Get ready to romp!

Random, but sort of related, links and recommendations.

We checked this book out from the library recently and my kids have been LOVING it. It has great rhythm, rhyme, repetition and encourages movement (and conversations beginning "Why don't we see dinosaurs outside?"). Mine have memorized portions of it and insist on reading it multiple times throughout the day. Here's an excerpt:

Laurie Berkner's We Are the Dinosaurs cd is great, too, for dino-song and dance (and a bunch of non-dino song and dance). We've never seen the video, but I hear it's fun. I feel like her music is unique because it's sing-along/move-along kids' music without being cheesy or annoying. Most of her songs are original so it's not the same old repetitive action songs you're used to. We just recently took this one out of our car, after an extremely long run, and replaced it with her Victor Vito album. I've enjoyed both.

Jean at The Artful Parent has a great post on picture books about making music. Be sure to read the comments for further recommendations.

A friend of mine has recently checked out a load of art books for kids including some in these series: Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists, Artists in Their Time, and Smart About Art.
The Crafty Crow lists several books for teaching kids about art and for encouraging making art. I'm sure the library would be very helpful, as well. We have yet to tap into this category so I don't have any personal recommendations, but I'm looking forward to trying some of these next time I'm at the library thinking, "Now, what should we look for?"

I may have to get a copy of Mollie Katzen's Pretend Soup for helping my kids with reading recipes, following directions, and having fun in the kitchen. With illustrated instructions, it sounds so much more interesting for them than watching me read from my own cookbooks or scribbled recipes. Check The Artful Parent again for pictures from the book and a more detailed review.