Books In Brief: All Kinds of Kisses

Reviewer: Angie

The name of the book being recommended: All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri

Please give us five reasons why this book is awesome: 

1. It's the latest installment by Caldecott Award honoree, Nancy Tafuri.

2. This beautifully-illustrated book shows how all kinds of animals express their love.

3. Kisses! And more kisses!

4. Babies and toddlers will love acting out the way the baby animals kiss.

5. From moo kisses to coo kisses, to oink kisses and woof kisses, we are led to the best kiss of all: mommy's kiss goodnight.

Where can I find this book in the library? It can be found in the Children's Department under the call number jE TAF.

Web Resources for Homeschooling Families

For those of you who are homeschooling veterans, many of these sites may already be familiar to you. For those who are just beginning the journey, this might be a good place to begin.

Pennsylvania Department of Education: Overview of Homeschooling

Pennsylvania Homeschoolers : www.PAHomeschoolers.com 

Jon’s Homeschooling Resources: www.midnightbeach.com/hs

POWER Library (includes resources like CyberSmarts, SIRS Discoverer, and AP Images): www.ccls.org

The Homeschool Mom: http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com

Homeschool Curriculum: http://www.homeschool-curriculum.org/

PA Virtual Charter School: http://www.pavcsk12.org/

Handwork Studio: http://www.thehandworkstudio.com/

Books In Brief: Simplicity Parenting

Reviewer: Carla

The name of the book being recommended: Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne

Please give us five reasons why this book is awesome:
1. As a family and school counselor, Payne questions if families are being built on the four pillars of "too much": too much stuff, too many choices, too much information, too fast.
2. Payne observes that, as a society, we are embracing "speed" and "too much" partially because we are swimming in anxiety.
3. Simplification is often about doing less and trusting that if our children have time and security, they will explore their world in the way and at the pace that works for them.
4. The author has great and very helpful messages for parents. This book is about the long haul, the big picture that is a reverence for childhood.
5. When parents act out of reverence, not out of fear or anxiety, their motivation is stronger and they are better able to protect the ideal environment for the slow emergence of their children's identities, resilience, and well-being.

How can I find this book in the library? It can be found in the adult collection under 649.1 P

Book in Brief: Free-Range Kids

Reviewer: Michele

The name of the book being recommended: Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy

Please give us five reasons why this book is awesome:
1. The author writes an op-ed column that appears in more than 100 papers and magazines AND an award winning blog, she can be heard on NPR, she spent several years on TV as a (younger, cuter) Andy Rooney at CNBC and the Food Network.
2. It's full of sensible, practical advice. Chapter headings include "Quit Trying to Control Everything. It Doesn't Work Anyway," "Relax: Not Every Little Thing You Do Has That Much Impact on Your Child's Development," and "Fail! It's the New Succeed."
3. It's hilarious. Chapter headings include "Play Dates and Axe Murderers: How to Tell the Difference," "Study History: Your Ten-Year-Old Would Have Been Forging Horseshoes (or at Least Delivering Papers)," "Why Other Countries Are Laughing at zee Scaredy-Cat Americans," and "Licking the Batter Off Beaters While They Are Still Plugged In."
4. It releases you from the exhaustion of unnecessary worry and downright paranoia.
5. Have I mentioned that it's both sensible AND hilarious?

How can I find this book in the library? Check both the parent/teacher (jPT 649.1 S) and adult (649.1 S) sections.