A Squirrel’s Tale… by Richard Fowler

Weekly Trip to the Library My four-year-old charge’s favorite book this Autumn has been A Squirrel’s Tale by Richard Fowler. She loves watching the squirrels scurry around gathering acorns to stock their winter food supply. That’s why I’m certain she loves this book on the same topic. This book has the cutest cardboard squirrel with a felt tail that takes an […]

Aesop’s Fables

Weekly Trip to the Library Aesop’s Fables are stories that teach morals through the use of animals and nature. These stories have been passed down from one generation to the next over the course of thousands of years. The animals in fables are representative of the most powerful human emotions – both positive and negative – […]

Children’s Books About Labor Day

Weekly Trip to the Library We celebrate Labor Day as the last weekend of summer by having picnics, barbecues, parades, and water sports. But, the holiday is the perfect time to teach kids about the jobs that people do as well. Here are some children’s books from Amazon.com and the book reviews included on the web […]

Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld

Should We Hide, or Not Hide, Veggies in Kids’ Food? I love the cookbook Deceptively Delicious. Jessica Seinfeld, the wife of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and a mother of three, shows us how to add vegetables that kids find unappetizing on their own, to foods kids love. With the help of a nutritionist and a professional chef, […]

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Weekly Trip to the Library Jamberry by Bruce Degen Since it’s berry season there’s no better time to take a trip to the farmer’s market and pick out the kids’ favorite berries. Then, stop by the library and borrow a copy of Jamberry by Bruce Degen. Serve the kids a snack of berries and whipped cream while […]

Novels Both Boys and Girls Love

photo from dreamstime.com Weekly Trip to the Library I make a very conscious effort to allow the kids in my care to play with any toy they want to and to avoid creating strict gender roles. I want the girls to be independent and strong and encourage them to play sports. I want to encourage […]

Read Mo Willems Books!

Weekly Trip to the Library Mo Willems is a genius author for preschool and elementary school-aged children. The number one New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator is best known for his Caldecott Honor winning picture books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. In addition to such picture […]

It Takes a Village by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Weekly Trip to the Library Working as nannies and au pairs the readers of this blog already know they play an important role in helping raise happy, healthy, secure, and thriving children. This week I recommend caregivers read It Takes a Village because it further validates the importance that people outside the family unit play in […]

A Blizzard of Snow Lesson Plans for Nannies and Au Pairs

Teaching Kids About Animal Tracks One of the greatest joys for kids is when they first walk outside after it snows and they leave footprints in the snow. Kids love comparing the different size and shapes of the footprints of their family members. So this week we recommend borrowing The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack […]

Have Your Own Olympics with the Kids

Weekly Trip to the Library The winter Olympics have started in Sochi and I recommend reading books on the topic to the children in your care. Then, be sure to have your own pint-sized Olympic games in the house you work in. When you are finished, hand out medals and serve up dishes from around […]