There are few kings and queens as noble and true as the Pevensies  from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. They ruled with integrity, fairness, and a great sense of adventure. Prince Caspian is the 4th book in The Chronicles of Narnia, and is a wonderful book about what it means to be a steward over a kingdom, what it is to be a true King or Queen.  The castles, battles, and events are all larger than life!

After reading this exciting book, take a trip to a wonderful exhibit, Lego Castle Adventure is currently the featured exhibit at the AZ Science Center. Visitors can build and learn about castles. Don’t miss the chance to combine this fantastic (and cool) summer event with Prince Caspian, a great book that will children excited about reading!

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Every year a crew of actors and artisans revive a themed village on the outskirts of Phoenix, and The Arizona Renaissance Festival comes to life. With jousting tournaments, comedy acts, street performers, artisans, food, games, rides, and more, the Festival is literally a full day of fun for the whole family. It’s a particularly memorable place for me because I watched my brother propose to his wife at the Festival (in front of a huge crowd and at the request of the king, no less).

The Festival can help your child envision what life may have been like for the characters in one of our favorite books, Princess Academy. Though the book isn’t necessarily set in the Renaissance period, the descriptions of life on the slopes of Mount Eskel seem to hearken back to a Medieval Era. The villagers go through their own form of awakening and enlightenment that felt to us like a localized version of the Renaissance. Besides the lack of technology, your little reader will find other similarities between the Festival and events in the book, including the singing, dancing, craftsmanship, and (of course) the life of royalty!

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What is it about this time of year that makes me crave sweets so much? I’ve just come off the Halloween sugar high, and now the Pumpkin Pie has found its place on the kitchen counter. Thank goodness for my daughter’s new love of cupcakes! These sweet morsels of goodness pack a punch of sweet and savory flavors. It’s not like eating a piece of fruit for a snack, but it keeps me from sticking my fork into another piece of pie.

The word on the street is that the best cupcakes in town are found at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Scottsdale. They’re a bit expensive, but they work as a great reward for finishing reading time. While you’re at it, make one of those books Pinkalicious, in which the main character eats so many cupcakes that her skin starts to turn colors!

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