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the farm to table movement for kids: how did that get in my lunchbox? by Chris Butterworth

January 22, 2018 ashley donati

I took a little blogging hiatus for the past ten days or so because when we get snow (even just a little bit of snow) here in the South, things. shut. down. And because the outside temp stayed below freezing for TEN DAYS (not something we have happen often), that little bit of snow didn't melt away, meaning our schools were closed for seven straight days in a row.  I had the kids home with me all day for ten days with no where to go, and let me tell you, I was so happy to send those little angels to school this morning!  Bless them.  

Where do you buy your food?  We have a dizzying amount of choice when it comes to food shopping - big box grocery stores, farmer's markets, food delivery services, so many ways to get food into our homes and onto our plates!  My kids are true city kids.  Aside from a few school field trips, my kids have never been to a working farm to truly see where our food comes from, so instead, we have to read about how our food is made. 

"Food doesn't grow in stores!  So where did it come from before it was in the store?"

In How Did That Get In My Lunchbox?, the reader goes through a journey that explores how typical lunchbox foods are made.  We learn how bread, cheese, tomatoes, apple juice, carrots, clementine oranges, and even chocolate chips are made.  I like how the explanations for the process of making each food is very thorough but also very easy for young children to understand thanks to the detailed illustrations.  For example, the illustrations show kids how apples are picked in an orchard, put into a machine that washes them, separates the core and seeds from the fruit, mashes them, presses out the juice, and finally fills boxes with the juice. 

recommended for ages 5-8

Tags kids books, kids books food, food books children, how food is made, farm to table movement kids, how did that get in my lunchbox, chris butterworth
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book quotes to remember

January 10, 2018 ashley donati

In times of stress or chaos, sometimes a book can be your best friend.  Here are a few of my favorite book quotes that make me happy, make me think, lift me up, and inspire me! 

Tags kids books, book quotes, madeline, tale of despereaux, winnie the pooh
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kids books for mini star wars fans!

January 8, 2018 ashley donati
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Have you seen the new Star Wars movie, yet?  I must confess that I can take or leave Star Wars, but my hubbie LOVES the movie series.  He took the kids to see the new movie, and they all liked it.  It is fun for him to have Star Wars themed picture books around the house to share that jedi-enthusiasm with the kids.  

For the Star Wars fans in your house, here is a list of the cutest Star Wars books out there! 

*contains affiliate links 

The Star Wars Little Golden Book Library (Star Wars) (Little Golden Book: Star Wars)
By Various
Buy on Amazon
Goodnight Darth Vader
By Jeffrey Brown
Buy on Amazon
Darth Vader and Son
By Jeffrey Brown
Buy on Amazon
Star Wars: 5-Minute Star Wars Stories (5-Minute Stories)
By Lucasfilm Press
Buy on Amazon
Star Wars Origami: 36 Amazing Paper-folding Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away....
By Chris Alexander
Buy on Amazon
Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia
By Adam Bray, Cole Horton, Tricia Barr
Buy on Amazon
Star Wars: Jedi Academy
By Jeffrey Brown
Star Wars ABC
By Scholastic
Buy on Amazon
Star Wars BB-8 on the Run
By Drew Daywalt
Tags kids books, kids books star wars
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a new book preschoolers will love: bear and chicken by jannie ho

January 5, 2018 ashley donati
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Happy New Year, Booktomato fam!  Who's ready for more fun book posts in 2018?  Me!  Let's start off with a new book for preschoolers sent to me by Running Press, Bear and Chicken by Jannie Ho.  

It's a cold winter day, and Bear is on a walk.  He finds a chicken frozen in the snow and brings him home to get warm.  The chicken warms up but then starts to get nervous when Bear goes to the kitchen to start cooking what looks like . . . gulp . . . chicken soup!  Chicken thinks he is about to get eaten!  Oh, no!   

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It turns out that Chicken doesn't get eaten at all, and Bear and Chicken become friends.  

This book is funny, and the illustrations are bright and happy.  Just the thing for preschool story time on a cold winter's day!  

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Tags kids book s, kids books, bear and chicken, jannie ho, running press
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a beautiful addition to your holiday book shelf: waltz of the snowflakes by elly mckay

December 13, 2017 ashley donati
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Did you play with paper dolls as a child?  Do kids still play with paper dolls these days?  I wonder.  If you miss your paper dolls from childhood, pick up a copy of Waltz of the Snowflakes by Elly Mackay.  

When Running Press offered to send my a copy of this picture book beauty, I happily said yes please!  I became a fan of Mackay when I read her book Butterfly Park and got introduced to her collage, paper doll style illustration style.  Every page in her books makes me feel like I've been transported to a secret and magical doll house world.  

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Waltz of the Snowflakes follows a grandmother and granddaughter as they attend a Nutcracker ballet performance.  The granddaughter doesn't know if she will have fun at the show because she learns that one has to wear fancy clothing at the ballet.  She doesn't want to have to wear an uncomfortable dress.  She goes to the ballet with her grandmother, and the pair have a wonderful time getting swept away with the exciting show! 

This is sweet story of a grandparent and child bonding in a special way, and the story has a certain magical holiday charm that is perfect for this time of year.  

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Tags waltz of the snowflakes, elly mackay, running press, childrens books, kids books
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gift guide 2017: the best for elementary school kids!

December 12, 2017 ashley donati
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What do elementary school age kids (6-9 years old) like to read?  They still want to laugh.  They still enjoy pictures book but are most likely learning to read or just getting comfortable with reading on their own, so they will be wanting to read something more sophisticated like chapter books .  There is a whole world of early reader chapter books that will overjoy this age group.  It's so fun to watch kids at this age find a chapter book that they love and emerge into the world of loving to read!  

*contains affiliate links. 

Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! It's Shoe Time!
By Mo Willems, Bryan Collier

A funny, rhyming early independent reader book that shows what it means to be a pair.  

Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates
By April Jones Prince

A unique picture book with an entertaining retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a pirate theme! 

The Real McCoys
By Matthew Swanson

A kidlit detective novel featuring a spunky fourth-grade detective who has to team up with her little brother to solve a mystery. 

Betty's Burgled Bakery: An Alliteration Adventure
By Travis Nichols

Gumshoe Zoo has to solve the case of the stolen pastires in this word play mystery. 

Hortense and the Shadow
By Natalia O'Hara

A gorgeous picture book featuring an original fairy tale in the style of Neil Gaiman about a girl named Hortense who wants her shadow to stop following her.  In the end, her shadow is what saves her from evil bandits. 

She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
By Chelsea Clinton

A book filled with strong, positive role models for both boys and girls. 

After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)
By Dan Santat

Dan Santat is always a solid choice.  He is a natural-born storyteller who produces the most original twists on classic stories. 

Malala's Magic Pencil
By Malala Yousafzai

The first picture book by the Nobel Peace Prize winner that was inspired by her childhood. 

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors
By Drew Daywalt

The latest from the author of The Day the Crayons Quit.  Everybody loves playing Rock Paper Scissors! 

The Antlered Ship
By Dashka Slater

An adventure story picture book about an animal crew aboard a unique ship. 

Jabari Jumps
By Gaia Cornwall

Jabari works up the courage to jump off the high dive! 

Tags kids books, books for kids, kids gift guide, holiday book gifts
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gift guide 2017: the best for preschoolers!

December 6, 2017 ashley donati
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Do you want to know why I think books are the perfect gift?  Click here to find out why. 

Preschoolers love colorful pictures and fast-moving stories.  Preschoolers love stories that mirror their own lives and worlds.  Most of all, preschoolers love to laugh!  A successful book for this age group (3-5) must, must, must be funny.  Here are books that check all the boxes for a gift preschoolers will love. 

*contains affiliate links 

The Pelican Chorus: and Other Nonsense
By Edward Lear

Three stories in one, and all of them containing lively adventures and animal characters. 

Small Walt
By Elizabeth Verdick

A newly published story about a snowplow named Walt that keeps in the tradition of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Little Engine That Could.. 

Can't Catch Me!
By Timothy Knapman

A hilarious story that follows a naughty mouse as he teases animals that want to eat him for lunch.  But he isn't worried because he is the fastest mouse in the world! 

Thelma the Unicorn
By Aaron Blabey

Thelma the Unicorn learns to love herself for who she truly is inside. 

Creepy Pair of Underwear!
By Aaron Reynolds

From the creators of Creepy Carrots, a book about a bunny and a decidedly creepy pair of underwear.  There are two words that young kids find hilarious - poop and underwear.  Just reading the cover will get them giggling! 

A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars
By Seth Fishman

A fascinating look at the numbers that make up our world.  Great for curious little minds. 

It Takes a Village: Picture Book
By Hillary Rodham Clinton

A wonderful book by Hillary Clinton with illustrations by super-talented Marla Frazee promotes a peaceful and happy world where diversity and tolerance are celebrated. 

Escargot
By Dashka Slater

Isn't this little snail the cutest?!  We fell in love with Escargot the snail and his journey to get to the salad at the end of the book.  But, uh-hoh!  When he gets to the salad, he discovers that it has a carrot in it, and he hates carrots.  Reluctantly, he tries the carrot and finds out that he actually likes it.  

The Way Home in the Night
By Akiko Miyakoshi

A mother bunny and her little bunny walk home at night, and the little bunny experiences how his neighborhood seems more magical when the sun goes down. 

Say Zoop!
By Herve Tullet

If you loved PRESS HERE, you will love the latest from author Herve Tullet.  Tullet's books are always so creative. 

Tags kids books, books for kids, gifts for preschoolers, gifts for five year olds, book gift guide kids
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gift guide 2017: the best for baby!

December 5, 2017 ashley donati
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It's that time!  Gift guides are popping up everywhere, and everyone has the "perfect" list of "it" items that you absolutely, without a doubt, no ifs ands or butts, must have.  Let me convince you that the perfect gift for anyone in your life is the gift of a book.  

  1. A book is easy and affordable to buy, easy to wrap, and easy to transport if you are travelling away from home this holiday season. 
  2. Parents will appreciate a gift that doesn't require batteries, isn't noisy, doesn't have five million pieces that will inevitably get lost, and stimulates their child's creativity. 
  3. Books are the gift that keeps on giving!  They can be read over and over, enjoyed again and again.  Books are the gift of time - time spent peacefully reading alone or time spent with a parent or caring adult reading it together. 

Have I convinced you yet?  

When my first child was born, I read him picture books everyday, and honestly, it made me feel silly.  He was an infant!  Surely, it was silly to read to a baby who can't really understand the words.  I was wrong!  It is so important to read to babies beginning at the newborn stage.  Here is a list of the latest new releases that are sure to please those babies in your life and the parents who read to them too! 

*contains affiliate links 

Quantum Physics for Babies (Baby University)
By Chris Ferrie

The Baby University series features colorful and sturdy board books that illustrate simple science concepts for your future rocket scientists! 

Digger, Dozer, Dumper
By Hope Vestergaard

Books about vehicles are always, I repeat, always a winner!  This one has sixteen bouncy, rhyming poems about all kinds of construction trucks.  

Indestructibles: Things That Go!
By Amy Pixton

This book features fun pages filled with all kinds of vehicles that fly, drive, dig, or sail.  See my previous point about vehicles.  Babies love them!  What makes this book special is that it is part of a series of board books called "Indestructibles", and they are just that - indestructible!  They are designed to stand up to whatever your baby can throw at them - drool, teething, spilled snacks, anything! 

Dinosaur Dance!
By Sandra Boynton

A dinosaur party by classic and beloved author Sandra Boynton! 

Little Wood: Wolfie Paints the Town
By Sabina Gibson

This first book in a new series called Little Wood is like Calico Critters meets picture books.  A sweet story and even sweeter artwork. 

Bears in the Snow (Bears on Chairs)
By Shirley Parenteau

An entertaining and simple story about bears playing in the snow that teaches sharing. 

Everything Is Mama
By Jimmy Fallon

A funny look at the world from your baby's point of view from comedian Jimmy Fallon. 

Red Car, Green Car: A Changing Colors Book
By Roger Priddy

A fun way to learn colors with interactive pull tabs that make the colors change on each page. 

Tags kids books, gift guide kids books, gift guide kids, books for children
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the best literary baby gear: the where the wild things are edition

November 28, 2017 ashley donati
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Hi there, Booktomato fam!  We are back after a little quiet pause to spend time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I hope you and yours had a great holiday!  

There are so many adorable options for decorating a baby nursery room.  Why not pick a book-themed nursery? Take your favorite kid lit book as inspiration and start searching crafty sites like Etsy or even big box stores like Amazon for decor.  Today we are going for a Maurice Sendak/ Where the Wild Things Are theme.  

*contains affiliate links 

I'll Eat You Up I Love you So Printed Infant Bodysuit Baby Romper Gray 3-6 Month
Where The Wild Things Are Party Supplies, King Of All Wild Things Wood Sign, 7.5 x 15 inches
Monster I'Ll Eat You Up Love You So Infant Contrast Trim Terry Bib White/Green
Where the Wild Things Are: Max Plush Toy and Sticker Book (Miniature Editions)
By Running Press
Efaster(TM)"KING OF ALL WILD things" Letters Pattern Romper Pants Leggings Outfits (3M)
Personalized Wall Decal For Kids - And they Named Him Michael - Where The Wild Things Are - Vinyl Wall Art and Decor for Children's Bedroom or playroom
Where The Wild Things Are Max'S Boat Throw Pillow White 18X18
Trevco
Wild Rumpus Dance -- Where The Wild Things Are -- Fleece Throw Blanket
Warner Brothers
Tags where the wild things are, maurice sendak, baby nursery, book themed nursery
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kids books about the mayflower

November 15, 2017 ashley donati
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It's that time again - time for turkey and stuffing and gathering together as a family, Thanksgiving time!  Let's take some time before we stuff ourselves silly to learn about the lives of those first pilgrims and the ship that brought them to our shores, the Mayflower. 

*contains affiliate links 

  1. If You Sailed On The Mayflower in 1620

We have several books in this history series for kids.  This one covers what it was like to sail to America with the pilgrims from England.  This series has a question and answer structure where questions about the time period are asked and then answered in length with lots of good pictures.  

. . . If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620
By Ann McGovern, Anna DiVito

2. On The Mayflower 

This book for ages 4-8 follows the over-the-sea adventure of pilgrim kids William and Ellen as they make their way to the new world.  Based on actual historical documents of two child passengers. 

On The Mayflower
By Kate Waters

3. You Wouldn't Want to Sail on the Mayflower! 

This is another great history series for kids.  Best for ages 8-11 and what makes it a fun read is the way it is written in second person putting the reader in the action.  What would it be like for you to be a pilgrim child emigrating with your family on the Mayflower. 

You Wouldn't Want to Sail on the Mayflower!: A Trip That Took Entirely Too Long
By Peter Cook

4. M is for Mayflower 

A part of the state-by-state alphabet series and featuring a New England style alphabet. 

M Is For Mayflower: A Massachusetts Alphabet (Discover America State by State)
By Margot Theis Raven

5. The Mayflower 

A version of the harrowing trip from England to the New World on the Mayflower that is perfect for kindergarteners. 

The Mayflower
By Mark Greenwood
Tags kids books, books for children, the mayflower, books about the mayflower kids, thanksgiving reading for kids
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a cranberry thanksgiving brings us new england charm plus cute turkey crafts!

November 14, 2017 ashley donati

Hi there!  Thanksgiving is around the corner, and we are drumming up the best seasonal picks we can find.  CONFESSION #1: I love a holiday, any holiday.  I go all out with decorations, themed books, food, whatever I can.  CONFESSION #2: The Starbucks around the corner is already playing Christmas carols, and the city has started hanging wreaths with red velvet bows on all of our light posts.  While I love, love the Christmas season, and while I love decorating our house for the holiday, let's hold our horses and revel in the season that is late fall and Thanksgiving.  I refuse to put up icicle lights while the leaves on my front yard trees are still yellow and orange!  While my beloved angel figurines and jingle bells cool their heels in storage containers for another month, let's find some good Thanksgiving reads!  Today's pick is Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin. 

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This is the story of a young girl named Maggie who lives with her grandmother by a cranberry bog on the edge of a small and charming New England town.  While Grandmother prepares a marvelous feast for Thanksgiving, Maggie does her chores.  Both of them have chosen guests to invite to dinner.  Grandmother chooses Mr. Horace, a well-groomed, well-mannered man with a fancy coat and styled hair.  Maggie chooses her friend, Mr. Whiskers, a rough-around-the-edges sea captain.  Grandmother gets upset with Maggie for inviting him because he smells like fish and talks loudly.  By the end of the meal, Grandmother's opinion of Mr. Whiskers is changed, and readers learn not to judge a person based on how they look or how much money they have.   This book is part of a series.  If you enjoy this one, check out the rest of the Cranberry series including stories for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines Day.  Each book comes with a recipe on the back that relates to the story.  On the back cover of the Thanksgiving book is the recipe for Grandmother's cranberry bread.  I have to be honest here.  I do a lot of baking, so I consider myself pretty capable in the kitchen.  I baked the cranberry bread recipe on the back, and well, it wasn't so great.  I hate to say something negative about this book because I loved the story, but I also hate the wasted time and money of a recipe or craft idea that isn't worth it.  If you want a great cranberry recipe, maybe skip the one provided by Cranberry and try something else. 

There are so many fun turkey crafts for your thanksgiving table, and we have found a ton of them on our Pinterest board.  Click here to get to our Thanksgiving Books and Crafts board for over 100 Thanksgiving books and crafts with turkeys.  

 

Tags kids book review, kids book blog, books for kids, thanksgiving kids books, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving reading for kids, turkey kids crafts, cranberry books
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picture books about peacocks

November 9, 2017 ashley donati
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You have probably read your fill of picture books about chickens, or ducks, or geese.  You could probably rattle off a quick list of picture books you have about red birds or blue birds or owls.  But what about peacocks?  The peacock isn't featured in a lot of kids books, and why not because they are so pretty!  The deep turquoise color of their feathers is just one of my favorite colors! 

Here is a list of some great picture books about peacocks. 

*contains affiliate links 

1. Flora and the Peacocks 

You probably already know Flora from her books Flora and the Flamingo and Flora and the Penguin.  Flora is an adorable ballerina who loves her fine feathered friends.  This story is all about the delicate balance of being in a group of three friends. 

Flora and the Peacocks
By Molly Idle
Buy on Amazon

2. Feathers For Peacock

This blends folk and fairy tales to come up with an original legend answering how peacocks got their feathers. 

Feathers for Peacock
By Jacqueline Jules
Buy on Amazon

3. The Golden Peacock 

This fantastical tale features pirates, adventure, rhymes, and great illustrations. 

The Golden Peacock (Beginner readers bedtime stories book)
By S Adler
Buy on Amazon

4. Just Plain Fancy 

When two Amish girls find an unusual egg, they take it home to care for it.  They keep it warm and watch it every day, waiting for it to hatch.  When it does, they get a big surprise! (Spoiler: it is a peacock.)

Just Plain Fancy
By Patricia Polacco

5. The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock 

This is the classic Ugly Duckling tale meets a peacock's tale.  Prewitt the peacock's tale doesn't look like the other peacock's tales.  They aren't nice to him because he is different, but he learns to be proud of who he is. 

The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock
By Bill Peet
Buy on Amazon

5. Up! Tall! And High! 

This award-winning and interactive picture book is all about loving what makes you different and special.  Each bird in this has something that makes them different and instead of feeling self conscious about it, they make it work!  

Up, Tall and High
By Ethan Long
Buy on Amazon
Tags kids books, kids books peacock, peacock books, books list kids, books for children
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teaching mindfulness: In My Heart by Gitte Winter Graugaard

November 8, 2017 ashley donati
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When I was touring different preschools in my area, trying to find the right one for my then three-year-old, I was surprised to hear the director of the school that would ultimately be my choice of schools say to me, "Okay, here is the room where we do our mindfulness practice."  

"Mindfulness?"  I asked.  I had done a yoga class or two and made attempts in the past to meditate, but I had never heard of mindfulness, especially for preschoolers.  Mindfulness, I learned, is the use of meditation exercises to bring a sense of calm and a centered mindset.  Studies show it is good for helping kids' ability to focus on school tasks, and more importantly, helps kids feel more centered and less anxious in their daily lives. My preschooler now does mindfulness several times a week at school and loves it. 

Having been newly educated on the merits of mindfulness and meditation for children, I was really interested to get a copy of The Children's Meditations In My Heart by Gitte Winter Graugaard.  Thanks to Room For Reflection Publishing for sending me a copy! 

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There's no denying that the Danish way of living is having it's year - from getting cozy with hygge or the many popular books and articles on Danish parenting.  I feel like this Danish popularity is well-earned.  The Danes seem to have a knack for fostering creativity, a love of nature, and lots and lots of quality family time which are all things that promote a greater sense of self-esteem and lessen anxiety in kids.  

Author Graugaard is bringing some of that Danish parenting knack to bedtime with her book of meditations for parents and kids to do together to promote easier  and peaceful bedtimes.  According to Graugaard, she used to have the typical standoff with her daughters every night.  You know the one - some one is either: 

  1. thirsty
  2. has itchy pajamas
  3. is scared of the dark
  4. why did he get two stories but I got only one? 
  5. where is my stuffed bear?

She noticed that when she sat down with her daughters at bedtime and led them in a meditation, the nighttime drama was gone.  

"When I started sharing beautiful heart meditations with my daughters, I was surprised to see how much they loved the interaction and how quickly they would fall asleep.  As different as children are, almost every child delights in hearing about how much a parent or caregiver loves and treasures them." 

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The book features four sections each filled with pages of meditation exercises for the parent to read to the child at bedtime.  What I find so unique about this book is how it focuses not only on mindfulness and meditation as a way to calm bedtime anxiety but also how it focuses on love as a way to calm anxiety.  So many times, I get so busy with laundry, dirty dishes, and field trip permission forms, and forget to make sure I am showering enough love on my kids.  This book came at the right time for me, and I hope these meditations of love become an everyday part of our bedtime routine.  

Tags kids books, children's books, danish parenting, in my heart, meditation for kids, mindfulness for kids
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kids books about chores

November 7, 2017 ashley donati
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I picked the image above to head this post because it just made me laugh.  The mom is doing her best to get the laundry on the line while the little girl is sitting there making a mess out of the clothes pins.  I guess the reality of trying to clean up with kids in the house is timeless!  

It wasn't until I was much older and well into my "adult" life that I learned how to clean.  I certainly wasn't raised by my parents to know how, and I am not a naturally neat person. I read somewhere once that knowing how to properly clean our homes and do chores is one thing that is so important in our daily lives, and yet, very few of us we actually taught how to do it.  

I am trying to teach my kids how to clean up after themselves, and let me tell you, it is still a work in progress!  I am choosing to believe that learning to pitch in with chores is a journey not a destination, and hopefully, my two kids are progressing on that journey.  Some days I have my doubts.  

If you are working with your littles to teach them how to clean up after themselves, here is the book list for you!  I want to teach my kids not only so they can take care of themselves when they go out on their own, but also so they know that they are integral parts of our family who have the responsibility to help.  

*contains affiliated links

How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Room?
By Jane Yolen
Buy on Amazon

1. How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Room? 

We love this series of hilarious "how to" books featuring parents and their sweet little dinosaurs!  This one is all about how dinosaurs learn to clean up the house! 

Clean-Up Time (Toddler Tools)
By Elizabeth Verdick
Buy on Amazon

2. Clean-Up Time 

This board book is great for teaching toddlers how to pick up their toys and put them away with silly rhyming words that after a couple of reads, you will find yourself chanting every time it's clean-up time! 

Monster Mess!
By Margery Cuyler
Buy on Amazon

3. Monster Mess! 

You know your room is a mess when the monster that came to scare you at bedtime is grossed out by your messy room.  That's bad, y'all.  When this monster sneaks into a little boy's room, he doesn't like what he sees - toys everywhere, juice boxes on the floor, dirty clothes.  He decides he has no other choice but to clean it all up while the boy sleeps.  

Time to Clean Up, Pick Up and Recycle (Life's Little Lessons with the Berenstain Bears)
Berenstain Entertainment LLC
Buy on Amazon

4. Time To Clean Up, Pick Up, and Recycle with The Berenstain Bears 

When the Bear family sees trash everywhere - at their local park, at home, and all around their city - they decide they have to do something about it.  This book is about helping out and cleaning up but also about getting into the helping spirit to make the world better.  

Red Wagon
By Renata Liwska
Buy on Amazon

5. Red Wagon 

When Lucy gets her very own red wagon, she wants to run off and play with it, but her mom wants her to use her wagon to help with chores like hauling groceries from the market.  Lucy uses her imagination to make doing chores fun.  

Toby Counts His Marbles
By Cyndy Szekeres
Buy on Amazon

6. Toby Counts His Marbles

This is part of an awesome series of books that follow Toby the Mouse.  In this story, Toby wants to play with his marbles, but when he gets his marble box down from the shelf, it is empty!  He didn't put his marbles away the last time that he played with them.  Toby has to search for his marbles, counting them as he goes, and he learns that playtime goes more smoothly if you put your toys where they belong after playing. 

Whose Hands Are These?: A Community Helper Guessing Book (Millbrook Picture Books)
By Miranda Paul
Buy on Amazon

7. Whose Hands Are These? A Community Helper Guessing Book 

This book is all about community helpers, be they police officers, firefighters, bakers, construction workers, doctors, or teachers.  Community helpers make our towns better places to live.  Learning to do chores to help your family when you're young may lead to a life spent helping others in you wider community. 

Tags kids books, kids book list, kids books about chores, kids books about cleaning up, kids clean up
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a new-to-me author that i have fallen in love with: elsa beskow

November 3, 2017 ashley donati
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It's no secret that I have a love for all things Scandinavian.  Total Scandifile here, and no apologies are going to be made for that.  Love me some Scandinavian stuff be it IKEA candle holders or sleekly designed chairs or the Scandinavian knack for enjoying family and simple pleasures.  

So, naturally, when I discovered author Elsa Beskow by chance a few months ago, my Scandifile radar started pinging.  A children's book author who is Swedish and writes about adorable woodland creatures with an art deco illustration style?  How on earth have I not known about you until now, Ms. Beskow?!  

Children of the Forest
By Elsa Beskow

Elsa Beskow was and is a beloved Swedish author/illustrator who wrote over 40 books including the above, Children of the Forest, Peter in Blueberry Land, and more titles that I plan to acquire for my home library very soon.  Her writing style focuses on paring the real world of kids with a fantasy world of magical forests and nature.  

Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip
By Elsa Beskow

She was born in Sweden and lived in Stockholm from 1875 to 1953 raising six kids and creating many children's books and illustrations.  An award for the top Swedish kid's author is given away every year in her honor.  

Tags elsa beskow, swedish kids books, swedish authors, scandinavian kids
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9 kids books about archaeology

November 1, 2017 ashley donati
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Do you have a kid that loves dinosaurs?  Ancient Egypt?  Pirates? Well, you might have a budding archaeologist on your hands!  My younger son has been OBSESSED with all things "ancient" since he could talk.  I've already shared my ever growing list of books about Ancient Egypt on the blog.  Pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphics on ancient tomb walls sparked his interest first.  Now his love of ancient things extends to Ancient Rome and Medieval castles with knights.  

If you have a young Indiana Jones on you hands, check out these kids books about archaeology!  

*contains affiliate links. 

Digging Up Dinosaurs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
By Aliki
Buy on Amazon
The Archaeology Book (Wonders of Creation)
By David Down
Buy on Amazon
Archaeology for Kids: Uncovering the Mysteries of Our Past, 25 Activities (For Kids series)
By Richard Panchyk
Buy on Amazon
Hands-On Archaeology: Real-Life Activities for Kids
By John White Ph.D.
Buy on Amazon
Dinosaur Hunters (Step into Reading)
By Kate McMullan
Buy on Amazon
Archaeologists Dig for Clues (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
By Kate Duke
Buy on Amazon
Archaeology: Cool Women Who Dig (Girls in Science)
By Anita Yasuda
Buy on Amazon
How the Sphinx Got to the Museum (How the . . . Got to the Museum)
By Jessie Hartland
Buy on Amazon
How the Dinosaur Got to the Museum (How the . . . Got to the Museum)
By Jessie Hartland
Buy on Amazon
Tags kids books, kids books archaeology, kids books dinosaurs, kids books digging, books for kids, children's literature
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7 kids books about pumpkins!

October 31, 2017 ashley donati
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I love pumpkins!  The plant nursery down the road from me sells all manner of seasonal squash from itty-bitty baby orange pumpkins to the whopper that I bought this year - a 40 pound giant white pumpkin.  Every year when the nursery man starts stacking up corn stalks and hay bales, I know that it is almost pumpkin time!  

Have you carved your jack-o-lantern yet?  It stays pretty warm and humid here in October, so we don't carve ours until the week of Halloween so that it doesn't get all moldy before the big night.  Do you go all out with a carving kit and fancy designs or keep it simple?  We usually keep it simple with the traditional triangle eyes and snaggle-tooth grin.  Here are seven of our favorite pumpkin books.

The Roll-Away Pumpkin
By Junia Wonders
Buy on Amazon
Pumpkin Soup
By Helen Cooper
Buy on Amazon
The Pumpkin Book
By Gail Gibbons
Buy on Amazon
The Ugly Pumpkin
By Dave Horowitz
Buy on Amazon
Big Pumpkin
By Erica Silverman, S.D. Schindler
Buy on Amazon
It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse! (If You Give...)
By Laura Numeroff
Buy on Amazon
Pumpkin Town! Or, Nothing Is Better and Worse Than Pumpkins
By Katie McKy
Buy on Amazon
Tags kids book list, kids pumpkin, kids books pumpkin, halloween books, halloween kids, reading for kids, picture books, kids book review
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9 kids books about trick or treating!

October 26, 2017 ashley donati
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What costumes are your kids picking for trick-or-treating this year?  My fourth grader is Pokemon obsessed, and his grandmother found him a comically large Pikachu costume.  When I say "comically large" picture the kind of costume big enough to require its own airline seat.  Yeah.  My preschooler is really into Ancient Egypt, and I found him a Pharaoh costume on sale.  Score!  Do you dress up right along with your kids?  I never pass up a chance to dress in costume, and my poor husband is usually a good sport about whatever couples costume I make him wear.  This year we are going as George and Martha Washington complete with colonial style wigs.  

Whatever your kids choose to be this year, here is the perfect pre-trick-or-treating reading list! 

Five Little Monkeys Trick-or-Treat (A Five Little Monkeys Story)
By Eileen Christelow
Buy on Amazon
The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat (First Time Books)
By Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain
Buy on Amazon
Trick Arr Treat (Av2 Fiction Readalong 2017)
By Leslie Kimmelman
Buy on Amazon
Halloween ABC (Little Golden Book)
By Sarah Albee
Buy on Amazon
A Scratch & Sniff Halloween
By Elizabeth Spurr
Buy on Amazon
Llama Llama Trick or Treat
By Anna Dewdney
Buy on Amazon
Trick or Treat?
By Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson
Buy on Amazon
Trick-or-Treat: A Happy Haunter's Halloween
By Debbie Leppanen
Buy on Amazon
Trick or Treat
By Leo Landry
Buy on Amazon
Tags kids books, reading for kids, kids halloween, halloween picture books, halloween books, trick or treating, story time, picture books
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instant halloween: 2 super quick costumes and an easy-peasy treat!

October 24, 2017 ashley donati

Are you pressed for time?  (Who me?  Yes, you.)  Halloween is such a fantastic holiday, but it seems like the entire month of October is packed with this class party, and that neighborhood party, and before we know it, our heads are spinning!  If you need quick holiday projects, you've come to the right place!  We have whipped up two book-inspired Halloween costumes and a tasty treat that can be made with one quick trip to the store or maybe even with things you have around your home right now.  Let's do this! 

Ghostly Treat Pops! 

You can turn quick-to-make rice krispie treats into these adorably yummy treats.  

Here's what you need: 

  • 6 crisped rice cereal
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • one 10 oz. bag marshmallows
  • white chocolate morsels
  • mini chocolate chips
  • regular sized chocolate chips
  • pop sticks
  1. Melt marshmallows and butter together in a large pan.  (Choose a pan that's bigger than you think you need because once you add the cereal, you need a lot of room to stir.)
  2. Once everything is melted, add the cereal, and stir, stir, stir!  
  3. Pour cereal mixture into a greased baking pan.  Press it down flat to fill the pan. (If the mixture sticks to your hands, and it will, wet your hands before you start pressing.)
  4. Once the treats have cooled completely, cut into squares.  Add the sticks.
  5. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in short bursts, stirring after each round.
  6. Dip the treats in the white chocolate only about one third of the way down.  Press two mini chocolate eyes and one larger chip for a mouth.  Do this before the white chocolate cools. 
  7. Let them cool and harden.  Eat! 

Continuing our instant Halloween, we've got two costumes.  First up, Chicka Chicka Boom!  We love this classic book about the whole alphabet climbing up a coconut tree before tumbling down, and we've recreated that coconut tree with its letters climbing up.  

What You'll need: 

  • brown t-shirt
  • construction paper in the following colors: green, brown, assorted colors for the letters
  • safety pins 
  • stapler and staples
  1. I created the headdress to look like the top of a coconut tree by creating a green band.  I attached four green strips to the band, and then, I cut notches into the strips to give it a feathered, palm tree look. 
  2. I crumpled brown paper into balls to look like coconuts and stapled them to the band.
  3. I cut out letters and safety pinned them to the brown shirt in a way that made them look like they were "climbing" up. 
  4. That's it.  Boom goes the dynamite.  You're ready for your Halloween party! 

Next up, we have Dr. Seuss's Lorax.  The Lorax is a creature that stands up for the environment, especially the trees, and he spends his story protecting his world from those who want to destroy nature.  This Lorax costume is so simple and cute.  

Here's what you need: 

  • orange knit cap
  • orange sweatshirt
  • sunglasses
  • fake yellow fur or yellow felt
  1. Cut the yellow fur or felt into the shape of a mustache and attach it to the sunglasses with hot glue.
  2. That's it.  Seriously.  That's it.  

Happy, happy Halloween!  Be safe and have fun! 

Tags kids book, halloween kids, easy halloween kids, easy kids costumes, halloween treats quick
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story time with snacks: popcorn by Frank Asch and a last-minute party treat idea!

October 20, 2017 ashley donati

I like to make a few special treats for the neighborhood kids coming to my house for trick-or-treating.  This year, I am a little crunched for time, so I tried to pick treat recipes that were quick and easy-peasy. These popcorn hands are so simple.  They take minutes to make, and kids love them.  Today, we read a classic Halloween book, Popcorn, by Frank Asch and made some spooky popcorn hands for our visitors.  

Popcorn is sure to get some giggles from the little bears in your life.  Bear decides to invite all of his friends to a Halloween party at his house.  Each guest is asked to bring a snack to share, and every one just happens to bring corn kernels for popping. Bear puts all of the kernels in a giant pot and underestimates how much popcorn will come from the kernels.  Pretty soon, the entire house is filled with popcorn!  

If you want to make your own popcorn hand treats, you will need:

  • clear plastic gloves
  • your favorite candy (we used skittles, but m&ms or candy corn would be great too.)
  • popcorn
  • ribbon

  The candy goes in the fingers first to look like finger nails.  Then stuff the glove with popcorn.  You may have to crush the kernels a little bit to get it into the finger sections.  Tie it closed with the ribbon. That's it!  Don't you just love something that looks more impressive than it was to make?  I do! I do!  

Tags kidsbooks, picturebooks, halloween
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