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children's books
September 7, 2018
Mrs. G

Christmas in September with Santa Bruce + A Giveaway!

Disclaimer: We’re thrilled to partner with Disney Book Group for this festive giveaway in time for the holiday season!  Enter for your chance to win a copy of ALL FOUR Bruce books, Santa Bruce ornament & hat, and a box of Santa Bruce holiday candies.Santa Bruce
By Ryan T. Higgins
In Stores September 4th, 2018
Published by Disney Book Group
Recommended for ages 3+

ABOUT THE BOOK
Bruce is a lot of things. He is a bear. He is a grump. He is a pretty decent cook. And he is a mother. One thing Bruce is not? Santa Claus. But that doesn’t stop the whole forest from lining up to give him their Christmas wishes when he becomes the victim of mistaken identity—again. Kids will howl with laughter as award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins delivers another hilarious story about this bear who just can’t catch a break.

We’ve read all four of the Bruce books and they never fail to make me and the kids laugh out loud!  This time, Mother Bruce is a victim of mistaken identity, yet again!  One day while outside shoveling snow in his red “Santa like” gear, he is mistaken to be Santa Claus.  Santa Bruce is a cheerful and delightful story that is so fun to read aloud with kids during story time.

The illustrations capture the story so well too which makes it even funnier.  The facial expressions that Bruce and the other animals make are so spot on and really help to bring the story to life.

Ready to find out how you can enter to win the giveaway?  Read on.  Good Luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan T. Higgins (ryanthiggins.com) is an author and illustrator who likes the outdoors and cheese sandwiches. He is NOT a grumpy old black bear, but he DOES like making books about one—starting with the best-selling Mother Bruce, which received the E. B. White Read-Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor. He lives in Maine with his wife and kids… and too many pets.

LEARN MORE
Visit Books.Disney.com

Follow Disney Book Group on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

THE GIVEAWAY!

One (1) US-based winner will receive:

  • Full set of all four Bruce books
  • Branded ornament and Santa hat
  • Plus a Santa Bruce box of holiday candies!

 

Christmas in September with Santa Bruce Giveaway

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Book Reviews
August 10, 2018
Mrs. G

Fiona the Hippo Review+ A Giveaway!

Disclaimer: We’re thrilled to partner with Zonderkidz for this adorable giveaway based on the true life story of internet sensation Fiona the Hippo from the Cincinnati Zoo!  Enter for your chance to win a copy of the picture book Fiona the Hippo, a Team Fiona plush and sippy cup.

About Fiona the Hippo
Fiona the Hippo, by New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey of Bad Dog, Marley fame, tells the story of Fiona, the adorable internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo who captured hearts around the world with her inspiring story and plucky personality.

Born prematurely, at 29 pounds, Fiona was not expected to live. But her spunk and determination helped her thrive and become a happy, healthy hippopotamus. With every challenge she faced, Fiona let out a snort, wiggled her ears, and said “I’ve \got this.” And she did! In this delightful story, inspired by the real adventure of this heroic hippo, join Fiona and her lovable animal friends at the zoo as she is introduced to the world in this whimsical and inspiring tale of perseverance and friendship.

Reflection
I remember hearing about Fiona the Hippo last year and seeing her photo all over the Internet.  She’s the lovable little hippo who made her grand entrance to the world at the Cincinnati Zoo.  Born prematurely, and cared for with the assistance of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Fiona is the first Nile hippo born at the zoo in 75 years!  No wonder why she’s so irresistible to people of all ages.

I was surprised at how valuable lessons of determination, grit, overcoming challenges and family came through in this book.  I was expecting to just read about Fiona’s background and journey, so the lessons sprinkled throughout the book was an added bonus!  It definitely helped me come up with a few discussion questions to talk to the kids about after the story ended which was great!

 

About the Author

Richard Cowdrey’s favorite things to draw and paint are the common things seen everywhere in nature. He especially enjoys capturing the expressions, eyes, and gestures of both humans and animals. Drawing and painting Fiona was challenging as the hippopotamus is a very unique yet beautiful creature! Richard’s bestselling children’s books include Legend of the Candy Cane, Bad Dog, Marley, and A Very Marley Christmas.

The Giveaway!

One (1) US-based resident (age 18 and over) winner will receive:

Fiona the Hippo Prize Pack Sponsored by ZonderKidz

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children's books
July 26, 2018
Mrs. G

3 Tips for Preparing Your Child for Reading In First Grade

This post is sponsored by HarperCollins and the I Can Read! books.  Be sure to enter the book giveaway listed at the end of this post.

It’s almost back-to-school time, and children nationwide will soon be getting ready to return to school or start for the first time.  Starting the school year off right is so important when building the foundation of a successful school year for both teachers and students.  It is a time to develop classroom community, set expectations for the year, and build relationships.

This school year my daughter will be starting First Grade, which is so hard for me to believe!  Time, please slow down!

Making the transition from Kindergarten to First Grade is a big one for parents and children.  As a parent or caregiver, one of the best things you can do to help your new first-grader prepare for the school year is to start having conversations at home early on about what they can expect.  From my own research, I’ve learned that in First Grade reading skills come into play, math becomes more complex and science and social studies expose children to new worlds.  Here are three tips to help prepare your child for reading in First Grade:

1. Read, read, and read some more!

First grade is a BIG reading year so it’s important to set aside regular time to read aloud with your children every day.  Many children begin the year sounding out basic consonant-vowel-consonant (cvc) three letter words such as “big” and “cat.”  However, more advanced readers may be given more challenging words.

Spelling lists and weekly spelling tests are common in most first grade classrooms too. These spelling lists might focus on teaching word families and basic word patterns. By the end of the year, first graders are reading more complicated sentences such as “She jumps up and down.” without needing to sound out known words. Most first graders are also learning to answer questions about key story ideas, retell the story, describe the characters or maybe even asked to write short book reviews.

One of my favorite series of early reader books for kids is the I Can Read! series.  I like them because they have great repetition and words that kids can sound out without too much help from an adult.  I know it can seem a bit overwhelming when trying to decide what early reader books to buy for your child because it can be confusing to figure out what book level to purchase.  I find the I Can Read! books to have appropriately labeled and color-coded levels for their books (Levels 1 – 4).  The “My First: Shared Reading” and “Level 1: Beginning Reading” books are perfect for incoming Kindergarten and First Grade students.

They have over 400 titles to choose from like I Want to Be a Doctor and Pete the Cat: Too Cool for School.  If you want to learn more you can download their handy printable activities, teacher’s guide or review their list of 100 Tips for Beginning Readers.  They also have a helpful parent guide and YouTube Video.

2. Look for reading problems early.

Teachers do not always detect children’s reading problems until they’ve become more serious. If possible, find out early in the school year from your child’s teacher if they can sound out words, know sight words, use context to identify unknown words, and clearly understand what they read.  If any reading problems are identified, be sure to seek help.  The more likely problems are identified early, the more likely your child will become a good reader.

3. Encourage a wide variety of reading activities.

Make reading an integral part of your child’s life. Have them read menus, highway and road signs, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, grocery lists and other practical everyday information. Also, make sure they always have something to read in their spare time when they could be waiting for appointments or riding in a car.  I like to keep a tote bag of a few books in the back seat that are within reach for my kids.

Showing enthusiasm for your children’s reading is also important too.  Your reaction has a great influence on how hard they will try to become good readers.  The most important thing to remember is to let your child set his or her own pace and have fun at whatever they are doing.  The last thing you want to do is discourage them from reading or see it as a boring chore.

 

The Giveaway!
Our friends at HarperCollins were generous enough to sponsor this awesome prize pack for one lucky US resident winner.  One (1) winner will receive:

5 I Can Read! Books Plus a State Bags Lunchbox!

Your turn: What reading tips do you have for parents of rising First Graders?  Feel free to share in the comments.

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children's books
June 26, 2018
Mrs. G

Riley Knows He Can + A Book Giveaway!


We’re celebrating the second book in the “Riley Books” series which is entitled Riley Knows He Can.

Riley is excited about starring in his first school play – but his nerves keep getting the better of him. His Mummy and Daddy will be in the audience and Riley is excited that they’ll be there to watch him in his starring role as the wise king. In addition, Riley can’t wait to put on his costume – a kingly cape and crown! But he keeps getting overwhelmed by the butterflies in his tummy! What if he walks on the stage and freezes? Or what if he walks on the stage and sneezes? Thankfully, Riley’s big sister Ella is on hand. Not only did Ella help her little brother to practice his lines for the play, she also gives him the encouragement he needs to take to the stage with kingly confidence. With Ella’s help, Riley learns how to ditch the doubt and tell himself he can do it – because deep down, he knows he can!

Photo Credit: A Mum Reviews

The follow-up to 2017’s Riley Can Be Anything, Riley Knows He Can follows young Riley on a new and exciting journey of discovery. In this wonderful rhyming tale, our young hero learns, with the help of his big sister, how to conquer his fears by believing in himself.

The Giveaway!
We’re giving away three (3) copies of this book to three (3) different winners.  This giveaway is open to anyone age 18 and over internationally.  Good Luck!

Riley Knows He Can Book Giveaway!

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Books for Adults
March 13, 2018
Mrs. G

How to Coach Girls: Q&A + Swag Pack Giveaway!

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book as part of the How to Coach Girls social media book tour sponsored by Audrey Press.


How to Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley

Did you know that 70% of all kids quit organized sports by the age of 13, with girls quitting at 6x the rate of boys?

Alison Foley, Boston College’s Women’s Head Soccer Coach, and Mia Wenjen, parenting blogger at PragmaticMom to help coaches, both parent volunteer and professional coaches crack the code of how to keep girls in sports. HOW TO COACH GIRLS focuses on the key elements to keep girls coming back next season covering topics like Coaching Your Own Daughter to Pitfalls of Choosing Captains to Developing Team Chemistry. This is a hands-on manual to help coaches keep girls in sports!

Purchase a copy of HOW TO COACH GIRLS on Barnes & Noble or Amazon

About the Authors

Mia Wenjen

Mia is also a blogger at PragmaticMom.com, a mash-up covering education, parenting, and multicultural children’s books. Her blog receives over one million views a year. She is a co-founder of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, January 27th, a non-profit which celebrates diversity in children’s literature. In just three days, the event generated over 3.6 billion social media share impressions!

A mother of two daughters and a son who play sports year round, she experienced first-hand how girls react differently than boys as athletes. It is from this, and her husband’s experience coaching their kids as a volunteer parent soccer and golf coach, that this book was conceived. 

Alison Foley

Alison Foley is the Boston College Women’s Soccer Head Coach. Her team’s success has led them to the NCAA Final Four and Final Eight during 13 consecutive play-off appearances. In her 20+ year career, she has coached many national team level players.

Alison started playing soccer at a young age, receiving ODP regional and national invitations. She played for Keene State College where she was an All-American, and earned a degree in psychology, focusing on sports psychology of female athletes. She still enjoys playing the game and can be found on the pitch both as a coach and a player.

HOW TO COACH GIRLS by Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley Q&A

1) Why did you decide to write this book?

Mia: My oldest daughter had an amazing volleyball coach who was so positive that even when they lost every game in a tournament, he emphasized their improvements. The players left feeling like champions. I was walking next to him for a team dinner and he told me that early in his coaching career, he was that coach that yelled more at the most promising player — a completely different coach than he is today. It took him a long time of trial and error to learn how to effectively coach girls.

Alison, my neighbor and friend, was always my go to for any sports related drama for my girls. I wanted to write this book with her because I think that coaching girls is a learned skill, not an innate one. We are hoping that by sharing this knowledge, ultimately it will help keep girls in sports.

Alison: I have had the opportunity to coach girls for the last 20 plus years and have seen things that consistently work really well with girls and have fumbled through my own mistakes of things that don’t work. I think there are a lot of capable coaches out there but they “miss” simple cues or don’t implement a small change that will have their players happier, developing faster as athletes and people and be a better teammate. I’ve learned a lot of this by trial and plenty of error. If I can help coaches with a couple of “secrets” to short cuts to team success I will feel this book is a success.

2) The stat you quote is alarming: 70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13, with girls quitting six times the rate of boys. Why are girls quitting at such high rates?

Alison: I think there are a lot of options out there for kids these days and you have to create environments that they are excited to go to. You have to blend pride, sense of community, and success all in this formula to retain your players. Understanding how our young athletes think and what makes them click is shared in our book and hopefully keeps girls excited and engaged in sport.

Mia: I’ve noticed with my girls, especially when they are trying out a new sport, that it can be one seemingly small thing that will either get them excited to keep going OR make them want to stop.

3) What can be done to retain girls in sports?

Mia: What we learned is that research shows that the number one reason why kids play sports is to have fun. But for girls, “fun” means being valued and respected. Interestingly, kids do not care about winning! That’s not a factor as to why kids stay in sports.

4) What are some of the ideas in your book to keep girls in sports?

Alison: a coach needs to create a safe and nurturing environment for the team. This starts with building a relationship with each player that extends beyond just an athlete, but as a whole person. It’s taking the time to learn about their family, their extra-curricular interests, and other aspects of their life.

Mia: Something as simple as picking Team Captains can be a way to build team chemistry or destroy it. A rotation schedule that gives each player a chance to lead also teaches the value of being a good follower.

5) Let them eat cake at games or practices?! Doesn’t that go against healthy eating as food as fuel for sports performance?

Alison: One of my assistants at Boston College, Mike LaVigne asks the day before our player’s birthday what type of cake they want for their birthday and then he brings it to the locker room the next day. To me, it’s not about the cake. It’s about the fuel of happiness. Our players feel so special that he remembers their birthday and they love to be celebrated by their teammates at the start or end of practice. Celebrating individual milestones (a great test grade, first communion, bat mitzvahs, first goal) all are great reasons to bring in a little sugar!!! It does volumes for your team spirit!

Mia: My girls were in it for the cake! If they knew someone was bringing cake to celebrate a birthday at a game or practice, they’d be there even if they were deathly ill!

6) Growth Mindset is the Big Idea in education these days. How do sports teach Growth Mindset?

Alison: From a coaching perspective, Growth Mindset emphasizes development over winning. The focus is not about outcomes but on effort during practice.

Mia: As a parent, you can teach your child self-advocacy through sports by letting her resolve issues directly with the coach such as playing time, starting lineup, or moving up a team.

7) It sounds like building team chemistry is essential for a good experience. What are some ideas that every coach, volunteer or professional, can do?

Mia: Something simple is counting off to form small groups versus letting girls choose their own groups. Usually girls cluster in friend groups on a team that are based on what school they go to. Counting off mixes them up, creating opportunities to make new bonds.

Alison: It’s the coaches’ job to teach equal value of all players. Giving positive feedback to every player each practice signals that every player is “good.” Also recognizing behavior that is not skill based shows what coach values. For example, recognize the player that helped an injured player or lead the effort to clean up the field after practice. And recognize all the players that assisted in the build-up for the goal that was scored, not just the person who got the goal.

8) I was struck by how much influence a coach has. You book talks about how coaches should focus on developing good people not just good players. Should we really be expecting this from coaches, especially parent volunteer coaches?

Alison: As a coach, you are in a leadership role and how you act sends a message and influences your players. If you are a coach that gets sent off the field for arguing with a ref, that’s what your players will emulate. On the other hand, you have the organization in the form of a team, to help others. Helping kids develop qualities such as strong work ethic, confidence, leadership, compassion, and working through issues to reach goals are skills that players will have for life.

Mia: We have a list of sports related non-profits on our HowToCoachGirls.com website for teams looking for ways to give back. We will keep adding to that list if anyone has suggestions for organizations to add to the list. We’d also love to post on the community service work that teams are doing.

9) Coaching your own daughter seems tricky but most parents who volunteering to coach are doing exactly that. What is one piece of advice to them?

Alison: You are really wearing a “different hat” for a couple hours. Include them in your decision to coach BEFORE you decide and ask them what they may feel would make them feel uncomfortable and then if reasonable stay away from these requests. Don’t put more pressure on them. Use the same tone of voice you are with them as you do the other players. Don’t worry about complimenting your daughter if it’s something you would have recognized in another player on the team.

Don’t evaluate their play on the way home or at all at home. Keep the environments separate.  Also refrain from them hearing any coaching “chat” with your assistants or other parents. It can be a beautiful bonding experience for you and your daughter!

10) Any parent who has attended their child’s game has probably witnessed the “crazy sports parent” who screams at the ref, their own child, or the opposing team. What is your advice on how to deal with that?

Mia: Don’t be that parent.

Alison: Have a Parent Code of Conduct contract that parents sign before the season starts. Go over this in a parent meeting at the start of the season. If there are any infractions by parents, call a mandatory parent meeting after practice.

Book Details

ISBN/SKU: 9781936426034

ISBN Complete: 978-1-936426-03-4

Publication Date: 2/26/2018

On Sale Date: 3/1/2018

Purchase a copy of HOW TO COACH GIRLS on Barnes & Noble or Amazon

Giveaway!

Enter to win a How to Coach Girls swag pack including: One (1) copy of the book, branded hair ties and water bottle.  Good luck!

How to Coach Girls Swag Pack Giveaway

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children's books
March 10, 2018
Mrs. G

The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story + A Giveaway!

Disclaimer: We partnered with Zonderkidz to bring you this fun Easter giveaway!  We received a copy of this book in exchange for our honest review.  As always all opinions expressed are my own.

The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Jan & Mike Berenstain

About the Berenstain Bears
Stan and Jan Berenstain published the first Berenstain Bears book in 1962, and the series has gone on to capture the hearts and minds of children across generations and across the globe. In the 50+ years since “The Big Honey Hunt,” the Bear family has grown from three to five members; the Berenstain Bears have been translated into over a dozen languages; and over 300 million books have been sold worldwide.

About The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story
The Berenstain Bear cubs are candy-crazy this Easter! But Missus Ursula and some Sunday school students tell the cubs about the true meaning of Easter. Includes a sheet of colorful stickers!  Recommended for ages 4-7.

***

As with all of the Berenstain Bears books there are lessons to be learned. In this book Brother and Sister Bear learn the true meaning of Easter, how Jesus rose from the tomb.  I love how the story was presented as part of an Easter play in Sunday School which made it easy for my children to understand.  They are familiar with watching plays at school and going to Sunday school at our church.


I’m a total fan of the Berenstain Bears books. I read them when I was younger and I am now reading them to our children. I love the lessons taught in each one. I didn’t realize that Stan and Jan Berenstain had both passed away and their son is now writing the books. I’m glad that the tradition is being carried on and that Brother and Sister will still continue to share important life lessons with our children today. I also liked that on the back cover page there are activities and questions that help children apply the lesson learned.

One (1) winner receives:

  • 1 Copy of The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story
  • Egg dye
  • Candy
  • 1 Plush bunny

Open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Zonderkidz.

Link to Purchase

Visit Amazon to purchase The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story!

Connect with The Berenstain Bears!
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story Giveaway

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children's books
March 5, 2018
Mrs. G

Jolene Adventures of a Junk Food Queen: A Book Giveaway!

I consider myself to be a pretty healthy eater.  I pride myself on eating a well balanced diet most days and drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water per day.  However, I do have days when I like to eat “not so healthy” foods including junk food.

As much as you want to hide from it, junk food will come and find you and your kids at some point in life. It’s inevitable.  Birthday parties. Vacations. Holidays. Grandparents.  Workplace celebrations.  Need I go on?

Of course, when kids are really young, parents (or caregivers) control what they eat completely.  However, as kids get a little older, it becomes more important to teach them how to make good choices for themselves.   That’s the overall message of the book Jolene Adventures of a Junk Food Queen by Alexa Palmer & Catharine Kaufman.

The book is based on the experiences of its authors: Alexa Palmer, a preschool teacher who noticed a need for a nutrition book tailored to the way she observes children absorb information, through fun and fantasy; and Catharine Kaufman, a nationally syndicated food columnist. Kids can relate to Jolene- she is a junk food junkie just like they might be. AND she is transformational in her eating habits. This similarity between the behaviors of the characters and the real-life tendencies of children is what attracts kids to the story.

At the back of the book are healthy smoothie recipes for the kids to make at home and with their friends, just like the main character Jolene does in the book.

Today, we’ve teamed up with the authors of this book to bring you this fun giveaway!  Enter below for your chance to win a copy of the book.  Good luck!

Publisher: Kaufman/Palmer
Pages: 60

Synopsis
Jolene loves junk food. She loves it so much she wears red licorice in her hair–and pink taffy underwear! The Munch Bunch calls her “The Junk Food Queen.” Then, one night in her dreams, she meets a bunch of cool characters who take her on an incredible, edible journey into a world of juicy fruits, super salads and yummy smoothies.

Jolene Adventures of a Junk Food Queen

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black history
February 23, 2018
Mrs. G

When Rosa Parks Went Fishing: A Black History Month Book Giveaway!

In honor of Black History Month, today we’re partnering with author Rachel Ruiz to bring you this fabulous book giveaway!  I already shared this book and reviewed it last year, but if you want to read my review you can find that post by clicking here.

Enter our book giveaway below if you’re interested.  Good luck!


When Rosa Parks Went Fishing by Rachel Ruiz
Format: Paperback or Hardcover (Library edition)
Pages: 32
Age Range: 6 – 12
Grade Level: 2- 3

Synopsis:  No discussion of the Civil Rights Movement is complete without the story of Rosa Parks. But what was this activist like as a child? Following young Rosa from a fishing creek to a one-room schoolhouse, from her wearing homemade clothes to wondering what “white” water tastes like, readers will be inspired by the experiences that shaped one of the most famous African-Americans in history.

Interior illustration from the book When Rosa Parks Went Fishing

When Rosa Parks Went Fishing Book Giveaway

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children's books
January 9, 2018
Mrs. G

Fairy Mom and Me by Sophie Kinsella + A Giveaway!

Fairy Mom and Me by Sophie Kinsella, illustrated by Marta Kissi

Ella Brook can’t wait to grow up, because one day she will become a fairy and have her own sparkly wings and a teacher on Fairy Tube, just like her mom! Until then, Ella has to learn by watching her mom in action. But sometimes spells go wrong, and Ella’s mom can never seem to remember the right magic codes on her Computawand. A lot of the time, it’s up to Ella to come to the rescue. Does she have what it takes to be a fairy one day? Or will there be more glitches than glitter? (Ages 7 – 10)

FAIRY MOM AND ME is filled with ultimate wish-fulfillment, tech-savvy humor, and modern flair. Fans of Sophie Kinsella’s sparkling humor will love her first-ever series for young readers! Complete with black-and-white illustrations throughout and discussion questions and family activities in the back, this is the perfect shareable story for kids and parents.

About the Author

SOPHIE KINSELLA is the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, as well as the novels Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number, Wedding Night, and Finding Audrey. She lives in England. Visit her website at sophiekinsella.co.uk or find her on Instagram at @sophiekinsellawriter and Twitter at @KinsellaSophie.

About the Illustrator
MARTA KISSI is a freelance illustrator living and working in London. She studied illustration and animation at Kingston University and completed her MA at the Royal College of Art. She now works on various children book projects as well as covers and editorial pieces for both children and adults.

The Giveaway!
One lucky winner (US residents only) will receive a copy of the newly released book Fairy Mom and Me.  Good luck!

Fairy Mom and Me Book Giveaway

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family fun
December 21, 2017
Mrs. G

Playtime at the Palace Theatre: Connecticut Family-Friendly Events + A Giveaway!

Playtime at The Palace, the hit series of live performances geared toward children and families, returns to The Palace Theatre in Stamford, CT on Sunday, January 14, 2018. The fun-filled season of puppeteers, bubble-makers, magicians and musicians has doubled in size for 2018, with eight shows to entertain and delight even the youngest theatergoers.

Playtime at The Palace runs select Sundays January through April with performances at 3:00pm.  What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon especially during the winter months when cabin fever usually starts to kick in.

The 2018 line-up includes:

January 14 – Cardboard Explosion: A one-of-a-kind puppetry experience, Cardboard Explosion brings original stories to life using nothing but cardboard and the power of imagination. With help from the audience, puppeteer Brad Shur transforms simple cardboard shapes into elaborate puppet characters. Audience members will outsmart dragons, choose their own superpower, and train adorable animal sidekicks in this fun, energetic, participatory show.

February 4 – The Magic of Presto Pete & Incredulous Chris: Traveling two-man kids comedy magicians and real life brothers Presto Pete and Incredulous Chris present this ultra high-energy show. Kids will guffaw and giggle at their crazy cartoon-like slapstick antics and be wowed at the illusions presented. The show is sibling rivalry at its wackiest and packed with audience participation.

February 11 – Mr. Fish: The Science of Magic: The secrets of magic are scientifically revealed! Most magic tricks and illusions that have confounded and confused audiences for centuries actually have scientific explanations. This show uses mirrors, magnets, air, optical illusions, and mental confusions to educate and delight the audience, demonstrating the principals of light, sight, reflection, magnetism, memory, air pressure, and logic.

February 18 – The Tanglewood Marionettes Present Sleeping Beauty: Large, beautifully handcrafted marionettes, colorful sets, and integrated lighting and sound create a fully immersive theatrical experience. In the Tanglewood Marionettes’ retelling of the classic tale, a painted storybook opens to reveal each scene and marionettes are brought to life by a master puppeteer as the dramatic events unfold.

March 4 – Jay and Ray: Jams for Fams: With an energetic, silly and fun show rooted in play-based learning, Jay and Ray explore rhythm, melody and movement in a way that’s entertaining not only for children, but their parents as well.

March 11 – Casey Carle’s BubbleMania: Dubbed “a true master of his craft” by Cirque du Soleil, Carle’s one-man show combines spontaneous comedy, jazzy music and brilliant bubbling. Carle delights audiences with fantastic fog-filled bubble sculptures, a cube bubble, funky foam, bubble ping-pong, trapping an audience member (or two) inside a gigantic soap bubble and thousands of bubbles filling the stage.

March 25 – Story Pirates: The Stuck in the Stone Age Tour: In Story Pirates’ newest book, “Stuck in the Stone Age,” two scientists accidentally transport themselves back in time to the age of cavemen and saber-tooth tigers. Audiences join in the adventure to bring Tom Edison (no relation to that Thomas Edison) and Dr. Marissa Morice back home, all the while learning about the building blocks of a good story and proving that every kid has a story to tell.

April 8 – Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers’ The Legend of the Banana Kid: Featuring twenty handcrafted glove, mouth and rod puppets, and a slew of flying and twirling Styrofoam bananas, “The Legend of the Banana Kid” tells the story of Little Chucky as he heads to the Wild West to outwit outlaws in this cowboy adventure.

The Palace is offering a “Buy More and Save” bundle for patrons interested in four Playtime at The Palace shows. Individual tickets are $12.50 plus a $2.50 facilities and handling fee. The $50 “Buy More and Save” bundle includes a ticket to four shows when purchased in a single transaction. The facility and handling fees for bundle tickets will also be waived.

The Palace Theatre is located at 61 Atlantic Street in Stamford, CT. Tickets for all performances may be purchased on palacestamford.org or by calling the box office at 203-325-4466. For the latest news and updates, follow @ThePalaceTheatreStamford on Facebook and @PalaceStamford on Twitter.

About The Palace Theatre
The 1,580-seat Palace Theatre is dedicated to performing arts of all genres – music, dance, theater and comedy. In addition to hosting world-renowned performers in each of those fields, the Palace partners with arts organizations like the Stamford Symphony and Connecticut Ballet for their performances. The Theatre’s three floors encompass a deeper-than-typical Broadway-size stage, a café, a Learning Center, a theatre-long art gallery and a magnificent glass-walled promenade. The Palace is dedicated to providing exciting entertainment that enriches the cultural, educational, economic and social life of the community.

The Giveaway!

One lucky reader will win a 4-pack of tickets to Cardboard Explosion on Sunday, January 14, 2018!

  • Must be 18 years or older to enter
  • Only one entry per person
  • Contest closes on January 7, 2018 at 11:59 pm EST
  • One winner will be chosen at random and will be notified via e-mail.
  • The winner will have 24 hours to respond by email with his/her name, mailing address, and phone number to the claim prize. If he/she does not respond in the designated time he/she forfeits the chance at the prize. An alternate winner will be chosen.
  • Tickets can be picked up at the Will Call office at the Palace Theatre on the day of the performance.

Cardboard Explosion

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children's books
October 19, 2017
Mrs. G

Goodnight Guidance: 5 Tips On Getting Energetic Kids to Fall Asleep for Bedtime + A Giveaway!

Disclaimer: We are celebrating a new book release from the creator of Goodnight Moon thanks to our sponsor HarperCollins!



5 Tips On Getting Energetic Kids to Fall Asleep for Bedtime
Let’s talk about sleep.  Bedtime shouldn’t be a battle, right?  But for many children and parents bedtime can be one of the most stressful times of the day especially if you have energetic children who have trouble falling asleep.

One of our favorite bedtime rituals is reading time! We’ve long been fans of Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. This classic picture book was originally released 70 years ago but a new padded board book edition just came out in June of this year. We were so excited to also learn about a previously unpublished book from Margaret Wise Brown that just came out October 3rd.  Good Day, Good Night uses the same signature word pattern as Goodnight Moon and is paired with beautiful illustrations by Loren Long. The little bunny returns to delight at hidden surprises of both the nighttime and the daytime! It’s quickly become a new favorite for bedtime reads.

Before having children I used to know the importance of getting a good night’s sleep, but I didn’t appreciate it nearly as much as I do now. Sleep is critical to a child’s development.  That’s why it’s important to establish and maintain consistent bedtime routines starting at an early age.  Once you get past the middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes phase, consider storytime and these other simple strategies I use to put bedtime problems to rest.

1. Create an inviting environment for sleeping
I once read the keys to making people feel welcome is all about focusing on sight, sound and smell.  If something is appealing to the eyes, the ears and the nose, people are more likely to be attracted to it and feel comfortable with it.  To implement this at bedtime I simply fluff up my kid’s pillows, dim the lights, arrange all of their stuffed toys, pull down the covers, light a lavender candle in their room and play some soothing music.  I also make sure their room is neat and tidy with no toys or other objects lying around on the floor.  Once they’re out of the bath, they walk into their room relaxed, clean and ready for storytime.

2. Read books
This one is pretty simple and straightforward.  We read a variety of things before bed: board books, picture books, early chapter books (read alouds) and children’s magazines.  We typically read for at least 15 – 30 minutes before bed.  Storytime is also great for snuggling and bonding with your child at the end of the day.  One of our classic bedtime favorites is Goodnight Moon and we are loving adding Good Day, Good Night into the reading rotation.

3. Ban screen time one hour before bed
To ease the transition to bedtime, keep things quiet during the hour before bedtime. Put away mobile devices, video games and toys. Turn off the TV and any computers. Limit children to quiet activities, such as reading, coloring or doing puzzles. Sleep may be more appealing if kids slows down before bedtime.

4. Get the wiggles and giggles out
Sometimes we like to wind down by doing stretching and a few yoga poses.  Another trick I learned from another mommy blogger I follow is to practice deep breathing in a hugging position with your child.  It really seems to work!  I set a timer for about two minutes and we do it together sitting on the floor.  All you do is hug your child and then you start deep breathing.  Most children will automatically start deep breathing too, but if they don’t ask them to join you in taking a few deep breaths.  Give it a try!

5. Don’t let weekends throw you off.
Sleeping in on the weekends doesn’t help anyone catch up on sleep and can, instead, throw off our internal clocks. A policy of staying up late “because it’s the weekend” could jeopardize your child’s sleep the following week, so try to avoid that if you can.

Bottom line is to make bedtime a priority. A predictable, calming bedtime routine is often the key to a good night’s sleep.  What the bedtime routine involves is up to you.  Experiment to find what works best for you — but once you settle on a routine, follow it consistently every night.

Your turn: What are your tips and tricks to getting kids to fall asleep?  Feel free to share in the comments. And keep reading for more about the creative team for Goodnight Moon and Good Day, Good Night – plus a giveaway!

About Good Day, Good Night
This previously unpublished picture book by beloved children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown uses her signature word pattern from the classic Goodnight Moon that has soothed generations of children to sleep. Paired with Loren Long’s gorgeous illustrations, readers will take comfort in the reassuring world of the little bunny and delight at the attention to detail and hidden surprises on every page.

About Goodnight Moon
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight. In this classic of children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day, complete with a soft, padded cover and sturdy board book pages.

About Margaret Wise Brown
Margaret Wise Brown, cherished for her unique ability to convey a child’s experience and perspective of the world, transformed the landscape of children’s literature with such beloved classics as Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Other perennial favorites by Ms. Brown include Nibble Nibble, My World, Where Have You Been?, Christmas in the Barn, The Dead Bird, and Sneakers, the Seaside Cat.

About Loren Long (illustrator of Good Day, Good Night)
Loren Long is the author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling picture books Otis, Otis and the Tornado, Otis and the Puppy, An Otis Christmas, and Otis and the Scarecrow. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of President Barack Obama’s picture book Of Thee I Sing and the re-illustrated edition of The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. He lives in Ohio. To learn more, please visit www.lorenlong.com.

About Clement Hurd (illustrator of Goodnight Moon)

Clement Hurd (1908–1988) is best known for illustrating Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, the classic picture books by Margaret Wise Brown. He studied painting in Paris with Fernand Léger and others in the early 1930s. After his return to the United States in 1935, he began to work in children’s books. He illustrated more than one hundred books, many of them with his wife, Edith Thacher Hurd, including the Johnny Lion books, The Day the Sun Danced, and The Merry Chase. A native of New York City, he lived most of his life in Vermont and California.

Connect with Harper Collins!

Learn more about Good Day, Good Night on HarperCollins.com

Learn more about the new edition of Goodnight Moon on HarperCollins.com

Follow the official Goodnight Moon Facebook page

Follow HarperCollins Children’s Books on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Watch the Good Day, Good Night book trailer and download the activity booklet to use at home with your kids!

The Giveaway!
One (1) winner will receive:
Copies of Good Day, Good Night and Goodnight Moon
Good Day, Good Night- themed event kit
Branded bunny rattle provided by KidsPreferred.

Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizing provided by HarperCollins and KidsPreferred.

Good Day, Good Night and Goodnight Moon Prize Pack

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children's books
October 17, 2017
Mrs. G

A Halloween Book Giveaway: Lola Levine and the Halloween Scream

Disclaimer: I’m delighted to partner with author Monica Brown and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers to bring you this fun Halloween book giveaway!

Lola Levine and the Halloween Scream by Monica Brown, illustrated by Angela Dominguez

Age Range: 4 – 8
Grade Level: 1 – 5
Pages: 96
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Synopsis
Lola Levine is ready to celebrate her favorite holiday in the sixth book in this charming chapter book series by acclaimed author Monica Brown.

It’s Halloween–Lola and Ben’s favorite holiday. She loves pumpkins, scary costumes, monsters, and ghosts–and she likes to scare people, too. But when Lola plays a scary joke on her super best friends, Josh Blot and Bella Benitez, it doesn’t go as planned.

Can Lola learn from her mistake and still have a happy Halloween?

About the Author
Monica Brown, Ph.D. is the author of many award winning books for children, including Waiting for the Biblioburro and Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/Marisol McDonald no combina. Her books have received starred reviews, Pura Belpre honors, an NCTE Orbis Pictus honor, Americas Awards, and a Christopher Award. Monica’s books are inspired by her Peruvian and Jewish heritage and her desire to bring diverse stories to children. Monica is a professor of English at North Arizona University, where she teaches multicultural literature. She lives in Arizona with her husband and two daughters, and she invites you to visit her website at lolalevine.net.

Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City, grew up in the great state of Texas, and now lives in Brooklyn. She is the author of Knit Together, Let’s Go, Hugo!, Maria Had a Little Llama, and Santiago Stays.

The Giveaway!
We’re giving away TWO (2) copies of this fun easy reader chapter book for kids!  Entering is easy just follow the steps listed below.  We’ll choose two (2) random winners by the deadline.  Books will ship just in time for a Halloween treat.  Open to US residents only age 18 and over.

Lola Levine and the Halloween Scream Book Giveaway

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