Last week I read an e-
book called Because I’m Small Now and You Love Me: The World According to my Four Year Old by CNN reporter Gina London.
Synopsis: This is the story of a small girl, her funny sayings and the family’s life in Paris France, USA and Arezzo, Italy.
Review: They say never to compete with children and animals and the author wisely avoided this dilemma. Instead she has turned it on its head, using her daughter’s humorous comments and world-view to tell a delightful tale of life in three countries. Her professional skills leavened with some maternal cynicism as well as pride, make it an enjoyable and amusing read, though perhaps not one which would appeal to those with an aversion to children. Personally I found it enchanting.
Lulu is a bright child who knows her mind and leads her parents something of a merry dance..challenging but rewarding and adaptable! Parents and grandparents may well find themselves thinking “why didn’t I write something like that?”…probably because, unlike the author, many of us simply think it’s cute on the day, and don’t record the saying or the context. There are elements of familiarity here and it could easily have turned saccharine but for the spicy dollop of cultural differences quite unlike other versions of “my life in Tuscany/Paris”.
This is a fairly light book which is easily read but it reminds us just how adaptable children can be…Halloween visits at midnight anyone? And as someone who can’t manage to roll their “r’s” I can empathise with Gina’s dilemma.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Library Thing on the understanding that I would write an honest review.
Magic Carpet Factor: 3.5
Bewitched by Books 
Sounds fascinating, but then I adore children, so maybe even my expectations are biased. I have a collection of my children and grandchildren’s sayings… to me, they are precious and a great way to relive happy memories.
I wish I’d been that forward planning Chris!