Birthdays Books

This book is my favorite of the series of "stamp-a" sets, and I have several of them! In the kit are 25 foam mounted rubber stamps (spring/birthday themed for the most part), fancy scissors, charms, pencil crayons, paper and envelopes, a plastic stencil and the book! The book itself is great-it covers many basic stamping techniques (plus some extra creative ideas) and has a sizeable section with color photos of ideas using these stamps! Following that are instructions for all the cards/projects. It's an excellent deal--well worth the money--and a good read, even an experienced stamper can get something out of this book!

item reviewed: Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2009 Calendar 994078

I've never reviewed a calendar before, but I really enjoy the visuals on this SW offering. Bright, rich, vivid colors to lighten one's mood in the morning. The characters are large and can be clearly seen from a good distance away, which is nice if you have it up at work where I do. Several images of classic SW characters to please even the original-trilogy fans: Jabba, C-3P0, R2-D2, Yoda. The wood-sculpted look of Count Dooku is nicely presented too. A happy purchase to brighten even this most-jaded Star Wars fan's day!

This is a very charming counting book in rhyme form. Wiggy Pig is having a birthday party, and one by one his animal friends arrive to celebrate with him. On each page spread you can count the animals, and if you're more perceptive, see how many other objects you can count as well. For example, on the page for number seven, there are seven animals, seven balloons, seven trees, seven clouds, seven posts, etc. My daughter also likes the fact that each page spread has a hidden rubber duck to look for. The book counts up to number twenty-one. Fun text and illustrations. Highly recommended!

Absolutely brilliant! I was looking for something to win my 3 young boy's attention and I found it! A fun, short, easy to follow story with amazing characters that bring the story alive. Not only did my boys love these new exciting characters, who are unlike any other we have seen. They learned how to count with money the fun way! The Sterling's has been read many times over by our whole family and friends. Now my boys, family and friends are looking forward to collecting more sequels.

This book and the authors many others are so perfect for toddlers. Simple words and pictures help explain the meaning and customs of many holidays and traditions, making it a nice way for toddlers to understand. The board book style allows for little fingers to request multiple readings. And we all know how repetition helps them learn. They make great gifts, too.

What a terrific collection of birthday party celebrations!
Games, food, crafts, activities and storytelling combine to make these birthday parties the best ever! Included are parties for kids ages 3-11. This is a must have for any parent, teacher or librarian!

I would like to hear the songs they played if any recordings exist. If they do, please contact me.....

GOOD FOR BEGINNER, OR LEVEL I, WAY TOO EASY FOR LEVEL II.

I HAVE THROUGHLY ENJOYED ALL OF THE CHILDREN"S BOOKS OF WILLIAM WEGMAN. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN, I PROBABLY ENJOY LOOKING AT THEM TIME AND TIME AGAIN AS MUCH AS ANY CHILD. I HAVE OWNED WEIMARANERS FOR 35 YEARS, SO I KNOW WHAT A UNIQUE BREED THEY CAN BE. IN THE SURPRISE PARTY, WEGMAN AGAIN HAS AN INTERESTING STORY FOR CHILDREN; ALONG WITH HIS WIMSICAL PICTURES OF HIS WEIMARANER FRIENDS. I WOULD RECOMEND THIS FOR YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE.

Before beginning, let me make it clear that I am reviewing The Surprise Party by Annabelle Prager and illustrated by Tomie de Paola, which is a Step 2 Book designed to be read by children in grades 1-3. There are several books by this name that are quite different from one another in their stories and in their intended audiences.

Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. The Surprise Party was one of her picks.

Nicky, like many children (and adults), is really looking forward to his birthday party. But, alas! He doesn't have enough money to put on a party for himself. He persuades his friend Albert to enlist their friends to give Nicky a surprise party instead, so Nicky can have all of the presents and fun without the expense. The story develops humorously from there into many rewarding plot complications that revolve around the theme of trying to have your cake and eating it too.

For a simple story, the book contains much to interest you and your child. I have noticed over the years that people have vastly different thoughts about whether they enjoying having and giving surprise parties. You will help you child develop a sense of what her or his feelings are on these subjects, as well as beginning to realize that others often feel differently. This has a broader lesson, as well as helping your child avoid upsetting others in the future with the best of intentions concerning surprise parties.

I would particularly like to praise the illustrations in this book. They show lots of interesting children interacting in positive, friendly ways. Everyone is beautiful in his or her own way.

Annabelle Prager has a witty sense of humor, and the book benefits from many little jokes that she includes.

Although some children will be able to read this by themselves in first grade, I think it is probably better aimed at a second grader. Children younger than first grade will enjoy having it read to them.

After you have finished enjoying the story, I suggest that you discuss with your child when surprises are good things (like parties for people who like them) and when they are not so good (like losing something and not telling anyone it is lost until the item is desperately needed). As a result, you can help your child develop a better appreciation for good communications as a way to make life more wonderful for all.

Surprise someone! . . . nicely.