One of the most delightful parts of having books to read to our son is finding out there are interactive books out there. While William is only able to interact back to some extent, it’s great finding out there are books that have components that are meant to be touched, move or both. “Thank You For Being My Friend” is a book that allows the parent to take on the role of the horse.
The back has the spot from which the reader puts his or her thumb to control the puppet.
At first glance William did not know what to make of this at all.
Whether with fear, boredom, disgust or something else, he soon turned away and we put the book aside.
So another day I showed Candy the book to try to see if perhaps we could get him interested. This time he paid more attention to the simple story.
Candy and I were’t that convinced the puppet looked anything like a horse. It was also sort of cumbersome to move around the book.
Still, William did give listening to and looking at the book a shot as Candy read it to him.
The story is somewhat similar in the plot to Toy Story where the toys (and in this case games as well) have their own lives and activities when children are asleep. The phrases on the page were a bit of a tongue twister at times.
I think William was more confused by the toy then delighted, but it did hold his attention for longer than books without moving parts do.
I brought the book to be placed with William’s things at day care. It happens that Maribel has a similar book with a mouse character in it that the kids there like. So possibly having seen a similar book made it so William likes this book more.
Rating – four baby booties out of five
~ Danielle
Over 40 First Time Mom 
