Babies & Kids Blog » Books

Yesterday I shared with you Scholastic’s Top 25 Picture Books. Here are the Top 25 Chapter books, chosen by 200 school teachers. Many of these children’s books made a major impact on my childhood. Charlotte’s Web was the first book I ever cried over and Anne of Green Gables made me realize it was okay to be smart and headstrong. Little House on the Prairie was special to me because I grew up in the cold upper midwest, where Laura Ingalls Wilder spent her childhood. Did your favorites make the list?

1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (HarperCollins). Some pig, indeed. Monica Edinger, fourth-grade teacher and author of Using Beloved Classics to Deepen Reading Comprehension, calls Charlotte’s Web “the great American children’s novel…beginning with that remarkable first sentence ‘Where’s Papa going with that ax?’”

Who it’s for: Grades 3–6
What it’s about: The classic tale of the talented spider who uses all her energies to save the life of her friend Wilbur, farmyard pig and soon-to-be dinner. Gareth Williams’ illustrations add depth and sensitivity to this beautiful story of simple miracles.

2. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (HarperCollins).

Who it’s for: Grades 4–7
What it’s about: Leslie brings a whole new world to the life of the main character Jesse. She ruins his dream of being the fastest 5th grader (she is), creates a magical world with him, and then leaves him just as he begins to come into his own. A lovely classic.

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (Scholastic). When the NEA surveyed teachers on kids’ books in 1999, Harry Potter had yet to cast a spell. Now the whole world is hooked!

Who it’s for: Grades 2 and up
What it’s about: The magical first year of a young wizard’s first year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (HarperCollins).

Who it’s for: Grades 3–6
What it’s about: An English brother and sister discover a wardrobe that opens into a different land. The first book in a beloved series, this story introduces us to Narnia, its cold and evil witch, and loving lion, Aslan, and awakens the hero in the siblings.

5. Holes by Louis Sachar (FSG).

Who it’s for: Grades 4–8
What it’s about: The compelling and complex story of Camp Green Lake and the boys who dig holes to “build character”. As our hero discovers that there is more to the holes than just punishment, he begins to fulfill his own destiny. Terrific social commentary!

6. The Giver by Lois Lowry (Random House), makes kids think. “It’s wonderful for discussing politics,” says brave teacher Jennifer Kopp.

Who it’s for: Grades 4–8
What it’s about: In a world free of disease and crime, Jonas takes up his role as the Receiver of Memory. As the images and ideas of a world that was flawed but free begin to enter his mind, Jonas begins to question everything about the world he lives in.

7. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick).

Who it’s for: Grades 3–6
What it’s about: Winn-Dixie is the dog that frequently leads our protagonist, Opal, into new adventures and occasional trouble. She also helps her create a world in which she can accept herself, others, and the fact that her mother abandoned her seven years before.

8. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (Penguin).

Who it’s for: Grades 3–7
What it’s about: Oh, that Fudge! Fourth-grader Peter has to put up with 3-year-old Fudge’s shenanigans day and night, but when Fudge steals Peter’s turtle, it’s the last straw. A wonderful book for older siblings, no matter what their age.

9. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (FSG). Jennifer Roy, author of Yellow Star, says her childhood fave “makes math, science, and philosophy appealing.” Really.

Who it’s for: Grades 3–7
What it’s about: Meg Murray and her siblings journey to another world in this classic.

10. Frindle by Andrew Clements (Simon & Schuster).

Who it’s for: Grades 4–6
What it’s about: Watch out! This is the story of ornery Nick Allen, who circumvents his English teacher and makes a new word (“frindle” replacing “pen”) which becomes a world-wide sensation.

11. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Random House).

Who it’s for: Grades 3–6
What it’s about: The famous tale of poor Charlie and his winning ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. The other kids drop like flies as they disobey Willy’s rules, but Charlie prevails in the end—bringing his family with him.

12. Junie B., First Grader (At Last!) by Barbara Park (Random House).

Who it’s for: Grades 1–3
What it’s about: Junie B., of the popular series, makes it to first grade. But here, a whole new set of problems beset her—new friends, old friends who are changing and what’s more? She needs glasses! A great installment in a terrific series.

13. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (Random House).

Who it’s for: Grades 3–7
What it’s about: A remarkable story of a Depression-era boy growing up in the Ozarks. With his bluetick hound in tow, Billy Colman spends his days roaming the woods, hunting raccoons. Tragedy will strike this tale, but life goes on, as does the red fern.

14. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (FSG). Snag this idea from Jane Yolen: “I use the opening in writing classes as an example of sheer beauty.”

Who it’s for: Grades 4–8
What it’s about: A haunting story that is part nature tale, part adventure story, and part romance. The Tuck family has found the fountain of youth and they protect it well. But when they decide to share it, they will learn an important lesson (so will the reader).

15. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (Random House).

Who it’s for: Grades 2–6
What it’s about: Classic story about a curious observer who ends up an outcast for her observations. The presentation of peer interactions is both funny and painfully accurate. In the end, Harriet will have to come to terms with growing up on her own (she does!).

16. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary (HarperCollins).

Who it’s for: Grades 2–5
What it’s about: Cleary’s insightful and funny presentation of the workings of a third grader’s head continues to please kids across time. Ramona is smart, engaging and funny and her daily adventures never stop entertaining!

17. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (HarperCollins).

Who it’s for: Grades 2–6
What it’s about: Part of the treasured series, this book introduces us to the Kansas prairie life of young Laura. Having traveled there by covered wagon, the book outlines the setting up of hearth and home and dealing with all the travails of the true 1860 house!

18. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (Simon & Schuster).

Who it’s for: Grades 3–6
What it’s about: You’ll never visit a museum in the same way again! This is the wonderful story of Claudia and her brother Jamie, who didn’t want an “old-fashioned” running away, and so they move into the Met. And that is just the beginning…

19. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (Little, Brown).

Who it’s for: Grades 2–6
What it’s about: This Newbery Award winner concerns the day-to-day of Jeffrey (Maniac) Lionel Magee; part kid, part folk-hero, all fun. He tries to undo racism, knit fighting factions together, and generally bring peace and good will to make a home.

20. The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett.

Who it’s for: Grades 2–6
What it’s about: Two children, sour and stifled in a gloomy British estate house, find a locked and secret garden. The discovery of this place of flowers and sun revitalizes the children physically and mentally. A terrific story of new life from old….

21. Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech (HarperCollins).

Who it’s for: Grades 2–6
What it’s about: Dallas and Florida have seen the inside of one too many foster homes. But when a compassionate couple takes them in, new life develops. We see the two kids begin to rely on themselves even as they learn to love and develop new relationships.

22. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (Penguin).

Who it’s for: Grades 4–8
What it’s about: A fascinating story of a large and loving African-American family in the Deep South 1930s. We read through the relationships within the family even as we watch them navigate hatred and discrimination from without.

23. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

Who it’s for: Grades 2–6
What it’s about: When Anne, age eleven and an orphan, is mistakenly sent to the Cuthbert’s, who wanted farm help, they could’ve sent her back. They don’t. The lovable Anne—center of a number of stories—begins her new life on Prince Edward Island.

24. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick (Scholastic).

Who it’s for: Grades 6–9
What it’s about: Two boys, living with mismatched difficulties, learn to overcome the world’s obstacles with each other’s help. Inspired by King Arthur’s tales, the friendship will even be able to survive the death of one of the pair, since friendship doesn’t die.

25. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (HarperCollins). We can’t believe it’s over either.

Who it’s for: Grades 3–7
What it’s about: The beginning of one of the most unique children’s book series. Woe to the Baudelaire children, and all the events that befall them! Plucky, smart and funny, these kids outwit the many unfortunate events that come their way.

image: playbooks

Find more kids’ books at Smarter.com.

Looking to start your Christmas shopping but don’t know where to start? Books always make a great gift. Scholastic surveyed 200 teachers to find out which picture books are the most loved. Here are 25 timeless treasures:

1. Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak, (HarperCollins, 1963) is “so compressed in its language and so exuberant in its pictures and so psychologically right,” says author Jane Yolen, herself nominated for Owl Moon. “I return to it again and again.” So do teachers! Max earned three times as many votes as a certain munching insect.

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–3

What it’s about: When Max is sent to bed without his dinner, he imagines an adventure to the land of the Wild Things, where he meets a crowd of fanciful beasts. When he becomes homesick, he wakes up in his bedroom to find his warm supper waiting for him.

2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (Penguin, 1969).

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–2

What it’s about: Eric Carle’s colorful classic depicts the famished insect eating his way through an apple, two pears, three plums and a smorgasbord of other treats. Along the way, readers learn about colors and counting—not to mention the life cycle of a caterpillar.

3. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton Mifflin, 1985). For many of you this shadowy story is a winter must, up there with hot chocolate and mittens. Third-grade teacher Janice Wright explains: “It’s magic.”

Who it’s for: Grades K–5

What it’s about: Could there be a better Christmas tale than that of a boy lying awake on Christmas Eve who is taken by Santa himself to the North Pole? This Caldecott winner encourages kids to believe in the spirit of Christmas.

4. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (HarperCollins).

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–2

What it’s about: A young bunny tries to stave off sleep by bidding goodnight to every item he can think of leading himself (and readers!) to a quiet sense of peace. Clement Hurd’s illustrations range from small black and white drawings to full color beauties.

5. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Sheila McGraw (Firefly).
“I can’t help myself, I cry every time I read it,” says Instructor editor Hannah Trierweiler. Sniff. Pass the tissues.

Who it’s for: Grades K–3

What it’s about: The story of a boy and his mom. While the mother continues to rock her boy to sleep—even if she must sneak in his bedroom to do so—eventually he will do the same for her. A touching cycle-of-life tale.

6. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (HarperCollins).

Who it’s for: Grades 2–5

What it’s about: This wise and lovely story of the tree that gives her all for love is also a wonderful tale about life transforming the boy that played on her branches to an old man that sits on her stump.

7. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (Simon & Schuster).

Who it’s for: Grades K–5

What it’s about: Once a pebble-collecting donkey finds his lucky stone, misadventure begins. Once Sylvester accidentally turns himself into a stone, it seems all is lost, but eventually he comes back to his donkey self—and wishing is approached more carefully!

8. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (Penguin).

Who it’s for: Grades K–5

What it’s about: Ah, the Parisian adventures of Madeline! Her life with the nuns, her trip to the hospital, and Bemelemans’ depictions of the city still satisfy kids of many ages. This long running series never surpasses the charm of its first installment!

9. The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (Houghton Mifflin).

Who it’s for: Grades 1–4

What it’s about: Before arriving at the happy ending, readers will experience the growth of a city as it surrounds the previously isolated little house. Burton’s fanciful drawings add to the delight of the story.

10. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey (Penguin).

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–2

What it’s about: As Sal and her mom set out to pick blueberries, so do a mother bear and her cub. Eventually the young set swap moms for a cross-species adventure tale and a comedy of errors.

11. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (Penguin).

Who it’s for: Grades K–4

What it’s about: A book that makes the simple, everyday activities of a little boy into an epic. When Peter awakes to the first snow of the season, every detail of the day—from kicking snow off a branch to the attempt to save a snowball—becomes magical.

12. Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (Harcourt). “Kids really connect to the message,” wrote first-grade teacher Laurie Foote. What higher praise could a book receive?

Who it’s for: Grades K–3

What it’s about: A story about a fruit bat raised by birds, this book celebrates uniqueness and independence. As a beautifully told tale with gorgeous illustrations and a section of bat information as well, this book has it all.

13. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond (HarperCollins).

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–2

What it’s about: Oh, that hungry mouse. Once you give him the cookie, the trail of action is unstoppable! By the end, the mouse, the boy that gives him the cookie (and perhaps the reader) are exhausted! With terrific illustrations and a wonderful lead character.

14. The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Penguin).

Who it’s for: Grades 1–4

What it’s about: A powerful narrative with echoes of metaphor, this is a story about a fence that divides a white neighborhood from a black one and the two little girls whose need for play and companionship allow them to straddle and then cross it.

15. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr (Penguin).

Who it’s for: Grades 1–5

What it’s about: A classic example of child’s mind expanding a simple walk into a glorious adventure. As a girl and her father hike through the moonlit night, the creatures they encounter become thrilling companions for their owl hunt.

16. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs (Random House) is the only wordless tale on our list.

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–2

What it’s about: A great book to lead a child into reading. A whimsical story of a boy who makes and then befriends a snowman who both enters his world and takes him out on a nighttime escapade. The enigmatic ending can also be a great beginning.

17. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton Mifflin).

Who it’s for: Grades 2–6

What it’s about: This exquisite book offers fourteen drawing with captions, each its own launch pad for stories and imaginings of any sort. The lack of a cohesive narrative allows, indeed requires, that kids provide their own ideas of what happens next.

18. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (Penguin). Anita Silvey, author of 100 Best Books for Children, cherishes McCloskey’s “subtle economy in text and art.”

Who it’s for: Grades K–3

What it’s about: Watch out for urban ducks… A great read aloud book, this tale of two mallards who decide to raise their family in the Boston’s Public Garden is a perennial favorite. Beautiful drawings and a great story make Boston seem perfect for ducks!

19. SkippyJon Jones by Judy Schachner (Penguin). This 2003 story of a mischievous cat has the distinction of being the newest teacher pick.

Who it’s for: Grades 1–4

What it’s about: A wonderful combo of story, rhyme, Spanish-English hybrid, color, action and pure joy, this book has something to enchant any kid and is a fantastic read aloud. SkippyJon is part kitten, part dynamo. A real fiesta (muy caliente)!

20. No, David! by David Shannon (Scholastic).

Who it’s for: Grades K–4

What it’s about: As little David careens from one forbidden activity to the next, with his mom shouting the title, David’s naughty output is impressive. A kids’ book with a “real” soundtrack, the text is drawn from a book the author produced when he was 5!

21. The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco (Simon & Schuster).

Who it’s for: Grades K–3

What it’s about: A rich immigrant’s tale, this book is the classic American story. A quilt that is made from the bits and pieces of the past to warm up the present, it provides not just the story, but the only color in these otherwise black and white ink drawings.

22. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by George & Doris Hauman (Penguin). Will the real Watty Piper please stand up—and accept our hurrahs? (It’s a pseudonym for the original publisher; the author is disputed.)

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–3

What it’s about: What would childhood be without the whispered “I think I can, I think I can”? This book is possibly the best-known children’s classic and a wonderful read-aloud. Its positive message has underscored the days of thousands of children.

23. The Mitten by Jan Brett (Penguin). Second-grade teacher Donna Thaggard echoed many voters when she said “any book by Brett” is bound to be an instant favorite.

Who it’s for: Grades K–4

What it’s about: With illustrations to delight, this story of a grandma-knitted mitten that becomes a home to a whole group of chilly winter animals—until a sneeze ousts them all—is a perfect winter companion. Nicki’s glove has a life of its own!

24. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Random House). Thank goodness the good doctor accepted a bet that he couldn’t write a story using only 50 words. As Instructor editor Jennifer Prescott sums up in only five words: “I do so like it!”

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–3

What it’s about: I am Sam, Sam I am. Possibly the most fun a kid can have while learning to read, this book’s repetitive phrases, simple drawings and goofy charm make it one of childhood’s must-haves.

25. Curious George by H.A. and Margret Ray (Houghton Mifflin).

Who it’s for: Grades PreK–2

What it’s about: The world’s most beloved monkey! Curious George has had many adventures in his day, but it all starts with this classic. Introduce a new generation of readers to his irrepressible chimp.

image: babble

Having three young children, I am all too aware of how toys can clutter up a house and take over all the rooms you once thought of as your own. I made a decision a few years ago to buy only (or at least mostly) books as gifts for children. I knew I might not endear myself to the recipients of these gifts so some serious research had to be done! I would have to choose well in order to dispel the myth held by so many children that books are boring.

Surrounding children with great and well-illustrated books can give them a lifelong love for reading and and also for art and illustration, an equally important aspect of children’s books. The best gifts for children are those that are enduring and inspiring, a book can be both of these. For gifts I would choose hardbacks and classic books that are suitable for a wide enough age-range that the child will enjoy the gift for years to come.

I have listed some books which I think make ideal gifts for children. More to come at a later date!

The Complete Alice: Slipcased Gift Set - The two books in this boxed set are classics and will make a very special gift for a child of any age. The illustrations are beautifully executed and will be appreciated by both adults and children.

The Classic Treasury of Aesop’s Fables - This is a beautifully-illustrated book that will enchant and delight. A lovely gift for children of all ages.

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy (Book & CD) - A rhyming book (great for developing language skills) which has some fantastic animal characters including “Noodle the Poodle” and “The Poppadum kittens from Parkinson Place”. A wonderful read!

The first weeks of life are new and frightening to your baby.  They’ve spent 9 plus months in the comfort of your womb, snuggled in tight and warm with lots of restful white noise.  Swaddling mimics the secure feeling of being in the womb and when done correctly, can dramatically reduce newborn crying.

You might notice that your newborn startles himself awake or seems frightened by his own movements.  He may cry for what seems like “no reason”.  Your baby feels lost in this big wide open world and he is struggling trying to find the snug comfort he needs.

So how do you do it?

Step 1:  Lay a blanket on a bed (or soft and safe surface) and fold down the top-right corner about 6 inches.  You will want a blanket slightly larger than the average receiving blanket because you want your swaddle to stay bundled and not unfold when the baby moves.   Some blankets, such as the Miracle Blanket (pictured above) are specifically designed for swaddling.

Step 2:  Lay baby down on his back with his head on the fold.

Step 3:  Pull the corner near your baby’s left hand across his body, and tuck the leading edge under his back on the right side under the arm.

Step 4:  Pull the bottom corner up under your baby’s chin.

Step 5:  Bring the loose corner over your baby’s right arm and tuck it under the back on his left side.

This tight full body swaddle is great for the first month or so, but as time goes on you may notice that your baby is more comfortable with his arms free.  Also, after the first month you will want to loosen the swaddle around the hips so you do not interfere with your baby’s normal growth.  Watch an instructional clip on how to swaddle below.

YouTube - Watch  .

Be very careful that you do not over dress your baby.  Check your baby to make sure he is not too warm.  Never, ever place your newborn or infant on his stomach, especially when he is swaddled.  When you do lay your baby down, make sure that the area is clear of blankets and pillows.

If you would like to know more about swaddling and other methods for helping your baby to be content longer and sleep better, I highly recommend the book “The Happiest Baby on the Block” by Dr. Harvey Karp (Lowest Price on Smarter.com: $4.64) .

It is the single most helpful book I used when my daughter was an infant.

Good luck new moms!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for affordable swaddling blankets and receiving blankets.

There are several women in my life who are expecting their very first little bundle of joy!  Even though they haven’t fully experience all the trials, tribulations and happiness of being a mother, they are still mothers.  While browsing around I found some cute ideas for Mother’s Day gifts for new mommies:

Give them a travel kit of Erbaorganics products which includes stretch mark oil, organic stretch mark cream, organic bath oil and organic foot and leg refresher.

Body Care Erbaorganics Mommy-to-be Travel Kit:  $13.99 - Lowest price on Smarter.com.

The Baby Owner’s Manual has good reviews, is affordable and has a funny and fun approach to teaching new parents about parenting.

The Baby Owners Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice in First-Year Maintenance: $10.85 - Lowest price on Smarter.com

Who doesn’t like taking a hot shower, stepping out of the steam and then wrapping themselves in a warm terry clothing robe?  Ahhhh!  

Terrycloth Bath Robe: $39.99

If she doesn’t have one already, a digital camera is a really great gift for a new mommy.  She can capture all the “first” moments and then upload them to her Facebook or MySpace page to share with friends and family.   One that I’ve had my eye on for a while is the super thin new Sony DSC-G3 Cybershot at $499.99.

*Use coupon code 3A825 at check out at Crutchfield.com to get $20 your order of $100 or more. 

These are just a feel material ideas.  The best gifts are homemade or you can offer “one free day/one evening of babysitting.”  Make a cute card or coupon using your saavy and creative computer skills!  Your time is one of the best gifts!

Find at Smarter.com:   Shop for more spa products and parenting books.
Discounts on  women’s robes and digital cameras.

While reading bedtime stories to my two children for the past twelve years, I’ve found a few favorites which I think you’ll also enjoy. After a warm bath, get your child cozy with a stuffed friend like this teddy and start the stories…

There’s just something about a stuffed animal that makes bedtime so much easier.

Yellow Dotty Super Teddy handmade by Anne of Murdock Designs.

The classic Boynton board book will get them in the mood with silly text and pictures…

      The Going to Bed Book: $1.60

Another great Boynton book that I can still recite by heart is…

  Moo, Baa, La La La! $0.25

I personally love the rhyming text of Sheep in a Jeep: $4.90…

For kids who are a little older, Shel Silverstein is a favorite. (This is actually the first book my sister learned to read.)

The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book w/CD: $7.54

Now that they are pre-teens, the boys still enjoy a bedtime story, but for individual reading, if you are shopping for a boy, they highly recommend this Star Wars book…

The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars: $21.40

And once they are snuggled in their beds, you can snuggle up with a carton of ice cream. Keep your hands warm with this ice cream cozy, handmade by Rachel of Vintage Songbird.

P.S. If you enjoy reading blogs, Rachel has her own which you can read here.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through all children’s books.

Last night I watched a rerun of the Dr. Phil show “Cyber Bullies”.  This morning a read an article entitled “Bullying from behind the computer screen” where Jay McGraw, who was once a victim of bullying, discussed how cyber bullying is growing.  It is still growing even though stories have come out like the 13 year-old who commited suicide after being taunted and tricked by someone whom she thought was a cute teenage boy on MySpace (which ended up being some mean girls and a mother of one of the girls who just wanted to mess with her). 

I know cyber bullies exist, but I am only familiar with the “old school” way of bullying - teasing and harassing at school, and the victim goes home or doesn’t want to go to school to deal with it.  With all the little gadgets kids have these days (if their parents allow them) it is seemingly harder to escape harassment even at home.  Kids can be really mean and it really disturbs me that being a bully is somewhat still considered “cool” or pardon my French “bad ass” to most kids. 

You should read the entire article. 

You can purchase Jay McGraw’s book Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies at Smarter.com - Lowest price: $6.88

So, the new Grand Theft Auto 4 video game just came out and about 140 million copies were sold with it’s release.  That’s pretty crazy considering most movies don’t even hit that number.  I know you all are great parents and will not be allowing your children to play this “mature” game, but I wanted to discuss an article that I found on MSNBC.com.  Two Harvard  researchers wrote a book called Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games & What Parents Can Do.

They actually talked to the kids to see how they felt about video games.

“The pair reached that conclusion after conducting a two-year study of more than 1,200 middle-school children about their attitudes towards video games.” ‘”What we did that had rarely been done by other researchers was actually talk to the kids. It sounds bizarre but it hadn’t been done,” Kutner said.”

Click here to read more about this study & it’s findings.  It’s pretty interesting. 

Click here to purchase Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games & What Parents Can Do.

Image Source: blog.lib.umn.edu

I read an article today on BBCNews.co.uk which discussed Annabel Karmel, a British chef/author who is also a mother.  She presents unique & fun ways to give children the food they most need that they don’t necessarily gravitate to like veggies, fish, etc. 

Read the full article here. 

She has written a number of books on cooking & nutrition for babies & children:

The New Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner

Price: $21.21

This book is a revised version of her very first book The Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner.  It gives advice on ways to introduce new tastes and foods to your little ones without making them want throw it at you or across the room!  We all know that a parent’s time is precious so Annabel gives ways parents can freeze food ahead of time for faster cooking. 

Superfoods: For Babies & Children

Price:  $13.49

Annabel shows parents unique & creative ways of displaying nutritious food to children that will give them a foundation for good health & well-being.

Lunch Boxes & Snacks: Over 120 Recipes from Delicious Sandwiches and Salads to Hot Soups and Sweet Treats

Price: $9.84

If you & your child are tired of the same typical bagged lunch everyday this book is for you!  Annabel gives 120 healthy recipes & creative ideas for school lunches that will help your child retain the information they are being taught, increase their energy throughout the day, & strengthen their immune system (which is great because the amount of germs floating around the school yard is crazy).

The Toddler Cookbook

Price:  $6.02

This book is great because it basically teaches your children to almost fend for themselves when it comes to meal time!  It teaches fun & easy recipes that children can help out with in the kitchen. 

Click here for more great books by Annabel Karmel.

This book has been around for a while, but I wanted to share it with those who may not have heard about it.  Love You Forever is about a mother and her unconditional love for her son as he goes through the stages of growing up and becoming a man.  It really is a tear jerker people.  Reading this part (which is repeated several time in the book) always gets me:

“I’ll love you forever.
I’ll like you for always.
As long as I’m living,
My baby you’ll be.”‘

So let the tears flow and read this great book to your child!

For more children’s books click here.