Great New Book

My friend Erin Jang has introduced me to all sorts of cool things — a Trader Joe’s breakfast hack, hiking with kids, clever infographics — but I’m especially into…

…her new two-part book project for parents and kids: You, Me, We (Amazon, Indiebound). Have you seen it? You get two matching activity books — one for the parent, one for the kid — so you can both fill in quizzes and draw pictures and answer questions. Toby and I LOVED doing it together and learning funny things about each other. (For example, he prefers rollercoasters to ferris wheels, and eating pretzels is his favorite part of traveling.)

Here are a few of the fun pages…

It’s perfect for road trips, long flights or bedtime. I’d highly recommend it. Congratulations, Erin!

P.S. The funny things kids say.

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Charlotte Perebinossoff

April 13, 2020 2:11 am

I just wanted to share that I have been using this book with my dad via FaceTime during quarantine. I’m 35. He’s Is 79 and has aphasia, which affects his ability to express himself verbally (very frustrating for a brilliant man with a PhD!). When I saw this post back in February, I thought these books might be a good strategy for me to learn more about my dad without putting too much pressure on him to talk on the spot. Plus, the activities are light and fun and easy to use—all a plus since his fine motor writing skills have vastly declined. Since he’s high-risk during Covid19, we’ve been doing about a page a week and sharing over FaceTime. That way, he has time to think about his responses and even practice verbalizing if he wants to. And I get to learn more about my dad. Although I struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel during this time, that’s one thing I am grateful for: I’m getting to know my dad better despite his challenges around speech. These books have made that possible. Thank you.

Erin

Reply to Charlotte Perebinossoff

April 17, 2020 10:37 am

Hi Charlotte, I wish I could express how much this means to me. Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m so touched by the way you’re able to use the book to connect with your father in this way, in these challenging circumstances. Sending you and your dad so much love…

March 2, 2020 9:26 pm

I have been going through my old things and came across a similar fill-in-the-blank diary (American girl doll brand!) from when I was 9/10. Let me just say, save this!!! It was beautiful and HILARIOUS to read at 28 years old alongside my mom. My sister was bummed she threw hers out years ago, because it was so fun to read what little old me’s thoughts were.

Erin

Reply to H

April 17, 2020 10:40 am

I love this, H! Can’t wait to make my boys reread their Y, M, W books when they’re grown men haha.

Gisela

March 2, 2020 11:06 am

The best! Everything Erin designs makes my jaw drop. Perfect gift too :)

Sarah Goldsmith

February 25, 2020 11:47 am

I love this! My son and I have “fireside chats” (literally chatting near the fireplace) every night and sometimes I struggle with finding topics to ask him about beyond just how school is going. This will be perfect, especially since he’s 5.5 and his writing is adorable and messy and just barely legible. I’m sure he’ll love to go back and read it when he’s older.

katherine

February 24, 2020 4:27 pm

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for including the Indiebound link with books. Whatever you can do to keep other businesses besides Amazon alive is good for all of us! I’m sure its more work but I really appreciate your making the effort with books and all merchandise whenever you can!

Lindsey

February 24, 2020 4:21 pm

My dad gave me something like this when I graduated high school. It was a spiral bound book with a prompt for each day of the year. I think it was titled something silly like, “All About My Dad”, haha. But the prompts were great! I remember in particular questions like, “Write a limerick about your daughter”, “What’s a fond Christmas memory you have from your childhood?”, and “What do you think you’re good at?” My dad and I have always had a very fraught relationship, so it was extremely meaningful for him to have spent so much time answering the prompts, and opening up his inner world to me, especially when it had always been closed. It is still one of my most treasured possessions.

Christine

Reply to Lindsey

February 24, 2020 11:57 pm

That’s so sweet. I would love to know the name of this book…

Jill

February 24, 2020 3:22 pm

Ha! As a Scotland fan (we went there on our honeymoon and always like to come back with our little daughter), I always wanted to say that you and the kids would definitely like it there. So I’m glad to see that Scotland is one of your favourite destinations.

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to Jill

February 24, 2020 3:25 pm

oh yes! i’ve never been but would LOVE to.

Joaquina

Reply to Jill

February 24, 2020 3:41 pm

Jill,
Would you recommend Scotland for a (middle aged) female solo traveller?!
I’m so fascinated with Scotland, the Highlands, and the expanded vegan scene in Edinburgh but I’d have to go alone. I’ve been to London and Ireland so have some experience in the UK. Would love your feedback if you see this :)

Roxani

Reply to Jill

February 24, 2020 3:57 pm

Hi Joaquina and all,

Jumping in here to say that I would DEFINITELY recommend Scotland for people of all ages and physical conditions. Check out the website Walk Highlands, which rates every possible walk (not just in the Highlands) according to strenuousness and “bog factor” (a favorite phrase to connote level of mud haha). The North Coast 500 is a new route designed for people to be able to see varied landscapes within the Highlands, though there are other ways to do that as well, particularly in light of the criticism that particular route has received from local communities. I hope you make it here and that you have an amazing time. Scotland has been a gorgeous home for me and a real source of joy for all my visitors too.

Jill

Reply to Jill

February 24, 2020 4:42 pm

Joaquina,
I can only join Roxani, in Scotland every age group finds a suitable activity. For example, we love to be outdoors and hike. That’s how I got to know Scotland. As our child is too small for bigger tours at the moment, we took easy walks last summer. This new perspective was wonderful, the landscape is simply breathtaking.
Glasgow and Edinburgh have a great cultural offer, but also smaller cities like Inverness or Stirling are so charming.
I think you will have good experiences as a single traveller in Scotland, the atmosphere in general is very friendly.

Claire

Reply to Jill

February 24, 2020 5:44 pm

Joaquina,
YES! Go alone! When I was 18, I took a gap year before starting college. A family friend helped me to set up an internship at a social work nonprofit in Edinburgh where I interned for 8 weeks. I stayed with a host family and, despite my nerves nerving having been alone like that before, Scotland was a wonderful place. People are remarkably friendly and helpful. Public transit in Edinburgh is easy to use (great busses) and they joke that the city is like a village as you keep running into people you’ve met. You could walk across it in a day!

I’ll stop squealing, but seriously. I can’t recommend it enough. If you go, my highlights: all sorts of good coffee shops, the independent bookstore on Leith walk, Crammond Beach, the National Museum of Scotland, the National Portrait Gallery, the Botanical Gardens, Lovecrumbs cake shop, and just meandering around!

Claire

Reply to Jill

February 24, 2020 5:48 pm

* never, I meant to say

P.S. Walking along Arthur’s Seat is also such a thrill! Easy 20 minute walk in tennis shoes with an incredible urban/nature view to the water. Also, Filmhouse independent movie theater and Indaba restaurant (Indian, women-run!). I’ll stop now!

Amanda

Reply to Jill

February 25, 2020 5:50 pm

When the sign at the Edinburgh airport said ” welcome home” I really felt it! I mean it’s been since the 1700s for my family, but oh my goodness, I did feel at home. It’s beautiful place and your boys would love all of the folklore and castles!

Nicola

Reply to Jill

February 26, 2020 8:00 am

Joaquina,
I’m a middle aged, vegan, female solo traveller and I love Scotland. I’m off to the Highlands solo in June to this event https://www.glendyecabinsandcottages.com/camp-glendye and I can’t wait!

Josephine

February 24, 2020 2:58 pm

Added to cart immediately – one for each lad. What a wonderful idea! We’re in need of an updated bedtime ritual…

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to Josephine

February 24, 2020 3:02 pm

i hope you love it!

Blair

February 24, 2020 2:09 pm

I love this, I cannot wait to get it for my two girls (ages 6 and 8) and two for my babies for when they are grown!

Karen L Benson

February 24, 2020 1:54 pm

thanks for including an amazon alternative! trying to get off the amazon train given their stance on various things.

Joaquina

Reply to Karen L Benson

February 24, 2020 3:42 pm

Good luck, it’s doable! I’m finally 100% withdrawn from amazon. If a local shop doesn’t have what I want, then I’m outta luck and will go without.
Helps me be more mindful of my consumerism.

Amy

February 24, 2020 1:52 pm

How cute!!

Olga

February 24, 2020 1:50 pm

The different nail polish is so fun!!! :)

Cat

February 24, 2020 1:33 pm

What a cute idea! A good friend recently adopted a sweet little girl, just bought this as a gift for them to get to spend time and get to know all these little idiosyncrasies about each other!

Erin

Reply to Cat

April 17, 2020 10:46 am

This makes me so happy, thank you for sharing. ❤️

Rae

February 24, 2020 1:23 pm

We have had this book for about a week and are already half way through it, despite my insisting that “it is time for bed.” My daughter keeps begging for one more page and I give in because it is such fun to fill out and compare answers. This book reminds me of the baby’s first year books I had for my kids. It captures a moment in your child’s life, but this time in their own words. We have a slew of 10th birthday parties coming up and this is the gift my daughter wants to give all her friends. It’s a real gem!

A.N.

February 24, 2020 1:08 pm

these are so, SO cute! my 5 year old would love this – thanks!

Liz

February 24, 2020 12:59 pm

This is silly but I love the polish on the book hand model! I’ve never thought to do two separate colors for separate hands.

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to Liz

February 24, 2020 2:10 pm

that’s our amazing editorial assistant kim! she always has the coolest nails.

February 24, 2020 12:22 pm

Manicure = chef’s kiss!

Lisa of Lisa's Yarns

February 24, 2020 12:16 pm

Is that Toby’s handwriting? If so, I am super duper impressed with how well he writes in cursive!! My cursive handwriting is basically illegible – as is my printing. I have the worst penmanship so really appreciate nice penmanship! :)

This is such a fun book! Would love to do it when my son is older!

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to Lisa of Lisa's Yarns

February 24, 2020 12:21 pm

that was mine! i have messy handwriting for an adult, haha. toby’s travel page was all about california :)

Caroline

February 24, 2020 11:58 am

Such a great idea! Do you have a sense of what age ranges are for which the book would work best? Thanks!

Joanna Goddard

Author

Reply to Caroline

February 24, 2020 12:02 pm

it will work best if the child can write, so i’d say ages 5/6 and up?

Erin

Reply to Caroline

February 24, 2020 12:19 pm

Hi Caroline! The books are geared towards children around ages 7 and up (as many of the pages require more writing). But parents with children as young as 4 and 5 years old have also told me their kids enjoyed going through it! Thanks for asking! ❤️

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