Reviews (3)

a must read for parents !
This book is full of great ideas . Not only are there many examples of easy activities without expensive equipment, but there are also suggestions for food recipes that will delight your children.
Great Fun!
This is an excellent book for fun, learning and just great family times.Some of the ideas are more complex then others so the activities you choose depend on your time and how much you want to get involved at that time. Lots of different activities to keep your children in shape
While some ideas seem too much work and/or time involved, it's a great book.What I liked about this book is that it gives you lots of fun facts throughout the book.For each activity, it lists materials you need and the directions on how to do that activity.At the end of the book, it lists magazines, organizations, and websites relating to Family Fun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Exercise    3. Family    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family recreation    7. Family/Marriage    8. Games    9. Health - General    10. Physical fitness    11. Physical fitness for children    12. Advice on parenting    13. Family & Relationships / Parenting    14. Fitness & diet    15. Sport, Travel and Leisure Interests   

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child Development    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. Child care & upbringing    7. Family & Relationships / Child Development    8. STUDY AIDS - Series Study Guides   

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    6. Non-Classifiable    7. Nonfiction - General    8. Parenting - General    9. Advice on parenting   

Reviews (18)

A great find
I received a tip about this book from my daughter's preschool teacher. They use it for school and when I picked it up, I expected this to be a teacher's manual. It does have lots of education material and should be a class! My husband and I enjoyed the funny little stories and I really got some great tips on the kinds of toys to buy for our preschool daughter andher newborn sister. Already, we have more toys that we probably need but this is a great guide to help us as the girls get older and then ask for everything. It really helps you put a value on the dollars you spend on toys these days. This is a great book for first time parents to read before they start toy shopping. There is a great chapter about technology toys.

I just love this book!
I can't stop reading this book! Each chapter is better than the previous one and there is SO much I learned about toys. I'm pregnant with my first child and my mom bought me this book as a gift. She told me that I need to know everything about toys now so I do not make the same mistakes as my siblings who bought way too many toys that my nieces and nephews rarely play with. This is an amazing resource for preschool and kindergarten teachers too and the best part is that this book does not dictate what toys are the best. The reader is left to decide that based on what the authors have taught you. It's really a parenting book and class all in one!They have a website too.... toytips.com lists tons of toy reviews based on research for you to review.I LOVE that! I've looked at other websites that have reviews and opinions of a few parents and their experiences with specific toys but this is so much better than that!Great find. Great buy! Thanks, Mom!

From an Emergency Room Nurse
I read this review from Fagan (below) and have to add to it. I am an emergency room nurse and we see many toy-related injuries. Most could have been prevented. I think if parents took the time to understand the importance of buying age-appropriate toys and then took the time to play with their children, we might see less accidental injuries. I bought a copy to keep at the hospital for our health care workers who will benefit from reading this book. It's nice to see two authors who care so much about what they write about. Thank you to Ms. Marianne Szymanski and Ms. Ellen Neuborne. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Child Development And Rearing    5. Child rearing    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Parenting - General    9. Purchasing    10. Toy Arts And Crafts    11. Toys    12. Family & Relationships / Parenting    13. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (5)

Perfevt gift for new dads
This book was a gift for my friends husband, as they just had their baby. He really does like the book. I thought it was a good idea to buy, as it gives new dads some good ideas what to do with their newborns, other than stare at them :-)

Poorly Laid out but some good exercises
Most of the exercises are good and one usually comes to them naturally. It's a good reference to get a base set of things to do with your child. The only problem is it's poorly laid out meaning some of the sets are birth -3 months with another set being birth to 6 months. Why not have them birth, 3 months, 6 months etc. The pictures are somewhat useless as well in that they show a guy and a child smiling. Diagrams with how the exercises should be performed might be a bit better.

Rookie Dad
My husband is going to be a first time Dad this September.Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Development    4. Exercise for children    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Father and infant    8. Infants    9. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    10. Miscellanea    11. Parenting - Fatherhood    12. Advice on parenting    13. Family & Relationships / Fatherhood   

Reviews (1)

Simple, Yet Nice
This is a simple compilation of toddler or children's activities, presented by Fred Rogers, of television's Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.Most of the activities can be done using things you really can find around your house; not expensive craft supplies that you have to go out and buy.I wasn't so much impressed with the originality of the ideas; however, the organization and simplicity with which the ideas are presented is superb.There are sections on sharing/caring, pretend play, helping, things that go, feelings, creative fun, nature and science.Each activity page includes a list of things you'll need, steps for setting up and participating in the activity and what your child is working on developmentally by doing the activity; extra tips are included on many pages, as well.A helpful list of household things to save (instead of throwing out) for use in play activities is also included in the back of the book.This is a great book, and although we've only tried a few of the many activities so far, my kids and I really like this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Child development    4. Creative activities and seat w    5. Creative activities and seat work    6. Education / Teaching    7. Family & Relationships    8. Games    9. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/General    10. Parent and child    11. Play    12. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    13. Family & Health    14. Hobbies, quizzes & games   

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Activity programs    3. Child Development And Rearing    4. Child development    5. Development    6. Early childhood education    7. Family & Relationships    8. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    9. Family/Marriage    10. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/General    11. Toddlers   

Reviews (4)

Gentle guide to teach your child to swim
Rob and Kathy McKay have successfully written an easy-to-follow, gentle guide to teaching your baby/young child to swim.The step-by-step process truly works, as we have found out after enrolling our 8 month old daughter in their Learn to Swim class at FAU.Rob and Kathy are dedicated to teaching basic swim skills, and have helped us as parents to encourage our child and enjoy watching her learn each new step.She has a lot more to learn, of course, but this book has helped us significantly as we practice in and out of class.

Great Book!
We love this book.Our 7-month-old is doing wonderful in the pool from the tips and tricks it talks about.He's getting more and more comfortable with water in his face.Great format, easy to understand.

Great Approach and Ideas
I am very pleased and have tested it out right away! You can tell the writers are experience. I also liked the way they speak not only about swimming but about the child! Their philosophy can be applied to most everything that you may want to teach your little one. My 10 month old has defenetively benefited from me reading this book. Thanks ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. General    5. Parenting - General    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Swimming    8. Swimming for children    9. Sports & Recreation / Swimming   

Reviews (1)

Another great book from Kathy
This book was great.She covers every area of your family life, inlcuding taking care of yourself.I always look forward to her books.This is well worth the money.Buy it at Amazon.I purchased it at Borders and paid $18.95. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child rearing    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family Relationships    6. Family/Marriage    7. Mothers    8. Parenting - General    9. Time management    10. United States    11. Work and family    12. Child care & upbringing    13. House & Home / Reference   

Reviews (2)

Inspirational
I was hoping for a book like "How to Dad" which has pictures and instructions on how to do cool stuff, like skip rocks and teach how to ride a bike.This is more like those inspirational books like life's instruction book.Great read, some wonderful ideas, but not the sort of hands on activity book I thought it was going to be. I guess I was thinking of the 365 ways to cook chicken books.

Will take you back...
This is a short book of ideas on what you can do with your son to buildhis character and yours as a father.Not only will it make you think abouthow to raise a child, it will take you back to your childhood memoriesspent with your father.Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Fathers and sons    6. Inspirational - Protestant Self Help    7. Parenting    8. Parenting - Fatherhood   

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Children's 4-8 - Family / Parenting    3. Color    4. Study and teaching (Primary)   

Reviews (8)

An extremely handy guide for a parent of a 1-8 year old,especially those new to b-day party planning
I am a first time mom and all of my son's friends are a few months younger than him.So, basically we have not have much guideance in planning birthday parties (my husband and I only have our memories and our families' memories to go on).I am reading this book for the first time as I plan his 4th birthday party.
Many years of use...
My son just turned 9 and I have been using this book for ideas for most of those years.Every birthday I pull it out and I always seem to find a few new ideas in there that I didn't notice the previous year!It includes party activity ideas such as a no-cook play dough recipe, instructions for making pop-up puppets and "moon rocks", and fun ideas like cooking cupcakes in ice cream cones, and playing "spin the bottle" to choose which present to open next (eliminates favoritism in present-opening).The author also includes tips on the child psychology of birthdays (plan something after the party to prevent a big let down), as well as addresses and phone numbers of further party sources.Now my child is getting a little old for some of the tips (the cover states it is for ages 1-8) but some of the ideas work for all ages, so I will hold onto the book for the next birthday.

Great Resource for Toddler Parties
Of all the "Birthday" books I borrowed from the Library I found this one the best if you are planning a toddler birthday! I will definately be purchasing my own copy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Birthdays    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Children's parties    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. General    8. Parties   

Reviews (7)

read this before buying a camcorder
So much of this book is dedicated to equipment, I would recommend buying this book before buying any equipment.I only gave this book a "3" because it covers more theory than practical information.For instance, Chapter 24 "Multimedia Madness: Alternative Methods of Distributing Your Video" mentions that you should "choose a codec (compression/decompression) scheme."Then it moves on with out going in to some of the pro/cons of even the most popular formats.

IDIOTS GUIDE TO MAKING HOME VIDEOS
AS PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR A LARGE METROPOLITAN NEW YORK COMPANY THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED READING FOR EMPLOYEES DOING EDUCATIONAL TRAINING VIDEO RECORDING AND EDITING. IT IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND, COMPREHENSIVE AND THOPROUGH. I GIVE IT A FIVE STAR RATING.

Very helpful
I got this book as a birthday present from my uncle, since he knew that I didn't understand all of the functions on my videocamera.It's helped tremendously--a great basic guide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Amateurs' manuals    3. Camcorders    4. Cinematography & Videography    5. Film & Video - Amateur Production    6. General    7. Hobbies    8. Photo Techniques    9. Photography    10. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    11. Production and direction    12. Television & Video    13. Video recording    14. Video recordings    15. Videotape Recording    16. Self-Help / General    17. Video photography   

Reviews (1)

Excellent!!! Fun!!! Exciting!!!
This book went beyond what I first thought it was going to be about.Thinking it would be a book on helping chidren understand how the 10Commandments apply in our lives today. I was captivated on how well theauthors explained the commandments and gave examples so simple thatchildren of all ages can easily understand them especially the activities,where parents participate in with them. I highly recommend this book forevery family whether you have children or not. You will get a much betterunderstanding of the 10 Commandments and have alot of fun in the process. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Family Relationships    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Recreational Activities    5. Religion    6. Religion - Marriage & Family   

Subjects:  1. Literary collections    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Parenting - Motherhood    4. Parent And Child    5. Activities    6. Advice on parenting    7. Family & Relationships / Activities    8. Juvenile Fiction / Bedtime & Dreams    9. Parenthood    10. Bedtime    11. Parenting - General    12. Family & Relationships    13. Family/Marriage   

Reviews (4)

A fabulous journal
This is a perfect place to record special events and gatherings.I record not only group parties but also special occassions when just a couple of friends come over.Susan's art graces every page.The book is divided into the four seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall.A great gift.

great wedding gift!
I love Susan Branch's beautiful illustrations and ideas.This is a lovely, keepsake book with her usual touch.It provides lots of "journal" room to write personal reflections and has space foreach season and holiday.I'm giving this book as a wedding gift coupledwith a red "You are special today" plate.I hope it will be atreasured place to write down the couple's memories and special occasionsthroughout their relationship.You could also couple it with variousholiday decorations for a shower or wedding gift.

Another wonderful book from Susan
Susan Branch has been publishing a number of new books lately and this is another great one.This is more of a "journal" type book with pages to record different occassions and holidays.I believe this is oneof a series of three of these type books, the others being "BabyBlessings" and "Weddings".In the age of trying to find"our authentic selves" this book would be a great tool and alsogreat fun for future generations to look at. There are places for photosand written memories.And of course, wonderful drawings from Susan.Ihave been a big fan of Susan's since her first book and her work just keepsgetting better over the years.This also is very reasonably priced onAmazon. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Blank Books / Diaries / Memory Books    3. Blank Books/Journals    4. Holidays (non religious)    5. Non-Classifiable   

Subjects:  1. Bible crafts    2. Bible games and puzzles    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Family Relationships    4. Christianity - General    5. Family    6. Handicraft    7. Religion    8. Religion - Marriage & Family    9. Religious life    10. CHRISTIAN LIVING / RELATIONSHIPS / PARENTING    11. Family & Relationships / Activities   

Reviews (3)

The Tooth Fairy Kit Is The Greatest Gift For A Child Loosing A Tooth!
I recently purchased three Tooth Fairy Kits,
wonderful little kit
my daughter was so excited to get this kit. she loved the little pillow that she could put her tooth in so she didn't have to worry about the tooth getting lost. i loved the fact that you could store everything in the small box for keepsake. doesn't take up a lot of room. the tooth napsack could have been a little smaller i think. but still ok. the little journal for dates on losing the teeth is very nice. liked that ideal. but overall very happy with the product. years down the road my daughter will have memories of losing her teeth.

Huge Becky Kelly Fan!
The first time I saw Becky Kelly's artwork was on a Hallmark card, and instantly I was a fan! What I really love is the small journal that is included. It gives you the time frame of when your baby's teeth will come in and their names. Thejournal then goes on to what date your child lost their tooth, how was it lost and what did the tooth fairy bring! The kit also includes a light yellow tooth pillow, and small draw string back to keep it all in, if you do not want to keep it in the box. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Customs & Traditions    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Press out & kit books    7. Social Science / Customs & Traditions   

Reviews (5)

Good for when you run out of ideas
This book doesnt provide you with games that are unique or that you havent practiced by the time you receive the book. I knew this before buying the book, still I decided to buy it. I keep it in the playing area, and when I run out of ideas I turn to it and find something else to play with my baby. Its like a memory jogger, you know all the stuff in there, but you still need it to help you remember what you know...if that makes any sense to you.

A Must Have Game Book for Baby
I totally agree with the author's saying: The best toy for your baby is one that stimulates all five senses - and that is you!
not what I expected
There wasn't as much in this book as I was hoping for.The games that are suggested are mainly things I would do with my baby anyway. I guess I was hoping for a little more creativity and insight about development.Also, some of the games did not seem safe to me.One game suggests putting down a wooden ladder for a toddler to walk through like an obstacle course and sitting at the other end to encourage him/her to walk through. That just sounded like a trip hazard with a parent too far away to catch. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Child rearing    4. Development    5. Educational games    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Infants    9. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    10. Parenting - General    11. Play    12. Family & Relationships / Child Care   

Reviews (2)

Establish a life-long enthusiasm for nature
Joseph Cornell is the author of Sharing Nature With Children (1883220734, $9.95) and Sharing Nature With Children II (1883220874, $9.95). This two volume set showcase nature studies and appreciation activities that any parent, teacher, or child care provider can readily engage in with children. Ann appreciation for the complex and interrelated life forms that comprise the exosphere of their environments is a solid basis to establish a life-long enthusiasm for nature and the out-of-doors, as well as a lasting commitment to environmental issues and concerns. Each volume is available independently, but school and community libraries are urged to acquire them both for the nature activities and environmental reference collections.

Good to Have Around
This is a good book to have around when looking for ideas on how to increase our enjoyment and appreciation of nature. While the title says the book is for Sharing Nature with _Children_, the ideas are fun for adultstoo.Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Activity Books - General    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Earth Sciences - General    5. General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Nature    8. Science & Nature - General    9. Natural history & pets