Parenting Advice from UltimateMama

Ultimate Books - Ultimate Summer Reading Club - Borders

UltimateMama has a secret for you:  Borders has a great deal if your child is 12 or under!  Read ten books and get one for free!

Check out the Borders' Double-Dog Dare summer reading program today!

Ultimate Books - My Mommy’s on a Business Trip

How many times does your child ask you "why do you have to travel for work"?  A new book on the market will help you explain to your children that you love them no matter where you are.

Even though the author of "My Mommy’s on a Business Trip" Phaedra Cucina went to the wrong Michigan university (Michigan State University vs. UltimateMama's alma mater The University of Michigan), UltimateMama won't hold that against her -- especially since they both grew up in Detroit.

 

"My Mommy’s on a Business Trip" is a must have for all children of working parents, especially those who travel!  It explains the notion of business travel to children sweetly and succinctly.

Ultimate Books for Toddlers

UltimateMama believes that a babies who love books grow into toddlers who REALLY love books! 

In the toddler years you will move beyond board books since toddlers often remind us that they are "Big Kids", "Big Boys", or "Big Girls" now.

UltimateMama's top books for toddlers:

Leo Lionni's "Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse" is a Caldecott Honor Book about friendship.

Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober's "Mini Masters Boxed Set" which includes "Dancing with Degas", "A Picnic with Monet", "A Magical Day with Matisse", and "In the Garden with Van Gogh."  Now, this is a boxed set of four board books but UltimateMama wants you to make an exception to the NO BOARD BOOKS FOR TODDLERS rule this time.

 

Kevin Henkes "Kitten's First Full Moon" is a simple and sweet story of wanting something you can't have that also won a Caldecott Medal.

Marcus Pfister's "The Rainbow Fish" is a MUST READ story about utterly selfless giving.  The illustrations are magnificent!

Margaret Wise Brown's "The Golden Egg" is a timeless classic about imagining.

Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham" is perfect for any picky eaters who want to laugh and laugh!

Laura Numeroff's "If You Take a Mouse to School" is a high-energy must read to kick off the school day!

Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree" is a wonderful tale about unconditional love and generosity.

Bill Martin Jr's "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" is a fun read about the alphabet and letters. UltimateMama loves to sing it to her children!

Ultimate Places for Finding Books

As you know, UltimateMama really does love books!  Moreover, UltimateMama loves finding a good deal on books!

UltimateMama's top places for finding books include: 

- The Public Library.  Not only will you find so many great titles at your library but you can read them for FREE!  Many libraries even offer "story times" or special programs for babies, toddlers, and school children. What a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the library and make friends in the process. If possible, sign up your child for their own library card and teach them about the process of "checking out" or borrowing books that will ultimately be returned.  This is a great life lesson that can be taught to toddlers!

- Thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets, yard sales, school fairs.  All of these places are great for finding books for sale at GREAT PRICES.  UltimateMama regularly finds great books at Goodwill and The Salvation Army.  Keep in mind that these are also terrific places to donate your books when you and your child are through with them!  School book fairs are another excellent resource for picking up terrific books PLUS you can feel good about supporting education as you shop away!

- Half.com, an eBay company, is a wonderful resource for finding both new and used books in excellent condition.  UltimateMama regularly orders books for herself and her children on this website.  Also, if you are buying several of the same book (as a party favor, for instance) this is a terrific place to shop!

- Amazon.com, Borders.com, BarnesandNoble.com are all excellent sites for finding books.  A great tip is to sign up for their emails so that you can receive frequent discounts (online and at retail locations)!  UltimateMama also notes that the "brick and mortar" Borders and Barnes & Noble stores usually have special events for children so check out your nearest location or look online for their calendar.  UltimateMama's children loved spending Halloween at Borders this year.  The children donned their finest costurmes and were treated to a "spooky" story and participated in fun games and coloring projects.

- Books not cards.  Typically, a baby shower tradition that is now popping up for holidays and birthdays, Books not cards means that you tell your "guests" to give your child a book instead of spending money on a card.  UltimateMama searched around several bookstores and found many great children's books for $4.99 and under, similar to the price of a greeting card!  

Ultimate Books for Babies

UltimateMama LOVES books!  UltimateMama encourages you or your caretaker to read to your baby several times a day.  Not only is it good for bonding but also great for building their future vocabulary. 

Also, UltimateMama prefers Board Books for babies over paper books so that your child can enjoy the book by touching and turning the pages without the worry of messing up or tearing paper pages!

UltimateMama's top books for babies:

Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells's "That's Not My Bear...Its Nose Is Too Rough" is a fun "touch and feel" book that all babies will enjoy.

Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpiller" is a beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations. 

Sam McBratney's "Guess How Much I Love You" is a magnificent story about love and devotion. A story you will read again and again through the years. 

Sandra Boynton's "Boynton's Greatest Hits:  Volume 1" is perfect for new parents.  This nice boxed set includes 4 super fun books:  Blue Hat, Green Hat (teaches colors); Moo, Baa, LA LA LA! (teaches animals and sounds they make); Doggies (teaches counting); and A to Z (teaches the alphabet). 

Karen Katz's "Counting Kisses" is a sweet bedtime book that involves YOU, the reader, kissing your little one along with the story. 

Karen Katz's "Where is Baby's Belly Button?" is a fun book in that babies can lift the flaps to reveal body parts.

Jan Brett's "The Mitten" is a beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a Ukrainian tall tale involving a grandmother, her grandson, and animals. 

Margaret Wise Brown's "Goodnight Moon" is a bedtime classic that all children should be exposed to when they are young.