Latest news with #childrenBooks
New York Times
6 hours ago
- General
- New York Times
Baby Shower Gifts That Parents-to-Be Don't Yet Know They Want
Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter My twins are almost 19, and they still have their horsie lovies (in drawers by now, but still). Having a cozy little friend to hold and snuggle — especially for babies 6 months and up — provides comfort, soothing, and consistency. You have four different Pottery Barn Animal Thumbies to choose from, and each one has a squishy, bobbly head and a furry blanket body that's backed with a silky polyester satin. The ivory lamb version is a beloved confidant of editor Hannah Morrill's son — and over the years, she has bought a couple of backups when the original has gone AWOL. (Note to new parents: Lovies should be easily rebuyable to prevent heartbreak.) Crate Joy One never knows how banal bad children's books can truly be until they're stuck reading them interminably. Help build the baby's literary library with a monthly delivery of three books picked just for them by children's specialty bookstore The Reading Bug in San Carlos, California. At sign-up, indicate the child's name and age (the store has a newborn option) and a selection of topics that might be of interest to the parents, including subjects such as animals, humor, and music. Not sure? Don't worry, the booksellers at The Reading Bug have decades of experience putting award-winning, well-vetted, delightful books into even the tiniest hands. Choose a subscription of one, three, six, or 12 months. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter Expecting parents will receive all sorts of practical, useful items at their baby shower. But there is always room for the adorable and fun — because who on earth doesn't like dressing up their perfect new baby? The soft leather Bird Rock Baby Rose Gold Baby Moccasins (they also come in yellow gold and a rainbow of other colors) stay on little loaf feet and are perfect for new walkers who need to feel and grip the ground as they gain their balance. Each pair of Bird Rock Baby shoes is guaranteed for life, and for each pair sold the company donates the equivalent of a day's worth of food to Feed My Starving Children. Wee Gallery The bold and high-contrast graphics in the Wee Gallery Touch and Feel board books are the best we've found for engaging a baby in those early days. What's more, they also have varied tactile elements. Each one — Ears, Scales, Tails, and Wings — gives little fingers the opportunity to connect a physical sensation with the pictures and words on the page, from fuzzy bunny ears to a spongy lizard tail to a leathery bat wing. Yes, newborns aren't quite at that point yet, but as anyone who has ever raised a child knows, they'll be reaching out to touch stuff in what seems like a matter of moments. Unfortunately, though, these books are not sold as a set. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter Parents never know if they'll have a mouthy baby until their little drooly chomper is earthside. And that also means they're unlikely to register for teethers. Why not show up with the hand-painted Oli & Carol Ramona the Radish Baby Teether so they'll have it on hand for just such an occasion? Babies love this textured, 100%-natural-rubber teether because it has a bunch of different surfaces — ridged, curved, puffy, striated — for them to slurp and gnaw on. Parents love it because it's biodegradable, bacteria- and mold-resistant, and, well, kind of chic. On the off chance the discerning recipient finds radishes a touch bitter, perhaps Kendall the Kale or Pepa the Apple would be more to their liking. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter According to some medical studies and lots of good, old-fashioned folk wisdom, dates, which are rich in potassium, iron, magnesium, and selenium, can help shorten and ease labor. We can't vouch for that, personally or medically, but we can say that eating sticky, caramely, sweet dates certainly can't hurt the endeavor. Rancho Meladuco's The Due Date Bundle for Expectant Mothers comes in four- and six-week bundles. The four-week bundle includes four 2-pound boxes shipped two boxes at a time two weeks apart. Each box contains about 40 organic, unpitted Medjool dates, for a total of 160 dates — that's about five dates per day for the last month of pregnancy. And no matter where birth falls in that month, the morsels are a sweet and nourishing treat during new-baby days, too. Pearhead The easy-to-use, no-mess Pearhead Newborn Baby Handprint and Footprint Kit offers a simple way for new parents to capture prints of those itty-bitty hands and feet. (Tip from Wirecutter writer Brooklyn White: Do this before the baby enters the squirmy phase.) The kit comes with two no-mess, single-use, 3.5-by-2.5-inch ink pads. Place them face down on the included paper (or any paper the parents want to use), press the baby's hands or feet against the non-inked side, and voilà! The ink must dry for a day or two before it's completely set. No ink ever touches the baby's skin, and at $10 a pop, mess-ups aren't much of a setback. Lots of layette clothing is laughably impractical — think dry-clean-only cashmere with finicky buttons and itchy embellishments. That's what makes the Lewis Take Me Home Outfit so special. It's cute enough to be photographed endlessly (and to have those photos live on in infamy), but it's designed specifically for a smooshy, delicate new babe. The kimono styling of the top means a baby can be easily placed into it, and the footed pants have a high rise and a soft waist band, ideal for avoiding the belly button. It all washes wonderfully. January Moon The teething necklace fills three roles in one: It's something tough but chewy for babies to gnash their gums against, it's a hands-free distraction that won't get dropped and lost along the way, and it's a stylish necklace that actually looks like an intentional accessory when it's not being drooled on. The chunky silicone beads of the January Moon Saddle Signature Teething Necklace look like natural stone but are the perfect size, with lots of angles and nubs, for chewing. They're strung on Japanese polyester spindle rope, capped with 18-karat-gold-plated rubberized stopper beads, and finished with a food-safe plastic breakaway clasp. The necklace is 32 inches and comes in pastels, whites and grays, and some other designs, as well. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter Few things are more annoying — or dangerous for a partnership — than snapping a baby onesie in the middle of the night while your infant cries and you are suffering from sleep deprivation. The silent magnetic closures on these snuggly, soft, Tencel modal sleepers take all the fumbling out of the equation. Magnetic Me's Footies come in dozens of patterns and colors and are available in sizes from preemie to 18 months. At upwards of $40 a pop, though, they're expensive, especially for something that is destined to get telltale yellow stains — which is why they make such a generous and thoughtful gift. A wise and knowing professional friend gifted editor Hannah Morrill two sets postpartum for her first baby. 'We treated those like gold,' she says. 'There was no night we wanted to face without a clean pair on the ready.' Paige Tate & Co. Designed by Tabitha Paige, a licensed speech therapist and skilled watercolorist, the five sturdy board books in the sweet Our Little Library boxed set are artfully appointed to help babies develop language. These are not harsh academic drills for infants. They're beautiful illustrations of everyday things in five categories — farm animals, forest animals, fruits and vegetables, toys, and transportation — with a single word on each page. It's as much a gift for the parents as it is for the babe; if you're going to be gazing at a basket of blueberries at least 5,000 times, let it be a breathtakingly composed one. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter Yes, new parents will document their new baby's life on the cloud and the 'gram, in the family group chat, and in dozens of shared albums (or maybe all of the above). But the problem is, none of that is certain to be around when the bundle of joy is all grown-up and wants to cruise down memory lane. That's why we love Artifact Uprising's elegant The Story of You Baby Book. It's a lie-flat book filled with 50 thick, toothy pages of simple prompts — neither generic nor overly specific — plus photo spaces and pouches to help parents record events and occasions. Choose from seven combinations of linen colors and foil lettering. Each book comes with a coupon for 10 photo prints to get started. This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Business Leaders Must Read These 5 Surprising Children's Books Now
Business leaders can learn invaluable lessons from these 5 children's books Summer is a great time to catch up on reading. This is a list of children's books that business leaders should read. Why children's books? Because they are short. They are fun. And they pack in quick, deep leadership lessons business leaders can benefit from. Leadership growth isn't only found in business books or 5 step strategies on a PowerPoint slide. You can find business communication lessons on making the case for change and turning the complex clear to thriving despite conflicts in children's books. Critical leadership skills can be learned through the creative and joyful act of reading children's books. Enjoy! An endearing picture book about Vashti, a kid who didn't think she could make art. With the encouragement of her teacher, she finally, angrily, makes a dot on a paper. The teacher asks Vashti to sign the paper, and then frames it. That simple act of creation starts a journey for Vashti where she learns to tap into exploration and creativity, and even her own ability to mentor others . This book is stunning — it gives the right dose of encouragement and reframing to inspire someone to do great things. The book illustrates how starting small can lead to big endeavors — especially when you have a great mentor alongside you. Everyone has experienced some limiting beliefs at some point in their career. Like the teacher who reframes Vashti's struggle and breaks open her student's internal stalemate, great business mentors help colleagues grow. Chris McAuley is one such mentor. He was working with an individual who needed to give presentations for her job, but her fear of being the center of attention was parallelizing. McAuley used a storytelling tool, Passion DNA, to help her see herself in a new light. As a guide on the side, McAuley was able to unlock her confidence and the change was immediately obvious to her boss. Read the full story here. This book explains clearly and simply how everyone has an invisible bucket that can be filled through small acts of kindness or emptied by acts of thoughtlessness or cruelty. And when you help fill up someone else's bucket, you fill up your own as well! This book is a metaphorical genius. Emotion is intangible. Kindness and bullying are abstract concepts. In the workplace, there's little guidance on emotions, but we know it when we witness them and feel them throughout the day. Yet everyone experiences these intangible abstractions differently. So how do we begin to articulate them? We search for the right metaphors. 'Did you know everyone everywhere is carrying an invisible bucket everyday?' With that simple metaphor, the author makes emotions something easy for everyone to understand. Metaphors are shortcuts to understanding our world. Comparing the familiar with the unfamiliar is a leadership communication and storytelling tool that helps clarify the complex, giving audiences a way to quickly get the gist. Thoughtfully and deliberately using metaphors is a way to immediately connect with your audience. In a pitch about the urgent need to invest in upgrading medical credentialing — an overlooked and complex process — Dr. Garry Choy compared it to instant credit checks: 'When you buy a car, you can get a credit check, instantaneously. Why don't we have that for doctors? Where they went to medical school never changed. Where they're licensed is public information. With a click of a button, why can't you aggregate the same information that you get when you buy a car?' Because instant credit checks are so familiar — and so fast — it makes it obvious that the same tools should be used in medical credentialing. See metaphors used to explain the complex topics. In this children's book, a mouse family shares a lovely picnic together. After the picnic, the brother and sister have some fun by pestering a neighboring cat. But then the fun turns into danger. The Barking Mouse has a wonderful plot twist. When facing imminent danger (a murderous cat intent on slaughtering the family of mice), the resourceful Mamá Ratón begins barking ferociously at the feline. The cat is puzzled, "A barking mouse?" he asks himself. He decides to play it safe, and retreats. Mama Raton's message to her children, "It pays to speak another language." In conflicts, the element of surprise and creativity is as important as being strong, out maneuvering your opponents. And yes, it's also critical to speak another language so we can reach our opponents more effectively. We all face conflicts at work. How do we overcome them? While barking like a dog at the people involved in the conflict will not solve most of our problems, the element of surprise can catch people in the thick of an emotional argument off guard. In a conflict at work when a person is opposing your point of view, they expect to engage in argument and are in 'fight' mode. Empathetic statements like 'Tell me more' or 'So what I hear you saying is…' can surprise them and help them regain control of their emotions. What's more, their answers may surprise you! Malin Leschly, CDO of Logitech uses the question 'Tell me more. Where's that coming from?' especially when people are frustrated. She found that the conflict is not what she thinks it's about, nor even what the frustrated person thinks it's about. The conflict is actually about something different entirely. 'I think of listening as a superpower,' says Leschly. Irreverent and humorous, this book takes on the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs, but told from the Big Bad Wolf's point of view. Did Mother Goose leave out some important details in her telling of the story? You will find out now. The Wolf is still the murderer — the one who ate the first two pigs. It's still the third little pig who did him in, but when told from a different perspective, the story becomes much more layered and complex. Love this twist? We also recommend the novel James by Percival Everett, which just won the Pulitzer Prize. Everett takes on a similar project in the retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, Huck's enslaved companion. The twist in perspective helps readers understand that it's important to understand multiple points of view when trying to understand the truth. What are missing if you ignore the point of view of other stakeholders? These books show how point of view can change everything — and sharing your point of view and being open to others perspectives is a critical business leadership skill. Do you imagine your audience's point of view when you are preparing a presentation? A client used our exercise called Know Vs. Don't Know, a tool used to help you understand your audience, and she realized she had been preparing a presentation for her leadership team full of information they didn't need to know and wouldn't care about. With that newly gained perspective, she was then able to share relevant and necessary information with them. This is the essence of brainstorming and bouncing ideas off each other — our different points of view. Astra and her family are moving to a new planet! Before they get into their sleeping pods for the long journey, Astra orders the 'ultimate cake' for a snack from the ship's computer. This turns out to be a terrible mistake. Can Astra and her robot friend save the ship and all its sleeping passengers from the killer cupcakes and marauding muffins? This book's cast of unlikely characters — a kid with a stuffie, desserts that come to life, aliens who hunt the galaxy for spoons, and a terrifying spaghetti-shaped creature — will take you on a wild ride that is an equal mix of fun, suspense, touching and strange. Each character is more complex than they first appear and small actions have big consequences. Through the unexpected twists and turns, the book reminds readers how important our everyday choices are — from the words we choose to the small kindnesses we extend toward others. We want to know what will happen next. Suspense isn't just for children's books and mysteries. Business leaders can also use suspense to engage their audience. Filmmaker Jason Blum describes suspense as: 'creating situations that are relatable, and throwing a wrench in it and watching how people respond.' To show your character in an interview or performance review, suspense is a great way to stand out from the crowd. Describe a difficult situation and how you responded. This takes guts. You have to be honest about the dilemma you faced. But showing how you prevailed illustrates your character — even if the outcome was not what you had hoped for. — We hope you add some children's books to your summer reading list. Though the books are often short, simple, the business lessons they can provide are deep, meaningful and lasting. Business leadership lessons are everywhere — if you are open to learning!
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
90s soap star, 47 looks unrecognisable three decades years after TV fame and new career
A STAPLE of Aussies soaps looks completely different now after ditching her TV career. Tempany Deckert, played Selina Cook on Home and Away for four years until 1998. 3 After the actress moved on from Home and Away, she had some roles in other Aussie dramas such as, All Saints, and treaded the boards in theatre productions Down Under. She decided to follow in the footsteps of her Home and Away co-stars, Melissa George and Isla Fisher, by moving to Los Angeles to try her luck in Hollywood. While she has appeared in some films and TV shows over the years, Tempany has largely moved away from acting and her new career path couldn't any more different than her character Selina on the soap. She teaches writing courses at UCLA, works as a motivation speaker and has published a massive 18 children's books. Tempany based in Los Angeles for most of the year and in between sharpening young minds, she took time earlier this year to appear in season 4 of FOXTEL's prison drama Wentworth. She also made a surprise appearance in the Emmy-award winning Netflix series, Dahmer, where she played a cop working the desk at a police station in one episode of the limited series. Tempany opened up on quitting acting, saying it felt like she'd dodged a bullet. "For me, I always wanted to give a really good turn at my writing, and I wanted to have children," Deckert told 7News in Australia. "I knew that if I had children and I was working on sets, it was going to be very difficult. You are working many hours a day and you don't get to see them that much," she added. "If I had gotten a bunch of jobs in Hollywood, I probably would have stayed the course because I love acting – but I probably wouldn't have gotten married and had kids." The actress also runs writing courses for anyone who wants to follow in her footsteps, including one called Write a Novel, Change your Life. She recently promoted an upcoming course on Instagram where she looked unrecognisable from her days playing Selina on Home and Away. Wearing dark rimmed glasses and minimal make-up, Tempany promised some more courses were coming soon. Tempany is also married to voice actor Brian Donovan and they share two children. She became an American citizen in 2020, but said her dream would be to return to Australia. "I'm trying to convince my Australian agent to get me a great job in Australia where we can move back for six months to a year," Deckert said. "That's the dream – to convince the husband to move to Australia." 3
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
From mysteries to a genius doctor and robots, ten great children's books to thrill your kids this half term
Veronica Lorraine, Gardening Editor and Associate Head of Features Published: Invalid Date, THERE is nothing like getting stuck into a good book in the holidays, no matter your age. But research has found kids reading enjoyment has plummeted to its worst level in almost two decades. That is despite the National Literacy Trust studies showing reading for pleasure benefits empathy, confidence and wellbeing. Children's author Adam Kay, whose new book Simon Gets Sneezed comes out in July, told The Sun: 'Not only does a love of books award you a lifelong membership to an infinite world of stories and adventure, reading for pleasure is crucially important for children. 'It literally improves the development of their brains: from speech and language to memory and attention.' So here, books editor Veronica Lorraine brings you ten of the best new children's books for half term. Puppy's Wobbly Bottom by Kit Frost JOIN Puppy and friends for a colourful, fun and hilarious rhyming adventure – can you follow the actions and do the Wobbly Bottom dance? (Farshore, Preschoolers, £6.99) Oh No, Flo! by Catherine Cawthorne FARMER does all the jobs on the farm, and she does them perfectly. When Farmer falls ill, her loyal sheepdog Flo must come to the rescue. 11 (Templar books, age 3+, £7.99) Sleep Tight Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron A DELIGHTFULLY disgusting, utterly unique rhyming tale. Man starts personalised children's books company after being made redundant and it's expected to turn over £1.3 million this year It's bedtime for Blob, although they just might need some persuading . . . 11 (Puffin, age 3-7, £7.99) Dadbot by Jack Noel FULL of robots, puns and dastardly dad-napping, this hilarious graphic novel series is perfect for fans of Bunny Vs Monkey and reluctant readers. (Piccadilly Press, age 7+, £8.99) Beano Betty And The Yeti by Hugh Raine BETTY isn't supposed to have a yeti living in her room, but what the grown-ups don't now won't hurt them? Will it end in disaster or will Betty and the Yeti become friends? 11 (Farshore, age 6+, £9.99) Dexter Procter, The 10-Year-Old Doctor, by Adam Kay DEXTER started speaking at four seconds old. By the age of three, he had 87 A-levels. And by ten, he was working as a paediatrician at the hospital. (Puffin, age 6+, £7.99) Words Can Fly by Donna Ashworth POETRY collection serves as a compassionate guide through the journey of childhood, crafted with wisdom and warmth by the author. (Templar Books, age 7+, £16.99) Serial Chillers: The Witch In The Woods by Jennifer Killick HAZARD is an ordinary town where strangeness is a way of life. When Travis, Zayd, Siline and Danielle start a school project, it changes everything. 11 (Farshore, age 9+, £7.99) Heir Of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray BLAZE, a Rain Singer, is born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the empire. Then she is thrust into battle – and the limelight. (Penguin, Young Adult, £9.99) Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody VIOLET is left heartbroken by the captain of the ice hockey team and vows never to date a jock again. Then meets the captain of the Ransom Devils… 11 (Electric Monkey, YA, £9.99)
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michele Wong McSween's 'Gordon & Li Li' children's book series helps families learn Mandarin
[Source] When Michele Wong McSween couldn't find Mandarin learning books for her children, she created her own — launching a beloved bilingual series in the process. A fourth-generation Chinese American and former fashion designer, McSween began 'Gordon & Li Li' as part of a personal effort to reconnect with her cultural roots after enrolling her family in Mandarin classes. The newest installment, 'Gordon & Li Li: All About Me,' teaches vocabulary for body parts through movement and song. It ends with a bilingual version of 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.' 'When I think about the next book to add to 'Gordon & Li Li's' world, I always think of two things: parents and kids,' McSween tells The Rebel Yellow. 'What will help parents connect with their children? And what will kids be naturally curious about? 'All About Me' felt like the perfect fit.' From bedtime books to a bestselling series Trending on NextShark: McSween says the inspiration for the books came after realizing how few Mandarin resources were available for non-speaking families like hers. 'Back in 2006, there were virtually no appealing or accessible bilingual resources for learning Chinese — especially for young children,' she says. 'Most of what I found were old-fashioned, intimidating books tucked away in Chinatown stores, which didn't reflect or support multicultural families like mine.' She noted that by comparison, Spanish-language books were widely available and approachable. 'I kept asking myself: why doesn't this exist for Mandarin, a language spoken by over a billion people?' she says. 'If I wanted these resources for my kids, I was going to have to create them myself.' She self-published the first 'Gordon & Li Li' books starting in 2008. Scholastic acquired the titles in 2017 and re-released them the following year, expanding the franchise to include activity books and a mobile app. Trending on NextShark: Building language and connection McSween says 'All About Me' was designed to mirror how her sons engaged with books as toddlers. 'When my boys were little, they loved any book that let them move — pointing to their belly, wiggling their toes, shaking their arms — classic boy energy!' she says. 'Books about the body became a fun, interactive way for us to bond and learn together.' She says the book's final song makes the learning feel playful and accessible. 'It's a sweet, silly, and educational moment families can share, which is exactly what 'Gordon & Li Li' is all about.' Trending on NextShark: A multigenerational impact McSween regularly hears from parents and grandparents who say the series has helped them reconnect with their culture. 'Many say they wish something like this had existed when they were growing up,' she says. 'Grandparents appreciate how approachable the books are, especially when they're trying to learn Mandarin because their grandkids are Chinese.' She says some of the most meaningful feedback comes directly from children. 'Some proudly recite 'Gordon & Li Li's' introductions by heart, while others bring well-loved, well-worn copies of the books — usually passed down from older siblings or cousins — to have me sign,' she says. 'That kind of connection is deep, authentic and incredibly heartwarming.' Trending on NextShark: Relearning her own identity 'You know the term 'born again Christian'? I like to say I'm a 'born again Chinese,'' McSween says. 'I went from knowing very little about my heritage to feeling fully immersed in it — all because of 'Gordon & Li Li.'' In addition to teaching her own children, the work has opened doors into community and collaboration. 'Through this work, I've been able to meet and collaborate with inspiring AAPI organizations, small businesses, and creatives — people who are all working to uplift our stories and share our traditions and experiences,' she says. 'The biggest gift 'Gordon & Li Li' has given me is the chance to share my love for our culture in a joyful, meaningful way. They're the gift that keeps on giving and it's something I'm extremely proud of!' Trending on NextShark: Advice for parents McSween says the most effective way to introduce language and culture at home is through consistent exposure. 'Read bilingual books, cook family recipes together, make simple crafts, watch bilingual children's shows, or try out language learning apps. Every bit helps and it all adds up to making an impact,' she says. She adds that even small steps matter. 'Using everyday words and phrases around the house is an easy and natural way for kids to pick up a new language,' she says. 'Even just saying 'hello,' 'thank you,' or counting out how many books they want to read at bedtime can help.' Still, she acknowledges that the process isn't always smooth. 'Some days your kids will love it, and other days they might roll their eyes or want to do what their friends are doing instead. That's normal!' she says. 'The key is to make it joyful. When learning feels like play, it sticks.' Most important, she says, is to begin — even if parents don't feel fully fluent. 'You don't have to be fluent or 'perfect' to start, take it from a person who just started learning Mandarin after my kids were born. You're learning and bonding with your kids and that's something to be proud of.' This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
