Chipper Kids(R) Bears

This is a post that I did last Summer, and I think it bears repeating:

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a library that had all the children’s classics online, from all over the world, available to view for free? I recently found out about the International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL), a non-profit organization that does just that. To visit, go to their site and select “Read Books”.  You can select by age group, language, and even book cover color!

THE ICDL’s goals are loftier than helping you save some money on books, though. The library is the main activity focus of the ICDL Foundation, a charity that offers books to children in poor and war-torn areas. When families have to move from one country to another, the kids’ books are often left behind. As a result, the children (who may have to learn a new language) don’t get to read the classics that are familiar to them in their home country. The ICDL hopes to bridge that gap by “building a collection of books that represents outstanding historical and contemporary books from throughout the world.”

Confession time.  I regularly volunteer to read at my kids’ school, and I sometimes wonder how I stack up against the other moms and dads who lead story time.  Is my voice exciting?  Do the kids like my stories?  How can I be a better reader, and help the kids become better readers, too?

I never asked anyone for feedback, though it’s always been something in the back of my mind.  But a few minutes ago, I found this neat video from Scholastic that actually shows the best ways to read to your child.  The fact that they had to make a video about it seems silly, but watching it was really, truly helpful.  Now, I know I can hold my own with the other mommy readers out there.  So, here it is.  Go ahead, you know you want to see it.  I won’t tell.

Julian Kreusser could probably tell Arnold Chipper a thing or two about how to cook real food.  According to Oregon Live, Julian is the five-year-old host of Big Kitchen with Food, a local TV program that airs on Portland Community Media.  In each episode, Chef Julian talks about such culinary concepts as how to mix smoothies, fry eggs, and master the chocolate chip zucchini muffin.  Wonder if he’d be interested in featuring a Chipper Kids Sweet Bread Treats recipe?

Okay, I post this from time to time.  It’s worth one last reminder, because in a few weeks I’ll be announcing a new product!  Stay tuned:

Have you posted your Amazon review yet?

If you have a copy of “Counting in the Crazy Garden”, don’t forget to post your own review on our Amazon page.

Here’s what the rest of the Blogosphere is saying about the first book in the Chipper Kids(TM) series:

“An exceptional new book for little ones,” says D. Blankenship, an Amazon Top 500 Reviewer. He “loves this work”!

Jill at the Well Read Child blog says the “story itself is engaging and will make children laugh”, and it is a “fun take on traditional counting books, this is a nice choice for parents who are helping their children learn to count and recognize numbers.”

Several other bloggers are also posting their rave reviews. I’d love to know what you have to say, so be sure to post yours!

Tradition lends us to the routine of reading to our children before bed.  It is beneficial from both an eduactional and emotional standpoint.  The consistent routine is a source of comfort and stability; while the actual act aids in language and speech development, vocabulary, pronunciation, and preparing for school.  As parents we often think of our children much more than ourselves.  Just as it is beneficial for them to read a bedtime story, reading before bed is also great for us.  It’s a healthy habit that can more, better sleep–something all of us could use.

Reading before bed is a great way to wind down and end the day.  It’s a low-key activity that provides you with tranquil, alone-time.  The bonding tha occurs while reading to your children is a great way to transition into a nice bath (or shower) and a great book.  As you gear down for the day, you will also be stimulating your cognitive development.  You may not be learning as fast, but just like your children, you’ll wake up rested and a little smarter

Nicole