Screen-free Fun
May 1st through 7th is Screen-free Week! Why not encourage your child to enjoy a few days with no TV, computer or tablet?
Can You Judge a Song By Its Cover?
Previously, I posted a list of my favorite “guilty pleasure” songs. Today, I want to talk about covers. Sometimes they’re good; other times… not so much. Some are more popular than the originals. Then there are some songs, like Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” that are so great they get covered over and over.
Women of the Periodic Table
Ever since reading The Disappearing Spoon, I’ve had a minor obsession with the periodic table. Each element has its own quirks and its own story. Those stories, of course, involve the people who discovered and studied the elements. For Women’s History Month, I thought it would be interesting to explore the women of the periodic table. Two of them have elements named for them — you probably know a few things about Marie Curie. Others you may never have heard of.
Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners: Not Just For Kids
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given out yearly to “outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.” Since 1970, the award named for Martin Luther King Jr.’s wife has honored such authors as Toni Morrison, Sharon Draper, and Walter Dean Myers. Although the books receiving the award are written for a young audience, many of them are also great reads for adults. Take a look at some of these winning titles.
Sing!
Singing with your child is a wonderful bonding experience. Did you know it also helps them get ready to read?
Gotta Have Faith
“Wham!” said the headline, “star George Michael dies.” And that’s how I read it. If you pretend for a moment that Wham! isn’t the name of a band, the statement … Continued
Helping Your Reluctant Reader
Some kids just don’t seem interested in books. So, how do you help your child get over their reluctance? Read on for suggestions and books to help your reluctant reader.
Grumping With the Very Best
We all get a little bit grumpy sometimes, right? Why not make it fun by harrumphing along with the internet’s favorite feline curmudgeon, Grumpy Cat? She’s not just a meme, she’s a celebrity, and we’ve got plenty of grouchy fun for you in the form of books and DVDs. There’s a whole world of grumpiness out there to explore.
Kids’ Books for Grown-Ups
Because I work with children, I read a lot of children’s books. Most of the time, I enjoy them just as much as books written for adults. We all know what a hit Harry Potter was with people of all ages. Here are some more books my fellow adults might love.
“Time is a precious thing. Never waste it.”
With a distinctive voice and a sparkle in his eye, Gene Wilder lit up the screen whenever he appeared. He starred in several of my all-time favorite movies, including two of Mel Brooks’s best, Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles.