Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Celebrate Earth Day April 22

Going Green Kid Kit
Series: Kid Kits


Ages: 8 years and up
Pages: 21

A recycling activity for the whole family. Includes: Why should I bother about the planet? Book and materials needed to make your own recycled art paper.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Book of the Week- New Title

Make a list of the signs of Spring with your kids - then take a walk and check off what you see. Seasons by Anne Crausaz is a wonderful picture book depicting the four seasons and how they are experienced through our five senses. Originally published in France. Ages 4-8.

"Exuding an overall serenity, the book should have children seeking out the sights, smells, and sounds of the passing seasons."

- Publishers Weekly (January 17, 2011)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

What happens when we read?

"We read to children for all the same reasons we talk with children: to reassure, to entertain, to bond; to inform or explain, to arouse curiosity, to inspire. But in reading aloud, we also:

Condition the child's brain to associate reading with pleasure
Create background knowledge
Build vocabulary
Provide a reading role model"


From the Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

Monday, March 14, 2011

Free Book Winners!



The winners of the $50 free books drawing for February and March are
02/01/2011 Sarah B.
03/01/2011 Maggie C.

Congratulations! Enjoy your free books.

Don't forget to enter for your chance to win $50 in free books.

New Homeschooling Reader Awards

New Homeschooling Reader Awards

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Usborne books have recently received 2011 Practical Homeschooling Reader Awards. Usborne Art Appreciation Books received third place in the Art Appreciation Category and Usborne Science books have been awarded Honorable Mention in the Elementary Science category.
Practical Homeschooling Magazine.


A Practical Homeschooling Reader Award is the highest honor the homeschool community can bestow. These winners are the products that received the highest ratings from hundreds of seasoned users.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Author Spotlight

Jez Alboroughcrisp
Author/Illustrator

Jez Alborough was born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, UK, in 1959. As a young boy he was always very creative but it was not until a guest bought him a box of crisp white paper, some pencils and an eraser that he expressed his creativity in drawing. As Jez says "It was an act of support and encouragement which I have never forgotten. The identity of this guest remains to this day a mystery. I like to think he was my guardian angel."

After secondary school, Jez went to ARt School in Norwich - "three years in which I could draw, explore and grow up around other artists. " After college, he spent two years chasing after editorial illustration commissions along with countless other art school graduates until he found that being able to write as well as draw gave him a head starting the equally competitive world of children's books.

In 1984 his first book, BARE BEAR, was published and in 1985 Jez was runner-up in The Mother Goose Award for this book. He has now written and illustrated over thirty books for children, including such favorites as Cuddly Dudley, Where's My Teddy? and the hilariously engaging "Duck" Series.

Jez Alborough is one of the UK's most highly regarded author/illustrators, and we are thrilled to carry the "Duck" series which has already sold over a million copies worldwide.

He lives in London with his wife and enjoys playing the guitar and walking along the river.


Monday, March 7, 2011

The land of make-believe.


Make up stories! Storytelling is an ancient practice, helping us to share our knowledge with context and emotion. Storytelling triggers listeners to respond with other stories, building new understanding. Stories can capture and hold our attention, increasing the likelihood of hearing and learning. Storytelling is very valuable in our knowledge sharing work.


Take turns making up parts of a story with another player by taking turns telling each part. Think about what the next person might say, and help them keep the story going as it bounces between you.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Play the Recorder Month

First Book of the Recorder Kid Kit

The name Hohner has traditionally been synonymous with quality musical instruments. Teamed with the Usborne First Book of the Recorder, the beginning player can achieve immediate results. Friendly cartoon creatures lead the student through the basics and provide an entertaining and straightforward introduction to reading and understanding music. A variety of over 20 tunes are provided from well known pop, folk and classical pieces. They include duets, rounds and some piano accompaniments. In addition there are games, puzzles and fascinating facts about the recorder. This book, combined with the quality of a Hohner instrument, make the kit an excellent value.


Earned the 1997 Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products Award
Earned the 2000 Product of The Year by Informal Education Products