Happy Thanksgiving! This is a fun book and very cute, simple treat to make with the kids this holiday!

Open A Book…

Title: Thanksgiving Rules

Author: Laurie Friedman

Illustrator: Teresa Murfin

Recommended Age: 4-8 years old

Book Brief: I officially command you to eat everything you see! Percy knows just what to do to get the most out of this very delicious holiday. And so will you if you follow his 10 simple rules. From, “the early bird gets the turkey” to “life is sweeter when you eat sweets” his rules will help you eat your way through the big meal. But is there more to Thanksgiving than stuffed turkey and sweet potatoes with marshmallows? See how Percy discovers the true recipe for a perfect Thanksgiving holiday.

About the Author: Laurie Friedman is the author of the popular Mallory chapter book series, as well as several pictures books, including, I’m Not Afraid of this Haunted House and Love, Ruby Valentine. Ms. Friedman says she loved writing about Thanksgiving almost as much as she likes celebrating it and wishes her readers a very happy holiday.

About the Illustrator: Teresa Murfin is the illustrator of several pictures books including, I’m Not Afraid of This Haunted House. She lives and works in Bristol, England where she does her best to follow Percy’s Rule #9.

Have a Blast!

Marshmallow Pilgrim Hats

from Disney’s Family Fun

From: www.familyfun.com

Cost: Less than $10 per batch of 30-40

Difficulty: Very easy but slightly messy

Instructions

1. Set the chocolate-striped cookies stripes down on a wax-paper-covered tray, spacing them well apart.
2. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler.
3. One at a time, stick a wooden toothpick into a marshmallow, dip the marshmallow into the melted chocolate, and promptly center it atop a cookie.
4. Using a second toothpick to lightly hold down the marshmallow, carefully pull out the first toothpick.
5. Chill the hats until the chocolate sets, then pipe a yellow decorators’ frosting buckle on the front of each hat.

Every day my daughter comes home with a new fun fact about spiders, insects, bats, bears, lions . . . the list goes on and on. Kids are fascinated by animals and for good reason! What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? is a beautiful and engaging book that will have your young kids turning pages and studying pictures on their own. It explores amazing animals and has lots of great information. Out of Africa Wildlife Park connects kids with animals in their natural habitat. Combine these two for a wild day all about amazing animals!

Open a Book…

Title: What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

Click here to view our Amazon Store

Author/Illustrator: Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

Recommended Age: 4-8 years old

Book Brief: A nose for digging? Ears for seeing? Eyes that squirt blood? Explore the many amazing things animals can do with their ears, eyes, noses, mouths, feet, and tails in this beautifully illustrated interactive guessing book by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. 

About the Author and Illustrator: Steven Jenkins and Robin Page live in Boulder, Colorado with their three children.

Have a Blast!

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Location: 4020 N. Cherry Road
Camp Verde AZ 86322

Cost:

• $33.23 + $2.77 tax = $36 Adults
• $25.84 + $2.16 tax = $28 Seniors
  (65 years & better)
• $24.00 + $2.00 tax = $26 Veteran/Active Military
  NOTE: Must present military ID at admissions window at time of purchase
• $18.46 + $1.54 tax = $20 Children 3 to 12 years
  (Kids under 3 are free)

Hours:

• Open 7 days a week except Thanksgiving day and Christmas day, 9:30 am to 5 pm (Admission closes at 4pm)
• We suggest you allow at least five hours to experience all the Park’s tours and shows.
• FREE PARKING

See hundreds of animals from all over the world! Lions, Tigers, Giraffe, Rhinoceros, Black Bear, Camel, Ostrich, Cobras, Zebra, Exotic Birds, Tortoise, Wildebeest, Jaguar, Leopards, Wolves, Hyenas and more!

General Admission includes the following Tours and Shows:

The African Bush Safari Tour
All Day, Monday through Sunday (last tour leaves at 4:00 pm)

The Wildlife Preserve Tram Shuttle
All Day, Monday through Sunday

The Giant Snake Show
Showtime, 2:15 pm – Monday through Sunday

The Tiger Splash Show
Showtime, 1:15 pm – Monday through Sunday

The Predator Feed
Showtime, 3:00 pm – Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

The Wonders of the Wildlife Show
Showtime, 3:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Creature Feature
Showtime, 11:30 am – Monday through Sunday

Extra Tips for a Good Time!

• Purchase tickets online for Out of Africa Wildlife Park here.
• Can I pet any of the animals? Yes! There will be opportunities to pet the more docile members of the animal kingdom. On the Safaris, you’ll usually be able to feed and pet a giraffe! You’ll also have an opportunity to pet the giant pythons, anacondas and more.
• Light meals such as hamburgers, veggie burgers, bar-b-q chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, smoothies, soups, and salads are now available from an outdoor food service at the Park.

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.

The Book

The Spider and the Fly

Author: Mary Howitt

Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi

The book brief: “‘Will you walk into my parlor?’ said the Spider to the Fly. ..” Is easily one of the most  recognized and  quoted first lines in all of English verse. But do you have any idea how the age-old tale of the Spider and Fly ends? Join celebrated artist Tony DiTerrlizzi as he- drawing inspiration from one of his loves, the classic Hollywood horror movies of the 1920′s and 1930′s -shines a cinematic spotlight on Mary Howitt’s warning, written to her own children about those who use sweet words to hide their not-so-sweet intentions.

About the Author: Based on a cautionary poem by Mary Howitt written in 1829.

About the Illustrator: Acclaimed children’s book creator, Tony DiTerlizzi was born into an artistic household on September 6, 1969. . At an early age Tony began embracing the whimsical, the wondrous, and the fantastic, all of which sparked his wild imagination.

Tony lives and works in western Massachusetts with his wife (and manager) Angela, and their pug, Goblin. His latest picture book, G is for One Gzonk (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006), is not only a nonsense alphabet book, but an homage to the late Dr. Seuss’who inspired a young boy from Florida with dreams of one day becoming a children’s book creator.

The Blast

Howl-O-Ween

Dates: Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31, 2009

Time: 6:30-10:30pm

Cost: $6 for Zoo Members; $8 for Non Members

The Blast:The Phoenix Zoo introduces, “Howl-O-Ween,” a brand new event that will offer experiences sure to terrify those looking for a good scare!

Howl-O-Ween will offer a variety of activities that cater to both the brave and the not so brave. All activities will be broken down into 1 of 3 scare levels indicated by the number of skulls shown, 1 skull (Scare Level 1) being the least scary and 3 skulls (Scare Level 3) being the scariest. Please note that Scare Level 3 activities are intended and were created to be terrifying, so please be aware of the activity’s scare level before participating.

Howl-O-Ween was created for kids ages 8 and up.

Extra Tips for Good Time!

• Visit The Phoenix Zoo’s Howl-O-Ween website to determine what Scare Level you or your kids would like to participate in.
• Don’t expect to see any animals, most of the animals are not nocturnal and will be off exhibit.
• Tickets for the event can be purchased online but are non-refundable, be sure you can attend before you purchase.
• Stay in a group, stay safe and have a very Happy Halloween!

ages 8 and up.

Humbug Witch sat on the family bookshelf my entire childhood. It is a classic Halloween book that captures a child’s imagination. The imagery is simple but engaging and memorable. We loved getting it out every Halloween as kids, and as soon as the first grandchild was born we brought it out once again.

Costumes!!! We love getting dressed for Halloween! I firmly believe that group costumes are the best. Our family can mark the passage of timed based on our family costumes alone. A great group costume can get everyone excited for the big day. Maybe our previous years’ costumes can inspire your clan.

The Book

Humbug Witch

Author/Illustrator: Lorna Balian

Recommended Age: 5-7 years old

Book Brief: There was this thing…and an ugly thing it was! It was scary and nasty and dressed quite horribly. It called itself a witch.

It tried to laugh wickedly. It tried to weave fierce Black Magic potions. It tried to fly through the dark, eerie sky on its broom. Yet nothing happened!

This witch became quite discouraged. It took off its tall black hat. It took off its gold-buckle black shoes. It took off its long black dress…and then the unexpected happened!

About the Author: Lorna Balian’s prizewinning books have delighted young and not-so-young readers for more than a quarter of a century. Now a proud grandmother, Ms. Balian lives with her family in a converted schoolhouse in Hartford, Wisconsin.

The Blast

Family Costumes!

Everyone is brainstorming their costumes and getting ready for Halloween Night. I hope your family has a great place to celebrate . . . and that you go in style, with your whole family dressed as a matching theme! Here are some of our most memorable Halloween costumes. Some have been pricey and complicated; others have been simple and last minute. Regardless, we have always had a lot of fun!

Our first year married: Super Heroes

Couple: Mad Scientist and Bride of Frankenstein

Our first baby: The Three Amigos

1 Child: Mouseketeers

2 kids: Donald, Daisy, Mickey, and Minnie

2 kids: The Incredibles, with extended family – Grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Incredible; we also had Violet, Dash, Bomb Voyage, Syndrome, and Edna Mode.

3 kids: Alice inWonderland – Queen  of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Alice, King of Hearts, and Baby Ace of Hearts

This year?…….

Other great family costumes I’ve seen: The Flintstones, Toy Story, Peter Pan, Vampires or Witches, Mario Bros. Cast, Star Wars, Cowboys and Cowgirls, Ghostbusters,  and Where the Wild Things Are (whichwould be a great one this year!).

Extra Tips for a Good Time:

• If you use hair spray paint, only use it on short hair or hair that is pulled back. Otherwise every time it brushes her face or she brushes it out of her face it gets all over everything.
• Make sure they can easily walk without tripping, and they can easily be seen. Completely black costumes on kids make them nearly impossible to find.
• The accessories make the costume! If you are going for a really great costume for an adult or a child, the accessories are what makes it stand out (and they usually don’t come in the package)!
• Make it yourself. We made Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, all out of fabric left over from other projects and it was perfect! There are lots of great websites for costumes you can make on your own. One of my favorites is www.familyfun.com.

It’s October . . . and our family loves Halloween! We aren’t fond of haunted houses, creepy skeletons, and dark objects lurking in the corner – no way! We love to decorate, dress up, and make everything fun and whimsical . . . spooky but kooky!

Monsters, the cute and cuddly kind, are a great way to get into the fun Halloween spirit. I Need My Monster is a very funny book your kids will love! The illustrations are breathtaking and the plot is both lighthearted and meaningful. We also recently discovered MoshiMonsters.com. It’s a free website in which your child gets to customize their own monster and then decorate their house with items they “buy” from the monster village. Similar to webkinz.com and buildabearville.com, kids explore a fanciful virtual world and full of games and challenges. The games are educational and great practice, the website is intuitive and easy to use, and the experience is a lot of fun!

The Book

Click here to view our Amazon Store

I Need My Monster

Author: Amanda Noll

Illustrator: Howard McWillaim

Recommended Age: 4-8 years old

Book Brief: When Ethan checks under his bed for his monster, he finds a note instead: “Gone fishing. Back in a week. -Gabe” What will Ethan do? He needs a monster under his bed. Substitute monsters appear but none are as perfect as Gabe. Herbert’s teeth aren’t sharp enough, Mack’s slobbering induces giggles, Cynthia’s tail isn’t scary at all, and Ralph has nail polish on his claws! This will never work! How will Ethan get to sleep without his monster?

I Need My Monster is a unique monster-under-the-bed story for all monster-loving kids. The perfect balance of giggles and shivers will keep you under your covers, and you’ll soon be sleeping soundly.

About the Author: Amanda Noll blames her fundamentally twisted sense of humor on either genetics or the steady stream of Australian humor on which she was raised. She lives in Spanaway, Washington, and the monster under her bed is Gertie. This is her first picture book.

About the Illustrator: Howard McWilliam has won awards for his artwork and is published in a wide range of UK magazines and newspapers including The Daily Telegraph, The Week, Child Education, and Nursery Education. He lives in Kingston Upon Thames, England, and the monster under his bed is Brompton. This is his first picture book.

The Blast

MoshiMonsters.com

Cost: Free (optional membership upgrade)

Information:www.moshimonsters.com/parents

It’s a blast! Moshi Monsters is a free online game for kids, in which they adopt a monster and look after it. Kids whose parents give their approval can become members on the site, and can adopt a Moshi Monster. Kids care for their monster by solving puzzle games, which earn their monster virtual rewards called Rox. Kids can spend Rox on virtual items like food, furniture and other treats and toys for their monster. Over time their monster will increase in level, be able to visit new locations in Monstro City, and earn all kinds of in-game rewards for playing. Monster owners will also be able to make friends with other owners and leave messages on their pages.

Education is right at the heart of the Moshi Monsters experience. Every day your child’s monster will create a series of fun puzzles that test everything from vocabulary and arithmetic to logic and spatial skills. The better your child does at these puzzles, the more Rox they’ll earn to buy cool things for their monster. The difficulty level of the puzzles automatically calibrates each day, so puzzles get harder if they are doing well, and easier if they are struggling.

Successfully nurturing a Moshi Monster is no mean feat. It takes a variety of skills that your child can develop over time. Your child will need to think creatively, hypothesize, strategize, manage scarce resources, collaborate with friends, and nurture a wide variety of other skills that could extend positively into their everyday lives.

Extra tips for a good time!

• Sign up with your children. It’s fun to let them make the decision about their monsters appearance and name, but you’ll need to provide your email address and give permission for them to enter the site, so its easiest to help them through the registration process.
• The games or puzzles get progressively harder as you do better and increase in Level. They can be challenging and a lot of fun! It would not be unusual to find this adult playing a few games to “help earn a few monster dollars.”

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!

The Book

Choose 3: Read three age-appropriate books and earn 3 free rides at the AZ State Fair.

Age: Students age 5-14 years old

It’s true, there is such a thing as a free ride, a free carnival ride that is. In fact, there are three free rides awaiting young readers at the 2009 Arizona State Fair.

The ABC 15 program supported by 99.9 KEZ returns this year to encourage children to read by rewarding them with Fair ride passes. Each student who reads three books can earn up to three free carnival rides when they complete the official Read & Ride book report form. The program is open to all Arizona students ages 5 to14.

Riding a wave of success since its debut in the year 2000, the reading program has distributed more than 189,000 ride passes donated by Ray Cammack Shows to Arizona students. Last year alone, more than 6,900 children read over 20,000 books in order to earn ride passes during the 2008 Fair.

The Blast

The Arizona State Fair

Dates: October 16-November 8

Location: 1826 W. McDowell Road
Phoenix AZ 85007 (map & directions)

Cost: Adult $10
Child (ages 5-13) $5
Senior (ages 55+) $5
Children under 5 FREE

Hours:

Opening Times
Tue. – Fri. 12 noon
Sat. – Sun. 10am
Closed Mondays

Closing Times: Admission Gates
Sun. – Thurs. approximately 10pm
Fri. – Sat. approximately 12 midnight

Parking: Tuesday – Sunday parking is $10 in all Fairgrounds parking lots.

Non-Fair Parking: Parking in all Fairgrounds lots is $7.

It’s a blast! The AZ State Fair “has something for everyone.” The price of admission includes rodeos, racing, the petting zoo, science and 4-H exhibits, and lots of free entertainment. Don’t forget to check the Fair’s Concert Series for your favorite bands. Look here for a list of all the great rides! Check the Community Stage Calendar to see when all of the best local acts are performing. And of course, make a little room in your budget and your tummy for all of the delicious treats you can’t (and probably shouldn’t) eat any other time of year.

Extra Tips for a Good Time!

• The Fair has so many ways and days for discounts I couldn’t list them all. Look here to get a list of all the ways to save.
• Wednesdays are the days to go! Not only will you miss the weekend crowd, but the fair offers free admission with a specific donation and certain rides are only $1. Look here for details.
• The Fair is a very big and very busy place; bring strollers for little ones, keep a tight hold on your kids, and dress them in something noticeable and memorable. Make sure your kids know what to do if you get separated.
• There lots of Special Days at The Fair, including a 5K run/walk and a very special Family Day on Halloween with extra treats and family package prices.

Much to my husband’s dismay, my daughter loves ballet! At 5 years old she attended both Giselle and The Nutcracker and loved them. I was thrilled to discover Ballet Under the Stars, a free outdoor performace. I know she will be very excited about attending this performance!

The perfect book to pair with this beautiful event would have to be Lili at Ballet.  This book introduces ballet vocabulary as Lili learns to be a ballerina. It is a very pretty book and will have your little girl up and dancing (if you can get her to stop long enough to read the book . . .  sometimes we have trouble with that).

The Book

Click here to visit our Amazon Store

Lili at Ballet

Author: Rachel Isadora

Recommended Age: 4-8 years old

Lili loves to dance. She gets dressed in her leotard, tights, and ballet slippers and begins her class. Along with Lili we learn the five dance positions and see some of the roles she may dance when she is older. For boys and girls who want to learn more about ballet this is the perfect introduction!

About the Author: After an injury forced her to abandon her first career as a professional dancer, Rachel Isadora turned to children’s-book illustration and writing, and has produced a body of work notable both for its achievements and variety. Her books include award-winning titles such as Max and Ben’s Trumpet as well as biographies, retellings of fairy tales and ballet stories, and her “Lili” series about a little girl’s love affair with ballet. As an illustrator, Isadora brings her painterly eye and artist’s perception to her work, producing art in a variety of mediums for both her own books and those of other writers. The recipient of a Caldecott Honor award, she peoples her books with characters of many cultures, nationalities, and ages. “Work like this is a dancer’s fantasy,” she once commented. “Because ballet is so demanding, dancers’ stage careers are short. They can only dream of going on and on forever. With art, I can go on and on, and for me it’s the only work that compares in intensity and joy.”

The Blast

Ballet Under the Stars by Ballet Arizona

4 Days & 4 Locations:

Thursday, 9/24: Fountain Park, Fountain Hills
12925 N Saguaro Boulevard

Friday, 9/25: Tempe Center for the Arts Park, Tempe
700 W Rio Salado Parkway, Amphitheater
The Amphitheatre is located on the East side of the theatre complex.

Saturday, 9/26: Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix
3rd Street and Indian School Rd.
Parking is suggested in parking lot furthest North and the stage will be set in the Amphitheatre Area just to the West of the parking lot.

Sunday, 9/27: Sahuaro Ranch Park, Glendale
59th Avenue & Mountain View Road

Time: All performances begin at 7:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Its a blast!

Spend a relaxing evening under the gorgeous Arizona sky as Ballet Arizona continues its annual season opening tradition with “Ballet Under the Stars”. Bring the entire family and enjoy a combination of classical and contemporary works in a casual setting for FREE.

“Ballet Under the Stars” performances often feature the debut performance of works created as part of the “Class Act” program. It will include a performance of George Balanchine’s Stravinsky Violin Concerto, excerpts from Swan Lake and excerpts from Ib Andersen’s Play

Scheduling subject to change.

Extra Tips for a Good Time!

• The weather is not supposed to be over 100 degrees and it is at 7pm, so in theory it should be cooler; but I would not anticipate “cool” quite yet. Bring a spray bottle to mist any warm kids.
• Prep your kids if it’s their first experience with Ballet. “There is no talking but they are still telling a story. Can you tell what’s going on?” “It will be very quiet, so we have to whisper.” And everything else that goes with ballet that’s not in Saturday  morning cartoons.
• Young kids will probably require some preparation, but it will be a fun family night. And if you can’t drag the boys along . . . make it a wonderful girl bonding night.

I wish I had known about this book and exhibit much earlier! My family loved it, and it is too good of an activity to pass up! Nightly Night, Noah: An Ark Alphabet is a beautiful book. It’s sweet, vibrant, engaging, and perfect for bedtime. Large, framed illustrations from the book are hung on the exhibit wall, and my husband and I would both love to have them in our home.

The book is featured at “Read Me a Picture,” an exhibit at Tempe Center for the Arts. We badly needed a break in the middle of a very hectic Saturday. The entire experience was like a breath of fresh air. We would trade off taking the kids around to see all of the illustrations and snuggling up with a child in one of their chairs to read one of the stories on display. We almost had the place to ourselves. It was cool and quiet and the kids loved the “make your own book” project! You have to move quickly but both the book and the exhibit are a must see!

The Book

Click here to view our Amazon Store.

Nighty Night, Noah: An Ark Alphabet

Author/Illustrator: Molly Schaar Idle

Recommended Age: 0-5 years old

Website: http://www.idleillustration.com

Book Brief: As the sun sets on the ark and the waves rock the boat, it’s time for everyone to go to sleep. It is then that Noah tucks in the animals (two by two) and in alphabetical order. Kids not only learn the alphabet and the different kinds of animals, they also get to see the animals going through the bed time rituals that they themselves go through with their parents—brushing teeth, asking for another drink of water, saying prayers.

About the Author/Illustrator: “I’ve been drawing ever since I could wield a pencil, at the tender age of 18 months, though my professional career began slightly later…

Upon graduating from Arizona State University, with a BFA in Drawing, I accepted an offer to work for DreamWorks Feature Animation Studio as a final line animator. After five years, a number of film credits, and an incredibly good time, I left the studio and leapt with gusto into the world of children’s book illustration.

Now, I live in Arizona with my fabulous husband, two mischievous sons, and three snuggly cats. And, when not making mischief with my boys, or watching old black and white movies with a cat in my lap, I can be found at my desk scribbling away a plethora of profoundly whimsical projects!”

The Blast

Read Me a Picture:  AZ Children’s Book Illustrators

Tempe Center for the Arts

Cost: Free!

Dates: Through Sept. 19

Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday
Open during most special events and performances.

Location: 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway – Tempe, AZ 85281

Its a Blast! The thriving art scene of contemporary published children’s book illustrators living in Arizona will be on display in “Read Me a Picture: Arizona Children’s Book Illustrators” from July 18 through Sept. 19 at the Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway.

The exhibition will showcase artwork by more than nine Arizona artists whose illustrations have been published in children’s books. The exhibition will have elements about the strong connection between visual literacy and reading literacy for children.

Artists are: Molly Idle, of Tempe; Tanje Bauerle, of Gilbert; David Christiana, Chris Gall and Paul Mirocha, all of Tucson; Shonto Begay and Baje Whitehorne, both of Flagstaff; Anne Coe, of Apache Junction; and Sylvia Long, of Scottsdale.

Collaborating organizations are the Arizona State University Department of Speech & Hearing Science and Changing Hands Bookstore in support of children’s literary education with the help of inspirational artwork by artists who understand the importance of the relationship between pictures and words in the lives of children.

The Gallery at TCA offers visitors a warm and friendly environment for thoughtful and engaging experiences. The Gallery showcases a variety of curated, traveling and juried exhibitions, from contemporary art by local and internationally recognized artists to themes of popular and cultural interest.

Extra Tips for a Good Time!

• The Gallery is located near the back of the Art Center . . .  just walk in. (There are a few books out on display in the lobby, that’s not the exhibit. We were confused for a few seconds, but maybe it was just us.)
• Be ready to take your time, relax ,and explore. You don’t have to plan ahead on this one. We just dropped in, took 30-60 min., and went on with our day. But is was memorable and fun quality time and well worth it!
• Do you have an artist in the family? Molly Schaar Idle teaches illustration classes to kids! Look here. Be sure to peruse Molly’s website, It’s great!
• View a YouTube trailer of Nighty Night, Noah and her upcoming book, Nighty Night, Baby Jesus.

Celebrate National Grandparents Day! Nothing makes our kids happier than a day with one of their grandparents. Grandmas and Grandpas bring constant excitement, joy, and love into our lives. Not to mention that they are the best babysitter’s on earth, and we would be lost without them!

My Granny’s Purse is a fantastically fun book celebrating this wonderful relationship between grandparents and their grandkids.

The Book

Click here to visit our Amazon Store

My Granny’s Purse

Author: P. H. Hanson

Recommended Age: 3-8 years old

Book Brief: Open Granny’s purse (yes, she said it’s OK) and enter a treasure chest of mementos and magic. A unique, fourteen-page die-cut storybook crammed with interactive features and surprises for ages 3 and up, it contains a whole life waiting to be discovered.

Peek inside Granny’s notebook. Try on her sunglasses. Check yourself in the mirror. Play with her keys. Look at her photos, read her letter, tie a bow, try on Granny’s rings, wear her scarf. Not only is Granny’s purse a veritable playground for little girls, but piece by piece it creates a portrait of an adventurous, independent, contemporary grandmother, imbued with spirit and gumption. This Granny’s a traveler (and has the passport filled with stamps to prove it). A self-sufficient handyperson with her wrench and compass. A collector of lives and memories. And a genuine softie, with handfuls of treats ready to dispense.  Jam-packed with fun things, it’s really a story about love between the generations.

About the Author: P. H. Hanson has three children and lives in Oxford, England. Hanson has also written My Grandpa’s Briefcase and My Mommy’s Tote.

The Blast

National Grandparents Day

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2009

Official Site: www.grandparents-day.com

It’s a blast: Do something special for the Grandparents in your life! We celebrate Mothers Day and Fathers Day but Grandparent’s Day has yet to become an extremely popular holiday. Don’t let it pass you by this year; let your mom and dad know how special they are to you are your kids. And take the opportunity to tell your kids how important and valuable their grandparents; experience and wisdom is in their lives.

The Grandparents Day website has great ideas for projects to do with your grandparents.

“The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.”

Extra Tips for a Good Time!

• Older kids can do reports on their Grandparent’s Lives. They will be amazed at how much life has changed and just how much their grandparents have accomplished.
• Have kids make a card, a book, a poem…Personalized gifts mean more. Even if they aren’t spectacular, they are a great reflection of your child’s age and ability and will be fun for everyone to look back on.
• If you have really young kids, print out a photograph and create a photocard they can color and decorate. Finish it by adding their own dictation about what they love about their grandparents.

My husband recently brought The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School home from a business trip in preparation for school starting. It was an instant hit. Zoe starts the first grade and the rules just aren’t the same. She learns, just as all kids do, how to find her place in her new grade, new class, and new school year.

The first days of school can be very exciting or very tough (or a little of both) depending on the personality of each child. Extra anxiety has made our first days of school tough, but still exciting. Our daughter has enjoyed reading this book and others to help her know that everyone is nervous and a little anxious at the beginning of the year. Hooray for awesome teachers and fantastic kids! It’s going to be another great school year!

The Book

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Illustrator: Ard Hoyt

Recommended Age: 4-8 years old

Book Brief: Mom and Dad Fleefenbacher think their daughter Zoe’s hair is wild and beautiful. And for her kindergarten teacher, Zoe’s vivacious tresses were a comfort. But Zoe’s about to start first grade, and her new teacher doesn’t fool around… “School has rules,” she says. “no wild hair in my class!”  So what are Zoe and her free-spirited hair going to do now? With exuberance and humor to spare. Laurie Halse Anderson and Ard Hoyt, The New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, tease up a terrific tale of hairy hijinks, classroom chaos, and the importance of teachers and students learning to work together.

About the Author: Laurie Halse Anderson is the author of numerous wonderful books for children and teens. Her highly acclaimed novels include Speak, which was a National Book Award finatlist. Printz Honor Book, and ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. Her first novel for Silon & Schuster, Fever 1793, was named one of New York Public Library’s 100 Best Books of 2000, was selected as an ABA Kids’ Pick of the Lists title, and has won more than a dozen state awards. Her novel, Twisted, was a New York Times bestseller, Laurie’s picture books include Thank You, Sarah and Independent Dames, both illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Her most recent novels are Wintergirls and Chains. Laurie lives in Mexico, New York.

About the Illustrator: Ard Hoyt has illustrated numerous beloved books for young readers, including the utterly ebullient Utterly Otherly Day by Mary Casanova and the New York Times bestselling I’m a Manatee by John Lithgow. His otter illustration credits include two additional Mary Casanova-penned picture books, One-Dog Canoe and Some Dog! Carol Weis’s When the Cows Got Loose, Corrine Demas’s Saying Goodbye to Lulu, and the Kennedy Center’s Capital Kids chapter books.

The Blast

First days of school

Article: www.familyeducation.com

Achieving a Successful Start to the School Year

Brought to you by the American School Counselor Association

For some kids, a new year in school is old hat. For others, the idea of a new teacher, a new classroom, and new classmates can cause tremendous anxiety. Help your child make a smooth reentry to school with these tips from school counselors and teachers.

1. Review the Route
2. Visit the Classroom
3. Supply the Supplies
4. Label it All
5. Make Clothes Kid-Friendly
6. Adjust Your Clock
7. Set the Scene for Homework
8. Sign Up for a Library Card
9. Check In with Yourself
10. Celebrate!