What's on our bookshelf....

The Runaway Pumpkin - Written by Kevin Lewis and Illustrated by S. D. Schindler

The Runaway Pumpkin is a cute story about a very large pumpkin that is found by three costumed children. They decide to roll it down the hill which causes it to crash in to various parts of a farm on the way down. As it rushes past the kid's family members, they have memories of yummy foods that can be made from a pumpkin. Eventually the pumpkin comes to a stop and gets squished through the front door. At the end of the story, a guest sits down at the table full of food made with pumpkin. Who could it be?

This story is full of funny illustrations and tongue-twisting rhymes. It's a great book to help explain a pumpkin versus a jack-o-lantern and what kind of foods are made from a pumpkin. Beware - it's going to make you hungry!

What's on our bookshelf....

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman

It was suggested that we also include parenting books in our weekly book suggestions so here's our debut. This book was recommended by a few parent educators who really enjoyed it. Here is a description from the publisher's website:

"In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What’s the single most important thing that helps infants learn language?

NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we’ve mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razorsharp analysis, Bronson and Merryman demonstrate that many of modern society’s strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring—because key twists in the science have been overlooked.

Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors’ work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children’s (and adults’) lives: intelligence, racism, civility and aggression, honesty and deception, morality and kindness, peer pressure, risk-taking, and the growth of family relationships. NurtureShock is a fun, fascinating, and challenging book—unlike anything you’ve ever seen before."

Visit NurtureShock's website for more information and be sure to come back here and tell us what you thought of it!

Parent Resource Fair

Imprints is having a Parent Resource Fair on Tuesday, November 10th from 6 to 7:30pm.

Come to the fair to gain knowledge and tips about community resources for you and your child. Representatives of the following agencies will be on hand to give out information and helpful advice:

- Family Services/Ways to Work Program
- Work/Family Resource Center
- Goodwill Industries
- Consumer Credit Counseling
- The Experiment in Self Reliance, Inc.
- Crisis Control Ministries

The event will be held at Imprints which is located in the Augsburg Community Center - 502 N Broad St, Winston-Salem, NC. Imprints is on the corner of Broad St. and 6th St. Please park in the parking lot off of Pilot View St.

Please RSVP to your Parent Educator or to Trina Stephens at 722-6296 x211 or tstephens@imprintsforfamilies.org

Child care and refreshments will be provided.

This event is sponsored by Smart Start of Forsyth County and Kohl's

Clifford's Dog Fair at the Children's Museum of Winston-Salem

Attention dog lovers!!!

The Children's Museum of Winston-Salem is having Clifford's Dog Fair on Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This fair will feature:

* 11:00 - Dog/Owner Look-a-Like contest
* 11:30 - Best Costume (will be based on creativity and originality)
* 11:15 - Dog Tricks Presentation (owners can attempt two tricks with their dog)
* 11:45 - Dynamic Duo (i.e. Batman and Robin, Doctor and Nurse)
* 12:00 - Owner/Dog yogurt lick-off
* Forsyth Humane Society’s Rover with adoptable dogs
* Fun and furry storytimes
* Dog Caricaturist (bring a bag of dog or cat food for the Humane Society and receive $5 off coupon for caricature)
* author Leigh Somerville McMillan will be book signing “It all started with a Dog”
* plus dog sitters, groomers, services, artists,
arts and crafts, and more!

Free with paid admission or Museum membership.

Imprints in the Community

Imprints is presenting a block exhibit at the Stratford Village Fall Fest on October 24th from 11am to 1pm. Stratford Village is located at 146 S. Stratford Road. Please see below for more information about the festival:

Stratford Village invites you to enjoy the crisp fall weather in our outdoor courtyard during our 2009 Fall Fest Celebration! As a proud supporter of our local economy, we'll be offering activities and goods that benefit our Triad friends and neighbors.

- Sidewalk sale and special offers throughout the day
- Live radio remote with 107.5 KZL from 11am to 1pm
- Food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina
- Children's book reading and signing of The Wonderful World of Sparkle Girl and Doobins by author Kim Underwood and illustrator Garnet Goldman
- Local open-air market
- Live music
- Imprints Block Party, a tactile play-and-learn exhibit with blocks of all sizes, for children aged 8 months to 8 years and their parents
- Plus much more!

What's on our bookshelf....

A Tree Is Nice - Written by Janice May Udry and Illustrated by Marc Simont

This Caldecott award winning book takes you and your child through the many benefits of trees. You will read about the changes in season, playing in leaf piles, climbing trees to pick apples, and how trees provide shade along with many other pleasures a tree provides.

I love reading this book to kids this time of year because it is a great way to talk about the leaves turning color and falling off and the how the weather will soon change. This short book would be good practice for the emerging reader because of it's simple sentences and illustrations that perfectly capture what the words say. A Tree Is Nice also explains, in basic terms, how to plant a tree and how fulfilling it can be to watch it grow over time. It may even inspire your family to plant your own tree.

Temper Tantrum Tool Box

Imprints is holding a parent group on Tuesday, October 13th from 6 to 7:30pm. You will learn some great tools and tips about ways to prevent and manage your child's temper tantrums.

The group will be held at the Imprints main office, located in the Augsburg Community Center. The address is 502 N. Broad St. in Winston-Salem (corner of N. Broad St. and 6th St.). The parking lot is off of Pilot View St.

Child care and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by October 9th so we can ensure there are enough materials for everyone. To RSVP, contact your parent educator or Trina Stephens at 722-6296 x211 or tstephens@imprintsforfamilies.org

This event is sponsored by Smart Start of Forsyth County and Kohl's

What's on our bookshelf....

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything - Written by Linda Williams and Illustrated by Megan Lloyd

As the little old lady walked home through a dark and scary forest, one-by-one she came upon animated shoes, pants, a shirt, gloves, a hat and a pumpkin head. Each item has it's own specific noise that is fun to mimic. The little old lady claims she is not scared of these items that are following her home. Instead, she gathers them up and puts them to an interesting use. Can you guess what that is?

This story has a lot of funny illustrations and solid repetition. It's great for for acting out and for teaching your child to predict what comes next. This not-so-scary book is a fun Fall read.