We have a few summer decluttering projects in the works over the next couple weeks at our house. Today’s project was to sort through all my son’s books. He still had books on his shelves from when he was an infant. I think it’s harder for me to let go of some of his books than it is for me.
I gave him two large plastic totes one for books he wanted to keep, and one for books he wants to get rid of.
When we were done we had two full totes of books. The books he wants to get rid …read more

Have you been introduced to Jack and Annie and their Magic Tree House? The Magic Tree House series, written by Mary Pope Osborne, is one that my daughter was introduced to last year. The series follows Jack and Annie, siblings, who find themselves on a variety of adventures through different times and destinations, beginning and ending at the Magic Tree House.
In addition to the series itself, there are Research Guides that include additional facts to the times, places, and situations that Jack and Annie have experienced. My daughter enjoys these as well, but the …read more

Bald Man wrote a bit about this book a few months back, and then my kids found it at the library. The oldest thought the cover was hilarious and had to bring it home.
Where Did Daddy’s Hair Go? by Joe O’Connor, illustrated by Henry Payne, shares a fun story of little Jeremiah and his dad. It begins with Jeremiah’s realization that his dad is, in fact, bald. You then get to go on the search for his dad’s hair, Jeremiah’s imagining of what his dad would look like with hair (love the illustrations there!), and his …read more

We were back to the library today for storytime and were introduced to a fun book entitled If You’re Happy And You Know It: The Jungle Edition. You can probably get the gist of the storyline, but there are “jungle specific” indicators of happiness throughout the book for parents and kids to exhibit together. There are several steps that involve getting up and moving, and the kids loved it!
What are your favorite books based on kids’ songs?

There aren’t many stories read at the library’s storytime that get me to say, “No way!” Okay, so I didn’t actually say it out loud, but I was thinking it! That happened at the very beginning of the book Yard Sale!, written and illustrated by Mitra Modarressi. The line, specifically, was, “One Saturday a hand-written notice appeared around town: YARD SALE! it read. TODAY ONLY! MR. FLOTSAM’S PLACE, 99 CROOKED HILL ROAD. No one could remember a yard sale in Spudville before. ”
Apparently, Spudville is not, I repeat, NOT in Ohio. I don’t …read more

I’ve never been good at falling right to sleep. I was going to say that I’ve never been a good sleeper, but that would be entirely untrue. Once I’m asleep, I think I could sleep for days. The falling asleep, however, has never come easy for me. My sister and Bald Man (both of whom I’ve shared rooms with, though not at the same time) are both usually the fall right to sleep types, and it drove me nuts. Lights out, 2 seconds later they’re asleep, and I’m often lying there for hours wishing the …read more

I love fun books that encourage a little silliness when they’re being read, and this is one of those fun books!
We try to hit storytime at the library each week. The kids love the songs and dances and the animated ways that the children’s librarian reads the stories to them. Every once in a while, we’ll “play” storytime at home. The kids think it’s hilarious to pretend that we’re sitting in the library while really just singing, dancing and reading in the living room. I don’t, however, play the ukelele like the librarian does. I …read more

My daughter’s been enjoying her copy of The Seven Continents of the World Jigsaw Book.
The book contains colorful illustrations of each of the seven continents of the world (but you could’ve figured that out now, couldn’t you? ). Each of the 7 puzzles is made up of 48 pieces, and the images include the animals, crops, and other information about the land and surrounding waters.
The opposing page of each puzzle shows the complete image to help guide you as you complete the puzzle, contains bits of trivia about each area, and also has prompts for “I Spy” …read more

Tomorrow, Char at Weary Parent is going to be hosting an Education-themed carnival for b5media’s Family and Relationships Channel blogs. As usual, I’m trying to get my assignment in before the deadline has passed and I get points deducted for tardiness!
A lot of toys these days are marketed as “educational” and such, but I think some of the best toys for teaching and learning are the simple ones, many of which have been around longer than any of us have been alive. The following is my list of toys and such that have stood the test …read more

I’d forgotten about this book until I was looking for something else tonight and came across it in a search. Then I had to go grab it off of the kids’ book shelf!
My daughter received the book Easter Bugs by David A. Carter from a family friend for her second Easter, I think. Over these past four years, this little pop-up book has done it’s best to weather the test of time and toddlers! Most of the pop-ups have survived the kids, and they love the little Easter and spring-themed bugs! Very cute book. …read more