Jet the Kitty - Who Popped My Balloons? Series by Nathan James; Illustrated by Anadiny Mogno - For Avi!

Avi, It's getting cold...soooo cold! So I've picked out several fun books for you to enjoy while you're inside nice and warm! And, if I'm around for awhile, I could be persuaded to start reading them to you, OK?!

This series is for children ages 3-5 and you are well on your way to being 3! Can you hold up 3 fingers to show me? The book is colorful and the artwork quite nice...

Avi, I know you love cats and kittens... Last time you were here and saw one of my cats run by, you called Kit, Kit, Kit, and then ran after him, hoping to touch him. But he hid from you, didn't he? Do the cats you have at home run and hide too?

This series includes rhyming words. Here's what rhyming means--it's just how you use your words, right? But they have to sound like another word to make it a rhyme. 

When Jet the Kitty woke up she exclaimed "Hurray!"

It was a very special day. It was her birthday.

She prepared plastic plates, cups, and spoons.

But she was most excited to have colorful balloons.

~~~

And then her guests started to arrive, and she even allowed her little sister to come too! But suddenly, Jet heard "PoP!" Jet was shocked, frozen, for she heard another "Pop!"

Suddenly, Jet froze and grabbed her head

Two balloons were gone

Yellow and Red

The party began and continued with games, pizza and more, but one by one those balloons popped and each time Jet would cry, "Who Popped My Balloons?" So that each of her guests had to respond, "Not Me!" Until there was only one balloon which Jet realized would have to receive special care to keep it from popping too!

This book has, in my opinion, two lessons to be learned. How to count backwards, of course. And, that balloons need special care! But, here's my personal opinion for writers and parents in choosing children's books...

I would like to have Jet consider another option:

Hand each guest a balloon as soon as they come,

so that they could have fun and celebrate too!

Blaming is something to stay away from

so solve each mystery before you ask "who"...

And, by the way,

Nobody likes to be called fat, tall or short

using physical attributes rather than names

is bound to reach a small child's mind

Remember children, by age 4, are usually

well formed in who they will be...

Causing questions like, am I too fat?

Or, why am I taller than the rest of my friends?

Is just not where good thinking is at!

It may seem that kids will be kids

But if you start teaching them to be kind

It may establish a child's self-image

of always feeling loved and just fine!

I know that some of you may say that I'm being too critical. Well, I can tell you from personal experience, being called fat is not OK in my book... And, with Avi in mind as he grows, I find I'm willing to speak out in any way that may lead to bullying...or worse, having secret bad feelings about himself... 

I'll tell you a little story about myself, Avi. When I was young, my mommy was always working, so many times I stayed with an aunt and uncle. They knew mommy didn't have much money, so they would always want to feed me, encouraging me to "eat the rest" of this or it would go to waste... or similar types of encouraging comments to eat. Well, that led to my being overweight for most of my life.

One time I was at my grandmother's house and we were out sitting on her front porch. One of my uncles were also there. He called out Fatty, and whatever he said afterward I ignored... Then, my mommy, not knowing about my secret feelings about being called fat, was already deep inside of me, said, "Glenda, your Uncle Dale is talking to you. By that time, Avi, I was already wiser about my feelings, maybe 6 or 7. I simply said, "That's is NOT my name" and I walked away and went around the house. Of course, I have no idea what happened thereafter. It was unimportant, because I had finally taken a stand about myself. I was not willing to be called names!

So, Avi, if you ever are hurt or don't understand something being said, just call Gabbie and we'll talk about it, OK? I love you!

God Bless,

Gabbie