Olivia the Pig has got nothing on Olivia the Ox

Olivia the Pig has got nothing on Olivia the Ox

As you’re looking for an inexpensive one-size-fits-all baby gift for all those friends of yours having kids this year, consider The Year of the Ox, the fourth children’s book in the wonderful Tales from the Chinese Zodiac series by Oliver Chin. Since my...
Adventure, True Love and Seafood

Adventure, True Love and Seafood

We hosted 16 relatives (seven in our house) over the long Thanksgiving weekend.  My job, besides cooking some stuff, was to read to the four little children in my daughter’s room each night before bed. And each night we read The Sign of the Seahorse: ...
Drawing a blank

Drawing a blank

Sometimes the gift of nothing is the best gift of all. I flipped when I saw these Blank Board Books at Romp, because they give kids a blank canvas in which to make their very own literary masterpieces.The square books are made of six durable boards, plus the front and...
Definitely not your grandma’s book club

Definitely not your grandma’s book club

Giving the gift of bibliophilia just became effortless–certainly more effortless than spelling bibliophilia. Left to my own devices, I’d pick an assortment of books for a kid and wrap it up and call it good. GiftLit definitely makes it stupendous with gift...
Why no, she’s not a boy. Funny you should ask.

Why no, she’s not a boy. Funny you should ask.

The first day of kindergarten is tough enough, but imagine little Yoon’s horror when a bunch of kids try to get her to stand in line with the boys because of her short hair. So starts the tale of Something for School, by Hyun Young Lee, a nice break from the...
Can You Count the Potholes, Sweetie?

Can You Count the Potholes, Sweetie?

I have not been a mom all that long and already I’m tired of the same old images in counting and alphabet books. 10 apples, 9 bananas, 8 ducks…how about 1 snoring mommy? So I love the fresh take on counting in photographer Joanne Dugan’s 123 NYC: A...