Books

As the saying goes, ”reading is fundamental”. However, there are children who still struggle to develop reading skills. Reading to a “therapy dog” is a new program has been implemented in many New Jersey schools and libraries. Reading to therapy dogs has helped young students build confidence as readers in an environment free from judgment and criticism. Read on to find out about Therapy Dogs International, located in Flanders NJ, and their program “Tail Waggin’ Tutors”.

I could go on and on about how much I love books — reading them, shelving them, smelling them, quoting them, remembering them, sharing them. I could wax nostalgic — who? me? — about the abandoned little board books at the bottom of our bookshelf, that have been taken over by Harry and Hermione and Tumtum and Nutmeg. I could do all that, but really, wouldn’t you rather hear about the loads of wonderful children’s books from 2011 that make perfect gifts? Those special tomes that send young minds off to another world of water horses, New Orleans Jazz and magical tollbooths? Indeed. Let’s do that.

This list owes much to the goodness that is New Jersey’s independent bookstores, with their impeccable taste and steadfast devotion.

I was lucky enough to attend the Book Preview “Simon and Schuster celebrates Moms & Blogs & Books!” (courtesy of the Buzzing Bloggers) It was, indeed, a celebration of all things Mom and all things Books and now our readers have cause to celebrate too--we are giving away four gift packs of Simon and Schuster Children’s books! To win these incredible books just in time for holiday gifts by such celebrated children’s/young adult authors as Matthew Van Fleet (“Moo”), Rachel Renee Russell (“Dork Diaries”) and James Howe (“Bunnicula”), read on!

"FOLLOWING EZRA: What One Father Learned About Gumby, Otters, Autism And Love From His Extraordinary Son" is a true story of a young Autistic boy named Ezra, as told by his father Tom, an amazing man who refused to grieve for the child Ezra didn’t turn out to be. Whether you have a child with special needs or not, this story is truly inspiring.  It made me laugh and cry, brought back memories of the struggles my boys have faced, and gave me hope for their future.

It might not always seem like it, but books, wonderful books, are alive and well. As are the graceful, whimsical, devoted indie shops that sell them. Here's a few of the best places to get everything from Lulu and the Brontosaurus, to the latest Steve Jenkins animal exploration, to the entire Hunger Games trilogy your tween plans to re-read before the movie is released. There is nothing like a good book.