The Cybils Awards have announced their 2013 finalists, and Wee You-Things was one of just five book apps named. The Cybils Awards are given out by children's book bloggers, awarding their top reviewed children's and young adult books and book apps of the year.
Here's some of what they had to say about Wee You-Things: "Wee You-Things is a celebration of what makes each of us unique ... The bold, colorful patterns, sound effects and rhyming prose are spot on ... It's a perfect way to let kids know looking or sounding different is okay."
See all the book app finalists here, and find Wee You-Things in the App Store.
Happy New Year!
In honor of National Bird Day, this illustration makes us smile. We recommend this uplifting book about a little bird. And here's a free activity sheet for kids featuring Hai the Hummingbird.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's cool aircraft bandages.
We're charmed by these Stonefaces by the talented Ingela P Arrhenius, and we're inspired to attempt a similar project with our kids.
If you're looking for fresh downloads in the new year, USA Today named its top 10 apps for kids in 2013 (including Wee You-Things!).
Little Bird by German Zullo and Albertine
As we kick off the new year, we're drawn to uplifting books – ones that help us teach our kids kindness and compassion. In Little Bird, the beautiful illustrations tell a heartwarming story. A man drives his truck to the edge of a cliff, opens the back door, and watches birds fly out. One timid little bird is left behind. The man befriends the little guy and encourages him to take flight. The bird goes, only to return later with his friends, who pick up the man to fly along with them. The accompanying text reads like a poem, suggesting that the tiny things – the things that often go unnoticed – are life's greatest treasures.
We're celebrating National Bird Day this week with a free activity sheet featuring Hai the Hummingbird. What else flies in the sky?
USA Today named its top 10 apps for kids from 2013, and Wee You-Things made the list. Jinny Gudmundsen said it was among the best "because it delivers an important message about empathy and accepting others."
Wee You-Things is an interactive book app designed to encourage kids (ages 3-7) to appreciate differences. It's available for download in the App Store
We're looking forward to spending some time with our (awesome) families over the next couple of weeks. Here are a few pins that are inspiring us during the holiday break.
Those days between Christmas and New Years are made for tackling craft projects at home. Like this adorable 3-D paper animal art. Or 38 amazing things you can do with an empty tin box. Or Lego snow globes.
A holiday picture book that our kids are loving: "Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three."
If you're hitting the road for the holidays, Wee Road Trip Bingo keeps even the craziest kids busy in the backseat.
Stick Man by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
This has become a new holiday favorite that's not overly Christmas-y. "Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three." When Stick Man heads out on a jog one morning, he gets into all kinds of unintended trouble. The story follows him on the journey, with Santa appearing toward the end, and (spoiler alert) getting him safely back home. Our kids love the rhyme and repetition. Like The Gruffalo, by the same authors, it's fun to read aloud. (Extra points for inventing a distinctive Stick Man voice.)
This week, we were inspired by these Pins that are getting us in the holiday spirit.
The most unique stocking stuffer we've seen yet: Scribbler, a DIY drawing robot.
We love Legos. And cuckoo clocks. So this got us pretty excited.
We've been reading the charming Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree.
The kids are helping us make these sewing-inspired tags.
This DIY tree dollhouse from Mr. Printables is a perfect project for the holiday break.
'Tis the season for naps (or dreams of naps).