Books and Family Fun

BOOKS and FAMILY

FUN

Henry Huggins

by Beverly Clearly

HENRY HUGGINS by Beverly Cleary is a delightful classic that will keep your family begging to hear more. We are introduced to Henry as a boy that nothing special ever happens to, that is until one day he meets the dog of his dreams. The best dog a boy could ever want finds HIM, and Henry is sure his life will never be the same. What his mother sees as a skinny, drooling, flea hotel becomes the center of amazing, unpredictable adventures that will leave you aching with laughter while touching your heart. From cover to cover HENRY HUGGINS is a book filled with the best childhood can offer...friendship, challenges, creative problem solving, forgiveness, caring, and memories you and your family will enjoy over and over again.

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

by Betsy Johnson

I have been reading Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to children for over twenty five years and it continues to be a joyous favorite. It also has a hidden benefit for me as their teacher, because it teaches good behavior and healthy habits in a delightfully entertaining way, saving me the trouble of teaching them! What adult doesn't love that?!

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is a loveable, neighborhood grandma whom the children adore (they can come to her house anytime at all, dig for treasure in her backyard, bake cookies in her oven, dress-up in the gigantic chest of clothes and costumes she has available, etc., etc.). Parents also love Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle because she always know the perfect way to cure childhood problems, such as selfishness, being a picky eater, not wanting to go to bed, and not picking up your toys. Her cures are based upon natural consequences taken to their hilarious extreme. One of my favorite chapters is "The Won't-Take-a-Bath Cure." Children love it, and getting them to wash their hands before lunch is always easier after reading Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.

Another benefit of reading this book aloud is that it tempts children to read the sequels such as Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm, Happy Birthday, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Magic. All of the titles in this series do indeed work magic, and if you need a little magic in your home, please give them a try!

Holiday Family Fun

The Polar Express, by Chris VanAllsburg, found its way into our family several years ago when I happened to hear the taped version and was spell-bound by the magic spun by the narrator. I could hardly wait to get a copy of the book and tape and try them out on our kids. At the time, the oldest was only four, and sitting wasn't his favorite thing to do. But once I turned down the lights, held him in my arms and turned the pages as we listened together next to the Christmas tree, well, it was cemented into our permanent traditions. Several years later, he still asks for it, although now he's the one turning the pages for little cousins who come running once the tape starts. Of course, the book can easily stand alone with it's unique Christmas tale, and the truly gorgeous illustrations.

If you're looking for something new to try with your family this year, maybe you'd like to give this a try. If you do, I hope you'll be drawn into the magic just like we always are.

Kitchen Fun

It's always time for cooking together! We highly recommend The Spatulatta Cookbook by Isabella and Olivia Gerasole. This cookbook has recipes for kids, by kids, from the James Beard, award-winning collection. This book is easy to read with easy-to-follow pictures. It includes basic cooking instructions and recipes for fall and winter, as well as spring and summer. Kids and parents will have a blast with this book and they're sure to make special memories together!

Sea Horse Book Fun

I’d heard that the Point Defiance Zoo had a sea horse exhibit, and who can resist those magical little creatures? So I gathered everyone around to explore the world of sea horses through two books which the kids really loved….. Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea, by Christine Butterworth, and one in the Early Bird Nature Series called Sea Horses by Sally M. Walker. They really helped to us get into a sea horse-mood and by the time we’d enjoyed these wonderful books, we could hardly wait to pile into the car and head for the “Once Upon a Tide: A Sea Horse Odyssey,” at the zoo.

The exhibit is in the aquarium building, in a special section that’s decorated in a fairy-tale motif, and what a fairy-tale it was! Our adventure was filled with giggles, awe, and are-those-really-real moments. We lingered in the darkened room, drinking in the enchantment as long as we could before heading home, and writing the date of our adventure in the covers of our sea horse books. As with all books adventures, the fun continues to live on as the kids sit with the books so often now. For a wonderful day with the family, or baby-sitting the grandkids, I hope you'll give it a try!

Nature Fun with Books

The other day I was on a hike with the kids and getting the endless questions. "What is in a cloud?" "How do storms come?" Judging by the glassy looks in their eyes after I tried to answer, I thought I'd better do more than wing-it next time! That sent me on a search for a fun, easy-to-understand resource. The EVERYTHING KIDS' ENVIRONMENT BOOK, by Sheri Amsel is perfect. The pictures are great, the explanations are kid-friendly, and as an extra plus, this book provides easy experiments to help give answers to their endless questions! We've been having so much fun with this book. I've been learning as much as they have, and our outdoor time has been enriched by having this book along, or spending some sofa-time after our walks to find easy answers to those unending questions!

Keeping-Kids-Busy Book Fun

Ok, I admit it. There are times when you just need something simple to entertain the kids while you get something else done (or for some peace and quiet). AND, with the holidays coming, and the possibility of hours traveling together, the THE EVERYTHING KIDS PUZZLE BOOK by Jennifer Ericson & Beth L. Blair is perfect! The puzzles are entertaining, fun, and educational. Also they come in levels from easy to more difficult, so there are puzzles for everyone to enjoy. The book will keep your kids entertained for hours on a trip or on a rainy afternoon. AND, no grandparent should be without this! It's a book you can enjoy with the kiddos, or on their own. The kids love this book, and seeing quiet kids, educationally and happily engaged.....well, YOU'LL love this book, too!