FUN FINDS THAT NO ONE TOLD ME I HAD TO WRITE ABOUT

Since we're talking about blog advertising...

I get sent a lot of products (mostly advance copies of books) by people who would like to get a little free advertising via my blog. I will happily accept any freebies (I'm no fool), but I never guarantee that I will mention anything. If I like it and/or it makes my children happy I will, but I don't always.

Recently, though, a three items "fell off a truck" and onto my blog, and they are things you might be interested in knowing about. I'd certainly recommend these to my friends, and y'all are my friends, too, so here they are:

It's A Girl: Women Writers on Raising Daughters edited by Andrea J. Buchanan.  (She has a companion book called It's a Boy, same deal.) The stories range from the inevitable "princess phase" to raising a tomboy to eating disorders. They hit all the highs and lows of being a mother to girls. Poignant, humorous, honest. Beach book material, for sure.

Little Virtuoso: Music's Everywhere (DVD). Don't cringe just yet.  I know the association with Little Einstein is a little unsettling, but this is not affiliated with Disney in any way. Yet. Some people with fancy degrees from Berklee College of Music and a vested interested in teaching kids that "music is everywhere" got together and created a DVD (and CD which comes with the DVD). And it's kinda neat.

It's, of course, very kid-focused and the songs are cute. It encourages kids to hear music in their everyday world (the sounds of a broom or a hammer or wind) which appeals to the educator in me. I love this more organic approach to music learning. For me it makes more sense to have kids become aware of musical connections in their own world rather than shoving three-year-olds into Suzuki violin classes. One criticism: I wonder if they can do a version where the music teacher/facilitator doesn't roll her eyes so much.

And, my favorite, for last:

Reading with Babies, Toddlers, and Two's: A Guide to Choosing, Reading, and Loving Books Together by Susan Straub & KJ Dell'Antonia. Okay, this seems like a no-brainer, right?  You get a bunch of board books and start reading to your babies. Goodnight Moon x infinity.  Then they get older and you move on to Karen Katz and Eric Carle books. That's all good, but Straub & Dell'Antonia suggest myriad ways to help kids get more enjoyment out of reading.  I was an elementary teacher so I thought I already knew a lot about reading strategies and techniques, but there is (always) so much more to learn on the subject.  The authors present it all in a very easy-to-absorb way.

They answers questions like:

• What do you do after you've bought Goodnight Moon?
• Why should you read to a baby who can't even sit (or who would rather play with his toes)?
• How often should you read to your baby to make sure she's ready for preschool?

There are book suggestions (from parents and kids) for every age, stage, and type. Guides to how to choose books, how to read aloud, how to ask questions.

Reading with Babies, Toddlers, and Twos should be given to all new parents. I can't recommend it highly enough.

By the way, I will happily send the books (I'm keeping the music DVD) to the first people who email me (citymama at gmail dot com) indicating they want them. (One per person please). And if anyone needs a guide to colic (When Your Baby Won't Stop Crying by Tonja Krautter) please email me as well. It was included as a "bonus" with the reading book.  Tomorrow is post office day so you'll have them next week!

Update: The girls and reading to kids books have been claimed. Colic book still up for grabs.

Comments

[Mom101]

I too have the music dvd (it was created by a friend of a friend) and that stuff is BABY CRACK. We will not travel with the baby without the dvd. She shows no interest in any sort of Baby Einstein, but that Little Virtuoso? Big hit. Two thumbs up.

[laura]

I'm glad that you're at least getting some useful freebies in the mail :)

[realestateglendaleca]

in my works days i love to hear a music coz i really love music... when their is music i fell comport or I'm fine...

[Anne (baby colic problems) Agar]

As a 'Nanna' of lots of grandchildren (11 of them now!) I have done my fair share of reading to kids.

I never came across the books/authors recommended here, but always made sure to give the various characters their own voices.

I also pointed out details in the pictures to the kids (when they were old enough).

All this was to gain and hold their interest and hopefully, develop in them a love of reading books.

The mention of a colic book was interesting to me and I'm sure many folk will take you up on your generous offer to send it.

The other thing they need to do is search, using 'Google' - type "cure baby colic once and for all" and learn how to help their babies really effectively.