This game by Janod is actually great for a wide span of ages. It's challenging for Avery to figure out which blocks to pull out without making all the other blocks fall down. It helps her practice strategy and planning and is super fun, too! I like how the blocks are versatile—they are a nice addition and add variety to whichever set of building blocks you already have, and are also good for working on letter formation.
Thanks to The Land of Nod for sending us Don’t Let The Blocks Drop!
Avery found her little Totoro (who was undoubtedly engulfed in her sea of stuffed animals) recently. She made an airplane for Totoro out of Duplos and Totoro has been sleeping next to Avery in a mitten (a “sleeping bag”). Avery thinks Totoro is a girl. "She likes staying home and she likes me to make clothes but I don’t make clothes for Totoro. I want you to learn to make clothes for Totoro, okay?"
It’s no secret that we love Lately Lily, so we were thrilled to find out about Lily’s first book, Lately Lily: Adventures of a Travelling Girl by Micah Player. Micah’s brilliant artistry and thick brushstrokes bring a lovely vintage feel to Lily’s bright and sunny world. This book is a great introduction to “The Traveling Girl” and her curiosity and enthusiasm about the big world around her. Lily travels near and far on an endless quest for discovery and new experiences. We agree with Lily: “There is so much to SEE! So much to EXPERIENCE! So much to EXPLORE!” You can follow Lily’s apparel line to find out “Where has Lily been, lately?"
I don't know if it's because Nate likes to copy what Avery does or if it's something toddlers like to do in general, but Nate is really into carrying things around in containers--buckets, shopping bags, boxes, you name it. It is adorable!
Remember that time you took your favorite doll or stuffed animal with you on a trip to a faraway city? The charming story of Kiki and Coco in Paris will remind you of those jovial times. One of the protagonists in the story is a lovely handmade doll named Coco, made by artist Jess Brown, and the adventures (and misadventures) she and her girl Kiki have together on a trip to Paris. Avery’s favorite part is when a dog takes Coco and breaks her arm, which is later fixed. We loved seeing all the sights and sounds of Paris through Kiki’s eyes. This story would be the perfect theme for a party or play date! Fill a pretty plate with some brioche and macarons and call it an afternoon. Extra points if you whip up a cup of Parisian chocolat chaud!
Kiki and Coco in Paris was authored by Nina Gruener, photographed by Stephanie Rausser and the doll in the story was made by Jess Brown.