Love is in the air!
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, my world is abuzz. What games should we play for the classroom parties this year? What kind of valentines should we make? Are the cute ones too “baby-ish”? Are they too old to use the “L” word? Who in which class is allergic to what treats?
And, oh yeah, my husband … I should probably factor him into the equation too, right?
Wouldn’t it be nice if instead of creating a lengthy to-do list, we could just celebrate the simplicity of the feeling we claim to be paying homage to? Can’t we just spread a little good mojo around with child-like innocence and see what happens?
On Saturday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m., the junior set and their parents can experience one of Barnes and Noble, Fashion Island’s featured children’s books for February, “Plant a Kiss” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, in which the main character, Little Miss, does just that. During this Special Story Time, the sweet love story will be both shared aloud, and brought to life in an interactive Nook presentation.
After deciding to plant a kiss, Little Miss waits and waits, and when something magical finally sprouts and grows, she decides to share it. Against the protests of those around her who fear that in sharing she will lose what she has, Little Miss spreads her love around, and finds that by sharing, she has created an endless supply.
Written simply with just a few words on each page, it is a great book to share with both pre-school age children, and emergent readers who can easily navigate the mostly phonetic prose.
By not relying on flowery vocabulary and fanciful imagery, this book proves that sometimes less is more. The highlight on each page is the sparkly “love” growing from the garden of Little Miss.
Similarly, the book’s message is simple. We don’t have to make things so complicated. Sometimes (most times), it isn’t about the fancy chocolate, and heart-covered odes by Hallmark to the fairy-tale notion of everlasting love that count.
What better testament to love is there than a child’s simple desire to share her light with those around her? As adults, we become so bogged down with our day-to-day responsibilities, that we often also become jaded where life’s simple pleasures are concerned.
This year I plan to take a cue from Little Miss. OK, truth be told, we will still be making fancy valentine cookies for the teachers, since that is kind of my thing, and I’m sure my children will be consuming at least one food item that has been artificially colored pink. But I will also be making an extra effort to let those I care about, both romantically and otherwise, know how I feel.
We will focus on putting a little goodness out into our world, in whatever small ways we can: giving to the folks outside of Target, taking dinner to a friend, or even, just sharing a smile. For as Little Miss discovered, when we give of ourselves, the results are exponential, and the dividends are endless.
For more information on events at Barnes and Noble, Fashion Island, please visit www.barnesandnoble.com, or call 949-718-0109.
