Why do kids love animal stories? A well written novel with animals as the main characters allows the reader to consider human society, emotions and behaviors from an outside perspective. And animal protagonists are not just for picture books, these middle grade animal books for tweens will appeal to kids ages 8 and up. You...
10 Middle Grade Animal Books - From the Animal's Point of View
20 Children's Picture Books To Inspire a Love of Nature
Do you wish your kids wanted to spend more time outdoors and less time in front of their electronic devices? Here's how to start: read them a picture book that celebrates the wonder of the natural world! This list of twenty of our favorite picture books will inspire your kids to do just that! These...
5 Ways to Repurpose Board Games for Toddlers and Preschoolers
We have a lot of games. I like games. My older kid LOVES games. My toddler-almost-preschooler, always wants to do whatever his awesome big brother is doing and so he loves games, or at least all the pieces and components of games. However! It's not so easy to play the same game with your 7-year-old...
Sports Coloring Page with Over 10 Different Sports!
Kids who love playing or watching sports will enjoy our newest sports themed monthly coloring page. Children's book illustrator and author, Melanie Hope Greenberg designed this exclusive multisports coloring page just for you! It features the big three: baseball, football and basketball, but also table tennis, sailing, golf and best of all–roller skating! I imagine...
Time Travel Books for Ages 8-14 (Middle Grade)
What is more enticing than the possibility of time travel? Time travel, whether it's a desire to experience historical moments, change bits about the past we don't like or experience the future, is an intriguing element in adventure books and science fiction. These middle grade time travel books will take your kids on a wild,...
Get Smart! Books about the Brain for Kids and Parents
These super smart books about the brain will engage and fascinate kids. But who else needs to learn about the developing brain? Why parents of course! What is more intriguing than the human brain? It controls every thing we do, the way we feel and how we sense and experience the world around us. My...
Children's Books about the Amazing Human Body!
Kids have lots of questions about the human body. After all, it's what they live in every day! If, like me, you are a little rusty on your human biology facts these children's books about the human body will help both you and your kids learn a thing or two about all the systems, organs,...
Indoor Active Game: Land, Sea and Air
A friend of mine taught me this easy indoor active game you can play instantly (and anywhere) with your kids. When the weather goes extreme, whether it's too hot, cold, windy or raining you can fill the long hours of boredom using our list of indoor activities for inspiration, and now I have a fun...
Laugh-Out-Loud Funny Beginning Chapter Book Series: Ages 6-10
I meant for this list of funny beginning chapter books, or "early chapter books" to be much shorter and more manageable, but I could not stop putting books on it! I finally forced myself to stop and when I did I noticed that the majority of books are about animals! For a typical developing reader...
Gross Motor Activity: Scooter Slalom
There are several fun things my boys love to do at the park. They love to play tag games, blow bubbles, and roll down hills. But their most favorite thing to do is ride as fast as they can on their scooters! This gross motor activity was a spontaneous creation one summer morning when I took...
Triangle Puzzle Will Stump Your Kids Longer than You Thought Possible
Quick! Your kids are hovering over you, asking you for the tablet, begging for another 15 minutest of video games and all you want to do is drink your tea and close your eyes against the onslaught and cacophony of voices! What do you do? Why you give them this paper triangle puzzle of course!...
July Read Aloud Books: Fireworks for Your Imagination!
It's July! A time for lazy summer reading and enjoying new read aloud books with your children! These July read aloud book picks, like all my monthly read aloud lists are a little random, a little July-themed and a lot awesome. They are all new to my book lists, to date, and I hope you...
Sticky Paper Art Activity for Toddlers and Preschoolers
I love this sticky paper art activity as a quick go-to indoor activity for toddlers and preschoolers, especially when they need a quiet moment. As well as being a great boredom buster that gets those creative juices flowing, this activity helps kids develop fine motor skills. (Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn...
Books about the Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969 two American men walked on the moon for the first time. 2019 was the 50 anniversary of Apollo 11, the mission that put those men into the history books. The books on this list aim to tell a greater story than just the first few footprints onto moon dust. Who was...
Mermaid Bookmarks Coloring Page (Printable)
Got a child who loves mermaids and reading? These printable mermaid bookmarks are just the thing! Those of you who are familiar with our monthly coloring pages know that children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg, loves mermaids! Most of our June coloring pages are mermaid themed in honor of Coney Island's Mermaid Day...
Puzzle Books for Kids: Perfect for Travel & Quiet Time
When you want to keep your kids busy, these puzzle books filled with mazes, brain teasers, stickers and other activities are exactly what you need! Puzzle books and activities keep the kids busy on the road, in the air, and during all those in between waiting times that crop up when you least expect it....
Dice Games with 5 Dice: Five Times the Fun!
Did you know that playing dice games with 5 dice is actually 5 times more fun than playing with one die? True story. But seriously, these 5-dice games are ever so much fun for families and they are one of the greatest screen-free boredom busters in the entire world. I do not exaggerate You can...
16 LGBTQIA Children's Books for Kids
What if you could help children simply by reading picture books that portray their life stories in a positive light? Would you do it? Of course you would! After all, every child deserves to see themselves and their families represented in a positive light in picture books, and every child benefits from seeing the diversity...
June Read Aloud Books - That Will Make You Want to Go Outside!
I was trying to come up with a good theme for my June Read Aloud Book List when all I really wanted to do was get outside in the garden. Then the light bulb went off! June is one of those months in which the weather is almost always inviting. So this month, why not...
Nonfiction Books for Middle School to Inspire Critical Thinking!
What are some good nonfiction books for middle school? Well, the answer to that question lies in knowing what your particular 9-13 year old likes to read, and the topics in which they are interested. A great nonfiction book will inspire your middle schooler to delve deeper into the topic, sending them off to the...
Cute Summer Coloring Pages
Let's face it, during the summer, kids need lots of boredom busters. Sure, it's ideal if they spend all their time outdoors, communing with nature and engaging in free play, and parents should encourage that as much as possible. But what about: ...or any other time, kids just want a little quiet, downtime. I know,...
Cute Memorial Day Coloring Page: A Parade and Celebration
This month's coloring page is very versatile. While I am calling it a Memorial Day Parade coloring page since the holiday in question is coming up at the end of the month, it can be used for any celebratory occasion! To turn it into a Memorial Day coloring extravaganza featuring a marching band and performers...
Game of the Month: Zangle!
Do the following family game night criteria sound familiar? I have the solution to your dilemma! A fun new family card game: Zangle! About Zangle! Card Game Zangle! is a card game by the makers of Set and Quiddler, both of which I have previously featured as games of the month. Zangle! consists of a...
May Read Aloud Books that Aren't about Spring!
May has a reputation for being a cheerful of months. After all, it's full of lilacs and tulips, and while these May read aloud books may not be about May flowers, spring, Memorial Day, the end of school or anything else you might associate with the merry month of May, they will definitely cheer you...
17 Unique Seek and Find Books for Kids
Seek and Find books have come a long way since Highlights' Hidden Pictures, I Spy and Where's Waldo! Although those classics remain wonderful hidden picture books to keep your kids busy, I've found some unique seek and find books. These types of activity books are excellent companions for road trips, waiting in line, or whenever...
The Best Silent Movies to Watch with Your Kids
When your kids ask for screen time, exactly how much begging can you take before you give in? 2 minutes? 10? Do you hold your ground despite their determination to wear you down? I've developed a thick skin during my career as "the mean mom who limits screen time," so my kids know I mean...
Under the Sea Coloring Page
With April being Earth Month (April 22 is Earth Day), many kids are learning about the environment, especially the wondrous and vast oceans and their ecosystems. Be sure to include this under-the-sea coloring page by children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg, as part of your celebration with little ones. This sea life coloring...
Scottish Folktales: Legends, Creatures and Lore
Let's take a trip to the highlands of Scotland, shall we? Or perhaps the lowlands are more your style. Whether you have Scots blood in you or no, these Scottish folktales and fairy tales will will transport you to the shores of a loch with a hearty haggis and shortbread lunch. Scottish myths and legends...
Poetry Books for Babies and Toddlers
Can you read poetry to babies and toddlers? Of course! Kids ages 3 and under will be a most receptive audience. When you stop to consider the matter, you will notice that most good books for babies, toddlers and even preschoolers are written in rhyme and with a pleasing rhythm. I loved reading poetry to...
14 Picture Books about Perspective and Observation
The books we choose to read say a lot about us. Do we read books that reflect back our own experiences, or do we choose books that challenge us with unfamiliar views? Most book lovers read a combination of both. We can share the joy of reading about the latter with our children by picking...
Poetry for Middle School That Kids Can Relate To
Do your young teenagers and pre-teens like to affect an air of being a little bit jaded? Let's face it, middle school is not an easy time for anyone. But what better way to express oneself than through poetry? This list of poetry for middle school contains an abundance of poems that kids ages 10...
Environmental Books for Kids - To Teach and Inspire
Talking about subjects like the environment and climate change can be daunting. "The environment" encompasses so many issues, yet instilling our children with values such as standing up for environmental justice and living a sustainable life are crucial for future generations to be able to thrive. With these picture books about the environment and biographies...
April Read Aloud Books to Put a Spring in Your Step
It's spring! Time for some uplifting read aloud books perfect for April days. I could have given you books about April showers, but I decided to go the green route instead. These books, while not necessarily about spring, will remind you why you love this season so much. New life! Fresh colors! Cute little baby...
Easiest Origami Finger Puppets
What if I told you that making origami finger puppets was a gateway to literacy? Okay, you probably know origami is great for math and problem solving, but literacy? You might need some convincing. Hear me out. These origami finger puppets promote pretend play. In turn, pretend play promotes creative storytelling wherein children engage the...
Printable Spring Finger Puppets for Pretend Play
Children learn best through play and enjoy making their own toys, like these adorable spring finger puppets! Paper finger puppets like this cute bunny, chick, sun, tulip and lamb will encourage your children's creative storytelling skills and extend their pretend play time. In fact, you may recognize the chick from Melanie's Easter coloring page! As...
Giggle-Inducing Funny Poetry Books for Kids
Read the funny poetry from these books and watch your child devolve into giggles! In fact, as you introduce poems into your family life you will find that poetry can play a special part in your relationship with your child and you'll never think of poetry as boring, again! No More Poems! A Book in...
Best Dice Games for Kids: Have Fun and Learn New Skills!
Dice games are not just an excellent way to while away the time. The benefits of playing dice games for kids are many! Playing these games will expose kids to the wonders of probability, put math calculation skills to use, improve visual perception and manual dexterity, Not only that, while playing dice games, your children...
Books Like Artemis Fowl: Heists, Thrilling Missions and Spies!
Have your kids read the Artemis Fowl series? Are they looking forward to the Artemis Fowl movie coming out in August, 2019? If they've read and re-read all seven books in Eoin Colfer's fast paced, high interest story about a twelve-year-old criminal mastermind who goes after a dangerous group of high-tech fairies they're probably looking...
Picture Books to Support Emotional Intelligence
What one act will develop both the emotional intelligence and the future academic success of your child? You only get one guess. (I bet you guessed right.) Research has repeatedly demonstrated that reading aloud to your children helps them develop empathy and compassion. Picture books offer your children insight into the perspective of others as...
Top Secret! Spy Books for Kids
So you have a little secret agent in training and you want to find a few good spy books to teach them the ins and outs of espionage. Or maybe your child has been carrying around a magnifying glass and sporting a decoder ring while engaging in an undercover operation to empty the cookie jar....
