Saturday, June 9, 2012

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs


My daughter was quiet. It was unusual for her being silent when I ask her to choose for the bedtime story. She picks her book without taking too much time, but tonight she was awfully quiet. I peeked at her and found her looking at the cover image, almost studying it. I knew her questions would follow in a minute, "Mom, how come meatballs fall from the sky? and why this guy carries a spoon, fork and knife in his pocket?" 

Leading her to the bed, I answered "I guess we will figure it out soon." 

I read the title, "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, written by Judi Barrett, drawn by Ron Barrett."
She interrupted immediately, "mom, they have same family name."
"Yes," I took deep breath, "I think they are family members." 

The tiny town of Chewandswallow was very much like any other tiny town except for its weather which came three times a day, at breakfast lunch and dinner. 
     But it never rained rain and it never snowed snow and it never blew just wind. I rained things like soup and juice. It snowed things like mashed potatoes. And sometimes the wind blew in storms of hamburgers. 
     Life for the townspeople was delicious until the weather took a turn for the worse. The food got larger and larger and so did the portions. Chewandswallow was plagued by damaging floods and storms of huge food. The town was a mess and the people feared for their lives. 
     Something had to be done, and in a hurry.         


While we were reading it, I laughed and laughed. I was amazed by these phenomenal ideas. 
     'Wouldn't it be nice if we live in Chewandswallow? I don't need to fuss going grocery and cooking,' I imagined happily. My daughter, on the other hand, was perplexed. 
     "Mom," she frowned," if Orange juice falls from the sky, it's gonna be sticky everywhere. And if a hotdog falls from the sky, what would I eat? I don't like a hotdog." 

I didn't answer. I was having a good time imagining all the nonsense. I kept laughing and laughing out loud. 
   "Look, honey," I giggled, "can you imagine Gorgonzola cheese falling from sky? Can you imagine the smell? What about overcooked broccoli in a romantic dinner? Brussel sprouts and peanut butter with mayonnaise for a birthday!! Isn't it so funny?"  




  For the first time, I laughed out loud just like a kid during the bed time story. I really enjoyed reading a picture book along with my little daughter. It was a refreshing fact that I can have fun in her story time. It was a moment of epiphany that I don't need a fancy gadget to be entertained. I had a wonderful time reading a children's picture book.

4 comments:

  1. What a wonderful story! It sounds like you had great time with your daughter. I didn't read the book, but I watched computer-animated family comedy film based on a book and also enjoyed the story. I agree with you, this is a book in which both children and their parents can enjoy.

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    1. Hi Aleksandra, it's good to see you in my blog. Yes, my daughter and I had a great time. Speaking of that movie, I saw it on Netflix streaming. I might play it this weekend. Thanks for reminding me.

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  2. I laughed out loud too, because your daughter reminded me so much of my son, who is 22 now. He was always so literal minded. I never read this particular book to him but I could imagine him reacting the exact same way as my son did. (and would you believe....as I'm writing this, he called?). My son turned out to be very science and "hands on" oriented when he got to school. Perhaps your daughter will have that orientation, too. I loved reading to my son. Enjoy these days while you still can.

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    1. I love to listen to you. I wish you could tell me more about your experience reading picture books to your son. I'm constantly putting myself into a perspective that 'what if I do this, what will it happen?' I bet reading is one of the best gift I can give to my child.

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