Book, Music & Film Talk

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown + Pumpkin Patch Visit

We don't often label a film classic, but screening It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with our kids reminded us that a traditional Halloween is still the best kind. We remembered our pre-TIVO childhood, when we eagerly awaited Charlie Brown as an annual tradition and wondered whether our kids would fall in love with the Peanuts gang just as we did 40 years ago. 

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by kidsoffthecouch.com

Air Bud: Golden Receiver + A High School Football Game

Explaining the rules of football to kids is not a task for the uninitiated, but screening Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998, G, 90 minutes) is a perfect introduction to the game. Josh, an adorable high school football player, suits up with his athletic golden retriever and both become stars on Josh's team. Josh has a killer arm, but Buddy can catch just about anything and does a great touchdown dance to boot. 

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by Oliver! + Holiday Volunteering

"Please sir, I want some more," pleads Oliver Twist, the famous orphan who just wants another bowl of gruel in the musicalOliver! Getting kids to clean their plates is something many a mom nags about, yet when Oliver asks for "more," he gets kicked out of the workhouse, runs off to London, and is adopted by Fagan's gang -- a bunch of street kids who survive by picking "a pocket or two." 

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by kidsoffthecouch.com

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial + Planetarium Visit

Lured by a bowl of popcorn laced with Reese's Pieces, our kids were riveted to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and its premise that life may exist beyond our solar system. Kids easily relate to E.T.because the movie is told from a child's (or perhaps an alien's) point of view. The story of a young boy and his incredible friendship with an alien left behind on Earth won our kids' hearts, just as it won our hearts over twenty years ago. 

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Oscar Gets Royal Treatment

In case an A-list event isn't on your calendar this Sunday night (2/25), throw an Oscar party of your own with family and friends. Let those celebrities spend the day primping - we'll show you how to skip the red carpet, lounge in sweats on your couch and still be home in time to tuck the kids into bed! This year's 79th Annual Academy Awards has plenty of entries that kids have seen; in fact, the Best Animated Features category consists solely ofCars, Happy Feet and Monster House. 

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Fly Away Home + Birding in Your Local Habitat

Fly Away Home tells the story of Amy, a motherless girl, who teaches a nest of motherless geese how to fly. After Amy's mother dies, she moves to Canada to be raised by her eccentric father, an airplane designer. When Amy discovers orphaned goslings, her father teaches her to pilot a plane so that she can train them to fly. Together, they lead the geese on a 500 mile migration, crossing over Canada and into the United States, where the press heralds her accomplishment. To watch Amy pilot the plane solo, with the wild geese honking behind her in formation, is magical. 

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When I had my first child, someone gave me this book as a gift and I have read and re-read it many times since. Filled with simple advice from elementary school aged children, "Always kiss me good night" by J.S. Salt will undoubtedly remind you of what is important in your busy daily routine. 

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by Gregory K. Pincus

BOOK TALK is a new feature here at momready. Each month Gregory K. Pincus will be passing along his book recommendations for kids aged 0-12. We think you'll find his picks worthy additions to your library. 

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by Helen Coronato

Rearing Readers is a new column on momready.com. Each month Helen Coronato will be writing about creative ways to encourage children of all ages to read.

READ TO TOT, ON THE SPOT!

Everyone from the US Department of Education to your nosy neighbor to your mother in law has told you, "You must read aloud to your children!" Experts agree that preschoolers (ages 0-5) should be read to for thirty minutes a day. But where can you find an extra 30 minutes in a day already jam-packed with soccer practice, music lessons, and grocery shopping? 

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by Helen Coronato

INDEX CARD INTELLIGENCE

There are about a million toys, gadgets and programs targeted at pre-readers (ages 3-5). Each new product promises to give your budding bookworm an edge, an advantage, an early acceptance into Harvard... all for the special introductory price of 19.95. Well, save your money, and your sanity, by investing in a packet of index cards. Cheap. Small. Disposable. Brilliant! 

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