The holidays are just around the corner, and as we inch closer and closer to the end of December, you may have realized you’re missing just one more special gift for your little one. With toys, clothes, and arts and crafts already checked off your list, it can be challenging to find that perfect stocking stuffing or extra addition under the tree.
If you’re feeling stumped, Simon & Schuster’s vast selection of beloved award-winning books for tiny hands makes for a wonderful present. Not only are you encouraging a love of life-long reading, but you’re also keeping the spirit of their inner child alive for years to come. Plus: reading one picture book to kiddos each day exposes them to about 78,000 words a year!
To help you find the board and perfect books, we’ve compiled six reads that’ll fill them with the holiday spirit.
Books for Baby
Simon & Schuster’s indestructible board books are perfect for little oneslearning to explore their senses—from babies to toddlers.As an added plus, your youngsters will have a love of reading instilled in them at an early age with books that ensure to celebrate, educate, and entertain.
A heartwarming, poetic board book, Curls follows the story of four friends who style their natural ringlets in different ways. The book instills confidence and pride, so little ones can appreciate and learn to love their distinct features.
Written by acclaimed author Karen Katz, this peek-a-boo book makes for an adventurous and playful reading experience. Each page touts a simple lift-the-flap feature, so kiddos can begin to identify parts of the body, from the head and toes to ears and nose. The ending of the book even adds a special mirror so your adorable baby can see themselves!
The sixth installment of Joan Holub’s This Little series, This Little Dreamer highlights ten important people who made history—which all started off with just a dream that turned into reality! Both kiddos and parents will love this inspirational read that features vibrant illustrations and kid-friendly facts to bring out hope within all of us.
For kiddos from three to six, Simon & Schuster’s picture books can keep them entertained for hours. With playful art, fun stories, and special bonding moments during storytime, these books will capture the whole family’s attention. You’ll also revel in the joy as you watch your child achieve milestones with their first attempts at independent reading.
Keeping friends is quite the challenge for Fluffy McWhiskers, a precious kitten that makes anyone who looks at her explode into fireworks and balls of sparkles. In an effort to keep people safe, Fluffy opts for a haircut that only makes her even more adorable, causing her to run away. With this sweet book, your kiddo will learn about self-acceptance and creating friendships in unlikely places.
An extended version of Sandra Boynton’s bestselling book The Going to Bed Book, this deluxe picture book helps kids get nestled into bed and ready for a long night’s rest filled with dreams. With gentle rhyming and color illustrations, you and your child will feel heavy eyes just in time for bed.
From the authors behind The New York Times’ bestselling book, Parker Looks Up, this touching picture book follows another Parker Curry journey: learning to open your heart. While Parker has her role of big sister down to a T, she is faced with the challenges of being a real dancer and a real friend. Youngsters will enjoy this uplifting story about making friends and self-expression.
Fatherhood is an evolving role. The traditional role of the dad going off to work while mom stays home taking care of the kids has become less the standard today. Far more typical, is having both parents going off to work. So, it is not enough for dads to just bring home a paycheck, with mom doing that too. Dads need be more engaged and play an active role in their children’s development. This change has to do predominantly with a shift in our societal and cultural expectations of what a father’s role should be, as well as a desire from dads to have more involvement with the family.
When dad becomes an increasingly engaged and active partner, it benefits both moms and the children.
1. Sharing the Workload
Probably one of the most significant and welcome changes for moms is having someone else who can step in to lend a hand with some of the less pleasurable aspects of parenting. The day-to-day drudgery of picking up after the kids, changing diapers, doing laundry, cleaning the house, doing dishes, bathing the baby, getting up in the middle of the night for feedings, making dinner—I’m getting tired just listing them. Clearly, it’s just a little bit easier when there are two people sharing the chores. Maybe even mom can even get a chance to catch a few more Z’s or imagine this: do something nice for herself.
2. Understanding What It Takes
As dads help out more, or even take over the role of primary caregiver, there is a real understanding of how much work it really is. For the longest time, I believe most men have been blissfully ignorant, knowingly or not, of how much work and how exhausting it is taking care of the kids. Honestly, I had no idea how painfully tiring and mind numbing it could be until I had my own kids, and I became the primary caregiver. I had a corporate job most of my life and nothing compares to the work of caring for kids! It is not a nine to six workday—it never seems to end. I tell people that as a new parent I experienced a new level of exhaustion—one that is both physical and mental. So, all to say that it’s a good thing for dads to understand what moms have doing for decades—working their butts off.
3. Well Rounded Development
Studies have shown a correlation between dads’ involvement with their children and those children developing more resilience, higher self-worth, and increased sociability, confidence, and self-control. There is also a benefit of having two parents involved with the kids, as they see different opinions and personalities and how they can work together. Having parents with varied strengths, weaknesses, and points of view helps children grow up to be more well-rounded.
4. Expand Definition of Masculinity
Another positive to having a well-balanced role for dads is in its ability to show children a broader spectrum of male masculinity. A real man can do housework, comfort his kids, and even show affection to his children by hugging and kissing them. This also helps children to learn what a healthy relationship looks like, so when they grow up they will have the right expectation of what a well-balanced, strong, independent man looks and acts like.
5. Education
There is evidence of babies with higher IQs, improved language ability, and communication skills when dads are actively involved in caring for and playing with their babies. This academic boost continues for children as dad stays involved in their early school education, resulting in improved academic achievements.
Although there is still a lot of progress to be made, things are moving in a direction that is good for everyone.
—Stephen Gross is an award-winning designer who has received numerous honors for his work in advertising, branding, and retail. He is author of The Simplest Baby Book in the World. He lives with his husband, Vincent, in Los Angeles with their two adorable children, who are now ages two and three.
Stephen Gross is an award-winning designer who has received numerous honors for his work in advertising, branding, and retail. He is author of The Simplest Baby Book in the World. He lives with his husband, Vincent, in Los Angeles with their two adorable children, who are now ages two and three.
Find your little bibliophile a great new read they won’t be able to put down. Nothing compares to the magic of browsing rows of bookshelves and cracking open the spine of a book so the story inside can spring to life in a young reader’s imagination. San Diego is home to some very cool bookstores with equally inviting kid’s sections where you’ll find everything from comics and sci-fi to storytime with beloved children’s book authors and Where’s Waldo scavenger hunts. Read on for 8 local shops to dog-ear for your next adventure with your little bookworm!
The only bookstore in San Diego that’s dedicated entirely to children. It was founded by a mother of three who wanted kids to have the most magical experience with books. Kids can work on story-related craft projects while their parents read aloud or browse. Storytimes come to life here with related props, crafts and sing-a-longs. Check out their fun birthday party celebrations with fantastic literary experiences. They even have recommended award-winning book lists for different ages.
NEARBY: Walk a few shops over to the cute little coffee booth at Kini Koffee or grab breakfast or lunch on the patio at Pacifica Breeze Café; both have stunning ocean views. Plan ahead to drive a few minutes over to Powerhouse playground for a play session just steps away from the beach with stunning ocean views; and the train runs by every so often.
Sandcastle Tales 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar 858-777-2086 Online: sandcastletales.com
Central Library Shop
This downtown shop is located on the ground floor of the San Diego Central Library and is a partner of the Public Library Foundation. That means proceeds from the well-curated Library Shop purchases benefit the San Diego Public Library system — an extra bonus in our "book." If that's not enough to love, the shop hosts awesome literacy-themed gatherings for kids like a Where's Waldo scavenger hunt, card-making workshops for Mother's Day and Father's Day, visits from famous authors of children's books and storytime events. A visit to this shop is sure to be an epic day for readers of all ages.
NEARBY: Across the street is Hob Coffee East Village or further down is the ultra-trendy Holy Matcha or walk-up coffee bar at Achilles Coffee.
Central Library Shop 300 Park Blvd., Downtown 619-236-5802 Online: libraryshopsd.org
Bay Books
Considered San Diego's largest general independent bookstore, Bay Books has been catering to local (and visiting) bookworms for more than 20 years. Boasting an extensive children's section, with books for those tackling their ABCs as well as good reads for more accomplished readers, the shop is roomy enough for families to sit together and read while still offering plenty of cozy nooks for those who prefer some quiet time. Be sure to check out their party supply section where you can pick out the perfect decor for your thoughtful reader's next birthday party.
NEARBY: Inside Bay Books is a coffee + pastry shop so you don’t have to go too far. Down the street, you have a choice from Moo Time Creamery for ice cream, Nado Gelato or across the street for an old-timey landmark at Clayton’s Coffee Shop for classic American meals, coffee, pie and jukebox tunes.
Replenish your supply of bedtime stories at Warwicks, the country’s oldest family-owned and operated bookstore, located in La Jolla. The well-stocked shop offers a kid's section filled with a wide selection of books, educational toys, colorful artwork and comfy beanbag chairs. The store used to have storytimes so check back in case they start those up again later on.
NEARBY: This is in the middle of the village so you can shop, eat and people watch all morning long. Walk across the street to trendy Parakeet Café or a few blocks further to Better Buzz.
Warwicks 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla 858-454-0347 Online: warwicks.com
Recently opened in 2017, and very welcome addition to the South Park neighborhood. They have a wonderful children’s room full of books, while also focusing on new literary fiction, short stories, narrative nonfiction, science and nature writing.
NEARBY: Buy a book and walk 2 blocks down to Communal Coffee for a quick outdoor reading session.
This long-time book store has been around since 1967 and is very well-known with the well-read crowd in town. There’s a great kid’s section with a variety of new books, including Level 1, 2 & 3 and summer beach reads. Donate to their ongoing Baby Book Drive where they collect books for tots 0-5 years old that are enrolled in the local UCSD high-risk infant follow-up program. These babies get a free book and parents get the encouragement to cuddle up and read; all from the donations of their customers.
NEARBY: Plan to grab breakfast, lunch or coffee at any one of the wonderful restaurants that are surrounded nearby; a favorite is Snooze A.M. Eatery 1 ½ blocks north.
A local’s favorite bookstore for used and rare books, but in a fun and hip art-filled space. They stock quality editions of classics, favorites and new discoveries, including over 200 local authors. You’ll find lots of cozy antique chairs for reading and discovering something new.
NEARBY: Walk to your choice of coffee shops from here, Dark Horse, Subterranean Coffee or Holsem Coffee; but the kids would love a stop at Flap Your Jacks (a make your own pancake grill restaurant!).
Verbatim Books 3793 30th St., North Park 619-501-7466 Online: verbatim-books.com
Mysterious Galaxy
Lea S. via Yelp
Books about martians, magic, mayhem and more? Yes, please! Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego specializes in science fiction and fantasy and even offers customers a kid's indie reading list. The recommended books are curated by age and hand-picked to inspire tiny bookworms to keep reading.
NEARBY: Walk across the parking lot to Crumbl Cookies and you’ll be planning a return trip before you know it.
Mysterious Galaxy 3555 Rosecrans St., Midway District 619-539-7137 Online: mystgalaxy.com
Comickaze
If your family is into comics and pop culture, then Comickaze is the bookshop for you. Comickaze stocks San Diego's largest and most diverse selection of comics, graphic novels and collector supplies. The store is chock full of merchandise so plan ahead for some extra browsing time here.
NEARBY: Two shops down is GuilTea Cravings for milk & boba teas, lattes, sweet macarons and Asian bites.
A good book is like a salve to the soul and there is no better place to find your medicine than at a local, independent book shop. As the weather starts to cool and we spend more time inside, it’s the perfect time to curl up with little bookworms and those preparing to read with a beloved old book or a new favorite. Visit the following independent book shops with tips on how to make a day trip or afternoon out of it!
San Francisco
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Bookshop West Portal A true neighborhood meeting place, this beloved bookshop defines West Portal and the neighborhood wouldn’t be the same without it! Families dig outings to the West Portal hood with its retro feel and this kid-friendly bookshop is at the top of the list. With built-in benches for lounging and a third of the store dedicated to children, this low-key bookshop is an SF favorite. Bonus: The YA section is outstanding.
Insider Tip: Drop by Noe Valley Bakery for a cookie and then let the kids run it off at nearby West Portal Playground.
Green Apple Books You'll discover books jammed ceiling to floor a la Beauty and the Beast style at this literary institution. They stock both new and used children’s books in its small yet mighty kids’ sections at both locations. Plus, you can bring in your and baby’s old books to trade—just make sure they are in decent condition (read: not covered in spit-up). Check out the bargain bins out front for some deep discounts.
Insider Tip: SF Botanical Gardens is across the street and is just the spot to meander pathways, little bridges and ponds.
Fabulosa Books Fabulosa Books sits at the site of the former book shop, Dog Eared Castro and is fabulous in its own way! While all books and topics are represented here, Fabulosa specializes in LGBTQ+ books, which is apropos given Castro neighborhood’s role in queer history. They also buy used books so bring in those books that are sitting on the shelf collecting dust!
Little book lovers will head straight to the back of the store, where they will find hundreds of titles for babies all the way up to young adults. The Booksmith offers complimentary gift-wrap and one of the best selections of greeting cards in the city, making it the perfect choice for picking up gifts.
Insider tip: Right next-door, Sparrow Bar & Kitchen’s modern American cuisine menu also has the usual munchkin options. It's a splendid place with outdoor patio seating to get your grub on while enjoying the Haight with your minis.
Christopher's Books The size of a postage stamp, this charming corner Potrero Hill bookstore’s motto is “Explore the Ancient Art of Page Turning.” An impressive children’s selection to explore, helpful staff and free gift wrap makes this a double-win in case your preschooler has a birthday party to attend around the corner at Recess.
Insider Tip: For spectacular views and space to run, drive up to McKinley Square’s playground. For little thrill seekers, surprise your reading buddies with a drive down Vermont—SF’s true crookedest street.
Dog Eared Books Book-hungry San Franciscans will be well-familiar with this indie bookstore and its two locations on Valencia and Castro. Specializing in local and small press literature, you are sure to find many literary gems on the shelves here. In addition to books, the walls are filled with art from local artists for a visually stimulating environment. Make sure you check out the free box on your way out.
Pegasus Books New books, used books, big books, small books. No Bay Area indie bookstore list is complete without mentioning the good ol’ Pegasus. In various incarnations for over 45 years, there are now three Pegasus locations and we love them all! The Solano Ave store probably has the biggest kid’s section, but each location has something for everyone.
Insider Tip: At the Solano location, grab a waffle cone full of organic yumminess at iScream. Then head East on Solano, turn left at Alameda and take a sharp right onto Indian Rock Stairways Path (between the corner and second house)—you and your little steppers can follow the staircases past a few streets and up to Indian Rock Park for breathtaking Bay views.
Mr. Mopps’ Children’s Books This annex of the much adored toy shop, Mr. Mopps’ Children’s Books is located four doors down from the toy store and is a bookstore built with little people in mind. They are a proud source of Equal Reads Books, which highlights books for their excellence in diversity. Click here to read more about our visit to the store.
Insider Tip: Exercise those little bodies with a brisk 7-minute walk up Vine St. to Shattuck Ave. to dream of a date night at Chez Panisse then grab yourselves some slices of pizza at the famous Cheese Board Bakery.
Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore Handwritten reviews tucked inside books, artful displays and tiny succulents perfect for gifting are just a few of the endearing touches you will find at Mrs. Dalloways' on College Ave. This quaint bookstore boasts over 150 in-store author events most years, many by children's book authors. They give back to the community by hosting weekend fundraising events for over 25 local public and private schools.
Rakestraw Books Locally owned and independently operated in Danville since 1973, this bookstore has long been a place for creativity at its finest. In a true effort to continue to bring the community together, they have continued virtual author (think: John Grisham!) visits for both adult and children’s books.
Insider Tip: Want something cold and delicious after book browsing? Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt is in the same complex.
Towne Center Books Don’t you love when you can browse for your own books while your child is finding hers? Both locations boast over 7,000 titles with the children’s lit section being half of the store at the Pleasanton location. This community gem also offers educational toys and your bookworm might delight in the hosted birthday parties. (Think: Pirate, Science and Princess themes.)
Bel and Bunna's Books If you've ever traveled to Europe, Bel and Bunna's may feel like home for you. The shop owner fashioned this neighborhood gem after the British bookstores of her childhood and really tries to make it a literary wonderland where kids learn to love reading. A virtual daily circle or story time invites little readers to tune in from the comforts of home. Read all about our visit here.
Ink Spell Books One block off Main Street in downtown Half Moon Bay, the cozy chairs and couches at this book shop will draw your little readers in to curl up with a book or two. While a train table occupies little hands, parents can browse their large selection of adult books, used books, toys, games and even clothes. With every budget in mind, Ink Spell welcomes all to visit and has something for everyone!
The Reading Bug This family-owned, heartfelt shop is designed to look more like an enchanted forest than a typical bookstore and will thrill kids of all ages. Delightful morning story times are held every Friday and Saturday and they even have a free kids podcast that will read to your kids!
Insider tip: You cannot go wrong with Cowabunga Ice Cream right next door. In addition, to work off some energy before heading back on the road, take a 10-minute walk to the delightful and leafy Burton Park which sports a splash pad, tot and school age play sections plus bocce courts. Hiller Aviation Museum is just a short flight over the freeway.
Reach and Teach Unique puzzles, gifts, books, toys and green lifestyle products are just some of what Reach and Teach offers. Deeply rooted in peace, gender equality and social justice issues along with sustainable living, this book shop also offers soap refills! So stop by for a gift or two and leave with all your soap needs fulfilled for clean and happy kiddos.
Linden Tree Children’s Books With over 90 percent of its store devoted to children, Linden Tree Books is a 40-year-old local favorite. Kids will love the outdoor seating area where weekly story times are held and parents will love that Manresa Bakery (yes, from theManresa restaurant) is next door and can grab a coffee plus kouign amann. Yes, please.
265 State St Los Altos
Hours: Mon.- Fri., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sat & Sun 9:30-5:30 p.m. Online: lindentreebooks.com
Insider tip: After your Linden Tree visit, take a five-minute walk to gorgeous Shoup Park for play on its two playgrounds and exploration of the dry Adobe Creek bed that you can use to walk or run all the way to the wooden platform observation decks of Redwood Grove Nature Preserve.
Bookasaurus This cool expansion bookstore from next door neighbor Leigh's Favorite Books (which, with over 40,000 titles is somewhere you should visit, too!) is devoted to kids' books, educational toys and games. The very back of the store is filled with all things toddler and babies (think: adorable accessories) - we dare you to try leaving this store with just one item.
Insider’s tip: Plaza del Sol and Philz coffee are on the block over. Caffeinated parent + room to scream and run around like a banshee for the kids? Win.
Kepler’s Books With its decades-long loyal followings by Beat Poets, musicians such as the Grateful Dead and Stanford professors, if there is an independent bookstore worthy of the title “Powerhouse” Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park is it. Kepler’s draws very popular author/illustrators for events (such as Rick Riordan); check their website for latest events.
Insider tip: The fantastic Café Borrone next door has lovely pastries among lunch and dinner options with outdoor seating next to a landmark fountain. Nearby Burgess Park offers a large and shady playground for strolling and picnicking with the bonus of watching the train roll by.
Hicklebee’s Ask any savvy Bay Area parent what the best bookshop in the South Bay is, and you’ll likely get a resounding answer: Hicklebee’s. Serving Silicon Valley since 1979, families attest to its exemplary staff, wide selection of books and killer author events (JK Rowling, Rosemary Wells, Judith Viorist). With bonus features like Book of the Month Clubs (you can give as a gift!), their motto of "Extraordinary books for the entire family" is easier than ever to accomplish.
Books Inc. With origins dating back to the Gold Rush, Books Inc. declares it is the oldest bookseller in the West. To be fair, there are nine different locations of this glorious indie-chain, including four in San Francisco, and two in the East Bay. We’re putting it under the South Bay heading but there are also Peninsula and SF stores. All locations are clean, well-organized and feature an in-store children’s lit expert. Check the website for the nearest location and join one of the many book clubs they host, or just pop in to peruse some of the finest selections of books in the Bay.
Recycle Bookstore Books that are old to others and new to you line the shelves of this bookstore with locations on The Alameda and in downtown Campbell. Sell and trade your old books here or buy some new reads. The Campbell location always has a table out front with many fun kid favorites to lure in the little literature lovers.
Insider tip: Greenlee's Bakery with their famous cinnamon swirl bread is right across the street from the San Jose location. Or head to Campbell on Sunday to enjoy the farmer's market that takes over the downtown while you swing by to see what's new at Recycle.
Book Passage The Bay Area’s liveliest bookstore is the premier location for author events, with the likes of Elizabeth Gilbert, Isabelle Allende, Hillary Clinton and Michael Chabon gracing its reading room or Ferry Building locations. The back of the main store includes children’s books, toys, and an entire used book room. Book Passage's store in the snazzy Ferry Building in San Francisco may have a small footprint, but boasts floor-to-ceiling books with a great kids’ section. It’s a perfect place to snag San Francisco-centric gift books like Count to Sleep San Francisco and Smarty Marty’s Got Game. Plus you can watch ferries, tankers and sail boats come and go, so it’s an epic win for the family.
With eleven stores ranging from Healdsburg to Larkspur, Copperfield’s has the North Bay and Marin well covered. Located in the 4th Street shopping district of downtown San Rafael, this location carries an expansive selection of books for kids and teens. The store also houses a Taylor Maid Organic Coffee Bar, because nothing goes better with a book than a cup of joe.
Depot Book Store and Cafe All aboard to get your board books! How fun is it that this popular bookstore is located in an old train depot? This adorable downtown Mill Valley shop is small yet offers an amazing kids’ selection. You'll enjoy the impressive array of both international and local magazines, and a cafe to boot!
Expecting number two (or three or four…)? It could be a good time to prepare your child to welcome a new member of your family! The transition to the role of big brother or sister can be tough for little ones, with big emotions from jealousy to nervousness to excitement and back again! We’ve rounded up five ways to help make the littlest members of your growing family thrive in their new role, from books to games and more!
1. Read a Story That Speaks Their Language
We love the book Original Cat, Copy Cat for its social and emotional learning with a core theme of relationship skills tailored to new siblings. Bonus: Reading Original Cat, Copy Cat, is an ideal way to spend one-on-one time together while working on crucial life skills that will come in handy with a new sibling on the way and beyond!
Pineapple the cat experiences the challenges of adjusting to an additional member of the family. Pineapple loves being an only cat—and then Kiwi comes along. But despite the chaos and the annoyances, Pineapple soon realizes that a new kitten—a new friend—makes everything twice as fun.
Original Cat, Copy Cat is a celebration of friendship and acceptance! For ages 4-8, this book is an excellent tool to help your child adjust to a new family member that speaks their language, told through fun and relatable characters. Sarah Kurpiel's simple use of expressive language and bold artwork makes for an irresistible picture book that's perfect for storytime sharing, siblings-to-be and animal lovers everywhere—Original Cat, Copy Cat is out August 3
Babies cry—a lot! (And sometimes, for no reason at all.) Can you imagine needing something basic like food, some rest or an extra blanket and the only way you can ask for it is to go “WAAH”?! Why not try it yourselves and see what it’s like! Think of things your baby might want; to sleep, to play, to be held and so on. Pick something off the list and try to get it across to the other person without using words—it’s a fun/informative way to put yourselves in your baby’s (very tiny) shoes. Now your child may be just a little more patient next time they hear their new sibling crying.
The best way to get to know what life with a baby is like? Hang out with one! Plan a date to meet up with a friend/neighbor or family member’s baby for a few hours to help your child get a sense of what life is like beyond the bump! It’s a great way for them to get up close and personal with a bundle of joy to get to experience the snuggles and smiles, as well as the poopy diapers, as they get to know their new baby friend.
Time to get out the baby books (or even just the photos/videos on your smartphone)! What better way to get them psyched for their new baby brother or sister than to relive their newborn days! It’s a great bonding experience, too, looking back on how adorable, sweet and cuddly they were before they learned the word “no!”. Talking about how much they have grown and the differences between now and then as they gaze at images of their younger self will help them connect with their yet-to-be-born best bud, too. It helps kids to understand that the new baby in their family won’t be a crying (but cute) little lump forever, but turn into a big kid that’s fun to play with, just like them!
Because we all want to feel included, right?! Take your child with you to the doctor to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Share ultrasound photos of your baby and try to find all the tiny little parts together. Let them help put together the nursery, choosing colors and decor they think their new brother or sister will love. Once baby is here, get them involved in their care (depending on how old they are). Let them get a diaper or wipes for you, give the baby a favorite toy or even help feed them—it’s bonding time at its best!
There a so many baby books in print and even more internet resources touting “The Best Way” for parents to feed/sleep train/play//soothe/swaddle/diaper/stimulate their babies, but I’ve somehow never heard a parent of twins say, “Wow, with all my free time and energy I found reading these chapters on infant care so helpful.”
In this spirit of cutting to the chase for our parents of twins, here’s a crash course in topics not found in baby books that will actually help you in those early months with two newborns.
How the heck do people get twins on the same schedule?
There is no magic to this and don’t let any sleep advice-for-hire person tell you otherwise. Getting babies on the same schedule it is just a matter of always offering milk/formula at the same time until the babies’ feeding times sync up. It may take several days or a week but keep at it and the babies will eventually feel hungry at the same intervals.
On a side note, parents of twins who have been on the same schedule for years will tell you that potty training is so challenging because toddlers usually have to go to the bathroom at the same time which is good…but also bad.
That’s nice, but you assume I can feed them at the same time…how am I supposed to do that?
The ideal situation is for there to always be two people on hand come baby feeding time. For breastfeeding moms, get very comfortable in bed and allow the babies to nurse football style while cozied up next to you on each side. Your partner or support person will help with getting babies positioned, burping, and making sure you have all the snacks and drinks you desire!
If you’re alone and caring for the babies, you can do it! Nursing moms can tandem feed and bottle-feeding folk can place two Boppy pillows on the floor, one on each side, and offer the twins’ bottles at the same time. You’ll be burping them at different times, and it will feel like a 45 minute to an hour’s worth of Baby Macarena. This is normal.
Now that social distancing is a thing and I’m not really supposed to leave the house, how am I supposed to stay sane?
First off, you can go for a walk with the babies in a double stroller as long as you’re staying at least six feet apart from others. To be extra safe and keep away strangers who want to take “just a peek” at the babies, invest in one of the snap and go type strollers where the twins’ car seats snap right into the stroller. This way you can push the canopies all the way down, completely shielding babies’ faces.
While FaceTime can’t take the place of face-to-face, lots of parent support groups are being held virtually right now and for parents of twins, having the reassurance of someone who’s been there/done that is crucial no matter how the message gets through.
Twins bring double the joy but also double the advice, and with so many baby experts out there, just remember that you’re the expert in your babies. You got this!
With twin girls and a boy born 17 months apart, I'm the owner of the world's most ironically named business, Let Mommy Sleep. Let Mommy Sleep provides nurturing postpartum care to newborns and evidence based education to parents by Registered Nurses and Newborn Care Providers.
One of Japan’s top baby books is coming to America! Author and scientist Dr. Kazuo Hiraki created a colorful book that will grab your kiddo’s attention and may even settle your crying baby!
Moimoi features bold designs that are scientifically proven to hold baby’s attention nearly twice as long other other shapes. The University of Tokyo Baby Lab studied infant eye motions and brain activity. The result was a colorful children’s board book, featuring shapes, sounds, and more.
photo courtesy of The Experiment
What is moimoi? Moi, pronounced like koi, is a nonsense word that will quickly become one of your baby’s fave sounds. Not only will the bullseye-like colorful shapes completely engage your child’s attention, Moimoi may soothe them too.
This high-contrast children’s book has already sold over 500,000 copies in Japan. Moimoi—Look at Me! (written by Kazuo Hiraki and illustrated by Jun Ichihara) makes its American debut Mar. 30, 2021. The board book for babies retails for $7.95. Visit The Experiment Publishing for more information on the Moimoi series and pre-orders or visit Amazon.
If your littles enjoy Moimoi—Look at Me!, Moimoi, Where Are You? will make its grand debut Spring of 2022.
When I became a parent nearly 14 years ago, I knew absolutely nothing about parenting. I’d read all the baby books, perused all the parenting websites, signed up for the weekly emails about my baby’s development and yet still was woefully under-prepared for what it would take to be a mother.
Not much has changed since then. I still feel inadequate most days as I stumble my way through the maze of parenthood. As my oldest approaches his 14th birthday, I find myself amazed by how much he has changed in just one year. Blinking back tears, I look at him today, amazed at the young man he has become, and am humbled by just how much he has taught me during his 13th year:
1. Hold on loosely, but don’t let go. It turns out that 80s bands gave us more than just good music—they gave us solid advice to live by as parents. My 13-year-old has taught me this year that while I need to hold onto him and continue to guide him, I can’t cling too tightly. He needs space to find himself and that means space to make his own mistakes. If I hold too tightly, he’s never going to learn how to make it as an adult.
2. Be honest with friends. Middle school has been rough for me as a parent this past year, as it turns out that middle school drama doesn’t really stop when you leave middle school. It all rears its ugly head again when you become a middle school parent. During moments this past year when my 13-year old caught wind of such drama, he was always very matter-of-fact and eager to offer advice to me. He always encouraged me to “just talk to them” and be honest. His message—if they are your friends, they’ll understand.
3. Don’t sweat the small stuff. You can learn a lot from how 13-year-old boys handle conflict. While they have their share of disagreements with their friends, get hurt, and have drama, they are quick to let it go and move on. They don’t sweat the small stuff. They let it roll off their backs. We could benefit from doing more of the same as adults.
4. Sleepovers are the worst. I thought sleepovers would get better as they got older. They don’t. Although they can regulate themselves and then recover a bit quicker than my 10-year-old when it comes to going to sleep at a normal time, now that they are teenagers the responsibility of hosting becomes so much more stressful for us as parents. Are other kids bringing in vapes, drugs, or alcohol? Are they going to try to sneak out? Are they doing something on social media that might hurt other kid’s feelings? Sleepovers for 13-year-olds still suck.
5. Hugs are the greatest gift. When my son was little, he was a great hugger and snuggler. Now, hugs are much harder to come by. But, when I do get a surprise hug hello or thank-you or as a comfort, it is one of the greatest gifts ever. I wish I hadn’t taken all those toddler hugs for granted, I never knew how much I would miss them.
6. Teenagers can navigate. This summer we went tubing down a river in New Hampshire with a large group of families. It was a 5-mile river float and we let the group of teenage boys float off together ahead of the adults. Many of us worried that they wouldn’t be aware enough to see the tiny sign that would indicate it was time for them to get off the river. When we rounded the bend and saw the beach with the sign, the teens were nowhere in sight. I immediately wrote them off, assuming they missed it but I could not have been more wrong. Not only had they seen it, but they had returned their floats to the rental place and were waiting together for us near our cars.
7. Car rides are special. Joining a travel sports team has meant lots of long car rides over the past year and although those often meant waking up early and staring at headlights for 2+ hours, they also mean that I got to ride side by side with my 13-year-old, trapped in a moving box. Just us. Something special often happens on those long car rides. The air shifts just a bit and he begins to open up about his life, his friends, his feelings, his fears. I love those car rides now.
8. Teens have good instincts too. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from my 13-year-old is that just because we, as adults, are older, doesn’t necessarily mean we are wiser. Teenagers are humans too and have some gut instincts that sometimes are spot on. It’s important to give them a chance to use their voice and share their instincts. Being able to tap into that insight will help them immensely in their adulthood.
9. We need more cereal. One of the primary sources of fuel for 13-year-old boys is cereal. It could be a meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack and teenagers eat it by the boatload. My 13-year-old has taught me to assume that we always need more cereal. If you see me at any store these days, I can guarantee I have some cereal and milk in my cart.
There are whole sections of bookstores devoted to the topic of how to parent a teenager. You could read every single one of those books and still feel unsure of yourself as you navigate the waters of parenting a teenager. But, I’m learning that the best way to parent them is to see them, hear them, and accept them for who they are right now…and feed them lots and lots of cereal.
Jenni Brennan is a psychotherapist, college professor, creator of Changing Perspectives, and co-host of The Changing Perspectives Podcast. Jenni is passionate about exploring the topics of parenting, relationships, grief, and mental health through her writing and podcast episodes. She lives with her husband, 2 sons, 3 dogs, and 2 cats in Massachusetts.
Whitney Popa is a Communications Consultant and mom of two toddlers. She lives where the mountains meet the sea near Seattle. She has very strong opinions about baby books.
I’m not great at giving people proper reaction faces, so baby showers are uniquely stressful for me. When I was pregnant with our son four years ago, I made several requests to open gifts after the main event. My requests were swiftly rebuffed. So, I sat on my throne in front of my admiring guests, leaned over my massive belly, and tried to give them the ooohs and ahhhs and “SO cute!” they came to see. By the time it was over, I was sweaty, out of breath, and exhausted, especially because I received multiples of almost every classic board book on the market.
Look, I enjoy Little Blue Truck as much as the next mom. However! At my baby shower, I received four copies of it. Two I kept, storing one on each floor of our house. I gave the two others to grandparents to keep at their houses. It worked out fine, but I sure would have preferred more variety in the baby books I received that day (as grateful as I am that people cared to give us gifts at all!).
There are thousands of incredible books I could mention and we’ve read countless already (we even have a book box subscription from Amazon), so I thought I’d help out moms like me who want fun variety in their baby books and, quite honestly, don’t want to be annoyed by the stories their toddlers ask to read over and over. Anyone who has met a toddler knows they have their little fixations that can last months at a time.
This list includes books with beautiful messages, gorgeous illustrations, and in various styles (board books, picture books, a sneaky looks-like-it’s-for-the-kiddos-but-is-actually-for-mom book). I hope it helps you think beyond Pout Pout Fish and Brown Bear, Brown Bear—two other stories I love, and that live in multiple copies within our family.
Happy reading!
1
You Belong Here
If you take just one of my recs, make it this one.
$14.49
My husband can't read this book very often because it makes him cry. It's probably the most gorgeously-illustrated book we own and the message is poetic and pure: you and your child are bound together no matter where the world takes you.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander is all of us.
$7.17
I grew up reading Alexander and was so excited to add it back to our library when we had kids. I love that the story is told just as Alexander would say it—with run on sentences and carpool and brothers and mischief and Australia. Alexander always helps put our bad days in perspective.
Another tear-jerker with glittery illustrations that make the story even more magical.
$9.99
This was one of the best baby shower books I was gifted. It's the perfect storm of a sweet story that will make parents weepy, animal illustrations, and glittery backgrounds. Prepare the tissues!
This sweet -You're perfect exactly as you are- book has an important message woven into the cutest illustrations and rhyming story. Our son gets sick of me asking if we can read it every night before bedtime—that's how much I love it.
A catchy little board book that doesn't get annoying after the 100th time reading it before bed.
$7.99
What's so cute and clever about this board book is that every animal in it is made out of multiple hearts. How can you not love a book like that? This was the first in our collection that our son was able to read with us (aka he memorized it and filled in much of the story when we would take a dramatic pause). Now that we have two kids, the ending that references a tired zookeeper feels particularly relevant.
A charming little board book about appreciating sweet moments in nature.
$6.99
Cute rhyming stories can very much have bigger messages. This charming tale teaches your littles how to count, about creatures they might see outside, and about kindness. Plus, it ends with a great, big hug!
A display-worthy book full of Scandinavian-inspired illustrations that will mesmerize any baby starting soon after they're born.
$12
My favorite thing about this book is that our three-year-old son flips through it with our one-year-old daughter. He points to the cow and she says Moooo! and it's the cutest thing in the world. This is a simple and beautiful book that grows with your kiddos, and it is so pretty you'll want to keep it around long after they've moved on to longer stories.
I am very much a sucker for stories about unlikely friendships.
$14
In the 10th anniversary edition of this classic, the author/illustrator included a section about the evolution of Otis's character and scene development. We always see the end product, and not necessarily the process, so as a big book nerd, I loved that addition. The story, too, is a charmer: a little tractor lulls a brown calf to sleep with the purr of his motor. They become best friends and help each other out of a pickle.
It may look like a board book for your baby, but it's also a board book for you, mama.
$5
The central message in this book is about a child who loves spending time with her mama, even when her mama isn't feeling herself because of postpartum depression/anxiety. It reminds moms that our children love us just as we are and shows children that mama putting her needs first is better for the whole family.
I can't keep myself from smiling every time we read this book. The message is an important one: that happiness is an inside job. Through a series of affirmations, the little pig in this story does a fabulous job relaying that it's important to be your own best friend. That's something we could all stand to hear more often.
I was raised Ukrainian Catholic by hardworking immigrant parents. Christmas was a very big deal at my house, but mostly from a religious and culinary perspective. Gifts were never lavish, and I grew up understanding that my wish list for Santa had to be brief and reasonable. The modest celebrations of my childhood helped me appreciate the things I did receive and focus on the comfort and joy of our holiday traditions: cooking, welcoming carolers, decorating the tree and being with family.
When I married my husband and we decided to raise a Jewish family, I grieved the loss of Christmas for a bit, but then fully embraced Hanukkah as an opportunity to create new traditions and warm memories for our children. The one thing I couldn’t really support was eight nights of gifts. It seemed excessive, and I worried that it would detract from creating other, more important holiday traditions—particularly around giving back and spreading joy to others.
Since my kids were very young, I had been passionate about introducing them to age-appropriate service. I understood intuitively (as most parents do) that the key to raising kind, compassionate, grateful, and grounded kids is to encourage them to recognize the needs of others and find ways to help. We don’t wait to start reading to our children, why wait to start volunteering with them? I made it my mission to find opportunities for our family to give back to our community whenever we had the chance. A big part of this effort involved creating family service traditions around holidays and milestones. The easiest way to find time for service in hectic schedules is to incorporate it into things you are already doing. Sharing the joy of your special occasions elevates every celebration, creating warm memories that last a lifetime.
I wanted to be sure some of the eight nights of Hanukkah didn’t involve receiving gifts at all but were still fun. One night we bake cookies for our neighbors or local first responders and deliver them. Another night we’ll shop online for a family we’ve “adopted” for the holidays or write thank you notes to the postal carrier and maintenance staff in our building.
One of our favorite holiday service traditions has been visiting with an elderly neighbor through a program at our local senior center. I signed up for our first Hanukkah visit when our kids were very small (and our youngest, now 13, was not yet born). We were matched with Betty and Fred S., Holocaust survivors. Fred had been incapacitated by a stroke but was always present for our visits, sitting in his recliner, observing the activity with smiling eyes. Betty was spry and sweet. She always wore her finest fluffy pink sweater, and with the help of an aide, prepared mini potato latkes and honey cake for our visit. We would light the Hanukkah candles, play dreidel, and sing songs together. The Schwartz’s became like family to us, and photos of our kids adorned their refrigerator next to photos of their own grand- and great-grandchildren. We requested to visit the couple year after year until they both passed away. It was always the most special night of our holiday. The best feeling in the world was having my kids ask me each year as Hanukkah approached, not “What am I getting this year?” but “What night are we visiting Betty and Fred?”
Most families are great about engaging in service around the “giving” holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. It’s important to remember that there are people who are struggling with hunger, homelessness, poverty, and illness every day of the year, not just in November and December. Many national and religious holidays are slam-dunk opportunities to volunteer with your family. The MLK Day of Service in January and the 9/11 Day of Service in September have been designated as such, and volunteer events in your community abound if you keep your eyes open for them. Valentine’s Day is a perfect chance to create a tradition around spreading love to those who might be lonely or isolated. Veteran’s Day and Independence Day remind us to show support and gratitude to our active-duty military, veterans, and their families who have sacrificed so much for our freedom and safety.
Birthdays are perhaps the easiest way to incorporate service traditions into your family life. Many families have a special birthday plate or candle holder, a favorite type of cake, a silly song, or sparkly crown—some type of ritual that is expected each year and cherished by the birthday child. Why not add one small element of “giving” into a day that is often so focused on “getting?” Depending on their age or interest, your child can ask for donations in lieu of gifts for their birthday, or donate one of their birthday gifts to a child in need who shares their special day. My family has hosted “parties with purpose” for our kids at every age. We’ve collected baby books at a first birthday party and pajamas at a sleepover, we’ve created toiletry kits for the homeless at a “spa-themed” party, and collected dog food for the ASPCA the year we adopted our beloved rescue pup. All of these efforts were seamlessly integrated into parties filled with all of the usual trimmings, adding notes of kindness and generosity to these events, making them even more memorable and meaningful.
It doesn’t matter what your service traditions are, the most important thing is to start early—even when children are very young—and to stay consistent. Your kids likely won’t remember a toy they received at the holidays or on a birthday, the decorations you carefully selected, or the cake you meticulously frosted. They’ll remember the memories that were made when you were volunteering together, how great they felt doing good for others, and the way that this shared experience connected you all together, making a special day even better.
Natalie Silverstein, MPH, is the NYC coordinator of Doing Good Together. She is a writer, speaker and consultant on the topic of family service. Her first book Simple Acts: The Busy Family's Guide to Giving Back was published in 2019 and her second book for teens will be published in 2022.