SuperDad Book Review: The Lion and the Bird is a Beautifully Illustrated Ode to Friendship

THE LION AND THE BIRD
By Marianne Dubuc
64 pages

At first glance, this book appeared too short on words to be very interesting to me, but probably just right for an early reader for my 2 1/2 and my nearly 4 year old. To my immense surprise, I found the story of "The Lion and the Bird" to be a tale of friendship of great depth told in the harmonious combination of words and illustrations.

French Canadian writer/ illustrator Marianne Dubuc combines her beautiful illustrations and simple words to tell the story of the Lion and how he met and came to become dear friends with the Bird.

Her detailed artwork is great for guiding your children's deduction of the changing seasons, the passage of time, the Lion's internal feelings, and diagnosis of the Bird's injury.

The story takes place over a years-worth of seasons, and it was really fun to hear them describe all the clues in the illustrations as to what season it was in the story.

The Lion's facial expressions helped me explain the changing emotions of the Lion, and they really got excited in the end after empathizing with the Lion through his facial expressions.

This book, while recommended for ages 4 and up, touches the hearts of children and adults.

SuperDad Book Grade:  A definite A+!

Buy The Lion and the Bird HERE!

Will you be buying or did you read "The Lion and the Bird"? Let us know what you think about it in the comments below!

Toddler Toy Review: B. Toys Critter Clinic Veterinary Kit Animal Hospital Playset

After my 2 year old daughter gave me my fourth thorough check-up in the past hour, I just had to write a Toddler Toy Review of B. Toys Critter Clinic Veterinary Kit Animal Hospital Playset.

My daughter is a big fan of Disney's Doc McStuffins, and it was after listening to her rendition of "I feel better, so much better..." that my wife wanted so much to buy this "toy" for her.

I am not sure who was more thrilled when my daughter got this playset, her or me!

Far from being a toy, this is an activity set that is ideal for role-playing, containing a veterinary/ medical instruments such as a stethoscope, tweezers, and a syringe with moving piston for giving shots!

Also, there are a set of keys to use with the varied keyholes on the doors of the Critter Clinic cages that is perfect for developing and exercising toddlers' fine motor skills.

As a medical professional, I got to teach my 2 year old daughter how to use the instruments, and it gave me so much joy to let her doctor me!

Just imagine how it feels for your two year old daughter having this interaction with you:

"I am a doctor!"

"I gonna listen to your heart!"

I make a heartbeat sound for her as she listens... LUB DUB, LUB DUB.

"Very good!"

"I'm going to give you a shot. Here you go! All better!"

Toddler Toy Rating: A definite A+!

Critter Clinic Veterinary Kit Animal Hospital Playset
By B. Toys
$39.99 Retail

B. Toys entire line-up of toys have a hand-crafted, boutique feel to them that caught my eye and imagination since I first saw them in my local Target Store, however this is the first of their line that we have gotten for ourselves.

Have you bought or will you buy this item? Let us know what you think in the comments below!