What kinds of things go under your tree each year? I’ve heard this “rule” when it comes to buying gifts for your kids–something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to READ! While I don’t always follow that advice exactly, one thing that I ALWAYS have under the tree for my kids is something to read. Books have a huge place in my heart and my home. I love to read and I hope to pass on that love to my kids.
I have to admit, my older kids go through books so quickly that we often use our local library to stock up on books. Purchasing every single book they read seems a bit much. Here is my rule for buying books–if the book is a reference book that I know we will refer to time and time again, if the book can be written in, if the book includes extra items beyond the book itself, board books or books for my youngest who might bite or rip the pages, heirloom books or books I just want to be able to keep on our shelves. I was so happy to find the books for under our tree at Downtown Bookworks this year.
Downtown Bookworks is made for moms like me–those of us who like our books to work “double duty”–entertaining while educating. All of their books have major kid-appeal. They aren’t books you just read once and are finished with. These books go beyond just words on the page. There are field books, craft kits, activity books, cookbooks and a slew of great PBS Kids titles. I decided to get my kids books from the PBS Kids collection–one for my bug lover, one for my nature/craft girl and one for my little guy who is always asking about the birds we hear. I love that these PBS kids kits have an informational book and also extra items to take your learning even further.
Let’s take a look at Super Simple Crafts :: Sticks and Stones. In this collection, you get a fully illustrated book with ideas for 50 different nature crafts–from fairy houses to coneflower hedgehogs–and some extras to help make those crafts like paint, glue, felt and googly eyes. Take a look at some of the sample pages in the book–so cute!
My 8-year-old son loves bugs. We spend a huge portion of our summer catching grasshoppers and looking for other bugs in the backyard. Look and Learn Insects comes with a 64-page book that helps identify insects and also a laminated card with common insects. I can totally see us referring to that card a lot over the summer! What I love best is that it comes with a magnifier jar. So once we catch the bugs, we can take a really close look at them before we release them.
My 4-year-old always notices the world around him. He loves to listen for birds and try to identify them. Unfortunately I’m not really helpful at this since I really don’t know much about birds. So this Look and Learn Birds is perfect for us! I can help him look through the guide to see what birds we see and hear. In addition to the 64-page book, there is a laminated checklist so we can keep track of the birds we see, an activity poster and also a super cool set of binoculars (what kid doesn’t love looking for things with binoculars?!)
Also in the PBS Kids collection is this Do It Myself Cookbook. It includes recipes safe enough for young kids to prepare, step by step illustrations and a set of measuring cups and spoons. How fun would this be for your budding chef?
A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY
Downtown Bookworks is giving away the PBS Kids Title of your choice to one SIMPLE reader!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I really like girl power and the do it yourself cook book
The Science with Stuff: Sea-sational would be awesome for my daughter
The Superhero Cookbook would go over well with my family.
My favorite is the “I’m So NOT Wearing a Dress!” book, thanks!
I like the Dc superheros library my son loves superheros
http://www.dtbwpub.com/pbs-kids-do-it-myself-cookbook.html
We would love to win this~
I’d like the turn the key farm books for my youngest.
i think the PBS KIDS Turn the Key:
Around the World is very cool!
PBS KIDS Turn the Key on the Farm
My favorite is the PBS KIDS Turn the Key: Around the World. I think it’s important for kids to learn about other cultures and realize everyone does not live the same way they do.
My kids would enjoy Science with Stuff: Space-tacular
My kiddos would really love the DC comics starter pack. They are in love with super heroes even my girls.
The “Into the Field Guide” looks fun. My daughter and I love to walk in the woods and see what’s to be seen.
I think my little girl would like The Official DC Super Hero Cookbook: Deluxe Edition.
Like the super heroes books.
These are so cool! I LOVE the Big Book of Girl Power. Would love to see that myself and show to my niece!
I love this cooking set
I also love the PBS KIDS Turn the Key: Around the World
Thank You
i LOVE the do-it-myself cookbook! cooking is huge in our family so that would be a great gift for my nephew!
i also like the finger fun finger puppets!
I like the big book of girl power!
Shakespeare’s Seasons looks good!
My daughter would like the Into the field guide
look and learn birds or insects! i have a total love of bugs that i have passed on to my kids and grandpa loves pointing out the different birds at the feeder! either one would be a hit with my kids!
My favorite book was the DC Super Heroes: My First Dictionary.
Love DC Comics: The Big Book of Superpowers!
My kids would love the craft books best!!
I think he would really enjoy DC Super Heroes Little Library, I like that it is a box set.
My granddaughter would like the look and learn Insects
I love the DC superhero books and the How to Start Your Very First Business.
My son would love the Into the Field Guide!
I like The Big Book of Girl Power
I’d love to get PBS KIDS Do It Myself Cookbook!
I like the DC Comics: The Big Book of Girl Power.
the official super hero cookbook
I like the Do It Myself Cookbook one. My son is just starting getting interested in cooking. He says he wants to be a chef.
My son would like the Superheroes Little Library.
My favorites are the Science with Stuff titles.
I think the PBS Do It Myself Cookbook would be great.
Oh we’d have so much fun if we used the Do It Yourself Cookbook.
My daughter would like Animals in Art.
What fun these books are! We love PBS and I know my toddler daughter would love their book, “PBS KIDS Turn the Key: Around the World”. She’s totally obsessed with keys and maps right now- so this is right up her alley.
I like the PBS KIDS Do It Myself Cookbook by Laurie Goldrich Wolf.
Thanks for the chance!
PBS Kids Look and Learn: Birds
My son would like the look and learn birds book.
My favorite is the Big Book of GIRL POWER!
The girl power book looks cool
I would love the Do-It-Myself Cookbook for my kids
My nephew is really into bugs – he’d be into the Look and Learn Insects.
Wow! How did I not know about Downtown Bookworks already? So many great choices. I love them all. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d take Shakespeare’s Seasons.
I like the finger fun book. Kids love puppets and they love when the books come to life.
I like the Into the Field Guide: A Walk in the Woods (Treasure Box). My daughter would have fun with that.
I like this series of books – PBS KIds: Turn the Key – Around the Town, Around the Farm, and Around the World.
My favorite is the PBS KIDS Turn the Key:
On the Farm.
My nephew would love the DC Super Heroes Little Library
Isn’t that so cute? Definitely one to keep on the shelves for a long time!
Oh my son would love the DC Super Hero Starter Kit.