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This week's What to Read Wednesday was inspired by the recent picture of a black hole's shadow. It is such a cool scientific feat. It got me thinking about other scientific discoveries and their backstories. It reminded me of a book I listened to called amzn.to/2Di6CURThe Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean. 

The full title is The Disappearing Spoon: And other true tales of madness, love, and the history of the world from the Periodic Table of Elements. The New York Times Bestseller does just that. It's a smart book that reveals the stories that filled in the periodic table of elements. It's not just for science minded people either. No, you don't need to have a degree in chemistry to enjoy this book. Anything science related you need to know is explained in the book, but it's really more of a study of the people behind the discovery or use of the elements. 

I wholeheartedly recommend The Disappearing Spoon to anyone who asks for non-fiction book recs. Everyone who read it has told me they loved it and I've seen them in turn recommend it to their friends and family. Now there's a Young Readers Edition of the book, for your aspiring scientists. 

And if you're looking for a book that is great to listen to on your commute this is one for you. That's how I read The Disappearing Spoon and I was looking for excuses to get in the car and drive, so I could keep listening to the book. One of my favorite stories was that of the disappearing spoon. Gallium is a metal that melts at a low temperature. So as a prank chemists would serve each other tea with a spoon made of gallium. When the drinker would use their spoon to stir their tea it would melt away in the hot liquid. 

So will you be reading The Disappearing Spoon? Let us know in the comments below!

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Hey, Alicia back again with another What to Read Wednesdays post for you. I was basically on vacation for the last month or sick so my mom stepped in for me. (Thanks Mom!)

This month I have a book that we featured on our podcast awhile back but I want to recommend again: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. 

This novel is a fun and exciting look into the lives of people with so much money they could probably use it as toilet paper (they don't).

It takes place in Singapore and follows a few rich families and Rachel Chu an ABC (American Born Chinese) as the book puts it, who is dating Nick Young, son in one of the richest families in Singapore. Rachel is thrust into Nick's world when he decides to bring her home for the wedding of his best friend, but doesn't warn Rachel beforehand about the amount of wealth his family has.

Hilarity and drama ensue as the gossip around Rachel spreads and Nick's mom, Eleanor tries to convince Nick he can't marry someone so below his station. 

While Rachel and Nick are the main focus of the story, one thing I really like about the book is that the story is told from different character's perspectives. In addition to Nick and Rachel, we also see things from Eleanor, Astrid (Nick's cousin), and Eddie (Nick's other cousin). It's interesting to see how the wealth plays into each of their lives and affects their choices. While some are trying to keep up appearances, others try to hide their privilege. The character development in the story is excellent our main characters are pretty well fleshed out and suck you into the story.

Another thing I love is the language and slang thrown into the story, and translated in footnotes. It's only translated once so you've got to remember what the words mean. They are from various languages including Malay, Hokkien, & Cantonese.

Crazy Rich Asians is one of those books that when you finish it you immediately want more. As soon as I finished, I went on Amazon and bought the other two books in the series. And with a sequel to the movie in the works, you might want to do the same. The books are a fun look into a different world and culture. They're also a fast read perfect for an airplane ride or reading before bed.

Kevin Kwan is actually from Singapore and many of the scenes and characters are based on people he knew growing up. The idea for the novel came when he was reminiscing with his father about their days in Singapore (they moved to the states when he was about 11). He says his intention was to "introduce a contemporary Asia to a North American audience." <via> It's a brilliant novel that you've probably heard about, maybe even seen the movie, but now I'm telling you to go read it. Crazy Rich Asians is fantastic.

So have you read it? Or will you be reading it soon? Let us know in the comments below!

This post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase after clicking them, we will be compensated, but there is no additional cost to you.  All opinions expressed are our own.  Thank you for your support.
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     Lindsey's 15 month old daughter, Emily, who I watch 4 days a week has reached that point where she LOVES lift-the-flap books.  Of course, I don't know when kids out grow lift-the-flap books, because all of my pre-school age grandchildren love them and enjoy opening those flaps again and again.  And, if I am totally honest, I get a big kick out of the lift-the-flap books as well.  The artwork and the cute ideas for stories certainly capture my attention as well. 

Board Books are Valuable to Young Non-Readers

    Many board books that you find have simple pictures with just one word on the page.  While these may be good for very young babies, I prefer books with more words and rhyme in them. Why? 

• Children love to hear their parent's voice talking to them and reading to them is very important for language development and pre-reading skills. 
  
• Books with more words also help children learn to sit and listen and books with vibrant colors and artwork are stimulating to the child's mind. 
  
• When reading a board book to your child, be sure to take the time to talk about the pictures and make sound effects and point out details.  All of this will make reading more enjoyable and will foster a love of reading in your child.  

Springtime Recommendations 

Little Friends: Home Sweet Home by Roger Priddy: Of course, with the owl on the cover, I was attracted to this sweet book that introduces toddlers to animals and their habitats. It is a lift-the-flap book done in beautiful pastels. 

Mouse's First Spring by Lauren Thompson, Ill. by Buket Erdogan: Vibrant colors attract children to this story of a young mouse exploring the Springtime sights with his mother. 

A Little Book About Spring by Leo Leonni and assisted by Julie Hamilton: Well known children's author Leo Leonni uses his collage style to illustrate this book about the beauties of Spring.  

Flip, Flap, Fly by Phyllis Root, Ill. by David M. Walker: Captivating rhymes and cheerful, vibrant colors make this book so inviting.  The baby animals in the book learn things from their mothers and the illustrations are adorable.  This book has rave reviews! 

Little Green Frog Chunky Lift-a-Flap Book by Ginger Swift, Ill. by Olga Demidova: This is one of a Babies Love series of books that encourage language development through the use of simple sentences. The flaps are sturdy to withstand little finger and the colors are vibrant. 

Little Yellow Bee by Ginger Swift, Ill by Katya Longhi:  From the same series as Little Green Frog, this story shows little ones creatures found in the garden in vibrant colors with whimsical art.  Once again, the flaps are sturdy and easy to lift. 

The Little Gardener (Teenie Greenies) by Jan Gerardi: This is an adorable rhyming lift-the-flap book that I love because since my granddaughter goes out to the garden with me each day, I feel like she can start to relate to the things talked about in this book.  Reality meets the words on the page! Another bonus is that this book is printed with green products like soy ink and sustainable paper. 

     It is fun to take what you read and then have experiences with those things.  For example, look what would be so great with the Little Gardener: 

       Start your babies young in their love of reading!  These books can give them a good start! Enjoy! 
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The love of reading, delivered
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