BOOKS
I’m a Pill Bug by Yukihisa Tokuda and illustrated by Kiyoshi Takahashi
(Kane Miller, $10)
A first-person account from the easy-to-find, exciting-to-examine humble scavenger that is, in fact, a crustacean. Includes instructions on finding, touching and taking them home for a visit. MC — Ages 3 and up
Asian Kites by Wayne Hosking
(Tuttle Publishing, $13)
Fifteen high-flying projects, from little ladybugs to six-sided contraptions, marry quirky hits of history with craft. Inspired by the continent that invented the kite. MC — Ages 7 to 13
Sandbox Scientist: Real Science Activities for Little Kids by Michael Ross and illustrated by Mary Anne Lloyd
(Chicago Review Press, $18)
Through the simplest of setups and most open-ended projects — think bubbles, mud pies and pendulums — this award-winning manual makes Marie Curies out of munchkins. MC — Ages 2 to 8
CD
Charlie Davidson’s Tricycle Club by Parker Bent
(Parker Bent, $16)
The hysterical lyrics, rockin’ guitar riffs and Willie Nelson-like vocals make this a crowd pleaser. As a preschool music teacher extraordinaire, he’s a master at getting kids thinking about notes, keys and The Rolling Stones, or course! NLM — Ages 3 and up
BOOK ‘EM
Reading makes the most brilliant babes: It fosters language acquisition, betters learning skills and inspires the most inquisitive of minds. Here are four tips for breeding a bookworm:
- Stories are our way of explaining the world. For little ones, simple shorts about everyday routines like bath time are successful intros.
- Keep books at their level: A toy box is the perfect spot.
- Be a library rat. Letting them explore the shelves will hook “em. Kids know age limits don’t matter; let them bring home unlimited picks. Include teens, too.
- Share: Read aloud a passage from your book. The best inspiration is you.
Charlie Davidson's Tricycle Club by Parker Brent
