Who Was...

Julia's newest book series of choice is the "Who Was..." series.  The "Who Was" set consists of biographies and history books, and Julia has already devoured such books as "Who Were the Beatles," "Who Is J.K. Rowling," and "What Was the Underground Railroad." 

This week Julia came home with two new books, one from her school book fair, and the other from her school library.  In typical fashion, she has already delved into both books at once, alternating between them, chapter by chapter. 

Today Madeleine discovered the books sitting on our dining room table, and had a thing or two to say about them.

MADELEINE: Mama?  Why on ALL Julia's books that are by J.K. Rowling do the people have GIANT HEADS?
ME: You mean all her "Who Was" books?  I guess that's just how they decide to design the covers.  It looks silly, huh?

Madeleine took a moment to study the covers of both books, then made some critical observations aloud:

MADELEINE: Uh, a FARMER with a giant head and a hat?!?

MADELEINE: Uh, a NATURE GIRL with a giant head and a coat!?


Yeah.  SERIOUSLY, J.K. Rowling.  Stop making your farmers and nature girls and all your other people have such giant heads.  You'd better talk with your illustrator, because MADELEINE DOES NOT APPROVE.


In other news, Madeleine had her first swim lesson of the school year over at the Y today, and she was thrilled to discover that not one but TWO of the kids from her preschool class are also in her swim class.  The fourth child in her class was an unknown, but she sure made an impression on Madeleine.

MADELEINE: (in the car, after her lesson) Mama?  Did you know there's a girl named QUINN in my swim class?
ME: Yes, I heard the teacher call her that.
MADELEINE: (thoughtful) But Mama?  Is Quinn a BOYS name?
ME: Well, it can be a name for a boy or a girl.  We do have a friend named Quinn who's a boy, so that's probably why you're thinking that.  But it can be used for a girl, too.

Apparently the early impression that was made by Quinn faded during the day, because by the time we picked up Julia from school this afternoon, Quinn had morphed into someone else.

MADELEINE: Julia?  Did you know there's a girl named OWEN in my swim lesson?

Okay.  So I'm pretty sure Owen is NOT a unisex name.  But that's fine, because Quinn's name is not really Owen anyway.

At any rate, both girls are happy to be in the swing of their fall schedules, and Julia is thrilled to have brand new reading material.  In fact, I think she's going to settle down and read a chapter of "Who Is Nature Girl" by J.K. Rowling now that we're home from school!