Of Rock Lawns and Cactus Flowers

We went to the library the other day and Silas picked out this book. Normally when we go to the library I have books on hold and let them pick out a few more to bring home. I took a look at this one and we were in a hurry so I told him I would have to read it before he could, just to be on the safe side. He already knows I read all their books before they are allowed to - usually I read them at the library instead of bringing home books we may not like, you get the point!

Back to this book- we brought it home. I read it and it wasn't great, but it didn't teach him to start hating peas either so I let him have it. We read it together and the story is about a boy who has never tried peas but is convinced he won't like them.

Let's back up this train a bit. Silas likes food. No, Silas LOVES food. Doesn't matter too much what it is, although pasta is always the last thing he eats on his plate.

The boy in the story gives this monster his soccer ball so the monster will eat his peas and rescue him. Silas doesn't understand. He stops me and says 'But Mooom, peas are so yummy - why would he give the monster his soccer ball?' On the story goes and Silas is bewildered that the boy trades the monster his bike so that he'll eat his peas the next time peas are served to the boy.

At the end the boy ends up eating peas and loving them and Silas' response is shaking his head 'If only the boy would have tried them first and tasted how yummy peas are he could have had his soccer ball and his bike. I would never give a monster anything to eat my peas, I like peas.'

And all the while I'm going 'yes! Oh, yeah! YES!!!'