09
Sep

Top 5 Carus Publishing Kids’ Magazines

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While you may have heard of Cricket magazine for kids, other Carus Publishing titles for all ages are just as read0worthy. Check out some of Cool Baby Kid’s favorite magazines for kids:

Ladybug

Ages: 3-6

From crafts and songs to poems and activities, this was the biggest hit in our house, likely because it was geared toward my children's ages. Another bonus...no advertising!

Cricket

Ages: 9-14

A gold-standard classic, Crickets aims to "deliver intelligent, imaginative content that encourages its readers to develop their own, unique creativity" and it certainly meets this lofty goal. Love it.

Babybug

Ages: 6mo-3yrs

A magazine for babies? Sure! This adorable pick includes age appropriate rhymes and stories along with colorful pics to entertain every the youngest scholar.

APPLESEEDS

Ages: 6-9

Published 9 times per year, this title both educates and entertains. At this age learning and fun must go hand and hand, and APPLESEEDS does a good job melding the two into one piece of literature.

Spider

Ages: 6-9

A personal favorite, Spider takes newly independent readers along on a journey into unique stories with 40 pages of activities, puzzles and more fun for these young readers.

Cool Tip: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more cool educational picks and tips for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids.

Filed Under: Big Kids Corner, Picks & Tips, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , ,
05
May

New Favorite Site for Unique Gift Ideas *Giveaway*

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Reviewing hundreds of products and websites since 2007, some stand out to make our Top Picks list. Others receive an Editor’s Pick designation because one of the Cool Baby Kid reviewers love it. A select few are listed in our annual Best of the Year post. Peter Pauper Press makes all three lists. As soon as I began perusing the site, I knew it was tailor made for me. With inspirational gifts, organizers for mom, a Little Black Disney book and other cool picks, I immediately bookmarked it knowing the site was a keeper.

I had the opportunity to check out The Little Black Book of Walt Disney World and The Little Sweet Book of Cupcakes. These are adorable and packed with information. As new Disney Vacation Club member, we recently visited Magic Kingdom for the day and used the pull-out map in Rona Gindin’s Little Black Book. We plan to use it to plan future WDW vacations as well. The most compact guide I’ve seen, it’s amazing how many ideas and tidbits are offered in just under 250 pages. And speaking of tidbits, The Sweet Little Books of Cupcakes by Nicholas Peruzzi with Courtney Forrester is filled with cupcake recipes and pictures to inspire even non-bakers like myself. It’s compact size and $10.95 price tag make the book a perfect pairing with other cupcake-themed items for a gift basket.

Filled with other unique gift ideas, Peter Pauper Press is a treasure-trove of unique finds. Some of my favorite include:

The last selection includes multiple book themes–Dream, Happiness, Believe and more–filled with quotes and a gift card holder (card not included) for $5.95. Stock up and give the best gift card on the block. LOVE these and love Peter Pauper Press.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win two of my favorite Peter Pauper Press products–a little black (or pink) book of your choice plus an Artisan Petites™ Mini-Book.

Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. Read the contest rules and prize claim information as we announce winners on Prizey.net. Expires 5/19/11. To enter, just comment on this post after subscribing to CBK via RSSor email.

Filed Under: Adults Only, Giveaways Galore, Goals & Inspiration, Picks & Tips, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: , , ,
13
Apr

Guest Author: This Child, Every Child *Book*

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My new book, This Child Every Child grew out of hundreds of school visits I made after the publication of If The World Were A Village and If America Were A Village. Students frequently asked me about the other children in the world — what did they have for breakfast, what were their schools and lives like.

Then I read the U.N. “Convention on the Rights of the Child”, and it was so beautiful, and so right, and so clear, that I asked the director of Child Protection at the U.N. if I could use it as the backbone for a children’s picture book, and she said “oh yes, we’d be delighted to have somebody do that”.

The book uses a number of the articles from the convention as a structure for looking at — and comparing — the lives of children around the world, everything from games and school and family life to work, including children who are forced to work.

I think it’s important for children to understand the amazing disparity between children around the world — the fortunate ones and those who are not so fortunate. Yes, the material is difficult, and I encourage parents and teachers to read the book WITH their children, and even to skip pages that they feel their children are not yet ready for. Only one or two pages have really difficult content — especially “Children and War” — but with students up to Grade 3 or 4, I do think it is a good idea to read the book together, not simply to say “here’s a good book”. Reading it together also leads to a good conversation about “what can we do to help children like those in the book”.

The context is really critical. I think some teachers might use it as a first step in a Service Learning program — “let’s think about WHY we need to be of service to others in our community”; some teachers might use it as part of a global geography curriculum — “where do these children come from, what’s it like there, what languages do they speak there, what’s the weather like”, and so on, are just a few of the many questions that might be asked. The last 2-page spread in the book is an essay I wrote concerning how to talk with children about these difficult topics, and what children and adults can do to help. I encourage teachers and parents to read this first.

Guest Post by David J. Smith

Cool Tip: Purchase This Child, Every Child: A Book about the World’s Children from our Amazon affiliate link, and check out Baby Kid Bookshelf for other cool book ideas and posts.

Filed Under: Big Kids Corner, Education Corner · Tagged With: ,
16
Mar

Baby Kid Bookshelf: Picks for All Age Ranges

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With a wide ranges of titles for our bookshelf this week, picks include ones to read at home with your children as well as great resources for teachers as well. Enjoy!

  • Watch Me Grow by Deborah Hodge & Brian Harris (Illustrator): A follow-up to Up We Grow, this informative book spotlights on raising food in the city. The photographs are magnificent.
  • Totally Human: Why We Look and Act the Way We Do by Cynthia Pratt Nicolson and Dianne Eastman: A fun way to tackle biological questions geared toward grades 3-6.
  • Ten Birds by Cybele Young: As ten birds solve ways to cross the river, on it’s surface the book is a counting ones that also tackles deeper issues such as why labels are neither necessary or accurate.
  • Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley (Author) and Janice Nadeau (Illustrator): We love the illustrations and story about a crying baby yearning for the smell of his mother’s sweet bread.
  • My Cat Isis by Virgnie Egger and Catherine Austen (Illustrator): The 5th book in a series, loveable protagonist Scaredy Squirrel plans his own birthday party when things get, well, a bit squirrely.
  • Wise At Heart by Brody Hartman, Richard Steckel and Michele Steckel: From someone who loves inspirational quotes and ancedotes, this is a rich source of wisdom for both young and old. Visit http://milestonesproject.com for additional information.

    • Cool Tip: Purchase these Baby Kid Bookshelf picks directly from our affiliate Amazon links below.

Filed Under: Education Corner · Tagged With: ,
02
Mar

Baby Kid Bookshelf: Cool New Book Picks

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What better day than Read Across America Day than to share some current cool picks for the Baby kid Bookshelf! Happy Birthday Dr. Seus. Our top pick this month, Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley (Author) and Janice Nadeau (Illustrator).

  • Small Saul by Ashley Spires: With the popularity of Jake and the Never Land pirates, this a new favorite in our house about a small pirate who make a big difference. Ahoy matie!
  • Happy Birthday Big Bad Wolf by Frank Asch: The question on this Three Little Pigs twist, can a birthday party sway even the hungriest wolf to spare his “prey?”
  • Kitten’s Summer by Eugenie Fernandes: Rhymes, farm animals and a kitten protagonist make this a no-brainer for toddlers and even big kids.
  • Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley (Author) and Janice Nadeau (Illustrator): We love the illustrations and story about a crying baby yearning for the smell of his mother’s sweet bread.
  • Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt: The 5th book in a series, loveable protagonist Scaredy Squirrel plans his own birthday party when things get, well, a bit squirrely.
  • Without You by Genevieve Cote: A companion book to Me and You, this is a story about two friends, their falling out, and realization that two is better than one.

Cool Tip: Purchase these Baby Kid Bookshelf picks directly from our affiliate Amazon links below.

Filed Under: Education Corner · Tagged With: ,
28
Dec

Guest Author: The Inspirational Jane Yolen

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I am always asked how I could possibly have written 300 books (or 200 or 100 or even 50, back in the day.) My answer has not wavered in all these years.

First and foremost, I love to write. It doesn’t matter to me if the writing I am engaged with is a poem or a novel or something in-between. The word engagement here has two meanings for me. There’s the meaning that goes along with love and marriage of course, but also the meaning that deals with total face-to-face involvement with a project. I don’t dog-paddle. I throw myself in the deep end of the pool.

Second, I love to learn new things, and writing/researching for a book allows me to do all that and call it work. But it’s play, really. So if I am writing a novel like THE DEVIL’S ARITHMETIC, I am immersed in the history of the Holocaust. When I write a picture book

like my 300th book–ELSIE’S BIRD that starts in Boston a century ago and ends up in Nebraska where a girl and her grieving widowed father go to homestead–I get to read books and magazine articles about both Boston at that time and the movement West. And when I write my HOW DO DINOSAURS. . .books, well, I remember how it was when my children–a girl and two boys–were that age and balking at night time, or being picky eaters, or refusing to clean their rooms and all the rest. Third, I get paid to do what I love and I hear from children and adults about how my books have moved them, or made them laugh, or changed their lives. How could I NOT love what I do for the first to the 300th time!

So you will be hearing more and more and more from me over the coming years. I already have at least 30 more books in the works, and yes–I am always writing more.

Jane Yolen, janeyolen.com

Editor’s Note: My personal Jane Yolen favorites include Lost Boy, the story of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, as well as a quote from her website  for writers: “Most woman writers do not have the luxury of a wife. We muddle through our chores and our writing, doing a balancing act that would put the Flying Wallendas to shame.”  Substitute “blogger,” and it’s my new mantra.

Cool Pick: You can purchase any of the Jane Yolen books from our affiliate Amazon bookshelf below or directly from Amazon.

Filed Under: Education Corner, Picks & Tips · Tagged With: ,
17
Dec

Guest Author: Gary Golio on Jimi Hendrix

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For someone who had no Xbox, video games, computer, cell phone, or even a TV, young Jimmy Hendrix kept himself very busy! The everyday noises of a Seattle neighborhood called out to a boy already fascinated by sound and color, inspiring him to use a beat-up ukulele—with only one string—to mimic the melodies of falling raindrops and rushing water. Filled with bold and colorful images (drawn, painted, collaged, carved and silkscreened onto plywood by Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator Javaka Steptoe), JIMI: Sounds Like A Rainbow is the story of the legendary musician at the beginning of his journey, when an old five-dollar acoustic guitar becomes the key to a world of endless imagination and creativity. With the gift—from his father—of a new electric guitar, Jimmy shows young readers how the power of persistence and hard work, focused on a dream, can make for success. An afterword explains more about the adult Jimi’s career and unique accomplishments, while a Note by author Gary Golio (a therapist who specializes in teen addiction) speaks to the dangers of drug use and provides resources for parents or caregivers. Sure to surprise those who think they know the real Jimi Hendrix.

  • Guest Post by Gary Golio, author of JIMI: Sounds Like A Rainbow – The Guitar God As A Young Boy illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
  • Cool Tip: Purchase JIMI: Sounds Like A Rainbow on Amazon.com.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a copy of the book by visiting the author’s website and commenting below with your thoughts. For extra entries become a JIMI Facebook fan and/or follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter and Facebook for extra entries. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each.

Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win and be sure to read the contest rules and prize claim information. Expires 12/30/10. U.S. Only.

Filed Under: Education Corner, Giveaways Galore, Tween Hangout · Tagged With: ,
03
Dec

Reader’s Digest Books: Tangled & Toy Story *Giveaway*

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If you’re household is in a Tangle frenzy like ours, here’s a find from Reader’s Digest your princess (or prince) will love. The Disney Tangled Rapunzel Adventure Storybook with Music Player from Reader’s Digest includes a removable music box which plays 19 songs. You can take it from the tower on the go or snap it back into place while reading from the book. We just saw Tangled, likely not for the last time, this past weekend. The story is adorable with a lovable heroine, Rapunzel, a kind of kooky but fun loving young lady who, as we all know, is locked in a tower until a turn of events have her venturing out into the real world.

Another Reader’s Digest book, Disney•Pixar Toy Story 3 Record-a-Book, makes the absolute perfect gift for Toy Story lovers on your shopping list. A parent, grandparent or loved one can read along and record the story in their own voice. Kids can play the story back and hear their favorite voices as they follow along. Similarly,Princess Dreams Record-a-Book features Cinderella, Princess and the Frog (Tiana!) and Beauty and the Beast stories that you can record and give to the princess in your family. Personally I didn’t realize Reader’s Digest published children’s books, but I found Reader’s Digest Trade Publishing and am amazed at all of the cool titles they published for kids.  Books never go out of style…some are for learning to read, others for enjoyment and to infuse excitement about reading in children, and these are fun books that do just that.

Cool Tip: Purchase all three titles, Toy Story 3 Record-A-Book, Princess Dreams Record-A-Book (Disney) and Disney Tangled: Rapunzel Adventure Storybook with Music Player through these Amazon affiliate links.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSSor email for additional giveaways and exclusive discounts.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a Disney Toy Story 3 Record-a-Book & Playbox and Princess Dreams Record-a-Book & Tangled Music Player. Follow Reader’s Digest on Facebook and/or Cool Baby Kid on Twitter and Facebook for extra entries. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each.

Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win and be sure to read the contest rules and prize claim information. Expires 12/12/10. U.S. Only.

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