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Book Suggestion for 8-Year-Olds Who Like Gross Things

December 23, 2008 by Renee Claire

Chewy Gooey Rumble PlopAnother last-minute gift recommendation: Chewy, Gooey, Rumble, Plop. My cousin Jamie is into “gross stuff” at the moment, so a pop-up book on the digestive system seemed appropriate. This one features a 3-D tongue with a realistic sticky texture, plus action tabs of people burping, vomiting, or using the restroom.

It also features fascinating trivia, for example, did you know that poop is 10% dead bacteria? Or that the reason your mouth waters before you vomit is to protect your tooth enamel from stomach acid?

At the same time, the book provides a structured, linear view of digestion, all in language that’s understandable and yet not dumbed down. Highly recommended; I only hope Jamie likes it as much as I do.

Filed Under: Books, Kid Stuff

Gift Guide for 13-Year-Old Brothers Who Won’t Read

December 16, 2008 by Renee Claire

To my mother’s disappointment, my little brother doesn’t like to read. Or rather, he likes to read, but he’d prefer to do almost anything else: play video games, watch television, “hang out,” eat, sleep, etc. So what’s he getting for Christmas?

Books, of course*:

Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow

Spies Revealed

Spies Revealed, by Clive Gifford

Vintage Choose Your Own Adventure Books

Choose Your Own Adventure series: I chose Through the Black Hole #97 & The Deadly Shadow #46. They’ve got updated versions in stores, but the classic ones have better illustrations & writing.

Books by John Bellairs

John Bellairs novels: Again, I bought these used. Newer versions lack the Edward Gorey illustrations (check out the full gallery).

Read ’em or weep, little bro.

Other books he’ll get eventually: The Lightning Thief, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, & The Graveyard Book. We’ve also had success with the Demonata & Cirque Du Freak series, plus S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders.

*and a few video games

Filed Under: Books, Festivus, Kid Stuff

Kid Stuff: Fantasy Building Blocks, U.S. Map Puzzle, & Cutting Food Set

May 1, 2007 by Renee Claire

Fantasy Building Blocks, U.S. Map Puzzle, Cutting Food Set

Here are three well-designed toys:

  • Castle Building Blocks (133 pieces), $139.00,  Peter Dziulak at Mahar Drygoods.  The most beautiful building block set I have ever seen.
  • Melissa & Doug Cutting Food Set, $19.95, Oliebollen.com.  Great idea, although some kids will turn the little parts into projectiles (or eat them).  Know your child.
  • My USA Puzzle Map, $45.00, Spoon Sisters.  I love soft puzzles (they also have one for the solar system, with Pluto *sniff*).  I also like how Maine, Vermont, etc. are just one big orange blob; being from the South, that’s how I think of them too.

Filed Under: Archive, Kid Stuff

Design Blast: Miro for Kids

May 1, 2007 by Renee Claire

Wood Block Miro Puzzle

Above is a Miro puzzle from the Reina Sofia museum shop.  Some parts are too small (turning it upside down to scan was a nightmare), but I love the look.

Filed Under: Design, Kid Stuff

PopBetty is the personal site of an Atlanta-based writer who loves books, travel, nonprofits, and all things digital.

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