Reviews for Girl
Star Pilot Young Scientist Space Kit$34.99 at Amazon.com |
If your grandchild (age 10+) is interested in stargazing and learning about astronomy, consider this new Star Pilot Space science kit by the award winning Young Scientists Club. The Star Pilot kit is much more than just an introduction to the night sky, although it does an excellent job of covering the basics. It includes an age-appropriate informational booklet, new technology (the “Star Pilot” device) that provides a visual hands-on approach to locating asterisms and constellations (like the Big Dipper), practice cards of the southern and northern hemispheres to help your grandchild learn how to use the Star Pilot, a large visual diagram which doubles as a decorative poster, and supplies to convert an ordinary flashlight into a night vision light. As a bonus, the kit also includes a card that grants you 40 minutes of free membership (and a user’s guide with suggested activities) to SLOOH, a website that allows real-time viewing of space through high-powered professional telescopes in Europe, South America and Australia. As the manual explains, it does take some time and practice to get the hang of using the Star Pilot device. It has a “star ball,” that shows and names the stars that form constellations, a magnifier eyepiece, where you view the lit star ball with one eye, a compass, and dials for focus and brightness control. Our testers needed to use the practice cards, adjusting the distance between them and the Star Pilot, until they learned to align the stars diagrammed on the star ball with those on the cards — as you would do with real stars in the night sky. It’s really a matter of your eyes adjusting to the process via a principle called “binocular fusion,” when one eye sees a picture and the other eye sees a similar (but not exactly the same) picture — and the brain fuses the two pictures into one! The kit’s manual is loaded with facts, snippets of history about the field of astronomy, suggested experiments, and explanations of various worldwide cultural myths and legends about constellations, such as the stories of Orion and Leo. The Star Pilot kit is appropriately targeted to children ages 10 and up, and adults interested in learning a bit of astronomy may also enjoy it. A younger grandchild will probably have difficulty using the Star Pilot device accurately. However, The Young Scientist Club also makes a Magic School Bus Secrets of Space science kit, in addition to other Magic School Bus science kits, that are targeted to age 5 and up.
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We love Harrisville Designs’ fiber arts kits that teach children how to use their hands to make something functional and beautiful. This Peg Loom kit for beginners (ages 5 and up) is just one of several weaving kits Harrisville sells, in addition to kits for making potholders, knitting, felt making, and more. It includes a child-size handheld hardwood loom with slanted pegs to hold yarn in place, as well as a plastic needle, cotton warp string, and enough yarn to complete a project. This weaving method is easy and satisfying for younger children to use — threading the needle over and under the warp string until they produce their own fabric. And, with a little help from you, they can transform that fabric into their own textile product! Peg Loom and other fiber arts projects help your grandchild to develop fine motor, basic math and concentration skills. And, as an added bonus, they have great intergenerational appeal — it’s easy to envision a grandparent or parent sitting with a child to guide them through a weaving project. While they go about their business of producing high quality knitting yarns and handweaving equipment for both children and adults (check out their website to see their full-size looms and other products), Harrisville Designs is helping to preserve the textile heritage of its town, Harrisville, New Hampshire, where yarn has been spun since 1794. In an age where so many children’s toy and product manufacturers struggle to design something new, it’s refreshing to promote a line of products that keeps an ancient art current, making it available to an appreciative new generation, as well as their parents and grandparents.
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First of all, we love the entrepreneurial success story behind this product. Louise Stall, the inventor of CARES — Kids Fly Safe airline safety harness, is a grandmother of 9 who was inspired to make airplane travel safer for her own grandchildren and for all young children. As she watched her own kids struggle to fly with her small grandchildren, Louise recognized a problem that most of us have encountered. Normal airline seat belts are not safe for toddlers and preschoolers, and it’s nearly impossible to lug a car seat onto the plane along with carry-ons and children themselves. Sketches and work to file for a patent eventually led to a partnership with AmSafe who also manufactures most of the airline seat belts found on today’s flights. After 4 years of developing and testing the prototypes for safety, the FAA certified the CARES system as the first and only alternative to car seats allowed on planes. The best thing about the CARES system, aside from peace of mind, is that it weighs just one pound. It’s packaged in a small nylon travel pouch with an instructional dvd and a safety card similar to the one found on airplanes. It can fit easily in a carry-on bag or can even be carried by your grandchild. When installed, the restraint system itself looks similar to a 5-point harness system used in an infant or toddler/convertible car seat. It should be noted that installation varies slightly depending on the type of airline seats and tray tables on the plane (and this is clearly diagrammed on the instructional safety card). On seats with a “non-recessed” tray table the CARES is installed under the tray table of the person behind you (allowing that person to use the tray table). Thus the CARES can be used throughout the entire flight. On seats where the with a “recessed” tray table, the CARES is installed over the tray table, thus it can only be used during taxi, takeoff and landing. Cares is designed for children age 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. Louise and her family-run business suggest that airlines should be required to carry and offer the CARES restraint to any child flying with them who fits that profile — and that sounds good to us. In the meantime, if you have grandchildren who fall in that range consider presenting them (and their parents!) with this gift of safety and convenience, invented and brought to market by a concerned and industrious grandparent — bravo!
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We enjoyed testing The “New” Touch game, by Anthony Innovations, especially since it appeals to audiences of all ages. It has some lofty objectives and achieves them well, which is why it’s earned many awards. The game includes 49 three-dimensional pieces to be placed into a dome-like container with a covered door that enables you to reach in with your hand, touch, and identify the pieces. The container has a window where other players can view your progress. 20 theme playing cards have photographed images of the pieces (2 or 3 per card) and are placed facedown around the round container. A spinner on the top of the container is spun and points to the card with the pieces that need to be found and identified inside of the container (by touching and not looking). There is also a timer to make play more fast-paced and challenging. We recommend (as does the manufacturer) starting off using half of the pieces and corresponding cards (at most), and not using the timer, until you get used to the game and until skills begin to develop. The Touch enables players ages 5 and up (including adults) to play together and be equally challenged. Its primary goal is to test sensory perception and memory skills, while also helping to develop fine motor and visualization skills. “Fun facts” (written for a general audience) are included about each of the educational pieces. Because The Touch is so good at exercising the brain and encouraging the development of these skills, even teachers and therapists use it with students and patients. Our youngest child-testers (who should be supervised) enjoyed playing with the pieces independent of the game, and even felt compelled to coach their fellow players by watching through the window and encouraging them with “you’re close,” or “you’re getting warmer,” etc. If this helps them to stay interested in and enjoy the game while they begin to develop these skills, then why not? The Touch is a challenging game for grandchildren as well as parents and grandparents! The more it is played the more rewarding and fun it becomes. Expansion packs can be purchased and replacement pieces are available by contacting the company.
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Once in a while a book comes around that can change the direction of a child’s life. Three Cups, a new children’s book based on a true story, has the potential to do just that. Mark St. Germain retells the story of the present a boy received from his parents for his fifth birthday… a present, his parents explained, that would “take him on many adventures.” As he proceeds to unwrap 3 old coffee cups from his family’s kitchen cabinet, he is at first disappointed and confused. But then his parents give him the second part of his gift — his first weekly allowance — and the adventure begins! His parents help him divide his allowance into 3 cups — one for saving, one for spending, and one to use towards a charity of his choice. As the weeks go on, the cups fill and it’s time to put the money from each cup to use. The money in the saving cup gets deposited in the bank “to keep it safe” and “make it grow.” The money in the spending cup eventually pays for a new baseball glove and a present for his little sister. At first, he has a hard time figuring out what to do with the money collected in the charity cup, because, he thought, “there were so many people who needed help,” and his charity cup was “so small.” But his parents assured him there were “a hundred things,” and even “a hundred times a hundred things,” that he could do with the money. He settled on buying eight cans of soup for his school’s food drive, and helped his teacher make deliveries to needy families. As the boy grows, so does the amount of his allowance, and the money placed in each cup. And, then, when he’s old enough to work, he continues the tradition, helping to pay for his own college and helping many more people through charity. The lessons in Three Cups are simple and classic and do not read as preachy. Instead, they make up an engaging story that will encourage children and families to easily put the principles into practice. The gorgeous illustrations by April Willy perfectly suit the book. She has a way of accurately capturing the feelings the boy has throughout the entire Three Cups learning process — disappointment, inquisitiveness, excitement and pride. Of course, Three Cups is a perfect gift for your grandchildren — for you to read with them and to help instill the principles it so eloquently suggests. Three Cheers for Three Cups!
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Strategy games don’t tend to invoke fits of laughter. Head scratching, huffing and puffing, or contemplative silence — perhaps. But laughter? Not usually. That’s why a new game called Jishaku, the Japanese word for “magnet,” is so much fun. The game features finely polished hematite magnets as playing pieces that get placed in available spaces on a foam game base. The strategy is to use the magnets’ force (their North & South poles) to repel the magnets closest to them on the base without forcing them to connect with other magnets. There are three variations of the game but the most popular (and simplest) is “I’m Out,” where the goal is to get rid of all of your magnets. As described above, when other magnets connect with yours during your turn you must take all of the magnets back with you. The first couple of turns are easier because there is plenty of space to spread the magnets out. But the fun starts once things get more crowded. You and your grandchildren will be constantly surprised when the magnets instantly snap together without warning. And then the laughter starts. It’s so much fun that you almost don’t mind losing! Although Jishaku is intended for players age 8 and up, it’s possible to play with slightly younger grandchildren depending on the child (the magnets must not go anywhere near a child’s mouth!). Older grandchildren and adults will enjoy the challenge of mastering the power of magnetic force. Jishaku is thoughtful, yet surprising and fun!
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The Day that Came to Play $39.95 at Flattenme |
Flattenme has done it again with another fantastic addition to its personalized storybook series — this time babies (and their readers) are the lucky audience! Similar to the original Flattenme books personalized for 2-4 and 4-7 year-olds, your tiniest grandchild’s photo is expertly superimposed onto the rhyming pages of a magically illustrated adventure that you might imagine to be played out in a perfectly choreographed baby dream. Alongside your grandchild’s likeness (and name), you’ll be treated to a perfect sunrise, puffy clouds, rainbows, castles and a moss-covered bed — and let’s not forget a smiling cow, winking cat and red balloon wearing a hat! This visual enchantment is Flattenme’s strength — pages your eyes will never tire of, nor will your grandchild’s. Simply upload or mail a photo of your grandchild to Flattenme (see FAQ page for details) and they’ll do the rest! Since we last reviewed Flattenme’s original books, they’ve won more awards and have been featured on several national television shows — well-deserved kudos!
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Lacing cards have been around for eons and the simple yet satisfying concept still make them a popular gift idea today. Just thread the shoelace-like string under and over the holes that surround the colorful image painted on the card. Grandchildren ages three to about five or so will appreciate this quiet-time play that encourages them to focus and exercise their fine-motor skills. And, perhaps, you’ll enjoy the memory of doing this same activity as a child! Sturdy non-bendable cardboard sets of 5 cards measuring 8 x 9 1/2 come in 12 varieties, including Friendly Pets (shown here), Things that Go, Under the Sea, and Barn Animal Musicians. Like all of Eeboo’s products, their lacing cards feature original art from well-known children’s book illustrators, which adds to their nostalgic appeal. So lace up, and take a stroll down memory lane with your grandchildren!
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We’re convinced that the best way to learn new concepts is to make games out of them. Whizizzle Phonics Games are a fun and effective way for children ages 4 and older to learn to read — and a wonderful way for you to be involved in the process. Each card deck (decks 1-3 and 4-6 are sold as 2 separate sets) teaches different sounds. For instance, Game 1 teaches short vowel sounds in consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words — “leg,” “sad,” “cup,” etc. The game-playing rules are similar to other card deck games. Each player is dealt 7 cards that include “word” cards and “action” cards — such as “Leap Frog,” which means the next player’s turn is skipped, or “Turn Around,” which reverses the direction of play. There is a draw pile and a discard pile. The person whose turn it is must choose a card from his or her own hand to match the vowel or consonant sounds on the card face-up on the discard pile. For instance, if the card on the discard pile features the word “red,” your grandchild can choose to match it with a card that features the words, “rag” (the beginning sound), “pen” (the middle sound), or “dad” (the ending sound). The word and the sound they’re matching (vs. the letter) must be uttered to complete the turn. An “action” card can also be played if there is no matching “word” card, or to simply make things more interesting. It’s fun, portable, and one more way to help your grandchild learn to read. Play it and watch what happens!
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Joy is the Greatest Gift, the first in a new series of inspirational children’s books by Focus Friends, intends to teach young children to appreciate and find happiness in the people and things around them, and spread this joy to others. Joy is the Greatest Gift simplifies concepts found in countless books for adults who want to live more fulfilling lives, allowing them to be understood and implemented by young children (ages 2-9). The author recognizes that like adults, children can experience times of sadness and anger, and though they can not necessarily change the circumstances prompting those feelings, they can be encouraged to recognize and embrace the things that make them happy or “joyful” every day. In essence, it introduces the power of positive thinking. All of the outdoor and indoor delights are highlighted — flower gardens, butterflies, puddles and starlit skies — as well as favorite toys, snacks and cozy naps. And, of course, the powers of positive relationships are emphasized, including those with parents, grandparents, and good friends. Joy is the Greatest Gift is a 32 page, 9 x 11 hardcover book with a jacket, and is beautifully illustrated by an award-winning artist. In addition to this book about beauty and joy, the company plans to publish more books with “focused messages,” such as appreciation, wisdom and inspiration.
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