Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with books and Kids

How to tell children about death book suggestions for a single dad

spec80 — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:15:12 -0800

A friend's father passed away suddenly and he is having difficulty formulating a way to tell his daughter. What books would you recommend? I have no experience with the death of a parent or being a parent. I don't know how to help other than lending a sympathetic ear.

Friend was pretty close with his dad and is using work to distract himself. He is a single dad and his two daughters live with their mom. He is concerned about how to tell his eldest daughter (ten years old) and help her cope/mourn because she knew and had a close relationship with her grandfather. She is aware of the concept of death and knows people that have died, but Friend says she's never had a relationship with those people. (Her mother lives in an area of NYC where violence is still prevalent.)

I searched previous questions and I am thinking of printing out this thread and maybe getting this book? Googling gives an overwhelming result and I was hoping someone could personally suggest a book. I cannot give a website, only printouts of a website because they don't have an internet/computer at home. Daughter might have access to one at school, but I am presuming.

I'm hunting for monsters...

Kabanos — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:31:25 -0800

Help me find the title of this children's book about a boy building a cage/trap for a monster. I'm trying to find an illustrated children's book that I enjoyed in the early '80s. I don't know if it was published in the US, or only in Canada.

It's about a young boy who sets out into the woods to catch a monster (or dragon?). His friend, or brother, tags along. They start by building a small wooden cage (trap?) for the monster, but keep adding larger and larger extensions onto it as they discuss the probable size of the monster's legs, neck, wings, horns, etc. The resulting wooden cage is enormous – the size of a house. In the end, however, they only catch a rabbit.

Help me out!

Libraries are awesome

serazin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:11:52 -0800

I've taken responsibility for a very small children's library and I'd love your ideas for making it awesome. My kid is going to a tiny little school where every parent takes a volunteer job. I chose the job of managing the small library. I'm supposed to keep it organized and accessible, and to create displays and possibly events. I'm also supposed to coordinate a Scholastic book fair (I'm sure everyone would be open to some alternative to Scholastic - so suggestions welcome on that score as well.)

I don't have a ton of time, and the school doesn't have a ton of money. Given those limitations, I'd love to hear any ideas you have for making the library useful, attractive and vibrant.

(Note that I admire and respect librarians, and recognize that I am not one! I wish all schools had a paid librarian, but this school doesn't - it only has two paid staff people all together - so I hope to do my best with what's available.)

Operation Scattered Spies:

JaredSeth — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:59:00 -0800

Help me put this series of "The Spy Five" books in the appropriate reading order for my niece. Originally published by Scholastic, The Spy Five books are now out of print. Although they're "by" Spencer Strange, the main character, they appear to be written by Andrea Menotti (credited with "words") and illustrated by Kelly Kennedy ("pictures"). The ten books we've given her, which I believe comprise the entire series, are:

Operation Kung Fooled You - pretty sure this really is the first one
Operation Night Fright
Operation Fowl Play
Operation Super Five
Operation Master Mole
Operation Code Red
Operation Phantom Dribbler
Operation Kangaroo Trap
Operation Wise Disguise
Operation Billion Gazillion

I'd like to know either the publication order or, if anyone knows it's different, the recommended reading order. I'm also just guessing that these are all the books, as I've found no mention of any other titles on the net, so if anyone knows otherwise that would help too.

I did find an Andrea Menotti who works as a Senior Editor at Chronicle Books now, but I have no idea if she's the same person who wrote these.

What are your favorite books to read aloud to young children?

palliser — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:13:12 -0800

What are your favorite books to read aloud to young children? I have an almost-three-year-old son who seems like he'll be ready soon for listening to chapter books read aloud, a few pages at a time.

I have my own favorites from childhood -- not necessarily when I was that young: the Little House books, the Anne of Green Gables books, Five Little Peppers, All-of-a-Kind family. (Just typing that out -- parents apparently heavily into meaningful deprivation.)

But I'm sure there are gems out there I don't know about. Also, I think my list might be a little more appealing to girls. (My sister and I were the ones being read to.)

So -- what are your favorite chapter books to read aloud with children? The ones from your childhood, or the ones you've read with your child(ren)? I'd like to refer to this list in the future, so please don't feel constrained by his young age. I'd be happy to have some to save for when he's older.

Finally, I saw this question, but (a) it's been years since it was posted, and (b) the suggestions seem more for six-year-olds to read themselves, as opposed to have read aloud.

Help me build a library of lefty kids books

RajahKing — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:55:08 -0800

Do you know any good left wing propoganda for toddlers? Please help me identify some lefty / liberal children's books appropriate for a 3 year old (and up as I have noticed she tends to get older every day).

I have a 3 year old daughter, we read a lot of books together. Her mom and I are committed to progressive political action and would like to introduce some cool, fun, lefty books to the collection. We have a handful, but I'd like to expand. I am thinking about books that discuss race, class, struggle, civil rights, gender issues, environmentalism, etc. We are well to the left of the American mainstream, but we'll take liberalish stuff too.

One request - please no political critique, I promise I'll still read her stories from a variety of perspectives. We let her watch Wonder Pets and Dora, so don't worry.

Ayudarme, por favor.

ricochet biscuit — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:16:28 -0800

Children's books in Spanish in Canada? or, Estoy buscando libros para niños en español (probablemente en Toronto).

I am looking for some gifts for my 50%-Chilean godson (whose Chilean-born mother wants him to keep a foot in both languages). He is in Vancouver, I am in Ottawa and I will be in Toronto a few days before taking them to him. I figure Toronto is likely my best bet.

He is not quite two (but is spelling already), so I am looking for something in the beginner's range. If anyone can recommend a good store in any of these three cities (and ideally, a title or two) I'd be grateful.

I haven't lived in Toronto in years, but I vaguely recollect a Spanish-language bookstore somewhere around Bloor and Palmerston that used to have kids books displayed in the window. Still there? Figment of my imagination? Input is welcomed.

Picture Books For A Super-Smart Kid

yankeefog — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:34:58 -0800

What are the cleverest, wittiest picture books you know? I'm looking for something you might recommend to a very smart kid who is still young enough to prefer picture books to chapter books. Another way of putting is, I'm looking for the picture book equivalent of McSweeney's. (I should mention that I know that McSweeney's actually does publishe some kids' books -- those are already on my list!)

What should my 6 year old read?

serazin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:56:17 -0800

What should I read to my 6 year old? What should she read to herself? My six year old and I are lovers of literature. I like to read to her, and she likes to read to herself. She's a strong enough reader to easily conquer (and enjoy) a Nate the Great level of complexity. She's read longer, more complex stuff if its really interesting to her. I'm particularly interested in finding new books that broaden her understanding of cultures outside our own (middle-ish class and white).

Some stuff we've loved so far includes: Nate the Great, Roald Dahl (everything), the Ramona Quimby books (she totally identifies with Ramona), Rabbit Hill, the Borrowers books, the My Father's Dragon books, William Steig, Junebug by Alice Mead, The Secret Garden. We got half way through the Narnia books when she finally admitted she doesn't like them - too much fighting she said, but I suspect she was also having trouble following or was just getting bored. A friend read her Harry Potter, and she liked it.

I refuse to read Magic Tree House or its ilk because I'm a big snob. However, if there's something along this line that you think she might enjoy reading quietly by herself, go ahead and recommend it.

Thank you!

Does anyone remember this book series?

flyingcowofdoom — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:00:41 -0800

Help me remember the name of a series of kids books about anthropomorphic dinosaurs I used to read. OK, these were "chapter" books...not books with drawings, just on the cover.

They were a series. The characters were anthropomorphic dinosaurs who went to school. The books were a first grade to third grade reading level, I'd guess. The characters were basically human beings, as in they did what humans did at school but they looked like dinosaurs. One of the main characters was a green triceratops. Her name may have been Sarah. I think she had a twin brother. In one book, her twin brother was sick and getting lots of attention, so Sarah tried to get sick too, so that she could stay home from school and read comic books all day or something.

Does anyone remember these books?

Words, let me read them to you

gensubuser — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:48:48 -0800

I'm thinking of reading a couple books onto tape for some young (<1 to <3) distant-relatives. What makes it worth it, and how can I not feel weird? My parents bought a bunch of baby books of the cardboard-page variety for the youngest example, but I was considering going all the way up to Dr. Seuss. I have every reason to believe that these young parents will be supporting their children in reading anyways, but there's not really much else I can (or would, normally) get for them.

There are several sizes of effort I can put in:
1) Read onto tape/CD
2) Read onto DVD
3) Read onto DVD and add production value

So mostly for current parents, would you imagine this being useful? [I've heard stories about kids wanting to hear stories over and over again, but I attribute that 50/50 to attachment to parents/book itself]. Would you see declining usefulness starting with the DVD's, simply because most reading happens at night and away from the TV? With the amount of time I have for this project, I am leaning away from video [of course, I will be sending the real book with the tape/disc].

Also, how do you read to your kids? With voice-characters and long pauses [there are tons of advice lists online. Do you have favorite mp3 links?]. Do you have any advice for this project?

Good books for the Non-Ham to read to small children

nomnomnom — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:59:11 -0800

This post reminded me of something I needed to ask. -> What are some good books to read to kids, for those of us who are not very good at (or comfortable with) being characters or using different voices? Surely there are some librarians on Ask Mefi that have experience with storytime? Basically, I need a list of books that are suitable for a more shy/reserved person who has to read to a group of children — I am not overly shy, I can project confidence; but I will definitely become shy upon being faced with having to do voices, sing, or make kiddy jokes about farts or something. :)

Printing Books for Babies?

larsks — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:34:51 -0800

Are there any online services that will allow me to print custom books that can withstand the awesome destructive force of a small child? I would like to be able to print up custom storybooks and photo albums for our kids (< 3 years). I'm trying to find someplace that will custom print board books and/or laminated photo albums that can will withstand small hands, teeth, and curiosity. I realize that these make good DIY projects (and I've made laminated photo books thanks to the power of Kinkos), but I'd love a point-and-click solution, too.

Recommend some non-white kids' books

featherboa — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:24:41 -0800

Can you recommend some children's picture books that don't just feature white faces? I run a kids' bookshop and it's been bugging me that almost none of the picture books we stock feature a non-white child as the main character. I'm trying to remedy that.

I'll probably be getting My Two Grannies, but ideally the storyline wouldn't be particularly about race. I do stock Rastamouse and that's probably closer to what I'm looking for, except it's about a mouse.

The shop's in London, and I try to keep the books skewed more British than American, but if you have a favourite from anywhere in the world, please let me know.

Similarly if you want to recommend a kids' book without pictures that fits the theme, I'd love to know about that too.

Meg Tilly makes it hard to google for...

goo — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:50:36 -0800

Kids' book filter: Two sisters, possibly twins, one a brunette named Natalie but known as Tilly, English, involves going to stay in the country and horses, most likely published in the early-mid 80s (when I read it), possibly a trilogy or a series. Any help with the title or author would much appreciated!

What books do you recommend for babies and toddlers?

k8t — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:04:36 -0800

What are your recommendations for good baby and toddler books in English? In an effort to create a great library for our upcoming spawn, I'd love to have some MeFite-approved suggestions. If you could also give an estimated age appropriateness, so that this can later be made into a list, that'd be great. Thanks!

Need Books/Movies for Kids Going to Rome

bjennings — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:55:33 -0800

I'm looking for recommendations for books, movies and even music that might be relevant for a group of middle school (7th & 8th grade, ages 12-14) kids who are going to Rome over spring break. I'm a teacher, and I'm leading a group of 20 middle school kids as well as three other faculty members. I'd like to be able to recommend novels, movies and music for them.

They've all read Caroline Lawrence's "The Roman Mysteries" series. I'm very familiar with the range of children's and young adult historical fiction, especially that set in ancient times. I'd love to have any recommendations for novels set in modern Italy. Some of the students have read Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons", but teen and young adult books would be great, too.

I suggested "Roman Holiday"; all of the parents said "Oooh, I love that movie", and all of the kids were bored out of their skull. Fluff like the Mary Kate and Ashley "When In Rome" and "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" is right up their alley.

I figure music is a long-shot, but maybe there are some recommendations there as well. Thanks!

Alternative Kid's Lit

evilcupcakes — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:17:44 -0800

I am looking for some good subtly pagan/world religion themed children's books, toys, movies etc for my 6 year old niece in Arkansas. It doesn't have to be specifically pagan, just something that fits the themes and values of most any earth-based or mystical religion. My niece is stuck in the middle of the bible belt and therefore is given many Christian oriented gifts for the holiday season. Since my sister's side of the family ranges from staunch atheist to various flavors of pagan/other, I would like to at least expose her to other view points without completely freaking out my brother-in-law's family (yes, my sister is hip to this, as long as it isn't too preachy, she wants her to make up her own mind when she grows up). I have already stocked her with numerous fairy tale collections, ancient Egyptian gods coloring books, Native American life pop up books etc, but now that she is a precocious 6 year old, I would like to give her something with a little more complexity without losing the entertainment value. Ideas? Favorites?

Will you help me remember the title of this book?

poopdbq — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:28:28 -0800

Please help me remember the title of a particular fictional, young-adult book from the 80s or maybe 90s. I've been trying to find the title of this book off and on for years. I've googled/yahooed/amazonned it to no avail. I've also asked the question on other answer sites with a similar lack of success. Here is what I can remember.

- The main character's alias is ZOZ. This is the name he uses when he gets a high score on an arcade game (because of the three letter limit of the high score lists).

- The book is centered around the town's arcade. There might be some sort of conflict where the parents of the town try to, or do, shut it down.

- The characters are all teenagers. The main character, Zoz, loses his virginity to one of the female game players. This part of the book happens at the beginning of a chapter and is written almost like a concrete poem.

- I think there is also a fight between Zoz and another one of the boys.

Thanks in advance.

Puppets no can read good?

magikker — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:15:14 -0800

I need help writing a puppet show to teach the importance of literacy to kids k-5. I'm in a service organization at my university. One of the many things we do is give educational puppet shows to local elementary school kids. The problem is that a lot of the puppet shows aren't very good. They are out of date and kinda awkward. So we asked the teachers what they would like to see a puppet show about. The two things that they wanted was a good show about the importance of math and the importance of literacy. We knocked out a fun one about math in a couple hours. We are really stuck on the literacy one. We can't figure out a plot or anything.

Can you help me out? How can you convey to elementary age kids that reading is important?

Best kids' books about animals?

pootler — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 08:14:05 -0800

What are the best children's books about animals? Children's book week is coming up soon in Holland and the theme is animals. I work in an English language bookstore and I need to order some nice (read: attractive/fun/eye-catching/interesting/excellent/sellable)books on this theme. I've come up with a few but they're mostly books for the under 5's, like The Poky Little Puppy and Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

The restrictions:

- Must be in print in the US or UK
- Preferably from a major publisher.
- Preferably recent or still popular
- Can be fiction or non-fiction
- Any age (0 - 16)
- Preferably about animals generally rather than one particular sort.
- And not too expensive (around or under USD 15 or GBP 10). If the book is really great though, this isn't as important.

Blue book of my childhood

ikkyu2 — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 13:20:47 -0800

Half-remembered children's BookFilter: It was a large-format book about a storm, and a lady who lived in a tree, and pirates. What I recall about it was that it was hardcover, filled up my whole lap when I was a kid, and every page was filled with different shades of blue and green. If I recall correctly, the lady who lived in the tree had a little dog; and there were a pair of kids who ran off to join the pirates; but I may also be conflating two different books. The one I'm looking for had all these different spectacular shades of blue.

Children's books about cities

matildaben — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 11:33:50 -0800

Please recommend children's books about great cities of America and/or the world. A six-year-old who lives in a gorgeous and very rural area expressed a spontaneous interest in the urban (specifially, she announced of her block tower that it was "Chicago!!!"). Her very urban non-biological auntie would like to encourage this sophisticated young lady to understand more about the ways of big city life and the offerings of the great cities of the world. Could you recommend some good books for early readers (4-8 range)? An Amazon search has revealed the works of Martha Day Zschock but I would like recommendations of books you have actually seen or read. (Eloise, of course, is a given.)