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Three Bears in a Boat

By David Soman

Three seems to be the magic number for bears when it comes to adventure, whether it involves a gal named Goldilocks, a famous home intruder, or here, in David Soman’s salty sea tale of losing and finding.

Famous for their New York Times Bestseller picture books, he and Jacky Davis conceived the wildly successful Ladybug Girl picture book heroine.

But here, in Three Bears in a Boat, is an adventure piloted by Mr. Soman solo, and it steers true north to a great story featuring  some pretty young winsome and wooly bears that model “bear behaviors” that both kids and parents may pretty quickly recognize as very human.

Think mischief while Mama bear is away. Think broken treasured blue seashell. Think young bears ruminating… How do we get out of this without Mama Bear finding out?

And Mr. Soman has found the formula for a fascinating bear sea saga that comes full circle… back home. The stops along the way are the best part in any story, and the stops here are magical.

The imaginative folk that the salty bears at sea meet and greet are funny, fierce and founts of wisdom.

Be you bruin or human, when in a pickle, it’s always a pretty good idea to consult an adult. And they do. My favorite is the sage and seafaring pipe smoking, tattooed bear:

              A ways over yonder, he told

              them, is an island shaped like

              a lumpy hat. On that island, there

              may be a seashell, a beautiful

              blue one. It could be underwater,

              or in the tallest tree, or on the very

              top of the mountain. It might even

              be hidden in a cave. I’m not dead

              certain, but, if you look in the right

              place, I reckon you’ll find it.

When word and image are matched seamlessly in a picture book, it sort of reminds me of a casting director in a movie that we love, picking just the exact character actor to play a pivotal part in a movie that you love. For if that piece were missing, we’d see the whole in a completely different light.

Just as in the classic Wizard of Oz, how often do our young Dorothys of the world wander far, only to realize that what they flee from, and its importance in their lives, can only be felt, dealt with, and recognized when they face it head on.

It’s nearness is closer than they may imagine.

And so it is with the three bears and their finding of the replacement blue seashell.

Confession they say is good for the soul, and owning up to what we’ve done, and the realization that our actions do have consequences beyond ourselves is a good lesson for young readers that David Soman has fashioned with both charm and clarity.

The bears’ realization that the shortest way home is to tell the truth… about who you are and what you’ve done is a fine conscience soother and learning curve for young readers…via three bruins on a quest for a blue seashell that lies on their own shore.

Home is the place where they have to take you in.

And that is always the best part of any story with a hug and forgiveness as its ending.

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Ladybug Girl and the Best Ever Playdate

By David Soman and Jacky Davis

Can you remember your favorite playmate or playdate from childhood?

I’m sure something sticks out in your memory.

Today, a trend called the “playdate” has emerged because of a number of factors including time constraints that call for the  scheduling of children’s play, the distance involved in getting kids together, and the reconfiguration of what a “neighborhood” has come to mean.

Maybe it has become a thing of the past in some areas of the country, but in the long ago of “way back when” time, “play” usually meant just that. It meant unfettered time, where a bunch of kids got together and said, just as in the play/movie “Marty”, “Wadya wanna do?” or, more particularly, “Wadya wanna play?”

Play could mean Hide and Go Seek, Jump Rope, Hopscotch, Roller Skating, Tag, or my favorite, Let’s Pretend”, which could go in as many directions as your imaginations could take the group. It went from cowboy scenarios to good guys getting the better of bad guys, to literal “plays”.

By plays, I mean reenactments of fairy tales like “Cinderella” with everyone either playing a part, or being behind the scenes.

In “Ladybug Girl and the Best Ever Playdate,” Lulu aka Ladybug Girl has her own “playdate”, which is what we used to call “having a friend over.”

And her friend, Finny, brings along her amazing Rolly-Roo to the “playdate”. It’s a rolling, on wheels endearing horselike toy that you can ride, talk to, dress up and even hide inside.

Is it Rolly-Roo that Lulu is enamored of or is it the chance to play with Finny? Hmm.

Finny asks if Ladybug Girl wants to play dress up? I loved that one as a child. I remember my two best friends on our street and myself, dressed up as nuns and went around collecting money for the poor. We were chastised severely by a local shopkeeper with no sense of humor who told us it was against the law to pose as nuns and ask for money. We were horrified and fled.

Blah! We were giving the money to the poor; not keeping it. That attempt at dress up was short lived, but memorable.

Anyway, every attempt by Finny to play with Lulu in “Ladybug Girl and the Best Ever Playdate” seems to begin and end with Lulu firmly in charge of Rolly-Roo. Finny is a side car at best.

But what happens when something happens to poor Rolly-Roo? Are the wheels off the cart of this playdate, and the friendship as well? Or will Finny and Lulu aka Grasshopper Girl and Ladybug Girl find a solution and fix both Rolly-Roo and the friendship – together?

My money is on friendship. Being right or  having a friend? Easy peasy choice here to the slow resolve of what to do to renew a tear in a friendship.

This picture book brought up a memory for me. It brought up a time when my two best friends on the block and I didn’t talk for what seemed like months. What was it about? I can’t remember. But, in my mind, I was right and stuck to my guns – and so did they. A silly silence ensued in the friendship. I ached for the easy relationship to be renewed, but a painful pride got in my way.

The Three Musketeers were derailed for a bit – just like Rolly-Roo, Lulu and Finny.

Till one day, one of the two girls said to me, “Wanna be friends?” I airily replied, “Okay”, but my heart skipped with relief.

If only I had had a book all those years ago like “Ladybug Girl and the Best Ever Playdate” to point the way to a resolution of my childhood tiff; and a pair of picture book heroines that truly say, in so many words, “Friendship trumps all!” And it does!

Enter to win copies of Ladybug Girl, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, and Ladybug Girl at the Beach, by David Soman and Jacky Davis. Giveaway begins May 12, 2015, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends June 11, 2015, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Ladybug Girl and the Dress-up Dilemma

By David Soman and Jacky Davis

The latest Ladybug Girl adventure from the New York Times best selling team husband- and-wife team of David Soman and Jacky Davis, finds Ladybug Girl in a quandary that hit close to home for me while raising up a not-so-happy Halloween memory.

Halloween costumes for kids can be one of two things. It’s either dressing up to be someone who is your polar OPPOSITE in real life, or fashioning a costume that is pretty close to your own SELF – inside. When I was in grammar school both because of economic issues, AND because I loved the persona, I dressed up as a nurse – every year! My costume had been made by a wonderful seamstress and it looked like the real. It was a true-to-life nurse’s uniform of its time, from white uniform and cap, to a dashing navy cape with a Red Cross on the side. I was in heaven. Funny, how moments stick with you through the years.

We entered the local soda shop that Halloween and the proprietor, a neighbor, said in a snarky voice, “Liz, You’re the same thing every year.” The words stung and my costume suddenly felt old and uncool.

Well, Lulu/aka Ladybug Girl too, is in a bit of a dither as Halloween approaches. An old, familiar question is already being framed on kids’ lips this time of year and that is – “Whatcha gonna be for Halloween?” It is for Lulu as well.

The picture book opens on Halloween with leaves piled high everywhere and the eager anticipation of fun filled disguises is in the air. But Ladybug Girl and her faithful basset hound, Bingo, hear words from her brother that stir things up, as she is coaxed to be something DIFFERENT this Halloween.

Her brother starts her on the quest to redo her identity from Ladybug Girl with a harmless, “You’re ALWAYS Ladybug Girl!” Hmmm. Now THAT had a very familiar ring to it for this former trick or treater!!

Lulu starts on a search for a new costume and maybe, an identity. Robots, silent film stars, octopus, alien, wallaby (Australian kangaroo) and pandas are tried and discarded. Even a combo of a vampire/panda is met with a, “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard of,” by her brother whose input Lulu seems to measure costume acceptance standards by. Will Lulu let her brother define the acceptability of who she will be?

A family trip to the local apple orchard pre trick or treating, finds Lulu scanning the fields of pumpkins and a silent windblown scarecrow for last minute ideas. Even a batty disguise is on her radar. Yet none of these seems quite right. You’re on the right track now, Lulu!

A young girl lost in a corn maize provides Lulu/lLadybug Girl with the opportunity to show the courage of her convictions and the chance to be, well, HERSELF!

On a darkened street, lit only by the light from houses greeting incognito candy gobblers, Ladybug Girl reveals to her ninja clad sibling what she deep down knew to be true – “I always knew that I wanted to be Ladybug Girl!”

Knowing who you are at your heart is no easy lesson for any of us, but when you have the courage to be true to who you are, despite the clamor of the crowd – or one person – now THAT deserves a big round of applause from this Halloween nurse!!

Ladybug Girl, you’ve done it again and this is one Halloween picture book that provides a most satisfying treat!

Title: Three Bears in a Boat Written and illustrated By: David Soman Published By: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014, Fiction Themes/Topics: boating, bears, adventure Suitable for ages: 3-7   Opening: Once there were three bears, Dash, Charlie and Theo, who lived by the … Continue reading →

  Ladybug Girl and Her Mama by Jacky Davis & illustrated by David Soman Ladybug Girl loves her mama, and can’t wait to spend the day with her. They plant flowers in the garden, share a special lunch, and enjoy a favorite movie. Together-time has never been so sweet. Just right for Mother’s Day! My …

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The Very Lazy Ladybug by Isobel Finn & illustrated by Jack Tickle Most ladybugs fly from place to place – but not the Very Lazy Ladybug! She would rather sleep all day and all night. But when she decides it’s time to move to a more comfortable place, she has to find some way to …

Dear Parents of Ladybug Girl (Jacky Davis and David Soman),

This is a heads-up from the mom and aunt of Pueblo Indian children. What's up with that "Indian" costume your daughter wears?

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 8, 2011

TCBR loves Ladybug Girl! Hooray for an idealistic, empowering girl series that moves away from the stereotypical pink and brightens bookshelves everywhere with its red and sparkly illustrations. Ladybug Girl, by Jacky Davis and David Soman, has lots of personality and is the perfect series for girls who enjoy dressing up, the great outdoors, or have brothers. Enter to win one of two (2) prizepacks—each pack contains a copy of Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad and Ladybug Girl at the Beach. Giveaway begins August 8, 2011, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends September 5, 2011, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Reading Level: Ages 3 and up

Hardcover: 40 pages

Series overview: Ladybug Girl is Lulu, a little girl who loves to dress up in her ladybug costume and use her imagination to turn every moment into an adventure.

Ladybug Girl at the Beach: Lulu loves the beach. Well, she’s never been there before, but she knows she will love it. And then she sees the ocean and it is big and loud and rough. That’s okay – Lulu wanted to build sand castles and fly her kite with Bingo anyway. But while they are building their sand castle, the sneaky ocean comes in and tries to steal Lulu’s favorite pail. This is a job for Ladybug Girl!

Lulu conquers her fear of the ocean when she remembers that Ladybug Girl can do anything, in this gorgeously illustrated companion to the popular series.

Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad: Lulu is so excited for the Bug Squad to come over for a playdate, and she has all kinds of things planned for them to do – right down to eating cupcakes. The cupcakes are special because each one has a candle that Lulu thinks everyone should blow out at exactly the same time.

But when things don’t go just the way Lulu planned, feelings are hurt and apologies are necessary. Sounds like a job for Ladybug Girl, who knows how to be brave and say she’s sorry, even when it isn’t easy.

Visit: Official “Ladybug Girl” website

Play games: Ladybug Girl is Definitely not LITTLE Game
Bug Squad Rock Painter

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