Passover Seders are held for two nights so I thought I'd post this review which appears in our current April issue of L.A. Parent. Fraught with emotion, The Yankee at the Seder by Elka Weber and illustrated by Adam Gustavson, (Tricycle Press, $16.99 ages 7-9), is an engaging true story based on the life of Philadelphian Myer Levy, a Yankee corporal and Jew who fought in the Civil War and Jacob Josephson, a young Southern boy. With tensions high and Yankee soldiers patrolling the streets of post-war Virginia, Levy seeks out the Josephson family for his Passover leave, much to…

Nachshon, Who Was Afraid to Swim from Kar-Ben Publishing is written by Deborah Bodin Cohen with illustrations by Jago. Today’s Guest Reviewers are L.A. Parent calendar editor Michael Berick and his 6-year-old daughter Julia. A first grader, Julia enjoys reading (especially Harry Potter), creating art and making up characters. The book Nachson, Who Was Afraid To Swim tells the story of a young Jewish boy (Nachshon) back in the days when Jews were slaves in the land of Egypt. Few things scared young Nachshon, not even the Pharaoh, so people started calling him “Brave Nachshon.” However, he does have one major…

Holly, our Guest Reviewer today, is a ten year-old who loves to read, do karate, ice-skate, swim, and play on the Internet. She is also a Girl Scout. She likes fantasy books such as the Warriors series and The Spiderwick Chronicles. She loves to draw cartoon characters and likes to make comic strips. Her favorite color is green. Here’s some of Holly’s advice on life: First of all, don’t tell your deepest, darkest secret to any of your friends because one day they might not be your friends and they will blurt your secret to the world. Also respect all…

...or maybe I need to call in CSI! because this morning (after last night's amazing midnight launch party at Universal City Walk) I discovered someone has taken my new Nintendo DSi. The evidence is strewn across our kitchen table: an empty box, some plastic bags and a soft foamy envelope-like packet which originally contained the matte black-colored unit. I've done the preliminary forensics and all signs lead me to conclude that my son, Coleman, is the culprit: 1) the haphazard way all packaging still remains undiscarded despite a garbage pail only a few feet away (and the ideal place to…

My name is Ivie and I am a twelve year-old living in the San Gabriel Valley. As Guest Reviewer for Good Reads With Ronna, I have read both The Judy Moody Mood Journal as well as Judy Moody’s Double-Rare Way-Not-Boring Book of Fun Stuff to Do by Megan McDonald. Together or apart, these books are inspirational with added humor and very hard to put down. The books seemed short when you are reading them, and make you want to continue reading. Judy Moody’s Double-Rare Way-Not-Boring Book of Fun Stuff to Do is fun-filled and helps make children want to write.…

As a psychotherapist who works with children and adolescents, I am always looking for the impossible - a book that engages both adults and children and teaches "the big lessons" of life with humor and wit. I may have found just that in Marc Gellman's "Always Wear Clean Underwear!": And Other Ways Parents Say "I Love You"  published in 2000 by Harper Collins in paperback. While it may not be a new book, its message withstands the test of time. Gellman's list of 32 annoying parental "Do's and Don'ts" is the subject of this delightful book. In a light hearted way,…

Christopher Burgess, today's Good Reads Guest Reviewer, and proud Dad, is an active duty member of the United States Air Force stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. When he is not at work he spends his time chasing his 22 month-old, Logan Atreyu, around their home. His interests include working out, reading, music, sports, volunteer work and spending as much time as he can with his lovely wife Chelcy. The first book I read with my son was Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants, a board book which became an instant favorite in the Burgess home. J.D. Lester’s clever writing…

Get Mixing Tonight! Kimberley Clayton Blaine, a national child development expert and internet's "Go-To Mom" is hosting a Mommy Mixer to celebrate the release of her new book, Mommy Confidence: 8 Easy Steps to Reclaiming Balance, Motivation and Your Inner Diva. You can find the Go-To Mom at www.laparent.com. I'm told this is the first in a series of Mommy Mixers aimed at helping moms build inner strength and self awareness. Attendees will be able to buy the book before and after the event, with a portion of the proceeds going to Children's Institute, Inc. and the Center for Non-Violent…