April 20, 2005

Super Size Me

Maybe it's the way she expects you to drop a conversation and listen only to her -- right NOW, Mommy! -- or the struggle you go through to get her to just once let her best pal have the first turn on the swing. However it emerged, you've probably noticed that your toddler harbors a major Me fixation, lingering in front of the mirror like Narcissus at the lake, doing her best Dora.

You could reinforce the "I'm the center of the universe attitude" (if you dare) by making your little one the star of a new book concept. Make it About Me will blend your kid's picture and name seamlessly into the Amazing Alphabet Adventures, a fifty-plus page story with full color scenes devoted to teaching beginning readers the ABCs.

Just imagine how they'll feel when they see their name spelled out across a starry sky (name in lights, sort of), or spot a picture of you-know-who scuba diving in the South Pacific -- that'll make the letter D memorable. Nobody wants to cultivate a diva, but what better way to grab their attention than to give them a book that's personalized on every page, front and back covers, and even the spine.

Super Nanny may not approve -- sticking her nose up with a sniff -- but why not let your tot rule the roost while she can? Okay, so when she starts demanding to see her name on the marquee of your local movie theater, you may have some regrets, but that'll be, well, months from now. In the meantime, at least she'll know her letters.

Available online at makeitaboutme.com.