Dreams of Freedom

Dreams of Freedom In words and Pictures has a variety of illustrations to go with the quotes that have been selected from people who have fought for different kinds of freedom. Right to education from Malala Yousafzai is definitely easier to relate for kids. In that vein, I am thinking that a quote from Emelin aged 15 from Guatamela who spoke at the United Nations would be more inspiring for kids to fight for their rights. The Little Dutch Boy who saved Holland was captivating to me as a child, as it was a heroic act by child (spoiler - even if its a myth).
The illustrations push me to think of how I would put my favourite quotes and words in pictures.
The quotes meld into the pictures, be it as an outline of wings that a tortured handicapped person wishes for or like a trapeze of people flying free. scrap book effect. Poster style. Story style.

The Big Great green Book

This whole year, every morning I wake to a message and illustration by Chandler kids for conservation regarding preservation of our environment and our limited sources that sustain us. Kids have a way of looking at things differently from us and as the The Great Big Green Book shows in the 'Invent' Section of alternate ways of living and harnessing destructive energies in unthought of ways.
This book is a good way to inform and get the kids brainstorming about what they think can be done differently so their future generations have the biosphere unharmed. The illustrations are very cute for a red alarm message that has lost its meaning for our generation in the climate change conspiracy debate. Having a cat think what this all means for itself, encourages kids to put themselves in others shoes. like say plant or animal kingdom with respect to human action consequences.

Dr Hummingbird

As a child I read about hummingbirds as the only birds that can fly backwards and live in the Americas. Before I got into birdwatching, I heard from a friend in California, that she saved a hummingbird in a shoebox, with soft cotton as bedding. And then they became a common sight but a mommy hummingbird sitting over that tiny nest in the Sonoran Museum in Tucson. Imagine their tiny eggs.

I have read a couple of books on rehabilitation of wild animals. In 'Fastest Things on Wings' Terry Masear, not only talks about the animals in need of saving but also portrays the human, vulnerable side of a rehabilitator.Myths about Hummingbirds as nocturnal. Tree trimming in spring which disturdbs the nestlings right when they are starting. crop of the bird filled with unwanted protein.
Even more to learn is the life of a wildlife rehabilitator. The doubts, the fears and the support from the wise words of Lao Tzu. Even though the author knows so much about hummingbird rehabilitation, she is clueless about helpless ducks which makes her take a second look at her worried hummingbird rescue callers.

If you like glitter wands

Despite how other reviewers are true about how this book is neither a math pro friend nor a newbie's, I like the book for opening my mind to think of the spherical rattle toy and think of geodesic. The book introduces a lot of concepts which are not covered in all Math degree courses. And if your Math has fallen into disuse after years of learning it, this book is a fun way of looking at math in some of everyday objects. Until now pigeonholes were a sweet memory of childhood of a corner shop with hidden goodies in each and now its a theory which can lead you to humorous conclusions if applied in everyday life involving large number of people and limited possibilities. I have been looking at the Green tao Theorem and thinking of a way to show a similar pattern in poetry.
Because of the size of the book, I like to take a look at a page along with its creative picture and learn a new thing each day.

Fresh air of Innovation

'Make your Mark: The Creative's Guide to Building a Business with Impact" introduces readers to never before heard of companies, the folks behind them and their secrets to success. Sugru with their innovative product, Warby Parker with their buy a pair, give a pair, Bonobos with their guideshops that a newspaper called 'that dont sell anything", DODOcase that robes your tablet in an elegant journal look. All those interviewed are very excited about innovation, letting the customers speak for the product and making the product an experience.
Its a good move from the well touted examples of past years.

What is Human?

My toddler and I were watching Kuka Vs Timo Boll to dispel her fear of robots next to her class. While showing this again to friends, I realised how a robot is different from human, especially in a game. Not tiring, physically or emotionally, it has no discouragement or inspiration to push itself. This is where I had the epiphany of how we can learn what it is to be human from robotics, like how they say animals make us human, or the space will let us know more about ourselves.
Why explore space

Once upon a Time

From The Velveteen Rabbit

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

Summer Bridge activities

The jump from 4th grade to fifth grade seems to be a life changing stage from tadpole to frog style in terms of a kid's learning life cycle. While in fourth grade, they learn how to write structured paragraph, know frequently mispelled words, learn about two dimensional figure in math, in fifth grade, their comprehension is expected to ramp up immensely. Preparing them for the real world and engaging them with it, teacher consultants suggest usng the summer time between fourth and fifth grade for various tyoes of reading. Pick up a subject your child is interested in, and give them access to books both in nonfiction and fiction style. Getting them involved in community. Summer Bridge activities is on right track with exposing your child to fact and fiction books. I personally like the fitness activities. When it comes to math, the key thing is seeing it in real life. So when kids do the grocery bill, or calculating the distance to travel on trips (in the book, there's an activity with calculating based on scale, which will help kids learn reading distance sin map), they will see it less as math and more as fun. The book is full of reading comprehension passages on variety of subjects like astronomy, bird watching which is a great way to introduce them to new subjects and see if thats a new point of takeoff for their further reading. The experiments on making backbone, sunscreen protection are fun and educational.

Is the End of Unemployment here?

We have the rare opportunity of finding if what the book says works. Oil prices are falling. There's a push for increase in wages and not hurting small business while at it.
In 'End Unemploymnet Now', author Ravi Batra explains how the US economy was strong in the past and what are its ills now. He explains wage gap, its effect on the lives of middle class and the 1%. Tariffs, free trade and the role of congress in mindlessly increasing nation debt.
There are many graphs to illustrate author's points. With these, the agenda is clear, each picture corresponds to the point being explained. There are some examples related to other countries like Germany.
I like the fictional example of Bill and Bob, commoners who showcase the curren situation of unemployment and the economic crisis.

T S Shure Pirates of the High Seas Wooden Magnetic Action Heroes

Like the T S Shure Teeny Tiny Quadruplets Wooden Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls, this Pirates of the High Seas Wooden Magnetic Action Heroes set is filled with lots of creative fun. It has all the bearings a pirate needs, a colourful outfit, map, sword, hook for a hand, treasure chest to find and a wooden leg for an original day. Both the pirates come with a dress already stuck on, so you get an idea of how to deck them up, before they can get ready for what Pirates do. Children can spend a good deal of time, matching the dresses and accessories. The figures will add a new dimension to that pirate story you are reading or a role play.

Story books in frames

Mercy Gilbert Hospital has pages of  "Two Cool Coyotes" and "Have you ever seen a Jackalope" in the lobby of new moms.

and

Polarizing LED Light Desk Lamp

This 3M Polarizing LED Task Light Desk Lamp comes with the anti-glare it promises and a range of light levels. The lamp can be turned to different angles as you need it.

T.S.Shure Teeny Tiny Quadruplets Wooden Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls

T.S.Shure Teeny Tiny Quadruplets Wooden Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls

At first I thought, why quadruplets? But on second thought, its perfect for this age kids, who eye others toys. Since each one of the quadruplets comes with an identical set of gear for different occasions, it makes it perfect for divvying up and sharing. Coming to the packaging part, one set of doll and its related dresses all fit in a small ziploc bag. It is easy for sharing that way with other kids or you can make your own tiny travel set. Travel Light.
Without much ado, this toy is lots of fun with its mix and match dresses and shoes, that clip on to the main baby toy, magnetically. If a kid has color preference, you can sort them that way too.

T.S. Shure ArchiQuest Wooden Farm Blocks Playset & Storybook

I saw a picture book in the library with a farm theme, and magnetic pieces at the back. In T.S. Shure ArchiQuest Wooden Farm Blocks, its the well done blocks that steal the show. The picture book, though tiny and too wordy, is very helpful in assembling the blocks for nice stories. There are so many blocks that you dont have to play with them all at once. You can split them into the farm animals sections one day and the vegetables and plant sections the other day. At first, I thought that they could all be placed on the wooden board at once, but that wont work. You will have to spread them on a mat for an elaborate story. The attractive wooden blocks will keep kids engaged with all the farm scenes vivid, right in front of them. studies have shown that blocks help kids in acquiring language faster.

Three Bears in a Boat

The sea in each page and the sky are pleasant. When the bears come to the cave, looking for a blue seashell for their mom, I was reminded of the 'Cave' book by Diane Siebert that I picked up along with this book. I am glad that there are connections that I can use to interlink books.