childrens books

The Library

Yesterday, I took the girls to the library.
My 3-year-old was happy, so happy when we went to the desk to sign up for her very own library card. The librarian held up two card options – a special kids one with cartoons on it or a plain green one (the same one as mine). “Green!” [...]

Something Colorful: Wilma Unlimited

Have you ever noticed how powerful and exquisite some children’s books are? Sometimes they are even more captivating, more able to teach…than adult novels and self-help titles.
When I come across a well-done children’s book, I  tend to flip the pages, slowly – absorbing the details, the expressions, and the artwork.
Harcourt recently sent us “Wilma Unlimited: [...]

BEST OF 2009: Kid Products

It’s weird. For the longest time, my firstborn was my BABY. Then, she was a toddler. But now…now she is a full-fledged kid. She rides bikes and chews gum and picks out her own clothes. She is a beautiful, bright little girl with a heart of gold – so different from the tiny baby that [...]

more kids books :: just for fun

A few last books to share with you (Did I mention we love books at our house?)…

A BOOK TO MAKE YOUR CHILD LAUGH:
Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett, illustrated by Kevan J. Atteberry (Compendium, 2008, $16.95)
A furry pastel blue monster with a stripedy tail and horns on his head flies in from Planet Tickle to [...]

the magic of reading aloud

“You may have tangible wealth untold:
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be –
I had a mother who read to me.”
- Strickland Gillilan
Amy of Usborne Books recently sent me The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. I am completely enamored. If I didn’t have a million things on my plate (Seriously. [...]

books that teach manners

My girls love books.
They like to stack them and chew on them and look at the pictures. They like long books and short books, rhyming books and poetic books, silly books and serious books.
I bet we read 20 books or more on an average day.
Lately, my husband and I have noticed that our almost-3-year-old is [...]

Children’s Book Review: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Residents of the town of Chewandswallow have no need for grocery stores…or restaurants, for that matter. Their food appears from the sky – at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Orange juice showers, frankfurter winds, pea soup fog, and storms of pancakes…this is typical “weather” for the small town.
“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett {Aladdin [...]

More Books that teach morals

Thanks to everyone who posted book recommendations on my recent post about children’s books that teach social/moral lessons.
As I mentioned before, the selection of children’s books that teach lessons is actually rather shabby. I’d love to see more books that go beyond silliness and provide instruction on topics such as sharing, saying “please” and “thank [...]

3 Children’s Books That Teach Social/Moral Lessons

Lately, I’ve been on a hunt for children’s books that teach lessons. 
Not academic lessons, mind you. We have plenty of that kind. We have stacks of books that teach numbers and letters and colors and vocabulary.
I’m talking about social and moral lessons. Books that teach sharing and good manners and the importance of putting others before [...]

Books As Birthday Presents: Birth to Age Two

When it comes to birthday gifts for 0-2 year olds, books can’t be beat. They’re fun for kids…and for parents too!
Books provide hours of entertainment. They won’t add to the mountain of bulky toys in the toy box. Plus, they’re educational and they inspire parents to spend quality time with their wee ones. 
Give a book [...]

Slumber Parties…the early 90’s and now

I still remember the first slumber party that I hosted at my house. It was my 10th birthday.
I wore my purple shirt and black leggings. Alison and Cynthia and Wendy were there. We had pizza. We watched movies. We drank fizzy root beer floats in plastic cups. We played Girl Talk.
Everything seemed so important back [...]

She walks in high heels like a pro – even though she’s only 2!

My 2-year-old daughter loves putting on my high heels and click-clacking around the house. I tried to get a photo of her prancing around our great room in my red patent heels this morning, but she was so adept at walking in those pretty shoes that all of my photos turned out blurry!
When I first [...]