Setting up the tent on a carpet of pine needles. Hiking to the music of waterfalls. Sipping hot tea around the campfire, watching sparks drift beneath the night sky. Ahhh! There’s nothing like a camping adventure. Here are a few …
like a bridge over troubled water
Simon and Garfunkel were a major part of my childhood soundtrack during the 60s and 70s… … and as many Baby Boomers did, I introduced my own kids to their music as well. It just never gets old. I’m not …
freedom-dreaming in Pakistan
I recently enjoyed this novel with its wonderful Pakistani setting and a heroine full of moxie whose heart is set on something most of your children take for granted — an education. Amal Unbound, written by Aisha Saeed published in …
ocean-breezy happiness in a book
It’s been sand buckets and sun lotion this week on Orange Marmalade. If you missed my round-up of peachy, beachy picture books, that’s here. Today I’ve got a charming piece of fiction, sweet as fresh strawberry ice cream, fresh as …
peachy beach-y reads
Heading to the beach? Vacationing seaside? After a long day of sun, surf, and sand, capture your kids’ fancy with one of these peachy, beach-y reads. Even if you’re landlocked this season, you can feel the velvet ocean breeze, hear …
sweet as pie in July
Pie is for Sharing, written by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard, illustrated by Jason Chin published in 2018, a Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press My grandmother made the best blueberry pie imaginable, exploding with the tiny, wild blueberries she picked, and …
stars & stripes & nordic crosses
I’ve been regaling my family with fascinating facts about flags these days, courtesy of a brilliant book on the subject that I recommend to you all, especially during this World Cup month. Flying Colors: A Guide to Flags from Around …
fishing in Jamaica
Gone to Drift, by Diana McCaulay first published in the UK in 2016; first US edition 2018 by HarperCollins Lloyd is a young boy living in Kingston, Jamaica, where fishing has been the lifeline for generations of men in his …
five for a blast of summer
Take some summer heat. Add cold cherry lemonade and a stack of picture books. Mix with children worn out from a day of swimming. Makes one heap of bliss! Food Truck Fest!, written by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Mike Dutton …
the beautiful game…winning books for World Cup fans!
A friend of mine once described the World Cup as “waking up and finding out it’s going to be Christmas every day for a whole month!” If you are fans of the beautiful game, I’ve no doubt these champion football/soccer …
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two for new babies
A while back I posted a slew of books to welcome new babies. Here are two more gems to add to that list: Mama’s Belly, written by Kate Hosford, pictures by Abigail Halpin published in 2018 by Abrams Books for …
