This funny book teaches children and adults alike about javelinas (pronounced: “HAVELEENA”) and yes, most people think that they are a variety of wild pig - nope, they are “peccaries.”
As a resident of Arizona, we actually encounter javelinas from time to time, and these encounters are all the more interesting now that we have learned so much from this wonderful book! My children adore this book and love shouting out the oft repeated refrain: “Don’t call me pig!”
In addition to the fun, rhyming text, the book features marvelous and funny illustrations of the javelinas. Both the text and the illustrations describe their physical characteristics and their life in a manner that is appealing even to young children.
For adults who want the straight facts, there are two pages at the end of the book that discuss javelinas in a more narrative manner. This book should appeal to any child who is curious about wildlife, or the southwestern United States. It would be a great book for teachers too. My kids learned a lot, and so did I!
Book Recommendations, Southwestern US, animals, children's books, educational, exceptional illustrations, funny, nature, older children, picture books, young children
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I can’t write this one as a traditional “review” since it is a bit premature. I only just heard about this book today, and obviously have not yet read it.
On NPR this morning, there was an interview with Laurie David and Cambria Gordon, the authors of The Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming.
The authors are apparently the producers of Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth.
This book is a guide to global warming aimed at children (according to Amazon, ages 9-12). The NPR interview says the book features kid-friendly science to explain the phenomenon, and has ideas for what kids can do to help combating global warming.
Ms. David and Ms. Gordon explain that they are attempting to reach children while they are young, and create a shift in their consciousness. They want to teach children to think about how their daily activities affect global warming. They give the example of going to the mall and coming home with five different plastic (petroleum-based) bags. Why not take a reusable canvas bag to the mall?
Water bottles are another example of the change in thinking that the authors hope to pass along to young readers. According to the authors, 2.5 million water bottles PER HOUR go in the trash. Why not carry your own refillable water bottle? (For more on bottled water, please check out my post “Unplug Your Water“).
They also suggest starting a “Green Team” at school to reduce school lunch waste or enact a “no-idle” rule in the drop-off lane.
This book relies on the power of “kids with a cause.” No one will be more likely to reprimand parents on their choice of paper towels or light bulbs than an informed child. So…beware! If you have your children read this book, be prepared to hear criticism of your personal habits until you make them “greener!”
Hear the interview here (3 minutes, 42 seconds).
Book Recommendations, Everything Else!, children's books, educational, environment, involved kids, kids' books, nature, older children
| adult books, Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, Book Recommendations, Cambria Gordon, children's books, Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming, environment, environmental awareness, environmental impact, global warming, Laurie David, nature, nature books
My 7 year-old daughter won’t sleep without one of these under her pillow! I bought these as a stocking stuffer two Christmases ago for my daughter (then 5) and they have become part of her nightly ritual ever since.
After I tuck her in, she picks a card and looks at the picture while I read the back. Lately she has started reading the back herself. Some nights, my 5 year-old son even asks for one.
These cards have gorgeous Victorian illustrations on one side (with plenty of fairies and many images of children in fantastic, magical surroundings). The other side presents a soothing poem to put sweet thoughts into a child’s head before sleep.
These are not “children’s” poems but are works by such poets and authors as Rumi, Oscar Wilde, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, as well as many lesser known and anonymous writers (there is even one Navajo saying). The art work is dated and attributed to it’s illustrator, when known.
Some of the poems are quite sophisticated and at times it is difficult to find a quick and simple pre-bedtime answer to the question “what is that about.” The language of many poems can also be a bit archaic and complex, but my daughter does not seem to mind this.
Her favorite card is “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” by Emily Dickinson and she likes to recite this one by heart. The cards are well-laminated and still look new after one year of loving use (except for the one that my son cut with scissors and we had to tape back together - oh well!).
When asked for a quote for this blog, my daughter says that I must tell people: “These cards make you have really good dreams!”
Book Recommendations, Toy Recommendations, art, cards (literary), cards/card games, children's books, exceptional illustrations, fairies, older children, poems, young children
| art, Book Recommendations, Cooper Edens, fairies, kids poetry, poetry, Sweet Dreams Cards, Toy Recommendations
I found this hardcover picture book at Tuesday Morning for $2.99. Even at Amazon, this hardcover is only $7.95 (and part of their 4-for-3 Promotion)! I don’t know why it is in everybody’s bargain bin, because I think it is totally cute!
This is the simple, classic story of Snow White recounted with no literary embelishments. The characters however, are dogs.
The photos are very cute and of good quality. The dogs are dressed up in costumes and are acting out the story (I know dogs can be cooperative animals, but I still suspect that a certain amount of photo manipulation is involved here).
I love the choice of the “cast.” Snow White is a lovable and innocent Golden Retriever, the wicked and vain Queen is a Poodle, and the Huntsman is played by a Rottweiler! The Seven Dwarfs are beyond cute (all small breeds of course).
Perhaps this is vaguely reminiscent in an odd way of that bizarre old painting of the dogs playing poker. Is that why no one wants to buy this one? I don’t know. But I do know that my kids and I read it again and again. I see this as a hidden treasure for any animal loving family!
Book Recommendations, animals, children's books, older children, photos, picture books, young children
| Book Recommendations, Book Recommendations, children's books, dogs, Fairy Tails, fairy tales, Hylas, Snow White, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The idea behind these cards is to help kids learn the pleasures of positive actions. I am not a baby flashcard kind of person, but since my 6 year-old daughter is so into the Sweet Dreams Cards, I thought she might like these. She does! We do a Sweet Dreams Card before bed, and a Karma Card in the morning.
The idea is that a child chooses a card and does what the card says. Some examples are: “Choose one of your toys to donate to a charity,” and “find a penny dated the year of your birth and give it away to someone special.”
Most of the cards spread kindness to others, or help you feel better about yourself. Several are merely useful in a more practical sense, such as practicing a family fire drill, or learning the words to your national anthem.
If you are interested, there are also adult Karma Cards with different themes. I have not looked at any of these others, but please check the Karma Coaching Cards website if you want to see what else they offer.
Book Recommendations, Toy Recommendations, cards (literary), cards/card games, children's books, educational, older children
| Book Recommendations, cards (literary), educational, educational toys, Karma Cards, Karma Coaching Cards, Toy Recommendations
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