It goes without saying that no modern retelling of a Jane Austen can ever live up to the original works of genius. Nevertheless, YA adaptations of Austen’s novels can still be quite enjoyable to read. This books on this list of YA light-romance novels vary somewhat in their literary quality. I found that the most…
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Making and Keeping a Hobby Book
What topic captivates your child? Dinosaurs? LEGO? Trucks? What activity do they love to do? Baking? Chess? Pottery? Most kids have at least one interest that truly captivates them. No doubt you have started a sentence with “My kid is so obsessed with [fill in the blank]!” It is absolutely delightful to watch your children…
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Read Aloud Chapter Books for 4 and 5 (and 6) Year Olds
It goes without saying that you should continue to read picture books to your preschoolers and kindergarteners, but if your children are ready, adding in just the right chapter book can add a new dimension to your read aloud time. The qualities of the best chapter books to read aloud to 4-6 year olds are…
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5 “Flexible” Drawing Ideas for Tweens
Fact: not every kid is interested in drawing and while many lists of drawing ideas for tweens give options like using YouTube videos to learn how to draw specific objects (how to draw a bird, how to draw a house, etc.), that’s not going to appeal to tweens who have little natural interest in art….
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Moon Spinner: Brain Game of the Month
Remember spending hours in the 1980s trying to solve that Rubik’s cube you got for Christmas? Well, let me introduce you to the brain teaser puzzle for your kids’ generation. Moon Spinner! Moon Spinner from ThinkFun is an ingenious puzzle that consists of rotating circles. The mission, should your kids choose to accept it, is…
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Pajama Day Coloring Page
Have you been staying at home a lot? Perhaps hanging out in pajamas for a greater part of the day than normally? Well, National Pajama Day is April 16th and we are here for you with a pajama coloring page created by children’s book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg! The Pajama Day coloring scene…
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Children’s Books about Communities Coming Together
Foster your child’s faith in humanity by reading them picture books about communities coming together in times of crisis, as well as in times of normalcy. These children’s books about the power of community, being helpful and looking out for one’s fellow humans and creatures are a great resource to teach your children about the…
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How to Play Queah: An Abstract Strategy Game from Liberia
Queah is a traditional board game played by the Queah people in Liberia. It is a capture-type abstract strategy game that has some similarities with checkers or draughts. It is a great boredom buster for kids and families no matter where in the world you live. We love playing these traditional games, like Kaooa from…
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Children’s Books about Resilience
You’ve heard the expression, “children are resilient,” and while that may be true, their resilience depends on the loving support of those around them who can help them learn to navigate tough times. These children’s books about resilience are good tools to help you teach your kids the skills they need to draw upon their…
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Middle Grade Biographies and Memoirs in Verse
One of the most readable genres for middle school students is stories written in verse. Short poems and lots of white space on the page appeal to reluctant readers, while layers of meaning that the poetic form offers encourages deep reflection. Middle grade biographies and memoirs in verse serve up an additional benefit–they give insight…
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