Killer Kid Lit
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, the king of kid hop (that’s hip hop for kids) along with his daughter MC Fireworks, make music guaranteed to make your whole family get up and dance. Of course they love all the wacky rhyming found in a Shel Silverstein book!
What’s the story? This is the only of Shel’s books that he actually wrote for one of his kids. It is a strange and dyslexic world from the mind of the all-time great.
Age recommendation: Like all family-friendly Silverstein, it is truly for all ages, but this one is a little more aimed at the child mind.
Why it rules: Almost every sentence is a letter-switched riddle (like Runny Babbit = Bunny Rabbit), and after a few pages, you begin thinking backwards!
What are some similar books/authors? There is noone else like Shel Silverstein, but other books include Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and for the grown ups, Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book.
For a taste of Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s own rhymes, download his song, “
Gotta Be Me” and check out his latest album,
Make Believers, out next week!
Killer Kid Lit
An art book recommendation from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band is one of our favourite kindie acts! It makes a certain amount of sense that Lucky and Alisha would want to share a love of the arts with their family.
What’s your family’s favourite book to read together? We love the series “Getting to know the World’s Greatest Artists” by Mike Venezia.
What’s that about? They are a divine series introducing children to art and artists through fun— portraying the artists as REAL people with delightful illustrations, cartoons and famous artworks.
Age recommendation: 4- 104
Why it rules: These books open up the world of art to kids through imagination, color and fun facts. (We are HUGE fans of museum-going. If we aren’t onstage we are likely to be found wandering through galleries absorbing and chatting about what is inspiring us). These books makes it all accessible. Read more...
News and Culture Five
What the cool parents are reading today: 
1. The science of baby fever and the ticking biological clock. It can strike anytime, but it most keenly felt by women in their late 20s. Sound accurate to you?
2. OK parents who are teachers, weigh in: are there parent-teacher wars? Have you known colleagues to quit teaching because of issues with parents?
3. Judging our pals’ parenting styles is real. One theory stipulates that our parenting styles are based on insecurities from our own childhoods, so if a friend judges our decisions, it cuts deep.
4. Did you grow up reading Judy Blume? Of course you did! Did you know she still kicks all kinds of ass? We’d love to talk to her about Katniss and add her to our Monday morning Mad Men discussion. Judy Blume will rule forever. Read more...
Bunch Guides
The most influential poet and playwright turns 448 today!
Witches, ghosts, crossdressers, villians and fairies — Shakespeare’s plays are full of some truly memorable characters and imagery. But even more importantly, they’re full of wise insight for young viewers, and your kids may find the plays more relatable than you think. After all, Shakespeare was all about throwing tantrums, wearing eccentric outfits and making up words. To thine own self be true, indeed.
READ
This interactive Globe Pop Up Theatre book shows the theatre circa 1612. All the details are there, including a ceiling painted like the heavens, thatched roof, stage, galleries and an expectant audience. Punch out characters are included so kids can act out act out the plays. Brief summaries included.
Make Wicked Will: A Mystery of Young Shakespeare one of your kids first chapter books. It’s a murder mystery with many references to Shakespeare’s plays, including an Elizabethan setting, and the characters from his plays. Read more...
Blog
Pile yourself and all your kids into a big bed and read a story together
It’s World Book Night! It’s a night where we celebrate our love of reading, and hope to foster that same love in other people too. In some cities, people will be going out distributing paperbacks in hope that these books will find good homes and their new owners will seek out more and more reading material.
While we don’t expect you to canvas the neighbourhood passing around old copies of Catcher in the Rye, you and the kids could go through their old pictures books and see if there are any that the kids could spare. Consider donating a few to a local women’s shelter.
We’re also really into Flavorwire’s idea of celebrating World Book Night, which is to find a book to read out loud. Read more...
Killer Kid Lit
What to read with your kids
If you haven’t read The Three Robbers by Tomi Ungerer, Bunch’s own Rebecca Brown says you’re missing out. It’s a favourite for both her 3-year-old girl (Rose) and her 7-year-old boy (Sam).
The Story: The three robbers rip off carriages. One day they hit a carriage that contains no treasure other than an orphan girl named Tiffany. So they steal her, make her a comfy bed in their cave and save her from a life with a wicked aunt. When she asks what they do with all the jewels and money they’ve stolen, the robbers are dumbfounded. So they decide to buy a castle and gather up “all the lost, unhappy and abandoned children.”
Who it’s written for: Kids 3-8 Read more...
spring
When it comes to the most magical time of the year, we know how to romp
Spring really is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” Flowers are sprouting, the breeze is warm and trees are ripe for the climbing. We’ve rounded up our most stellar ideas to help you and your kids to take full advantage of the season — we’ve got you covered, from picnic basket pointers to mud puddle musts.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, FROLICKS AND SHENANIGANS
Want to get outside and give back to your community? Here are five cool ways you and your kids can volunteer this spring. Restoring murals, community garden drop ins, and park clean ups — these ideas are way cooler than a bake sale.
Robins and Cardinals are now hopping all over the place. We put our feathered thinking caps on and came up with some ways you can help a bird build its nest from natural materials. Read more...
