Hey Mom, I'm Bored! offers 100 ways for kids from four to fourteen to keep busy--and enjoy themselves--whether they're playing inside or outside, alone or with their friends. Here are: Updated versions of classic games like Kick the Can and Duck, Duck, Goose.
There are easy-to-learn instructions for every game.
Activities are organized by age-appropriateness and contains information on equipment needed and skill levels.
There are games that can be played or adapted for just about any setting or number of players.
Books: Paperback -
Mister dog, named Crispin Crispian, lives in a two-story dog house with a living room and a fireplace. The fun begins when he invites a young boy to live with him. Don't be surprised if you childs asks for this over over and over again.
Books: Hardcover -
Who hasn"t gone to a birthday party and had "present envy"? Who hasn"t felt the pride of thinking of just the right gift, only to find out that someone else has thought of a better one? Who hasn"t had to learn the hard way that the greatest gift of all is friendship? This is the lesson the nine animals are about to learn as they make their way to the palace to celebrate the raja-king"s birthday.
Why nine animals? And why the well? Because James Rumford"s original fable is also a counting book, where we learn that our ten Arabic numerals came not from Arabia, as one might think, but from India.
With its pictures of paper collage reminiscent of the glorious designs on the walls of the Taj Mahal, Nine Animals and the Well will teach, amuse, and delight.
Books: Hardcover -
Laurie Keller cooks up a rather silly story about a doughnut who narrowly escapes his doughnut fate. Arnie is proud to be chocolate-covered, with bright-colored candy sprinkles. His first day on the planet is a big one. He is 1) cut into a ring 2) deep-fried 3) cooled 4) iced 5) sprinkled and 6) named Arnie. What he doesn't realize is that step 7 is being eaten by a human. So, when a customer, Mr. Bing, starts to put him in his mouth, he screams, "What are you doing?" Arnie is further crushed when he calls the bakery to warn the others only to discover that all the other pastries are "aware of this arrangement." Unfortunately, this delightful plot twist is soured by the contrived ones that follow. Mr. Bing decides that in order to get his money's worth from Arnie he can pretend the doughnut is the dog he's always wanted--a doughnut-dog that will roll over, play fetch, etc.: "He went through a short phase of chewing on the furniture and barking at the mailman, but after a crash course in obedience school he graduated first in his class." However half-baked the story turns out to be, the funny asides and captions that Keller sprinkles throughout the book are often brilliant and the busy, crazy paintings are lots of fun, too. Review by Amazon.com
Books: Hardcover -
When it comes time to tell the class what she did on her vacation, Olivia isn't at all nervous. In fact,
she remembers it quite clearly--she went to the circus, you see. "But when we got there, all the
circus people were out sick with ear infections." What are the odds? But the show must go on!
Fortunately, Olivia jumps right in to help out--riding elephants, posing as the Tattooed Lady (she
draws on the pictures with a marker), taming lions, walking tightropes, juggling, clowning around,
and more. In a marvelous fold-out, four-panel spread, our porcine heroine even reigns supreme as
the Queen of the Trampoline. "And that's how I saved the circus. And now I am famous." Olivia
looks proud. Her teacher looks mad. Ian Falconer shines in this dryly hilarious sequel to his 2001
Caldecott Honor Book Olivia. The charcoal and gouache illustrations perfectly capture Olivia's
earnest expressions. Be prepared to be charmed anew! (Ages 4 to 8)Review by Amazon.com
Books: Hardcover
Olivia would be Eloise, if Eloise were a pig. She is good at singing 40 very loud songs and is very
good at wearing people out. And scaring the living daylights out of her little brother, Ian, particularly
when he copies her every move. She is also quite skilled at reproducing Jackson Pollock's "Autumn
Rhythm #30" on the walls at home. When her mother tucks her in at night and says, "You know,
you really wear me out. But I love you anyway," Olivia precociously pronounces, "I love you
anyway too."
Preschoolers (and their parents) will see themselves in Olivia--a typical high-energy, over-the-top
kid who likes the beach and Degas paintings, but hates naps. On the other hand, she combs her ears
and is unusually gifted at sandcastle building. While we are certainly reminded of Eloise, Falconer's
portrait is simpler in scope, less demented, and, as a result, less adult. Bottom line: precocious is fun,
and we're tickled pink to have Olivia join the parade of, let's just say, individualistic youngsters.
The literacy rate in Farmer Brown's barn goes up considerably once his cows find an old typewriter
and begin typing. To the harassed farmer's dismay, his communicative cows quickly become
contentious:
Dear Farmer Brown,
The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets.
Sincerely,
The Cows
When he refuses to comply with their demands, the cows take action. Farmer Brown finds another
note on the barn door: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." Soon the striking cows and Farmer
Brown are forced to reach a mutually agreeable compromise, with the help of an impartial
party--the duck. But this poor, beleaguered farmer's "atypical" troubles are not over yet!
This hilarious tale will give young rebels-in-the-making a taste of the power of peaceful protest and
the satisfaction of cooperative give and take. Witty watercolors by award-winning illustrator Betsy
Lewin (Snake Alley Band, Araminta's Paint Box) will make this a favorite for one and all, even if
words such as "ultimatum" and "neutral" throw the younger set. (Ages 5 to 8)
Being a kangaroo certainly looks like a lot of fun, what with all the hopping and the hay eating. But
who knew all that jumping around could cause such problems? Marsupial Sue, that's who, a smartly
dressed young 'roo who can't abide by all the bouncing: "It rattled her brain. It gave her migraine. A
backache, sideache, tummyache too."
So John Lithgow recounts in 4/4 time--along with the jaunty, waltzy music and score on the CD
that's included--in his second foray into children's books (The Remarkable Farkle McBride being
the first). Probably best known as Dick Solomon on TV's 3rd Rock from the Sun, Lithgow brings
his comic knack to this Down Under story about the importance of being yourself. Marsupial Sue
might be intrigued by the idea of being a climbing koala or prawn-slurping platypus, but with
Lithgow's cooing reassurance as the narrator, she eventually comes around: "Be happy with who
you are. / Don't ever stray too far from you. / Get rid of that frown / And waltz up and down /
beneath a marsupial star. / If you're a kangaroo through and through, / Just do what kangaroos do."
(Ages 4 to 8)
Review by Amazon.com
Books: Books & CD
he Quiltmaker's Gift celebrates the quilting tradition, the value of generosity, and the spirit of
community in a beautiful and touching fable for our times. This richly illustrated picture book
celebrates the joy of giving and gently emphasizes the age-old truth that material wealth does not
necessarily buy happiness. The Quiltmaker's Gift is a heartwarming children's fable, a celebration of
quilters and quilting, and a challenging adult parable all wrapped into one.
Hardcover
