Imaginary Friends
November 9, 2009
To pay proper homage to Snuffleupagus, who used to be Big Bird’s imaginary friend until parents complained for the show to make him “real”, here are a few of my favorite books about imaginary friends.
Leon and Bob by Simon James
Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child by Bob Graham
Tashi by Anna Fienberg
One of my favorite imaginary friends was Gigani, my older son’s imaginary friend when he was little. Together we shared many spirited conversations about what Gigani was doing and thinking, and saying.
And let’s not forget all those wonderful stories about animals that take on a life of their own?
A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
Corduroy by Don Freeman
The Jamie and Angus Stories by Anne Fine
The Lost Flower Children by Janet Taylor Lisle
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The World of Pooh by A.A. Milne
Einstein said Imagination is more important than knowledge. What do you think?
Note to Parents: Disney is offering a refund to any parent who sends in their Baby Einstein videos.
November 4, 2009
The Baby Einstein videos were marketed to parents with young children (newborn-toddler), with the implication that they would turn your child into a genius. Baby Einstein, founded in 1997, was part of a large electronic media market for babies and toddlers. An article on the NY Times website said “According to a 2003 study, a […]
Sesame Street has a Birthday!
November 4, 2009
Happy 40th Birthday to Ernie and Bert, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, the Count, Elmo, Kermit and of course, Snuffleupagus (at 40 years of age, I hope he has finally grown into his name). An interesting piece of Sesame Street lore: Snuffleupagus used to be Big Bird’s imaginary friend until parents complained […]
Parents or Teachers: Who influences your child success?
October 22, 2009
The Wall Street Journal ran an article about a new school called the Equity Project, “premised on the theory that excellent teachers—and not revolutionary technology, talented principals or small class size—are the critical ingredient for success.” The Michigan Department of Education conducted a survey and found that more than budgets or teachers, parents are the […]
How best to first meet, Where the Wild Things Are?
October 9, 2009
As some of you may know, on October 16 Where The Wild Things Are is coming out as a movie. Although the book was never a favorite of mine, many people sing it’s praises, along with the committee that conferred upon it the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1963. The compelling question becomes— is it better […]
