Looking for an easy and fun treat to make with the kids this year for your favorite neighbors, teachers, and friends? Look no further! This semi-homemade recipe relies on the goodness or Oreos, Teddy Grahamas, and some melted chocolate. Easy enough to make dozens at a time and a definite crowd pleaser. These cute cookies are one of my favorite things to make around the holidays. They are darling, a nice combination of homemade and storebought, and make great teacher gifts. More … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Books for the Kids
It's been a while since we've let our children's librarian, Janssen, do her thing. So get your library cards out, here are her picks for the the books that will get your kids super excited for Turkey Day this year. If you're looking for a couple more Thanksgiving recommendations, check out these on her blog.) With kids, it's sometimes easy for Thanksgiving to get lost in the shuffle. Halloween is such a kid-centric holiday and then Christmas is, indisputably, the biggest holiday of them all - … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Day Craft: DIY Pilgrim Hats
One big holiday down, two to go! Today Janssen is here with a classic Thanksgiving craft that takes me back to my own days spent at the kids table. This one is simple, inexpensive, and can be used both for craft time and dramatic play afterward! This year I think I might get all the supplies ready for the grandmas to make these with the kids while I'm working on Thanksgiving dinner. They both love bonding with the kids and who doesn't appreciate the ease of not having to think up of a … [Read more...]
Boo! Halloween Books for Children
Our resident children's librarian, Janssen, is back today with some of her favorite Halloween books for kids. Get your library cards ready... I liked Halloween as a child (what's not to like?) but as an adult, I find I enjoy it even more. I'm off the hook for dressing up, since I can costume my children instead, it's the beginning of the holiday season, and I can finally start pulling out my Halloween book collection. If you're looking to bulk up your own collection, here are seven … [Read more...]
How to Get Started with Audiobooks
Do you guys ever listen to audiobooks at home? Our in-house librarian, Janssen, swears by them for getting your reading fix while getting stuff done. I've been totally intrigued by the idea but a little intimidated on how to get started with it all. Today I've asked Janssen to give as quick tutorial: audiobooks 101. Here's everything you need to know to dive into reading with your ears... I am a complete audiobook fiend. This year, I've listened to 22 of them so far - it's just such a … [Read more...]
Paper Bag Luminaries for Halloween
I love the look of luminaries, but they don't just have to be for Christmas. With some inexpensive paper lunch sacks and some craft paint, you can make some easy Halloween versions that will look great welcoming trick-or-treaters up to your front door. Using LED tea lights means you don't have the fire risk and you still get that flickering look that's festive and a little bit spooky. Supplies needed: Brown paper lunch bags Paper Cardboard … [Read more...]
Eight Swashbuckling Pirate Books
Did you know that Thursday is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? Time to straighten those eye-patches and polish your hooks and go on a hunt for buried gold. And possibly sneak a book aboard your pirate ship. Here's eight (four picture books and four juvenile novels) you might want to make room for in your treasure chest. Picture Books: Pirate Nap: A Book of Colors by Danna Smith and Valeria Petrone. This book is a favorite in our house, with two little boys making up pirate adventures … [Read more...]
Seven Ways to Help Your Child Love Reading
Our resident children's librarian, Janssen, has been peppering MPMK with all sorts of great book lists this summer (see them here). But recently I realized that as amazing as those lists are, I'm not fully tapping her potential. So, with school back in session, I thought now we be a good time to ask for her thoughts on how to raise book-lovers. Here's what she had to say... As a voracious lifelong reader, I care deeply about helping my children learn to enjoy reading. Of course, if … [Read more...]
Shhh: 7 Amazing Wordless Picture Books
I used to find wordless picture books so disconcerting. Where were the words? How was I supposed to know what to say? Now, though, I love the chance to focus more on the illustrations and also let my child interpret the pictures for herself. It's so fun to see her figure out the story based on the images, and it's just a pleasure to see a different reader pick up something you had never noticed or interpret the story in a completely different way. It's a perfect way for pre-readers to … [Read more...]
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