LilSugar

Texts and Tunes: Halloween Tales to Scare Off Fright

LilSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:53 -0700

Halloween can be scary for tots - especially toddlers who have become more aware of their emotions or are afraid of the dark. My daughter acted squeamish around ghosts and goblins her first few Halloweens, so we opted to keep things light with charming costumes and princess fanfare. Talking and reading books about the holiday - minus the gory details - can help scare off fright.

Dr. Seuss What Was I Scared Of Halloween Book? A Glow-in-the Dark Encounter ($12) is a bit spooky, but offers a rhyming conversation to springboard a discussion about fear. If your child is younger, stop by the library or bookstore and opt for a lighter tale like the ones below.

Texts and Tunes: Winnie the Pooh Returns After 80 Years

LilSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:30:47 -0700

Talk about a hiatus! Eighty years after Christopher Robin bid his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood adieu, Pooh, Tigger and Piglet are back in the first book approved by the Trustees of the Pooh Properties. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood picks up where A.A. Milne's The House at Pooh Corner left off, with a slightly older Christopher cavorting around the forest with his toys. The book, which includes artwork reminiscent of the original series, also features the introduction of a new character, Lottie the otter, who according to the book's publishers is "smart and elegant," "always dressed in pearls," and "has her own ideas about how things should be done and believes that everyone should follow the correct etiquette." While traditionalists may argue the need for injecting the series with only its second ever female character, mamas who read the stories to their lil girls will appreciate her presence in the tale.

If you've got a Pooh fan on your hands, check out some of our favorite Winnie the Pooh-inspired gear before picking up the new book.

Text and Tunes: Books That Help Children Through Divorce

LilSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:00:26 -0700

It's sad when any family falls apart, but the situation is especially difficult when children are involved. If the kids are young, it can be hard to explain how and why mommy and daddy are choosing to separate and what that will mean for everyone involved. When parents are at a loss for words or too pained by their own emotions, picking up a text that caters to children can help. Check out our roundup of books that touch on topics like having two homes, holidays, custody and moving toward the future.

Dr. Seuss Is Back With a Vengeance and Volumes of Books

babysugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:26 -0700

It's hard to be grinchy when you've got a cat in a hat who is willing to describe his green eggs and ham with such fervor and delight. Dr. Seuss brings magic to reading through his creative outlandish texts that will keep kids and their parents in stitches for a lifetime. Some of the lesser-known books have turned out to be some of my own tot's favorites. The way they keep reinventing themselves, these fun reads are sure to stay on bookshelves for generations to come. Check out some of the latest and greatest editions.

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Texts and Tunes: Bundle of Trouble

babysugar — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:00:20 -0700

Think the entry into motherhood isn't tough enough? Try adding an unsolved murder mystery to your "to do" list. While it's not the typical postpartum scenario, it's entertaining to read about.

Mamas looking to kill some time may enjoy the quick mystery read by Diana Orgain. An interesting take on murder-centric novels, Bundle of Trouble ($7) is about a new mom who finds her family entangled in a fatal crime. Along with her investigative work, the recovering mum talks about breastfeeding, pumping, and losing the baby weight. The perfect gift for a lady on bedrest, expectant mothers will not only find the book a speedy read, they'll learn a few of motherhood's best kept secrets along the way.

Teach Proper Hygiene With a Few Laughs Along the Way

LilSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:00:25 -0700

Schools have added lessons in flu prevention as students packed into classrooms and close quarters spread their germs. Even Elmo and a host of doctors and officials are touting the benefits of proper hand washing. For parents looking for some support in their health and hygiene lessons, several books break the situation down to preschool and toddler levels. The new Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo ($11) tells the tale of a little girl who infects all of the animals in the zoo with a virus when she wipes her runny nose with her hand instead of a tissue. The silly tale reinforces current personal hygiene practices without preaching to its audience. For additional literary picks, check out our selections.

When Did Your Kids Attend Their First Concert?

LilSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:00:29 -0700

Keep on rocking it baby! After listening to music in the womb, kids love a toe-tapping beat. For many children, music classes are their first foray into an organized group activity, while others spend a portion of their day bopping to the tunes coming out of their mama's iPod.

An outing to a concert by a "real" artist is a milestone that few people forget. While rock star offspring like Kingston and Zuma Rossdale, Apple Martin and Bronx Wentz began their concert-going experience at an early age, others may have to wait until they are bit older. We recently saw Cara and Mady Gosselin attend a Jonas Brothers concert, while Ava and Deacon Phillippe rocked out to Billy Joel and Elton John with their mom.

Tens of thousands of prepubescent girls and their mamas waited up to a day and a half in the rain to see Miley Cyrus perform on the Today Show last week.

How old were your kids when they attended their first concert?

Check Out the Cool Kid Films That Are Set to Come Out

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:00:34 -0700

The Summer blockbuster season is drawing to a close, and with that we say goodbye to the group of flicks designed to give our lil ones a break from the warm weather. While many of us are eagerly anticipating the Fall movie season – including Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Where the Wild Things Are and A Christmas Carol, movie studios are already banking on their 2010 arrivals. Take a look at what will be entertaining our kids next year and let us know which you are most excited about.

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5 Fun Books For Moms

babysugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0700

There are books a plenty on the subjects of pregnancy and parenting. When mommy's eyeballs have glazed over from reading about milestones, she can take a break and brush up on creative recipes and inspiring kidoodle-worthy crafts. Check out the selection of five helpful and exciting texts for moms.

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Listen Up! It's a Back to School Playlist

babysugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:00:49 -0700

A song can take one back to a place and time with just a few notes. For instance, take "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. Just three "umpa umpa umpas" will have toes tapping and heads bopping as the listener recalls their life as an acid jean wearing teenybopper. Give tots a head start on their musical memories by playing these stellar back to school songs on their way to the learning annex. Here are some of our favorites. Add yours to the list in the comments so we can all enjoy more!

"Welcome Back" (from Welcome Back Kotter) by John Sebastian
"We're Going to Be Friends" by White Stripes
"School Day" by Chuck Berry
"Me and Julio Down by the School Yard" by Paul Simon
"No Such Thing" by John Mayer
"Charlie Brown" by The Coasters
"Back to School Again" by the Four Tops from the Grease 2 soundtrack
"Be True To Your School" by The Beach Boys
"School Girl" by The Five Royales
"ABC" by Jackson Five
"East Northumberland High" by Miley Cyrus

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HarperCollins Sneak a Peek Book Series: It's Halloween Night - $6.99	Who's There on Halloween? Board Book - $4.99
Scholastic Here Comes Halloween! Board Book - $7.99	Scholastic Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Ghost of Wuzzleburg Halloween Book - $4.99
Scholastic The Best Halloween Hunt Ever Book - $4.99	Americhip Monsters, Be Gone! Halloween Interactive Book - $4.99
Dr. Seuss What Was I Scared Of Halloween Book? A Glow-in-the Dark Encounter - $11.99	Happy Halloween, Wonder Pets! Book - $7.99
Trick or Treat? Lift-the-Flap Halloween Board Book - $6.99	Biscuit's Pet & Play Halloween - $6.99
Scholastic The Biggest Pumpkin Ever Halloween Book - $4.99	Simon & Schuster Mouse's First Halloween Board Book - $7.99
Disney Classic Scary Story Book - $15.99