Start Singing

Here are two fun books that are based on familiar children's songs.

Whoosh Around the Mulberry Bush by Jan Ormerod and Lindsey Gardiner, published by Barrons Educationsl Series, New York. This book has wonderful illustrations of kids and animals going all around the world to do such things as swoop, soar, and flit around the mulberry bush. The best part is that it comes with a CD of the music, which is especially helpful if you are not a singer!

Ten in the Bed by Jane Cabrera published by Scholastic, New York. Here's another fun book to sing, especially the "move over, move over" part that repeats. All the characters are the kinds of stuffed animals that children might sleep with. This book is very appealing to younger kids.

Two other books that I am recommending for little ones are:

Cat's Colors by Jane Cabrera published by Scholastic. In this book, a little orange striped kitten teaches colors in a fun way.

The Bag I'm Taking To Grandma's by Shirley Neitzel and Nancy Winslow Parker, published by Scolastic New York. This book uses pictograms to help kids read along with the adult. It is a story that most little kids can identify with as a small child tries packing everything they possibly can for an overnight at Grandms's house.

A Fast Art Project:

This is a very easy way to make fun rings. Have the kids draw any shape flower, about one and a half inches to two inches, on cardstock or construction paper. Cut it out. I was able to use a flower punch. You can decorate it however you want. Glitter is especially fun. Cut a pipe cleaner in half. Using only one piece, poke both ends through the top of the middle of the flower. (If you want to add a bead or other decoration to the pipe cleaner before pushing it through, thats fun too.) Twist the bottoms together to fit around the child's finger leaving enought room to make it comfortable. Make sure an adult helps with this part so that it doesn't fit too tightly. You can wrap tape around the pipe cleaner so that the sharp points are covered. The rings can become decoder rings for space exploration, magic rings for elves and fairies, or bling for rock stars!