CreateOn is known for transforming Magna-Tiles with new designs using popular licenses and custom personalization. They have just unveiled a new Luminary Magna-Tiles set in support of pediatric cancer patients. The new set is an addition to the CreateOn’s first Luminary Magna-Tiles launched earlier this year in support of COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers.
In recognition of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, CreateOn’s new Hope Catcher Luminary Magna-Tiles set is a meaningful building toy for children that also raises funds for The Dragonfly Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists pediatric cancer patients and their families.
“We created the Hope Catcher Luminary Magna-Tiles as a fun toy to keep young patients’ minds busy during treatments, as a family activity for siblings and friends to show love and support, and to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and generate funds for a foundation helping families going through this incredibly tough time,” said Steve Rosen, Vice President, CreateOn. “September is the perfect time to partner with The Dragonfly Foundation, and we are honored to create a building toy with a valuable meaning that contributes to an important cause.”
The Dragonfly Foundation has been a staple in the Cincinnati cancer community for over 10 years. Jessica Merar, Director of Programs in Chicago, is honored to be leading the charge locally. “We are thrilled to now have boots on the ground in the Chicagoland area. My main focus is to raise funds and awareness in order to support local patients and families through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. All funds raised locally will stay local. I’m excited and grateful to be partnering with such a developmentally appropriate, child-friendly, useful, and entertaining product.”
The Hope Catcher Luminary Magna-Tiles set includes 10 colorful magnetic tiles plus a light to illuminate the set once completed into a bug catcher shape. The tiles can be combined in a variety of configurations, and kids will love finding hidden shapes in every corner each time they rearrange the layout. An educational hands-on toy, the Hope Catcher Luminary Magna-Tiles teach children shapes, patterns, colors, and more STEAM skills.
CreateOn designed this set specifically for pediatric cancer patients, with the realization that they may need fun ways to keep their minds busy during treatments and while only having one hand free. The pieces are small enough to fit on a hospital table and are easy for small hands to assemble. When assembled as the bug catcher structure, the luminary also doubles as a night light, and brightens up any hospital room with vibrant colors and designs of butterflies, dragonflies, ladybugs, and other fun outdoor creatures. There is also a door slot on the tile of the completed structure to add notes of hope and inspiration.
By partnering with The Dragonfly Foundation, CreateOn is supporting their efforts helping young cancer patients and their families. 20 percent of proceeds from each set sold will be donated to the foundation to support their mission to help families find strength, courage, and joy.
The Hope Catcher Luminary Magna-Tiles are available now on CreateOn.com. For more information, visit CreateOn.com and follow on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more about The Dragonfly Foundation, visit Dragonfly.org, follow on Instagram and Facebook.
Teddy bears bring comfort and joy to those who receive them. Ty Warner, owner of the largest manufacturer of plush in the world, today announced the introduction of Hope, a limited-edition praying bear. Warner will contribute 100% of the profits from the original sale to the United Way Worldwide COVID-19 Fund.
“The world needs hope, and this little bear just might bring us the smile we need right now,” Warner said. “It is an honor to partner with United Way Worldwide, the world’s largest nonprofit organization, which has been providing hope to communities around the world for over 135 years.”
Warner’s announcement follows his decision last month to open his Four Seasons Hotel New York to nurses and medical workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, providing them a place to stay free of charge. In addition to today’s release, Warner is delivering individual Hope bears to the medical professionals currently staying at the hotel – and making additional donations to the United Way Worldwide on their behalf.
Hope will be available worldwide in essential retail outlets such as drug and grocery stores, so that people can purchase the bear while shopping for groceries and other essential items. Hope can also be ordered online.
“United Ways around the world are working tirelessly to provide critical human services and much needed financial support to our most vulnerable populations in the face of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic,” said Suzanne McCormick, U.S. President, United Way Worldwide. “We are touched by Ty’s introduction of Hope, whose sales profits will help the most vulnerable populations receive critical financial and social service support during this global crisis.”
In addition to fundraising from the sale of Hope, Warner is supporting those on the frontlines battling the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City by opening the doors of his Four Seasons Hotel New York free of charge to medical workers responding to the crisis.
“Many of those working in New York City have to travel long distances to and from their homes after putting in 18-hour workdays caring for COVID-19 patients. Our healthcare workers need a place closer to work where they can rest and regenerate in order to continue their service to our nation’s sick and infirm,” Warner said. “I am humbled that we could open the doors of the Four Seasons Hotel New York and provide a place for our nation’s heroes to rest.”
Kristen Bell may play a princess on the silver screen, but that doesn’t mean she’s raising her kids to be treated like royalty IRL. Recently, at a Winter Wonderland event run by Tiny Prints and Baby2Baby, Kristen Bell offered her time to give back to the community. Baby2Baby is a nonprofit organization that provides basic essentials to children living in poverty. During the event, Bell made cupcakes, played with real snow and had a few games of foosball with a group of second graders. While there, she spoke about how she taught her daughters gratitude during the holiday season.
“Just don’t overdo it [during the holidays], and don’t overspend,” Bell said. “It’s pretty simple. It’s exciting to buy presents for your kids, but the thing I make sure we do in our family is open gifts one at a time, starting youngest to oldest. We open all of our presents, so it’s not chaotic. My 4-year-old [Delta] starts, and she’ll open each one of her gifts. We all watch! It takes a little bit of the chaos out of Christmas morning because she knows that when she opens something, she is to look at the person who bought it for her and say thank you.”
Bell also tries to teach her girls that giving is more important than receiving. She said, “I take each of my kids to the store at separate times on a special day date to pick out a gift for their family members,” she explained. “I want them to feel ownership over what they’re getting. It can be anything. Get something for your sister, pick something out to make something for your dad.” When they get back home, Bell makes her daughters responsible for wrapping their presents.
If you would like to donate to Baby2Baby, they are accepting money or gently used items. Check out their website for the full guidelines regarding donations. After the event, the children Bell visited with went home with a bag of essentials, such as a new coat, shoes, and a few toys or games. “It’s an honor to serve these kids!” Bell said. “It feels good. There’s no other reason than that. You get to meet new people, new kids. It’s just wonderful.”
Every year kids across the globe mail their letters to Santa in hopes that the jolly old elf will respond and make their holiday wishes come true. In the town of Santa Claus, Indiana a team of busy elves is giving St. Nick a helping hand.
The Santa Claus Post Office, which is located on Kringle Place in Santa Claus, Indiana, was established in 1856, but it wasn’t until 1914 when the Santa Claus’ Postmaster James Martin decided to put that famous name to work and start answering kids’ letters. As the years went, by the nonprofit organization, Santa’s Elves Inc. was established and with the help of volunteers, the group has continued the work that Martin started.
Each year the team answers letters from kids that are sent from all over the world. In 2018 the volunteers answered more than 22,000 letters. If you live in Indiana, you can simply stop by the original Santa Claus Post Office and hand-deliver your kids letters. Otherwise, you can send your letter to Santa Claus, P.O. Box 1, Santa Claus, IN, 47579.
The town became so famous for its special holiday postmark, that people came from all over the country just to mail their letters. In fact, in the 1930s the U.S. Post Office suggested changing the name of the town to deal with the overwhelming demand, but luckily that change never happened. Every year the special postmark design gets a revamp when a local high school student designs a new picture postmark for use on mail from the Santa Claus Post Office during the holiday season.
“My sister-in-law was killed by her boyfriend,” the text read.
I had looked down quickly to glance at the message as I hurried to drop my daughter off at a birthday party. It was at Kids Hair, and they were doing a fashion show. My daughter laughed and squealed, drowning in feather boas before she could wave goodbye. In a haze, I struggled to process the information I had just read. My stomach churned. The F-word repeated itself in my mind. That’s all I could think to write back to my friend who sent the message. I didn’t know what to say. How else do you respond to news like that? The text, I realized as I reread it in my car, said more, sent to our group of friends to avoid having to repeat such a heartbreaking truth more than necessary. My friend didn’t know it then, but she would inevitably end up repeating that very sentence, again and again, telling her sister-in-law Natalie’s story for many years to come.
Natalie was 32 years old and a successful student in medical school. Her classmates and professors loved her. No one knew her boyfriend, whom she lived with, had been psychologically and emotionally abusing her for years. Her family did not know that her visits home came few and far between because she feared his threats to harm them were true. She worked hard to hide the fact that he had loaded guns in their home with which he threatened her. She didn’t want anyone else harmed by the person hurting her, so she worked to protect others from the painful truth.
The truth is, every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten in the U.S., and 1 in 3 women has experienced domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pattern of learned behavior used to gain and maintain power and control over a person in an intimate relationship. It affects women and men of all backgrounds. It includes physical abuse, but it can also be sexual, emotional, and psychological. There is shame and confusion and a variety of complex mixed emotions involved for the person experiencing it, leading them often to keep it hidden from everyone they know and love.
Why would someone stay in such a relationship, you might wonder? We all have choices. But women who are in these relationships are told their families will be hurt if they leave. The abusers tell them they are nothing and will have nothing if they leave. They are threatened that they will be killed if they leave. The violence and control have been slowly ingrained throughout the relationship, starting so subtly that the mind thinks it’s not that bad, that each time is the last and it won’t happen again. By the time it is the most unsafe, it has been happening for so long, and the fear is so strong there seems little way out.
More than 1,000 women are killed in the US every year from domestic violence, and the numbers are rising. When a woman tries to leave her abusive partner, her risk of being killed goes up exponentially. This is heavy, but this is real.
In the tragic aftermath of Natalie’s death, my friend and her husband, Natalie’s brother, decided to do something to honor Natalie by creating a nonprofit organization that works to help stop the cycle of domestic abuse. They took the sentence she texted, the one that could have crippled and broken them—they took the hurt and pain and soul-stealing truth in it—and turned it into, not a weapon but a balm to heal the lives of others. They tell it whenever and wherever they can to give meaning to Natalie’s death, sharing the story of her life to profoundly change the paths of others who share the same truths and seek healing from the same hurts.
I have talked with my friend many times since I got the text about Natalie. I still have yet to come up with the right thing to say to her, a better response to her pain. But what I have learned is that it’s not what I say that matters, it’s listening that is important. The acknowledgment of the sorrow and the struggle, and being a witness to the journey of healing as she and her family work endlessly to be Nat’s voice and forever put an end to domestic violence.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you are experiencing domestic violence, or think someone you know might be, please know there is help. You are not alone. Call the national domestic abuse hotline for help and resources. You deserve to be safe.
The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Thehotline.org
Krissy Dieruf is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children, loves to sing and dance around the house and has a soft spot for rebels and crazy hair.
Explorers in need of assistance can finally enjoy the scenic views provided by the hiking trails at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, thanks to new specially designed all-terrain wheelchairs.
The Track Chairs are part of a program introduced by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers dedicated to the care of the park. The chair provides park visitors with hiking mobility assistance on specific park trails making it easier to navigate steep or sandy slopes. The Track Chair’s unique design also ensures that no damage is done to the trails themselves by maintaining low pressure on the ground.
“We wanted to be able to provide a hiking experience for people to get into the quiet areas of the park… you can see things from the road but it’s so different to being able to have that quiet time in the woods and to find a bit of a break from the everyday,” Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes representative Jeanne Esch, who is a wheelchair user herself, told Travel + Leisure.
Visitors wanting to use the chair can make a reservation at least three days in advance during the season starting in May through Oct. 20. A volunteer helps visitors learn to use the chair before going out on the actual trail.
“We’ve been seeing people from every age range using it,” Esch said. “Our volunteers always return to say it’s worth the time to see the amount of smiles the program is able to bring.”
This year, do your holiday card a favor and pose in these adorable new matching family pajama sets at Carter’s. The retailer known for stylish kid clothes has now included mom and dad in their PJ line this year––and we’re totally on board!
When shopping the collection, customers can choose from one and two-piece sets, gowns and even coordinating sets for girls and their dolls. Sizes range from newborn to adult and start at $12! So what do these family holiday PJs look like? Keep reading for our roundup!
1. Holiday Squad
Carter’s Holiday Squad collection is everything you love about Christmas––Santa, reindeers, snowmen, penguins and polar bears! The line comes in grey, pink, green and red and styles range from one piece footie jammies and two-piece sets for bigger kids and adults.
2. Classic Check
The red buffalo check in Carter’s holiday Classic Check line has something for the entire family. Older kids and parents can relax in the lightweight fleece, while baby will stay cozy in traditional, warm fleece. There are one and two piece options, and a special girl and doll duo pack of gowns.
3. Mr. & Mrs. Claus
Tis the season! The Mr. & Mrs. Claus sets will get you in the jolly spirit with these fun jammies that look like Kris Kringle’s famous red suit. The cotton collection comes in a snug fit style, and the baby onesie even has a matching hat!
4. The Nice List
Did you make this year’s Nice List? It’s more likely when you family coordinates this holiday in these traditional red and green PJ’s! This line features both fleece and snug fit cotton and the fun message to Santa.
If you needed any further reason to shop Carter’s for this year’s holiday PJ’s, then you’ll be happy to hear the company participates in an annual in-store and online campaign in partnership with Pajama Program, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine for children affected by instability.
From Oct. 30 through Jan. 6, customers can help children in their community by donating a new pair of pajamas via in-store donation bins, at registers during check-out, or online at carters.com. For every Carter’s pajama purchase, Carter’s will donate one pajama to a child in need, up to 100,000 pajamas during the donation period. Now those are some sweet dreams!
Good news: the independent bookstore is alive and well—and they’ve got lots of kid-friendly extras to keep you coming back for more. Check out our guide to the best indie bookstores in every single state (plus D.C.) that’ll keep you stocked up on kids books for the foreseeable future. With inventive story times, author events and even in-store cafes, chances are you’ll find your go-to hangout spot on this list.
1. Alabama: Church Street Coffee and Books This spot isn't just a bookstore, but we have it on our list because, well, cookies. First and foremost a bakery and cafe, this neighborhood gem serves fresh baked cookies and pastries and offers a small selection of kids and adult books for customers to peruse (or buy) while they're noshing on the snacks.
2. Alaska: Title Wave Books This is Alaska's biggest independent bookstore, and it's got aisles and aisles of used as well as new books, including a whole section devoted to Alaskan literature. Whether your little is looking for her favorite Harry Potter book or something from generations past, this is where she'll find it. One Yelper even wrote that "If they don't have it here, they probably don't have it in Alaska." The store also accepts trade-ins for store credit so you can recycle all those books your kid has outgrown.
1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage, AK Online: wavebooks.com
Honorable mention: Barnes & Noble Anchorage, which has the expected slew of books, a yummy cafe and weekly story times for kids.
3. Arizona: Changing Hands This small chain (there's a Tempe and a Phoenix location) was founded in 1974 with a vision for a "socially responsible bookstore and community gathering place," and while it has changed locations over the years, it is still both a bookstore and a gathering place. Kids will love the play areas and the assortment of toys dotting the huge book space; grown-ups will love that the adjacent bar (at the Phoenix location) allows them to browse the aisles with a glass of wine in hand. Check the calendar for weekly story times (there are separate baby and family story times!), author events, workshops and teen programs.
4. Arkansas: River Market Books River Market Books is part of the Central Arkansas Library System and features three whopping floors of books, almost all donated by library patrons. Since most of the books are secondhand (there are some new books), the prices are low and all proceeds go toward the library. There's also a cafe where hungry little readers can stock up on snacks.
5. California: Hicklebee's This sprawling, well-stocked bookstore is totally worth a visit. With a jam-packed schedule of author events, trivia nights, story times and book clubs, you and your crew will be happy to come back for repeat visits. (Pro tip: they offer free gift wrapping if you're in a pinch!)
6. Colorado: Second Star to the Right This adorable little bookstore features a selection of toys and books (new and used) as well as a diverse array of activities including drop-off events, tea parties, yoga classes, family play groups and a daily story time. This summer, they're holding a Silly Summer of Stories reading challenge perfect for your budding bookworms.
7. Connecticut: RJ Julia This 27-year-old bookstore hosts costumed story times (Psst: The Cat in the Hat has been spotted here!), yoga classes and author events. Kids will want to chow down on the cafe's award-winning cupcakes; grown-ups will want to snag a cozy spot by the window in the children's section to read a classic to their little ones.
768 Boston Post Rd. Madison, CT Online: rjjulia.com
8. Delaware: Bethany Beach Books Located a few steps from the boardwalk, this sunny and well-stocked shop is the only independent bookstore in the area and hosts weekly story times with arts and crafts as well as frequent author events.
9. Florida: The Book Loft A creaky two-story shop located on Amelia Island off the coast of North Florida, The Book Loft is as quaint as a Grandma's beach house, with tons of quiet nooks and chairs for reading and a train table for antsy toddlers. Check the calendar for bi-weekly story times, classes and author events.
Honorable mention: Books & Books, a regional chain, has a great selection of kids books, cozy seating, and yummy kid staples in their cafe.
10. Georgia: Little Shop of Stories This whimsically designed bookstore has all sorts of architectural nods to classic kid lit, including a replica green room from Goodnight Moon anda "9 3/4 platform" (with a secret door!) modeled after the mystical portal in Harry Potter. The bookstore also hosts fantastic camps, including a Magic Treehouse summer camp that transforms the second floor of the store into a magical time machine that whisks campers into historic worlds filled with mummies, ninjas, cowboys, and magic.
11. Hawaii: Basically Books This Hilo-based bookstore opened in 1985 and—in addition to one of the most beautiful locations in the US—has it all: books, maps, gifts and huge Hawaiian music selection, but you’re going to want to hang out in the children’s section to explore the books, toys and puppets. Let the kiddos get lost in some local ore while you scope out other bath and body and craft projects made in Hawaii. You’ll also find special events like author signings, local musicians and more.
12. Idaho: Iconoclast Books With the gorgeous Bald Mountain range visible in the distance, this sprawling independent bookstore has a huge selection of books for kids and adults and is a veritable institution in Sun Valley. Kids will want to say hi to Barkley the store dog when they stop by, and once inside, there's a great kids section and a yummy cafe that serves drinks, snacks, and light meals.
13. Illinois: The Book Cellar Parents can sip a glass of wine from the cafe while kids curl up with a book at this well-stocked store located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. Bookworms will find a good selection of titles for both adults and kids as well as weekly story times, author events and book signings.
14. Indiana: Kids Ink Founded by a former teacher and librarian, Kids Ink packs a lot of pages into its relatively small space. Little ones will love the fantastically curated selection of books, as well as games, puzzles and toys, some of which they can even play with in the store. The store holds story times for ages two to five as well as author visits.
15. Iowa: Beaverdale Books A cozy neighborhood feel and friendly service is what you can expect at this small independent bookstore that holds frequent story times, author events and signings.
16. Kansas: Blue Baboon Books Renting out real estate for a bookstore is expensive, so when Kansas resident Sara Ornelas set out to open one, she figured out a way to do it at a fraction of the cost: She opened Blue Baboon Books, a full-service bookstore inside a 7-by-16-foot trailer. The mobile store did so well that Ornelas was able to open a brick-and-mortar location, which holds story times, craft events, day camps and tea parties.
17. Kentucky: Blue Marble Books Don't just read a story—step inside one! Kids familiar with Margaret Wise Brown's classic Goodnight Moon will be delighted to cozy up with a book inside this store's Great Green Room, a perfect replica of that iconic bedroom where that "quiet old lady was whispering hush." Browse the more than 30,000 titles in stock as well as a selection of educational games, toys and puzzles, activity kits, and parenting and teacher reference books. Tip for teachers: Educators get a 20 percent discount on school purchases (plus a 10 percent discount on personal ones)!
18. Louisiana: The French Library Parlez-vous français? If you want your kids to know a little about the language of love, this pristine shop in Uptown New Orleans has tons of French language editions of classic kids books (there are plenty of books in English, too). The store also has weekly story times as well as unique offerings such as movie nights and French immersion classes. If that's not enough, mom and dad can always grab a café au lait from the upstairs cafe. C'est magnifique!
19. Maine: Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops This place calls itself Maine's oldest bookstore, but it's more than just a place for pages; it's also a killer souvenir shop. Consequently, you can bet that after (or before) your kids find their favorite book, they'll be dragging you to the downstairs toy aisle to buy a little something more. Whether you're looking for postcards, home decor, Maine mementos or just a good book—you'll find it here.
5 Commercial St. Boothbay Harbor, ME Online: shermans.com
20. Maryland: The Maryland Book Bank There are no frills to this book "store" (which isn't really a store), but parents will love the fact that all the titles at the Maryland Book Bank are absolutely free! A nonprofit organization that distributes more than 150,000 books to children, teachers, schools and organizations throughout the year, the Book Bank opens its doors several times a week to let people browse its selection of baby, kids and young adult books. Non-members can take up to 25 books, once a month; members can take up to 125, twice a month. Of course, donations (of books or money) are always appreciated.
1794 Union Ave. Baltimore, MD Online: mdbookbank.org (check the website for open-to-the-public hours)
Honorable mention: The Children's Bookstore in Roland Park is a colorful, cheery shop with kids books stacked to the ceiling, cozy reading chairs, and a fun selection of stuffed animals.
21. Massachusetts: An Unlikely Story Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid absolutely must stop into this Boston suburbs bookshop, a gem of a store that is owned by Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney himself. Rumor has it, Kinney (who also has an office on the third floor of the store) occasionally works the cash register, so anyone hoping for an autographed copy might want to keep an eye out. As for the books, it's a bonafide arsenal of titles, with a huge selection for both adults and kids, plus an in-store cafe that serves snacks and coffee as well as wine and beer. Make sure to look up while you're there, or you'll miss the flock of flying books and broomsticks floating from the ceiling.
Psst: Have your kids keep their eyes peeled for tiny chalkboards hidden behind secret panels throughout the store; a New York Times story about the shop said that the author hid them so that kids would find them and write secret messages or discover doodles Kinney intentionally left behind.
Honorable mention: Nantucket Bookworks, which is owned by Barnaby Bears author Wendy Rouillard, has a great kids section and dedicated kids cafe with healthy snacks and treats. You can even make a reservation and drop off the kids there while you shop!
22. Michigan: Storybook Village This magical shop has all the perfect touches to whisk children's imaginations wherever a story may take them. Kids will love walking through the lighthouse door to reach the Starlight Theatre Room, the place where story time happens throughout the day with a golden puppet castle, a pirate ship, and walls painted in the likeness of the air, sea, and space. Kids will love exploring secret spots hidden throughout the store, including secret passageways and a hidden book cranny where kids can tuck themselves away to read.
23. Minnesota: Wild Rumpus Kids can enter Wild Rumpus through a tiny door just right for them. Once inside, the books will keep them captivated, as will the shop's friendly menagerie of critters which includes a trio of kitties, two chinchillas, two rats, three birds, a ferret, and a (very contained) tarantula. Besides regular story times and author signings, the store—which was named Publisher's Weekly's bookstore of the year for 2017—also has a sensory-friendly story time, which keeps things low-key for kids who don't like big crowds or noisy spaces.
24. Mississippi: Lemuria Books With several sunny rooms full of books stacked up to the ceiling, this Mississippi literary mainstay is well-loved by Mississippi bookworms as well as traveling authors who frequently stop in for signings (the store reportedly has a remarkable collection of signed first-edition John Grisham books). The devoted kids section is a room unto itself with a huge selection for littles of all ages. Potter-heads will love the store's Harry Potter Trivia Night, which is free for kids under 10.
202 Banner Hall 4465 I-55 N. Jackson, MS Online: lemuriabooks.com
25. Missouri: The Book House Located in a historic Victorian house in Maplewood (about 15 minutes east of St. Louis) built in 1863, the Book House has been selling new, used and rare books for more than 25 years. Be prepared to get a little lost: This place has more than 350,000 books spread across its two floors of shelves, and little bookworms will love wandering around to find something new and exciting. The store hosts all sorts of events including book signings, live music, poetry readings and story times.
26. Montana: The Book Exchange Grab a book from the vast selection (of adults and kids books) and sit down in the cafe to enjoy some snacks along with a panoramic view of the Rockies. The Book Exchange offers new and used books and has been voted "Best Bookstore in Missoula" for 29 years in a row. Kids will love the little reading corner in the kids' section where they can plop down on the floor next to a stuffed Clifford the Big Red Dog and start reading.
Tremper's Shopping Center 2335 Brooks St. Missoula, MT Online: booksmontana.com
27. Nebraska: The Bookworm Not only will your kids enjoy the huge selection (they have books for all ages) and weekly story times at this 30-year-old Omaha bookstore, but your pets might have a nice time, too! Dogs on leash are welcome here—and the store also hosts frequent adoption events, along with story times and book clubs.
28. Nevada: Sundance Books and Music This sprawling store sits inside an old Victorian house that looks, on the outside, far too formal to be a bookstore. Kids will love exploring the rooms and halls of this historic home (which is leased to the bookstore by the Nevada Museum of Art), with the rooms themselves acting as dividers between genres for both kids and adults (there's music, too). Kids will want to take a selfie with the purple dragon at the top of the stairs, then stay for story time.
29. New Hampshire: Treetop Bookshop Kids will love snuggling up next to the cozy indoor tree for the near-daily story times at this cozy bookstore. Founded by a former nursery school teacher and mommy-of-three, the shop hosts story times Tuesdays through Saturdays, with each story followed by games related to the chosen tale (all totally free!). Besides the vast collection of books, the store also sells plush toys and a selection of puzzles and games.
30. New Jersey: The Curious Reader This colorful, sunny shop arranges all its books by reading level so that parents can easily find a book that won't make their little readers stumble. There's also a good selection of board books as well as some toys and stuffed animals. The store occasionally hosts special events like author signings.
Honorable mention: Symposia Bookstore in Hoboken, a well-loved space that is both a used bookstore (for kids and adults) and a community center that hosts puppet shows, story times and other community-run events throughout the month.
31. New Mexico: Bee Hive Kid's Books Bee Hive Kid's Books is New Mexico's only kids' bookstore, and it's perfectly housed in a small Santa Fe Adobe that is as bright and sunny as the neighborhood. With shelves stacked up to the ceiling, the shop hosts all sorts of fun events including musical story times (check out this one with a storyteller/fiddler duo!) as well as traditional family story times and grown-ups-only book clubs.
32. New York: Books of Wonder As New York City's only independent bookstore for kids, Books of Wonder has a lot going on for littles inside its spacious Flatiron Manhattan digs. Besides its plethora of books for kids of all ages (including a whole wall of board books alone!), there's also a creative corner featuring art based on children's literature, and an attached cafe with kid-sized tables and chairs. The store also hosts story times on Saturdays and Sundays.
Psst: If this place looks familiar, you may have seen it in the movies: Books of Wonder was the model for the set-designed shop where Meg Ryan worked in the 1998 film, "You've Got Mail." The actress even worked at the Manhattan store for a day to prepare for her role in the movie.
18 West 18th St. and 217 West 84th St. New York, NY Online: booksofwonder.com
Honorable mention: Stories Bookshop and Storytelling Lab, a Brooklyn bookstore which not only sells a great collection of kids books; it also teaches kids how to write great stories. The Storytelling Lab hosts writing workshops and classes for kids ages six to nine (there's even a parent-and-me story & art class for kids ages two to five).
33. North Carolina: Read With Me This brand new bookstore (it opened in April) is perfectly located just down the street from the Marbles Kids Museum, and it's definitely worth a stop. Founded by a former librarian, the store's vast collection of kids books are arranged by height, with books for the youngest readers found closest to the ground and books for young adults on the top shelf (which makes us wonder why all stores don't do it that way!). Parents looking for a place to take their book-loving littles can take advantage of the story times held three times a week plus various craft activities throughout the month. There's also a summer camp as well as year-round writing and cartooning workshops for kids.
111 E. Hargett St., #110 Raleigh, NC Online: readwithme.us
34. North Dakota: Nature's Nook Children's Toys and Books First of all, this place has "Toys" in its name, so you definitely won't be twisting any arms to get your kids through the doors. Once inside, your kids will be quick to find something to take home (though we can't promise it will be a book). Nature Nook's mission statement is to "help more families unplug and play." Consequently, it fills its space with a range of quality toys, games and books that whole families can enjoy together. The store also holds a variety of events for kids and parents alike, including friendship bracelet-making classes and DIY dinosaur figurine-making classes.
35. Ohio: Blue Manatee Children's Bookstore Kids can cozy up in an armchair inside the faux living room at this Cincinnati bookstore that offers daily story times (including foreign language story times on Saturday mornings), author signings, and craft events for kids of all ages. A quick look at the store's calendar and it's clear that this place is as much a beloved kid-and-parent destination as it is just a place to buy books. Of course, if you are there for the books, there are plenty to choose from, with the selection ranging from babies to teens, as well as some books for grown-ups.
36. Oklahoma: Full Circle Bookstore The largest independent bookstore in Oklahoma, Full Circle's collection is so floor-to-ceiling big that customers need ladders (which are set up throughout the store) to reach some of the books on the shelves. Of course, kids will have a blast with this proposition, and with a little supervision, we say let them climb! Story times are held every Saturday, as is live music on Saturday evenings. Hungry? The attached Garden Cafe sells snacks and light meals as well as wine and beer for thirsty moms and dads.
37. Oregon: Powell's Calling itself a "city of books," Powell's occupies an entire city block and boasts approximately one million books, both new and old, in stock (it's reportedly the largest new and used bookstore in the world). Consequently, its children's book section is big enough that your kids definitely won't go home empty-handed.
1005 W. Burnside St. Portland, OR Online: powells.com *Other locations listed here.
Honorable mention: Green Bean Books, a Portland-area kids bookstore with a wide selection of books. Story time is held several times a week plus special events including a Drag Queen story time and monthly "Read to a Dog" events.
38. Pennsylvania: Let's Play Books Founded by a book-loving mom who wanted to inspire a new generation of readers, Let's Play Books is a warm and welcoming shop that holds frequent events and story times for children. Besides the huge selection of books, kids will love sneaking a cuddle with the in-house cats, Garfield and Bernie (check out their Instagram pages!). And, with three floors of space, there are a multitude of spots to sit down and read, plus tables for chess, puzzles and drawing.
39. Rhode Island: Barrington Books Retold The second store in the lineup for Barrington Books, this new and spacious bookstore will draw kids in the moment they see the real live car sitting inside the front door (it's a vintage Citroën). Once inside, they might marvel at the chandelier made from sheets of calligraphy, tinker with the toys and games for sale by the shelves, or head toward the life-sized "Giving Tree" that welcomes little readers into the children's section (and where kids gather for story times).
40. South Carolina: The Storybook Shoppe A bright and colorful spot with two cozy rooms packed full of books (about 5,000 titles in just 450 square feet!), this Low Country shop sells a variety of books for kids of all ages and hosts a story hour every Monday morning as well as special events throughout the year. The owner, a mom and former teacher, hand-picks every book herself and makes sure that the entire inventory is filled with either award-winning books or new and old classics highly regarded by children's literature experts.
41. South Dakota: Child's Play Toys This downtown Sioux Falls toy store has a nice selection of classic kids books and activity books for parents who are looking for something satisfy their book-loving littles. Once inside, kids will love browsing wide array of stuff, including clothing, toys, puzzles and games.
Honorable mention: The behemoth Barnes & Noble Sioux Falls is the best spot for kids and grown-ups looking for a huge selection of books (and CDs, DVDs, and toys—plus a cafe). It also hosts free weekly story times with arts and crafts.
Parnassus Books
42. Tennessee: Parnassus Books Kids will love finding the secret entrance (a tiny white doorway!) to the children's section of this beloved all-ages bookstore, which was co-founded by novelist Ann Patchett after Nashville lost its only two in-town bookstores. Story time is held every Thursday and Saturday, and there are numerous author events throughout the month.
Honorable mention: The Brentwood Tennessee Children's Library isn't a bookstore but definitely worth a visit. In fact, we think it may be the coolest library ever. With oversized book props that double as chairs, a massive story tree, and a talking owl that greets you when you walk in, this place is a must-see stop for little readers.
43. Texas: BookPeople This literary hub has been Texas' leading independent bookstore since 1970 and boasts a diverse children's area with a mini amphitheater and a play space, plus an in-store cafe for bookworms needing something to eat or drink. The store holds specially themed story times three times a week (including a monthly "Petting Zoo Story Time" with live animals!). Fans of Percy Jackson will want to learn about Book People's popular mythology-themed summer camp that brings the books to life all summer long.
Honorable mention: Half Price Books' flagship store in Dallas, TX, has a huge expanse of books, a cafe, and a children's section that has free movies and popcorn in the parking lot every Sunday in the summertime.
44. Utah: The King's English Bookshop Located inside a charming little blue house in Salt Lake City, this quaint bookshop has been around since 1977 and loyalists say it's the staff's passion for books (and for helping customers find the right ones) that keeps customers coming back. Frequent story times, author signings and quirky happenings (like a birthday party for Harry Potter!) are scheduled throughout the month.
45. Vermont: The Flying Pig Co-owned by award-winning children's book author Elizabeth Bluemle, this Shelburne bookshop houses more than 30,000 books (for kids and adults) and holds frequent book signings with local authors.
46. Virginia: Hooray for Books This Old Town Alexandria shop specializes in kids books but also offers a full section for grown-ups. Littles will love the twice-a-week story times, frequent children's author visits, and fun special events throughout the month. The store also sells toys and gifts.
47. Washington: Elliot Bay Book Company Founded in 1973, this iconic Seattle bookstore holds more than 500 author readings a year and has through the years hosted legions of big names including Haruki Murakami, Joan Didion, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The gigantic, multi-level store has a great children's section, with story times held twice weekly and a young adult book group that meets monthly. There's also a well-stocked cafe that serves enough caffeine and yummies to keep parents and their kids energized for the long haul.
Honorable mention: Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, WA, which sells a huge selection of new and used books for kids and adults.
48. Washington, D.C.: The Playseum OK, so the books may not be what the kids remember after their visit to the Playseum. That honor will probably go to the candy bar. Or the pretend supermarket. Or the room with the bunnies. There are more than a dozen themed rooms to explore at this store which the founder calls in this Youtube video "a children's used bookstore designed like a city." When they're done playing (and it could be a few hours), take your budding readers to the book area where they can find a new or used book to take home.
49. West Virginia: Taylor Books This downtown Charleston bookshop has something for everyone, including author events, a fine art gallery (with a full schedule of art classes), board games, and thousands of books from all genres. If that's not enough, there's also a cafe that serves pastries, light meals and drinks (including wine and local microbrews!). The store's Saturday story times offer a snack and craft along with the story.
50. Wisconsin: Rainbow Booksellers for Children Rainbow Booksellers for Children is only open two days a week* since the store's owners each have full-time jobs elsewhere. But that doesn't stop the place from being Milwaukee's best bookshop for kids (it's actually the only children's bookstore in Milwaukee, but who's counting?!). The store carries a huge selection of books for kids ages 0 to adult—with all of the books offered at 25% off the cover price! There's also a sprinkling of puzzles, games, arts and crafts kits and candy.
51. Wyoming: The Knowledge Nook Toys & Books Settle into an overstuffed chair, grab a book (or a toy!) and spend the afternoon at this one-stop kid shop where your littles can turn some pages, play with LEGO or snuggle up for story time. Besides its book collection, the store also sells a variety of toys including science kits, puppets, Melissa & Doug activity books and other games and gadgets designed to inspire imagination.
Through the years, TV and movie moms have made us laugh, cry, and maybe even taught us a thing or two. Through silly classic sitcoms to animated adventures and beyond, keep reading to check out Common Sense Media’s list of favorite moms from screens big and small.
Claire Dunphy and Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Modern Family There’s never a dull moment in these modern mamas’ households as they juggle the realities of 21st-century life with flexibility, stamina, and always humor. Common Sense Seal.
Mrs. Gump, Forrest Gump If only real life was a simple as a box of chocolates. This mom’s unconditional love invites her son to believe in himself and achieve amazing things. Common Sense Seal.
Maria Portokalos, My Big Fat Greek Wedding This proud Greek mother encourages and supports her daughter’s decisions regarding career, love, and life—even when they differ culturally. Common Sense Seal.
Elyse Keaton, Family Ties This liberal ex-hippie raised four kids while working as a self-employed architect during the dawn of the Reagan years—and she never loses her cool. Common Sense Seal.
Helen Parr, The Incredibles Helen is the ultimate supermom. She’s smart, capable, loving, and will do anything to help and protect her family, even if it means using her elastic powers and jet-flying skills to rescue her husband and children from evil villains. Common Sense Seal.
Rochelle Rock,Everybody Hates Chris She may be loud and unafraid of lobbing a saucy comeback, but Rochelle is also fiercely protective of her kids and sincerely cares about them and their future. Common Sense Seal.
Marge Simpson, The Simpsons For 25 years, America’s blue-haired sweetheart has been a rock to her perpetually young kids—and her husband, too. Common Sense Seal.
Tami Taylor,Friday Night Lights This small town Texan is a titan of motherhood. With a busy marriage, vibrant career, and two daughters many years apart, she still opens her house and arms to any teen who lands on her doorstep. Common Sense Seal.
Queen Elinor, Brave With a headstrong teenage daughter to raise, Elinor manages the incredible task of loving, guiding, and also valuing young Merida’s opinions, mostly while she’s in the form of a fierce bear. Common Sense Seal.
Lorelai Gilmore, The Gilmore Girls The close friendship this wisecracking young mom has with her teen daughter inspires openness and honesty. Common Sense Seal.
Common Sense Mediais a leading independent nonprofit organization offering the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based and educational ratings and reviews for everything kids want to watch, play, read, and learn. The ratings, reviews, and information are unbiased and provided for free to help families and educators make great media and technology choices.
When didn’t a sleepover at grandma and grandpa’s house include movie night? There’s no doubt your Littles will continue the tradition you loved when you were a kid, so let us take the guesswork out of what they’ll watch when you’re not holding the remote. From Disney classics to anime-style animation, check out this list of best films to watch with family members from Common Sense Media below!
The Adventures of Milo and Otis
5 stars
Ages: 5+
This classic ’80s family film is an entertaining look at how a barn cat and dog befriend each other and are willing to risk everything to help the other survive. Common Sense Seal
Beauty and the Beast
5 stars
Ages: 5+
Kids mature enough for feature-length stories will find this one of the best Disney movies they could spend time with in terms of intelligence, quality, and originality—not to mention having one of Disney’s smartest, most independent heroines. Common Sense Seal
Babe
5 stars
Ages: 6+
Babe is a live-action farm tale widely considered one of the best family films of all time. While there are a few scenes that may scare younger viewers (sheep are attacked), at its core, this is a tale of perseverance, friendship, and making your dreams come true. Common Sense Seal
Finding Nemo
Five stars
Ages: 5+
Expect a little potty humor amid the movie’s messages of teamwork, determination, loyalty, and a father’s never-ending love for his son. Parents will want to note that while there are no bad guys in the traditional sense, small kiddos may get a fright from seeing animals with zillions of teeth and many tense scenes with characters in peril. Common Sense Seal
Frozen
Five stars
Ages: 5+
The smash-hit Disney animated musical will appeal to families with children of all ages. Messages include unconditional love between sisters after a long estrangement, being true to yourself, recognizing your gifts, and not being afraid of your power. Common Sense Seal
My Neighbor Totoro
Five stars
Ages 5+
This movie is a fine pick for the entire family. Although there are slightly creepy “dust sprites” that appear in the house at first, they eventually disappear. Totoro himself might look and sound a bit odd, but he’s quite sweet and gentle. Overall, this is a family film in the truest sense—it appeals to moviegoers young and old alike. Common Sense Seal
Toy Story
Five stars
Ages: 5+
The talented voice-acting and clever storylinemakes Pixar’s classic feature film one of the best children’s movies of all time. Neighbor Sid does present a scare factor for the smallest viewers but the underlying plots dealing with real-kid issues, like separation anxiety and sibling rivalry, make this movie a great pick. Common Sense Seal
The LEGO Movie
Four Stars
Ages: 6+
The LEGO Movie is an action-packed animated family-friendly adventure following original and existing LEGO characters. Featuring an all-star voice cast and some of the brand’s most popular figures (Batman, Superman, Gandalf, Wonder Woman, etc.), the inventive movie should appeal to all ages, from young Duplo players to teens who consider themselves Master Builders. Common Sense Seal
Mary Poppins
Five stars
Ages: 6+
The world’s coolest nanny celebrates family and fun in of the best films of all time. Though the pace is rollicking and sometimes chaotic, there are no dangerous or dark elements in Mary Poppins. Melodic music, fancy dancing, and cartoon segments will engage even the youngest viewers. Common Sense Seal
The Lion King
Four stars
Ages: 6+
The Lion King is considered one of Disney’s greatest animated musicals and despite a few sad sequences and a few evil characters, the overall message is one of hope, love, and family responsibility. Common Sense Seal
Common Sense Mediais a leading independent nonprofit organization offering the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based and educational ratings and reviews for everything kids want to watch, play, read, and learn. The ratings, reviews, and information are unbiased and provided for free to help families and educators make great media and technology choices.
