There’s room for a little spooky and a little creepy on Halloween night, especially for the older kids. The Spider and the Fly is certainly a little creepy, but it’s a great Halloween book with amazing illustrations! Howl-O-Ween at the Zoo will also be good for a little scare. Intended for kids 8 years old or older, this will be a good event for those looking to scream this weekend.

(more…)

Our mission is to combine reading and family fun! The perfect combination of books, fun, and reward in October is nearly here! The AZ State Fair is offering a fantastic promotion to encourage literacy in our youth. Kids, read 3 age-appropriate books before you go, and turn in a form at the Fair to receive 3 free rides!

(more…)

The Mysterious Benedict Society was on our list for months before it was available at the library, and it was worth the wait! Trenton Lee Stewart weaves a fantastic plot of mystery and discovery. Kids love reading about other children who outwit nasty grown-ups . . . and in this case, a small group of brainiac kids save the whole population from the evil plan of a plotting scientist.

When your kids are finished with the book, challenge them to apply any newly found super-sleuthing  skills to solve the mystery at the new community theater play WhoWhatWhenWhyHow!

(more…)

This is one of my favorite times of year. We’ve purchased the perfect backpacks and new shoes, and I love all of the organizational boxes and notebooks! Like you, we are looking for ways to get the gears turning in the brain after a summer of pools, fun, and sun. Phantom Tollbooth is a crazy book all about Math, but it is so much fun! Another great way to brush up on their math skills is with all of the clearance sales. Let your kids calculate the new price of the items you buy. It might be crazy and a tad stressful, but have fun getting ready for school anyway. P.S. The Phantom Tollbooth might be a great book for you to read too, it will bring back a flood of memories of math and English you have blocked out for years.

(more…)