Move over, fidget spinners ! Thanks to all the new fidget toys that our kids are loving, you spinners have just been relegated to the junk drawer. (Say hi to those dead batteries for me.) In fact,I think these are even more fun than thei…
While a great number of people seem to be flipping out about kids learning " critical race theory " in elementary schoo l [ed note: it's taught in law schools, not elementary schools], we're grateful that our readers have always been int…
Not to brag, but here at CMP, we're kind of kids' books experts. We round up the best of the best lists every year, keep taps on the new releases , and share all kinds of YA book recommendations for parents . Which is why I was so happy …
What parent among us has not joked, complained, or (possibly) cried about stepping on a LEGO brick at some point since having kids? Exactly. That's why I'm not sure which I love more -- the Adidas x LEGO sneaker collection, featuring sne…
I've been searching the shelves of my local bookstore to find great books for kids who like video games. And I'm sharing them here, because I know I am not the only parent whose once-avid reader would much rather pick up an Xbox controll…
Summer is officially here, and for those of you who are hoping to spend most of your time around the pool or at the beach ...we've found some of the most fashionable beach totes to elevate your summer style. I know, you probably don't im…
Happy Pride! It's been such a joy finding so many terrific YA books with LGBTQ+ main characters for this post. I always turn to books when I am looking for resources to help more kids feel seen and understood -- and to help kids see and …
Each year, we try to go through all the clutter and crap, and put together the best Amazon Prime Day deals for you. I mean, with all due respect to the "flash deals" on Amazon Prime Day that look like your Great Aunt Hilda just cleaned o…
My 15-year-old son recently came home after a camp planning meeting with his friends and announced that they have decided to tie-dye their camp shirts this year. I kind of love this idea, so I wanted to look up some tie-dye pattern tutor…
I had a long talk with my (avidly LGBTQ+ supporting) teens this week about the overlap between Pride Month and brands. On one hand, there's an argument about the "corporatization" of Pride Month, and the rainbow washing of products. On t…
Even though we're starting to dip our toe in a bit of normalcy these days - with kids in school and the world opening up a bit more - the idea of getting a little respite from the daily grind still sounds magical. We've all done our best…
I couldn't be more excited that jellies shoes are back , because these were my absolute favorite 80s fashion trend as a kid. Well, friendship bracelets were totally rad too. And I did love my tie-dye everything . Let's just say I'm thril…
I've always been a fan of graduation gift books . When my daughter graduated from high school five years ago, the headmaster gifted each graduating senior a book with a personal message inside -- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemp…
With my almost 17-year old graduating from high school this summer (WHAT?), I've been spending a lot of time thinking about the things she needs to know before she leaves. Suddenly, I've got an urgency to make sure she remembers how to b…
Vaccination t-shirts are more than a trend, they may be kind of important to you. I have seen so many people tell me that they are thrilled to be vaccinated, they're ready to take off their masks outside or with friends -- but they don't…
A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with my friend, who also happens to be a therapist, about how hard it's been to find ways to connect with my tweens and teens. I couldn't quite put my finger on why, because if you're like me, you've…
Being Star Wars Day and all, I was so excited to discover that one of our favorite small-label children's clothing brands, Nununu, launched a Star Wars clothing collection for kids . I was even more excited to see that it's all 40% off f…
As someone who didn’t grow up around animals, I’ve learned a lot raising kids who love them, especially my youngest who is an avid horseback rider. When she first asked to take riding lessons, I thought it might be a passing phase, espec…
This is a sponsored message on behalf of Star Stable Entertainment What do you get when you combine magic, friendship, and horses? The answer is... Soul Riders , the popular trilogy from Star Stable Entertainment, the makers of the popul…
If you had'n't noticed, houseplants are having a real moment right now. I'm cracking up over friends who are naming their plants and calling themselves "plant parents." It's a serious obsession and considering the year we've had, I get t…
With Easter around the corner (this Sunday!!!), I'm thinking about how I'm going to fill three Easter baskets and dozens of plastic eggs before this holiday hops onto the scene. Instead of running all over the place, hitting the drugstor…
Here's what I suggest for the weekend: Entice your teens out from their bedrooms for a hilarious family game night using your set of What Do You Meme? game cards. Only surprise them when they open the box, to find that you've booby trapp…
I'd like to put in a plug for supporting indie bookstores right now, even if it takes a little extra effort. I'm seeing a lot of people trying to get through this looooong February (what's that even about?) by recommitting to reading. I …
Readers, get excited! The 2021 ALA youth media awards have been announced, and it's time to update our reading lists! In case you're not fully in the book-nerd world like me, that means our 2021 Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott King awa…