“I Got the Christmas Spirit” by Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison

I am always in awe of Frank Morrison’s illustrations. They are so celebratory and sweet, and this story brings to life the real spirit of giving we should all have during the holiday season. In I Got the Christmas Spirit the wife-and-husband writer-illustrator team produces a Christmas journey in which a young girl and her […]

“Thanksgiving in the Woods” by Phyllis Alsdurf

Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf is a great gift for kids for Thanksgiving. It is based on the true story of a family in Upstate New York who has hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving feast in the woods on their farm for over 20 years. Every year a family and their friends gather in […]

Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft

This is a super easy dinosaur craft to make with girls and boys with a paper plate and toilet paper roll. Be sure to read “How to Catch a Dinosaur,” “Danny and the Dinosaur,” “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight,” and “Dinosaur” while making this simple craft. You can purchase the children books and supplies needed […]

“Elmer the Elephant” by David McKee and Craft

Children love the Elmer the patchwork elephant book series by David McKee. I love the Mini Mad Things blog. After reading “Elmer’s Colors,” “Elmer and Butterfly,” “Elmer and the Rainbow,” and “Elmer’s Special Day,” by David McKee I let the child in my care use paint and pastels to decorate a cardboard Elmer. It might […]

Watercolor Spider Webs

One child I care for has a phobia of spiders so badly that the child has nightmares about arthropods. Children’s books always help kiddos when they have issues or are anxious. I bought “Mrs. Spider’s Beautiful Web” by Beverly Randell and “Spiders” by Gail Gibbons to help the child learn about how amazing spiders can […]

“A Fish Out of Water” and Craft

In “A Fish Out of Water” by Helen Palmer a young boy hilariously learns the consequences of not following instructions when he feeds too much to his goldfish. Overfeeding the goldfish causes it to grow as big as a whale. With delightfully retro illustrations by P.D. Eastman this book shows that getting a pet is […]

“A Pet for Pete” by James Dean and Paper Plate Craft

Pete the Cat can’t wait to get a new pet! He gets a goldfish he names Goldie. Pete paints a cool painting of Goldie and now everyone wants a piece of it! But Pete doesn’t have enough time to make one for everyone. Will Pete find a way to have fun painting Goldie and have […]

Changing Color Chameleon

Chameleons are amazing reptiles that possess a wide variety of interesting features including their ability to change color due to their emotions and as camouflage. Children will love making and playing with this simple craft to make their chameleons change color with paper plates. Be sure to read these children books about chameleons while making […]

Rainbow Bird

I found a great blog Mini Mad Things with this template to make a rainbow bird. I used cardboard from my Nanny Family’s recycling bin to make this bird. I painted the cardboard with acrylic paint for the young child before before she decorated her bird. Older children can paint and decorate their cardboard bird […]

“Jasper the Jumping Jellyfish” and Craft

Creative Wednesdays I love taking children to the library. I found “Jasper the Jumping Jellyfish” by Sam and Missy Walshaw at the local library. If you can’t find the book at your local library click here to view a child read the book to your Nanny Kids. Have the little ones make their own jellyfish […]