Books and Stories
Goofy Books Guaranteed to Make You Giggle
August 03, 2009
Since my daughter was very young, we've enjoyed the sweet family routine of curling up in bed and reading books. Not only is it a time for reflection about the day that's ending, it's also a time to let loose and get silly! I treasure nothing more than the sound of my daughter laughing wildly and with abandon (and sometimes until she gets hiccups!) Reading out loud using funny voices and accents, or using books as jumping off points to create some crazy rhymes are both ways to promote literacy and bond with your child. Here are five books that bring lots of giggles to our house:
1) Eloise by Kay Thompson A treasured book about a precocious child who lives at the Plaza Hotel with animal sidekicks Weenie and Skipperdee and a nanny who'd raaaaather not deal with Eloise's antics. Children will love the rhythm and repetition of the story and delight in the escapades of Eloise as she single-handedly wrecks havoc in the hotel.
2)I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child Picky eater Lola is outsmarted by her conniving brother Charlie and learns to enjoy ocean nibbles from under the sea, moon squirters, and all kinds of delicious delicacies in this cleverly illustrated book.
3)Click Clack Moo-Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin "All day long he hears click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety clack moo." Farmer Brown has irritated the barnyard animals and hilarious correspondence ensues. Ducks, cows, and chickens stand up for their rights in this funny farm picture book.
4)Cock-a-Doodle-Moo! by Bernard Most A rooster with laryngitis gets a little mixed up before he gets his voice back! This book always got preschoolers giggling at storytime. Simple, bright illustrations and super silly animal situations guarantee a fun read. You may have to read this one ten times in a row or more!
5)The Hungry Thing by Jan Slepian A goofy monster with an appetite comes to town and boy is he hungry! This book is perfect for introducing rhyming and phonemic awareness.Read the book with your little one and then make some "schmancakes" for breakfast together.
What books make you and your children giggle, guffaw, and maybe even snort a little bit?
Read more...
Four great places to buy books for kids in Portland
July 14, 2009
1) The downtown Powell's is like a block-wide book lovers' wonderland! Not just books for adults, the Rose room is stuffed full of board books for babies, picture books, animal books, books on tape and cd, chapter books, vintage books, activity books, and cozy low-lying tables to curl up and sample the wares (just remember to place the books you browse on the reshelving cart to help the employees keep the kid's area organized!) Powell's has new books, very reasonable sale books, and a huge selection of used titles. They have topical displays that rotate (school and kindergarten books in the fall, books about presidents and voting at election times), as well as hip employee picks. Powell's also has a good sized selection of toys, puzzles, piggybanks, lunchboxes, and out of the ordinary gifts for wee people. Support local independent booksellers and pick out a book or two on a rainy day, how about a cookbook or an origami book?
Powell's 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR
2) Looking for retro fun children's books to satisfy your love of all things vintage? Reading Frenzy is an independent shop in business since 1994 that offers not only comics/graphic novels, artwork and hip treasures, they also have a large selection of books for kids. Pick up a Charley Harper ABC book, a Nikki McClure baby journal, or a sweet Golden Book about baby animals. Stock changes often, many hard to find vintage titles. Peek upstairs and visit the IPRC (Independent Publishing Resource Center) to inquire about letterpress or book binding classes and make a one of a kind book of your own for your little one!
Reading Frenzy 921 SW Oak St., Portland
3) The new kid on the block is Green Bean Books, in Northeast Portland. This cheerfully decorated bookshop offers both new and used titles, as well as a selection of unique toys and games. One mama says, "There is a handmade finger puppet vending machine, secret-disguise dispenser in the mystery section, secret book room with inexpensive staple-bound paperbacks, and a big deck out back with a hidden fairy-like reading spot." Come see for yourself at their Grand Opening Extravaganza on July 30th from 5:30-8:00pm and enjoy books, balloons, and snow cones!
Green Bean Books 1600 NE Alberta St., Portland
4) If you're wandering around Hawthorne and are looking for a special place to duck in and lose yourself in magical toys and books, head to Kids at Heart. They offer non-violent toys (many are fair-trade) but a little known treasure is their back book room. Choose from high quality DK sticker books, well-loved classics, or modern titles chock full of sock monkeys and mermaids. The staff is super kid-friendly and here's a little tip: They offer gift wrapping services, so if you're on your way to a party and looking to pick up a quality gift in a hurry, Kids at Heart is your one stop shopping destination!
Kids at Heart 3445 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland
What local bookstores inspire you and your kids?
Read more...Konichiwa Japan!
June 29, 2009
Having just survived a nine day trip with my daughter, all the travel I'm down for in the next few weeks involves our imagination and the internet! Just a two hour time difference continues to wreck havoc in our household even four days after our return, as my daughter continues to spring awake before six am and I'm still battling the piles of dirty laundry from our suitcases.
My daughter shares my passion for collecting all things Hello Kitty and lately, we've been talking about making our dream of traveling to Japan come true. I've told my daughter we'll make there before she graduates high school; she's convinced she'll be packing her bags by the end of the month with all the nickels she's saved up (!) I've been planning a virtual trip, want to come along with us?
--Check out the Little Travelers Japan DVD from your local library. This sweet movie follows the journey of two home-schooled children and their mother as they travel to various countries and immerse themselves in culture and joys of life. Join Chantel and Nakia as they explore daily life, cherry blossoms, and new foods in Japan! My daughter loves this series of films and is anxiously awaiting a new chapter of their travels. Very simple and captivating vignettes will keep even very young children interested.
--Dream big, plan your trip and destinations online! Print out maps, chart your course, and let your children imagine all the places they will go. Send away for maps or scour thrift stores for old copies of National Geographic to find maps to pin up on the wall and use some yarn to detail your "journey". What animals live where you are going? What do people eat there? Make clothing or instruments that reflect the culture of the country you are investigating.
--Art can help take you there! We are going to make paper cranes, paint cherry blossoms, and create Hello Kitty themed paper dolls. My daughter and I are obsessed with pop culture and have fun collecting miniature sushi and other teeny tiny foods from Re-ment. Your investigations can be as simple as checking out a cd of traditional music from the library and dancing around the livingroom or as complex as recreating Roman architecture out of Model Magic! Have fun with it!
--Sample foods you and your child may have never tried before. For Japan, we are making a trip to FuBonn for a sampler of Pocky, biscuits, noodles, and mochi. (You can also sneak in some interesting and unusual fruits and vegetables too!)
--Learn to count to ten, or twenty in a foreign language! Check out “Count Your Way Through Japan” or “I Live in Tokyo” for inspiration.
--Research the currency of the country you have chosen.
Read more...
Illustrator: Three books by Pamela Paparone
June 23, 2009
Children's books, and especially their illustrators, have special place in my heart. Back as far as five years old, I wanted to be a children's librarian so that I could surround myself with words, pictures, and crinkly plastic covers. The librarian dream hasn't become a reality as of yet, but I make a point to keep up with current children's releases (thank youMultnomah County library and Powell's) and I also have a wicked vintage book collection.
One of the most beloved illustrators in my collection is Pamela Paparone. I discovered her sweet, retro work by chance in the library and my daughter and I constantly bring her books out to pour over the cheerful artwork. (We even incorporated kitties from "I Like Cats" as part of the decorations for my daughter's sixth birthday party.) Here are several books featuring her artwork that your child is sure to adore too:
Who are some of your favorite illustrators?
Read more...
Free Summer Fun!
June 01, 2009
There are seven days of kindergarten left and counting for my daughter! She's already staying up later (it's hard to fall asleep until the sun goes down and the house cools off) and I'm already wondering exactly how I am going to fill our summer days with the delicate formula of fun activities and lounging around. I am dreading hearing the cry of "I am so bored, there's nothing to do.........." so I am arming myself with a binder of free or cheap Portland summer activities to keep us just busy enough, but still allow for the flexibility of doing...nothing (hunting for flying beetles or sending dolls on extremely exotic vacations to the wading pool in the backyard sound good to me). Our family has down-sized to one car and we're going to be striving for a lot of activities close to home or that are Tri-Met accessible. In Portland, that is easy to do. Woodlawn Community Garden 7200 NE 11, next to Woodlawn School June 17-August 29 For more info, call 503-823-1617 or email childgard@ci.portland.or.us
Here are five activities to keep your kiddos occupied during the next three months--have fun!
1) Free bowling! Did you know that your children can bowl two free games every day this summer? Two local bowling alleys are offering an amazing program to keep kids cool and active:AMF 20th Century Lanes on SE 92nd Ave (3550 SE 92nd Ave), and AMF Pro 300 Lanes, also in Southeast (3031 SE Powell Blvd) Head to Kids Bowl Free and sign the kids in your life up for a special pass that is good for two free games daily all summer long (excludes shoe rental). Parents/relatives can also purchase a special pass for $23.95, which is good for up to four adults to enjoy bowling all summer as well. (two games daily). I am looking forward to having a cool place to hang out and hide from the sun. (an quick picnic or popsicle break afterward at Powell Park might be nice)
2) The Summer Reading Program through Multnomah County Library is a great way to keep your children interested in books and helps them build/maintain their literacy skills. Beginning June 12, kids and teens can visit anyMultnomah County library to sign up for the Summer Reading game. Participation is free! The program runs June 12, 2009 through August 31, 2009 and your child can earn fun prizes (ice cream, swim passes, books, the prizes change throughout the summer). There is even a reading program for adults! Collect stamps as you read and enter to win a family trip to Disneyland!!
3) For older siblings, Barnes and Noble also offers a similar reading program for children in first grade and up. Read any eight books and choose a free book (from list of specified titles). Combine a trip to redeem your Summer Reading Journal with one of B & N's entertaining in-store events and make an afternoon of it! Check out a list of upcoming events here!
4) Portland Parks offers a huge variety of free activities for youth during the summertime. Wading pools and fountains open, many locations offer free arts/crafts as well as a free lunch, and there will be free movies/concerts in many local parks. Visit their website for details regarding swim lessons, classes, and camps at very affordable prices. We are so lucky to have these resources in our neighborhoods for safe and free/low-cost fun!
5) Free gardening classes are available for children (ages six through twelve) through Portland Parks this summer.
Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30 AM, ages 6-9
Thursdays, 10:00 AM-12 noon, ages 9-12
Fridays, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, ages 6-12
Read more...
Think Parks & Rec for the summer ahead
May 12, 2009
In Portland, there are a huge variety of reasonably priced classes for children through Portland Parks. Every summer, I look forward to the schedule of classes coming out and the activities for June/July/August do not disappoint! Portland Parks' programs meet the needs of the community and keep children happy and busy! For the younger preschool set, classes are usually Mommy & Me type classes, and as your child grows, there are even more options (parent remains in the building, but is free to read or surf the 'net!). Here are few classes that stand out for the upcoming Summer session (descriptions from PP catalogs):
Two Urban walks to take this Spring with children
April 28, 2009
I will be the first to admit that I have a special place in my heart for Beverly Cleary and her fictitious characters. (My daughter is named Ramona!) When we first moved to Portland, I was fascinated by the setting of theQuimby family's stories and learned that the Hollywood branch of the Multnomah Library is home to a huge wall map to help you plan out your walking tour . Venture out with your favorite child/children to see the houses where the young Beverly Cleary grew up, Klickitat Street, and the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Grant Park, where you can hug a bronze version of Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and sweet Ribsy the dog. In good weather, there are fountains to splash in. To introduce your child to the world of Beverly Cleary, reserve the books/audio books from the library to share Ramona's adventures, then set out with a sketchbook and picnic lunch to make some of your own!
Hollywood Library is located at 4040 N.E. Tillamook Street and is serviced by both bus and max (with a short walk) Map of Cleary's world is located in the Children's area.
Eastbank Esplanade Walk
The Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade stretches from the Hawthorne Bridge, past the Morrison and Burnside Bridges, to the Steel Bridge with connections to eastside neighborhoods as well as across the river to Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park. It is 1.5 miles long, so it is child-friendly and bike/stroller/scooter/roller skate accessible. There are four pieces of art to view along the floating path, as well as a series of markers and educational panels. For a fun afternoon, start out with snacks at the Eastbank Farmers Market (starting up for the season beginning May 7th), take the #14 down Hawthorne, and hop on the esplanade with your bikes. Or, begin your day at OMSI and then head out for a stroll on the Esplanade afterwards.
Thursday Market at Eastbank is located in Southeast Portland on SE 20th at Salmon between SE Belmont & SE Hawthorne -- in the parking lot of Hinson Baptist Church. Operates May 7-September 24. 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Books that make me wish it would SNOW!
January 16, 2009
I know I may be the only parent in Portland who thinks this, but I miss the snow! It was so peaceful and quiet. We slowed down and sat in a rocking chair in our front window, waving to people walking by, instead of watching cars zoom by so fast we can barely say, 'blue car, white truck, tan car!' Since the snow is gone, we're reading about it, which increases my longing a bit but still keeps the Read more...
Books about new beginnings: The start of a beautiful friendship
January 05, 2009
I've been recollecting my childhood favorites this past week after an illuminating post on urbanMamas, and today's theme; books about new beginnings; resonated with many of those books. Not only are the authors I describe below delightful, but each first book describes the beginning of a key friendship between the protagonist and her lifelong pal. If you stick with the books beyond the younger Read more...
Tasty books: Some books that warm my foody soul
November 26, 2008
I love kids' books about food, although I have to do my best to set aside my sense of correct practices. (Especially those books that show soup being made; it's always way out of proportion!) Here are some that feature food in a way that is yummy: Pancakes for Breakfast by Tommy dePaola . This wordless book watches as a woman endures obstacle after obstacle while dreaming of pancakes; but I Read more...
Essential books to kids in Portland: All our love to Beverly Cleary
November 25, 2008
When I first read the books of Beverly Cleary , it was at the Belmont Library, only a few miles away from the home of the spunky heroines of her world, Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ellen Tebbits. They hop, skip and bicycle for all eternity on the northeast Portland streets of Klickitat, Tillamook, and Knott through Cleary's uncanny books; uncanny because they so wonderfully illustrate the Read more...
Library Programs That Make Me Smile
November 24, 2008
I love the Multnomah County Library. When I was a little girl, we'd walk with our wagon the mile from our home on southeast Madison Street to the Belmont Library, where I'd pick treasures -- fairy tales, Betsy-Tacy-Tib books, the entire Great Brain series. As a high schooler, I spent hours upon hours combing through the periodical room on the 5th floor of the Central Library doing research. When I was married, it was the library to which I turned for my wedding reception.
Read more...
Five books (that must have been) written by skillful parents
November 24, 2008
There is nothing to quite compare with the amazement I feel when I read a book and suddenly realize that I am being taught how to handle a particularly difficult-for-me parenting quandary. The parents in the book are doing their job with grace and skill. How can I be more like that? It doesn't have to be a case study in parenting to wow me; perhaps they're just feeding their child parsnips, or Read more...
Monsters, Music and More: The one thing for preschooler parents not to miss this weekend
November 21, 2008
Only in Portland would a storytelling concert be held on a Friday night by the library, and be the hottest ticket in town. And it's tonight! Part of the Tapestry of Tales storytelling festival , Grammy award-winning artist Bill Harley "is one of the finest family performers in the United States" and the "Garrison Keillor for kids." The event is held at Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver, and Read more...
Let's talk about... ok, let's let the book talk about it
November 20, 2008
I know my six-year-old knows about sex. He's sure that, when two people get somewhat naked and start kissing, that's sex. (Pretty much the way every sex scene on TV has ever gone, hmmm? We've instituted a "no more adult TV shows while children are awake" ban in my house.) We'll explain to him in time, but it's not really him I'm worried about -- it's my three-year-old, who occasionally overhears Read more...
Have you ever wanted to paint a room like a book?
November 19, 2008
I have. Ever since I was pregnant with my first child, in my imagination were wall murals from my favorite artists. Perhaps a stunning sunset scene from The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses , or any of the detailed, brilliantly-colored pages in Paul Goble's Native American stories. Perhaps a fantastical page from David Wiesner's books; maybe the one where enormous red peppers are being pulled to the Read more...
Books that parents can find funny, too
November 18, 2008
I have often worked to cultivate an advanced sense of humor in my children, and nothing pleases me more than to see Everett get a sophisticated joke. So my favorite funny books are those which have a trickle-down joke effect: some only I will understand, some Everett and I will find hilarious, and the rest will be giggles for the three-year-old and one-year-old, too. These can always be counted Read more...
Bedtime books that evoke a sense of quiet
November 17, 2008
My boys are into categorization, and, at bedtime, will often hand me a stack of books that are very, very like one another. Two kitty books. Three truck books. A whole pile of Berenstain Bears. But I have a favorite category, myself: books that evoke a sense of quiet. Some nights, when things are particularly chaotic, I stack the deck, putting my favorites in front. Here are a few: Baboon by Read more...
Books that make you grateful
November 12, 2008
I'm thankful for many things this month as my husband is spending two weeks away doing various honorable but far-distant things for the Army Reserves. Sometimes I'm just thankful that I have the internet to which to turn. These books remind me how great I've got it, and bring a tear to the eye in the bargain: Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie . A little girl takes care of her sick mother, her Read more...
Top Five Things to Do on a Rainy Day
October 31, 2008
The rain in Portland falls ... mainly. And what a time to launch this blog, as we squelch firmly into the rainy season (it ends in June. Usually). When it rains, we tend to spend a lot of our time inside; but this is Portland and we can't spend all the time inside. Instead, we do this:
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More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in portland
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
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