My Garden by Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator)
Reading level: 4-8
Greenwillow Books (February 23, 2010)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Kevin Henkes has made some amazing contributions to the children’s literature with his insightful themes and simple, yet lovely illustrations. And, Henkes is truly an advocate of nature and his books are one big invitation to kids to join him outside to observe birds and get dirty in the garden. Henkes aptly captures the standard childhood garden fantasies of planting atypical items (in this case, seashells) to see if they’ll grow and imagining that carrots might disappear, sunflowers change colors, no weeds and flowers would never die.

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Books Make Me Happy: My First Reading Log by Judy Pelakin
Ages 4-8
Workman Publishing Company (November 26, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
The cover is a definite attention grabber with cover art and interior illustrations by little-known artists (Judy Pelikan embroidered drawings by real kids about their love of books - charming!). If any other parents have had this experience, recording the books your child reads seems to inspire a fire of reading more and more so the child can see the list grow. And, this book adds another dimension for kids and parents to start a dialogue about the best parts of the book and their critique (I had better watch my back - these kids may be after my job :). If you have an avid or reluctant reader in early elementary school, this book is useful and fun.

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How To Play The Games Of Yesterday by Scholastic
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Nonfiction (August 1, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Forget about the kids! This book sent me catapulting back to my childhood when Freeze Tag and Capture the Flag defined your after-school playtime. I didn’t see my old favorite “Kick the Can” but now I think that one may have been created by that know-it-all John Cunningham who lived on my block (he’s most likely still trying to patent it now!). This book is a great gift to reignite the tried-and-true games of times past.

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The Family Kitchen Garden: How to Plant, Grow, and Cook Together by Karen Liebreich, Jutta Wagner, Annette Wendland
Timber Press, Incorporated, April 2009
Ages: Whole Family
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Parents and teachers, have we found the book for you! These three London-based authors were not kidding around when they invited school children from all over their city to participate in a growing project. This book is an excellent primer for gardening with kids and is long on useful information and growing plans, and doesn’t rely on tired pinecone critters to entertain. The book has gorgeous color photos, quotes from the children and seriously simple tips for getting started and sustaining a garden.

My Book of ALPHABET GAMES
Kumon Books - 2007
Ages 4-6
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Summer is a time of relaxation, renewal and rejuvenation. But, for many parents, summer also means long car rides, bored kids and a search for educational things to do. For our last spring break trip, we stocked up on Kumon workbooks which are education camouflaged as colorful fun. Without any cajoling necessary, the two preschoolers in the car were completely occupied tracing mazes, writing upper and lower case letters and rhyming words. We actually had to utter the words, “pencils down” even though we had arrived at the much-anticipated Hershey Park, that sweet mecca for kids. They hadn’t even noticed we had arrived!

Product Description:
In this third book in the alphabet sequence, children learn to link uppercase and lowercase letters while working on strengthening their sense of alphabetical order. All of this is done with fun and familiar games used innovatively, like tracing, connect-the-dots, and color-by-letter.

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