My daughter is eight, and each year we go through her book shelves, donating a large portion to charity in order to make room for new books. However, there are a few of her board books that have withstood the 

“You can learn a lot if you stop spinning and start listening.” This is one of the many lessons to be learned from Humphrey, a hamster and the main character in Betty G. Birney’s story for kids, The World According to 

Getting a child to enjoy reading can be a delicate balance: If a parent pushes too hard, reading becomes a chore; if parents don’t push hard enough, the habit – and the love – may never be instilled. Here are some tips, 

When my daughter was just entering first standard, she asked me: “Mama, am I fat?” Whaaaa….??? I whipped my head around to catch her staring at her reflection in our mirror. I never would have imagined that my six-year-old would 

As embarrassing as it is to admit this, before I had my daughter, I really did not know much about the Ramayana. During our first Diwali in India, our daughter began to ask us more in-depth questions about Ram and 

I volunteer regularly at a special needs school that specializes in early intervention for speech delays. As I deal mainly with the parents of such children, I am regularly asked, “I think my child has a speech delay. What should 

Few authors manage to convey a child’s point of view as well as Beverly Cleary does in her Ramona series. Eight books, written between 1955 and 1999, span Ramona’s life from pre-Kindergarten to Grade Four. A Ramona story for kids has staying 

We listen to a lot of music in my house and we are not too picky or particular about any of it. Yet, we have always had one rule: It must be enjoyable for everyone in the house. This rule 

My daughter was two when we encountered the Problem of No. Everything was no—even when it was yes. Do you want this blue cup?                                   

It isn’t often that you can read a story for kids and have it bring up insightful discussion topics with each turn of the page. The Conch Bearer, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, is one of those books. This book is about a 

Growing up, my parents admonished my sister and me at least once a week, “Clean your plate! Don’t you know how lucky you are to have food? There are people starving all over India!” In our bratty teenage years we would often 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon was first published separately as a novel for adults and as a story for kids. It is an award-winning novel, unique in that it is engaging and enjoyable to 

When my daughter was about two and a half, we fell into a rut, though I didn’t recognize it at the time. I loved her, obviously, and looked forward to spending time with her each day. Yet, something was … 

Sometimes everyone likes a fun, light-hearted story for kids, just like Neil Gaiman’s Fortunately, The Milk…. Neil Gaiman is an immensely successful adult fantasy writer who occasionally writes children’s fantasy, as well. I have found some of his other children’s 

When my daughter was five, we had a group of her girl friends and their moms over for lunch. While I was walking through the dining room, I overheard the little girls discussing a friend of theirs. “He likes Rainbow 

Dave Barry and Ridely Pearson’s Peter and the Starcatchers is a prequel to the original Peter Pan story. It is a fast-paced adventure story for kids, perfect for children who want to learn more about Peter and the Lost Boys. 

I have been That Mom—you know the one I’m talking about. That Mom whose kid is running wild and doesn’t have a clue what to do about it. Who didn’t remember to pack a toy or a snack and who 

One of my favorite gifts my daughter received on her first birthday was a boxed collection of the original Winnie The Pooh stories by A. A. Milne. Everyone in the house loved these books, because they are more than just