Over the years, many readers and friends have asked me the about the must-read books for kids. Every few weeks, I get asked the million dollar questions: What books should my kids read? What are the best books for 5-year-olds? Which books will my 12-year-old love to read? Please tell me how to spend my book money--which are the must-have books for kids? We're heading to the library. Which books should I pick up? I've had the conversation over and over and over again. So … [Read more...]
how to prepare your child for kindergarten — summertime prep
This time last summer, we were gearing up to send off my sweet boy to Kindergarten, and this year, it's my baby's turn. Cora will walk into those elementary school doors this time, and then it will just be me. I'll walk home by myself, to an empty house, with a happy dog, until the kids' day ends at 3 o'clock. I can't even begin to think about it, or I swear I'll bawl my eyes out. But what's been keeping me focused this summer, along with our crazy swim and dive schedules, trip to the … [Read more...]
5 ways to get your kids psyched for summer reading
Believe it—summer is around the corner. Woo-hoo! Around the corner! As in like just a few weeks away! It’s May! Pools open in May. Weather warms in May. Swim team registration starts in May. We buy bathing suits in May. Wait. How can we even talk about ways to get your kids psyched for summer reading when school isn’t even out yet? Many of us still have assessments to think about, big projects coming though, and a whole lot that has to happen between now and the time those … [Read more...]
how to make poetry ROCK for kids (start now — it’s national poetry month!)
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? It is. What does that even mean? It means that this month is all about celebrating poetry! You know what, my friends? Poetry is different today than it once was. No longer are poems relegated to the boring topics of flowers or romance. No way. Now? Poems are about anything and everything. They rhyme or they're free verse. Anything goes. And so to honor National Poetry Month, I thought I'd share a few of our favorite … [Read more...]
black history month: resources for kids and families
We often talk about race in our home, but lately my kids have become more and more curious about the struggles that many so many groups have faced--African-Americans in particular--throughout our history. Yes, we have great books here, rich with information and ideas and stories, but I wanted a little more. We need a little more. So rather than fumble through their questions about race, history, and segregation, I wanted to give Maddy, Owen, and Cora some clarity--as much of the … [Read more...]
books about kindness — must-have’s for older and younger readers
How can you start to spread a little kindness now? At your home? With your kids? In your community? I've got a few great books about kindness for you--must-have's for older and younger readers. Grab a few of these kindness focused books for our younger readers: How to Heal a Broken Wing, by Bob Graham The Gardener, by Sarah Stewart and illustrated by David Small How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer and illustrated by Maurie J. Manning The Rain Came Down, … [Read more...]
rainbow words: free sight word printable
Learning sight words is one of the most important things that our kids can do as they become readers. However, learning sight words can also be one of the most boring things our kids can do as they become readers. So it's up to parents and teachers to make learning these important words fun. Over the years, though, I've come up with tons of super cool and super fun ways that our little ones can learn these important words because I know how important it is. Now that I'm back in … [Read more...]
must-have magazine deal for families #cybermonday
This is an insane magazine deal, one that I have totally jumped on for my family. It ends today, so you have to act mega-quickly. Like crazy, super-mega quickly. Like Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 8 am EST. You can score: 3 magazine subscriptions for $12 5 magazine subscriptions for $18 10 magazine subscriptions for $30 Magazines for the whole family from Discount Mags. Talk about a fabulous way to get your whole family reading--together. Here's the skinny. . … [Read more...]
Wonder the movie discussion guide for families #wonderthemovie
We had the amazing opportunity to catch a screening of Wonder the movie last week, and it totally lived up to all of our expectations. Maddy, Owen, Cora and I loved it. We talked about it for days after we saw it, and all three kids declared that it's one movie "we must buy when it comes out on DVD". At this point in time, friends, there aren't many movies that we want to watch over and over and over, but this is indeed one of them. I thought, since it is a movie--and book--rich … [Read more...]
rick riordan: 5 fun facts about the author we love
We have long been fans of Rick Riordan, ever since we fell hard for Percy Jackson way back when. So when my friends from Disney books asked if we wanted to join the #ShipoftheDead Book Tour, you better believe we jumped at the chance. The Ship of the Dead is the latest book--and the last book--in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. The coolest thing about this event, though, was that Maddy, Owen, and I had 10 minutes with Mr. Riordan--10 minutes to talk to him, chat with … [Read more...]
circle round: new storytelling podcast for kids #circleround
I've been on the hunt for great podcasts for kids for a long time now, and I think I hit the jackpot. Actually, I know I hit the jackpot. And I cannot wait to share. The podcast is called Circle Round, and it rocks. Circle Round is a new storytelling podcast for kids ages 4-10, but I really think kids even a bit older--through middle school--would appreciate these stories. Each episode tells carefully-selected, diverse folktales from around the world which are adapted for … [Read more...]
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