Help Save RIF

Did you know the House Budget proposes eliminating all funding for RIF (Reading is Fundamental)?

Very sad.

Don't think RIF is important? Read this article from the director of RIF (or this one), or read this article in Psychology Today, or explore the RIF website. Want to find out the awesome work RIF has done in your state or find out how your child can participate and benefit (Everyone can! We do!)? Explore the map and search by zipcode.

Contact your Senator, especially if he or she is on the Subcommittee on Labor Health & Human Services and Education (but even if he or she is not).

I know, I know. I'm sure you think there are many things in the proposed budget to despise (or maybe you love it, I don't know). And I have my opinions, too (are you surprised?).  However, this is a living-with-kids blog and a book-loving blog so that's why I'm singling out RIF. Okay? Okay.

This ends today's PSA.

Awesome Intrepid Princess Book: Marigold and the Dragon

My absolute favorite book when I was a child was Fred Crump Jr.'s Marigold and the Dragon. It is such a shame that it is out of print. It was originally written in 1964 but there was a later edition in the 80s that redid the illustrations making the princess African-American (I think because Crump put in a lot of effort retelling/illustrating popular fairy and Bible stories for an African-American audience.), but even that is out of print. (Click on the images to enlarge and see the text.)

I'm quite surprised it is out of print actually since there is such a call for books about intrepid princesses who do not lay down and roll over waiting to be rescued. The popularity of The Paperbag Princess comes to mind.

My fruitless searches for a copy of the original book have led me nowhere and I finally got a copy from Inter-library loan. Thank you Hiram Hale Memorial Library in Pound Ridge, NY! I was able to share the book with Kiddo  and it was just as delightful as I remember.

Here's my brief synopsis:
Marigold is a lonely princess and even though her father has told her never to climb the tower she says, "Fiddlesticks!"  At the top of the tower she discovers a sad and lonely dragon. The dragon tells her that he is really a prince. Marigold goes on a quest to mix a potion for the dragon to turn him back into the prince but when it doesn't work, Snigglefritz (as the dragon is called) admits he lied. But instead of being disappointed, Marigold admits she is glad he is not a prince (they chase peacocks, so who wants 'em?) and they become the best of friends.

See what I mean? Doesn't that make you want to read it?
What was your favorite childhood book? Is it still in print? Lucky you.

I'm linking to What My Child is Reading.

Practical Life: Honey and Bananas

I've been a bit of a slacker mom in the area of encouraging my children to make their own snacks, fetch their own drinks, etc. I'm trying to play catch-up.

Usually I serve fruit as a snack, but Kiddo always wants his cut up, which I find quite annoying. He can cut bananas up himself with a blunt knife, and drizzling a little honey turns it into a special treat.

What snacks do your kids fix themselves?

Outside In

When you live in the city, there is never "nothing to do," or "nowhere to go." Even when it is 25 degrees outside and the playground is covered in ice, there is no need to stay in your home to entertain the kids.

We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood in which there are two (two!) YMCAs within walking distance. So we walk outside to go inside and run off all that kid energy.

No cars or yards needed.

Where do you go when it's too cold to go out?

Transportation Tuesday

Animals on the platform. I wonder if they are on a field trip to the zoo?

Last Chance Giveaway

Last chance! Ends tonight! I assume that if you don't enter it means you don't know any children 5 and under, right?

It's a great book, and who knows with the very, very little effort it takes to enter you might just win a terrific book to keep, or give as a gift (guaranteed to impress!).

Visit Storied Cities to see what I'm talking about.

Presidental Reads

Do you read holiday-themed books to your kids? I find that although I honestly don't make much of an effort to do so, it seems to happen anyway.  Here are three books for kids appropriate for Presidents' Day which are currently gracing our shelves.


If I Were the President. I'm guessing most younger kids have only a vague understanding of what the President actually does. This book spells it out clearly and simply, but is not too boring.

Madam President. I love Lane Smith's books, but in most of them I find the humor goes over the top of Kiddo's head. This one, however, hits the mark. Hilariously funny for parents and kids.

Barak Obama: Out of Many One. Every time Kiddo picks up this easy reader he points to the cover and says, "Look mom, it's Barak Obama." Every. Time. Then he likes to tell me all the facts he's learned about our current president.

I'm linking to What My Child Is Reading.  What Presidents' Day books are you reading?

Toddler Drawing from a New Perspective

Sometimes it's just good to sit your toddler on a large piece of paper on the floor and give him some markers and crayons.

It gives him a new perspective on the act of drawing. New Kid even started drawing circles around himself.

Books we like with great toddler drawing ideas:
Young at Art
First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos

Transportation Tuesday

There's nothing like snuggling in a box with your cars.

Love Letters

Apartment living has many benefits for a 6 year old.

One of them is that occasionally you find a note slipped under the door by your BFF who lives just downstairs.

Friday Do-Over: Blowing up a Balloon with Yeast or Baking Soda and Vinegar

Stuck inside? Try this easy science project or visit my Indoor Activities for Kids page. First Published 3/2/09.

Did you know you can blow up a balloon with common household ingredients? We chose two different methods to make the necessary carbon dioxide: yeast, and baking soda and vinegar (an old standby favorite).

First the supplies. (hint: set up on towel)It takes time for the yeast to produce enough gas to inflate the balloon, so start that one first.
Put a spoonful or two of sugar in a bottle.Fill with water about 3/4 full.Add a spoonful or two of yeast. Here's something I've always wondered: if yeast is a living organism, how come it still works after you freeze it? Some food for thought.Shake. Shake. Shake.Place balloon over bottle opening.At the risk of losing my G-rating, here is what it looked like after about 30 minutes.Next, the soda and vinegar balloon.
First, use the funnel to fill balloon with baking soda. If your funnel is pathetic you have to use a toothpick to encourage soda to go through opening.Then, pour some vinegar in the bottle.Add water. This raises the liquid level so you don't overuse the vinegar and the gas fills the balloon rather than just the bottle.Place balloon over bottle opening and then shake soda from balloon into the bottle.Bigger...Bigger...Biggest!Of course experiment must be repeated.This is a very satisfying activity for a 4 year old who loves action and reaction. It also provides further free play with the materials, producing much bubbling, oozing and fizzing, along with one very wet towel.

Science Books we like:
The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists
Science in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less
Science is Simple: Over 250 Activities for Preschoolers
Science Play (Science for 2-6 year olds)