lessons into clear view for parents, grandparents and teachers. 

Nico and Lola is a must have book for children. It is a story that my granddaughter loves hearing over and over again. She thinks Lola is "so cute" and loves seeing Nico hold Lola's paw. I guarantee this is one of the best children's books around and certainly one that needs to make its way into your child's Easter Basket or birthday party.

How Will I Be So Kind? Look for Nico and Lola by Meggan Hill Photography by Susan Graunke and published by Genuine Prints. It is available online at www.nicoandlola.com for $16.95 or at Amazon.com. Spread the word - kindness counts! That's What a Wise Grandma Would Do!

Enjoy the interview with Meggan and Susan on WG Radio!

Nothing Easy About It

As I was drinking my coffee early this morning, my granddaughter called. "Can you come over and bake something with me in my Easy Bake oven?" she wanted to know. Couldn't think of a good reason why not, since I was the one who gave it to her for Christmas.

She and I love to bake cookies, so it seemed like the perfect gift. I have fond memories of my Easy Bake oven as a child. I was so proud of the little cakes and cookies that I forced upon my poor father. He always ate them graciously and my mother to this day has me bake the birthday cakes in the family. 

There is a long story about the 100 watt light bulb that the manufacturers did not include in this toy oven. But to keep a long story short, we assembled the oven and after 30 minutes of tearing the house apart to find the little baking pans she had lost, we set about to bake a chocolate cake. 

The batter was dry and crumbly. Not at all like a batter. We added a little more water until the consistency seemed right. We struggled a bit with the long u-shaped handle to slip the cake pan inside the oven. Patiently, we set the timer and played a game while we waited the seven long minutes prescribed on the box.

Ding! Time's up and in great anticipation of what was about to slide out of the oven, we had camera in hand. To our disappointment, the result of the morning's labor was nothing more than a wad of goo. "Is this right?" my granddaughter asked. Even her limited culinary expertise knew this was not even close to right.

We popped it in the oven again and after another seven minutes, we had a slightly more formed wad of goo. We decided to call it goo cake and opened the frosting mix and sprinkles to add something festive to our new concoction. The watery frosting melded with the goo and the sprinkles added a bit of sparkle to the extraordinary and barely palatable fiasco.

I am tempted to call the Easy Bake people and ask them what happened. I remember this toy as being truly easy and it actually baked. Now I am beginning to wonder if my gracious father thought my treats were just a step up from my early mud pie faze.