Purim Is Coming!

I do not know a single child that does not love the holiday of Purim. Free candy? Check. Dress up as your favorite character? Check. No School? Check. Sometimes it can be daunting as an adult to prep for this holiday. Should my mishloach manos have a theme? Do I REALLY need to make hamentashen and am I the worst if I don’t? I personally am not one to judge, I am just a huge fan of free food that comes to my door that I can snack on from now until Pesach. Just in case you are looking for something fun to put you in the holiday spirit, here are some songs and activities to remind yourself that we are celebrating the fact our people were not obliterated, a woman saved the day and we are can eat all the cake and candy we want because it is a mitzvah.

Have a very happy Purim!!

Songs:

Chag Purim:

Chag Purim, Chag Purim, Chag Gadol Hu La’Yehudim, Masechot Ra’ashanim, Shirim v’Rikudim
Chorus: Hava Narisha, Rash, Rash, Rash! Barashanim.

Shoshanat Yakov:

Shoshanat Yaakov, tzahala v’samecha birotam yachad tchelet Mordechai.

T’shuatam hayita lanetzach vetikvatam b’chol dor vador, lehodia shekol kovecha lo yevoshu v’lo yikalmu lanetzach kol hachosim bach.

Arur Haman asher bikesh l’abdi, baruch Mordechai haYehudi. Arura Zeresh, eshet mafchidi, beruchah Eshter ba’adi. Arurim kol hareshaim, beruchim kol hatzadikim. Vegam Charvonah zachur latov.

V’Nahaphoch Hu:

 V’Nahapoch Hu Asher Yishletu Hayehudim Hemah Besonehem

LaYehudim Hayesa Orah:

LaYehudim hayesa orah, v'simcha, v'sasson vi'ykar.

Nosh Nosh A Hamentash:

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Pat pat pat the dough with me,

Pat it flat and you will see.

Haman’s Hat was just like that.

Pat pat a hamentash now.

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Squeeze and pinch the dough with me,

Squeeze and punch and you will see,

Haman’s hat was just like that.

Let’s squeeze a hamentash now.

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Haman’s Hat:

My hat it has three corners, three corners has my hat and had it not three corners it would not be my hat. Use hand motions. My--point to yourself, Hat-touch head, three--put up three fingers, corners--touch elbow. Each time you sing the song leave out a word and just use the hand motion. First leave out my, then hat, then three, then corners. Finish by singing the complete song again.

Purim Song: (Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)

If you hear the name of Haman stomp your feet. (stomp feet twice) repeat If you hear the name of Haman, if you hear the name of Haman, if you hear the name of Haman stomp your feet (stomp feet twice)

If you hear the name of Esther clap your hands......

If you hear the name of Achashverosh turn around.....

If you hear the name of Mordecai shout hooray...

Acitvities:

 

Hamentashen Recipes:

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1366/jewish/Traditional-Hamantaschen.htm

http://www.marthastewart.com/1055129/chocolate-hamantaschen

Coloring Pages:

http://media.aish.com/documents/Coloring%20Book%20-%20Purim%20(English).pdf

http://www.torahtots.com/holidays/purim/purcolr.htm

Mask Templates:

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/printable-masks

Latest and Greatest From Penguin!

(Me and Harlan Coben - check out his first picture book below!)

This past Thursday I had the opportunity to go to my son’s four year old nursery class and talk to the children about how books become books. From basic art and text to a folded and gathered copy and finally bound and ready for purchase, the children had a great time comparing a book in a flimsy state to a final hardcover copy. I showed them some up and coming picture books and easy readers and now I will share them with you too. Happy Reading!

New Board Books:

   

Corduroy’s Colors, Corduroy’s Numbers

I love that this series incorporates the concept being taught in a sentence. Whether Corduroy is playing in green grass or counting three pigs, it helps a child understand in context what they learning. There are so many objects on each page to help build vocabulary skills, from different flowers and fruits in the garden in Corduroy’s Colors to the many different farm animals in Corduroy’s Numbers.

New Non-Fiction:

 

Astrid Lindgren – Johanna Hurwitz

The newest addition to the Women of Our Time Series, Lindgren is most famous (to me) for being the author of the Pippi Longstocking series. I loved learning that the character started off as someone Lindgren made up in stories she told her daughter and after she was home bound after breaking her ankle she decided to write the stories down and send them to a publisher. What a fortuitous mishap for young children everywhere!

 

The Buzz on Insects – Gina Shaw

This Level 3 reader dives into the world of six legged, two antennae bugs that fill our world (for better or for worse). The photos of ants, caterpillars, ladybugs and others are vivid and beautiful (if also a little gross) and science terms are explained in the glossary on the last page.

 

The Moon – James Buckley Jr.

Ever wonder if the moon is really made of cheese or a man lives there? This Level 4 reader goes through the history of studying the moon from Galileo to Neil Armstrong and all the details discovered along the way.

 

Curious About Fossils – Kate Waters

Sometimes all you need is a picture of giant sloth poop to get kids excited about a science topic like fossils. In this book, you will learn about famous fossil collectors, dinosaurs, how fossils are handled and so much more. This book is perfect for dinosaur lovers who want to go beyond the types of dinosaurs that roamed the earth and a glossary in the back explains key concepts.  


Curious About Snow – Gina Shaw

Snowflakes have different shapes but they all have six sides. Billions of snowflakes fall in every snowstorm. An avalanche is a moving mass of snow that slides down a mountain. Want to learn more fun facts? Pick up a copy of this book, filled with amazing photos of snowflakes you did not know you needed to see.

 

Baby Orca - Mary Batten and Chris Rallis

I first learned about Orcas from the Disney show Octonauts. Baby Orcas are also known as killer whales and are the top predators in the ocean - even sharks are scared of them! Orcas come to life in this easy to read book that takes one on a journey from baby Orca to mother with beautiful photos and illustrations.

Easy Reader Fiction:

 

Get a Hit Mo – David A. Adler

A baseball book for reluctant sports fans in early elementary school, this book teaches the importance of perseverance and never giving up. Trying your best can end in a home run! This is a level 2 reader, perfect for children starting to read on their own.

Picture Books:

 

The Huey’s in What’s the Opposite? – Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers is a master at making concept books exciting for adults to read to their children. Of course the opposite of up is down, but every parent wants to share that the opposite of half full is half empty (with the exact same glass of juice). The illustrations of the lovable Hueys make this a fun read for all, and there is no better way to entertain a child than through entertaining their adult. This book is also available in board book format.

 

The Magical Fantastical Fridge – Harlan Coben

Every good mom displays her children’s artwork on their fridge, right? What better way for a boy to get out of setting the table for dinner than to “fall” right into his own drawings on the fridge and then has to use his imagination to get himself out. This books is definitely a fresh interpretation on the age old adage, “There’s no place like home”. While the illustrations aren’t really my style, they are loud and fun for an older child (kindergarten – first grade) who can understand the concept. Adult fans of Coben will be excited to expose one of their favorite authors with their children and prep them for his YA novel Shelter.

 

Snappsy the Alligator (did not ask to be in this book) – Julie Falatko

There is something hilarious about a protagonist talking back to the narration in a book. Poor Snappsy feels he needs to defend his actions and decisions and is pressured to make his story “less boring” even though he does not want to be a part of a story, he just wants to have a regular day. This is definitely a story parents will not mind reading over and over with their children.

 

Ten Kisses for Sophie – Rosemary Wells

Sophie fans rejoice! Sophie is back, this time helping her mother make chocolate kisses for dessert for a party. Sophie gets nervous there will not be enough for everyone but she luckily has the best grandmother to come and save the day! Your youngest readers will understand Sophie’s angst about maybe not getting the dessert they have been awaiting for days and learn a great lesson giving to others.

 

A Recipe for Bedtime – Peter Bently

Does this sound like a familiar night routine to you? Undress baby -> bath time -> pajamas -> milk -> bed -> kiss goodnight -> leave room -> come back to room -> sing baby to sleep. If this resonates with you, this is your new bedtime story for your little one. You are sure to love the illustrations and the rhyming text and any parent of a baby or toddler can relate to this book.

 

The Importance of Being 3 – Lindsay Ward

My two and half year old is convinced this book was written just for her. After all, she is about to be three and she is learning to draw letter and shapes, play independently in the playground and make friends. Throwing tantrums and spills are still guaranteed in three year old life, but the new adventures for a growing toddler are exciting and endless and this is a sure to be appreciated gift for any child turning three.

Little Bitty Friends – Elizabeth McPike

Simple rhyming text connects little children with the little critters in nature. Ants, baby rabbits, baby turtles, caterpillars and more all interact with young ones on the pages. This adorable story is an easy way to instill an early love of the great outdoors to the young ones in your life.

 

Super Jumbo – Fred Koehler

Being a super hero is not always easy, but someone has to look out for the neighborhood! Even though he always means to do the right thing, sometimes Super Jumbo’s helping hands go a little awry. There is no better book to inspire children to be the most super version of themselves than this adorable tale of a baby elephant wanting to better the world. This is an absolutely delightful book to read and share with children at home, at story time and in school settings.  

Middle Grade Fiction:

 

Jack and Louisa (Book 2) – Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Kate Wetherhead

Theater nerds rejoice - Jack and Louisa are back! (If you missed their first book, it is a must read for any fan of Broadway.) Act 2 takes us on a trip to the Big Apple and on a new adventure in how serious school plays really are. This is such a fun, fast-paced read whether you are a guy or a doll you will love the next installment of these two friends’ theater adventure.

The Story Of Diva and Flea

If you ever read a book by Mo Willems you are probably aware that he appreciates a good, solid friendship. Elephant and Piggie, Trixie and Knuffle Bunny, Cat the Cat and her friends, City Dog and Country Frog all know the true definition of best friends. This topic is also displayed beautifully in his newest (and I believe first) chapter book, The Story of Diva and Flea. If I have ever helped you in the library, you know that I am the first to suggest any book by Mo Willems for your child(ren), so I am obviously ecstatic that Mr. Willems has ventured into chapter books!

The book is the perfect choice for a first chapter book for an independent reader. It is definitely the appropritate next step for children who have graduated from Willems’ picture/easy reader books but isn’t ready to say goodbye to Willems’ writing or characters. I read it to my kids since it was so easy to understand and follow along (it was also a learning experience for me as I have never read a chapter book to my children before) and they absolutely loved it. The story is about a little dog named Diva and a cat named Flea who come from different backgrounds and form an unlikely friendship in Paris, France. It is based on animals Mr. Willems met when he was living in Paris. Tony DiTerlizzi does a beautiful job illustrating the book and young readers will love reading Willems’ latest tale of two friends who roam the streets of Paris together and always come home for a delicious, filling meal. I love the idea of exposing my kids to what life is like in other cities and this story is a great spring board to compare life in New York and life in Paris. (My children noticed they have apartment buildings and a subway system just like us!) Be sure not to miss the Author and Illustrator notes in the back, it will make the story more meaningful.

Happy Reading!

Moms Don't Get Sick Days...

This cartoon has been hanging on a bulletin in my parent’s house for as long as I can remember and I never really understood it until I became I mother myself (sorry mom!). Unless you are fortunate to have 24/7 help, chances are if you are a mother and you’ve ever gotten that terrible cold or flu, morning sickness when you also have to take care of other children, a migraine or just “coming down with something” then you KNOW that as sad as it is, the last thing you want to do is cook, bathe, change and worst of all - play with your children.

During the winter months when it is too cold to go to the playground after school, I try very hard to show my children attention during that time until I have to start preparing dinner and do whatever they want, which is usually painting, playing with play-doh, cutting with scissors,baking, or anything else they can think of that will make a huge mess and big clean up job for me and I am okay with this because otherwise they would sit in front of the tv or their iPads from the time they come home from school until they go to bed. However, when I get sick, (which thank Gd isn’t very often, but when it hits it is the WORST), I cannot bring myself to do any extra clean up, sometimes I do not even want to get off the couch. On those days I do turn on the tv and hand each child an iPad but it is always with extreme guilt and sometimes the worst happens – my kids still want to have an after school activity even though Blaze and The Monster Machines is on! This made me evaluate my children’s capabilities and toys to come up with a list of after-school fun that does not require mommy to be a participant (unless she is feeling better). I am sharing this list with you – maybe you have some go-to ideas that work for you, or maybe you have a basement or designated play area so this doesn’t even apply to you because the play table isn't also the dinner table or the mess just isn't as "in your face", but I have found that my kids would sometimes rather me be their audience anyway than fellow participant.

I hate reading to my children when I have a sore throat or am so tired that I can barely see straight, so if they request story time after school I tell them to save the books for bedtime when Daddy comes home or look at the book yourself (which often translates to: this is no longer book time) and that is okay. I often offer coloring books or blank paper and crayons and tell them to color pictures since they clean up the crayons when they are done and I am happy to display their artwork on the wall. If I am really lucky I can get a full fifteen minute coloring session. If it isn’t a headache I am suffering from, I encourage my children to take out their instruments and sing me songs. Band time is the best – they play (bang) their pianos, guitars, drums and recorder and I sit on the couch with my feet up enjoying the ridiculous verses my creative children come up with. I always suggest playing with Legos or puzzles but sometimes a full clean up job doesn’t happen on its own (especially when 1000 Legos are involved). There is nothing like having an apartment full of toys and your children telling you they have “nothing to play with”. I like to use my “sick days” to remind my children of their train sets, doll houses, pretend food and kitchen and when they are bored of all of these ideas, I simply tell them “Mommy is sick and needs a checkup”. Nothing heals you faster than a Fisher-Price Band-Aid from a two year old doctor.

Hang in there moms – spring is almost here and that lingering cough will disappear and our kids will stop bringing home ear infections. Until then, do what it takes to get through those hard weeknights, whether it is extra TV or iPad time, coloring, building or singing. (And if you are ever offered an extra set of hands – TAKE THE HELP!! You are already your child’s hero – take that nap if Grandma is offering babysitting time!) One more thing, if you do know a fellow mom suffering from a winter cold, you can surprise her and send her a free tissue box from Kleenex.com. 

 

And if you’ve never seen the amazing : "Moms don't take sick days" DayQuil commercial. 

"Mommy, Why Are You Crying?"

As a parent with Facebook, I read A LOT of parenting articles that people post, even if they have nothing to do with the stage my children are in or if I agree or disagree with the author - I find myself reading a lot of parenting blogs. It is never with any judgement especially since I had two children who never took pacifiers so they always screamed in the supermarket and I had one champion sleeper and one child who didn’t sleep through the night until she was 18 months old and I had one child who baby led weaned and another who I thought would walk down the aisle with a pureed menu at the wedding, but I love to hear different perspectives and any helpful advice is great advice – parenting is really hard!

Today I found myself in a really awkward position and realized I don’t remember reading any advice on the matter – even Judy Blume let me down on this one. I was having an extremely emotional day and while I was folding the laundry tears just rolled down my face and my four year looked at me and said “Mommy, why are you crying? Is it because we hit the wall with the Swiffer?” I do not think I ever cried in front of my children before, am I allowed to do that? Are we pro this or against it? Will it scar them for life? I looked him straight in the eye and said “maybe it is time to put the Swiffer away if you are done helping to clean and mommy got some sad news so she is sad right now”. He then gave me a hug and said “you are all better now”. I wish so badly that everyone can get a hug from a four year old and have all their problems melt away.

This morning I saw on Facebook that someone I worked with at Mr. Youth passed away. She had a blog chronicling her battle against cancer and although I barely knew her, I read most of her posts and am in such awe of her strength and courage. My heart goes out to her husband, family and friends and hope they are all comforted at this time.

This afternoon I read a blog post about a friend of mine who is sick and while in my head I paint a picture she is on the mend, her brother’s post unfortunately said otherwise. She used to be my neighbor and I looked forward to seeing her every Saturday morning at synagogue to catch up on life and when she got sick she moved to Pittsburgh and every now and then I cry to my husband and tell him how much I miss my friend. So after the news about Briel, and then the update about Meredith, the tears just started to flow and I decided it is okay my children saw it. They should know Mommy is human and has feelings and sometimes feels sad and they should also know that it is okay to express those feelings and a good cry can actually make everything all better. (Inside Out anyone?) 

We as parents work really hard to teach our children so many things, how to use a spoon, how to walk, how to read, we cannot forget that their emotions can use some guidance as well. While sometimes it takes a hard day like today to make me count every small blessing in my life, I hope I am teaching my children to appreciate what they have and to have empathy for those who may not have what we do.

Disney/Pixar Animation Studios Artist Showcase Series

I have always been a huge fan of book jackets. I love lifting them up and sometimes finding a whole different picture underneath the original cover, as if the illustrator could not decide which one he liked more, so he put both representations of what he wanted to convey on that first thing you see (the cover) and those of us smart enough to peak underneath can find a true treasure. Disney/Pixar has started producing Artist Showcase Books – “A series of original picture books that put the spotlight on the incredible artists of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios” and so far, the two books I have seen from this series are incredible. The illustrations and characters will welcome you into their worlds and you will constantly want to return.

 

In Bug Zoo by Andy Harkness, a young boy named Ben who loves bugs is motivated by a trip to the city zoo to create his own bug zoo. When no one comes to see his exhibit he contemplates why that could be as well as the emotions of the bugs in their new residences. Ben learns that all living things have their proper place in this world and that there is a use for every empty jar one may find. Any child who LOVES bugs will love the illustrations in this book and any child who HATES bugs will also love this book. The end papers of the book are filled with facts about the bugs depicted in the story along with instructions on the best ways to catch some of them. The bright colors, attention to detail and Ben's high spirits will truly make young children want to play outside and discover the insects living among them. (And don’t forget to look inside the jacket cover for another amazing image!) This book will be available for purchase on February 16, 2016.

Cloud Country by Noah Klocek is one of those picture books you aren’t sure of it’s intended audience, but once you read it you feel you must share it with everyone you know. Is it for children looking to find their place in the world or is it for adults as a lesson on how to teach each child based on their personal abilities? I believe that to be the magic of this book - there is truly something for every reader. The child will relate to Gale, a little cloud who loves to gaze at the Earth from above when she should be studying for her final on how to create perfect cloud formations. When she masters creating clouds that are a little out of the ordinary for her world, the Head Guardian realizes she has a talent to create “Land Shapes” and instead of ostracizing her for not creating a “Cumulus Cloud”, he honors her the position of “Daydream Cloud” - to create the shapes we think we see when we look up at clouds in the sky, a message all parents and teachers can be reminded of: that even if your child does something a little different than expected, it does not make it any less extraordinary and should be celebrated (within reason). The illustrations in this book truly transform you into the stratosphere and will truly make you feel like you are right there at the cloud school final with Gale. I encourage you to take a look at this very cool behind the scenes video with Noah Klocek about how he created this masterpiece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQrUBrzOKfI (And don’t forget to check under the book jacket!!) 

All About Apps

My parents gave each of my children an iPad for their second birthdays and told me to constantly have appropriate educational apps on it. I once wrote a post about my feelings towards my son’s iPad here. I often see on my news feed that parents are looking for apps for their children to keep them entertained on plane rides or at doctor visits, so today I will share with you some of my favorite apps that I have discovered.  (To help navigate the post, names that are bolded are the developer and the names in italics are the titles of the program.) I also apologize in advance that I do not remember which of these I paid for and which are free but I promise you each one I spent money on has been worth every penny and that since I only have an iPad, I only know for sure these are iPad compatible. 

At two years old, my children were still mastering the basics – letter recognition, number recognition, colors, shapes and songs. Every Fisher Price app I ever downloaded I absolutely loved.

Shapes and Colors – a brightly colored piano and floating shapes help master these skills with catchy tunes.

Storybook (1, 2, 3) – animates popular nursery rhymes and gives you the option to read along or sing along and play as you go!

Market – three adorable games for the youngest food lover. One is a grocery checkout, one is shopping for foods in the market and one is helping “Baker Bob” bake some treats for his bakery (and you can choose cupcakes, apple pie or chocolate chip cookies).

For letters and numbers, I highly recommend the Endless Learning package. You can also get each app separately, Endless Reader (which focuses on sight words), Endless ABC (which goes above and beyond beginner alphabet), Endless 1,2,3 (which teaches numbers 1-100) and Endless Wordplay which focuses on basic spelling and rhyming words. What I love about Reader and ABC is that it helps a child spell a word and use it properly in a sentence (with an adorable graphic to help a child understand the vocabulary).  I also have Little Writer by Alligator Apps that helps a child learn to trace upper and lower case letters in addition to numbers, shapes and simple words. I found that this helped my son learn to write his name and also gave him an opportunity to practice letter writing on fogged up windows.

For those of you looking for beginner apps in Hebrew, I have found success with Hebrew Tots which includes the aleph bet, numbers, colors and basic opposites and Sarah and David Interactive Alphabet Story which focuses on the Hebrew alphabet in a cute storybook fashion.

For little ones interested in sorting, matching, building towers and basic problem solving, Tiny Hands Towers, Sorting and What’s My Pair are a must for your iPad. Children will feel proud of themselves for solving each level and they get a round of applause with each completed puzzle! (And if puzzles are your child’s favorite thing, you must get them Puzzingo “the greatest puzzle on earth”!)

Nosy Crow is an amazing app developer and there is nothing of theirs that I haven’t been satisfied with. From interactive fairy tales (I have Cinderella, Jack and Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks) to teaching about animal lifecycles (I have Frog and Penguin) to basic building (architecture related) apps (Bizzy Farm and Bizzy Builds), my children can stick with one of these for a half hour easily. There are problems to solve, structures to build and animals that need to be fed.

If tools and engineering are up your child’s alley, you may want to consider Tiny Bop’s Simple Machines that focuses on the use of levers, pulleys, angles and other physics related tools I never understood the mechanics of until I played this with my son. I also want to suggest the Sago Mini Toolbox, where one learns how to use tools (saws, hammers, scissors, wrenches etc.) and then build cool things like scooters and bird feeders with the tools you now know how to use.

There are some apps I have that I believe are a little sophisticated for my son (he is four and a half) but since they were the only ones that fit the bill of interest, he has them (and much to my surprise he can play them correctly and even get to level 65!). Seven Academy has two amazing apps called Crazy Gears and Busy Shapes that focus on connecting gears or shapes correctly to advance to the next level (each game has the same premise). They start off easy and get extremely complex so make sure your child doesn’t get anxious if he reaches a level he can’t complete (and unfortunately if you are my son who asks me for help at level 67 and I don’t have a clue – I just reset it to level 1). He also has amazing learning apps by Urban Pockets that teach about the mechanics of a car (My Car), the different systems in the body (My Body) and weather patterns (My Weather). He also has a great app called Tic Toc Time which teaches how to tell time and use a compass. As you can see, we are ready for kindergarten!

The last app I want to mention is Small Street. It is almost a children’s version of Sim City, where you are required to build a successful town, hire workers, collect rent and make money. I downloaded it by accident but for an older child who understands the basic concept can get addicted to this game really quickly (I would say perfect for 7-10 year olds).

I hope some of you find this useful and feel free to share any amazing apps you have found along this journey of new ways to entertain young ones in the twenty first century!