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By Mom Unplugged, March 7, 2008 1:41 pm

For the last few weeks I have been talking about The Bubblegum Books TV Turn-Off Week contest: Show Your Shiny Side (open to all preschool and elementary-aged kids, whether traditionally schooled, or homeschooled - deadline is next Friday, March 14th). The contest is based on a neat book entitled Something Shiny, Something Round by Julie Goulis and illustrated by John Ferguson.

I have a fun surprise today: Brad Hauber of Bubblegum Books very kindly sent me an autographed (signed by author Julie Goulis), hardcover copy of their book Something Shiny, Something Round to give away on my blog! Thanks Brad!

The book’s rhyming text tells the story of three children playing outside on a snowy day. While they play, they come across a shiny, metal hubcap in the snow. The children imagine all sorts of different things that the hubcap might be and the colorful illustrations show their imaginings inspired by the shiny, round disc: a pirate adventure at sea, a warrior with an ancient shield, etc.

One of the most fun things about this book are the activity ideas at the end based on some of the children’s adventures. This is a very clever and useful tie-in to this story of children engaging in simple, imaginary fun.

There are two other books in the series (also by Goulis and Ferguson): The Things a String Can Be (the theme for last year’s TV Turn-Off Week contest) and the most recent, The Topsy-Turvy Towel. Let’s hope that Bubblegum Books continues this very worthy series.

I am so happy to be able to give away a book that really illustrates and encourages imaginary play. This seems to fit in so well with my recent posts about the newly discovered benefits of simple, creative play (Imaginative Play and Cognitive Function and Creative Play Makes for Kids in Control), as well as the Shiny Side contest.

So, if you are interested in winning this autographed book, please leave a comment. I will close comments next Friday night and will randomly draw a winner who will be announced here on Saturday, March 15th.

Even better, is that you have TWO chances to win. Head over to Wildwood Cottage where Jenny is also giving away a signed copy of Something Shiny, Something Round. She too, will announce her winner on Saturday, March 15th.
Good luck!

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By Mom Unplugged, March 1, 2008 10:19 am

Spring is in the air which means that seeds of all kinds will soon be sprouting: flower seeds, tree seeds…weed seeds. (Big sigh.)

Now is a good time to teach your little ones a bit more about seeds. I can’t think of a more lovely book for this purpose, than A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long.

This book is packed with interesting facts about seeds. Each two page-spread presents a one sentence fact, followed by a short explanation. For example the first page says: “A seed is sleepy.” Followed by: “It lies there, tucked inside its flower, on its cone, or beneath the soil. Snug. Still.” The information is presented in a sweet, almost poetic way that makes it easily accessible and enjoyable for a variety of ages.

What really makes this book truly wonderful though, are Sylvia Long’s amazing illustrations reminiscent of old, botanical prints. Her colorful paintings are incredibly rich and detailed. Ms. Long has a real eye for seeing and reproducing the beauty and wonder of even the simplest natural objects.

We love this book so much, that next on my wish list is Ms. Aston and Ms. Long’s other collaboration: An Egg Is Quiet

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By Mom Unplugged, February 29, 2008 8:41 pm

What makes your pre-school or elementary-aged child shine?

“Bubblegum Books is asking kids to write about – or even draw – their most creative ideas for doing fun things during the week of April 21–27, 2008 [TV Turn-Off Week]. Submit fun and educational ideas about ‘what makes you shine.’ It can include an activity, person, adventure—or even something imaginary.”

Reminder: Deadline for the Bubblegum Books/TV Turn-Off Week Contest is March 14th.

For more information, please read my post: An Unplugged-Contest! “Show Your Shiny Side” or visit the Bubblegum Books contest page.

The contest is based on the book Something Shiny, Something Round, by Julie Goulis and illustrated by John Ferguson.

NEW INFORMATION: Bubblegum Books welcomes homeschoolers!

“Homeschoolers can definitely join in the fun too. The contest is open to all elementary-aged and pre-school aged children. Just specify what grade level your child is. Prizes will be awarded by grade level. Where it asks for school phone/address, etc., just include your home information. The organizers of TV-Turnoff Week and Bubblegum Books work with a lot of schools, so the form is probably geared more for schools. We hope you’ll be able to enter and show what makes you shine when the TV is off.

- Brad Hauber - Bubblegum Books”

So don’t forget…March 14th is the deadline. And if you win something, please let me know!

Comments (3)

By Mom Unplugged, February 19, 2008 8:27 pm

This board book (published by Charlesbridge for the Global Fund for Children) is a very sweet and unusual “baby faces” type of book. All babies love looking at other babies. My children have always enjoyed photos of babies, especially in the baby and toddler phase. This is a baby book that features a diversity of babies from around the world: Guatemala, Thailand, Greenland, Mali, USA, India, South Africa, Fiji, Peru, Afghanistan, USA (Native American), Malawi, Spain, Iraq, Rwanda, Bhutan, and China (the cover).

The pictures are lovely close-ups of the baby faces and the babies are often depicted in traditional clothing or baby wrap which can inspire some conversations with older children about cultural differences. Younger children and babies will simply enjoy looking at the faces. My 2 year-old has loved this one for a long time.

Global Babies is a wonderful book for celebrating diversity and teaching that although the outside appearance may be different, babies all over the world are just babies.

The fact that this is a sturdy board book means that little loving hands have a harder time destroying it. A plus in my book!

Also, a portion of the proceeds of the book goes to the Global Fund for Children , “a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the dignity of young people around the world.”

A win-win for all I think!

Comments (1)

By Mom Unplugged, January 29, 2008 1:25 pm

My 7 year-old daughter is a picky reader. She is reluctant to read any book that looks like it might be scary, suspenseful, or have any kind of a plot twist at all. I am assuming that this high level of sensitivity is just a phase. But in the meantime, it can make chapter book choices somewhat limited.

While searching for books for her Christmas book gift bag, I stumbled upon this. A story about a fairy with the lovely name of Tiptoes Lightly, how threatening could that possibly be?

My instincts were correct and this book proved to be a sheer delight to read…for all of us! My daughter opened it and then couldn’t put it down. She began reading it to her 5 year-old brother who was equally as riveted, and the two of them began requesting that I read it to them at bedtime too. I came to really look forward to our evening reads and the latest Tiptoes adventure. In fact I was sad when we finished, and really find that I miss Tiptoes! (Time to buy the other books in the series!)

The Tales of Tiptoes Lightly is actually a collection of three stories about Tiptoes and her friends: The Bee Who Lost his Buzz, Pumpkin Crow, and Lucy Goose and the Half-Egg. Each tale is composed of many short chapters (most just two or three pages) which makes it nice for bedtime, even on nights where you are running late, or to read to young children with limited attention spans.

The stories are all very sweet and innocent, yet really funny too! The magic and wonder of nature and the seasons is a constant theme throughout the book. The characters are all very lovable and appealing, with names like Jeremy Mouse (an always-hungry mouse), Pine Cone and Pepper Pot (gnomes who sleep with their long beards wrapped around their heads for warmth), Pins and Needles (house fairies who sleep in a pin cushion), and Ompliant (an elephant).

I honestly have nothing but wonderful things to say about this book. These are stories that your children will want to hear over and over again. The adventures of Tiptoes will spark the imagination of your little ones, and you too!

An interesting note: As we read, I felt that these tales had a real “Waldorfy” feel about them. I was very interested to read in the author’s note at the end of the book (reprinted on his website here), that Tiptoes was indeed “born” at a Waldorf school. Reg Down was a eurythmy teacher in several Waldorf schools, which is where he began inventing the tales of Tiptoes and her friends.

I am so happy that Mr. Down decided to publish these magical stories so that we may all enjoy them. If you want to sample some of Reg Down’s work, visit his website: http://www.tiptoes-lightly.net where you can download some sample chapters from his books. Also be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the stories page where you’ll find quite a few other stories and plays to download (all free too!).

(Also: You can visit Mr. Down’s website for a list of local stores that carry his books, as well as some smaller online bookstores.)