Educational Insights sent me several products from their brand new line for younger kids (ages 2 - 4) called Bright Basics. The toys help kids develop essential early learning skills through playful toys. Visual Discrimination, Early Math Skills, & Fine Motor Skills The Nest and Stack Cubes are 10 beautiful cubes the blue star design of which is based on the nursery rhyme "Twinkle, Twinkle, … [Read more...]
Spring 2018 Picture Books That Will Make You Laugh
Next time you're at the library or bookstore, see if you can find these new picture books -- they are hilarious! Spring 2018 Picture Books That Will Make You Laugh Big Bunny by Rowboat Watkins RUN out to get this book -- it's totally hilarious. The reader keeps interrupting the narrator who is trying to tell the story of a big bunny who no, doesn't live on a ginormous floating … [Read more...]
Spring 2018 Picture Books About Identity, Inclusion, & Diverse Cultures
I'm so happy to see books about different cultures and stories with non-white faces! Little by little, children's picture books are starting to more accurately represent the world we live in! The books I'm sharing today are all spring 2018 titles about the themes of identity and inclusion or from a specific culture. Spring 2018 Picture Books About Identity, Inclusion, & Diverse … [Read more...]
Picture Books About China and the Chinese Language (Mandarin)
To celebrate recently published books about Chinese culture and the Chinese language, I wanted to share a list of all my favorite children's picture books related to China. Please let me know if you have any favorite books that aren't on this list! I'd love to know those, too. Picture Books About China and the Chinese Language (Mandarin) Bring In the New Year by Grace Lin The family … [Read more...]
Best Books for Kids About Space
The solar system -- the planets, stars, moon, space travel, all of it -- is endlessly fascinating to kids. (And many of us adults, too.) Read these nonfiction and fiction books with your children to learn more about space -- how to be an astronaut, what Mars life would be like, facts about the moon, and what happened to Pluto. Best Books for Kids About Space Hello World, Solar System by … [Read more...]
I’m Getting Organized (& Increasing Productivity) with Paper Products
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx.com on behalf of the Paper + Packaging Board. Staying organized is a huge goal of mine because I've been flying by the seat of my pants for too long. (I am not going to show you a photo of my office desk or floor. I'm a piler!) That's why I was so interested when Paper & Packaging offered to help me stay organized and be more productive with … [Read more...]
Circle Round: A Storytelling Podcast for Kids With a Global Perspective
Disclosure: I partnered with Circle Round to bring you this information. Do your kids love stories? Then, they'll love Circle Round, a storytelling podcast for children ages 4 - 10 of fascinating fables and folktale stories from other cultures emphasizing values such as kindness, being a good friend, and generosity. Perfect for boys and girls, these 10 - 20-minute stories are the right length to … [Read more...]
2018 Picture Books About Nature
Nature -- the environment, the animals, the plants -- surrounds us. We can teach our children about nature in many ways -- being outside and observing is always my first preference. But books can support our children's understanding of nature, too. Especially when we're reading about things we can't experience first hand due to our location in the world. (Not too many of us live by coral reefs.) … [Read more...]
8 New & Exciting Easy Reader Books
Because beginning readers need plenty of good books, I'm always looking for what's new and good. Book that kids will love to read. I adore Jan Thomas' new books and am totally excited to share with you Baby Monkey, Private Eye. Your kids are going to LOVE them. Find these and more excellent easy reader books separated by phonics, level 1 and levels 2+ on the Best Easy Readers for 5- and 6- Year … [Read more...]
New Board Book Reviews, Spring 2018
What board books are your child's favorite? Or maybe they have a cloth book that they love? If you're looking to add to your collection, from board books with flaps to books about animal feet, there is plenty to choose from this season. I personally preferred to buy most of our board books because well, of the chewing. And germs. Yuck. Because that's what kids do at this baby and … [Read more...]
12 Best Mystery Picture Books (That Develop Thinking Skills)
Did you know that mystery picture books help children develop thinking skills? It's almost impossible to read these mysteries without thinking deeply about the clues, making (and refining) predictions, and using deductive reasoning. Plus, reading the mystery genre in a picture book sets the stage for loving mysteries later on with chapter books. These picture book choices will make great … [Read more...]
What’s New in Picture Books, Winter 2018
Do you love finding new picture books your kids will love? Here's the best of what you'll see on the new shelf at your library or bookstore. (Winter 2018) What's New in Picture Books, Winter 2018 A Bear Sat on My Porch Today by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Rilla Alexander FUNNY Jane Yolen has created a delightful book must-be-read-aloud -- it's so fantastic. Kids will … [Read more...]