Curious George's Notes from the Hut

What Rachel Wants to Buy This Week - Episode 28

2009-11-04T18:23:00.009-05:00

There's a bunch of cool stuff this week, and also an awesome new feature--our resident shipping room king/epic doodler of post-it notes/webmaster has taught me how to put the things I want to buy up on our website, so that even if you're reading this from outside Boston, you can pick up featured items from our store online! I retroactively linked a few items from the last few weeks' posts to get the hang of it, but from now on it will be a regular feature! So if you see something in my posts that you like, just click the picture to order it via our website!

And now, without further ado, this week's choices:

Confetti Glitter Ball by Decor Craft Inc
$4.95
Located in the Hello Kitty display

The general consensus around the store is that these big bouncy balls are made of AWESOME. They have a nice size and heft to them, big enough that they're pretty easy to catch or juggle or bounce without them going wild, and they're filled with a neon rainbow of delightful round sprinkles suspended in liquid, rather like a snow globe. The effect of all those multicolored sprinkles floating around as the ball bounces or gets thrown around is mesmerizing! This is the perfect item to focus and entertain anyone with a short attention span (namely me, as usual) who likes bright colors.

Hink Pink by Discovery Bay Games
$21.95
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room

This game caught my attention because of the weird shape of the box--kind of like a chess piece mixed with a very small guitar case--but it kept my attention because it sounds extremely fun. A Hink Pink is a word riddle answered with a pair of rhyming words, and in this party game players give their teammates riddle clues as teams try to guess as many 1-, 2- or 3-syllable Hink Pinks as possible. It's a fun portable shape, it sounds like a hilarious time, and it sounds like the kind of thing my friends and I might just make up on our own, all of which guarantee it'll be a hit in my apartment, and in lots of other places too!

What Michelle Wants This Week:

3-Headed Dragon Puppet by Folkmanis
$23.95
Located on the Puppet Tree

Our GM extraordinaire, Michelle, pointed this awesome puppet out to me as her must-have item this week--and I completely agree! Equipped with interestingly textured wings, three cute/scary heads with snake tongues and T-rex-ish arms, this puppet uses all five fingers to make fun varied movement. (Michelle wishes it also came with the random bones scattered around the rocky landscape in Folkman's photo, but sadly bones are not included.) This item isn't going up on our website, because we've only got two in stock--but if you've just gotta have one, come on in or order by phone (617.498.0062)!

That's it for this week--and that's plenty! Don't forget to check out the new online buying feature, and I'll see you next time!

It's raining cats and.... drum-playing cows?

2009-11-03T12:37:00.013-05:00

Hot on the heels of the Jarrett Krosozcka event and our Graveyard Book-themed Halloween party, we have not one but three events coming up in the next few weeks! Our handy-dandy sidebar has the short version, but you want all the juicy details, right?

Saturday, November 7 at 1pm -- yes, that's THIS SATURDAY -- First Lieutenant David Falvey will be visiting to talk about his experiences in Iraq and sign his book Letters to a Soldier, a collection of his correspondence with a New Jersey fourth grade class. He'll be bringing along photos from the period of his deployment and some super-cool equipment. This is an event not to miss for the awesome gadget factor, but much more importantly for the insight it will give into the lives of our troops and how we can help them in this difficult time. Get a preview here at Wicked Local.

Next Friday, November 13 at 1pm, author/illustrator Alex Beard is coming to lead a drawing activity and sign his new picture book, The Jungle Grapevine. If you haven't already seen this hilarious comedy of errors for the preschool set, make sure to peruse it -- and his incredible puzzles downstairs in the chapter book room -- prior to the event so you can "ooh" and "ahh" properly at the event!

Finally, on December 12 at 1pm, right smack in the full swing of holiday shopping season, author/illustrator Cynthia von Buhler will read from and sign her new picture book, But Who Will Bell the Cats? This fresh retelling of a traditional tale is done in a beautifully surreal multimedia style, unlike anything you've seen before.

I just discovered this nifty "add video" feature in Blogger (stop rolling your eyes; it's not nice), so here's a video from Jarrett's visit -- relive the glory, or see what you missed!

Hope to see you here for these great events -- and in the meantime, be sure to keep reviewing your favorite books on our Curious Kid Pick review board (located in the chapter book room) so we know who else you'd like to write, draw, chat, and scaream "E-I-E-I-O!" with. (I'm looking at you, Jarrett!)

Herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores alike will gobble up these veg-approved goodies.

2009-11-01T17:35:00.017-05:00

The 14th annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival took place this past weekend, and I hope you were able to get out in the beautiful weather and eat some yummy animal-friendly food! Many of us CG staffers (myself included) are vegetarian or vegan, so we were there in spirit even if we were here at the store, eating yummy animal-friendly food we brought from home instead.

As a long-time herbivore, I subscribe to the magazine Vegetarian Times. Imagine my delight at seeing George-approved items for veggie and green kids as I browsed the latest issue for vegan holiday recipes. It was like "what Vegetarian Times wants to buy this week"! First up is a Q&A with author Michael Pollan, who's just adapted his best-selling adult nonfiction book The Omnivore's Dilemma into a young reader's edition. (You can find it upstairs on the features table!) Several of us read the "grown-up" Omnivore's Dilemma for our book club, and while it was enlightening, I definitely would have preferred to read this more accessible version: all the same info, but made more digestible (har-har).

VT also featured a few of our green faves in their "Kid Stuff" holiday recommendations. Crocodile Creek's Moo Cow 7-inch ball -- like all their playground balls -- is already a hot seller around here! Trend-spotter Rachel long ago called the coolness of their other pick, the Green Toys Recycling Truck. Rach says, "Not only is this awesome green truck an excellent, sturdy toy, but it's also made entirely of recycled plastic! It has different compartments for bottles, cans and paper, catering to all the recycling needs of your toy room (or driveway, or sandbox). It's always a bonus when buying a really fun toy truck actually benefits the environment!" (Pssst... I think the Recycled News Colored Pencils are an awesome choice for the older kid in your life. I sense an impending "green gift" round-up!)

A dear friend who's a fellow children's bookseller, vegetarian, and book club member (hi Ari!) recently sent me a signed copy of Jonathan Safran Foer's new nonfiction book Eating Animals. We don't carry it at Curious George (....yet...), and I haven't even read it all the way through yet, but I am recommending it to vegetarian parents ANYWAY. Foer struggles with two of the herbivore's biggest dilemmas: eating local vs. eating veggie, and whether to raise kids vegetarian. This promises to be a compelling nonfiction read with the emotional complexity of his novels Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud.

Those parents who do have vegetarian kiddos should check out That's Why We Don't Eat Animals: A Book About Vegans, Vegetarians, and All Living Things by Ruby Roth. While upholding every family's right to make their own choices, this gently illustrated and compassionately written picture book explains the many ethical, environmental, and health reasons some families don't eat meat. That's Why We Don't Eat Animals not only inspires readers to consider living in a more animal-conscious way, but also empowers them with concrete examples of how to do so.

It's almost time to put up our "Happy Thanksgiving -- Save a Turkey!" poster. If you are also of the "No Turkey" or "Tofurkey" Day persuasion, make sure to pick up one of our vegetarian kids' cookbooks! Judi Gillies and Jennifer Glossop's Jumbo Vegetarian Cookbook is a no-fuss multicultural veggie cookbook for the middle grade set. This book offers oodles of vegetarian and vegan dishes from around the world, appropriate for any occasion from breakfast to midnight snack. A handy key indicates each recipe's difficulty and time investment -- always a consideration! -- and whether it is suitable for vegans. They've also provided lots of information on nutritional needs for vegetarian kids, and give all measurements in metric as well as the more familiar (to us Americans) cup-and-teaspoon system.

Salad People, Pretend Salad, and Honest Pretzels by Mollie Katzen are three great vegetarian cookbooks for "preschoolers and up." You may recognize Katzen's name from the beloved Moosewood Restaurant, her adult vegetarian cookbooks, and Moosewood's frozen vegetarian foods (yum!). These adorable books are also ingenious: kid-friendly language and sequential panels clearly illustrate the steps for young chefs. Each recipe is a carefully planned balance of nutrition, education, creativity, and fun. Every "cartoon" diagram ends with the directive "EAT!" or "DRINK!" -- which really is the point of the whole cooking exercise, and one adults often seem to miss. Honest Pretzels just came out in paperback, which makes it even more kid-accessible and kitchen-sensible.

Once you've discovered your new favorite vegetarian recipe, let us know... We need goodies to keep us in prime condition for the upcoming holiday season! (P.S. I will personally taste-test any vegan fudge recipes you may be worried are not up to snuff for Christmas cookie platters.)

2009-10-31T11:56:00.007-04:00

What an incredibly fun party! Thanks to everybody who came, and thanks to Sweet for generously donating their delicious cupcakes for us to decorate!

We've put some photos up on our Facebook page if you'd like to see some of what went on - I'm sure more will be coming soon. Let's cross our fingers and hope Neil Gaiman liked our tribute party and will come visit us!

What Rachel Wants to Buy This Week - Episode 27

2009-10-31T11:27:00.008-04:00

Happy Halloween! It's unseasonably warm here at the store, but a little heat can't keep me from shopping--so here are this week's choices.

Collector's Edition Slinky by James Industries Inc.
$8.95
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room

There aren't many toys more time-tested and endlessly fun than the Slinky, and this particular version is perhaps my favorite. It's the smallish metal kind, except this one is black--very chic--and comes in a recycled-paper box with graphics and instructions on it (which just makes the whole thing funny and appealing, because really, who doesn't know how to use a Slinky?). It's compact, it's super fun, it's a most remarkable toy! I want one! ;)

Geometrical Riddles - Master Level by MindTrap
Ages 12+
$9.95
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room

Lately I've been feeling like my brain needs some exercise, and this set of puzzle cards is just the way to do it. Including pattern recognition, geometry and math riddles, each card gives your brain a nice brisk workout. This set would be perfect for a long car ride (or a long commute on the T). We carry the Master and Novice levels in the store, so you can work your brain as hard (or as gently) as you want!

That's all for this week. Have a great Halloween, and be sure to eat lots of candy! :)

It's here, it's here, it's finally here!!!

2009-10-30T13:40:00.003-04:00

...The Graveyard Book Party, that is!

We've been painting gravestones, stockpiling candy and covering plushie animals with tulle (I mean, real cobwebs and cemetery moss). I think this is going to be our best event yet, especially if we manage to keep our paws off those Sweet cupcakes kids are going to decorate!

Don't forget to stop in during Harvard Scare - we'll be writing MadLib style epitaphs, reading ghost stories, making masks and bookmarks, decorating those tasty cupcakes with ghosts and ghoul candies from 5 til 8 pm. If you see our costume parade dancing down the street, join in!

Staff Pick Bento Box

2009-10-27T12:43:00.007-04:00

Hungry for more tasty reads? This rain is perfect weather for read-a-thons with hot chocolate and candy corn. This round has a heavier focus on middle grade than usual - so read on for our latest additions to our staff favorites.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Bookseller: Miruna
Genre: historical fiction
Suggested reading level: ages 9 up

Christopher Paul Curtis does a wonderful job presenting heart-breaking subjects and making you laugh at the same time. You will absolutely love Elijah and you'll find him very smart and a great improviser.

Prince of Fenway Park by Julianna Baggott
Bookseller: Anne
Genre: fiction
Suggested reading level: ages 9 up

Not for Red Sox fans only...but it's even better if you are! You will find yourself rooting for Oscar against school bullies and bullies of a completely different sort as he sets out to break the legendary "curse." A lovely story about the growing pains of not just a young man, but the Red Sox and baseball as a sport.

Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan
Bookseller: Natasha
Genre: mystery, fantasy
Suggested reading level: ages 8 up

Reads like realistic fiction, but is a modern-day "Hansel and Gretel." Sol is a 10-year-old "bad" scientist and Connie is his mischievous 8-year-old sister. When they move to a new town they start to suspect their new neighbor prefers children to cheeseburgers for dinner! Wonderful illustrations!

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Bookseller: Katie
Genre: historical fiction, murder mystery
Suggested reading level: ages 12 up

Mattie dreams of being a writer, but it seems impossible for a farmer's daughter in 1906. Then Grace Brown, a guest at the hotel where Mattie works, mysteriously drowns, immediately after sharing a secret with her. Mattie must choose whether to keep silent or find her voice.

Shelf Discovery: The Teen Classics We Never Stopped Reading by Lizzie Skurnick
Bookseller: Michelle
Genre: literary criticism
Suggested reading level: teen, adult

Collected here are the incisive reviews, reading memories, and funny anecdotes of blogger lit critic Skurnick, with guest appearances from Cecil Von Ziegesar ad Meg Cabot. Covers favorites from Blume's Forever to Andrews' Flowers in the Attic.

The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
Bookseller: Rachel
Genre: funny mystery adventure
Suggested reading level: ages 8 up

When Cass and Max-Ernest, two fearless young detectives, stumble upon a dangerous mystery involving a box of smelly vials, anything could happen - some things that are event too secret for the narrator to reveal. Be sure to check out the sequels - If You're Reading This, It's Too Late, and This Book Is Not Good For You.

We're toiling away behind the scenes here on a truly massive round up of all things fantasy - thanks for bearing with us! It's been a lot of fun reading for it, and we hope you'll think so too!

What Rachel Wants to Buy This Week - Episode 26

2009-10-21T16:31:00.010-04:00

I'm all over the place with my choices this week, because there's just so much cool stuff that I can't be limited to a theme. If you can come up with something that unifies these awesome items, let me know! ;)

Tomo Tomo Eraser/Bento Box by BC USA
$7.95
Located around the Hut

BC USA's adorable "Japanese Erasers" have been taking Harvard Square (and probably other places too) by storm. They make everything from cupcakes to toothpaste to samurai to hamsters, all in pocketable, collectible eraser form. Of course I always want to buy those--I'm a sucker for small cute things that I can line up and admire while my roommate rolls her eyes. This week, though, I'm inspired to buy this little eraser box, which doubles as a tiny bento! It's just the right size (about 4" square, 2" deep) for a collection of eraser food or for a real snack or side dish to slip into my lunch box. It's got two clips on the sides of the lid for an airtight seal, and it's got sweet little woodland or zoo animals on it, to boot! It just doesn't get better than that!

Grow a Crystal Formation by Smithsonian
$8.95
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room

Trust the folks at Smithsonian to come up with something as great as this! All it takes is the base rocks and chemical powder provided, some boiling water, and the kit's blister packaging to grow awesome crystals in green, yellow or blue! The step by step instructions on the back of the package explain the process in detail, including little illustrations, so even the least instructions-capable person can figure them out. I also really like the fact that the plastic blister packaging that the kit comes in gets re-used as mixing and growing cups for the crystals--way to be green and cut down on waste, Smithsonian!

The Wild Things by Dave Eggers
$19.95
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room

I don't usually post about books, because it's a given that I want to buy those, and our other staff pick roundups and other posts often touch on the newest and coolest. Still, since the Where the Wild Things Are movie just opened last weekend, I think I'll take this opportunity to voice my interest in this cool-looking title. According to the awesomely-designed back cover, it's an "all-ages novel" that's loosely based both on Sendak's original Where the Wild Things Are as well as the Spike Jonze movie version. I'll let the book speak for itself, because this quote is what caught my interest: "Who is Max? What is a Wild Thing? Is it ever okay to eat someone's head? What if it falls off? Then can you eat it?" I can already tell that this Max is the kind of kid I want to hang with.

That's it for this week--see you soon!

Staff Pick Goodie Bag

2009-10-16T16:08:00.000-04:00

It's been a bit since the last staff pick sampler dish, eh? We've been reading all kinds of new fall titles as well as revisiting some classics, so here is a tasting of our latest recommended reads. (Look out for some new chroom staffer names on here too!)

The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa
Bookseller: Rachel
Genre: graphic novel, biography, romance
Suggested reading level: ages 14 up

Ehwa is a young girl just beginning to blossom while her widowed mother longs for love to come again; both of them must bear the weight of social tradition in their turn-of-the-century Korean village. Also check out the other books in this trilogy, The Color of Water and The Color of Heaven.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Bookseller: Michelle
Genre: contemporary realistic fiction, school story
Suggested reading level: ages 14 up

Private school sophomore Frankie attracts the attention of popular senior Matt, but when she discovers he is in a secret society that doesn't include girls she takes matters into her own mastermind hands. Perfect for any girl who doesn't want to be called "harmless." This Printz Honor and National Book Award Finalist is now in paperback.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Bookseller: Anne
Genre: historic fiction, fantasy
Suggested reading level: ages 12 and up

Gemma's got sass and the usual growing pains on top of being dropped off at a stuffy boarding school. Of course, there's a little gothic romance in the series, but you have to wait for it. It's great fun to watch her slowly discover her 'gift' and legacy. Strong memorable characters.

Body Drama by Nancy Amanda Redd
Bookseller: Katie
Genre: girls' health nonfiction
Suggested reading level: 13 and up

Like The Care and Keeping of You for younger girls and Our Bodies, Ourselves, for adults, Body Drama addresses questions about health and body image which young women may not know how to ask. Redd tackles tough issues with wit and tact, without talking down to teens and their concerns.

The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
Bookseller: Miruna
Genre: humor
Suggested reading level: ages 8 and up

I like funny books. This one I loved! If you like to laugh, you have to get it. Tom, aka the Great Brain is really something - he gets into all sorts of trouble and always manages to get away with it. This book reminds me of Tom Sawyer, which I also LOVED.

Wonderland by Tommy Kovac, illustrated by Sonny Liew
Bookseller: Natasha
Genre: graphic novel, fantasy, retelling
Suggested reading level: ages 9 up

"Mary Ann! Mary Ann!" Just who was this Mary Ann that the White Rabbit was looking for in the Disney Alice in Wonderland? This graphic novel, with incredibly vibrant illustrations, tells the story of the White Rabbit's housemaid Mary Ann, picking up where the movie left off. Intrigue and fun abound!

Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen
Bookseller: Taylor
Genre: realism
Suggested reading level: ages 12 up

When Finn meets his new neighbor Johanna, a cancer survivor, he instantly realizes his summer - and perhaps his entire life - will never be the same. YA veteran Paulsen delivers another extremely relatable teenage character in this short novel that is certainly not short on emotion; be prepared to both laugh and cry your way through.

What Rachel Wants to Buy This Week - Episode 25

2009-10-14T16:09:00.006-04:00

I'm all about shapes and patterns this week, it seems! Check out these cool items I want to buy this week:

Buckyballs by Zoomdoggle
$30.95
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room

How they got the name Buckyballs is beyond me, but these 216 magnetic spheres are super fun to play with! Each ball is a rare earth magnet with a positive and a negative pole, so they stick together in chains, squares, and tons of other shapes. Instructions to make a variety of geometric wonders are included, and the balls come in a handy travel case to keep them all together--though their magnetism is fairly strong, so they stick together very well on their own! They can also be mushed up into a shapeless mass that's fun to massage in your hand when your attention isn't focused enough for pattern-making. Best of all, the carrying case and Buckyballs all together are small enough to fit in a purse or tote or glove compartment, making them easy to bring along wherever you're going.

Women of the Ukiyo-e coloring book from Dover, art by Ming-Ju Sun
$4.95
Located downstairs in the Art Room or upstairs in the Activity section

I've been feeling like coloring lately, but the average coloring book is too dull for me. Luckily, we have tons of interesting and unique coloring books to choose from! My favorite today is Women of the Ukiyo-e, a coloring book adaptation of thirty classic woodblock prints and paintings of Japan's Edo period (1615-1867). Not only is each page beautifully rendered, but they all include a snipped of information about the original work and artist. Of course, aside from all that learning, there are also plenty of pretty patterns and kimono pieces that require more delicate attention than the average coloring book, which is just the kind of activity I love.

That's it for now--see you next time!

You make walls crawl, Jack!

2009-10-13T10:30:00.001-04:00

Halloween is fast approaching and we're covered in sticky cobwebs, bloodshot eyeballs, pointy witch hats, and...lots of glitter! Whether you need a whole costume (doctor? fire chief?) or just a few pieces to finish your kids' look (green face paint? Roman helmet? Witch shoe covers?) - we have all the tools to make this Halloween the most curiously spooky yet!

Costumes

We have an abundance of people outfits from Melissa & Doug: kids can be a police officer, doctor, veterinarian, construction worker, or train conductor. These full outfits come with shirt or coat, hats, and the best part of all - the whistles, stethoscopes, and other tools.

For more character fun, we have pirate and knight costumes from Puppet Workshop, which come with a full outfit of vest, bandana and boots or chain-mail and a bejeweled sword.

Our most popular costumes, of course, are those of Curious George, from Rubies. We've been counting down the days until these arrived and they're going fast like Sweet cupcakes next door. George comes in infant and toddler sizes, and can be accompanied by an adult Man in the Yellow Hat.

Accessories

For the fidgety toddler, puppy, or the co-ed in a rush, we have myriad costume hats. From Elope's toddler hats, we have the adorable Acorn Fairy Hat, the famous hat of Cat in the Hat, and Tweedledee's Beanie, as well as a Roman warrior helmet (with fluffy red plume!), a royal King's Crown, and Woodstock's Three-Cornered Colonial Hat with a Wig Ponytail (all you need is a cherry tree or a horse).

From Forum we also have other small pieces to polish off any outfit, from pointy ears for Elvish Legolas, witch shoe covers for a Wicked lover, or the classic clown nose or bald wig (because who doesn't love an oxymoron?).

My favorite accessory for costume building is face paint! We have a variety of individual makeup from Forum (in green, white, and black), Alex multi-color packs, or the kit from Klutz, for some excellent pointers on everything from fairy faces to vampires.

Tricks and Treats

In addition to filling out your costumes, we can also supply you your trick-or-treating bags, and help fill them up (though you may have to go to our neighbor Hidden Sweets if you want more candy filler). I won't taunt you (too much) about the color-your-own bags we've already sold out of, but we do still have some great glow-in-the-dark tote bags from Two's Company, and sets of miniature treat bags for parties.

Finding goodies (and your kids) in the dark is even more fun with Fright Lights from Jeannies, Glow Wands from Ganz, or Melissa and Doug's Blaze Firefly or Blossom Bright flashlights.

Don't forget the icky, creepy, spooky toys, too: what goodie bag is complete without a flashing eyeball pen, light up Frankenstein pins, skull lanyards, or eyeball or bat bracelets?...Though I do call dibs on the Frankenstein pin - cranky Franky, I call him. And the books! We've got autumnal or Halloweeny books, with plenty of vamps, squirrels, werewolves, and raccoons to sate any fall-lover's book love.

Of course, you don't need to stick to the straight black and orange path, you can fill your goodie bags with whatever Schleich horses, mini Legos or bead sets you like.

Once you're all dolled up, don't forget to swing by the store on Friday the 30th for our Curious George goes to a Graveyard party!! We're extending our hours until 8 pm for the frightening festivities.

Nothin' left for me to do but dance.

2009-10-12T16:01:00.001-04:00

My dance troupe is opening a studio this week (whee!), and I'm especially excited to start teaching children's classes later in the year. As I mentioned before, I've been dancing since childhood, so I'm always thrilled to get new dance-related merchandise in stock. If you frequent our dress-up rack, you're already familiar with our wide array of tutus and ballet slipper-style shoes, but we also have books, kits, and lots more for the young dancer in your life. I've had my eye out for potential costumes, books, and props for my future students; here are some true stars!

Books (Fiction and Nonfiction)
A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student by Iman Bright and Valerie Gadstone is a great addition to our dance book section because it features the diverse styles of ballet, jazz, West African dance, and modern -- all studied by one dancer! Since its founding in 1958, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been recognized as not only a trailblazing dance company, but also an ambassador of African American culture. This is a look at the life of a student at the Ailey School, featuring behind-the-scenes photographs of Iman in the studio, in performance, and in her hectic non-dance life going to school, swimming, and playing the violin.

Another photographic picture book about dance is the brand-new Beautiful Ballerina. L0vely African American dancers from toddler to teen leap and piroutte their way into your heart through the photography by Susan Kuklin, alongside equally graceful verse by acclaimed poet Marilyn Nelson.

Sandra Boynton, master of adorably awkward animals, brings Little Pookie (of What's Wrong, Little Pookie? fame) back to boogie his way into our hearts yet again. Boyton uses her typically charming rhymes to instruct Little Pookie in the steps of the Little Pookie Shimmy. By the end of this toe-tapping board book, you'll have to get up and shimmy, too!

My best friend, librarian, and fellow dancer Bonnie recently visited, and on a tour of the store she was positively appalled to learn I had not yet read the Mo Willems masterpiece Elephants Cannot Dance. After she staged a dramatic reading, I was appropriately ashamed of myself! Poor Gerald valiantly tries to dance, but has come to the depressing conclusion that elephants simply cannot dance. Piggy, in a show of self-satisfied largess, assures Gerald that he can teach this elephant to dance -- but also give up after several tries. However, Gerald, smug Piggy, and the reader are in for a delightful surprise when other characters show up looking for a dance teacher!

You may be familiar with American Girl dolls and the accompanying historical fiction novels, but AG also has a whole line of empowering nonfiction! One of my favorites is Dance!, which I'll definitely be adding to my library to share with youngdancers. It's got tips on technique for lots of different dance forms, tricks for battling stage fright, encouragement for getting through tough dance challenges, and best of all, inspiration for letting your unique gifts shine through in your performance. Five motivational posters -- featuring girls of all body shapes and races dancing together! -- rounds out this great book.

Kits
A good activity for the now-frequent rainy days is Make Your Own Twirly Tutu by ChickenSocks (a division of Klutz -- not that dancers are often klutzy!). With Klutz's clear directions and provided supplies (and maybe just a little help), little ballerinas can make their very own tutus to twirl about in style!

The publisher Barron's, creator of all the awesome "Little Box" kits you've seen around the Hut and in the ChRoom (Little Box of Pirate Treasures and Little Box of Magic Tricks are two favorites!), has a whole new Box! The Little Box of Ballet will get started on your way to stardom with the Little Book of Ballet Steps and Little Book of Ballet Stories, and all the necessary accouterments to outfit a budding ballerina: tutu, headband, and ballet shoe charm for a bracelet or necklace.

Dress-Up Dolls
Our activity section boasts a huge company of ballet coloring books and paper dolls. Dover publishes a huge number of activity books starring both adult and child dancers -- some of whom are famous dancers (a la Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire) or portraying favorite roles (like "Odette"/"Odile" from Swan Lake or "Sugar Plum Fairy" in The Nutcracker. Ballerina paper dolls are the perfect portable ballerina activity for breaks between practices. We have I love the new Ballet Paper Dolls by Laughing Elephant, which are reproductions of a set from the 1950s. Two graceful ballerinas come with a full wardrobe of romantic-style tutus, plus their two pas de deux partners and a pretty balcony play scene.

There are lots of options for those not quite old enough for paper paper dolls as well! Melissa and Doug's magnetic wooden Nina Ballerina doll is a perfect choice for the preschool set; the sturdy wooden pieces are just right for little fingers. Nina would be a hit for my preballet students during downtime backstage at long performances or rehearsals! For dancers (and danseurs) slightly older, but still not ready for paper and scissors activities, check out the flexible magnetic dress-up ballerina dolls by MudPuppy; the cute tin contains two lovely dancers with their oodles of tutus and accessories, and four play scenes which take them from practice studio to stage. (Try them on the fridge, too!)

Another MudPuppy fave is the age 3+ Ballerina Sticker Play Set, which is the same concept in ColorForm format: vinyl cling stickers stick and restick to the provided scene, or on the fridge, or on the bedroom window, or on the bathroom mirror, or on the car window, or... The possibilities are endless for dress-up fun without any damage to the underlying surface.

Whether your little one is taking classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, modern, Middle Eastern dance (I'm still hoping for a picture book for that one!), or just likes to spin around the kitchen floor, one of these dance-themed gifts is sure to inspire her or him to boogie down!

Scott and silverware

2009-10-11T17:17:00.001-04:00

Amid the crazy crowds in the Square today for Oktoberfest, we had a surprise illustrator visitor! Scott Magoon, the artist behind Spoon (written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal) and Otto Grows Down (written by Michael Sussman), stopped in to chat and sign a few books for us.

We chatted about my fervent desire for a sequel about the lonely-looking spork who appears in the Spoon family portrait, and also about an actual companion book in the works about Spoon's friends the Chopsticks. Look for that one in 2011!

It's such a pleasure when talented (not to mention handsome and charming) folk stop by our store. Thanks for visiting and setting our hearts a-flutter, Scott!

What Rachel Wants to Buy This Week - Episode 24

2009-10-10T11:22:00.007-04:00

After spending last Saturday at NEIBA in Connecticut, I'm back with more enthusiasm than ever! There's lots of great stuff I want to buy this week, so I'll try to narrow it down to the best.

Children's Ukulele by Woodstock
$20.95
Located in the Music corner

This ukulele is a great choice for anyone who wants to learn an instrument. It's small (3/4 standard size), light, and is easy to learn. It comes with a pick, a songbook and illustrated instructions, so you can start learning songs right away! What appeals to me is that ukuleles have only four strings--much easier for me to attempt than a guitar, on which I can play one song badly. :)

Bookmaking Kit by Artterro
Ages 8+
$15.95
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room

Artterro has a bunch of great kits/craft materials sets, but this one appeals to me the most. It includes handmade paper, thread and needles, and instructions/ideas for making your own little books. The paper is beautiful and plentiful (and all post-consumer recycled), making this a great kit for crafty folks who like to make things but don't necessarily know how to do it from scratch.

Tune in next week for more cool stuff I want to buy! See you then.

Banning not just books, but their authors too.

2009-09-27T14:07:00.064-04:00

According to the School Library Journal, two well-known YA authors have come under fire recently for the controversial topics of their novels -- right on the brink of Banned Books Week.

A few months ago, Laurie Halse Anderson won the ALA's Margaret Edwards Award, which "honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature." (The three specific books honored were Catalyst, Fever 1793, and Speak.) When included in school curricula, though, some of these same books and Anderson's other YA works -- Twisted, Chains, Prom, and Wintergirls -- have upset parents with their content, which includes date rape, child abuse, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders.

Ellen Hopkins, author of Burned, Crank, Impulse, Identical, Glass, and Tricks, has herself been challenged; one of her upcoming middle school visits was cancelled when a parent objected to the drug addiction narratives Crank and Glass. (Technically, the books were still being reviewed by a school committee when Hopkins was asked not to come.)

If you haven't already read Jo Knowles's blog entries in response to a challenge to her novel Lessons From a Dead Girl, now would be a good time to do so... and it's also a great time to read Ellen Hopkins's poem "Manifesto."

In addition to reading some banned books this week (or when you can fit them in!), you might want to check out some books about burning or banning books and reading:
- Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge
- The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
- Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi (non-fiction)
- Libyrinth by Pearl North
- The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
- The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzak

What Rachel Wants to Buy This Week - Episode 23

2009-09-26T17:07:00.005-04:00

New stuff for fall just keeps coming in, and this week is no exception! Here are the things I want to buy this time around:

Purple Night Owl Sillo Purse by Douglas
$19.95
Located around the Hut

I love the fact that owls are in right now--owl stuff is inevitably cute or cool or both--and this plush purse from Douglas is just along the right line! It's uniquely shaped, being long and thin rather than wide, and it's fantastically colorful. The sweet heart-shaped eyes and multitude of polka dots pretty much guarantee my approval! It's got a soft strap and zip closure, and whoooo could resist those floppy wings? We've also got tabby cat-shaped purses in the same line, for all the feline fans.

Acorn Fairy Hat by Cranium Costumes
$11.95
Located around the Hut

It wouldn't be fall without acorns, and this is the perfect headgear for acorn hunting! With sturdy felt outsides, a cute little stem and a handy clear elastic strap, the Acorn Fairy Hat could be a Halloween costume, Thanksgiving dinner couture, or a really fanciful fall-themed yarmulke for Sukkot. The possibilities are endless. FYI, the girl in the photo isn't me, but I think I'd have a similar expression if I were wearing an acorn on my head--but maybe with a little more delight. :)

That's it for this week. Tune in next week for more cool stuff I want to buy!

On libraries, banned books, and a few other favorite topics.

2009-09-26T14:55:00.002-04:00

With Banned Book Week starting next Monday, September 26th, I'm getting very excited about celebrating controversial books! I have a long-term goal of reading all 100 of the most challenged books; it's actually an elusive goal, as the list changes yearly. (I've only read 17 of this year's -- pathetic!) Take a look at the list and see how many you've read!

The practices of banning and challenging books are fascinating. While I don't believe in censorship, and usually think a child can instinctively select a book appropriate for them, it's a tricky thing that needs to be addressed on a community-by community basis.

In the area of the Pacific Northwest where I attended college, the population was split between the university students -- many of whom were from out the area and drawn by the school's very progressive politics -- and locals whose families had often depended on the logging industry for generations. The Lorax was viewed as too controversial for many classrooms in the area because its ethics questioned the livelihood of many children's parents. However, should The Lorax be pulled from the school libraries or from libraries in the community? And this is a book which is usually considered inoffensive and even positive in other communities -- what about books that really upset people, like the perennially challenged And Tango Makes Three and The Perks of Being a Wallflower? (I love both of these books.) Could the problem be solved by reshelving them in a different part of the library, or labeling the spine with some sort of age recommendation? How do children's librarians deal with these challenges? How does it feel to have a book you've written challenged by a parent and subsequently banned from a library? Our recent guest Jo Knowles shares her thoughts on being a challenged author at her blog.

Speaking of libraries and librarians, I just finished a YA fantasy novel called Libyrinth, in which a cavernous library holds the secrets of a long-dead civilization (and where the books speak to the protagonist, Haly). It's made me think about magical libraries, both real and imaginary. There's the gigantic library of the Clayr in Garth Nix's Abhorsen Trilogy, which contains secret rooms imprisoning horrific monsters and winding passages down which librarians vanish. In Kelly Link's "Magic for Beginners," a TV show within the short story stars the Free People's World-Tree Library; the stacks are maintained by pirate, fairy, and vampire librarians. In Neil Gaiman's movie masterpiece Mirrormask (say that five times fast), books flutter their pages like wings and glide around the room -- allowing main character Helena to hitch a ride across town. Speaking of Mr. G, his real-life library could give these fantasy world libraries a run for their money!

A while back we linked to an article in The Guardian (via Shelf Awareness) which asked,

"Which are the best books that never existed?" Some children's lit-related suggestions that came up in Shelf Awareness were The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern, Inkspell by Fenoglio, and Tom Riddle's diary from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. What other books/texts do you wish were real? Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You? The Never-Ending Story? The Gossip Girl website? The Marauders' Map?

So here's a variation on that theme: what are the best libraries that never existed? (I vote for Sarah Stewart and David Small's The Library.) TV, movies, and books are all up for grabs. Alternatively, are there real-life libraries that you covet?

We could all take a page (har har) from "the brightest witch of her age," Hermione Granger: "When in doubt, go to the library." And while you're there, why not check out a banned book or two?

Calling all George ventriloquists!

2009-09-25T16:55:00.005-04:00

I have some quick - but exciting - news tonight:

Russ, our supreme supplier of plushy Georges, has revealed the return of an old favorite: the 16 inch plush puppet Curious George!

Another recent addition is the 12 inch George in a yellow hat....someone finally must have listened to the choruses of people asking for hat of the man in the yellow hat!

You can find these guys, along with other George plush, tin banks, wooden puzzles, party supplies, learning CDs, T-shirts and infant raincoats, and many, many more Georgian goodies on our store's website.

Authors, forgive me, for I have slacked -- or -- the blogger's burden

2009-09-24T15:39:00.003-04:00

Maybe it's because I grew up Catholic (we're notorious for intense, deeply ingrained feelings of shame), but I've always been really good at guilt... especially when I have a really good reason to feel guilty!

I realized I never linked to the websites/blogs of our talented, gracious, and good-looking guests of honor at the Bookish Ball several weeks ago. Had I been on top of things, I would have linked to them beforehand so that you would have been even more excited for the event. Um, now you can get pumped to come in and snatch up the few remaining signed copies of their books?

Here is Jo Knowles's official bio: "Jo Knowles is the author of Lessons from a Dead Girl and Jumping Off Swings (Candlewick Press). She teaches writing for children in the MFA program at Simmons College. She was the 2002 winner of the SCBWI Contemporary Novel Grant and the 2005 winner of the PEN New England Children’s Book Discovery Award. Jo lives in Vermont with her husband and son." Jo is also an encouraging and gentle critic, a witty and prolific blogger who facilitates JoNoWriMo (an online writing challenge/support group based on NaNoWriMo), and an all-around lovely lady. I read both her novels in great big suspense-filled swallows. Stop by her FAQ, which addresses such all-important queries as "Why do I have to go to school?" and "Why can't Batman fly?"

Steve Kluger, "author, Red Sox fan, uncle," is the author of Last Days of Summer, Almost Like Being in Love, Changing Pitches, Yank: The Army Weekly, and Curious George favorite My Most Excellent Year. Many of these novels feature baseball, Boston, GLBT teens, World War II, and/or musicals. My roomie and CG alum Nicole nominated him our "author in residence," and Steve said he's okay with that. His Facebook page includes adorable pictures of Steve with various nieces and nephews, often at Red Sox events, and links to the various charitable organizations he supports, from Save Fenway Park to GLSEN.

Matt Tavares is the author and illustrator of the baseball-centric picture books Zachary's Ball, Oliver's Game, and Mudball, as well as the illustrator of Lady Liberty: A Biography, Iron Hans, Jack and the Beanstalk, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and the just-published Gingerbread Pirates. You can get a sneak peek at some of his work in progress (and personal paintings, like this luminous view of Monhegan Island) at his blog. Matt's illustrations should look familiar to Bostonians: being Boston born and raised (well, Winchester raised, technically), Matt bases much of his art on the locales and architectural styles of the area, and Fenway Park provides the setting of Zachary's Ball. Cambridge publisher Candlewick Press publishes his books. Rumor has it Cambridgian and fellow Candlewick author M.T. Anderson modeled for a character in 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

I hope that you're inspired to go leave our guests a little love on their websites or blogs, and that they'll forgive me for being so late in posting them! (Why are all their pictures in black and white -- or black and sepia, as the case may be? No idea, unless that's the way all the talented, gracious, and good-looking authors are doing it these days.)

What Rachel Wants to Buy This Week - Episode 22

2009-09-19T13:15:00.008-04:00

There are so many new things in the store lately, and so many old things that I haven't had a chance to post about! How will I ever choose? Still, as I think about it, some things jump out at me. Here's a few of them!

Pairs in Pears and Appletters by Bananagrams
$17.95 each
Located downstairs in the Chapter Book Room

If you like Bananagrams, you'll love these new games from the same company. Pairs in Pears uses four different alphabets of letters, challenging the players to not only make words with their tiles, but also match the letter styles within each word. Appletters uses the first and last letters of words as connecting points for new words, making long chains of gameplay. Each game comes packed in a bag shaped like its respective fruit--a veritable cornucopia of wordy fun! (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Color On! Under the Sea Coloring Roll by Great Explorations
$13.95
Located downstairs in the Art Room

When I was a kid I had a little wooden frame that fit long rolls of seemingly endless paper. The endlessness of it, the way you could make a huge panoramic picture, had huge appeal. This coloring roll is based on the same principle--unroll a ten-foot undersea scene, and you've got a coloring challenge to occupy any number of crayon-wielders for a while!

Deluxe Kitchen Set by Melissa and Doug
$249.99
See a model in our window display!

I spent quite a lot of time earlier this week helping to assemble our model of this set, and it's pretty astonishing. Approximately 3.5' tall by 3.5' wide, this wooden kitchen has working cabinet doors, knobs and faucet that turn, a spinning turntable in the microwave, and adorable graphics. I'm quite in awe of it, and I wish I had space for it in my real kitchen--how meta would that be? Just stock it full of cute toy food and cookbooks, and you've got a kitchen-happy kid's dream fulfilled.

That's all for now--see you next time for more fun stuff!

Spooky story fun in October!

2009-09-18T16:46:00.004-04:00

We're gearing up to start two book clubs in October!

For kids ages 9-12, with their grown-up of choice, we'll meet on Wednesday, October 7th, from 6:00 to 6:45 in the chapter book room downstairs. The book this month is The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh.

For teens ages 13 and up, we'll meet on Tuesday, October 6th -- same bat time, same bat channel: 6:00 to 6:45 in the chapter book room. The book this month is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. (You'll be oh-so prepared to create a great costume for our Halloween party on October 30th!)

Both groups should come ready to discuss their book, share spooky stories, and grub on the provided pizza! And from now until the club meetings, you'll get 20% off your club's book of the month. Sign up to participate this month at the downstairs register.

We're hard at work on a kids' review program, which should be launching soon -- so after your club meets, you can leave us a review of your club selection or any other favorite (or even not-so-favorite) read.

Bookish Banana Bonanza!

2009-09-15T13:12:00.007-04:00

This past Saturday was the second annual Harvard Square Bookish Ball - and we certainly brought all kinds of monkey business to the day! We had folk musician Charlie Hope enrapturing kids, and authors Steve Kluger and Matt Tavares signing and chatting away, and author Jo Knowles (alas, not pictured), led a great creative writing workshop for teens and adults. Our own staffers held activities, too: kids could decorate cookies and make and color their own books.

You can see more photos over on our Facebook page, but here's a few snaps of the fun!

Charlie Hope

Steve Kluger

Matt Tavares

Treasures!!

Thanks to everyone who came - authors, musicians, budding artists and writers and chefs - we had a great time, and we can't wait 'til next time!

What Rachel Wants to Buy This Week - Episode 21

2009-09-12T10:31:00.009-04:00

Today was a crazy day here at Curious George, what with the Bookish Ball and all--but even when it's crazy, there's always time for me to window shop around the store!

"Home Cooked Cafe" Kiddie Apron by Sugar Booger
$15.95
Located around the Hut

When I was little, I loved helping my mom cook. My favorite job was to rip up the sweet Italian sausage into little pieces for baked ziti--messy, easy, and me helping made my favorite dinner happen faster. I was a pretty conscientious child, but I'm sure I got sausage on my shirt more than once during this process, and this adorable apron would have certainly helped with that problem! It's sturdy washable material with a waterproof coating, has an easy magnetic closure for the neck strap, four little pockets, and comes in a handy zipper storage pouch. What appeals to me, though, is the design--the big bright sun and retro diner motif is fantastic, and makes me want to go out for burgers and pie and milkshakes right this very minute. There's no way this apron would ever fit me, but luckily my cousin has three awesome kids for me to spend money on. :)

Scrabble Carabiner by Basic Fun
$6.95
Located around the Hut and downstairs

Basic Fun is taking travel games to the next level with these board game keychains and carabiners--games I never thought could be so conveniently sized are now ready for play anywhere! This teeny version of Scrabble has a built-in drawer to hold the magnetic letter squares when you're not playing, and a groove where each player can put their squares during game play. This version has less letter pieces than a regular Scrabble set, but that just makes it easier to play a quick-finish game whenever the opportunity arises. I can't wait to challenge my roommate to a mini Scrabble match the next time we're waiting around for the T!

That's all for this week. See you soon, and don't let the rain get you down!

On books, balls, and baked goods. And more books.

2009-09-10T17:21:00.007-04:00

Don't forget: this Saturday, September 12, is our Bookish Ball celebration! The event will begin at 2pm and go all afternoon, with a projected ending time of 6pm. However, we may be too busy monkeying around to stop on time! We have barrels of fun planned, including (drum roll, please)...

-- a signing by Matt Tavares, author/illustrator of the picture books Zachary's Ball, Oliver's Game, and Mudball. He's also the illustrator of Iron Hans, Lady Liberty: A Biography, and the brand-new The Gingerbread Pirates. He'll be here at 2.

-- a signing and reading by Steve Kluger, author of novels My Most Excellent Year, Last Days of Summer, and Almost Like Falling in Love. He's a self-proclaimed Boston-phile and Red Sox fan! He'll be here at 3.

-- a creative writing workshop and signing by Jo Knowles, author of YA novels Lessons from a Dead Girl and the new Jumping Off Swings. (She's my latest book crush!) She'll be here at 4.

-- acoustic performances by singer/songwriter Charlie Hope throughout the afternoon. Her albums include I'm Me! A Collection of Songs for Children and World of Dreams: Soothing Songs and Lullabies.

-- a book-making workshop

-- cookie decorating

-- and of course, all our great books and toys, recommended to you by our knowledgable staff! We may be a little squeezed on Saturday with all the festivities going on, but we'll have a fun, busy day with something for everyone!

Back to School: four quick (and fun!) steps

2009-09-08T12:48:00.002-04:00

We've just passed that landmark of autumn - oh, Labor Day, day of barbecues, last minute summer reading, and saying goodbye to those white sandals. Whether your kid (or teen, or grad student) is dragging her (dark clad) feet or already listing off the activities he's going to join, here are some books and goodies to ease the end of summer transition. As one of our preteen customers recently said, "But I need new fine tip colored pencils."

First, of course, there is the all-important backpack or messenger bag to lug new colored pencils, tasty lunches, and maybe a textbook or twenty - will it be Crocodile Creek's cheerful packs with sunflowers or fire trucks, or will it be a Hello Kitty satchel or backpack (complete with thermos!)? If your student prefers to make her own artistic mark, try Alex's Color and Carry Messenger Bags, which she can recolor over and over.

Once you have the biggest item, what about the second most important item - recess fashion? Does your lunch bag need to match - in which case, Crocodile Creek makes neat, simple lunch packs and thermos, or if your student has more eclectic taste, try Room It Up's trendy and variously sized lunch pouches. And of course, there is always more Hello Kitty (never enough, they say!) lunch and bento boxes.

Once your bag has its little lunch bag friend, there's the question of accessorizing. Does your student prefer puppies, tigers, or horses? Try some Ty Beanie Clips, or a classic character like Corduroy. Fill up that bag with desktop accessories like Decor Craft's Pencil Squares, thin block-ish pencils decorated with mod squares, Alex's Cool Cuts Safety Scissors with funky patterns, or the many, many sizes and shapes of Alex and Hello Kitty colored pencils, markers, chunky crayons, and so on.

Lastly, once you have the necessaries taken care of, why not a few goodies just for fun? Chronicle Books (who have recently acquired on their staff a dear friend of Curious George, the lucky folk) make adorable Thumb Print Note Cards, miniature cards you decorate with your own digits, Ed Emberly style. Precious marbles, notes (perhaps thumb print ones), and other small collectibles can find a home in Kimono Fish Coin Purses or a Recycled Juice Box Bag, both from Two's Company. Another goodie from Two's Company (I am in a phase, can you tell?) that can heal all kinds of playground (or workplace!) booboos are Animal Cool Packs - little ice packs with tiger or teddy faces you can pop out of the fridge to stop any tears. As I recall, a water coloring book used to do the same for me...if only they still made those! (Do they?). Homework will be (almost) fun to do on a Lap Desk from Room It Up: these portable desks have a cozy cushion and even a cup holder for those all-nighters - I mean, those nights your student may be hard at work past 5 pm.

Of course, there are plenty of incredible picture books dealing with the anxieties and tribulations of school, by turns sweetly poignant (Dandylion by Lizzie Finlay, about a lion preschooler who's a bit too out-going for his human classmates), simply hilarious (the eponymous lovable troublemaker David Goes to School by David Shannon), or explosively popular (the Clementine chapter books by Sarah Pennypacker). But we don't want to spoil the rush of packing up the book bag for the first time - we'll save the books for another time! Good luck!