Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in cincinnati, OH

Favorite Preschooler Books?. By Author?

by Amy Mumper

April 27, 2009

Imagine this - me, finishing up my first year ever of teaching preschoolers.  It's been amazing!  When I left elementary school and standardized testing, I was convinced that preschool was the only place that allowed creativity.  Now I know I was right.  Everything they're learning is new and exciting.  They thoroughly enjoy each experience with anything and everything!  And, so it is with books!  When you're out searching for good books, the same authors keep coming up.  They have simple words, with very few words on a page and very engaging pictures about favorite topics.   Take a look at my list... I hope you agree - these authors can't be beat.  Please let me know your favorites!  I'm always looking for a new book!

1.  Jan Brett - particularly in winter, Jan Brett delivers big.  Her illustrations are amazing and thought provoking.  For instance, with the gingerbread baby, she provides clues to the next few pages, allowing your child to predict what's coming up - a great pre-reading skill.
2. Eric Carle - need I say more?  Every time I'm searching for books on a topic, here comes Mr. Carle. 
3. Mo Willems - start with Knuffle Bunny and then meet the pigeon!
4. Kevin Henkes -  Really related characters with pizzazz!  Try Old Bear
5. Laura Numeroff - "circle stories" that start and end in the same place are her trademark; they really inspire imagination!
6. Richard Scarry - a classic; check back on the 11^th of May for ideas based on the book What Do People Do All Day?
7. Bill martin Jr. - Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  Enough said.
8. Audrey wood - a treasure trove of terrific books she's made with both her husband and her son!
9. Leo Leonni - Little Blue, Little Yellow, Swimmy and Fish is Fish
10. Lois Ehlert - You just can't get enough of the unique formats used by this author.
11. Karen Katz - I had to go with eleven, just to mention her, but it's worth it.  She does great books for the 2 ½ set (the age I teach), especially Where Is Baby's Belly Button?

Go google and enjoy!

83 Ideas for Fun In and Around Cincinnati

by Amy Mumper

February 24, 2009

1.  Visit Devou Park in Northern Kentucky and check out the view

2.  Visit Sawyer Point in Downtown Cincinnati - playgrounds and tennis to say the least

3.  Visit Eden Park

4.  Cincinnati Parks offer great camps

5.  Gorham farm; a working in Evendale

6.  Shaw farm has a great Fall Fest

7.  Meet Farmer Frank at Sunrock Farm

8.   See the Krohn Conservatory's nativity scene at Christmas

9.  Attend the Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory

10.  Try a free class at the art museum

11.  Visit the Taft Museum

12.  A favorite of mine!  Duke Energy Children's Museum at Union Terminal

13.  Contemporary Art Museum

14.  Do the scavenger hunt at the art museum

15.  Do a mommy and me movie at AMC

16.  Attend a Cincinnati Reds Game

17.  Try the trails at French Park

18.  Enjoy Lindner Park Nature Preserve in Norwood

19.  Try the Drake Planetarium for programs and birthday parties

20.  Jump around at Go Bananas!

21.  Run, Jump and Play when you need to get the wiggles out

22.  Bike ride at Woodland Mound Park's trail

23.  Enjoy yummy ice cream at Graeter's

24.  Candies at Aglamesis

25.  Cincinnati Chili for dinner at Skyline!

26.  Lunch at LaRosa's!

27.  Picnic on the Ohio River

28.  Visit handmade Loveland Castle

29.  Loveland Bike Trail is great exercise for families

30.  Totter's Otterville in Covington is fun for ALL ages

31.  Fine arts sampler weekend is a must do event

32.  Library activities are versatile and year round

33.  Blue manatee Story Times and special classes are interesting

34.  Joseph Beth Booksellers Story Times are three times a week

35.  Findlay market; take the kids to shop for dinner

36.  Coney Island

37.  Kings Island

38.  The Beach Waterpark uses its facilities virtually year round

39.  Ice skating

40.  Kentucky speedway is a unique experience

41.  Music hall

42.  Newport aquarium for your fishies

43.  Oktoberfest ZinZinnati

44.  Flying pig marathon - even The Littles can enjoy with the Hog Log

45.  Vineyards; in Cincy no less!

46.  Tall stacks - a history lesson

47.  Great wolf Lodge

48.  Coco Key

49.  Xavier games

50.  UC games

51.  Zoo

52.  The fountain at Yeatman's cove

53.  Movies - G-rated fun

54.  Go play café

55.  Children's theatre

56.  Playhouse in the park

57.  Aronoff Center for the Arts

58.  Climb Carew tower

59.  Walk the Purple People bridge

60.  Pizza tower

61.  WGUC Classics for Kids

62.  Cincinnati Music Academy

63.  Musik Kids

64.  Madpotter

65.  Parky's farm

66.  Parky's ark

67.  Winton woods riding center

68.  Chuck e cheese

69.  Bonbonerie tea room

70.  Omnimax theatre

71.  Lazer kraze

72.  Bowling

73.  Color me mine

74.  Pump it up

75.  The Imaginattic

76.  Kentucky Horse Park

77.  Try a free Gymboree class.

78.  Wyoming fine arts center

79.  Golf lessons at Sharon woods.

80.  COSI

81.  Visit the Indianapolis Children's Museum

82.  Try the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton for flight fun

83.  WHO-DEY think gonna see 'dem Bengals?

Because a great book... is one your give your child

by Shannan Boyer

November 24, 2008

With the Holidays upon us I thought I would put together a quick list of some of my families favorite books to consider for your little reader this year. Amy and I will be posting more gift ideas over the course of the next few weeks. For more ideas from Being Savvy editors around the country, check out Savvy's Books, Toys & More section. The Little Engine That Could Having a train  Read more...

Because a great book... is one you borrow

by Amy Mumper

November 24, 2008

Our local libraries are one of the most amazing resources our community has to offer. Sure, you can visit a book store any old time and their displays are awesome, but guess what? The library is free! And, it's full of experts that will recommend books and help you find them. I've never had a negative experience at any of our local libraries. Our family has taken advantage of many of  Read more...

A List of Great Story Times...

by Amy Mumper

November 11, 2008

A list of great story times? Hmmm... Traveling to book stores with my Littles is like a dream come true for this bookworm! So, when it comes time to write a list of favorite story times I can talk your arm off! I love the enticing displays and three-times-a-week storytellings at my favorite local bookstore like Joseph Beth Booksellers in Norwood or the twice weekly, music-complemented  Read more...

Because a Great Book... Brings Preschool Home

by Amy Mumper

November 10, 2008

I'm so excited about our book theme this month! Books are my favorite pastime and as a preschool teacher, well, it doesn't get better than this! Whether your little one is in preschool or not, you can bring classic, lovable literature home. If your looking for classics, Eric Carle is wonderful, with a variety of themes you can capitalize on. Try Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear ?  Read more...

Cincy Princess for a Day

by Amy Mumper

October 08, 2008

Princess for a day, you say? Her Highness will be right at home in Cincy! Like I always say to anyone who will listen no experience is complete without beginning and ending with books. Must be the teacher background Have you met Fancy Nancy ? She might give your little dresser-upper a royal run for her money. Savvy Source can get you started with book reviews. Stock up with  Read more...

Book Nooks for Tots

by Amy Mumper

October 06, 2008

A self declared bookworm and former elementary school teacher, this mama's got you covered when it comes to book nooks for your little folks! Topping the list in Cincy HAS to be Joseph Beth Booksellers in the Rookwood Pavilion in Norwood! They actually have a free preschool story time 3 times a week (MWF)! Go anytime and entice The Littles into reading after theyve had their fill of the  Read more...