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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The EARTH Book by Todd Parr
Ages 4-8
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (March 17, 2010)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Todd Parr has a way of getting positive messages across to kids without being preachy. And, his simple boldly colored drawings, literally jump off the page. The formula works well and this book is another winner in his catalogue of 30 or more books.

The message is easily understood and powerful; if I bring my own bags to the store I am showing my love for trees and making sure owls have a place to live. The book follows along with simple tips that any child can do and what the wonderful result will be. Every one of us can (and should) do all of these things.

My favorite was the gigantic pull-out poster of ten things we can all do, including putting our underwear in the freezer on hot days. Love Todd.

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The Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis (Author)
Gwen Millward (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Schwartz & Wade (October 13, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Bog babies do exist. They really do. If you’ve never seen one, you probably had a similar experience when you captured that baby toad or frog and thought you could be best friends forever. But toads, frogs and bog babies don’t belong in pickle jars or pockets. This story really sends a fanciful yet practical message about all of the wonderful creatures who hop, run, skip and fly nearby and that’s exactly how it should remain; let the bog babies stay where they belong as we observe their magic.

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World of Dreams: Soothing Songs & Lullabies CD by Charlie Hope
Release Date: July 22, 2009
Little Maple Leaf Productions
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I am very happy that someone thought to send a Charlie Hope CD to me because she is a new favorite children’s music artist. There are some amazing children’s artists on the shelves lately, and Charlie Hope is in good company with some of the best lyricists and vocalists out there. Her soothing and intoxicating voice will even have mom and dad playing this CD even when the kids aren’t around.

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Dr. Susan’s Fit and Fun Family Action Plan: 301 Things You Can Do Today by Dr. Susan Bartell
Sourcebooks, Inc. - September 1, 2009
Ages: Parents
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I had a chance to speak to the ebullient Dr. Susan Bartell about her latest book and I was convinced that she not only knows her stuff, but really has the right approach to instilling lifelong lessons for making fitness a permanent part of family life. The advice is sound and grounded, eschewing fads for lifelong sensible solutions to eating right and exercising.

The information in the book is presented in well-organized and very digestible bites so parents can quickly track down specific, age-appropriate information for their kids.  The best part about the book is that Dr. Susan uses real situations to provide guidance for parents.  I read with vigor the section about the child who races through a meal, only to say she’s hungry 5 minutes after the dishes are cleaned up.

Everything from teaching kids about portions to making it easy to fit exercise into a busy schedule. For example, keeping a Frisbee in the car and taking the route that goes by the park make it easy to have an impromptu romp to have fun and get bodies moving.

Word of caution to parents: you actually have to set a good example by exercising and eating right, too! You’ll need to tune up, too, in order to keep up with your fit and fun family!

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Kids Go! Picture Book and DVD by They Might Be Giants
Simon & Schuster; Har/DVD edition (November 3, 2009)
Ages: 4+
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
We LOVE They Might Be Giants. Love. Love. Love. Not only have they promoted our deep and spiritual admiration for conifers, the letter E and aspiring to be mathletes, they now want us to get up off of the couch. And, you know what? Their song rocked us so hard that we can’t stop dancing. TMBG have a great way with lyrics and beats, and they are also smart enough to have an ace illustrator and a genius video producer. They are the total kid music package all wrapped up in a monkey barrel of fun.

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The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America By Donald Kroodsma
A Cornell Lab of Ornithology Audio Field Guide A Guide to Listening By Donald Kroodsma
Chronicle Books - April, 2008
Ages: It’s for adults, but kids LOVE it
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I received this book as a birthday gift and I can not pry it out of my kindergartner’s hands. Although we have dozens of guides to flora and fauna in our area, this is the first book that plays each bird’s song or songs and helps us really identify what’s flying, nesting and feeding nearby. At night, when we can hear the birds, but not see them, we could tell for sure we had a female Great Horned Owl on the prowl. This book goes with us everywhere we travel now in our quest to know with who-o-o-m we’re sharing our piece of the planet. I can’t wait to share it with my girl scout troop!

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The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman
Ages 4-8
Feiwel & Friends (September 29, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Nancy Tillman has created a lovely story with gorgeous illustrations about the importance of being with ones we love at Christmas. The verse rhymes and chimes about all of the trappings of the season, but takes us to the story’s message swiftly, yet gently; that the season is just not quite right when a loved one isn’t there.

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I’m Me! A Collection of Songs for Children by Charlie Hope
Release Date: July 9, 2009
Little Maple Leaf Productions
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I have secret (well, not anymore) musical crushes on some bands who perform songs for children. Numbered among them are Recess Monkey, Elizabeth Mitchell, Lisa Loeb, Frances England and Milkshake. It is very hard to make my music crush list. Very. But, Charlie Hope, you had me at track one. Charlie is an astounding female vocalist who reminds me of the lead singer of The Sundays or even Frente with a touch of Three Non-Blondes. Even the up-tempo songs showcase her soothing, intoxicating voice. This is one of those CDs that parents will continue to play long after the children have gone to sleep. The original songs are instant classics.

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On This Special Night by Claire Freedman
Illustrated by Simon Mendez
Ages 4-8
Scholastic Press (September 1, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
This holiday season is going to be one of the best years for children’s picture books. Every title that has crossed my path has been gloriously illustrated and beautifully written, whether it be on Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or the glory of winter. This book is an incredible feast for the eyes with the impeccable artistic talent of Simon Mendez capturing the very essence (and scents) of the animals preparing for the birth of Jesus. And, Claire Freedman weaves this timeless story from the perspective of the barn animals, starting with a mother cat and her kitten, and bringing in a donkey, calf, mice and others to share the excitement. Absolutely beautiful.

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