Any child who has ever been playfully tossed into the air, flying higher than the clouds, knows their  daddy is a giant. Any child who has been scooped up into their daddy’s arms in order to avoid something scary knows their daddy is a giant.  Any child who has been lulled to sleep as they listen to his strong heartbeat and deep voice knows their daddy is a  giant. My Daddy is a Giant is a wonderful story about all of the reasons a Daddy is so special to his kids.

Father’s Day is coming and what Dad doesn’t love getting a tie on his special day? Make this one extra unique. Create an oragami tie with your kids. Make it crazy! Make it fun! Personalize it and make it just for him. Have them write a short message on the back just for Dad. It will be a tie he’ll treasure (but never have to wear). After the kids give their tie, let them snuggle up with Dad and read My Daddy is a Giant. It will be a Father’s Day to remember for years to come. (more…)

Toys coming to life is the premise of many of our favorite books (The Indian in the Cupboard), stories (Pinocchio), and movies (Toy Story). Children and adults alike are obsessed with imagining that there is something more to the wood, plastic, and fabric that makes up our toys than meets the eye. How do toys interact when we’re not around? What do they say? What do they like to do? What does it take for a toy to become real?

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams was perhaps the first well-received book to explore the subject. Written in America in 1922, the book has stood the test of time as a children’s favorite for several generations of make believers. We think your kids will love it. Paired with the activity from last week’s Chapter Book Blast – the TOYS exhibit at the Arizona Museum for Youth – this book will help you and your kids fall in love with some of your old toys all over again.

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