grandparenting

Children’s Books Ease the Way into Difficult Conversations

As you may have noticed, I have not been actively blogging the last couple months. Other things—good, bad and confusing—have claimed my attention (I guess that’s called life!). Anyway, I hope to be on here more frequently. One fun and interesting aspect of blogging is the ability to check your stats to see which are… Read more »

Learning a Second (or third) Language As An Adult

In previous posts, I’ve discussed how tackling brain-stimulating activities and engaging in sustainable hobbies, such as learning a new language, can help protect your brain and perhaps delay the onset of age-related memory loss. Speaking two languages benefits the aging brain, according to new research, and it can be just as beneficial to learn one later in… Read more »

Tips for Making Smoothies with Children

Now that we’re enjoying crisp autumn days, have you put away your blender or Vita-Mix? Have you stopped making smoothies as your thoughts turn to steaming bowls of oatmeal? While there’s no denying that hot breakfasts can be a wonderful way to start the day when there’s a chill in the air, you still might… Read more »

Have a Grand Day: September 7

Enjoy this update of a previously run post ~     Do you know that the first Sunday after Labor Day is National Grandparents Day? This special day is meant to celebrate the important bonds between grandparents and grandchildren. You can mark this day in whichever way suits your family best. Grandparents might give and/or… Read more »

Interview with Nili Yelin, The Storybook Mom

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Nili Yelin, A.K.A. the Storybook Mom. A Wilmette resident and NU graduate, Nili is known throughout the Chicagoland area for her interactive style of storytelling and ability to communicate her passion for literature to her listeners. She has an extensive background in performing and developing her own… Read more »

Books for Sad and Scary Times…Redux

The news provides us with a daily dose of what is wrong and going wrong in the world. And the news is no longer confined to a half-hour at 6 P.M. and 10 P.M.—continuous coverage is on all social media. We all want—and need—to know and understand what is happening here and in other parts… Read more »

Bookstore Love

  I recently read—and enjoyed—the novel, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, a sweet homage to independent bookstores. Given my long-standing love of bookstores (and libraries), it’s not surprising this story resonated with me. I still have fond memories of the book sellers of my youth: the erudite sales staff at Kroch’s and Brentano’s,… Read more »

Making GG’s Chicken Soup

  Happily, many bloggers have read and reviewed my new picture book, GG and Mamela. Christina Morley of Amanda’s Books and More took it one step further and in a follow-up to her initial review, made GG’s chicken soup recipe with her youngest child, Amanda. Christina generously included wonderful photos of the process and I am sharing… Read more »

Happy Father’s Day!

  I’d like to wish the wonderful father of my children—my husband—a well-deserved Happy Father’s Day. He had his own favorite books that he read to the kids: Babar the Elephant, Good Night Moon, Go, Dog, Go!, Is it Bedtime? (a.k.a. the Daddy Foo-Foo book), Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, the Berenstain Bears… Read more »