LilSugar

Texts and Tunes: Children's Book Week Round Up

babysugar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 07:00:48 PST

All week we have been telling you about some of our favorite children's books in honor of Children's Book Week. We hope the next time you need a book, you'll consider adding one of these to your kiddie library.

Goodnight Moon - Do you love the red balloon and the old lady whispering hush?
Pat the Bunny - Now YOU pat the bunny.
Freckleface Strawberry - Cherish those freckles and everything else about you!
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - Have your kids rolling around in bed thinking about overcooked broccoli falling from the sky.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett ($7)	Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore ($17)
Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt ($10)	Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown ($9)

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Texts and Tunes: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

babysugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:15:00 PST

In continuing with the Children's Book Week theme, our next book is a wonderful story for an older audience. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs ($7) is a book that most grade school children will enjoy. The humorous tale keeps kids laughing throughout the book. Instead of rain or hail falling from the sky, the clouds disperse stinky gorgonzola, scrambled eggs with a side of toast, and meatballs.

Published back in 1978, there is a nostalgic feel about it evidenced in the illustrations. Children who can't yet read will most certainly enjoy the pictures of syrup covering a hill. And while the book is entertaining, it is also a great learning tool. Many teachers include this book in their curriculum to teach about predictions and weather patterns. Who knew science could be so fun?

Tomorrow's forecast: Children's Book Week Wrap Up!

Texts and Tunes: Pat the Bunny

babysugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:30:00 PST

This week is Children's Book Week and to kick it off, we wanted to feature an old classic that makes us smile. You probably remember it from your childhood and will also enjoy reading it to your lil ones.

Pat the Bunny ($10) has been in print for 67 years and has sold over six million copies.

This modest book is simple, but remarkably entertaining for infant to preschool aged children. Patting a fuzzy white bunny and sniffing a bouquet of flowers, keeps tots stimulated from beginning to end. And, reading, "Paul and Judy play peek-a-boo. Can you play peek-a-boo with Paul?" never gets old.

Warning: All the patting, smelling, and tugging that goes on while enjoying, you might want to stock up on a couple copies. Babies like to eat the bunny, too.

Does This Week's TIME Cover Glorify Attachment Parenting?

Lisa Horten — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:21:22 PDT

This week's Time cover story, which hits newsstands tomorrow, takes a closer look at the practice of attachment parenting, discussing Dr. Sears's
The Baby Book, and profiling four mothers from across the country who embrace the philosophy - all for different reasons.

The magazine's cover image of LA mom Jamie Lynne Grumet breastfeeding her 3-year-old son (paired with the tagline, "Are You Mom Enough?") has stirred up a fair amount of controversy amongst moms, who have yet to read the story. "When you think of breastfeeding, you think of mothers holding their children, which was impossible with some of these older kids," said photographer Martin Schoeller. "I liked the idea of having the kids standing up to underline the point that this was an uncommon situation."

What's your reaction to the cover as a whole? Does it glorify attachment parenting, make moms feel judged, or offer an accurate portrayal of the practice in action?

Beyoncé Talks More Kids at the Met Gala

Allie Merriam — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:34:44 PDT

Beyoncé Knowles wants to have more kids! - Lifeline Live
Drew Barrymore rocks an apparent baby bump at lunch - People
Mary-Kate Olsen doesn't seem to care about what we think of her fashion - Lainey Gossip
Will 30 Rock be back next season, but with fewer episodes? - HuffPost Entertainment
Denise Richards and Richie Sambora are on again and going public - TooFab
Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are, dies at 83 - Us Weekly
Stephen Colbert gets into the children's book industry - The Daily Beast
Is Alex Trebek about to retire? - Hollywood Reporter
Matthew Perry believes women are funny - BuzzFeed
Nicole Richie to design for Macy's - The Insider
Jessia Alba's secrets to a spicy marriage - YourTango
Linda Evangelista and François-Henri Pinault settle child support case - Wonderwall
Adam Brody talks OC reunion movie - Zap2It
John Travolta has some new legal trouble - Celebitchy

Gwyneth Paltrow Braves Rainy London With the Help of Apple and Moses

Allie Merriam — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:45:58 PDT

Gwyneth Paltrow picked up her children Moses and Apple Martin yesterday in London. Despite the rain, the trio booked it back home with Apple and Moses riding on scooters. The Paltrow-Martin clan is together in the UK after Gwyneth spent a couple of weeks in the US. She hung out in LA, catching up with some pals at various events, then headed to NYC for a few days. Chris Martin, meanwhile, is on tour with Coldplay, with a string of dates this week in California.

Gwyneth was also featured on the debut episode of The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet. She and host Amanda chatted about a range of topics, including sex. When asked about her favorite position, Gwyneth replied, "What? I have children and my mother is going to see this show . . . I'm down with all of them."

Vegan Is Love - Having Heart and Taking Action: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding Me?

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:21:10 PDT

Alternative diets may be all the rage, but how early should they be introduced to tots? Sure, some kids have to eat wheat-, nut-, or dairy-free diets due to allergies, but a growing number of families are opting to raise their lil ones vegan because that's how mom and dad eat - and we're not just talking about celeb tots who follow alternative eating plans.

Ruby Roth, a children's book author who became a vegan as an adult, is hoping to show children that choosing a vegan lifestyle is not only healthy, but brave, too. Her latest book, Vegan Is Love: Having Heart and Taking Action won't be released until next week, but it's already generating criticism from parents and dietitians who fear that after reading the book, kids may choose to give up meat and dairy without proper nutritional planning. What do you think?

Julie Andrews on the Importance of Princess Culture, Princess Kate, and Her Favorite Roles

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:32:56 PDT

It's hard not to become giddy when talking about Julie Andrews. The legendary actress's career spans more than 50 years, with multiple generations of families still enjoying her library of work together - from Mary Poppins to The Princess Diaries. What many people don't know is that the 76-year-old Academy Award winner is also the coauthor - with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton - of more than 20 children's books, including the just-released The Very Fairy Princess: Here Comes the Flower Girl!, part of the "Very Fairy Princess" series.

As far as meeting her in person - well as someone who can still recite virtually every line of The Sound of Music, it's a totally surreal experience. From the beautiful English accent that spoke to me from my favorite films to the fact that she still exudes the authoritativeness of the governesses she played, the experience was almost regal - which is why Andrews is perfectly cast as the spokeswoman for Disney and Target's first National Princess Week, which runs from April 22-28. I met up with the living legend, her daughter, and her granddaughter at a princess-themed tea - feather boas, scepters and all - to discuss the relevance of princesses today, working motherhood, and her favorite roles over the years.

On why playing princesses is really OK:
Julie Andrews: "My personal take on it is that they may be trying on for size what it feels like to be, say, a real lady. [It] perhaps, in some way, helps them find their own identity later in life. I do think fantasy and play of this kind - whatever it is, if you want to play at being a nurse, or if you want to play at being a florist - it's all important and should be allowed, because it would be an awfully sad place if we didn't try on those airs and have fun doing it."

On raising strong, independent, confident women in a culture saturated with princesses:
Emma Walton Hamilton: "Sometimes I think princesses are given an unfair rap. We compiled a list of over 70 contemporary princesses. In doing the research for that, I was reminded once again of the extraordinary work princesses do in the world. The charitable contributions, the causes they champion, the amount of good and service they contribute and provide. I think they're a wonderful example of being strong, feminine, and kind, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

On her favorite Disney princess:
Julie Andrews: "Mine has to be, because I've been involved with it, Cinderella. I played Cinderella when I was about 17 years old in England, and then when I came to America it was the first Rodgers and Hammerstein musical they wrote for me. So for me Cinderella has always resonated. And I love the rags to riches, kind of like my own story in a little way."

Keep reading for Andrews's thoughts on Princess Kate, the state of motherhood today, and her favorite role.

The Hunger Games and 13 Other Frequently Challenged Sci-Fi Books

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:14:16 PDT

This month the American Library Association updated its list of frequently challenged books for the 2011 year, and one wildly popular novel is making its way up the rankings of this infamous list. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, which first appeared at number five of Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books in 2010, is now third on the list for attempts to remove its contents from school curriculum and library bookshelves. The complaints against the books include text that is anti-ethnic and anti-family, insensitivity, offensive language, occult scenes, and violence.

Despite First Amendment protection, banning or attempting to challenge books has a long history, with many cases even making it to the US Supreme Court. As the American Library Association explains: "books usually are challenged with the best intentions-to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." Science fiction and fantasy books often contain these themes that some find questionable, whether it's alien life forms, magical powers, or mystical worlds. In honor of Banned Books week, we're rounding up the most challenged science fiction and fantasy books according to the ALA. Browse the list below!

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - The stories of the wizarding world are seen by challengers to have occult and violent themes.
Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer - Its movie stars may provoke pandemonium, but critics of the book say it's too sexually explicit.
His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman - The series beginning with The Golden Compass is often decried for its anti-religious viewpoints.
The Giver by Lois Lowry - Despite the book's message of freedom of choice, criticisms are made for the fictional dystopia's bleak family outlook.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - Offensive language, racism, and insensitivity are often cited in challenges to the future dystopian novel.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - The tale of a future world where the printed word is banned and systemically burned was criticized for offensive language.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - Children's search through space and time for their vanished father is often challenged for the inclusion of supposed witches.

Follow the break for more challenged books of the last 20 years.

Should Your Child Start Kindergarten Early?

Circle of Moms — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:41:13 PDT

Here's another post from our friends at Circle of Moms! Every week, we bring you the best parenting and motherhood stories from our partners at Circle of Moms, including this post from Mo Cooper about the right time to start kindergarten.

Preparing for kindergarten can be overwhelming. While most children start at 5 years old, some public and private schools are enrolling children as young as 4. The decision about when to start kindergarten should depend not only on what is offered in your area, but on your child's abilities and maturity. Here are some questions to think about if you are considering "testing in" for early kindergarten admittance.

Related: Why I Skip Sex

Is Your Child Ready Academically?
Many parents who consider their child to be advanced academically prefer the early start route, and some schools, both private and public, will let them. Ashley F.'s school district allows 4-year-olds who will be turning 5 during the fall months to start kindergarten early. She signed her daughter up based on her academic readiness: "She knows her ABCs, 123s, Colors, Shapes, can write and spell her own name, mine, some other family member names, and a few other daily used words, and can read beginner books."

Jenny started her daughter in kindergarten early (at the age of 4) because she didn't want to underestimate their potential: It worked out fine for Jenny; her daughter excelled in kindergarten; she was reading "off the charts" by the time the year was over, "and was thrilled to be there."

But even if your child is familiar with letters, numbers, shapes, and colors at the age of 4, is she really ready to handle the rigorous curriculum of some kindergarten programs? Cassie C. advises waiting. In her school district, kindergarten is very structured: "Children are pushed very hard to read and write all day (even if they are not developmentally ready). The kindergarten curriculum has become very demanding on young children and can add a lot of undue stress and pressure to a 4-year-old or a newly 5-year-old."

(To find out where your child should be with reading, writing, and math in order to start kindergarten, this article can help: What Your Child Should Know by Kindergarten.)
Is Your Child Mature Enough?
It's hard to predict how any child will handle a major change such as starting kindergarten. You might know your child's technical reading and math skill level, but the social and emotional challenges of kindergarten are hard to predict. This is especially true if your child will be the youngest, or one of the youngest in class. As Lindsay H. says: "Some kids thrive in kindergarten and some struggle but it's hard to know how they will handle it until they are actually in that setting."

Circle of Moms member and preschool teacher Karol D. offers some advice on behavioral skills that are helpful in kindergarten: "The things I try to work on with my class are ability to follow 2-part directions (get a toy and sit on the carpet), [and] being considerate of others' feelings (Jenny is upset because you wouldn't share with her, is that OK?). Lastly, I make certain my class can sit quietly to listen and not be disruptive." Does your child have the maturity to learn in a kindergarten environment?

Some parents advise considering the possibility that your young child could face bullying, even at the kindergarten level. Being younger or smaller than the rest of the kids at their grade level can put a child at extra risk of being targeted by a bully. As Jane H. says, "Size . . . is important. He'll be developmentally behind . . . so when puberty hits, he will be left behind. Tweenagers can be cruel. All food for thought."

Keep reading for more tips on when to start Kindergarten.