Three Fantastic Books For Your Nightstand
First, man do I need a nightstand (I'm coveting the one pictured here but it's a little spendy); right now I have a big stack of books sitting in a pile on the floor next to my bed. Second, one of my favorite ways to unwind and get my brain off the work/household minutia track at the end of the day is to curl up with a book in bed. Today I wanted to share three recent reads that I think deserve a place on your nightstand (or in your summer beach tote!):
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When I was in New York for BlogHer, I was thrilled to celebrate my friend 
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I have developed a deep appreciation for many things in the six years since I started this blog, and two of those things are photography and daily reflections of gratitude. So when my talented friend 
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Friends, I'm diverting from regularly scheduled editorial today because my mind is swimming after my trip to Washington, DC yesterday. I am humbled and honored to share that I am now part of the 
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Even though the process can become messier and the results less perfect, I love baking with kids. It makes for a fun project (just this week we had a friend of Laurel's over for a baking play date -- so fun!), offers yummy rewards, and you can choose to work in some math teaching if you like. Laurel and I recently tried a new (to us) cookie recipe from Lori Longbotham's 
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My Canadian friend Leslie gifted Laurel with a copy of Anne of Green Gables a couple of years ago. Given that Laurel loves chapter books with female central characters, we've been looking forward to reading Anne together but the language is still a little too advanced (Amazon lists the series for ages 9 and up). I subsequently was thrilled to find an 
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I'm trying to get back into the habit of reading before bedtime, as both a means to transport and unwind. I so enjoyed 
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Probably due to my denial about the summer's end, I'm a little stunned that today is Laurel's first day of school (and other than some morning grumbling, it went off without a hitch...no tears at drop off!). I know many of you have already started the school year or are starting this week so I wanted to share a few of my favorite tips for making mornings easier, plus some excellent back posts to help with transitions. Because experience with Laurel has taught me that transition can be easy (last year) or challenging over many months (two years ago). Good luck everyone!
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Hello friends! Per usual, the web was replete with interesting tips and inspiration this week. Here are some links that I thought you'd find interesting -- enjoy!
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Whether it's craft projects or food, I have always loved making things from scratch. And one thing I suspect the voracious Violet will appreciate in the coming year is homemade baby food. I was a pureeing fiend when Laurel was a baby, but this go around I'm even more excited about experimenting with baby food because I'll be able to draw inspiration from both the locally grown bounty of our CSA, and the remarkably good looking recipes in 
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Simply put, I love having 
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I first met Alicia Ybarbo at 
The thing about my friend Jenny (aka 
Whether you're early or late in your pregnancy, read on for my thoughts on 
What a fantastic episode of Life.Style this week! I chatted about 
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What a fun episode of Life.Style this week! I chatted about 
While I adore the community feel and eco-friendliness of public libraries, and the shiny newness and convenience of large bookstores, my current happy medium is the independent used bookstore. And 
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One cool thing about raising a growing reader is that we're now hitting material that: a) I remember loving as a young girl; and b) still captivates after all these years. Before the holidays, Laurel decided that she wanted to read 
It was so great to get back into the studio this week, and it was wonderful to kick off my 2011 programming talking about 
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So fitting for the holiday season, 
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Given that my parents used to subject their household visitors to impromptu recitals by me and my six siblings (at a point where none of us were exactly musically proficient), I tend to cringe a little when I think of family recitals. However, recently I was overwhelmed by the awesome that was Laurel's assembly of a family recital, thanks to these fantastic 
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If you didn't have a chance to watch 
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Laurel's reading took flight last year in kindergarten, and with it she developed a love for chapter books. And while the novelty of seeing her curled up reading independently on the sofa under a blanket has not worn off on me, we still love cuddling up and reading together. On the latter, though I appreciated the series' gentle age appropriateness, I admittedly was hugely relieved when Laurel got over her obsession with the formulaic (as in, I literally would fall asleep reading the books out loud) Rainbow Magic books, and moved on to something Jon and I also find entertaining: Ivy + Bean.
On 
Wow, I truly cannot get over the awesomeness of 
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We're big into books in my house, and though we'll reuse Laurel's well loved (read: residually slobbery) books when 
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Since Laurel is academically oriented by nature, this summer I've been all about simply playing and getting her outside and active. However, she loves activity books and they are my go-to item to bring to restaurants and when we travel, and we also use them for quiet time at home. And whether you want to use activity books to warm your child up before the school year starts, or simply want to use them on the go or at home as we do, check out 
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As I wrote in response to yesterday's Dear Boston Mamas question about 
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Music is a powerful trigger, and for me, They Might Be Giants immediately conjures memories of rocking out to their quirky tunes in college. And whether you're a longtime fan, or want to widen your kid's palette of musical options, together you'll no doubt enjoy TMBG's foray into family friendly music. TMBG plays at the 
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These days I don't often get out to see live music (other than, um, children's music) so it was really fantastic to host some friends this week at the 
Before it gets too hot to turn on your oven, try these cookies from Sarah Magid, recommended by 
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Spring has sprung! And today, 
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Are you looking for a compact, portable reference to help navigate the kid-friendly ins and outs of our fair city? Today I share my thoughts on Kim Foley MacKinnon's new book, 
Despite leading an uber digital life, I remain loyal to the tactile joys of books and print magazines. And given my passion for simplicity and 
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Stephanie Precourt projects remarkable light, positivity, and gratitude; qualities -- along with her lovely writing style and beautiful photography -- that make her blog 
Despite being a digital mom, I’m that mom; the one who refused to have anything but natural wooden and soft toys around Laurel as a baby, the one who has steered clear of anything battery operated since. Until recently. And while I remain a proponent of the learn through play philosophy via basic tools -- you’ll always find a plentiful supply of books, paper, paint, colored pencils, sculpting clay, dry pasta and beans + measuring cups, etc. at our house -- I now feel that it’s possible to merge certain electronics into the mix with Laurel; as a supplement, with benefits, and without taking over. 
Jennifer James is one of the first bloggers I met in real life, through the inaugural 
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Are you on the (seemingly elusive) hunt for music that the whole family will enjoy? Today, 
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Kids need to move, and never is that more evident than when our craft and book loving kiddo reaches the end of the day without enough climb time (envision Laurel leaping off of furniture). And if you’re looking for a way to combine literacy and exercise (particularly on a raw day like today), check out the 
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Let’s just say that 
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I didn’t plan on this being sexual health education day, but it seemed only fitting to follow my 
Back in our sleep deprived (and admittedly clueless) days of early parenting, Dr. Harvey Karp’s 
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Laurel has been enamored with mermaids ever since spending time at "mermaid cove" with her friend Lucy during our summer vacation in Maine. Barbara Beery’s 
The last week has been a tad crazy, what with family visits, Laurel’s 5th birthday, and yesterday’s (rocky) first day of kindergarten, but the generosity of Laurel’s loved ones has not escaped me. Over the next few days I’ll share some of her favorite birthday gifts; the first being 
When I was a kid, I so wanted my mom to be involved in school activities. Not surprisingly though, what with raising seven kids and running a business with my dad she didn’t have time. So this week I felt both happiness and more than a bit of nostalgia when my mom helped me teach Laurel’s pre-K class about Korea (the class is studying countries around the world and Laurel asked if I would come in and teach about Korea). The following are notes on what I put together; the general format would work well for any country.
On mornings where Laurel resists waking up, one foolproof way to get her to roll over and open her eyes is to read aloud. She adores books and I love reading them to her, especially when they are as beautifully crafted as those by 
Today 
A couple of weeks ago I attended a 
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For me, few things signal summer like lolling on the beach with a juicy book (which unfortunately means summer hasn’t quite arrived in my household…), and lucky for those looking to load up their beach bag with summer reads, 
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You know you’re either terribly predictable or somewhat loved when folks write in asking if you’re trapped under something really heavy on a day (yesterday) with no posts or 
Welcome to 
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Laurel owns a stack of Dr. Seuss books; notably enduring both for their timeless rhymes and the fact that they were – passed down from my in-laws – the very same copies Jon enjoyed as a child. And for kids who similarly love 
Today, 
Today, Heather reviews Ben Rudnick & Friends’ new family music CD 
As a former musician with a low tolerance for singsong-y kids music, I’m grateful for artists such as 
Planning a homebirth? Today, 
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Ever since realizing – with more than a modicum of embarrassment – that I 
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In our house, books get an immense amount of love, and if you've also got avid bookworms at home, consider showing your love for scribes and artists during 
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This post is a bit oddly juxtaposed to the 
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Does your child have a tendency to look at life through somewhat darkened lenses? Today, Tracy offers a review of 
In all my years studying human perception it was all about the eyes and ears, with touch coming in a distant third. And now there’s a children’s book that captures these and another important sense – smell – through the nose of a real life rescue dog. Told simply and illustrated in elegant brush strokes, 
Last week, it was with more than a shred of embarrassment and regret that I realized I had not read a single book all year (I’m afraid my perusal of The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and In Style just doesn’t count). Reminded of my love of reading by Amy Bloom’s gritty and gripping 
Laurel loves the spectacle associated with holidays, and we subsequently try to strike a balance between celebration and reinforcing ideas about material alternatives and diversity during these times. As such, we’ve been enjoying a few “holiday alternative” titles from 
For parents seeking guidance on how to negotiate their kids through today’s sexualized commercial culture, tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7pm), Jean Kilbourne and Diane Levin will speak at Simmons College about issues and coping strategies raised in their book 
Welcome to 
Looking for a way to communicate with your preverbal baby? Today, 
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I’ve always loved the tradition and timeless calm of folk music, and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary just released two fabulous songbooks - 
Today, 
It’s not easy drumming up new material when your kid asks you to conjure a story, but luckily, parents now can find relief and inspire their child’s creativity with a nifty twist on choose your own adventure. Written by Newburyport based author Jennifer Karin Sidford, 
Welcome to 
The holiday weekend is likely to fill up fast with fun activities, but definitely consider getting tickets to this Saturday’s 
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Teaching Laurel empathy has always been very important to us, not only to help curb age appropriate but hurtful behaviors such as biting and hitting, but also simply to help her learn how to be a good friend and family member. And while she has embraced these lessons since toddlerhood (in daycare she always was quick to give a hug or rub a friend’s back if they were sad), we know we’ll need to revisit these themes through her young life. And for parents of tweens, here’s an interesting way to help teach compassion to kids: 
Welcome to 
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Today, 
From the looks of Laurel’s play dates and preschool, it certainly seems as if the boys are always the pirates. But that wasn’t always the case, and award winning local author Jane Yolen makes clear – with captivating detail and a historical look - in 
Sometimes I wonder how being raised by a pair of psychologists impacts Laurel. Jon and I definitely have had moments where we stop and listen to ourselves speak, and wonder whether we’re just flat out being too verbose with her. But a couple of new books from 
Today, 
Looking for a way to bond with baby while encouraging relaxation and good digestion? Today, 
I first grasped music’s pedagogical power in 4th grade, when I used a tune to help me memorize the 50 states (in alpha order) for a test. But the lessons can start earlier – and be fun for both kids and grownups – as demonstrated by 
One of the busiest acts on the Boston family music scene is 
Life is meant to be lived joyfully every day, and for parents looking for ways to translate this basic – but sometimes lost – principle to their children, there’s 
We are huge fans of Barefoot Books, what with its mom roots and sprouts (the business was founded by moms and supports mom resellers), and its amazing line of beautifully illustrated, culturally aware products. Today, South Shore based Barefoot reseller 
Nothing says summer like juicy beach reads and July fireworks, so we’ll start our 
Today, 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Today, 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Although the school year is just starting to wind down for many families, for others, the summer months represent a major change: the final phase before kindergarten. Today, 
Although guest contributor 
Are you ready to venture beyond typical toddler fare? Today, 
Today, 
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New mamahood sometimes seems akin to stepping into an amnesic vortex: you feel as if you’re spinning in a whirlwind of chaos and activity, but at the end of the day, you can’t recall how you spent your hours. Or rather, perhaps it’s just that the “little things” you’ve done all day don’t seem as noteworthy as your frantic working girl episodes. Never mind that many of those little things result in keeping another human being alive.
Today, 
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As supportive and involved a dad as Jon always has been, the one thing he just wasn’t into was reading those textbook-like, geared-towards-mom baby manuals. Luckily, for new dads, there’s 
Like it or not, talking the talk is necessary to keep your kids safe in our increasingly complex world. Today, 
While we all likely can recite 
I’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor 
Today, 
Here’s a good way to work off Sunday morning pancakes with the kids. On March 9 (11 am) our friends at the 
Few things get Laurel’s attention like stories, brainteasers, and crafts, so it’s no wonder that she’s totally been digging 
I generally consider myself a pretty tuned in, communicative parent, but there’s no denying the moments when stress, fatigue, or just being human result in a short fuse and loss for words. And for those moments there's Betsy Brown Braun’s 
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Given our love for 
Ironically, the reason Laurel broke from her homebody stance yesterday (see 
Laurel has long been a breastfeeding advocate (she avidly nursed for a year, and loves asking questions about nursing or seeing other babies feed), so it’s no wonder she's a fan of Michael Elsohn Ross’s new 
Today, 
If you’ve ever doubted the power of books, and the lessons that kids can learn from them, it’s time to start believing. In August we reviewed the 
Today, one of my mama product testers shares a review of 
Weekend Reading: 
Reader Erica from Northampton 
When we finally got around to transitioning Laurel out of her crib a few months ago, it was a joyful (for her) and emotional (for me) moment. Despite being decidedly short on leisure time, I decided to commemorate the occasion with a quilt, and found excellent inspiration in 
Or 2, 3, and 4 as was the case for 
Today, 
Today, 
Whether you're disappointed that folk singer/songwriter 
Whether you’ve just started reading labels, or already are committed to organic produce and natural foods, you’ll likely find inspiration to fuel your family well in 
. Created by the founders of Earthbound Farm, Food to Live By is an excellent general cooking resource, covering all the major meals and categories via clear instructions, helpful cooking tips, and resplendent photography. Also included are demystifying notes on everything from selecting produce to USDA organic certifications. We’ve enjoyed easy-to-make classics (apple bran muffins) and classics with a twist (an herbed turkey loaf that cleverly embeds a layer of spinach and arugula), and next plan on trying ethnic favorites (such as lamb curry).
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
, 
, 
, 
, and 
. This product is designed for kids 6 months - 4 years; read on for reviews from three of my mamas (with kids in the 14 month - 3.5 year range), and to learn how to win a Braincandy DVD:
. Written by a former New York City beauty editor, this book cuts the concealer, as it were, to bring you the straight scoop on beauty (including recommendations for products worth their weight in gold, and those just as well procured at the drugstore). I’m reviewing this book today in conjunction with 
. Starting with the handbag’s modest pouch origins, ending with celebrity arm candy and man-bags, and hitting all the iconic bags in between, Handbag traces the sociohistorical context of the handbag within a stylish spread of illustrations, product stills, and model/celebrity shots.
With shows perfectly sandwiched around midday nap, you can catch Gwen & The Gang at 
is replete with evidence that black is nowhere near boring. Black Dress offers an accessible historical essay on the evolution of the classic, embedded within a chic spread of black dress fine art, illustrations, and photographs. The origins of each image are detailed in a terrific pictorial annotated bibliography of sorts at the conclusion of the book.
. Similar to Boys in coverage of survival, literacy, sport, and history, Girls also explains topics and rules vaguely understood during my days in the schoolyard (e.g., palm reading, hopscotch, jump rope, friendship bracelets), and ones I’m keen to learn about now (e.g., how to tie a sari, putting your hair up with a pencil, fabulous women in history). This book no doubt will come in handy as we raise an inquisitive daughter who’s raring for adventure each and every day.
. Vintage Fashion traces the evolution of designer trends from 1900-1990, culturally framing the key looks, details, and designers of the decades within lavish photo spreads that will make you want to reach in and touch each and every creation. An amazing resource, this book is positively making me itch to learn to sew clothing.
. Book collaborator Xinran Xue will be in Cambridge today through Friday for 
, which I’m reviewing today per 
to troubleshoot our way out of unnecessary trips to the pediatrician. Now it's time to pick up 
; this book recently proved particularly useful in providing a motion sickness remedy for Tracy's son:
. Childcare veterans Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum created this informative, nonjudgmental, and assuring book to help modern parents gain (or regain) confidence in their own intuition and authority; confidence that Schulman and Birnbaum have seen crumble in the face of the extreme pressures facing modern parents. 
offers an elegantly illustrated introduction to Zen themes via the stories that new friend Stillwater the panda shares with three siblings. The reflective beauty of the stories will suit both kids and adults, and I love thinking of our wonderful friends (who hand delivered this book despite being on a crazed East Coast tour from the UK) every time Laurel climbs onto my lap for a read.
by Boston native Andi Silverman. Friendly and non-judgmental, this compact (easily stowed in the diaper bag) book covers the mechanics (e.g., feeding and burping positions, troubleshooting, nursing on the go and at work), common questions, and tips for nurturing your body, brain, and relationships. 
by Nina Garcia (of Project Runway and Elle magazine fame; published by 
, from Boston-area publisher 
, by psychologist Susan Newman, addresses and disputes a lot of the cultural myths of only children (spoiled, antisocial, etc.) while offering practical strategies to prevent the myths from becoming reality.”
. Written by investigative reporter and mother of two Susan Gregory Thomas, the book will take you inside the marketing blitz aimed at kids.
by Peggy Orenstein. Julia writes, “[It is] a wonderful book about the choices women make (or default into) about their lives.”
. 
of the same title, the program (narrated by Mary Steenburgen) addresses topics such as family and work balance, paid family leave, universal health care, flexible work hours, after-school programs, and affordable child care.
, which I finished the other night (morning, actually), several hours after Jon and Laurel had drifted off upstairs.
likely will provide clarity.
. The finale included a fabulous allergy-friendly piggy cake:
. There’s no chapter dedicated to squirrel catching (which Jon humanely handled with a trash can and golf club for squirrel nudging), but Dangerous provides excellent fodder to bring back the marvelous, lazy days of summer inquiry, offering the how-to on everything from survival (e.g., knots, first aid, spy codes, tree houses), to gadgets (e.g., batteries, timers and tripwires), to literacy (e.g., grammar, poetry, Latin phrases), to sporting rules, to world history and landmarks, to tales of bravery and adventure. 
offers strategies to help moms wade out of the mind game quagmire. This morning I’ll share my thoughts on this book per a review for the 
and 
handles), 
, and 
that are designed to prevent the growth of bacteria; the straw cup (shown) keeps drinks cool for up to 12 hours (from 
, which currently is one of her favorite books. This beautifully illustrated classic is a must have; in addition to offering a means for kids to learn about counting, food (Laurel of course goes nuts on the junk food bonanza page), and the cycle of life, more recently the book has helped us teach Laurel about being more aware of her body. Specifically, if she’s on a food bender, demanding more, we ask her whether she’s really hungry or if her belly is already full. And now she’ll pause for a moment, sometimes rub her belly or wiggle side to side, then tell us that she is, in fact, still hungry, or that she’s full and doesn’t want to get a stomach ache like the very hungry caterpillar. 
(shown; from 
. During the Q&A I asked whether she had suggestions for, generally, how to connect better on a day to day basis; that our workloads and daily to do lists often left Jon and me scurrying to achieve household or e-mail tidiness after Laurel went to bed. Perel asked when I last went out to dinner with Jon. I stammered about the challenges of having anyone other than Auntie Sha-Sha put Laurel to bed. She asked whether Laurel was in day care and then asked when I last met Jon for lunch. I explained that since I left my downtown job it took more time to meet up midday and that I already felt pressed for hours in the week. Even as I scrabbled for these justifications I knew that I just needed to make the time; that finding connection with my partner was worth those couple hours (and that the household chores, fortunately and unfortunately, would always be there another day).
, by Jill Kargman (best-selling co-author of 
). 
book + CD. This large format hardcover includes lyrics, colorful illustrations, music notation and chord charts for those who wish to play along, and tips for eco living. A mini edition of the book will be available in June, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit global conservation charities.
.
by Annabel Karmel. Written for parents ready to mix it up in the kitchen, this book covers nutrition basics, home prep process and gear, and recipes and menus for babies and kids. Pauline’s daughter enjoys lots of the recipes!
from Classy Mommy. A 
.
, from 
($5.95 at 
, includes a collection of essays reflecting the disparity between parenting reality and fiction. O’Brien’s perspective comes from that of a mother of three who discovered that her stay-at-home mom status (even once she started freelance writing again) relegated her – in non-at-home circles – as someone whose “experience and knowledge apparently [were] no longer relevant.”
. We don’t make the cake nearly as frequently as we’d like to, but we’ve been spending a lot of 
($23.10 at Amazon). This amazing volume is great for novice bakers, or those who wish to know more about the science of baking. The collection includes clear directions, illustrations, and impressive description of how the test kitchen arrived at each recipe.
guide ($10.17 at 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, and 
. And more cities are forthcoming!
($10.17 at 
(currently $16.29 at 
($7.95 at 
Goode’s book offers ideas and techniques on how parents can encourage their children to be confident and joyful through procession on a path that draws on their natural talents.
($14.95 at 
(shown; available at 
($6.99 at 
(currently available for $12.97 at 
may be relatively old news around Boston (author Allegra Goodman is based in Cambridge, as is the story), but this 2006 novel, detailing a plot set within the complicated, grey area-ridden existence that is research academics, is truly compelling and deserves continued kudos. 
” ($6.99 at Amazon) was a gift from a dear friend (long before the babe was around!) and is – without question – one of our favorite books. The illustrations bring character and expression to each and every pig; the text offers a clever rhyme scheme that will hold your babe’s attention while offering your brain some mental gymnastics to get the wording right on memorization.
"Miffy’s Magnifying Glass
($13.95 at Amazon).
