Mrs. Weber's Neighborhood

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StoryWalk Trail at Highland Public Library

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We are always looking for creative and educational opportunities that are outside, so I was pretty stoked when I stumbled upon a FREE StoryWalk trail at Highland Public Library.

Anything that combines literacy and the outdoors is always a big win in my book and this wooded path was so cute!

If you aren’t familiar, a StoryWalk is a path with a book to read and stop at along the way. This one in particular was fairly short, but kept the kids engaged in the story.

This may not be something you’d go out of your way for, but if you happen to be near Highland, it is absolutely worth a stop!

The path is short and perfect for younger kiddos who aren’t quite ready for a full hike. I mean, check out those gorgeous trees lining the path…Ahhhh, heaven!

There even was a cute teepee made from sticks that was fun for the kids to explore.

If you wanted to make it more of an adventure, there was a nice grassy area next to the library as well as a play structure on the other side that would be fun for a picnic and some fun.

Now I’m determined to find more StoryWalk trails around Michigan. If you know of any, give me a shout! Learn more about the Highland Public Library’s StoryWalk trail, including the current book selection here.

Add To Your Adventure

To make it more of an adventure, stop at the Looney Baker for a delicious donut or Snack Attack for ice cream. Also, don’t forget about the amazing Beatles mural next to The Weal Inn on M-59 {Highland Rd.}. Gorgeous and perfect backdrop for some awesome photos!

Another unique trail we like is the Oaken Transformations sculpture and poetry trail in Brighton! See more ideas for FREE fun here.

What funky spots have you been loving lately? Let’s help our fellow parents find some FREE Covid-friendly fun!

7 Habits To Foster A Love of Reading in Kids

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyLiteracyStory #DGMyStoryEntry #CollectiveBias

As the weather continues to cool, there is nothing like wrapping up in a warm blanket and reading a great book, right? Literacy is one of my passion causes, and I am always looking for ways to encourage my children to read and get interested in books.

Like I always tell my kids, if you can read well, you can do ANYTHING.

7 Habits To Foster A Love of Reading in Kids

I’m excited to partner with Kellogg’s®, a proud sponsor of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Every day, Kellogg employees work together to fulfill our vision of enriching and delighting the world through foods and brands that matter.

7 Habits To Foster A Love of Reading in Kids

The foundation is celebrating more than 20 years of helping individuals learn to read, prepare for their high school equivalency, or learn English. And since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $140 million to nonprofit organizations and schools that have helped more than 9 million individuals advance their literacy and basic education skills.

How awesome is that?!

Hover over the image above to shop the Kellogg’s Line of cereals including Kellogg’s Frosted Bite-Size Mini-Wheats®, Kellogg’s® Froot Loops®, Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® and Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes® available at Dollar General.

7 Habits To Foster A Love of Reading in Kids

Unfortunately, a love of books doesn’t always come natural for all kids and it’s definitely something parents must make an effort with. These are 7 habits have in our home to help foster a love of reading.

Parents: Read — and let your kids see you do it

My husband and I are always reading a book, and we are sure to let our kids see us reading for pleasure. I am always reminding my kids that I’ve learned so much about people and different cultures through books. Reading makes the world feel like a smaller place.

Look For Letters and Words EVERYWHERE

We are definitely not a screen-free home, but there are a few spots I prefer to *not* use them. One place is the grocery store. There are SO many learning opportunities there! My kids love weighing produce and seeing what number comes up, and playing “eye spy” with letters. My 7-year-old can now read labels back to me, or read signs. It’s great practice.

Make Reading FUN

When I read books about colors to my preschooler, we try to make it interactive so he can practice colors and numbers. This is so easy to do with snacks, too.

Froot Loops® Cereal is perfect for this activity!

7 Habits To Foster A Love of Reading in Kids

Library Time

We try to go to the library once every few weeks. Not only is it an amazing place to meet friends to play and pick out books, but it’s great for movies, computer practice, FREE fun events, and more. For early readers, it’s the perfect place to find leveled readers, too. If you aren’t taking advantage of your local library, you are missing out!

Read Together

This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s not always easy to squeeze in with busy schedules. We do our best to make the time to read to our children every night. Our kids are all at different levels, but it doesn’t matter — it’s not about the type of books as much as it is just the act of being together and having a consistent nighttime routine.

Buy The Books Your Kids Want

The more types of reading materials there are in the home, the higher students are in reading proficiency, according to the Educational Testing Service. {source}

When I read this before my children were born, I decided to make it my mission to have books in every room.

So for birthdays and holidays, I try to get my children at least one new book. But there’s a caveat: I always look for a topic I know they will love. If your child prefers graphic novels or comics, buy them! Any kind of reading material is good material.

7 Habits To Foster A Love of Reading in Kids

I collect books everywhere we go — used book sales, garage sales, Salvation Army, and book shops. Books are truly the gift that keeps on giving!

Rotate Your Books

For each season or holiday, find corresponding books to match the theme. Then, put them away for the year so that they remain untouched until the following year. It’s a good way to build memories surrounding certain books, and a great way to see how a child’s reading level progresses.

Share Your Literacy Story

Do you have a story how literacy has impacted your life? Share it and enter the #DGMyStory Sweepstakes HERE. Make sure to use the hashtag #DGMyStoryEntry for a chance to win a $50 Dollar General gift card, too.

Look for specially marked Kellogg’s cereals at your local Dollar General in the breakfast aisle.

7 Habits To Foster A Love of Reading in Kids

What ways to you encourage reading in your home?

Bookstock 2017: Ultimate Book Sale for Michigan Readers – April 23-30

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Bookstock is a client of mine through work. No additional compensation was exchanged for the purpose of this post. I truly just love this event!

Whether it’s reading to your children, having them read to you, or discussing a book on a plane with a stranger, books bring people together. This is just one reason I am thrilled to share about the ultimate book lover’s sale coming to Livonia April 23-30: Bookstock. If you enjoy books, this is a must-attend event!

I am a huge library advocate, but having books readily available in our home is equally important to me. In fact, it’s the one thing I usually indulge my kids with when they ask. How can I deny them their desire to learn? I love the opportunity to cuddle and learn together.

Now that I have a early reader in the house, I’m even more adamant about my kids seeing both my husband and I read our own books, and explaining how it’s such a great habit to start at a young age.

Thing is, books can be pretty pricey. For that, shopping used book sales is a great option. Not only is it like a real-life treasure hunt, but many books are typically like new, and most sales help great causes. Sometimes I just buy ones I love so I can pass them along. They make wonderful gifts!

Bookstock will unite word nerds at Laurel Park Place in Livonia April 23-30, 2017 this year. Mark your calendar!

About Bookstock 2017

Bookstock is an annual, non-profit used book and media sale. All merchandise sold comes from donations and all workers and organizers are volunteers. Proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations and merchandise remaining after the sale is donated to area non-profit organizations and schools.

During the past 15 years, Bookstock has generated nearly $1.7 million for literacy and education projects throughout Oakland County and Detroit.

200,000+ ITEMS! Pre-sorted books and merchandise, replenished daily. Available items include:

  • Current fiction, children’s books, biographies, cookbooks
  • Records and CD’s
  • DVD’s and Videos
  • Books on tape
  • Dozens of Categories

When is the sale?

April 23-30, 2017

Bookstock’s Pre-Sale will kick-off on Sunday, April 23 at 8:15 a.m. with a performance by Livonia’s Churchill High School Drumline. There is a $20 admission charge for the Pre-Sale only, which runs through 11 a.m. and offers savvy shoppers and collectors first crack at Bookstock’s treasure trove of bargains. Bookstock has over 200,000 donated used books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape, magazines and records for sale at bargain basement prices. The sale will continue through Sunday, April 30, running Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 9p.m. During regular sale hours, admission is FREE and most books cost between $0.50 – $4.

Bookstock 2017

Special Sale Days

This year, Bookstock will feature six days of special sales:

  • Monday Madness – Monday, April 24: The first 1,000 shoppers will receive spectacular giveaways and one lucky shopper will receive a $500 VISA gift card.
  • Teacher Appreciation Day – Tuesday, April 25: Bookstock is celebrating teachers by giving 50% off to all teachers with a valid ID from 3–9 p.m. At 5 p.m., the Bookstock  B.E.S.T.* Awards, (Bookstock Extraordinary Student/School/Teacher)will be presented to fourth grade students from Detroit Public Schools Community District who write the best essays entitled, “My Favorite Book Character…and Why.” A WDIV TV personality, will present the awards live,and cash prizes will be given to five students, their teachers and their schools.
  • Cookstock – Wednesday, April 26:  Bookstock will feature the area’s largest collection of gently used cookbooks, and local TV celebrities Tati Amare (WDIV- 4), Carolyn Clifford (WXYZ-7) and Sherry Margolis (Fox 2) will announce the winners of the first Cookstock Recipe Contest at 5 .pm. at Bookstock, the first recipe contest to benefit literacy in Michigan!
  • Bookbuster Special Days – Thursday, April 27 and Friday, April 28: Buy three books and get the fourth book *free (*least expensive item) from 3 – 9 p.m. Spend $25 or more either night and be entered in a special drawing for: 
    • 4 tickets to a Red Wings game in the new Little Caesars Arena
    • A piece of the Palace floor signed by Pistons Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer
    • A two night stay and two rounds of Golf for two people at Treetops Resort in Gaylord
  • Half Price Finale, Sunday, April 30: All books and media will be sold for half price!

Bookstock 2017

For more information about Bookstock, call (248) 645-7840, ext. 365 or visit bookstock.info, or follow on Facebook | Twitter.

Laurel Park Place is located on 6 Mile Road east of I-275 in Livonia.

What are your favorite frugal ways to get books?

Best Books For Ages 0-5 {+ Giveaway for Children’s Books from Bucket Fillers Inc. ENDS 2/9}

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Best Books For Ages 0-5

Probably one of my favorite reasons for having kids is having the excuse to read children’s books again. There are so many great ones out there and I love researching them and finding ones I know my kids will adore. After 3 kids, many of our books are in well-loved condition and it warms my heart so much. Pretty sure books will be the hardest thing to let go of for this mama…My kids just love that special time with us every night, and honestly I look forward to it too!

We frequent the library to keep things interesting, and have a massive collection of books, which can be found in just about every room throughout the house. Some have been gifts or special treats on birthdays, etc., and many have been found second-hand, too. I never feel guilty spending money on books because I know it is the one thing that brings great joy to our family.

In fact, books are also one of the only ‘toys’ we allow our kids to keep in their room. If they go to bed saying they aren’t tired, we let them “read” by flashlight. We figure starting the habit of reading before bed isn’t a bad thing, and we chuckle every time we go check on them and they are passed out with their books 😉

It’s amazing to me that all 3 of my kids seem to have similar taste in books — each of them have reached for the exact same books at the same periods in their life.

Here’s a list of our favorites for each stage so far.

Best Books For Ages 0-5

6 months – 12 months old

12 months – 24 months old

2-3 years old

4-5 years old

Another book our entire family has loved and used as an amazing tool for learning is Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Michigan author Carol McCloud. This book has been such a valuable asset to our family and has provided us with a wonderful tool to teach our kids about kindness, appreciation and positive behavior {coined “bucketfilling” in the book}.

Click on the image below to see examples of content inside

Have You Filled A Bucket Today - Anniversary Edition

The book is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has recently updated and revised it to include more positive language. The new edition encourages positive behavior and helps readers better understand that bucket filling is a choice, bucket dipping is a negative behavior caused by a too empty bucket, and we an fill and dip into our own buckets, too.

I often recommend this book {and all the other books McCloud has written} when friends say they are looking for something to teach kindness. I love that when I see my kids being kind to each other I can say “You’re filling each other’s buckets right now,” or “You’re bucket dipping” and they know exactly what I mean and stop to smile or think about what they have done.

GIVEAWAY

I am excited to host a fun giveaway with the latest edition, plus other great books and goodies to get you started on your bucket filling journey! Follow the prompts below to enter to win. Must be a U.S. resident, age 18+. Giveaway ends on 2/9/16 at midnight. Good luck!

Bucketfilling Book Set Giveaway with Mrs. Weber's Neighborhood

Bucket Filling Books Prize Pack

Books and Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers To Make Mealtime FUN

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Books and Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers To Make Mealtime FUN

Winter can be dreadful as a parent. My kids love playing outside, and it’s just not always possible with three kiddos, especially when it’s close to mealtime and layers of clothing are needed to go out.

Like most parents, our worst time of day is the hours between 4-6 p.m. when I am preparing dinner and the kids want to “help.” So, this winter I’ve made it my goal to do more meal-time theme nights to keep everyone happy. I have found when I give each of my kids a job, meal time runs MUCH smoother, even if it is messier.

After renting TONS of food-related books from our library, here’s what has been on our menu of books and coordinating meals and activities:

Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle

This book is fabulous for starting the discussion of where food comes from.

Meal: Pancakes, of course. My kids also love when I add a few drops of food coloring to make their ‘cakes blue or green.

Activity: Have your child help you stir in the ingredients, or add special additions such a blueberries {perfect for counting} or they can mush bananas to toss in the batter. My kids love using chocolate chips to make faces, too.

Peanut Butter and Jelly by Nadine Bernard Westcott

This book is based on the play rhyme and has illustrations kids love.

Meal: PB&J of course!

Activity: Spread a blanket out on the floor and have a picnic! My kids absolutely love doing this. We usually just coordinate with easy-to-pick-up foods.

Living room picnic

Enjoying a picnic for dinner a few years ago. Yes, that’s MY beer. Sometimes that is needed after a long day!

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

This book is perfect for stirring imagination.

Meal: Spaghetti and meatballs

Activity: Use Play-Doh to make pasta! Kids love rolling out the dough and making snake-like pastas. Make a few balls for meatballs too. For older kids, discuss what foods you would like to see fall from the sky.

Pete’s A Pizza by William Steig

This book is perfect for kids who like to act as you read. Also perfect for sensory seekers.

Meal: Pizza. We love using whole wheat English muffins or Naan bread, and letting the kids put on their own sauce and toppings. Even if it looks like a mess, it still tastes great!

Activity: Pretend your child is pizza {this is what the book is about} — roll them out, toss them in the air if you are able, and place “toppings” on them, such as red checkers for pepperoni or pieces of white paper as cheese.

Karina Making Pizza

My 2-year-old loves helping in the kitchen, so I always put her to work!

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

This rhyme will get stuck in your head and the kids will want you to read it over and over.

Meal: Add some green food coloring to eggs and serve with pieces of ham.

Activity: Make an egg bar and let kids mix their own batch of eggs, adding in the toppings they like.

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

This book will make your kids giggle…and you too!

Meal: Tacos

Activity: Make tortilla chips using corn tortillas to go with your taco meal. Cut up the tortillas into triangles to discuss shapes and talk about how the shape will go from soft to crunchy in the oven. Buy a few different salsas and let your child taste test them and rate their favorites.

Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

This book is perfect for teaching about healthy eating habits.

Meal: Veggies. Can accompany just about any meal of course 😉

Activity: Make faces using veggies! Use cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, sliced cucumber, mushrooms, etc. and let your children experiment. {My kids will eat ALL their veggies if I just let them play with them first!}

How do you shake-up meal time at your house? I’m always looking for new ideas!

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