Cranberry Upside Down Cake – Festive & Delicious!
Cranberry upside-down cake is quick and easy to bake and makes a delicious and festive Christmas cake.
Rubber Cement Resist with Watercolors
Thanks for all your comments yesterday! I’m feeling better today. A little less overwhelmed. Maia and I tried another fun watercolor resist earlier this week. With rubber cement! Rubber Cement Resist with Watercolors MATERIALS Watercolor paper or cardstock Rubber cement Watercolor paint (we used liquid watercolors) INSTRUCTIONS I had picked up a book called Watercolor […]
Susan Marie Swanson on Poetry for Children
Susan Marie Swanson is a poet and author of children’s picture books, including The House in the Night (awarded the Caldecott medal this year) and To Be Like the Sun. Besides writing children’s books, she has helped children write their own poetry for over 25 years! Here she shares her own experience on writing poetry for children […]
The House in the Night
There is a very special book that Maia is requesting almost every night now. It’s called The House in the Night and is written by poet Susan Marie Swanson and illustrated by Beth Krommes. The text is lyrical and magical and we all love it. Harry and myself as much as Maia. Here’s how […]
The Amazing MaryAnn Kohl
MaryAnn Kohl, author and art teacher extraordinaire, has been bringing art to children for 25 years through her wonderful books (and longer as a teacher). I asked her about her most recent book, Great American Artists for Kids: Hands-On Art Experiences in the Style of the Great American Masters, and how she comes up with […]
The Best Wordless Picture Books for Children
Check out some of the best wordless picture books for children. Fun for all ages and great for literacy skills too! Wordless and nearly wordless picture books are incredible, no matter your age or reading level! Filled to the brim with beautiful art, they also help children refine essential reading skills like critical thinking, sequencing, […]
Ginger Huebner on Roots + Wings School of Art
Ginger Huebner is an artist, a mother of two young children, and the founder and director of Asheville's new Roots + Wings School of Art. Note: Readers will have a chance to win a children's book about one of her favorite artists at the end of the interview. JEAN: First, can you tell us a […]
Tissue Paper Stained Glass Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright
Maia made this tissue paper stained glass yesterday. It's a fun, easy project from MaryAnn Kohl's latest book, Great American Artists for Kids: Hands-On Art Experiences in the Styles of Great American Masters.
Yellow Umbrella: A book with a soundtrack
This book is amazing! It’s called the Yellow Umbrella and is illustrated by Jae Soo Liu with music (yes, music!) by Dong Il Sheen. No words. Just music. It’s beautiful. It’s wonderful. It’s different.
Rosemary Wells — one of our favorite author illustrators
This Mother Goose book was a baby gift from our neighbor, a children’s librarian. We’re already in love with it. Rosemary Wells is one of our favorite author illustrators, although I have to admit I wasn’t even aware she had done a Mother Goose book! What a pleasant surprise. I like her playful interpretation of […]
How to Make a Heart Pillow with Pocket for Valentine’s Day
A sweet DIY heart pillow with pocket for Valentine’s Day. Hello there. It’s been a while. Two weeks of nursing, changing diapers, postpartum mood swings, gazing nonstop at my sweet baby’s face, and just beginning to figure out how to balance the needs of an active four year old and a newborn. Thank goodness for […]
Plaster of Paris and the Best Art Group Project Ever!
I thought this would be fun, but I didn’t realize how fun. The kids seriously LOVED this project! It was easy yet engaging and it used all kinds of odds and ends (which I liked). First, I mixed up a batch of plaster of paris—left over from sandcasting at the beach—which I then poured into […]
