Books

New plays power kids’ imaginations

Most kids are keen on having the newest technology, wearing the newest fashions and using the newest lingo. But new matters more in other...

Fun finds at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum

Encyclopedias stacked and carved to resemble the Grand Canyon. A rabbit's head peeking out from a bed of blooms. Maps with zippers. More than...

Dorothy returns to Oz in new film

L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz" has inspired all sorts of books, musicals and films, including "Legends of Oz: Dorothy Returns," based on the adventure books...

Giant illustrated books beat e-books

The British publisher Dorling Kindersley (DK) recently sent a couple hefty 20-by-12-inch books to the office for our review. The illustrations and images are...

Arizona authors sign books to fund literacy

People stopped and talked to the four Arizona authors seated at a table in front of Sibley’s West gift shop in downtown Chandler during...

Teachers use drama to promote literacy

Sally Gonzales-Hughes is one of several teachers at a UMOM New Day Centers homeless shelter for families in Phoenix. Her classroom bustles with activity and evidence...

Arizona authors sign books in Chandler

It might be easier to list the Arizona authors of children's books who are not attending a book signing for the fundraising event "Arizona...

Annica Benning: 400,000 books later

In 2010, I wrote about 15-year-old Annica Benning, who was publishing her book about Native American culture, Arizona: Nations and Art (Walnut Canyon Press)....

Guidance on technology for toddlers

I received a press release for a new book, Toddlers on Technology (AuthorHouse, 2013) and my first thought was, shouldn’t the pages be blank?...

What’s up? Stars, planets and galaxies

It would be so much easier to identify stars, planets and constellations if they were labeled, right? Better than having to say “That star,...

Javelinas travel from page to stage

"The Three Little Javelinas," a 1992 children's book by Tucson author Susan Lowell, is one of many playful adaptations of "The Three Little Pigs." The...

Ransom Riggs’ “Hollow City” — a peculiar, intriguing book

Judging a book by its cover is easy with a title like Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children (Quirk Books,...

Inspiration for writers of all ages

Know a teen whose nose is usually plastered to the pages of the latest young adult novel? A mom whose life would make the...

Artwork shares the power of stories

Artist Honorio Robledo recalls growing up in Mexican villages without electricity, where people would gather at night to share stories by candlelight. He's one of...

Go local: Arizona adventures in crowdfunding

When our three kids were little, we spent a lot of time making goodies for school bake sales -- and buying everything from gift...

Family reading time creates special memories

After our youngest daughter Lizabeth traveled back from Brooklyn for Thanksgiving, our first outing was to a bookstore we've long frequented together as a...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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