Tap into a good book...yes a play on words but only because I am talking about the book, Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson.  It reminds me of one of my favorite books Push Here by Herve Tullet.  Push Here is an interactive book about colored dots.  The story is instructions on what to do with the dots.  Children love the book, it immediately engages and keeps their attention.  

Tap the Magic Tree begins...There's magic in this bare brown tree.  Tap it once;  and is the same premise as Push Here but with the leaves on a tree.  And that makes it even more fun because it teaches about nature and the life cycle of a tree.  I think  books make great gifts and this one will be loved by all the children on your list.  It's just a good book to own.


I recently read... Toys in Space by Mini Grey and I did enjoy it.  It's not the easiest book to read to someone because so much is going on it's hard to be clear with the person listening.  It is however very enjoyable to a child that can read and understand on their own.   The Bear's Song by Benjamin Chaud is a fun story, mostly because the artwork is amazing in this over-sized book.  You and your child will enjoy looking at all the wonderful detail and seeing just what you can find on each page.  No, it's not an Eye-Spy book, just a lot going on.  A sweet story and a good read!

So, curl up on the couch with your child and their favorite book and READ.

Photograph by Anthony Realmuto