Because trouble comes in all sizes.
“Bear’s Busy Family”, from the Bear series of children’s board books published by Barefoot Books, invites young readers to meet the members of the bear family as they work collectively to prepare for a family members birthday party. Writer Stella Blackstone spins a lyrical tale with rhyming words which dance off the page. Coupled with Illustrator Debbie Harter’s fun, imaginative imagery, a young reader will delight in being swept away by this charming little book.
An Apple iPad transformed into a coloring book? Probably not the first thing that comes to mind for this coveted tech gadget. Nonetheless, kids applications are being developed at a furious pace for the device. The upcoming Crayola ColorStudio HD promises to elevate the ubiquitous coloring book to a magical experience.
I just recently watched a video of a real product targeted to parents of girls to teach self defense. Without question, it’s an awfully bad advertisement. But it does draw attention to a serious subject.
Timeless classic would be an apt description for “A Sick Day for Amos McGee”, a wonderfully appealing children’s book published by Roaring Brook Press. The creative team of writer Phillip C. Stead and illustrator Erin E. Stead breathe life into the world of Amos McGee, an elderly zookeeper who benevolently provides empathy and understanding to his special friends at the zoo each and every day.
Another holiday season has come and gone yet the spirit of family remains. In addition to the benefit of being able to decompress from the daily grind, the chance to focus on connections, the ties that bind, remind us of our humanity. For so many parents, the work life balance can prove to be unbearable. Especially in times of financial strife as so many families have encountered over the past year. Still, the opportunity to loosen the shackles for even a short amount of time can be the spark that ignites hope anew. A chance to take a sinking boat and point it home.
As adults we often forget our perception of the world when we were children. The sheer scope of sensory stimulation a toddler experiences can be simply overwhelming at times. In fact, it can be frightening to the extent that a child may withdraw from social interaction. Such was the case with my precocious yet painfully shy in public 2 year old daughter. Yet inexplicably at a recent children’s party, my demure little angel took a hammer to her self-imposed wall of shyness and pulverized it to dust.
One of the Bear series of children’s board books published by Barefoot Books, “Bear at Work”, tells a whimsical tale of a day in the life of a postal worker bear living in a small town. Embodied with Debbie Harter’s vibrantly rich illustration style as well as Stella Blackstone’s playful use of rhyme, this inviting little book easily captivates the attention of young readers.
Bitingly frigid weather poses pitfalls for young and old alike. As a parent of young children though, the challenge lies in how to keep your active kids entertained indoors when the temperature becomes too extreme outside. They’re bound to get cranky due to boredom unless you engage them with compelling activities. Therefore, the CuteMonster™ team has come up with a list of ideas to diminish the possibility of kids plunging into cabin fever meltdown.
The great children’s board-book, “I LEGO N.Y.” by designer and illustrator Christoph Niemann, will delight children and adults alike. Thanks to the author and the good folks at Abrams Books, we’re giving away a free copy!