Books

Library sale offers books, CDs & DVDs for under $5

Buying new books, even for small children, can get pricey! And despite our admonitions, some of those books will end up "personalized" by a...

Sharing the gift of Arizona memories

Eddie Basha. Barry Goldwater. Sandra Day O'Connor. Jerry Colangelo. Erma Bombeck. Pat McMahon. Bil Keane. Most Arizona families are plenty familar with these names. But...

“Life of Pi” affirms the power of story

The movie "Life of Pi," which opened Wednesday in Valley theaters, is based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel. Early images in the film, which...

Final “Twilight” film proves vampires never die

The "Twilight" series imagines life for teens in a rural part of Washington state where some residents are vampires or shapeshift into wolves. Only those who change...

Travel the world with kids in tow

I’ve had the book 100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life (National Geographic), by Keith Bellows, on my desk for a few a...

Junie B. Jones is back!

After five years, New York Times bestselling author Barbara Park and illustrator Denise Brunkus have brought back the beloved first grader Junie B. Jones...

Mo Willems: No such thing as a wrong drawing

Children’s author Mo Willems visits Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe this month to read from his newest book, Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs. The...

Tall tales of big fish

David Shannon’s Jangles: A Big Fish Story (The Blue Sky Press, October 1, 2012), combines the exaggeration of the traditional the-one-that-got-away fish story with...

SAT aces offer insight

The “A” in SAT stands for achievement. Maybe that’s why the SATs strike fear into the hearts of many a student. Everything they’ve supposedly...

Books and play for hot summer days

Wong Herbert Yee’s new book Summer Days and Nights evokes memories of my childhood summers in Michigan, where I spent time outdoors from the...

Taking back mealtime: The Mom 100 Cookbook

English muffin pizza for breakfast? Miso cod fingers for the fish-o-phobe? Well, sure! Katie Workman, founding editor of Cookstr.com, created The Mom 100 Cookbook:...

Books to choose for preschool kids

There are a lot of books to choose from for any age child. Stephanie Zvirin, the Books for Youth editor for Booklist has gathered...

Dad books make easy gifts

Stuff Every Dad Should Know, (Quirk Books, 2012) by Brett Cohen is a small, 3.75" x 6" book, perhaps because the “stuff” has been...

A book for new dads

Looking for a Father's Day gift for a new or expectant father? Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro is written by a pediatrician/dad...

Art meets veterans

Abstract Rant. A Bird Knows No Barbed Wire. Dear Simon. We Are Not Your Heroes. Ghost Limb. Iraqi Kids 2003. Living Without Nikki. You...

Broadway meets breast cancer

After enjoying a little nap one afternoon, our daughter Lizabeth shared some suprising news. The cat, who's taken to sleeping atop her baby blue...

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.

STAY CONNECTED

16,000FansLike
4,049FollowersFollow
3,150SubscribersSubscribe