Animal Tracking for Kids

This fun animal tracking book is sure to be a hit for youngsters if you pair it up with the right equipment in this year's Easter basket!

Morlock, Lisa.
Track that Scat!
February 2012.
Sleeping Bear Press.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When Finn (in her new boots) and her pooch, Skeeter, head out into the wilderness for an adventure, that adventure turns into more than they bargained for! As they begin their nature walk, the duo slowly encounters the tracks (and scats) of a variety of woodland animals, each of which is featured in detail throughout the book, allowing young children the opportunity to learn more about animal tracking - a topic of interest for little ones, as there is nothing more exciting that looking for (and possibly finding) animals!

This book provides the perfect opportunity for creating a clever Easter basket that will get your children out into nature and exploring! To create that perfect basket, why not pair Track that Scat! with:

• Nature Science: Science on Tracking Expedition
• Fisher Price Kid-Tough Binoculars
• Tracks, Scats and Signs (Take Along Guides), by Leslie Dendy
  

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Outdoor Play Easter Basket

Inspire your child(ren) to use those fine and gross motor skills while getting outdoors and enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather this time of year by jump-starting their bodies with this outdoor-themed Easter basket!

Singer, Marilyn.
A Stick is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play.
February 2012.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Outdoor play is celebrated and encouraged though this wonderful book of poems for children (ages 5-8). The poems focus on outdoor motor play, such as, balls, curbs, skateboarding, jacks, bubbles, jump-roping, swings, basketball, monkey bars, water sprinklers, statues, hide-and-seek, making "soup," barreling (rolling down hills), hopscotch, imaginative stick-play, catching fireflies and stargazing.

The activities celebrated in each poem are certainly going to appeal to children (and will also work wonders to give stuck parents new activities to try outside). I think it's a wonderful idea - provide a poetry book about outdoor play that will encourage children to get outside and move, as opposed to sitting inside at computers or with video games! This book definitely could be a hit in an Easter basket, especially when combined with the necessary equipment to "act out" the play ideas!

Some Things to Include in the Easter basket:

• Beginner Skateboard
• Melissa & Doug Jacks
• Tracball
• Melissa & Doug Tootle Turtle Bubbles
• Jump Rope
• Swing
• Basketball
• Banzai Wiggling Water Sprinkler
• Crayola 15ct Caribbean Sidewalk Chalk
• Best Ever Bug Jar for Catching Fireflies

And... if you're really looking to spoil this Easter... why not a swingset with monkey bars?

Think this Easter basket could be a hit? I do!



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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

"Froggy Boots" Easter Basket Finds

Trying to get back in the swing of blogging and what better way than to break out some snazzy book-themed Easter baskets. There's still time to order these great items and throw them into a basket for your little ones! Today's idea is frog-themed!

Martin, Jill Zabkar.
Froggy Boots Go With Everything.
2010.
JZM Media.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Parents (and teachers) tend to easily recognize a child's love of one specific item - whether it be a special blanket, stuffed animal or something else entirely.

One child's love for his "froggy boots" are evident in this cute, simple board book, as everything (and every part of the day) involve his froggy boots - visiting a friend, making lemonade, building with blocks, planting plants and more.

Not only is the story one that will easily appeal to children, it also provides and encourages the child to interact and take notice of the illustrations AFTER reading - as a "Can you find" picture/word activity is provided to enhance reading and the use of picture clues throughout.

If you have a frog-loving toddler, why not put together a themed Easter basket this year, making this book the center of attention???

What to put in the Easter basket?

Frog Apparel and Accessories to Consider

Kidorable Frog Raincoat (with matching hanger)
Kidorable Frog Umbrella
Kidorable Frog Rainboots
Kidorable Frog Backpack

If the kids are needing a little candy in that basket...

• Frog Lollipop Suckers
• Haribo Gummy Frogs
  

Frog Activities

• Flippity Frogs: An Active Counting Game
• Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Kids Froggy Toss and Grip
• Smart Safari Alphabet Fun Frog
  

And... if you're absolutely needing the perfect basket to pull it all together...

• Felt Frog Basket

Kids are sure to love this themed basket... and will have so much fun with any or all of the different activities that they'll likely not realize how much learning is going on with the fun - a win-win for children and their parents!

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

March Guidecraft Educators Giveaway Winner!!!

Congratulations to Julie W!

You won the Guidecraft Educators March giveaway, of the 4-in-1-Flipping Floor Easel!!!

I am emailing you details, but if you happen to see this first, please check your email or send me your mailing address no later than Friday, March 23 @ 11:59PM or I will have to choose another winner!

Again, congratulations!



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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Guidecraft's 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel: Review and GIVEAWAY

Each month, the Guidecraft Educators will share our honest feelings about a Guidecraft product(s) and how these products would fare in an early childhood classroom. This month's selection features the 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel from Guidecraft's Art Equipment Line! This product would make a wonderful addition to any child’s playroom (or multiple pieces would make for great use in an early childhood classroom).

Thoughts on the 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel

The 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel is a wonderful invention! The bright colors and multiple uses of this easel make it ideal in an early childhood classroom when educators are trying to make the most of space, while still allowing children to explore and learn with a variety of materials. For an art area, I absolutely loved that there is a roll of paper attached, easily allowing and encouraging children to be responsible for setting up their own art activity. The cup holders are able to hold a variety of supplies, not just paint! Paint brushes, markers, crayons, etc., can all easily be stored, depending on the type of artwork in which children have been exposed.

The easel also doubles as a white board and magnetic board, making it handy for those multiple learning purposes and exposing children to a variety of activities. The only thing to take into consideration is the size/weight of the easel when looking to use it in a variety of ways – it could get tedious and difficult to move around the classroom, so areas would need to be strategically set up if educators are planning to use it for their own teaching activities or if they are planning to incorporate the whiteboard/magnetic board side as part of the classroom writing area while at the same time keeping the art side of the easel in use as well! It’s definitely do-able, but will require a bit of planning!

What do other 'Guidecraft Educators' have to say about the 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel?

Maureen at Simply Stacie
Andrea at MommyPR
Deborah at Teach Preschool
Carrie from Huppie Mama
Jody from Mommy Moment
Candace at Mamanista!
Lisa from Planet Weidknecht

The Giveaway

Guidecraft is generously offering ONE 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel to a reader of the Guidecraft Educators blogs!!!!

Here’s How To Win:

MANDATORY first entry:

• Visit the Guidecraft Website, then come back and leave a comment here telling me which is your favorite product in the Art Equipment line.

Optional additional entries (leave in a SEPARATE comment):

• "Like" Katie's {Little Ones} Learning Lounge on Facebook.
• Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway; @kateh12783 is giving away a 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel from @guidecraft ~ http://katiesliteraturelounge.blogspot.com/2012/03/guidecrafts-4-in-1-flipping-floor-easel.html . Giveaway ends 3/16.
• Become a follower of Katie's {Little Ones} Learning Lounge, unless of course you already are. :) Just let me know!
• Blog about this giveaway and share the link here.

Giveaway Information:

• The give-away will be open until 11:59PM EST on Friday, March 16, 2012. The winner will be notified by Wednesday, March 21, 2012.
• Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, winner will be chosen at random!
• Please leave a way for me to contact you in your entry otherwise another winner will be chosen.
• NOTE: This giveaway is offered to US and Canada residents only.

Want it NOW? If you can’t wait to win, the 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel is available for purchase at Amazon.com and also through the Guidecraft website.

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!