Here's what people are saying about our books
Babies are Boring
Blush magazine, featured review, Vol 1. Winter 2008
Review by Jodine Restiaux
Babies are Boring is an adorable rhyming tale of the unconditional love found within families. Though babies may spend much of their time "eating, sleeping, crying, weeping, talking, squawking, wetting, and leaking," they also win our hearts with their laughter and smiles. In fact, you may look back years later when your babies are older and realize that they weren't that boring at all. The colourful and comical illustrations of the various animal families are an excellent way to introduce animals to your young one. My husband and I enjoyed it as much as our daughter did.
Babies are boring... but this book isn't
Review posted on Bonggafinds blogspot (June 3, '08)
Babies are Boring" is a humorous look at all the trouble (and joy) that babies bring. The book is touted as "the perfect relief for moms and dads who want a fresh new book to read with their newborns and young toddlers". I can see how that age group would love all the animal pictures and the catchy rhymes, but I actually think this book is even better for older kids like mine (ages 3 and up), especially kids with younger siblings. Unlike babies or toddlers , they can actually relate to the "icky" parts of having babies. Also, my kids enjoyed the illustrations as much as the verse -- because they were hilarious in ways younger kids wouldn't "get". Finally, it's a wonderful way for kids and parents to connect because it provides a natural segue to stories of "when you were a baby....". As for grownups, well, any parent can relate to it, so it also makes a great gift for new or expecting parents. The book described perfectly my feelings about our kids' first year, especially with the twins. Their infancy was truly a nightmare of exhaustion, sleepless nights, incessant crying, mess and effort. But of course it was all worth it, and reliving the experience as I read this book actually got me quite emotional at the end. Over a little kids book! Well, a supposed kids book. I think this one's going in my bookshelf.
Babies Are Boring...
Review posted on www.imperfectparent.com
Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews
The guys at Purple Possum Publishing have got it right -- "Kids books are for parents too!" Okay, maybe the majority of kids books aren't intentionally for parents, but as any parent who's read Green Eggs and Ham hundreds of times can attest, at some point, you're looking to find just a little something for yourself in a picture book, 'cause you're probably not going to get a chance to pick up that new bestseller you've been eyeing. A sliver. A sentence. One iota of recognition that life is not all Dick and Jane. All. Day. Long. Herewith, then, is Babies Are Boring. (C'mon, you're among friends here, it's okay to admit it. We won't tell.) For any parent who's ready to tear out her hair or wonders if this is all there is, Jon Ritchie's book tells it like it is, and then quietly reminds you of how good you've got it. Babies Are Boring's rhyming text begins with asking where your old life went, and then launches into a laundry list of what a new parent's days are made up of now: laundry and bottle-making, rocking and soothing, diaper changes and meal times, sibling rivalry and crying jags (the kids', not yours). Once Ritchie's got you in agreement, about halfway through the book, there's a subtle but important shift in tone: amidst all the chaos of family life, "there are tiny, shiny moments almost too small to be seen." Laughing and smiling, blowing raspberries and quickly growing children. Coming to the inevitable conclusion that there's no one else you'd rather be in this boat with ends it on a sweet note. The small size appealing equally to parents and older siblings alike, the paper pages aren't great for the youngest readers; it's not a board book that will stand up to teething, tearing, and throwing. But printed on FSC-certified paper in Canada using vegetable inks, Babies Are Boring is a book you can feel good about buying. Petite enough to fit comfortably in one hand, and big brothers and sisters will find it just the right size for sharing with younger kids. Illustrator Alex Ritchie's colorful and humorous artwork is attention-getting. Page after page of hand-drawn animal families are depicted doing all the ordinary daily things every family does. Alex Ritchie's art is characterized by expressive eyes and high-intensity action scenes. In one scene, a parent hedgehog is curled around the babies all asleep -- that is, except for the one who's still wide-eyed and grinning, ready to make a run for it. In another scene, a whale tickles her calf's belly by blowing bubbles under the youngster, while in a third, a mother duck watches one poor hatchling stagger around with the shell still over his head. Structuring the story as he does, Jon Ritchie's book gives voice to older siblings who may have mixed feelings about the new baby in the house. And the littlest readers of all will simply enjoy being read to by Mommy and Daddy. While some moms and dads may not appreciate the irreverent (if still true) approach of Babies Are Boring, for many of us, reading the book acknowledges the reality of parenthood while affirming that come what may, there's still no place we'd rather be.
Babies are Boring…
Review posted at www.littlewindowshoppe.com
by emily | June 13, 2008
I think it’s safe to say that such a stage truly exists (even if only for the briefest of moments), and this little book capitalizes on it quite comically. Babies are Boring written by Jon Ritchie and published by Purple Possum Publishing Inc., is a light and clever look at the moment your free-wheeling days are slightly modified into becoming a new parent. It takes you through the endless diapers and spills to the wonderful giggles and smiles that you just couldn’t possibly live without. It is a bright and colorful picture-book that your children will love (but let’s be honest, parents will totally get a kick out of this one too). My husband and I were cracking up reading this quirky little book as it reminded us of how much we have cherished the true joys (and crazy experiences) we have had with our baby.
Babies Are Boring - Book Review
Review posted on childrenloveplay.com | July 24th 08
Well, when I first received this book by Jon Ritchie, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I knew it would be interesting just by looking at the title of the book. I was right! There are a great variety of children books out there but this one, “Babies Are Boring”, IS different. It’s like a breath of fresh air! It tells a lot about life as a parent and it’s so true. I have been through all these moments.... When I read (it) to my children, I insert some role play that makes the whole story more fun and alive. They LOVE it! Now, every now and then, they would say: “Mummy, can we have Babies Are Boring?” and “I want to pretend to be the baby who sleeps and you the mummy who sings until you fall asleep.” Who says children books are only for children? “Babies are Boring” is a wonderful book for toddlers as well as for parents.
Babies Are Boring by Jon Ritchie
Review posted on CoolBabyKid.com | July 2nd 2008
An English teacher by trade, one thing I know for sure is that reading can never go out of style. Always on the lookout for fun new books for the little ones, I was thrilled to discover Babies Are Boring by Jon Ritchie, illustrated by Alex Ritchie. "If you look back, there's a life you used to know. The time, the time, oh wherever does it go?" What parent can't relate to remembering a time before "the never-ending bottle making" or "...the changing and the wiping and the endless hours of singing." Beautifully illustrated, the fun part about Babies Are Boring is that not only with kids love it, their mom and dads will enjoy reading it as well. Good news since we all know what happens when kids like a book. You'll have it memorized in no time!
Babies are Boring by Jon Ritchie
Review posted on the Oh, Mama Likey! Blog | June 8th,2008
Remember that infamous "blob" comment Angelina Jolie made about daughter Shiloh? Well if you found yourself horribly offended by that observation, you may not exactly find this book as charming as it really is. Ritchie cleverly narrates in typical children's book fashion the adult frustrations of having a newborn. You know, all the usual things we as mother's find ourselves complaining about in regards to our beloved little ones - the diapers, the crying, the feedings and the general humdrum routine of baby upkeep. I thought the book was super cute as I'm always one for tongue-in-cheek humor. Not to mention we all as parents have at some point or another looked at our little one and prayed for the day when changing diapers and sleepless nights would be a thing of the past. For those who are still weary, the book does have a positive ending. The illustrations are bright and a delight to little eyes and parents alike. This book would be a great gift... for yourself or someone else!
Review- Babies are Boring
Review posted on Booking Mama Blog | June 21st 2008
When I was asked if I'd like to take a look at BABIES ARE BORING by Jon Ritchie, I jumped at the chance. I love children's books and I especially love reading them to my children. The book is probably aimed at children a little younger than my 3 year old, but he still enjoyed it. In fact, as soon as we finished reading it; we started back at the beginning and read it again. The basic premise of the story is that "babies are boring." The 40 page book then proceeds to show all the ways that babies are either boring or require work -- some of which are very funny. I think parents will actually appreciate this a little more than kids. The last few pages of the book end with all the precious things that babies do -- like "the giggles and the gurgles and the funny tummy-blowings (which my son thought was funny). The final message is that babies are boring, "but if I have to be so bored...I'm glad that it's by you." While I thought the story was cute and I enjoyed the rhymes, my favorite part of this book was the illustrations. Alex Ritchie, Jon's brother, partnered with him on this book; and I thought his drawings were adorable. Each page featured a different mommy/daddy animal with their young -- most of the animals had big, googly eyes that made me giggle. My son even thought a few of them were cute, especially the ones where the mommy was changing the baby's dirty diaper. (Of course, any humor that is potty-related is just hilarious with my three year old.) I think this book is great for the toddlers in your life, or even as a baby shower gift!