IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FOR SUMMER ARTISTS’ DATES guest post by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich I loved Melissa’s summer artist’s date post so much, I was just full to bursting with new ideas and old memories. And my mind immediately went…all over the place. I don’t know if anyone out there is at all like me, but sometimes I tend to... [read more ]

My article for the fifth issue of Literacy Lava, talks about my discovery of graphic novels — and that graphic novels aren’t just for struggling readers. Literacy Lava is a free pdf for parents or anyone who wants kids to love reading, writing and communicating, is now available from Susan Stephenson’s website. In this fifth edition... [read more ]

Ever go through your day in such a rush of busyness that you don’t stop to notice the moment — any moment? Living mindfully helps us observe and trains our senses to absorb each moment.  As writers, we use this to write with sensory details. Practice living mindfully and observing with your five senses. Even younger (not-yet-writer) children... [read more ]

Do you have a reluctant reader?  I did — and I tried everything to get her to like books and engage with stories.  Here are some of the odd things I tried that seemed to work. EAT and READ:  Read to a child while they are at the table eating. (Sitting still.  Undivided attention.) OVER-KILL: Go to the library and let her check out as many... [read more ]

Turns Out, it’s Free Play that Feeds Your Child’s Cognitive Development guest post by Frieda B. Herself author, Renata Bowers So I’ll admit it right off the bat. I’m biased. I’m a proponent of books, board games, pretend play and plenty of downtime in a child’s life.  And I’m leery – really leery – of anything that comes along to... [read more ]

Guest post from writer, editor and mom, Dawna Edwards. Eat foods alphabetically, starting with A and ending with Z. That’s right, commit to 26 days-worth of different letters at each meal. You’ll add new dimension and learning to meal time. Unless you’re a die-hard meal planner blessed with children who have super-flexible tastes,... [read more ]

When I was little, every night after dinner, each of us chose our favorite chair and read until bedtime.  My mom, my dad, my sister and me, all curled up in chairs around the black wood stove which heated our house.  A combination of no television and this daily family reading habit helped make me into the reader I am today. That and the library.... [read more ]

A few weeks ago, I drove by a speed limit sign last week that said 17 ½ .  Was there a heated argument with the construction crew and the city between 20 and 15 which they settled by choosing 17 ½? So, in honor of my new favorite speed limit sign, I’ve organized my summer book recommendations into the top seven and a half best books  for... [read more ]

Summer – I can’t wait and yet . . . I’m not ready. But, I’m excited because I’m going to have an artists’ summer with my kids. (I hope.) Julia Cameron, in her book The Artist’s Way, recommends artist dates with yourself.   She writes, “An artist date is a block of time, . . . committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your... [read more ]

Are you in a parent-child book club?  (Say, yes!!) Simon and Schuster is offering giveaways of books sets for parent-child book clubs through Imagination Soup!!! Books like The Dork Diaries, Frankie Pickle, Olivia and many more. Imagination Soup is offering YOU the chance to win with lots of fun ideas on books to read, activities and themes. You’ll... [read more ]

Guest post by Kenn Nesbitt, poet and founder of Poetry for Kids. Read his book, My Hippo Has the Hiccups FREE in April.  See below for details. I visit a lot of schools and libraries, and I speak to as many as 30,000 kids each year. Because the poems I write tend to be creative and imaginative, one of the most common questions I get is “where... [read more ]

Ever try flax oil? Don’t. You’ll gag. Or fish oil?  Lovely burps, right? Well, one day while cruising through Whole Foods, I sampled (all of the) flavored Omega Swirl Barlean’s Organic Oils. These oils are delightfully delicious! You can add them to foods or drinks but we, and that includes my picky children, drink spoonfuls for... [read more ]