Thankful Chains and “Thankful” by Elaine Vickers

“Thankful” by Elaine Vickers is the perfect children’s book (and project) to do with children for Thanksgiving or anytime of the year. “Thankful” is a beautiful story of being thankful. Each year, a little girl writes down the things she’s thankful for on strips of paper and links them together. As one idea leads to […]

“Stumpkin” and Pumpkin Sun Catchers

One of my favorite children’s books is “Stumpkin” by Lucy Ruth Cummins. It’s the story of a pumpkin without a stem trying to be sold in a store in the city that feels left out. “Stumpkin” has a stump, not a stem. So, no one seems to want to buy a stemless jack-o-lantern for their […]

Jellyfish Craft and “Bloom” by Julia Seal

“Bloom” by Julia Seal of a beautiful book that has a great message for children about climate change and pollution. The illustrations in “Bloom” are so stunning they inspire little ones to make their own craft jellyfish. Before reading this book I didn’t know that a group of jellyfish is called a bloom and that […]

“Barbie” by Cindy Eagan

I’m going to see the new movie “Barbie” tonight with family and friends so I bought this book for my friend who invited me to see the film. “Barbie” by Cindy Eagan is a beautifully illustrated picture book about Barbie — the most famous doll in the world — and her visionary creator, Ruth Handler. […]

8 Great Children’s Books About Flowers

As I prepare to do activities with flowers with my Nanny Kids this summer I found these great children’s books about flowers to read with them. Children and their parents always appreciate when nannies incorporate books into daily activities because it helps encourage a love of reading in children. You can purchase these books by […]

Clothespin Dragonflies

Here’s a cute project I found on the First Pallette web site. I always include children’s books that correspond with the projects we do. I read “Are You a Dragonfly?” by Judy Allen and “Fast Facts About Dragonflies” by Garstecki-Derkovitz while doing this project. My 7-year-old Nanny Kid clipped her pretty dragonflies on her bedroom […]

Hot Glue Tin Foil Painting

For a Memorial Day craft project I had a 5-year-old paint an abstract American flag on tin foil. I used hot glue to make a box and lines on the tin foil for the child to paint inside the lines. Be sure to read children’s books about Memorial Day while doing this project. We recommend, […]

Unicorn Books and Unicorn Craft

I love finding activities to do with kids that correspond to their favorite books. I also enjoy using recyclables to make crafts with kids. The Mini Mad Things Instagram page sells inexpensive templates to trace onto cardboard to make crafts. I recommend using pastels and paint sticks for these cardboard projects. I used the unicorn […]

“My Friend Earth” by Patricia MacLachlan

“My Friend Earth” by Patricia MacLachlan is a beautiful picture book and a perfect book to read to children toddler to preschool and grade school for Earth Day. I love that “My Friend Earth” is an interactive format with kid-friendly art that engages young readers as they explore the book. “My Friend Earth” shows children […]

Earth Day Window Sun Catchers

Making sun catchers is an easy project to do with kids of any age. The 18-month-old toddler, 4-year-old, and 7-year-old I babysit for all love making sun catchers for every holiday and season. I find using self-adhesive laminating sheets easier than using contact paper. I recommend purchasing some self-adhesive laminating sheets by tapping the links […]