When it comes to first friends, how many of us can count a specific stuffed animal? There is something special about the relationship that kids develop with their toys. The idea has launched countless franchises (hello Winnie the Pooh!) because it is something that we are all familiar with. Today, we had the opportunity to check out a beautiful new children’s book about bravery, friendship, and teamwork that celebrates the relationship between child and toy, and shows how that friendship can lead to important lessons.
Author Archives: Vicki
15 Mindfulness Books for Kids
Our kids are busier and more stressed than any generation before them. To grapple with the stress and chaos of day to day life, it can be incredibly beneficial to teach easy breathing techniques and mindfulness activities for kids. I decided to gather a list of mindfulness books for kids that can help them to slow down, focus on their breathing, and control the big emotions surrounding them.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of Teach Your Child Meditation and Crab & Whale in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Learning about Animal Families
What do you call a group of owls? While this may seem like the start of a joke, it’s not! (The answer is a Parliament). I have always been interested in finding out what different animal families are called. So when we had the opportunity to check out today’s book, I was thrilled to learn a variety of animal group names that I had never heard before. This inspired me to create some fun animal family activities with my daughter as well.
Teaching Sign Language to Kids with Nita’s First Signs!
I love sign language. When I was in college, I was thrilled to be able to take a sign language course. I have always loved watching people sign, and wish that I could do the same. I knew that I wanted to teach my daughter sign language when she was a baby, and she quickly picked up a couple of words. Once she started talking, we didn’t stick to it as much. But I am always showing her the alphabet and hoping to continue our sign language journey together. So I was really excited when I had the opportunity to check out today’s book about sign language for kids from Familius!
13 Children’s Books about Musicians Who Changed Music
Music can be incredibly powerful. A song can evoke a memory, make us wonder, or give us something to think about. There are lots of wonderful children’s books about musicians and the songs that have made a difference in our society. So, today I have gathered 13 of them to share with you.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of Stand Up and Sing! and Write On, Irving Berlin in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Teaching Kids about Autism Spectrum Disorder with Stewie BOOM!
Autism Spectrum Disorder is often misunderstood, leading to lots of confusion for kids and adults alike. Books are a great way to introduce kids to the topics of neuro-diversity and the idea that their friends may think and feel differently than they do. Today’s book is a great resource for teaching kids about Autism Spectrum Disorder, and how they can help them to feel more comfortable.
A Whole New World: Looking at Aladdin in a New Way
I am a huge Disney fan, and I am raising my daughter to be one as well. I spend my day watching Disney shows, singing Disney songs and reading Disney books. When I saw that there was a YA series that takes beloved Disney tales and turns them on their heads, I was very excited to check it out. These twisted Disney tales bring your favorite characters to life with deeper backstories, emotions and issues. I started out reading the twisted version of Aladdin, and I’m so glad I did!
Girls in STEM: Picture Books & Chapter Books Starring Female Characters
Were you a fan of STEM subjects in school? Despite the fact that my parents told me that I could do anything, I remember being told by teachers at school that I couldn’t do things because I was a girl. Because of this, it means even more to me that I surround my daughter with some of the amazing children’s books about girls in STEM, so that she won’t be lead to believe that “it’s only for the boys”. I love that there are so many amazing resources available now to get kids interested in science, computing and engineering from an early age. So I decided to gather a list of amazing picture books and chapter books that feature girls in STEM!
The Beedog: Scientific Discovery for Kids
I love books that encourage kids to explore the world around them. When kids learn to discover things on their own and direct their own learning, they can unearth new information and interests. Today’s book focuses on scientific discovery for kids. It not only introduces readers to a pair of curious kids, but also joins them on their journey of discovery as they explore something new on their own.
Learning to Be Yourself with Perfectly Norman
We each have something that makes us special and unique. Whether it is creative skills, intellectual ability or a caring or empathetic nature, every one of us has something that sets us apart. It is so important to help kids understand that they are unique in their own way, and to not be afraid or embarrassed of the things that make them special. Today’s children’s book about being yourself is a great story about an ordinary boy who learns that he is extraordinary, and how he copes with what makes him different.
