From the category archives:

library

wait, WHAT’S at the end of this book?

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Recognize that image? If you’re of a certain age, I’m betting you will.The Monster at the End of this Book was my absolute favorite book as a child – or, at least, it’s the one book that stuck in my head from childhood all the way into my old age! I put off getting The [...]

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doodle your own dinner

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Creative Coloring books like Doodle Cook ($14.95) deserve creative adjectives. Like Awesome-sauce. Awesome-pants. Amaze-balls. Especially when the book is all about creating new things. How about a Hand Salad, Crayon Tartar, or maybe a Sun-Ray Tart for your arty appetite today?  Hervé Tullet’s newest book (see his other books in my earlier Hervé Tullet Review) gives you [...]

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gotta get app: Blöki

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There is something so addictive about a simple iPad/iPhone app that’s done well. With Blöki, I just enjoy interacting with the physics, listening to the sound of the wood blocks, and enjoying the open-ended play that’s stays real in a virtual reality. Yes, of course, real blocks are best. But next time you’re at a restaurant, [...]

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best apps to get the kids through the holidays

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These are some of our favorite apps right now – it’s an ever-changing smorgasbord in our house, but these finds are the ones that have recently pulled us through or will keep us going during Christmas travel and family visits! What are your go-to apps with your kids? Share in the comments, let’s get a [...]

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let’s get books to the kids who need them!

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click here & donate now! I just returned from an inspiring production of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, and I’m full of Holiday Spirit and Charity – the kind that lets you keep Christmas all year round (that’s an almost quote!). What better time than now to share a great (and affordable) chance for you to [...]

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best illustrated children’s books

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While we’re all working to keep a firm grip on the loot piles looming over our kids this holiday season, there’s a simple saying: Give Your Child: One thing they want One thing they need One thing to wear One thing to read   Nice, right? Today, let’s focus on the reading. I just found [...]

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gotta get app: Peek-A-Boo aliens

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Watching my almost three year old with any iPad app is fascinating. It truly is such an intuitive tool for her. Take this Peek-A-Boo Find the Hidden UFO’s app ($1.99). Obviously it’s beautiful to look at, but Birdie can navigate through the entire thing, without help from me. She even knows how to “cheat”: getting [...]

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the incredible book eating boy

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Every once in awhile I realize there’s an item we’ve had forever that I’d meant to share with all of you forever ago. At the time I’m sure one too many things were on my to-post list! Luckily, the things we love are always worth a look. Oliver Jeffer’s book, The Incredible Book-Eating Boy, $17.99 is a [...]

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storytime & nursery rhymes, far & near

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The Nursery Rhymes with Storytime app, $3.99 is a new favorite. I’m head over heels for the vintage illustrations and classic stories. They’ve been hijacked, dusted off, and upgraded to a look that’s just so COOL with all of it’s retro layers. Birdie is of course fascinated with all the moving bits and pieces. Even [...]

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letters, & numbers, & iPhones oh my

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Birdie is just starting preschool at a local Montessori School. Once over her initial what-the-heck-is-this-place response, closely followed by the where-the-heck-do-you-think-you’re-going attitude, she’s loving it. I’m loving their approach to learning and their focus on developing the whole child. Montessori methods involve a lot of deceptively simple tools and learning devices. For example, one of [...]

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gotta get app: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

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This week’s best iPad app is an amazing book called The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. It’s actually based on a short film of the same name – which means this virtual book version is filled with some beautiful cinematic touches, not to mention lots of interactive features. Beautiful imagery, and a very [...]

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gotta get app: Granimator

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Now this is my kind of app. A cross between stickers, grafitti art, high-falluttin’ design, and good ol’ free fun, Granimator lets you draw and design an endless combination of wallpapers for your iPad or iPhone. This app from UK-based Ustwo features art packs from a range of artists: you pick your pack, pick from [...]

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summer swim fun

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Watching Birdie play in her silly little pool is one of my favorite simple summer pleasures. And capturing a splash like this one, with that sunlight, on my silly little iPhone makes it about ten times better. We made boats using some Hosta leaves, and people out of twigs, and spent lots of time … [...]

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gotta get app: Nighty Night!

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Let me first apologize, I meant to do a test drive of this app with Birdie last night but our Father’s Day got a little craaazy! We were outside partying hard core. Laying pavers, planting plants, digging in the dirt, and running through the sprinkler. Simultaneously of course! Didn’t seem like my idea of a [...]

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gotta get app: toca boca

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I can’t stop raving about my new favorite digital game play studio: Toca Boca. These guys are bringing true innovation to the world of digital play for kids. Particularly with this genre-bending concept: digital toys versus digital games. We all have examples of games and educational apps for kids (abcs, colors, etc.) But Toca Boca [...]

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