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Courage. Photo illustration by Mike F Leonen. ©2008 mike f leonen. All rights reserved. No use, copy or distribution without prior permission.
I like Bernard Waber's Courage
. I recommend the book to all parents with toddlers, but with a warning: Ask your toddler to define courage at your own risk.
"Do you have courage?" I asked my 4-year old after reading to him Waber's Courage
"Yes, I do," my 4-year old said without hesitation.
"Tell me when you showed courage," I challenged him.
My 4-year old looked at me, thinking.
"When the lights went off and there was a blackout, I did not panic," he said. "I only said that there was a wind storm and we should get flashlights."
I smiled.
He was right. When the lights went off around 7 pm last week, he calmly gathered all flashlights—including his tiny toy flashlight that emitted the Transformers signal when pressed—and placed these on top of the kitchen table.
"That's courage," my 4-year old said.
I nodded.
"Unlike Mommy," he added. "When there was a blackout, she shouted, Waaah!"
I smiled again, suppressing a laughter.
"You know what Mommy should do?" my 4-year old continued. "The next time there is a blackout, she should wear my Spiderman briefs."
"Why?" I asked.
My 4-year old looked at me, gave me the Duh?! face and said, "Because my Spiderman briefs glow in the dark."
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What wonderful work... as always! You are very talented! And great story too!
Posted by: Jenn | January 22, 2008 at 11:10 AM
That is a great photo/edit! And I love the story too, although my favorite part of it was DEFINITELY the glow in the dark spiderman briefs!
Posted by: Maggie | January 22, 2008 at 01:01 PM
hahah your son is a gem :)
Posted by: chelle | January 23, 2008 at 05:09 AM
Beautiful picture! Love the part about the glow in the dark Spiderman briefs. :)
Posted by: Overwhelmed With Joy! | January 23, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Wow - I've been away too long. That boy of yours is getting waaaay too smart!
Posted by: Lundie | January 24, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Sounds logical to me.
I love this one too.
Posted by: Ruby | January 26, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Too funny! What a very insightful little boy. :)
Posted by: Alexis | January 28, 2008 at 03:47 AM
OMG...LOL...will there be photos? hehehehe
I've missed visiting and it's good to be here. :)
Posted by: melody is slurping life | February 02, 2008 at 11:04 PM
OMG...LOL...will there be photos? hehehehe
I've missed visiting and it's good to be here. :)
Posted by: melody is slurping life | February 02, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Hmm Newbie visiting from Slurping life.....we just bought transformer glow in the dark underwear - but it's mal-functioning and doesn't glow.......so there will be no-one to save me!
Cheers
Posted by: Maddy | February 03, 2008 at 08:19 AM
lol. Your courageous little one is sure funny too. Heh heh
Posted by: Immomsdaughter | February 03, 2008 at 08:01 PM
This has to be my favorite! I'll have to check out that book....
Posted by: Chanda | February 05, 2008 at 02:33 PM