Now that all your presents are unwrapped, give yourself a big present: get organized in 2009! Keep Track of Your To-Do List:I’m a busy mama, and I keep track of all my appointments, playdates, volunteer commitments and work projects using the 2009 BusyBodyBook Personal & Family Organizer. As a type-A person who actually enjoys organizing things, I’ve tried […]
Holiday Book Roundup: New Children’s Christmas Books
If you’re tired of reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” for the millionth time, check out these newly released Christmas books for children: The Gift of the Magi– I remember reading the classic O. Henry story in school. This new version for children is beautifully illustrated. For children unfamiliar with old-fashioned things like pocket watches, […]
Holiday Travel Survival Guide
Traveling to see family and friends for the holidays? Dealing with holiday traffic or delayed flights can stress out even the most zen-like Mama. But whether you are an experienced traveler or terrified of taking a flight or roadtrip with your tot, we have tips for you. Check out Mamanista’s Guide to the Best Gear for Traveling […]
Holiday Countdown Fun
We all have holiday traditions. For the second year in a row, Candace and I have been getting into the spirit of the season on Mamanista with our 12 Days of Giveaways. At home, we’ve both been counting down the days until Santa’s arrival with our The Story of Christmas Advent Calendars. This book and advent calendar combo features 24 miniature board […]
TAG, You’re It!
Why fix it if it ain’t broke? My daughter enjoys reading books (or, rather, have them read to her, since she’s two), so why add unnecessary gimmicks and gadgets to a tried and true kid activity? As a parent and an educator, though, I am giving the LeapFrog Tag Reading System an A+ for pre-readers, […]
Make a Quick and Easy Journal: My Listography
My Listography: My Amazing Life in Lists will inspire children and teens to write their autobiography in list form. Kids can list favorite books, movies, foods, songs, friends, things to do in their free time as well as their dreams for the future and all the jobs they might like to do someday. I wish this book had been […]
Election 2008 Shopping Guide
Presidential elections are a great way to teach your children about the democratic process and U.S. history. The first presidential election I remember was in 1984. I had just turned six, and my parents brought my brother and me with them to the polls. My father let me help him pull the lever to cast his […]
Halloween Children’s Boooooo-ks
Fueled by candy, children’s imagination runs wild at Halloween as they transform themselves into superheroes, animals, monsters, pirates, villains, and fairy tale characters. Feed your children’s imagination with some ghoulishly great books that they’ll enjoy long after they’ve eaten their fill of fun-size Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. You won’t need to trick your children into reading these lively […]
Photogenic Halloween Costumes for Your Boo-tiful Baby
To get in the Halloween spirit, Baby Mwah and I have been reading Halloween Treats: A Touch-and-Feel Book ($6.99) by Tom Arma, who the New York Times called “the most published baby photographer in the world.” Baby Mwah loves looking at these sweet, cuddly babies all dressed up for their very first Halloween in adorable costumes. He can pet […]
Start Your Reading Engines…
There’s a lot of talk in education circles about the literacy gender gap. Boys are lagging behind girls in reading and writing. I’ve heard author Jon Scieszka of Guys Read.com on NPR talk about how to close this gap. One of his suggestions for closing the literacy gender gap is encouraging male role models for reading. I love […]
