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How To Win Friends and Influence Weasels

9780375856259My 8 year-old son Coleman loved Sneaky Weasel written and illustrated magnificently by Hannah Shaw and I know why. With its wacky type face, its fun illustrations, Shaw’s strong style sense and storyline work together seamlessly to get readers scanning every corner of every page because you won’t want to miss a single thing.

sneaky-interior-2It seems rich, Sneaky Weasel has played one too many a trick which, while bringing him fame and fortune, does not necessarily bring him friends. A castle, a fast car and a huge pool are simply not enough when you cannot share them. However throwing a party to show off is not the best way either. And when no one answers his party invitation, weasel wants to know why. So, you may ask, what’s a clueless weasel to do?

He asks Rabbit who he picked on at school. He asks Rat in his lab whose science experiment was botched by the bully. Hedgehog’s mom intercepts Sneaky Weasel who has made her son itchy from fleas. A bit guilty now, he creeps by Shrew’s house who Weasel once almost served to his cat. Shrew proceeds to tell him off and can it be so? Do we actually witness Sneaky Weasel experiencing more than just a rush of remorse after this confrontation? And, because my son wants a moral to this story, Weasel concocts a plan to be good since it does not come naturally to him. In addition to the Herculean effort he makes to right his wrongs, he still has to learn to say those 2 magic words, “I’m sorry.” But sometimes, just sometimes, he regresses just a little tiny bit …

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A Pop-Up Book from Paul Frank

With summer vacation fast approaching, I’m thinking about parents (myself included) pressed to find something fun and different to do with their kids, be it at the beach, in the car or even in a restaurant. Here’s one sticky solution from Chronicle Books and Paul Frank Industries.

9780811860956_normIf your kids go crazy over Julius the monkey, then they’ll flip over this Julius! Pop-Up Sticker Activity Kit. Included in this portable package of plenty are a pop-up tropical island scene with 2 sticker sheets to decorate it (plus another 8 on separate sheets to stick in the activity book). With mazes and pictures to sticker, to an abundance of other doodling distractions like design the latest invention or create your own costumes and cupcakes, the 48 page activity book is packed with super stuff to entertain your child for hours.

9780811860956_detailKids can stick and draw to their hearts’ content while you catch up on the latest summer fiction. Inside the kit they’ll find familiar Julius and other Paul Frank friends such as Clancy, Bob, Birdie, Worry Bear and Steve the Crab. And be sure to turn to the last page where you can pop out more characters to stand up at the beach and surf shop scene. I’d recommend this for kids 8 and under and at $14.95, it makes a perfect party present, too.

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Starring Mom

210690365Okay, so I’m still stuck on Mother’s Day, humor me. From the editors of LIFE Books comes LIFE With Mother (Time Inc. Home Entertainment, $17.95), densely packed with pictures of mothers throughout the last few decades in poignant and playful poses. Accompanying almost every photo are quotes and proverbs such as my personal favorite:

“God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.”

Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine

These, plus the varied selection of portraits from the past and present – from Diana, Princess of Wales to a Maryland mom of triplets – serve to celebrate moms around the world. This multi-faceted look at moms will warm any heart for Mother’s Day, a birthday, anniversary or to simply say you care.

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Chinese Cooking With Kids

chinese_cookbook_kitHANDSTAND KIDS CHINESE COOKBOOK LAUNCH PARTY!!

What: Join TOTZ Only in celebrating the launch of the third cookbook in the Handstand Kids Cookbook series. The Chinese Cookbook is packaged in a large takeout box with chopsticks!  Kids, aged 3 to 10, will make yummy, organic treats including spring rolls and Chinese noodle clusters!
Where: Totz Only, 3009 W Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, 91505
When: Wednesday, May 13th, 2009, 3:30 pm- 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE! AND receive 10% off ALL Handstand Kids purchases that day.
Sign Up: Handstand Kids – (818) 917-7200 to make reservations or for more information email info@handstandkids.com. Space is limited so hurry!

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Earth Day Contest Winner!

Announcing the Earth Day contest winner!

Congratulations go out to lucky Maria Angulo of Alhambra. She’s won the interactive EARTH DVD game, the EARTH padded activity book (both in conjunction with Disneynature’s new documentary film, EARTH)and the PLANET EARTH 3 Diplanet-earth-dvd-lo-ressc boxed DVD set.

earth_dvd-board-gamecropped1Thank you to everyone who entered. Please continue reading the blog to find out when and what my next contest for blog readers only will be!

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When Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word

p6_kungfoomarthaOkay, an informal parent poll – do you know any child who likes to apologize (or adult for that matter)? I bet my kids are not the only ones who steer clear of that five letter word which is exactly why Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry! by Samantha Berger is so very spot on. The terrific water color illustrations by Bruce Whatley add to this charming and humorous book’s appeal.

Make no mistake about it, this feisty little otter has lots to offer in lots of other ways: she gives hugs, she shares a snack (a biggie in 9780316066822_388x5861our household), but she can also get up to serious no good! And, when one day Martha oversteps her otter boundaries in a big way, she learns an important lesson from her family about taking responsibility for her behavior. Suddenly, saying, “I’m sorry” is not so scary and can even bring delicious rewards! Well done, Martha!

p24_marthanbrother

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Mom and Me

9780887768668In this beautiful World Vision Early Reader book called Mom and Me in collaboration with Tundra Books of Canada, young children can read or be read to while admiring the touching pictures on every page.

Author Marla Stewart Konrad has captured in text what the numerous photographers have
captured in photos from around the world.  

 

mailWe see mom beaming with pride, carrying and feeding her children or simply doing what moms do best, comforting her child in a warm embrace. While the women portrayed may not dress the same or look the same as you or I, they share something in common with moms everywhere, the love of a child.  The colors are bold and vibrant as seen in a sari or a shawl, the scenes are varied from a village shop to a dirt road, but the message of a mother’s devotion to her offspring speaks volumes this Mother’s Day and every day.  Look for more new titles in this splendid series coming soon.

NOTE:  All royalties from the sale of this book go to support World Vision’s work with children.

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RAISING READERS: A Literacy Festival

Get Lit at the Raising Readers Festival

(From our May Calendar section edited by Michael Berick)

imagesSanta Monica College will be the place to be for book lovers old and young (but especially the young ones) May 9 during the annual Raising Readers: A Literacy Festival. Since 2001, the nonprofit child care resource and referral agency Connections for Children (in collaboration with Santa Monica College and Association for the Education of Young Children/North Bay Chapter) has been presenting this special day that celebrates reading and literacy in a number of ways. There will be storytellers, theater groups, musicians and, of course, books. This free event is particularly aimed at children in preschool and the primary grades, where establishing a strong foundation in reading and literacy is so important.

Raising Readers: A Literacy Festival, noon-4 p.m. May 9, Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Free. 310-452-3325, www.connectionsforchildren.org.

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A Mother’s Day With Moore, Julianne That Is!

Freckles, Fun and Julianne Moore

frecklespotbLooking for something different to do with Mom or Grandma this weekend? Why not join actress and mother, Julianne Moore this Mother’s Day, May 10th from 11 am- 1 pm at the Ralph Lauren store 141 N. Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood. Moore will be reading and signing her Freckleface Strawberry books, plus there will be some neat Freckleface activities there for the kids, too! This event, a partnership between Bloomsbury, Cookie magazine and Ralph Lauren, promises to be fun for the entire family.

For my frank Freckleface confessions and book reviews, please check back next Tuesday. Right now, though, get out your PDA and make a date to meet Julianne Moore for Mother’s Day. And remember to bring your freckles!

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EARTH DAY CONTEST ABOUT TO END

earth_dvd-board-gamecropped1Have you entered to win the 3 great prizes for Earth Day? Enter now for your chance to win the interactive EARTH DVD game, the EARTH padded activity book (both in conjunction with Disneynature’s new documentary film, EARTH)and the PLANET EARTH 3 Disc boxed DVD set.

This contest is for blog readers only, but it ends today! Click here to read the original post to find out how to enter.

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Speak with Spinelli

Write SPINELLI on your calendar and recharge your cell phone batteries now!

jerryspinelli_gs“DIAL INTO SUMMER” WITH NEWBERY MEDALIST AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JERRY SPINELLI AS HE HEADS TO THE LOS ANGELES AREA—VIA PHONE!

If you or your child has a question for the author, think about heading over to La Verne to join readers as they chat with this renowned author about his beloved books, STARGIRL and LOVE, STARGIRL. “As charming and unique as its sensitive, nonconformist heroine.” —School Library Journal

WHO: JERRY SPINELLI – Newbery Medalist and author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including Maniac Magee, winner of the Newbery Medal; Milkweed; Wringer, a Newbery Honor book; and Knots in My Yo-Yo String, his autobiography.

WHAT: “DIAL INTO SUMMER” tour via telephone (something right up every tween and teen’s alley) is a new initiative from Random House Children’s Books in which Jerry Spinelli “tours” via telephone and calls in to bookstores to speak with readers! How cool is that?

love-stargirlAccording to Random House, this innovative “Dial Into Summer” tour is in support of the paperback release of New York Times bestseller LOVE, STARGIRL on sale April 28th, (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $8.99; Ages 12 up)

WHERE: MRS. NELSON’S TOY & BOOKSHOP
1030 Bonita Avenue,
La Verne, CA

For more information call: (909) 599-4558

WHEN: Monday, May 4th at 4:00 pm (PST)

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It’s National Poetry Month – Does Your Hippo Have The Hiccups?

Or Does Your Doggie Like To Disco?

9781402218095Pick up a copy of My Hippo Has The Hiccups from Sourcebooks’ cool kids imprint Jabberwocky to find out. I guarantee you’ll have tons of fun reading aloud with your children and then laughing yourself silly with the fantastic collection of poems from poet and sought-after school performer, Kenn Nesbitt. Then, when you’re done and yearning for more, why not keep the poetry pulse pumping by visiting Kenn’s website, www.poetry4kids.com?

Not since Shel Silverstein and his belly-laugh inducing poetry have I dog-eared so many pages in a children’s poetry book. Wild and wacky, inventive and inspiring, the 109 poems in this book are certain to entertain. And if they don’t get your kids eager to write their own poetry, I don’t know what will! It was utterly impossible to pick a favorite because I adored them all, but let me contradict myself and select the beginning of one here:

I Often Contradict Myself

I often contradict myself.
Oh no, I never do.
I argue with me day and night.
That simply isn’t true.

With titles in Nesbitt’s vast collection ranging from I Cloned Myself on Friday Night to Don’t Ever Bite Your Sister, I thought I’d give you a taste of what’s in store when you bring this book home (and the best part is there’s even an audio CD included for your portable poetry pleasure). Whet your poetry appetite and listen to Kenn Nesbitt read the following poems by clicking on each title below:

Something I Need to Remember
Dexter McDwyer
Don’t Ever Bite Your Sister

Want a chance to see your poem in print? Go right now (contest ends April 30), please don’t delay, tell the world, you’ve got something to say and visit TIME for Kids in conjunction with www.poetry4kids.com and enter their contest. The best funny poem gets published on the TFK website!

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Explore-A-Story Online Auction

Bidding on Movie Memorabilia Helps Buy Books For Kids

variety_kids2For the first time ever Variety’s Kids, a fundraising program of Variety, The Children’s Charity of Southern California, will host an Explore-A-Story Online Auction with proceeds to benefit The Wonder of Reading.

On April 24th at 5p.m. people can log onto www.ebay.com/varietyskids for their chance to bid on exciting pieces of Hollywood movie memorabilia.

About The Wonder of Reading
The Wonder of Reading (www.wonderofreading.org) exists to inspire in children the love or reading. Since 1994, they have partnered with more than 200 elementary schools to help at-risk students by renovating dilapidated school libraries, restocking library collections with new books, and providing enriching literacy programs. In 2008, more then 130,000 children attended their partner schools, and they trained more then 500 new volunteers to be one-on-one reading mentors.

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Save Our Planet And We All Win Contest

Amazing EARTH DAY Giveaway Starting Today!

To coincide with the opening today of the new film Earth from Disneynature, Good Reads With Ronna is offering an exciting contest. Read on to learn more about this spectacular film and the great prizes being offered here to one lucky winner!

Click here for your chance to win these educational and awe-inspiring prizes by May 6, 2009, and remember to include your mailing address:

earth_dvd-board-gamecropped• Earth Interactive DVD Board Game (Imagination International, $29.97, 2-6 players; ages 6 and up) features extraordinary footage from the Earth film. With the DVD board game, parents and children can explore the Earth and work together to answer a range of trivia questions based on the movie. All components of the DVD board game – except for the disc – are made from recycled material.
modern_earth-padded-board-31

• Earth Deluxe Activity Padded Board Book: Animals of the Earth(Earth Film Publishing Line from Modern Publishing, $14.99; ages 2 and up), captures the incredible wonder, beauty and spirit of nature with its large, colorful wildlife pictures and fun facts.

planet-earth-dvd-lo-res• Planet Earth, The Complete Series (3 disc DVD set from BBC Video, $79.98) includes over 90 minutes of bonus, behind-the-scenes footage. From the creators of Blue Planet, and narrated by David Attenborough comes this epic series, called “A tour de force…A masterpiece,” by the New York Times.

My husband and son were, as the British say, gobsmacked (blown away, speechless) by the beauty of Earth. No film has ever captured the epic scope of the drama of an entire planet, and if it gets us thinking about how we, as inhabitants of this our only home, can be kinder and forward thinking, all the better. Now, with the help of some great products that showcase the amazing species featured in the film, families can extend their movie-going experience and education. This fun giveaway includes new products available at Wal-Mart, Target and Barnes & Noble.

Click Here for Contest Rules.

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Got Gas?

whatssobadgasbookAs a parent, I am sure many of us hop into the car on a daily basis in our role of family chauffeur without even thinking what’s fueling our cars. When prices soared, perhaps we thought harder about taking unnecessary trips, but when the cost of a gallon dropped again, we were back in our vehicles filling up as usual. It’s actually music to my ears when my teen says, “Hey Mom, I’m going to walk to Rite-Aid.”

With Earth Day around the corner, I took a look at this terrific educational book and can now recommend it to you.  So here I am, along with my kids, learning how our reliance on fossil fuels is contributing to global warming. A Stage 2 reader in the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out series, What’s So Bad About Gasoline (HarperCollins, 2009, $5.99, ages 5-9) brings important science concepts to K-4 students. It’s packed with information, colorful illustrations (some with speech bubbles offering further explanations) and a whole bunch of interesting gasoline facts. Reading this book with your child is guaranteed to promote positive discussion about alternative energy sources and ways we can reduce our carbon footprint.

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