Summer Activity Books

When school is out of session and there are limited camp and daycare options, summer can be a challenging time for parents.  So far this summer, my daughter, Molly, has attended a myriad of fantastic camps. From a week long cooking camp and art camp at Sea Pines Montessori to an acting camp at Savannah Country Day School, she's having an action packed summer.  But most of the camps don't last all day and we come home at noon, or 2:00 pm, with not much to do.  There are only so many days you can go to the pool in this heat! And since we try very hard to limit TV (a losing battle sometimes, I fear), we are always on the look out for great activities.  Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe recommended these vacation activity and creativity books. The Princess one has been a huge hit!  It's provided us with hours of activities. She has a wonderful selection of activity books for boys and girls (be sure to check out the Pirate one for your little Captain Hook!)

From stickers to fold out scenes, stencils to photo hunts, make your own crowns and games, this one is FULL of activities Molly has truly loved. Here's the happy customer busy at work.

Molly really enjoyed learning how to draw a princess... 

Matching games with beautiful shoes were also fun!

Once I showed her how to use a stencil, Molly loved that she could make castles, dragons, and princesses all by herself.

What fun we are having with this!

So if you are looking for something for your kids to do this summer while you are in between camp, the pool, or have run out of activities, I highly recommend picking up one of these activity books at The Storybook Shoppe!  The vacation one just might be what you need for that long car ride as an alternative to the DVD player or when you grow tired of "I spy!"

You can buy it now, right here on our blog for 10% OFF and we will ship it directly to your door. They make great gifts for birthday, too! 

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Brownie & Pearl Go For A Spin

Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe is so good about recommending a variety of books to our family. Last week it was an educational book about Abraham Lincoln (click here in case you missed the post!) and this week it's was a fun and whimsical treasure that my daughter, Molly, just loved. 

The series "Brownie and Pearl" by Cynthia Rylant and pictures by Brian Biggs are tales about a girl and her cat.  In this one called Brownie and Pearl Go for a Spin,  the duo goes for a ride to the mailbox in Brownie's car. They get the mail, deliver it and drive back home. Except Pearl doesn't want to get out of the car when they arrive.  She enjoyed her spin and wants to drive more!  Until Brownie gets her a special snack. 

That's it. It's quite simple actually. 

So why did we like it? Because it's cute! The words are easy, the story is simple, and there's nothing complicated about this book.  There's no underlying message. No deep rooted lesson. No history.  And that's okay! It's purely fun. 

This series is beautifully illustrated, much like the TV show La La Loopsy, my daughter pointed out. It's bright and cheery and upbeat.  And sometimes, that's all you need for a great children's book! 

You can buy this book right here on our blog -- you don't even have to leave your computer! Check out using Paypal below.  We will give you 10% OFF to defray the cost of shipping and as a thank you for supporting our local bookstore.  

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The Girl and The Bicycle

I love seeing my children's imagination run wild. I love when my nearly 5 year-old daughter, Molly, does a puppet show, or puts on a play for me. Seeing her imagination and her story telling develop has been incredible over the last two years. She's becoming creative, dynamic and artistic. 

This book recommended to us by Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe is called The Girl and The Bicycle. It gives my daughter an opportunity to tell a story and push her imagination and creativity.  There are no words in this book -- it's entirely pictures. 

A little girl sees a beautiful shinny green bicycle while walking down the street with her brother.  She immediately runs home to see if has enough money in her piggy bank. 

When she discovers doesn't have enough money, she figures out innovative ways to make some, including working for an older woman raking leaves, shoveling snow and planting flowers.

In the spring, when she finally has enough money to buy the bike, it's not there! What happens next is the most endearing act of kindness between a sister and brother, and then the older woman and little girl. 

Because of the way this story is drawn, my storytelling daughter was able to tell me all this incredibly well! Page by page, vignette by vignette, Molly was able to articulate exactly what was happening on the page. 

I suspect it's tremendous not only for her story telling and imagination, but for her language development as well.  I am not kidding when I tell you I cried at the end of this story, and if you are sentimental at all, my guess is you will too.  It's a fabulous book and I highly recommend it.   Buy it now right here on our blog, for that story teller you may know! We will give 10% OFF to help defray the cost of shipping. 

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I am Abraham Lincoln

Any opportunity for a lesson I will gladly take with my children.  We read plenty of funny and entertaining books and plenty of more serious ones. Rarely does a book come across our shelf that is entertaining, serious, and educational.   Here's one that meets all three and it may even have changed my life (read on....) 

The series "Ordinary People Change The Word" by Brad Meltzer was recommended to us by Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe and it immediately came into favor to read to my nearly 5-year-old daughter, Molly. I am Abraham Lincoln is a children's biography of Abraham Lincoln. It's incredibly empowering. 

Molly identified with Abraham Lincoln, who stood up against a pack of bullies trying to hurt an innocent turtle.  She was confused (but then sympathetic) with a boat-full of slaves that Abraham Lincoln witnessed (and then sought to change.)  She was curious about what it means to be "on a penny" and President of the United States, and interested to hear about the Civil War.  (War is such an unfathomable topic for a child!) It's certainly a book above her head at only 5 years-old, but because of the way it was written, it somehow was understood. At least in part. 

Perhaps more understood by me, and more touching to me, were these words: 

"In life, strength can take many forms. But there is nothing quite as strong as standing up for someone who needs it. No matter where you are from, or how little you have, one thing that can never be taken away from you is your voice.  When you find something you believe in, use your voice. And when you see injustice, speak louder than you've ever spoken before.  When you do....It will never be forgotten." 

These words ring true to me. Over the last few years, I have been busy building a business, raising my children, focusing on my life.  That's the stage I am in and there's nothing wrong with that. Yet, I grew up with a mother and father (and generations before that) who were incredibly giving and active in our community.  My mother was the President of A Better Chance in Winchester, and countless other organizations.  In high school, I volunteered at a nursing home, I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, I traveled to Africa and built homes for people in need.  I gave back.  I feel that over the last few years, I have lost that. And this book truly has reminded me that I am fortunate, I am blessed and it's time to do more for other people. 

Have you ever been inspired like this by a children's book? Or any book at all? How special would it be if we can empower our children at 5 years old? Or 10? I highly recommend this book and this series.  You can buy it here now, without leaving your home or computer!  Check out with Paypal below and we will take 10% OFF. 

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Tools Rule!

What is it about little boys and their fascination with tools and construction? For Connor's 2nd birthday we got him a toy Black and Decker tool set. It's his new favorite toy (along with the pretend vacuum!) The toy drill lights up, the saw actually moves, there's a hammer and plenty of nuts and bolts to screw in.  A real hit! He's so into how things go together, tools and construction, that we threw him a "construction themed" 2nd birthday party.  Here are a few quick photos before my review of Tools Rule, a new book recommended to us by The Storybook Shoppe! 

 

Isn't he the cutest?  Connor just loved Tools Rule by Aaron Meshon. It's a funny mix of adult humor and puns for children that they'll pick up on.  The simple, cartoon like illustrations keep them interested and all the friendly tools come to life.  If you are fan of the book Chopsticks and Spoons, I recommend this one for you and your family! 

Do you have a little boy interested in these topics? If he or she loves tools, construction, and putting things together, definitely check out Tools Rule! Buy it now right here on our blog for 10% OFF and have it shipped directly to your door. 

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The Baby Tree

The question will inevitably come from your young child. It's only natural and in fact, it's very healthy. "Where do babies come from?" is that simple question that adults never seem to know how to answer when a child asks.  When is the right time to explain it? Here's a wonderful book that explains where babies come from simply and effectively.  It's age appropriate for 4 - 8 year old's.

The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackwell is a beautifully illustrated hardcover book that answers one curious boys question, and every child that is reading it. The boy wants to know where babies come from, but he is getting all kinds of confusing answers from the mailman, his teacher, and his babysitter.

He finally gets the answer from his parents who explain that babies come from inside their mom, beginning with a seed from their dad.  I really love that the answer comes from his parents, not the mailman, teacher or babysitter. Here's a good opportunity to also explain that the best information comes from the most trusted source in your child's life: you!

Have you had to have this conversation with your children yet?  My 4-year-old daughter, Molly, asked it when she was just two years old. She brings it up every so often.  Now I have a wonderful book to clearly and simply explain it.  If you have struggled with this topic before like I have, I suggest you get this book! It also makes a great gift for kids who are expecting siblings, since that's a logical question during that time.

You can buy it now, right here on our blog and save 10% OFF the list price. We will ship it directly to your door within days!

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Me and My Dad

Father's Day is coming up in two weeks and this is one holiday that I absolutely treasure.  My husband, Mike, is truly a wonderful father.  He's a bit unorthodox at times but he is 100% devoted to his children.  It's quite clear he would do anything for them and loves them unconditionally.  Because he is happy, outgoing, and loves life -- so do my children.  Their enthusiasm and excitement for life really comes from him and for that I am grateful. 

At The O'Regan household, we are busy thinking of ways to celebrate Dad.  Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe has a great find for Father's Day! Me and My Dad is a keepsake activity book that your children can do with Dad.  Once completed, it will be something that they can treasure forever! I love that they can sit down and do a little at a time, or spend an hour together asking each other question after question.

In this wonderful book, each page is dedicated to documenting things about Dad like where he's from, where's he has traveled, his family tree, favorite games, life aspirations, favorite music, colors, activities and so many other wonderful topics.  The best part is that it's a two way dialogue so your children get to ask questions but also answer them too. It's a great way to document not only Dad's interests and history, but your children's.   How fun it will be to look back in 10, 20 or 30 years! 

This book is a great price --only $7.99 for beautifully illustrated hardcover book.  You can buy it right here on our blog, just check out below using PayPal.  We will ship it right to your door!  Take 10% OFF, too and pay only $7.19 plus shipping and tax.  We think it makes a treasured keepsake that you and Dad will love!

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