Reviewed by Wendy What it is: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a nonprofit offering a collection of programs created to encourage kids and teens to participate more in science and technology. The four main programs are FIRST LEGO League (grades 4-8), FIRST LEGO League Jr. (ages 6 to 10), FIRST… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: An educational but fun website for young kids (ages 3 to 5 or so) offering more than 150 games, plus storybooks, printables, videos, recipes and activities. The site offers some of the most popular PBS cartoon characters as themes throughout the various activities. Brain Benefits: Numerical fluency, problem solving,… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: [Amazon Product Description] “Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls” is a children’s book packed with 100 BEDTIME STORIES about the life of 100 EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN from the past and the present, illustrated by 60 FEMALE ARTISTS from all over the world. Each woman’s story is written in the style of a… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: Perhaps my all-time favorite board game, Scrabble is a word-lover’s dream! Scrabble may be a bit more of a generational icon, ranking at the top of the list for fun for those of us who grew up without cell phones, tablets and computers. So for those handful of people who… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: I’ve always loved brain teasers, word puzzles, optical illusions, trivia and the like. My dad was an English major and later became a writer, so we’ve always geeked out on stuff like this together. He bought me a subscription to Games magazine and I remember taking turns yelling out spoonerisms… read more
Reviewed by Brittany What it is: [Amazon product description] A board game and card game in one! The object is to get a “sequence,” meaning a row of five poker-like chips on the game board. Play a card from your hand, place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board when you have five in a… read more
Reviewed by Brittany What it is: [Amazon product description] Once you start popping, there’s just no stopping! These fun, tactile books help kids learn to count–without losing count! Raised buttons pop in on every page so kids can press them as they count in this casebound book with ten spreads and 30 poke-able dots. Out in the ocean… read more
Reviewed by Joan Emerson, LearningRx Shreveport What it is: [Amazon product description] Mindware’s Q-bitz is a visual challenge game that employs a litany of cognitive skills, including spacial and pattern recognition, organization, hand eye coordination, quick decision making, and a sharp memory. Q-bitz is a 3 round game. Round 1 is all about speed as players… read more
Reviewed by Katelyn Young, LearningRx Shreveport What it is: Simon is an electronic hand-held game featuring colorful lights that make musical sounds when you touch them. As the colors light up, the player must focus on the pattern they are shown and then repeat it back by touching those same colored lights. Players won’t want to… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: [From the publisher] The Boxcar Children, published sixty years ago in 1942, has captured the imaginations of generations of readers. For the first time, and in honor of the 60th anniversary, Albert Whitman & Company is publishing a special edition of The Boxcar Children.The Aldens begin their adventure by making a home… read more
