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Books and Stories

Guest Post: Potty Training Power authors, Sean & Cindy Platt

January 23, 2009

Today we are going to discuss Potty Training. That job we get as parents to get out of the diapers and into the bathroom. I don't know about you, but it is one of my least favorite responsibilities as a parent. Not that changing diapers or pullups is fun, but potty training just seems so ... I don't know ... time consuming? Here to help are Sean and Cindy Read more...

Get Cozy and Read a (winter) Book

by Mimi Jenkins

January 21, 2009

As I was driving home from picking my son up from preschool yesterday I saw snow! Yes, small little flurries, but snow nonetheless! Sometimes it's hard to believe we're in winter and then we get a cold snap like the one over the weekend and early this week and we are reminded once again! It's times like this, I just want to snuggle under a blanket with my boys and read some books. I like Read more...

Favorite Christmas Books

by Mimi Jenkins

December 11, 2008

There are so many great Christmas books out. And there are funny books, books dealing with Santa, Christmas Message books, the Birth of Christ... there are just so many. Here is a short list of some of our favorite Christmas books. Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner This is a cute rhyming story where a boy wonders what Snowmen do at night time on Christmas Eve Read more...

More Books for Your Home Library

by Mimi Jenkins

December 04, 2008

I've got some more book recommendations for you from the Savvy Source for Parents list of educational books, toys and games . If you haven't yet checked out their lists, make sure you do. Lots of great books, some new ones to check out along with classics that you may have forgotten about. Flotsam : Both my boys (ages 4 and 7) love this book. We got it from our local library Read more...

Did you miss these? November Recap

by Mimi Jenkins

November 28, 2008

I can't believe it's the end of the month already! Time for our monthly round up... 1. Always and Everywhere Be sure to check out this story by local Atlanta artist and author. And if you haven't already, leave your name and email address to win a signed copy of the book. 2. Exploring Atlanta Through Books Great books about Atlanta, our history and great Atlantan's and Read more...

Exploring Atlanta through books

by Mimi Jenkins

November 25, 2008

Georgia and Atlanta have such a rich history, it's a shame not to begin sharing some of this history with your kids. Here are my picks for Exploring Atlanta Through Books.... The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr . by Johnny Ray Moore. There are a whole host of books about Dr. King and his life. This one is a board-book suitable for even the youngest toddlers. From his segregated Read more...

Five Books That Make Great Gifts

by Mimi Jenkins

November 24, 2008

With Christmas just around the corner, the gift giving game begins. Books are always a great option for not just your own kids, but all those on your list: nieces, nephews, friend's kids... they even make great teacher gifts. Most teachers buy their own books for their classrooms and they always enjoy getting more. The Savvy Source for Parents has a huge list of educational books, toys and Read more...

Books are made to share, borrow and lend

by Mimi Jenkins

November 24, 2008

I've always had the feeling that buying my kids books is a "necessity" not an indulgence. I find it very hard to say "no" when the book fair comes to school, we go to the book store or just when they ask for books in general. But with today's economic climate, I must admit I'm finding the need to lower "new books" on our list of "must haves." Luckily, I have friends with lots of books Read more...

Rhyme Time

by Mimi Jenkins

November 22, 2008

There's no doubt about it, and plenty of research to prove it, Rhymes and Rhyming are essential to your child's development . They help develop language skills, early literacy, intelligence, and brain development. But they are also lots of fun. Since my husband is from London, we've introduced some Rhyming Slang There are lots of fun books with great rhymes and rhythms to get you Read more...

Discovering your child's inner Artist

by Mimi Jenkins

November 19, 2008

Drawing and coloring with your kids is a great activity to not only help your child express himself, but it also fosters imagination and helps kids learn to think outside the box. I'm sure we've all sat down with a child to color a page and cringed just a little when the child started to color the cow blue or the little girls face green. To kids there are no rules. I do believe that Read more...

Books that make us laugh over and over

by Mimi Jenkins

November 18, 2008

I am really enjoying the Savvy National Theme this month of " Because a Great Book.... " It lets me talk about books... one of my favorite subjects. I can remember growing up we had to have a rule, "No reading at the dinner table." Not "No TV" or "No Toys" (although they weren't allowed either), but "No books." My parents are big readers and always have their nose in a book or two, and Read more...

Best Bedtime books

by Mimi Jenkins

November 17, 2008

Bedtime is just the best time for sitting down and reading with the kids. I can remember my mom reading to the three of us up until I was in 7th or 8th grade. Granted she was reading books like "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and "A Wrinkle in Time," but she would still read to us almost every night before bed. Now it's something I love to do with the boys. Josh is old enough Read more...

Always & Everywhere

by Mimi Jenkins

November 13, 2008

Laura Bowman, today's guest author, is a local artist, mother and friend. She has written her first children's book, Always and Everywhere , for her friend Margie LaSalle, who is suffering from Breast Cancer, and Margie's children. ------ This is my first children's book. I am a professional artist living and working in the Atlanta area and normally paint contemporary landscapes and Read more...

Stone Soup

by Mimi Jenkins

November 12, 2008

I'm sure you're all aware of the story of Stone Soup . It's been told a number of ways, but the most popular is a group of hungry travelers come to a selfish town. The travelers have nothing but a big pot and begin to make some soup with just water and a stone. Of course the villagers are curious and start to ask questions about the soup and what is in the pot. As the villagers ask, Read more...

Story Time is More Than Just a Story: The Best Story Times in Atlanta

by Mimi Jenkins

November 11, 2008

I'm sure if you've read even one of my posts, you are well aware that I love books. I love reading and I love to expose my kids to books and reading too. Sure bedtime stories and quiet snuggles with a book are great -- but sometimes you just gotta get out of the house. Enter Story Time. Story times are great -- especially in our area. It's more than story telling, it's active Read more...

Family Fun This Weekend

by Mimi Jenkins

November 07, 2008

This weekend there is plenty going on around town. Pow Wow & Indian Festival Stone Mountain Park is a favorite place to play and visit for many Atlanta families. There are lots of things to do for people of all ages, abilities and interests. Not only do they have some stock-standard attractions, like Crossroads, the Summit Sky Ride, the Great Barn, the Antebellum Plantation, and Read more...

Talking About the Election

by Mimi Jenkins

October 27, 2008

The first Presidential Election I remember was in 1972. I was in first grade and my teacher held up a newspaper with Richard Nixon and George McGovern on the cover. She asked us all who our parents voted for, and each and every hand went up for Richard Nixon. I suspect it was because in the picture, the day after the election, Nixon was surrounded by balloons, confetti, smiling happy Read more...

(Not quite) Spooky Halloween Books

by Mimi Jenkins

October 22, 2008

Earlier this month, the Savvy National Blog shared some favorite Halloween Books . And later this week, they will be sharing their favorite spooky stories about monsters and nightmares. Today I'm sharing some of my boys favorite Halloween Book that have ghosts, skeletons, witches and other Halloween books. Hopefully, you'll find one or two new books for you to try out as well! Read more...

Let's Have a Tea Party!

by Mimi Jenkins

October 09, 2008

I love my coffee, I really do. But being married to a Brit and living in the U.K. for four years, I have come to love my tea. I know, I touched on Tea Parties last month . But since I only have boys, I love to try and find things for girls to do. Maybe I'm trying to keep in touch with my girly side, I don't know. But I love dressing up like a girl and going out to do girly stuff! And can Read more...

It's National Fire Safety Week

by Mimi Jenkins

October 06, 2008

National Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of October 8, 1871. After the fire, the city quickly rebuilt and observed the anniversary with a celebration. T he Fire Marshals Association of North America (FMANA), the oldest membership section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), wanted the anniversary to have a more serious commemoration and decided that Read more...

Put Your Dancing Shoes On

by Mimi Jenkins

September 29, 2008

There's no doubt that kids love to dance and listen to music. Not only is it fun to let your hair down and cut a rug with your preschooler, it's great exercise and helps develop coordination. And there is some research to suggest that music makes your kids smarter. You could sign up for a dancing class at your neighborhood community center or music and play place like the Little Gym , Read more...

Mind Your Manners at the Table

by Mimi Jenkins

September 25, 2008

The other day I surprised Josh, my oldest son, and showed up at school to have lunch with him. I tell you I was mortified at his table manners or lack thereof -- picture a cross between Cookie Monster and a tornado. Seriously, it was bad! Now, I know kids are kids, but he's seven. He knows better. At home we enforce good table manners, so I was shocked when I saw what a mess he was Read more...

It Takes Two, or More... Fun Things to do With a Friend

by Mimi Jenkins

September 23, 2008

Today is List Day and the topic is fun things to do with friends. I know we all need some alone time, but doing things with a friend is always so much more fun. 1. Take a Class . There are so many classes offered in Atlanta and surrounds. Almost every place I've been has some sort of class or activity for preschoolers. Not sure where to start? How about your local parks and recreation Read more...

Shiver Me Timbers: Pretend You're a Pirate

by Mimi Jenkins

September 22, 2008

So we totally missed it here, but did you know that September 19th is " National Talk Like a Pirate Day ?" There are so many fun things to do with your kids on this day that center around that theme. My boys love pirates and we seem to incorporate pirates into almost every type of pretend play we have. We may be late, but it's never to early to practice for next year. There are lots of fun Read more...

Five Fun Books to Help Ease You Into The School Year

by Mimi Jenkins

September 02, 2008

Here in Atlanta the school year is well underway, but in other parts of the country kids are getting their new school clothes and shoes in order, packing up their pencils and back packs and getting ready to start a brand new school year. Now that we're all in a routine and the first day okay, first week jitters are out of the way things are settling down. And just when you Read more...

Book Nooks for Tots: Little Shop of Stories

by Amy Davis

May 26, 2008

My oldest son loves to read. Three years ago I wasn't sure I would ever say those words. Even though we had read to him practically every day and/or night of his life, and had taken him to countless libraries and bookstores and story times, he hit a period around age 5 where he was frustrated with reading. Frustrated with a bad kindergarten teacher. Frustrated that some of his peers were Read more...