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1. Summer Reading. I am both excited and totally enthusiastic on this subject, and also appalled and bored out of my mind. I read this and this and thought it was pretty terrific! (as are all things written on that blog!)
2. Literary Party themes. Can you tell that I like children’s books? Well, I am pretty excited to add a new literary star to our party themes: Miss Fancy Nancy herself! Our new “Fabulously Fancy” party is geared for all those little fashionistas and lovers of the great books! Any ideas for other party themes based on books?
3. Candy Stations. No I am not craving chocolate (well, maybe a little, but that’s another topic). I have seen so many terrific candy stations at events and was so thrilled to finally get the opportunity to do one of my own.Of course I have no pictures to show for all my hard work. But, I assure you it was very cute. The theme was lime green and bright pink and I used jelly beans, chocolates, and Mike and Ikes. Now I am contemplating other ways to serve candy in fun, festive ways…like in fish bowls maybe.
4. Sad for Harry. We recently retired our “Wizard Academy” party themed because it just wasn’t booking the way it used to. But, I can’t wait to see the movie NEXT WEEK! Maybe the movie will bring the theme out of retirement.
5. I just saw this…coming in October!! ’nuff said.
On a roll (I have another blog entry saved!!),
Jenn
Before it hits the website, take a look at our photo albums!
Jenn, Imagination Celebrations
I know. It’s too soon. Thanksgiving is still over two weeks away. It is most definitely not winter yet. However, we are already starting to prepare for the cold months, but more importantly the holidays. So, with the changing of the season we need to say good bye to…..
Monster Mash birthday parties! And hello to “Winter Wonderland” celebrations.
And good bye to…
Halloween story times! And hello to “Snow Day!” story times!
Jenn, Imagination Celebrations
First of all let me let you know that I am fully aware how late to this party I am. Every blog, podcast, book magazine, library, bookstore, etc., etc. have raved about this children’s book. However tardy I may be, I still need an outlet to rave about how magnificent this book is. So here I go.
As I have previously stated my heart is in picture books. I am a big fan of the beautiful marriage between visual art and the written word working together to create a literary experience like no other. I will argue to anyone who will listen that picture books are not just for those that cannot read on their own, or even exclusively for children but is a media that is ageless. Often times when we read as adults we read so quickly we have no time to stop and “see” what we are reading. Picture book art allows us to do so. So, when I picked up Brian Selznick’s book and flipped through the pages to find gorgeously drawn art work with in a chapter book meant for an older audience I was thrilled to read it.
The story is about Hugo, a boy who due to unfortunate circumstances now lives within a train station in Paris and must keep the clocks running. His life is dismal, bleak and quite sad. However, there is something that Hugo has to obsess about and keep him going. A mechanical man. In his attempts to bring the mechanical man to life, he encounters a mysterious toy maker with a suspicious past and a cunning girl who becomes his only friend. I could not put this book down. Wonderfully written and illustrated, this book takes you to a whole different era as you are thrown in to the mystery. (I fully understand how it ruined a laptop). You feel pity, upset , and a sense of pride for Hugo as he is forced to make very adult decisions that are some times not the best. But boy do you worry for him. I found myself fidgeting worrying when he stole milk. Worrying when he is running throughout the train station. Worrying when he is somewhere when he is not suppose to be. But, Hugo, better than me, is in control and is determined at all cost to solve the mystery and bring the mechanical man to life.
I would strongly recommend this book. I found myself lingering on the pictures staring in to the faces of the characters. I guarantee it will be an experience you will greatly enjoy.
So, thanks for listening to the late-to-the-party-girl.
Jenn, Imagination Celebrations
In honor of my mom’s birthday today I thought I would share some of my favorite books she introduced to me. 
While living in the “Big Woods” of Wisconsin my mom read aloud Little House in the Big Woods and then every book there after. I was so little I wasn’t even in school yet. I became obsessed. I played Little House, I watched Little House, I even had a Little House birthday party. Still today, I just love Laura. These were by far the most influential books ever read to me.
I am sure as an adult, my mom may have cringed at the dialog in these books, but nothing could be better then these business savvy, highly fashionable (well, at least Claudia) teenagers. Funny, years later I found baby sitting to be not nearly as glamorous. Maybe it was because I didn’t get to drive the pink clinker.
Another great on-going series. I didn’t read Sweet Valley High until I was a little older and then I read those on my own. Which is good (there was a lot of kissing going on).
So, thanks for reading to me mom and happy birhtday!
Jenn, Imagination Celebrations
Since we last chatted, I have been all over place sharing my STE program with a few local pre-schools and two great libraries. Here is a list of all my favorite things said/done by the little ones I met:
1. During Culture Kids, I show various items (winter coat, hat, etc.) and ask the kids if I should pack them for our trip to Botswana. Every single group told me to pack my fairy wings and wand. I love the practicality of preschoolers.
2. I actually made a child scream while reading, “Honey, Honey… Lion!” by Jan Brett. I actually feel kind of bad for that one. No, I was just the reader. Jan should feel bad for screaming “LION!” like that.
3. On the subject of lions, while driving through the jungle we spotted one of those maned beasts and I called out to my little explorers, “What should we do?” to which a brave little boy responded. “Make ‘em dead!”
4. While reading “My School’s a Zoo!” we get to the final page where a dinosaur appears to be outside of the window. A little guy told me that he has a dinosaur that lives in his closet and steals things. When I asked him what sort of things he stole he told me everything he wasn’t suppose to have. Hmmm, blame it on the dinosaur, eh?
5. That just about every child I met told me they rode an elephant this week. (The big e is in town, ya know.)
6. That I get to be there! I have so much fun with these kids and love, love, love to hear their stories, their take on the literature presented, and just hearing them giggle.
Jenn, Imagination Celebrations
