Search Results for: blog parents its time for your bedtime story

An Affordable Treasury of Fun

There’s no easier way for kids to explore new and exciting worlds than cuddling up with a favorite book.  Adventures await on each page and there’s no telling where your child’s imagination can take her once she peels back the front cover. And that’s just with one book.  Imagine the fun kids can have when they are gifted with a treasury of stories. If you are looking for an affordable way to keep your kids entertained this summer, consider investing in a box set of books.  My daughter adores her Little Critter Bedtime Stories set.  The colorful collection is a … Continue reading →

The Little Things

My daughter’s teacher has the following quote taped on the front of her desk:  “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll look back and realize they were big things.” Despite seeing the laminated saying each time I walked my daughter to class, it took me a good two months to fully grasp the meaning of that single sentence. As busy parents trying to keep our heads above the choppy waters of life, it’s easy to dismiss the little things our children do every.single.day.  What’s more, it’s even easier to ignore the many opportunities we have to strengthen … Continue reading →

My Brave Year of Firsts

When was the last time your child’s bedtime story included details on the book’s main character crashing her two-wheeler and her mom recording the entire incident on an iPhone? Not exactly Goodnight Moon, but this is 2012, baby. If you are looking for a book modern-day kids can really relate to, then My Brave Year of Firsts is sure to be a fast favorite. While the playfully written page-turner has a classic theme–celebrating the triumphs and tribulations associated with a child’s major milestones–its approach is far from traditional. Actress turned bestselling children’s book author Jamie Lee Curtis and award-winning illustrator … Continue reading →

Bedtime Story Now Airing at Disney World Hotels

If you stay in a Walt Disney World resort, you won’t have to do anything for yourself. Well, that isn’t exactly true, but Disney prides itself on offering special luxuries and letting you just sit back and relax for your vacations. They’re constantly adding new amenities to their resorts, and the latest is certainly unique. Every night from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. channel 38 on the televisions in Disney World resort hotels play a read-along clip from the new children’s book “Duffy the Disney Bear: Mickey’s New Friend.” That’s right: Disney World resorts are now offering to read your children their … Continue reading →

Mommy Confessions: The Tired Terrible Truth

Motherhood is pure bliss. Like the warm of hot chocolate on a cold morning a baby’s little arms warm your heart. The joy is overwhelming as you prance off with your perfect quiet baby to the park and shopping. Once the day is over you lay your angel down in her crib for her drift off to sleep. Then you head into the living room for a cup of tea and to settle down with your favorite book. Finally you wake up from your dream to a crying fussy teething baby. While motherhood is joyous it is not without its … Continue reading →

Red Hot Rescue Bunnies

Newbie is a Rescue Bunny trainee. Doreen Cronin is a children’s book author who realizes that her audience includes parents. Parents, who are often forced to read the same bedtime book, every.single.night. over and over and over again… and “Please, just one more time, Mommy! Puh-leeeeeeeeze!” Fortunately, I am not that mom any more. My first grader’s school entrance exam placed her firmly at a high third/low fourth grade reading level, so now she entertains me with her favorite stories at bedtime. Ah, bittersweet justice! Enter Cronin’s new picture book, Rescue Bunnies. The award-winning author of Click, Clack, Moo is … Continue reading →

Benefits of the Bedtime Story

Reading your child a bedtime story is a sweet moment for both the parent and child. Most children have a favorite bedtime story they insist on hearing nightly. Parents hardly need the book as favorites are committed to memory. These golden moments never have to fade with time as reading aloud is a great way to spend time with a child of any age. The benefits and memories last a lifetime and can turn into a family tradition that your children will pass onto their children. Reading to a child encourages a love for books. A child who reads or … Continue reading →

Sleep and Your Preschooler

I have a guilty secret. My daughter sometimes – dare I say, often – goes to bed late. She also sleeps in. With the onset of kindergarten next year and its earlier arrival times, we’re going to have to change this. However, in a family with two parents who are working outside the home, I find it to be a struggle to get her in bed by 8 pm. After all, my husband arrives home at dinner time, we eat, and then it would be bed time. On the days when I work outside the home, dinner tends to be … Continue reading →

Top Bedtime Books for Babies

I love children’s books, and I’ve collected them since I took a children’s literature course way, way back in university (yes, I feel that old!). Some of these books I know from my childhood, others I discovered when I became a parent. Here are some of my favorites: Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown Ah, I remember this book from my childhood, and I am sure that many of you remember it from yours. This slightly oddball story with quiet pictures gets darker and darker as the book goes on and we say good night to all of the … Continue reading →

Adoption Books with Great Art: You Are Special, You Were Chosen

You Are Special; You Were Chosen is a sweet little book which grew out of the bedtime story that the author’s father read to her each night. Its soft, detailed colored pencil/pastel illustrations definitely qualify it for my Adoption Books with Great Art series. The lovely pictures show diverse children and families, including siblings of different races, which I really appreciate, as that is something I have a hard time finding. Books featuring a multiracial classroom are becoming common, as are books featuring families of color—but multiracial families are still difficult to find. I almost bought a book the other … Continue reading →