Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in baltimore, MD

Ha-Ha-Ha: Five More Books to Make You Laugh

August 03, 2009

Children, as you've no doubt learned by now, have their own ideas about what's funny and not funny.  Toilets, for example, are comedy gold, particularly among the preschool set, as are underwear, body sounds and trick-performing animals.  And while I don't always share my children's sense of humor (though body sounds, I must admit, can be kind of funny), it's nice to know that there is some universal comedy out there, that there is some stuff in the world that makes both my children and me belly-laugh.  And where do we often go for this universal comedy?  Why, we travel no farther than our bookshelves, where we always find stories that tickle our funny-bones.  Following are five of our favorites, only a couple of which make reference to the purpose of a toilet.

Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller

No potty humor here . . . just straightforward, superb, multi-layered comedy.  This book is so rich with detail and subtlety, some of which, especially if you're reading to a very young child, you may be forced to condense a little.  Don't worry if your child doesn't "get" all of the humor right away; there's plenty here that he will get, and plenty more that he'll flat-out love.  My kids roll at Arnie's stunned surprise as he realizes that Mr. Bing is planning to eat him, and always relish in the very satisfying conclusion.  I read this book to my daughter's class last year, and it kept, despite its abundance of text, the kids' attention all the way through.  Really, really funny.

Any of the Junie B. Jones/Junie B, First Grader books by Barbara Park (author) and Denise Brunkus (illustrator)

Every one of these amazing chapter books-and there are quite a few of them-offers something to make us laugh out loud.  Junie B. is a child who never fails to speak her mind, often with hilarious and borderline-disastrous results.   Kids will cheer as she stands up to that Meanie Boy Jim, and chuckle as she gets herself into yet another sticky situation.  If  your preschooler's patient enough to sit through chapter books, she'll love the antics of June B. Jones.  And once she's able to read independently, she'll be eager to visit/revisit the world of Junie B. on her own.  Keep 'em coming, Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus!  

Olivia by Ian Falconer

This is the book that started the Olivia phenomenon, and it remains, though we have and love all the others, the one that we read most frequently.  It's impossible not to adore Olivia, the spirited pig who's constantly getting into trouble, and it's equally impossible not to laugh at her mischief.  Whether she's scaring off her little brother with a paper bag costume or splattering paint on the wall, Jackson Pollack style, Olivia's always doing something that makes us smile. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Get the kids laughing-and loving poetry-with this Shel Silverstein classic.  They'll never look at a boa constrictor-or anything else-the same way.  Hilarious.

Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes

The funniest book ever written about new siblinghood.  Not ideal for very young children, as they might be inclined to copy some of Lilly's jealous attacks against her baby brother, but perfectly suited for, say, children three and above.  Any child who's ever welcomed a younger sibling will appreciate Lilly's feelings of betrayal and isolation and will laugh as Lilly gets sent-repeatedly-to the uncooperative chair.  Funny and realistic (except, of course, that it's about a family of mice), right down to the ending, when Lilly comes to terms with what it means to be a big sister. 

Your turn!  Tell us all about the books that make you and your children laugh! 

PS  Here are five more books that'll make you giggle.  

Be Creative: Summer Reading at Your Local Library

June 15, 2009

It's that special time of year again . . . the time when libraries all over town sponsor their summer reading initiatives.  Be Creative @ Your Library is the name of this year's program for kids, and no matter what part of the Baltimore area you call home, there's a place for you to sign up and get involved.  And what do you get in exchange for signing up and getting involved?  Well, that varies somewhat from library system to library system, but every library will be hosting events and awarding prizes throughout the summer, and every library expects you and your child to do your part(s) by reading and sharing stories.  Just register for Be Creative online or in-person, and start logging your books and activities. And remember--your child does not need to know how to read in order to participate!  Even the youngest kids can get on board by taking part in early literacy activities, like drawing pictures of their favorite storybook characters and simply listening to stories.  Consult your library's program guide for a fuller list of reading and prereading ideas and for age-appropriate book recommendations. 

Oh, and if you happen to have a teenager at home, don't forget about Express Yourself @ Your Library, the teen-geared version of this year's summer reading extravaganza.  Sample Express Yourself events include rocking out (honestly), anime-drawing, and, if you can believe it, didgeridoo-making.  See . . . your library offers something for everyone! 

Below are the links to a number of counties' (including Baltimore City's) Be Creative sites.  And as of today, all of these programs are up and running, so sign up and get reading, already! 

Enoch Pratt Free Library (Baltimore City)
Baltimore County Public Library
Howard County Library
Anne Arundel County Public Library
Carroll County Public Library
Harford County Public Library  Read more...

Summery Summaries: Five of Our Favorite Books About the Upcoming Season

June 09, 2009

Don't let the boring, old calendar fool you--that lazy, wonderful summertime feeling is here.  And how better to celebrate that summertime feeling?  Why, with a summer reading list, of course!

Here comes our list of five of our favorite books about summer.  Read 'em wherever your warm weather travels take you.

1.  Summer by Alice Low (author) and Roy McKie (illustrator)
Swimming, fireworks, watermelon, fairs . . . many of the summertime all-stars are here, captured brilliantly by Alice Low and Roy McKie.  You'll love following the adventures of these fun-seeking kids--brother and sister, I presume--as they traverse the summertime landscape with their pup.  This book, when my kids ask me to read it off-season, makes me ache for the long, hot days of summer.  Even the stifling car trip, when the kids and their dad and their pup are all sweating, seems, a least to me, romantic.  A must-own.

2.  Heat Wave by Eileen Spinelli (author) and Betsy Lewin (illustrator)
Join the residents of Lumberville in their mighty quest to battle a heat wave in an era before air conditioning.  Lottie Sims, who eventually strips down to her bathing suit before cleaning her house, is one of my children's favorites, but every Lumbervillian is likable--and hot--in this old-fashioned tale of summertime and community.

3.  Otto Goes to the Beach by Todd Parr
(First off, it is possible that this book is out of print?  If so, THE HORROR!  THE HORROR!)
Poor Otto--goofy, lovable Otto--so often feels out of place.  And even here, in the midst of a much-needed get-away, Otto struggles to find a like-minded friend.  He loses his shorts, is mocked by a cat, and generally endures about the worst vacation ever, until--oh, happy day--someone special comes along.  More, if we're being honest, about being true to oneself than about summer, but as it takes place at the beach, undoubtedly in summer, I feel at peace with including it on this list.

4. The Boy Who Wouldn't Swim by Deb Lucke
Ideal summer reading for any child, really, but most especially for the kid who will. not. get. in. the. pool.  Any kid who fits that description will take heart while reading this story, one of a boy whose abject terror of the water prevents him from enjoying the bulk of his summer.  Kids will laugh as the boy basely taunts his sister (my kids love when he yells that someone peed in the water), but they're sure to enjoy the more sophisticated elements--notice the endpaper illustrations, for example--too. 

5.  Are We There Yet, Daddy?  by Virginia Walters (author) and S.D. Schindler (illustrator)
I may be stretching things a bit by calling this a summer book--look, after all, at the way father and son are dressed--but, by golly, it is a book about travel, and summertime's a season of travel, right?  Anyhoo . . . if your kids have ever asked the dreaded question--and you know very well what the dreaded question is--while traveling, then they'll appreciate this story of a boy's restless journey from his house to his Gramma's house.  A map helps young readers to follow the story and to learn the basics of plotting real travels. 

We'd love to hear some of your summertime favorites!  Which books will you be dog-earing during these dog-days of summer?   Read more...

Ten Favorite Posts from Being Savvy Baltimore, 2008

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 30, 2008

Ever had to compile a "best of" list? It's hard, especially when the best-of's you're compiling are pieces of your own writing. Talk about daunting. Anyway, my fellow Savvy Sourcers and I are all mining our archives for ten of our favorite posts from 2008, and here, without further adieu, are mine: 1. Wrap up a Bit of Baltimore 2. Ha-Ha-Ha: Five Books to Make You Laugh 3.  Read more...

Merry Christmas!

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! No matter how you're celebrating today, may you enjoy your time with family and friends, and may good health and good food abound wherever you go. And whether you're relaxing by the fire or plowing head-on into the chaos, take time to think about all of the wonderful things, far apart from the presents, that make the holidays so much  Read more...

Jingle Books

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 18, 2008

Still looking for more fabulous holiday books? Well, here are five more--all chosen by my savvy children--for you to enjoy with your kids this season. (Sorry for the lack of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa titles, but my kids, I've got to say, are sort of Santa- and snow-obsessed.) Jingle Bells by Nick Butterworth Combine two festive mice, a naughty cat, a wise rat and a great idea, and  Read more...

Shop Locally: The Children's Bookstore

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 15, 2008

You know what I love about The Children's Bookstore ? Well, lots of things, actually, but one of the many compelling reasons to visit is the always helpful, always knowledgeable, always friendly staff. And if you've never shopped at The Children's Bookstore, you should go there, posthaste, as it's the perfect time--isn't it?--to pick up a good read. Looking for a special gift for that  Read more...

Books on Wheels

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 04, 2008

This post is dedicated to the transportation nuts, to the kids who, like my son, are so obsessed with trains and cars that they mumble about them in their sleep. There are a lot of great car and train books out there--I should know; we own most of them--but I've narrowed down five of our all-time favorites. Trains: A Pop-Up Railroad Book by Robert Crowther (illustrator) Our copy,  Read more...

A Baltimore Bookshelf

by Laura Stallard Petza

November 25, 2008

So I've been asked to compile a list of books essential to kids here in Baltimore, and I must admit that I've been having some trouble. Because while there may be many amazing local children's authors and books, I don't know that many, and so this list, consequently, is going to be short. But maybe you can assist me in making the list longer. Yes? Can you, Savvy Reader, help me come up with a  Read more...

Five Classic Books to Share with a Preschooler

by Laura Stallard Petza

November 24, 2008

What makes a book--or anything, for that matter--a classic? What separates the classics from the ordinaries, from the just-so's, or even from the other greats? Is it that the classics are genuinely better, or is it just that, for whatever reason, they've stood the test of time? Following is a list of five inarguably classic kids' books, books that have, by all accounts, earned their places in  Read more...

Ha-Ha-Ha: Five Books to Make You Laugh

by Laura Stallard Petza

November 18, 2008

We're talking about funny kids' books at Savvy Source today, and if you're like us and all of our children, you probably have a ton of funny favorites. The classics like Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are , while brilliant and beautifully illustrated and funny in their own ways, are not the ones that make my children laugh the hardest. Probably because, like me, the kids have  Read more...

Booked Solid: Five (More) Fantastic Places to Grab Your Next Read

by Laura Stallard Petza

November 11, 2008

If you read this post several weeks ago, you know that I already talked about some of my favorite local book nooks. But, as everyone at Savvy Source is discussing books this month, and as there are plenty of great places to pick up a book in this town, I figured I'd include five more spots, all stores (and not libraries) this time, where you can choose the perfect read for you and your child.  Read more...

The Haunted Bookshelf

by Laura Stallard Petza

October 27, 2008

As Halloween creeps and crawls closer and closer, it seems that the only books we read at our house are ones with a bit of a candy corn flavor. My kids have always enjoyed a good Halloween story (even, bizarrely, in the middle of April), but this year they've gone full-zombie. Here, in no particular order, are five books we've been haunting over and over (and over!). Read them, if you dare.  Read more...

Books+Coffee+Entertainment=Happy Children and Parents

by Laura Stallard Petza

October 15, 2008

Baltimore is a book lovers' town. Consider the Baltimore Book Festival, the plethora of world-class libraries and the abundance of excellent book retailers, of both the independent and chain varieties. There are so many great places to pick up books in this town, that is hard, to be honest, to choose the best. Here, though, are five very special places where you can cozy up with the kid and  Read more...