by Leo Lionni
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1963
30 pp.
Age: 4+
Interests: fish, ocean, sea creatures
Also by this author: Inch by Inch, Frederick, Alexander and the Wind-up Mouse
The Three Pigs
08 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER – 2002
by David Wiesner
New York: Clarion Books, 2001
38 pp.
Age: 5+
Interests: pigs, dragons, fairy tales
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
07 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Books, books 5+ Tags: bad behavior, school, strong girls
by Kevin Henkes
New York: Greenwillow Books, 1996
30 pp.
Age: 5+
Interests: school, accessories, bad behaviour and repentance
One Snowy Night
07 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Books, books 3+ Tags: animals, bedtime, night, snow, winter
by Nick Butterworth
London: Collins, 1989
24 pp.
Age: 3+
Interests: animals, winter, bedtime
Top 5: Ocean Movies
03 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in Movies, movies 3+, movies 4+, movies 5+, Quick Lists Tags: ocean, sea creatures
In honour of my own upcoming weekend campout beside the ocean… five family movies about the mysterious and fascinating deep.
1. Fantasia 2000 (1999) – for age 3+ (just the “Pines of Rome”)
Okay, this is just a part of a movie, but the “Pines of Rome” sequence, featuring a pod of soaring whales, is stunning. (This sequence is totally suitable for the very young, though other sequences in the film are significantly scarier, more suited to 5 or 6 year olds.)
2. Ponyo (2009) – age 4+
An entirely different take on the basic “Little Mermaid” fairy tale. Magical forces out of balance cause the ocean to rise and submerge a coastal town… but no one is hurt in this adventure, which all hinges on a little fish striving to become a human girl. Underwater scenes are breathtaking. (Read full review.)
3. Finding Nemo (2003) – age 4+
Wonderful fish adventure, highlighting many ocean species along the way. Funny and smart, scary moments but plot moves through them quickly. Sure to spark an interest in learning more about sea creatures. (Read full review.)
4. Pinocchio (1940) – age 5+
Underwater scenes only occur in last part of this movie, but Monstro the whale is unforgettable, if a bit scary. (Read full review.)
5. Blue Planet (2001) – age 5+
Okay, this is a BBC series, not a movie, but don’t forget to follow-up fantasy ocean stories with non-fiction and documentaries. And a trip to the aquarium!
Stuart Little (1999)
31 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Movies, movies 5+ Tags: adoption, boats, cats, family, mice, New York
Rated: Rated PG for brief language
Length: 84 min.
Age: 5 and up. Commonsense Media sez: 6 +
Scary Factor: Stuart in the washing machine as water is filling up; chased by cat several times; two major chases from alley cats in park
Intense: concept of getting mafia-like cats to rub him out (“scratch him out”); police station conversation about killing sprees and grisly crime photos; alley cats menace a lot but don’t get very close; alley cats dispatched in end by dumping them in pond (aren’t hurt, are seen climbing out and running off)
Bad Behaviour: George pushes another boy down, fists flying, etc. and doesn’t get in any trouble for it (the impression we’re left with is that it’s all right because the other boy was so unpleasant)
Language: swearing! “damn”s, “hell”; presumably included for sole purpose of winning a PG rating; also rude language, “shut up”, “moron”, “loser”, “speak to the butt”
Interests: mice, cats, New York, adoption, family
Next: read the book! More
The Gruffalo
29 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Books, books 3+ Tags: mice, monsters, poetry
by Julia Donaldson
illustrated by Axel Scheffler
London: Macmillan, 1999
26 pp.
Age: 3+
Interests: mice, monsters, animals, underdog stories
Also by this author and illustrator: The Gruffalo’s Child
More on TV and Babies…
28 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Infant Learning - 1st Three Years, Issues
“Media Tips for Babies and Toddlers” gives a good, brief overview of the babies-and-tv issue, with a few tips for older ages as well, courtesy of Commonsense Media.
Top 5: Books to Puzzle Over
27 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Books, books 4+, books 5+, books 6+, Quick Lists
Another summer-inspired list… I give you thought-provoking books, puzzling books, mysterious books… books to pore over on a beach (especially Flotsam), or in a shady hammock, or in a tent on a long rainy afternoon. Three are wordless books, ones you can leave your child alone to ponder, though you will soon be drawn into them too!
1. Zoom, by Istvan Banyai – 4+
Captivating illustrations reveal surprises as we zoom out, and out, and out…
2. Flotsam – David Wiesner – 5+
A mysterious camera found on a beach contains some amazing photographs.
3. Black and White – David Macaulay – 5+
Four independent stories told side by side that intersect in unexplained and mysterious ways.
4. Anno’s Journey – Mitsumasa Anno – 6+
A man journeys through a European landscape on a horse. The inquisitive and patient will examine every carefully detailed page for visual jokes and puzzles.
5. Dragon Quest – Nick Harris – 5+/8-10
A very elaborate, inventive and funny Where’s Waldo for fantasy fans. Each densely illustrated page holds objects to be found and little puzzles to be solved before the quest can move forward. The difficulty level is probably pitched to 8-10 year olds, but even younger children will enjoy the story and can still search out a few of the more easily found items. (Interesting all the way down to age 4, but some of the fantastical creatures and swarming scenes may be too creepy for some.) This book could occupy a child for hours.
a page from Dragon Quest
Rarest Kind of Best 
What Scares Your Child?
30 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
by Kim in Commentary, Issues, Violence
Now, before I even get started, before any of you jump on me for being overly protective and censorious, I’m not talking about little scares here. I’m talking about the kind of fright that can cause sleepless nights or change behavior patterns. And these serious kinds of scares are more common than you’d think. As Joanne Cantor writes in “Mommy, I’m Scared”: How TV and Movies Frighten Children and What We can Do to Protect Them:
“If your child has a severe fright reaction, you are certainly not alone. Your child is not odd, unstable, or otherwise unbalanced, and there are good reasons why the reaction occurred. Sharing your experience with others will no doubt be therapeutic for you, and it’s important to warn other parents about potential effects on their children.” ¹ More