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 ]
Twas the night after Halloween . . . are you ready for the Halloween Fairy aka Candy Fairy? This Halloween Fairy delivers gifts to children. But . . . you must trade almost all, not all, of your Halloween candy to receive the gift. The Halloween fairy is generous so she’ll let you eat _________ pieces. (To be determined by the Halloween... [read more ]
Random.org picked #2, Colleen, to win this great prize. Congratulations! Magic Lantern is giving an Imagination Soup reader a Kidz Publishing kit. The kit allows your child to write a story and publish it! Cool, huh? It includes a story page template and markers. Your child writes a story, illustrates it and sends it to Magic Lantern and... [read more ]
Have you ever tried to make a volcano erupt? We had a Volcano kit that contained directions to make a volcano erupt, er, rather– bubble up. After learning the basic directions, my kids preferred to mix their own concoctions using the same principals – baking soda, vinegar and water. Here’s their basic plan. It occupies hours... [read more ]
Ever gone hiking with a three year old? It’s all about the rocks! And guess who gets to carry them home? (me) We have rocks – from really basic, gravel rocks to crystal beauties. My kids love their rocks. But, is a painted rock even better? Imagine a rainbow rock! It’s colorful, abstract, and requires virtually no adult... [read more ]
The kids are home for the summer. Either they want to watch television or play Wii. But, you want them to read. How? Sell it! Make it as fun as possible. We have several “curl up with a good book” corners. All you need are some throw pillows, bean bags, or a cozy couch. Add some homey lighting, a throw rug, and of course, books. Voila, you’re... [read more ]
My kids are officially on vacation – and I’m just waiting for the whining. “There’s nothing to do.” “I’m bored!” But, this time I’m ready. I’ve made this handy-dandy “What Should I Do?” list of things to do. Even my four year old can “read” it since I’ve... [read more ]
From Booklist A quote from B. F. Skinner sums up the goal of this book: “We shouldn’t teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.” Hamilton, a prolific children’s book author, believes that success in reading—or in any endeavor, for that matter—depends on the pleasure that results. After beginning with some disturbing... [read more ]
Welcome to your vacation destination. If you’re anything like me, you’re not going to the Bahamas for three months, you don’t have the time to be crafty, you don’t read Martha Stewart Living, and you think kids might be able to live on Mac and Cheese, especially if it’s organic. What to do over the summer with those... [read more ]
