Books

Gentle lessons to protect ears, nose and mouth

Last August, an Oklahoma family drove all the way to Phoenix, not realizing that their 8-month-old child’s life could be in danger. They knew something...

Pat, and fix, the bunny

The great thing about Dorothy Kunhardt's Pat the Bunny (Golden Books, 1940) is that it's just as fun for kids today as when it came...

“The Tiffany Box” is a moving tribute to motherhood

An early chapter of The Tiffany Box, A Memoir, by Arizona-turned-California author Kathleen Buckstaff, raises the subject of picture day at school. Buckstaff describes...

Learning to like yourself the way you are

An inquisitive young chick undergoes a journey of self-discovery in Victor, the Reluctant Vulture, the latest children’s title from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press. The...

Arizona Camping Guide informative, inspirational

Arizona is home to many peaceful locations that are isolated from the hubbub of human civilization, just waiting to be explored. Arizona Highways managing...

A bus tour for literacy?

Once the purview of superstars and circus animals, it seems even book characters are getting their own bus tours nowadays. Jack and Annie, characters...

Phoenix dad shares novel insights

Phoenix novelist Tom Leveen and his wife Joy have a young son with a rather uncommon name. "I've been writing since I was in the...

A survival guide to children’s birthday parties

Parents planing their child's birthday party know there are hundreds of details to remember and possible choices to make. With busy work schedules and...

Desert story features familiar character

Plenty of children’s books rely on animals acting like humans, dressing in clothes and portraying human traits to tell the story, but sometimes animals...

A stylish approach to building baby’s bookshelf

Written by Kacy Vega. As you make decisions about your new baby’s furniture, bedding, framed prints or wallpaper, don’t forget the quintessential nursery staple—books! There are...

Boys unmotivated

I’ve read articles and listened to radio broadcasts about how boys are doing less well in school than girls, graduate from college less than...

On the bookshelf: Warm fuzzies and belly laughs

Flagstaff writer/artist Linda Kranz’s third book, Love you when…(Taylor Trade Publishing, 2012), is the third in a series of books using artfully painted rocks...

VYT presents “Shrek The Musical”

It looks like Valley Youth Theatre in Phoenix is the first Arizona theater to snag the rights to perform "Shrek The Musical," which closes...

Table manners for the knife and fork

Whenever we get children’s books in the office, I judge them by their covers. When I saw The Knife and the Fork Go Dancing...

This season, give the gift of literacy

Written by Kacy Vega. As we dash our way through this festive season, let’s take a moment to conjure up warm and fuzzy feelings for…...

Families celebrate with Junie B. Jones

Arizona author Barbara Park has writtten more than two dozen books in a series about a little girl named Junie B. Jones, who always seems to...

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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