Libraries
Reading List: Favorite Christmas Books
December 12, 2008
There are a few books (other than the obligatory telling of The Night Before Christmas ) that we return to every holiday season -- our own Christmas classics. Olivia Helps With Christmas by Ian Falconer. We just adore this sassy little pig at our house and her adventures at Christmas time is a favorite. Ian Falconer tells a sweet story about how Olivia spends Christmas with her family. Read more...
Book-a-Mania!
November 20, 2008
In light of the fact that this month is all about books here at Savvy Source , I had to mention a great event coming up this weekend (plus it is my favorite kind of family event -- a free one). The Chicago Public Library is hosting Book-A-Mania! at the Harold Washington Library on November 22nd from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The event includes the opportunity to meets authors and illustrators Read more...
Laughing Out Loud: Favorite Funny Stories
November 18, 2008
I love that my kids have a sense of humor now. Nothing is cuter than seeing your little one get the joke for the first time. Because it is just so darn enjoyable to watch them belly laugh, I think that it is a good idea to have a decent collection of funny tales on hand. These are some of our funny faves. Bendemolina (or the Girl Who Wore a Pot on Her Head) by Jan Slepian is a great book. Our Read more...
Best Bedtime Reads
November 17, 2008
There really is nothing quite like a cuddly bed time story, is there? These are some of the favorites at our house. (1) Mommy's Best Kisses by Margaret Anastas and Susan Winter. This story is just sweetness from start to finish (and my kids love it when I kiss their head, elbows, knees, etc. as we read) (2) Goodnight, Goodnight Sleepyhead by Ruth Krauss with the most lovely decorations from Read more...
Calling All Readers: Great Children's Book Stores
November 11, 2008
Chicago is full of wonderful resources for new readers -- from free story times at the Chicago Public Library to the reading area available in the Family Tent at Millennium Park during the summer months. In such a large city, I don't pretend to be able to cover all of the wonderful story times out there (and your favorites are Read more...
Back-To-School Reading List
August 29, 2008
Heading back to school or starting preschool for the first time is a big transition (how is that for an understatement?). Sending our little ones off alone for the first time can be almost as hard on them as it is on us parents. Some kids seem ready to go off and conquer the preschool world, while others would rather stick close to Mom and Dad. Either way, parents need to talk to Read more...
Summer Reading Lists: Food to Grow On
August 14, 2008
I have written before about creating reading lists around certain themes . This is a super easy way to teach your little ones about a specific subject, plus it makes a routine trip to the public library so much more interesting. The theme of this reading list is vegetable gardens. Check out some of these books to help your child make the connection between the seeds we put in Read more...
Great Summer Reads: What books are on your list?
July 15, 2008
We have books, books everywhere around our house some are our own, others belong to the library or are on loan from friends. If you are looking to spice up your bedtime reading routine, sort through the books in your house and create your own 'summer reading list. Include books that are even tangentially related to summer -- think road trips, turtles, boats, barbeques. What does Read more...
Taking the Kids to the Taste
June 26, 2008
I have a confession to make. The Taste of Chicago isn't my favorite event. I worked at the Taste for two summers when I was in college and let's just say that I am not rushing down to Grant Park each year to relive the experience (in fact I still have the occasional nightmare about people walking around eating turkey legs and corn on the cob). But I do recognize that, for many, an Read more...
Children's Theater in Chicago
June 18, 2008
To date, my daughter's only theater experience is attending my cousin's high school performance of Beauty and the Beast (which was fantastic, if you are reading this Nora). But we are looking to take the theater experience to the next level. In researching local children's theater in Chicago , I was totally delighted (and a little bit surprised) to find so many wonderful options. Here is Read more...
Summer Reading
June 06, 2008
School is out (or almost out). It's official -- summer is here! While I am basking in that initial happy summer rush and planning all of our pool outings and outdoor excursions, I am also keeping in mind that we need to make some time to practice the reading and writing skills that my daughter learned during the school year. And what better place to start than the Summer Reading Program at Read more...
Top 5 Things to Do in Chicago on a Rainy Day
May 27, 2008
On rainy days, my Grandma used to say, Today isn't fit to stay home. She was right. The rain may tempt you to stay warm and cozy in your house. Don't do it. You will end up with a bunch of stir-crazy, bored kids. Instead, grab your rain boots and slickers and try one of these rainy-day activities. Visit a Conservatory. It may be raining outside but it is always beautiful inside Read more...
Book Nooks for Tots: Best Story Times and Reading Rooms
May 19, 2008
Rain or shine, story time is always a good activity for preschoolers. Even better? A story time that also includes a craft, activity, or snack and is super inexpensive or free (yeah!). Here are a few spots to catch a good story. The library scene. Lots of branches of the Chicago Public Library have free story times for toddlers and preschoolers. At the Bucktown-Wicker Park Read more...
How to be A Princess for a Day
May 16, 2008
When I started researching this topic, I came across some pretty indulgent princess activities for your preschooler (for example, a shocking variety of princess camps). The truth is I would never take my daughter to an activity like that so I don't want to make those recommendations to you. Yes, we do the requisite Disney princess obsession at our house. And sure, my Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in chicago
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
The Voice of Being Savvy chicago:
Caitlin Giles
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Favorite chicago Lists
- Books Essential to Chicago Kids
- The Local Lingo
- It Takes Two: Things That Are More Fun With a Friend
- Ice Cream in Chicago
- Dinner Table Destinations: Eat and Learn
- Signs of Summer
- 5 Best Ways to Enjoy Millennium Park
- Ways to Learn About Math in the Windy City
- Hey Kid, You Got the Time?
- 99 Things To Do in Chicago Before Your Child Grows Up
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