Alexander Calder: Meet the Artist

Princeton Architectural Press

Patricia Geis

I'm a little bit in love with this book. At the risk of admitting I am an uneducated rube, I had previously been unaware of Alexander Calder. Thankfully, this book welcomes rubes.

The book starts off fun, with the first two pages covered with colored bubbles (some of which lift up to display photos) that give away blips of information about the artist. I particularly liked the one that read "He used to wear red flannel shirts and dust-covered shoes, and his pockets were full of things." He sounds like such a lovable character.

After the personal section, the book goes on to describe and present photos of Calder's work, from brass animals and toys to wire sculptures and mobiles. More than that, this is also a read and play book, with interactive parts available for the readers. On one page is a chain attached at the top and bottom, with a length that you move around to create free form sculptures. At the very back of the book is a pocket that holds two sheets of punch-outs. One sheet is circus animals that you punch out to to use on the circus page, on the pop up high wire.

Definitely this book is intended to be inspirational, and it truly hits the mark. Seeing what Calder created makes me believe that I could also create something beautiful out of everyday objects. Readers can start creating by using the sheet of punch out household items (tin cans, bottle caps, clothespins) provided in the book, and hopefully move on from there.

Meet the Artist seems to be a new series from Princeton Architectural Press, at least I hope it is, because this book is the perfect mix of educational, artistic, quirky, and fun. 

Review copy provided by Princeton Architectural Press.

I Scream Ice Cream: a Book of Wordles

Chronicle Books

Amy Krouse Rosenthal; Illustrated by Serge Bloch 

At first I thought "wordles" must be a fabricated word for the sake of humor, but it's a real thing. A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differ in meaning. Wordles are a group of words that sound exactly the same as another group of totally different words. I scream/ice cream is easily the one that people are most familiar with, but it certainly isn't the funniest one in the book.

The first group of words is given with a terrific illustration by Serge Bloch. The reader is supposed to guess what an alternate meaning might be, before turning the page. The first couple are on the easy side (probably just to boost the readers' confidence) but they ramp up after that. Honestly, the obscurity is what makes the book so funny. I loved turning each page to see the answer and illustration. "Pants. Knees." becomes "Pant ... sneeze."

Rosenthal has laid the groundwork of the book by coming up with some really clever phrases, but I think it's Serge Bloch who adds the magic with his illustrations. Instead of showing reindeer placidly standing around, his are soaring across the sky, like a pack of geese flying south for the winter.The wordle with Snow White has a pack of dwarfs lined up behind her, all glowering at the wicked queen. This is like a puzzle and a picture book rolled up into one.

Review copy provided by Chronicle Books. 
 

Where's Waldo? Santa Spectacular

 

Candlewick Press

Martin Handford 

I think kids of all ages (even adults) can enjoy Waldo books, but this one has a definite age range. It is important to note that I think this book is intended for younger children, as older kids would find the games and activities a bit simplistic.  

Stickers feature predominately, with six full color pages in the center to use on various pages of activities. The first page instructs the child to "stick the stickers on top of the matching silhouettes to complete the scene." There's a very simple Sudoku page, a reindeer matching game, a two page board game, and one page of finding Waldo and his friends. But 75% of the book is using stickers - both for decorations and as games. I would estimate that sort of activity would be super attractive to a 3 or 4 year old, but a 6 year old might be bored.

I think it would be easy for people to glance at the cover and think "Waldo with santas!" without seeing the additional description of "Puzzles, searches and hundreds of cool stickers" right below the title. I think it's a super activity book for young children, but I would hate to see someone order this for an older child (or themselves) and be disappointed. But if you have a sticker lover, absolutely order this one.

Review copy provided by Candlewick Press.

Poopendous!

Blue Apple Books 

Artie Bennett; Illustrations by Mike Moran

Artie Bennett is following up his first success, The Butt Book, with one written about a parallel subject. I can see how some parents might judge these books as juvenile or silly based on the titles, but kids won't see them that way. Maybe poop or butts wouldn't be my number one choice (but definitely number two!) for reading material, but I'm no longer under twelve. Kids absolutely adore these books, and I love anything that gets children reading.

Everything (and then some) you ever wanted to know about poop! The appropriately named Professor P. Poopdeck leads readers on an enlightening tour, from humans to pets, to wild animals of all different kinds. Yup, they all poop, but in all sorts of different ways. Birds poop in the sky - thank goodness elephants don't. It may be straight poop for humans, but it's pellets from rabbits, tubes from raccoons, cubes from wombats, and dung when it become a beetle snack.

This book reminds me of the classic Everyone Poops, but with humor! Artie Bennett can use all the funny phrases, rhyming text, and imaginative illustrations he wants, but he cannot quite conceal how informative this book is. This is clever enough to have children giggling, but also contains enough well-presented facts to appease parents.

My personal favorite is the souvenir stand set up hawking moose poop transformed into jewelry and wall art. Man, I hope that is fictional and not a real stand someone stumbled across on their vacation. But readers have plenty of pages from which to choose their favorite: monkeys flinging dung, flies letting loose under the microscope, raccoons pooping onto wombats ... it's all here!      

Review copy provided by Artie Bennett.

Animal Naps

 

Charlesbridge

Catherine Ham

Could it possibly get any cuter than an entire book of animals napping? From the front cover, I had assumed it would just be adorable photos of tucked in animal babies to ooh and ahh over. There's actually poetry inside! You can still ooh and ahh over the photos, but there is plenty to read as well. 

What a fantastic choice this would read right before your child's nap. Nothing like two dozen photos of sleeping animals to conjure up some drowsiness. Looking these photos over makes you realize how differently animals settle in for their shuteye. Koalas sleep tucked into the crooks of trees and somehow manage not to come tumbling down. Hedgehogs roll up into tight, spiny balls, while hippos slumber with their nostrils underwater.

Ducks are some of the most peculiar nappers, balancing on one leg, with heads tucked under a wing. The bat photo is particularly interesting, as their wings closed tightly around their bodies make them appear as though they are folded inside personal sized black umbrellas. My favorite photo by far is the lizard, who clutches a leaf with his tiny claws as if it were a favorite blankie. He looks so sweet - not a word usually used to describe lizards. So many sweet and adorable snoozers, plus fun poems. The perfect napping book!


Review copy provided by Charlesbridge.

Cool Animal Names

 

Charlesbridge

Dawn Cusick 

I have always found it amusing to take two completely different creatures and mash up their names to make a funky new animal. There is just something about animals and their names that make them fun to manipulate. The difference between that game and this book is that these animals actually exist.

Part One features one common animal and all the unique animals that share that name. For example, we are all familiar with elephants, but did you know there are also Elephant Shrews, Elephant Hawk Moths, and Elephant Beetles? Each of these has a photo and a paragraph on how their names were bestowed. Elephant Ear Coral are relatives of jellyfish that look exactly like a bunch of elephant ears piled up, while Elephant Seals have really large noses that resemble trunks. 

Part Two introduces different species and some of the unusual animals in those particular species. I think Owls are some of the coolest birds, and that was before I was aware of all the different types. Eagle Owls have two big tufts of feathers on their heads that look like a cross between giant eyebrows and tiny mohawks. They are the largest of all owls, earning their name by living in the same areas as eagles. Fish Owls have extra fringe on their feathers to help them fly quietly, so they sneak up on fish to eat. They also have spiny tipped toes for gripping those wriggling fish dinners.   

It is important to mention how visually stimulating this book is. In all, we are introduced to over 250 incredible animals, and treated to a photo of every single one. Most of the photos are surrounded by colorful circles and ovals, for a pleasing rainbow effect. The facts and tidbits presented are short little blips, ideal for reading aloud to younger kids. Interesting animals combined with a terrific presentation makes this a really cool book. 

Review copy provided by Charlesbridge.

Blowin' in the Wind

 

Sterling Publishing

Lyrics by Bob Dylan; illustrations by Jon J. Muth

According to Bob Dylan, he only needed about ten minutes to write Blowing in the Wind. It went on to become wildly popular, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and ranked as #14 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". And now it has been adapted into a format accessible to children. This picture book is Jon J. Muth's attempt at helping a new generation of readers be as inspired as he was when he first heard Dylan through his transistor radio in 1972. And what a fabulous job he does.

The song lyrics are gracefully accompanied by the most beautiful watercolors. It is immediately obvious how much time and thought was put into this book. The illustrations are done in such a way that they relate directly to the lyrics, but in a natural setting that includes children. I find it extremely clever how the lyrics are the words to the story and the illustrations fit each verse perfectly (including seas, cannonballs, mountains) and yet Muth still manages to make a cohesive story of it. 

The very first illustration is of a little boy holding a large red ball, looking out a window at a paper airplane soaring past. This airplane appears on nearly every page and is meant to represent "the answer" that is blowing in the wind. The little boy from the house (clutching his red ball) stares out at the many roads he has to choose from. A girl in a brilliant red canoe picks him up, and they glide across the seas. Three other children join them from various locations, until they are all tossing the ball to each other, with the flags of their nations draped across a cannon.   

Physically, the book feels very luxurious. This is an oversized edition, with lovely, large pages. The front and back covers are constructed from thicker material than most other picture books, with the CD safely tucked in a neat plastic case embedded in the front. The overall effect is that the book feels substantial, heavy in your hands. And once you see the stunning watercolors waiting inside, it is confirmed that you have found a gem of a picture book. Blowin' in the Wind poses a series of questions about peace, war and freedom. The song is open for interpretation, and each person who listens may define it as they see fit. Truly, a very special book for a new generation.  


Review copy provided by Sterling Publishing.

Birds of a Feather

 

Boyds Mills Press

Jane Yolen; Photographs by Jason Stemple 

Jane Yolen and Jason Stemple certainly know their birds, previously collaborating on Wild Wings and Fine Feathered Friends. They are back with another beautiful book of poetry.

Each page offers a thoughtful poem, a stunning photo and an informative paragraph on one bird. This is kind of a field guide for youngsters, beautifully put together. Learn about fourteen interesting birds, including some I am familiar with, like the Eagle and Sandpiper, and others slightly more exotic. I had never heard of an Oystercatcher before, but I love the rings of yellow and orange around the eye, accented with brilliant orange beaks. 

The Eastern Kingbirds's poem refers to that bird as the "flying ninja." I laughed, as the photo is of a small, unassuming brown bird who doesn't look very ninja-like. The descriptive paragraph confirms that this bird regularly attack hawks and crows in an effort to protect their nests. The photo of the Chickadee is so perfect, that you will want to reach right out and stroke those soft feathers.

Rhymes range from rhymes, to Haiku, to downright silly - something for everyone. What a beautiful way to introduce a child to the world of birding.    


Review copy provided by Boyds Mills Press.

Junie B.'s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain

Random House

Barbara Park; Illustrated by Denise Brunkus

Barbara Park has written over thirty books in the ultra popular Junie B. Jones stories. If your kids are at that magic age where they adore reading about Junie's B's antics, they will be thrilled to discover she now has her very own puzzle book!

This book is exactly the same size as a typical chapter book paperback, so it will slip right in on the shelf with the rest of the Junie B. series. I would estimate the age range for these puzzles would be about 4 to 7 years old. With 219 pages of puzzles, there are so many activities to choose from. Connect-the-dots, word scrambles, triangle mysteries, line tangles, mazes, spot the differences, and tons more. Plus, there are two sheets of stickers tucked in at the back, behind the answer pages.

Barbara Park has written a paragraph for each puzzle, explaining what sort of help Junie B. requires from the reader/puzzle solver. Grandma Miller made blueberry pancakes and you have to figure out which car goes to Grandma and the pancakes. Color in the triangles to find out what Junie B. just accidentally broke. Find the six differences between the photos of Room Nine on the bus heading to their field trip.

Tons of puzzles to choose from, plus a fair amount of reading for your child, and some great illustrations. The perfect activity book for a Junie B. Jones fan. Plus, at $5.99, that's a pretty inexpensive puzzle book. May want to tuck this one away for a stocking stuffer.   

Review copy provided by Random House.  

From Pie Town to Yum Yum

Kane Miller

Debbie Herman; Illustrated by Linda Sarah Goldman

Have you ever wondered how some towns and cities have ended up with such unusual names? Toponymy is the study of place names, taking into consideration the origins, meaning and use of the place. Not your typical dry geography book, this compiles some of the some the wackiest U.S. community names and attempts to provide reasonable explanations on how those came about. My favorites are Monkey’s Eyebrow in Kentucky and New Jersey’s Cheesequake. 

To be fair, each state is allotted the same amount of space: a double page spread. Listed in alphabetical order, we start with Scratch Ankle, Alabama and work our way through to Hole-in-the-Wall, Wyoming. I really like the uniform way the book is organized. One town in each state is highlighted, with the explanation interspersed with fun little drawings. The opposite page provides a general summary of the state, with three specific sections: Info to Know, Lay of the Land, and Road Trip. They give just enough to information to hook the reader and keep it interesting. 

It really is fun to learn about the crazy names that exist in the U.S. and how they came about. Frequently, it was the residents of a town who got together to decide on a name for their community. Some places were named for specific people, local taverns or other geographical events, while others were just plain old mistakes. Peculiar, Missouri was named when the postmaster’s suggestions were repeatedly rejected by the Post Office Department. He finally said he didn’t care what the town was named, as long as it was peculiar. And so it was. Yum Yum, Tennessee was created when a general store owner thought it would be good to name the town after a popular brand of cookies.  

This is a cross between a trivia book and a geography/history lesson. But the authors have put it together in such a fun way that it doesn't feel like a lesson at all. We took turns guessing how towns got their names, and ending up giggling over the little balloon comments in the illustrations. Great book! 

Review copy provided by Kane Miller. 

Let's Make Some Great Art

 

Laurence King 

Marion Deuchars

I really love this book. It is creative, incredibly clever, and full of projects that are both fun and easy. Professional artist and renowned illustrator Marion Deuchars created these projects in an effort to keep her sons inspired and stimulated. Hey, if her kids need a prod here and then, I don't feel so badly about my own!

The book's core ideas are inspired by the work of twelve famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian, and Leonardo da Vinci. Deuchars gives a brief introduction of each, explaining the type of art each was best known for, and then reveals several projects that relate to that specific claim. Make modern art from squiggles, try your hand at collage, conduct color experiments, re-create Mona Lisa's smile, or try painting Jackson Pollack style with paint and marbles. What will your children be inspired to create?

I like how this book is a cross between a history lesson and fifty art lessons, with a little bonus course on how easy it to use your imagination to come up with great things. I also love how varied the projects are - there is a bit of everything. Make animals from inky fingerprints, create your own color wheel and experiment mixing the colors, draw a shark in the pre-drawn tank, make a mobile from simple geometric shapes, fiddle around with tangrams, or draw circles by hand and compare them to compass drawn circles.

The projects mentioned just barely scratch the surface of what you will have to choose from! At 224 pages, the ideas are not technically "endless" but it sure feels that way. Opening this book for the first time is akin to having a bomb of creativity dropped in your lap. The next time you hear "I'm bored. There's nothing to do." you will have hundreds of suggestions at your fingertips.

I think maybe best of all, this book will help kids realize that it is possible to create great things from very simple ideas. Some of the pages are blank, apart from a single one sentence direction. They might need that little push to get started, but hopefully, this will show them that art is fun to create and there are no boundaries.    

Review copy provided by Laurence King.

Where in the Wild?

 



Random House

David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy; Photos by Dwight Kuhn

Being able to disappear into their surroundings is a necessary skill for many animals. Camouflage helps them find prey or keeps them from becoming another predator's dinner. As this book shows, their ability to blend into their surroundings is pretty amazing.

Each page consists of a clever or elegant poem paired with a beautiful photograph. The rhyme offers clues to help the readers locate which animal is being cleverly camouflaged by the flowers and foliage. And I do mean cleverly! You'll have to look very closely, as these guys are masters of disguise. Luckily for clueless parents, the photo page lifts up, revealing an identical photo beneath with the backgrounds grayed out, so the hidden animal is instantly revealed.

In addition to providing the answer to the puzzle, the opposing page folds out to reveal fascinating facts about each animal's natural history and how it relies on camouflage to survive. Brightly colored tree frogs have poisonous skin that predators won't eat. Gray Tree Frogs are non-toxic, so they rely on their rough gray-green skin to blend seamlessly against tree bark. Crab Spiders completely disappear when perched on yellow flower petals, and Green Snakes look just like thick blades of grass.   

Several paragraphs of information on eleven different animals makes this a fairly substantial read. Beautiful photography, fun rhymes and a game of hide and seek combine to become an incredibly enjoyable book of nature. Younger children will enjoy finding the animals, while older kids will be more apt to learn more about these animals that are able to hide in plain sight.

Review copy provided by Random House. 

How to be the Best Bubble Writer in the World Ever!

Chronicle Books

Linda Scott

Ah, bubble writing takes me back! If you live under a rock, bubble writing is hand-drawn letters that are so round and puffy that they look as if they are made from bubbles. It is also big FUN (once you learn how) and will enable you to make super sweet posters and design awesome logos. In short, it is the key to popularity. Okay, not really. But it is super fun and makes you feel artistically superior to the kids who live under rocks. Plus, Linda Scott guarantees it will make you happier.

You might think you master the basic bubble letter and you're done. Not so fast. There are 40 hand-drawn typefaces featured here, including robots, lightning strike, caveman, and ribbons. I like that she includes a font for darn near every season/holiday. It is hard to pick favorites, but if pressed, mine would be summer cakes (where every letter is covered with a small cap of sprinkles) and cactus.

Each font page has the entire alphabet written out, so you can see how to make every single letter. Directly above that are several inches of neat lines - space for practicing that font. Tucked in between all those fonts pages are goofy little projects: pages to make your own comic book, bookmarks, door hangers, holiday cards, party invitations, and much more. Scott does a wonderful job of not only presenting the fonts, but also demonstrating creative ways in which to employ them.

In this age of technology, you may be surprised to discover how cool your kids think it is to learn handwritten fonts. I distinctly remember someone showing me how to make bubble letters when I was in seventh grade, and immediately set to impressing my friends. I would have been a rock star with this book!

 Review copy provided by Chronicle Books. 

Inkblot

 

Boyds Mills Press

Margaret Peot

What would you say to an activity that will help you tap into your creativity, but requires no particular artistic skill? Let me add that it will be fun and you get to dabble around with art supplies. Margaret Peot explains how creating inkblots can help you overcome creative blocks, inspire ideas and open up avenues for creative expression. All that from blobs of ink and your imagination!

Simply put, just drop, brush, or swab ink on one side of a creased paper. Add a few drops of water. Fold the inked paper in half, and press firmly to make a symmetrical image. Unfold the paper to check the image and add more ink if you are not satisfied with the result. The types of paper and inks that you use will make all the difference in the quality of the finished product.

All right, so we know the steps to create a proper inkblot. Chapter 2 shows us how to add lines and colors to the blob to make it more recognizable. This is as simple as drawing around what you see in your blot and then coloring it in. It's a lot like lying on your back, looking at clouds and picking out shapes. If you having trouble getting started, try thinking of the inkblots as puzzles where you are looking for hidden images. They are there, just cleverly disguised.

I think this book is so inspiring. Before reading this, I had never known about the world of inkblots. It's so neat that the ink is just waiting on the paper for your interpretation. The final outcome is unique - what do you see? Check out Margaret's Subway Inkblog Blog to view the projects that others have made. Or visit the Inkblot Book's Channel for dozens of cool videos. What a wonderful and unique book this is!

Review copy provided by Boyds Mills Press.

His Shoes Were Far Too Tight

 

Chronicle Books

Edward Lear; Masterminded by Daniel Pinkwater; Illustrated by Calef Brown

 

Almost 200 years ago, Edward Lear made his living as a poet and artist, best known for his absurd wit. Mr. Lear had a sense of humor about himself and nearly everything else in the world. His first book of poems, A Book of Nonsense, was published in 1846. Lear poked fun at everything, which was the subject of his poems.

So is this a book of nonsense? Absolutely! The first poem is titled "How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!" That seems appropriate, doesn't it? I guess there might be some factual information in there, but it is difficult to separate the fact from fiction. Did he drink a great deal of Marsala, but eschew ginger beer? Maybe that was the key to maintaining his perfectly spherical body.

He weeps by the side of the ocean, 

He weeps on the top of the hill; 

He purchases pancakes and lotion, 

And chocolate shrimps from the mill.

If that poem and the following ones are any indication, Mr. Lear must have been a heck of a guy. I think his most well known poem is The Owl and the Pussycat, which is included here. But are you familiar with The Duck and the Kangaroo or Mrs. Blue Dickey Bird? The Nonsense Alphabet is pretty great too, with a funny stanza for each letter.

A fellow genius and nonsense master, Daniel Pinkwater, selected the poems and wrote the introduction for this book, while Calef Brown provided the brilliant illustrations. I somehow doubt that Edward Lear's original books published so long ago were this captivating, with brightly colored (pink, purple, orange and turquoise) bodies swarming the pages. How wonderful that this duo created a clever way to introduce Lear's poetry to a whole new generation.        

Review copy provided by Chronicle Books.

Encyclopedia Mythologica: Dragons & Monsters

Candlewick Press

Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda

If you are lucky enough to have one of Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda's books fall into your hands, odds are your first word will be "WOW!" Then your mouth will fall open and just hang there while you turn the pages, as you had no idea that a pop-up book could look like this. Reinhart and Sabuda are like the rock stars of the pop up world, creating the most amazing books. This is the final volume in the Encyclopedia Mythologica trilogy series, preceded by Gods and Heroes, and Fairies and Magical Creatures. 

Even though I know what to expect when I open one of these, I am still astounded when a new one is released. Each page features one enormous pop-up in the center of the page, with smaller booklets in the corners. Medusa rears her ugly head on page one, with fanged green snakes rearing every which way. Two pages later, a dragon erupts, tubes of bright red crepe paper forming his tubular body. Other main events: a vampire rising from his coffin, Bigfoot hiding behind a tree, a fearsome winged dragon, and a kraken attacking an unlucky ship.

Although there are technically only six pages, there is so much information (and paper!) tucked into each, that the book measures three inches thick. The booklets in the corners provide written information paired with smaller pop-ups. I like that these have tiny tabbed corners that hold them closed, so the pages stay nice and neat until the reader is ready to release them. 

Yes, the books in the Encyclopedia Mythologica series cost a bit more than the average hardcover children's book, but they are worth every single penny. This is art, engineering, and creativity all tucked up into a neat package. Although the video below shows each page, it honestly does not do the book justice. Leafing through a physical own copy is far more impressive.

Review copy provided by Candlewick Press.

Adventure Beneath the Sea

Boyds Mills Press

Kenneth Mallory;Photographs by Brian Skerry

Boyds Mills Press routinely publishes some of the very best non-fiction books on the market, and this is yet another excellent addition to their collection. Three and a half miles offshore the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and sixty feet under the Atlantic ocean sits Aquarius, the world's only undersea research station. This pressure-resistant steel cylinder allows author Kenneth Mallory and National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry to spend seven days living in the Atlantic ocean, studying and exploring the sea life. Their findings make for this fascinating book ... a real life adventure beneath the sea.     

 
Although Aquarius is a self-contained space for living, it's a tight fit with dimensions of only 43 feet long and 9 feet in diameter. The underwater pod is attached to a large above water platform called the Life Support Buoy, which produces a steady flow of air and communicates with Mission Control on land. After extensive training, the pair pass the tests necessary to allow them to live underwater for the next seven days.

Living underwater means that they will be able to become humans living like fishes. Actually, they will use scuba equipment and a tagging system to track fish around the reef to see where they go. At a later date, conservation biologists will use this information to design better habitats to protect fish. Very cleverly, the divers devise a way to implant a tracking device inside a moray eel (who are not as easy to catch as the smaller fish): using a bologna sandwich as bait.     

The first chapter explains the station and the second chapter gives a rundown of their mission. Chapter three covers the extensive training process needed to set foot on Aquarius, and chapters four and five show what life is like for the next week. All the chapters are accompanied by magnificent underwater photography that makes the whole book come alive. The clear, straighforward writing paired with the photographs really give readers a great sense of what living on Aquarius would be like.Consequently, this book treads the fine line of being both a good learning tool and immensely interesting. 

Review copy provided by Boyds Mills Press.

15 Minutes Outside

Sourcebooks 

Rebecca P. Cohen

After realizing she was not giving her family the rich experience of enjoying the great outdoors, Rebecca Cohen made an important resolution for herself and her family: to get outside for a few minutes every single day. On the surface, that seems like a pretty easy resolution, after all, it's only fifteen minutes. Until you to get to the Every. Single. Day. part of that resolution. That's a lot of cold, wet and snowy days, not to mention lazy mom days.     

When it comes to getting outside, I'm full of good intentions, and poor follow through. Warm, summer days are easy, but in the winter I am easily sidetracked by cups of coffee and board games spread out on the rug in front of the fire. It's just too easy to stay indoors and the minimal effort it takes to remain on the couch. But this book fights back by making it fun and easy to get your bums outdoors with a minimum of fuss or thought. 

I give Rebecca a lot of credit for sticking with her resolution and getting out there - and then writing this to give everyone else a hand! To help on harried days, she composed a list of fifty easy outdoor activities and posted it by their back door. The activities in this book are designed to be simple and low cost. You won't need fancy equipment or special clothing. I like that the book is divided into months of the year, with a weather appropriate outdoor suggestion for every single day in that month, for a total of 365 outdoor ideas. That organization makes it simple to pick up book, flip to the appropriate month and select an activity to try. Cool, huh?

But she doesn't just list thirty items in a boring column. Each one is a small paragraph explaining why the activity is worth doing or how her family had fun with it. For May, some of the suggestions are to invite birds into your garden with bird feeders, host an informal garden tea party, play kickball with the whole family, or check on your seedlings in the garden. One of my favorites was setting up a clear bag with dirt, worms and table scraps, then watching the compost break down. 

Of course, I thought some of her ideas were better than others, but that is to be expected in a book of this nature. Overall, I loved the concept, her enthusiasm and the outdoor activities she provided. We will be putting this book to good use - starting this month! 

Review copy provided by Sourcebooks. 

Highlights Hidden Pictures - 2011

Boyds Mills Press

Highlights for Children

Good ole Highlights. I can remember having a subscription when I was a kid  and one of our favorite features was always the hidden pictures puzzle. This is still one of the first sections we turn to when our issue arrives now and most definitely the one we spend the most time on.  What could be better than an entire book comprised of these great puzzles?

I don't know that there is an age range for this type of thing, as the adults here have been enjoying this book every bit as as much as the six year old does. Of course, some of the hidden objects jump out at you right away, but there are always a handful that remain hidden despite our best efforts. We worked together and found ourselves struggling at the end of each puzzle to find that last elusive banana or thin pencil. Thankfully, there is an answer key at the back of the book if you are absolutely stumped.

The annual set is comprised of four volumes. At forty-eight pages per book, that works out to almost 200 puzzles in all. We have had our copy for just over a week and are already halfway through. Not surprisingly, requests have already been made for the other three volumes in this series. Good, clean, completely addictive fun! 

Review copy provided by Boyds Mills Press.

Cupcakes, Cupcakes and More Cupcakes!

Imagine Publishing

Lilach German; Photography by Danya Weiner

Just to be clear, this isn't a baking book specifically intended for a child to use. But clearly, it is a book that would provide one heck of a lot of enjoyment for children! I don't think I know any child who isn't brought to their knees by the sight of a beautifully frosted cupcake. Their diminutive size makes cupcakes so much more entrancing than a full size cake and they seem nearly custom made for small hands.

The title says it all - this is an astonishing array of goodies in a perfect form. I think cupcakes are an incredibly versatile treat - perfect to take to school, parties, or on a welcome plate for the neighbors. I love how the chapters are divided: The Classics Cupcake Style, Cupcakes for Kiddies, Cupcake Celebrations, A Cupcake to Your Health and Cupcakes for Connoisseurs. Whatever the occasion, Lilach German has devised several recipes that would fit perfectly.    

For Valentine's Day, we decided on Mini Chocolate Valentine Cupcakes, which were coated with a smooth dark chocolate frosting and sprinkled with tiny candied hearts. My six year old was positively drooling over the Mini-Me Marshmallow Cupcakes. The directions say to press one mini marshmallow in the center of the cupcake, attaching marshmallows around it to achieve symmetry. It really makes a huge difference in the cupcake's appearance, but I wouldn't have known to do it on my own. 

There is a great variety of styles and tastes to choose from, and while there isn't a photo on every page, there are enough photos to be satisfying. Some of these cupcakes are classics and others I would never have dreamed of. The Top Hat Cupcakes are simply mesmerizing, while the Gingerbread Cupcakes are just simple. This is one fantastic cupcake compilation!    


Review copy provided by Imagine Publishing.