Did you know that the biggest full moon of the year could be seen this past weekend? On Saturday, May 5th, the moon was extra big and extra bright. A “supermoon” happens due to a fluke of orbital mechanics that bring it closer to the earth. Between the supermoon and the upcoming solar eclipse (!!) we’re on a bit of a space kick. Here are five books to read if you are too:
Your kid’s personal guide to being an astronaut will school them on eating in space, being a team player aboard ship, and training for weightlessness on the vomit comet. There are lots of fun facts (a space suit has 12 layers, and weighs 280 pounds!) and other resources. Also: the author’s site tells you how to make a rocket. Read more...
Great documentaries educate us and sometimes even inspire us to take action. Here are five docs for your little eco-warriors:
1. Arctic Tale (2007)
This National Geographic film follows a polar bear cub and a walrus pup as they grow into powerful adults, all the while showing the audience how tough things are in the Arctic now that the ice is melting. You had us at polar bear cub. But seriously, the idea that the Arctic home of all these amazing animals is in trouble is very scary. Think of the polar bears and walruses that could be saved if kids today grow up to be better caretakers of the planet than we are?
How are you planning to celebrate Earth day this weekend? Reading up on going green? Crushing some cans to make a birdfeeder? Making your kids rake the garden? Whatever you choose to do, make sure you have a killer playlist to groove to while you do it. We give these eight hits the green light for your family’s Earth Day music rotation. Get wild!
1. Don’t Go Near the Water – The Beach Boys
“Toothpaste and soap will make our oceans a bubble bath, so let’s avoid an ecological aftermath.” This surf ballad is a doozy of a jingle. Put on your brightest Hawaiian button up and bust a groove in the living room.
2. Going up the Country – Canned Heat Read more...
What was the first movie you saw that really opened your eyes to non-English movies? Amélie? Something Fellini? Show your kids the cool movies that not-Hollywood and not-Disney have to offer by sitting down to a family-friendly foreign film. Here are some of our favourites:
When we start thinking about favourite family films in general, we inevitably start talking about Studio Ghibli. There are so, so many Studio Ghibli wicked movies to choose from, and most people are probably familiar with Spirited Away, but we went with My Neighbour Totoro because it’s the best way to get your kids into these Japanese films. (Spirited Away is stellar, butwas a bit too scary for our resident 3-year-old film critic). It’s about two girls who move to the country and meet some… interesting creatures. Also, a quick poll among Bunch parents proved Totoro was a real crowd-pleaser. Read more...
What to watch if your kids aren’t into the kids-killing-kids realities of Panem
As we might have mentioned before, we loved The Hunger Games books and so were seriously anxious for the movie to open. A big part of why we love the Hunger Games is Katniss herself. For those who somehow escaped hearing all about this dystopian tale, it centres around 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen. She’s so brave and strong that, after losing her dad in a mining accident, takes it upon herself to hunt and forage for her family so they don’t all starve. Her braveness hits its peak when her little sister’s name is drawn to participate in the annual Hunger Games, where kids from various districts fight to the death, and Katniss volunteers to take her place. Yes, there’s a bit of young adult romance-y stuff happening, but at its core, it’s about Katniss surviving the games so she can get back to her family. Katniss makes for a great role model, but we understand that when other Hunger Games participants are speared, stabbed and bashed on the head, it’s not really family-friendly entertainment if your family is on the young side. We’re thinking Snow White and the Huntsman looks pretty kickass too, but again, it’s probably not for the kids. Read more...
We asked Melissa Bourdon-King, the manager of Mabel’s Fables Children’s Bookstore to share her top picks for St. Patrick’s day reads. Don your finest green threads, whip up a batch of leprechaun milkshakes and get into these festive books!
Thy fly-eating old lady is back, but this time she’s on a mission to down all the items to make up a perfect rainbow behind which to hide a pot o’ gold.
Thought hearts, stars, horseshoes, clovers and blue moons were just the Lucky Charm leprechaun’s fanciful pickings? Nope – they all have a pretty cool history behind them. This book delves into the imagery of the holiday, illuminating the history of the most recognizable icons, including St. Patrick himself. Read more...
Is Purim the most fun of all Jewish holidays? It’s certainly in the running! Costumes, cookies, a kickass queen and escaping a proto-Hitler, what’s not to love? Here are five stories to read with your kids this week. (Purim starts tomorrow evening, March 7, and goes until the evening of March 8.)
Hershel wants to help his mother prepare for Purim and make the Hamantaschen with her. One problem: he’s blind. “If only I could see, he thinks, I could help my mother more.” Good thing an angel comes to him in his dream and tells him what he can make and how he can help.
