Holiday Gift Suggestions--Books for Kids to Create Their Own Play
In honor of Black Friday I thought I would share some fun books for kids of different ages to create their own fun and play. The first is Teddy Bear Doctor by Deanna F. Cook, and we have already reviewed this amazing book. This is our go to gift for Hazel's friends. We buy a copy of the book with a small stuffed animal and it is perfect! The age recommendation is ages 3-8. Some of the crafts in the book would be difficult for a 3-year-old, but it is perfect for the 5-8 range.
Mama's Love Language
Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Elisa Stad to bring you this post and giveaway.
Mother's Day is approaching, and I have a question for you. How do you show your love to your kids? Is it the same way your mother did? Is it the same way your friends do? Or your children's friends' parents do? Today I get to share with you a wonderful book about a Chinese American girl realizing there are different ways to show love and one is not better than others. The book is Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice by Elisa Stad and illustrated by Ry Menson. There is a giveaway at the end of this post.
Easter Crafts with Dollar Tree Supplies
The Pop-Up Guide Cities Around the World -- Book Review with Crafts, Recipes and More!
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Looking to teach little ones about the world? Today we are sharing a fun pop-up book that takes us around the world. I am also sharing links to crafts, activities, and recipes to go with each city and/or its country. The book is The Pop-Up Guide: Cities Around the World by Maud Poulain and illustrated by Sandra de la Prada. It is recommended for ages 3 to 5.
Ultimate Food Atlas -- Explore the World through Food with This Book
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Hazel was younger, we loved exploring the world and participated in a blog group celebrating food from around the world. We did the series Around the World in 12 Dishes. I miss it sometimes because it got us exploring different dishes. Some we loved and others not so much. Today I get to share a book that lets you explore the world through food so basically our series in one book sort of. The book is Ultimate Food Atlas: Maps, Games, and Recipes for Hours of Delicious Fun by Nancy Castaldo and Christy Mihaly. It is from National Geographic Kids and is recommended for ages 8 to 12 but could work with younger kids with adult help.
A Look At Mexican Art -- Hispanic Heritage Month
Exploring Singapore with Books, Food & Maps -- Global Learning for Kids
A Day in France--Around the World in 12 Dishes
This month we are "traveling" to France with some dishes, crafts and stories. Won't you join us?
Coloring Pages Available at DLTK |
Wednesdays are our day to catch up with life and relax since it is the day between Hazel's two school days. This Wednesday we didn't have plans, so we decided to explore France a bit. I had gotten some books out of the library about French cooking. We decided to look at the Fiesta one.
This is a fun series which focuses on celebrations in countries. Each book introduces the country with a map and things about the different parts. There is always something about the religion as well and then it gets into holidays and festivals. The first recipe we found was for Croque Monsieur (or what I call a grilled ham and cheese sandwich). Hazel asked for a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch and I asked if she wanted ham as well on it. She of course did since she has my love of ham.
Then we saw a recipe for a French Apple Tart. Now apple pie is Steven's favorite dessert, so we decided we had to try it. Before going to the store to get the ingredients I looked for some French themed crafts and found some great ones over at DLTK's Kids including a recipe for a food her family had while in France, so we decided to try it for dinner as well. We went out to run errands and stopped at AAA for a tour book on France and some maps. They gave us a tour book for Europe since they did not have one on just France and some maps. We haven't had time to look at them yet, so look for our follow-up post on our "trip" to France. We also stopped at the library for some French stories. Again, look for details in our follow-up post. Today it is about the food!
We made the French Apple Tart first. My little baker loved helping with cutting the butter and controlling the mixer. She also tried to peel the apples, but had a bit of difficulty. The recipe for the tart came from the Fiesta! France book. It was very simple and delicious!
Next we made the tartiflette.The recipe came from DLTK Kids. I used of course fat free sour cream and reduced fat cream cheese and fat free mozzarella. The only cheese of the three choices listed our store had was Gruyere. I wish I had shredded it. It did not melt well, but the meal was still delicious!!
We also discovered at DLTK Kids that the rooster is the national animal of France and the iris is the national flower. We also got all the coloring pages from that link.
The France coloring placemat right here and the passport right here. Also check out these great French adventures and add your own here.
Someday, Maybe -- New Picture Book Full of Dreams
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
What did you dream of when you were a child? I dreamed I would be an inventor and have a huge mansion with all sorts of inventions to not have to do the cleaning, chores, cooking, etc. Of course, I also told my parents I would have some crazy number of kids 10, 20, or more and they could come help me take care of them all. Dreaming is such an important part of childhood. Today I am sharing a fun new multicultural book that helps get kids' imagination flowing. The book is Someday, Maybe by Diana Murray and illustrated by Jessica Gibson. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
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Have you entered the amazing giveaway for Hispanic Heritage Month yet? There are multiple prizes packs and lots of chances!!
Thank you to everyone who shared with us last week and to everyone who visited others posts. We did not have a most clicked so our features this week are based on Autumn, Child Activities and Crafts and a few of my Favorites.
1) From MultiCraftingMummy: Autumn Owl Collages
2) From I Heart Crafty Things: Apple Tree Craft for Preschoolers
3) From Dabblingmomma: Acorn Cap Jewels
4) From Powerful Mothering: Easy Fall Tree Activity
5) From Every Star Is Different: Fall Kick-off Birthday Party (Pumpkin Bowling Shown)
1) From Best Toys for Toddlers: Teddy Bear Race Game for Toddlers
2) From Super Duper Kids Blog: How to Make an American Girl Sleeping Bag
3) From Wesens-Art: Stamping with Kids/ How to Make Mini Ink Pads
4) From Planet Smarty Pants: Encouraging Our Kids to Tinker
1) From April's Homemaking: Simple Sunday School Creation Story
2) From Happy Whimsical Hearts: How to Make a Rainbow Peg Doll
3) From Wugs and Dooey: The Parable of the Sower Small World Play
4) From Moore Babies: Girly Pirate Party (Treasure Hunt Shown)
A Few Simple Guidelines:
1) Please follow Crafty Moms Share via GFC (or one of the other ways that work for you).
2) Link any kid-friendly, child-centered post. Please no etsy shops or giveaways, etc. Remember to link to your actual post.
3) Post the Sharing Saturday button on your sidebar or somewhere on your blog to help spread the word.
5) If you do not have a blog, but want to share an idea you can leave it in the comments or e-mail it to me with a picture (if possible).
Sharing Saturday 19-1
On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And if you have any cultural or diverse posts be sure to share them over at Multicultural Kid Blogs Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.
Award Winning New Picture Books Perfect for Black History Month
Sewing for Your Girls -- Crafty Weekends Review and Link Party
Disclosure: Tuttle Publishing gave me a copy of this book free of charge for this review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend last week. Our party lasted two weeks because of the holiday. I know the weather here or should I say on Cape Cod was absolutely perfect and the fireworks were amazing with reflections from the high tide in the marsh and a gorgeous sunset. Now it is time to get back on track with my crafts. Today we are sharing a book to make your girls beautiful clothes. Do some of the clothes in the stores bother you for your girls? They do me. I feel lucky to find a few stores where I like the clothes and then supplement it with homemade clothes. This book is perfect for people like me. The book is Sewing for Your Girls by Yoshiko Tsukiori.
Fun Facts about Pie with Pie Recipes & Crafts Round-Up
What are you serving or having for Thanksgiving? Some of the traditional things are turkey (although there probably was not turkey at the "first" Thanksgiving) and pie. Since we have shared fun facts about turkeys and apples I thought we would share today a bit about pies. What is your favorite pie? I love blueberry!! Steve and Hazel love apple.
Fun Facts about Hot Dogs-- National Hot Dog Day
Did you know today is National Hot Dog Day? There are all sorts of events going on in honor of it. Be sure to check out this article for some of the deals you can get. Today I thought I would share with you some fun facts about hot dogs.
Isabella of Castile and our Exploration of Spain -- Global Learning for Kids
This month the Global Learning for Kids group focused on Spain. We have already looked at Spain with Around the World in 12 Dishes: flan and gazpacho. That exploration included stories, crafts and cooking. We have also spent some time exploring Pablo Picasso since Hazel loves his work. Even more exciting was that her art was hanging at a local museum this month and her class's art was their Picasso-inspired self portraits. Here is Hazel's.
Sharing Saturday 13-50
Thank you to everyone who shared last week and who visited last week's posts. The party is still open because of the holidays!! So today I am going to feature a few from last week and continue the party!! So plenty of time to go visit all the great posts shared and get inspired this week!! This week's features are in three themes: New Year's, my life (math, birthday, and Jamaican food) and winter. I hope you will stop by and visit them and some of the other blogs who share with us!
Sharing Saturday 14-33
Thank you to everyone who shared with us last week and to all who took the time to visit all the amazing ideas shared. We did not have a most clicked, so this week I am featuring some new painting ideas, back to school and first day of school ideas as well as a few of my favorites.
1) From P Is for Preschooler: Magnet Painting
2) From Inspired Montessori and Arts at Dundee Montessori: Doily Prints
1) From Little Bins for Little Hands: Early Learning Play Ideas
2) From Planet Smarty Pants: Back to School for Gifted Learners
3) From Krafts and Kiddos: Back to School Printable
4) From Lou Lou Girls: The First Day of School Celebration
5) From Living Montessori Now: 100+ Back-to-School Celebration Ideas
1) From Crystal's Tiny Treasures: First Nations Activities for Kids
2) From In the Playroom: Tissue Paper Butterfly Craft
3) From Mosswood Connections: Cooking Play Date
4) From Growing Book by Book: Environmental Print Billboards
5) From Two Keck Girls: DIY Pom Pom Rug
A Few Simple Guidelines:
1) Please follow Crafty Moms Share via GFC (or one of the other ways that work for you).
2) Link any kid-friendly, child-centered post. Please no etsy shops or giveaways, etc. Remember to link to your actual post.
3) Post the Sharing Saturday button on your sidebar or somewhere on your blog to help spread the word.
5) If you do not have a blog, but want to share an idea you can leave it in the comments or e-mail it to me with a picture (if possible).