While I’ve been on a bit of a reading slump lately (as in nothing’s holding my attention), the kids and I read the best book today called Dozens of Cousins by Shutta Crum.  It took me a few pages to find the cadence because some passages rhyme and some don’t, but once I got my groove, I fell in love. It’s a book about a pack of cousins (collectively called the beasties) at a family reunion for the day and the mischief they cause.

By the time that coals are all that’s left to glitter,

we’re adrift in the murmuring river of adults.

Our bare feet drag through the settling dew.

We claw our way onto laps, steal hugs,

and snatch at splashes of song.

Oh, we are weary ogres!

We float, munching on tasty words

that well up in stories,

and on the soft lapping of laughter.

Ahhhh, tender beastie food.

The kids and I had to stop and talk about what some of the pages were saying, like the one above, but once they got it you could see their eyes light up. It reminded me of the fun you can have only with the people who you’ve known your whole life. If you’re looking for a lovely, funny story about extended family, this is it.