Of all the four bookshops - Kinokuniya, MPH, Times and Borders, my favourite has always been Borders because you can always pick up some specials at their bargain bin.  Times and MPH are perhaps the most disappointing when it comes to children’s books because they usually lack the more specialised books. 

For instance I went to MPH Bookshop in 1Utama yesterday with the intention of getting Gavin another Thomas and Friends board book only to be disappointed by the range available.  Firstly, the range was extremely limited.  Secondly, of the limited range, very few were board books.  Thirdly, of the board books, half of them had paper flaps that could easily been torn by Gavin.  Fourthly, the remaining board books were all ratty and looked more like second hand books than new. (SIL2 - that’s why Kino wraps their books in plastic).  Even the bargain bin looked like a sale of pre-loved books rather than new books.

If you want something specific and unusual, then you really can’t beat Kino.  Just be prepared to pay a premium for their books.

Last weekend, while we were shopping at The Curve, I couldn’t resist picking up this bargain from Borders:

I figured the skill would come in handy for all of Gavin’s future birthday parties.  Instead of having to hire those annoying clowns, Mummy can make the animal balloons!

While Gavin was asleep, I got to work on my first project.  My first attempts didn’t go too well:

On my third attempt, I managed to make a dog. Okay, so the proportions are way off - the snout’s too short, the tail’s too long and the legs are uneven, but overall, at least still recognisable, I think.

My second animal was a poodle which turned out much better but still needing improvement.  I over-inflated the balloon so the tail isn’t quite right.

My third animal was a swan - this was actually quite easy compared to the first two:

Finally, I made a giraffe - which was getting a lot easier since I wasn’t so afraid of popping the balloon any more.

So now you know who to call when you need someone to make the animal balloons at your child’s next birthday party.  Don’t worry, my rates are reasonable ;o)

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