Heat-beater books for readers of all ages, from Candlewick Press

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As sweltering summer temps currently scorch much of the United States, many folks — from babes to boomers and beyond — have staked out spots in the shade or indoors in front of the air conditioner (or fan, for poor souls like myself with no A/C) to while away the hours.

Candlewick Press offers a cool collection of compelling and creative books for readers of all ages to help beat the heat — and boredom — of these hottest days of summer.

Here are some of my recent favorites, courtesy Candlewick:

shaun the sheep 

Shaun the Sheep: Pranks A Lot! Tales from Mossy Bottom Farm by Martin Howard, illustrated by Andy Janes  ($4.99 paperback, ages 5-8) Shaun the Sheep gives Blitzer the Sheepdog a mustache, and Blitzer reciprocates the prank by painting Shaun pink. But the gags and giggles really get...

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Dr. Eureka: Mixing and mastering mayhem (game review)

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When seeking indoor summer fun to ride out storms or scorching temps, it would be tough to find a super quick yet super challenging game more fast and fun — and challenging in more ways than one — than Dr. Eureka from Blue Orange.

dr. eureka game review 

Dr. Eureka — for 1 to 4 players, ages 8 and up — carries the tagline, "Mix The Molecules, Master The Formula." Games take about 15 minutes, and go...

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April is National Poetry Month: Favorites new and newfangled for girls and boys

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Check out these selections from Candlewick Press — some lyrical, some laugh-out-loud fun — sure to please girls and boys interested in reading, writing, and sometimes singing poetry in celebration of National Poetry Month.

candlewick picture book for national poetry month

One, Two, Three Mother Goose edited by Iona Opie and illustrated by Rosemary Wells ($8.99, ages 0-3) Nursery rhymes featuring numbers delight little ones, and you and yours will find bunches here. From One, Two, Buckle My Shoe to Dickory, Dickory, Dock (yeah, I always thought it was Hickory, too) plus...

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Homestar Original Home Planetarium: Sega Toys moves stars from the sky to your ceiling

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When my daughters were young, my husband and I used to take them camping to a family spot far from the city, far from city lights. One of our favorite activities while out in the wilderness was to stare up at the night sky and look for constellations and shooting stars.

homestar original

The Homestar Original Home Planetarium (which I received free for review) provides the same experience. For the most part. We can't build a campfire indoors, and we thankfully don't hear packs of coyotes off in the not-too-far distance. We do, though, see 60,000 twinkling stars — some of them shooting, even — plus constellations galore, right on...

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9 Must-Share Picture Books Packed with Christmas Cheer

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Christmas picture books

Can You Say It, Too? Jingle! Jingle! by Sebastien Braun (Ages 0-3, $8.99, board book, Nosy Crow — an imprint of Candlewick Press) A colorful Christmas book for kiddos just beginning to talk. What's by the sleigh? In the cave? Behind the door and more? Little ones repeat...

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Hanukkah Bingo from Jewish Holidays In A Box (game review)

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Hanukkah begins on December 6 this year, which means there's still plenty of time to order this fun and affordable game to enjoy with loved ones.

Hanukkah Bingo from Jewish Holidays in a Box is, well, BINGO... with a Hanukkah twist! It's a quick game all ages, from toddlers on up to grandmas and grandpas (great grandparents, too) will enjoy, especially those little ones for whom even Candyland lasts a wee bit too long.

Hanukkah bingo game 

Hanukkah Bingo comes with four playing boards, two boards of...

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Gifts kids will open again and again: Books to entertain and educate (7 brief book reviews)

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On the lookout for holiday gifts for youngsters? You can't go wrong with these interesting, informative, colorful, and downright delightful options for kids of various ages!

my little book of animals

 

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7 stages of scary: Spooky tales for tots to teens

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candlewick press halloween books

Contrary as it may seem considering their concern about monsters under their beds and boogeymen in their closets, kids like to be scared. Proof of that lies in their endless appetite for books about things that go Boo! and bump in the night.

All kids. Of all ages. (And even some grown ups, too. You know...

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