Category: Children's books

Preparing to do the potty training thing? Meet the Bossy Baby Chronicles

Preparing to do the potty training thing? Meet the Bossy Baby Chronicles
This is my niece Olivia. She is one of the lights of my life (along with the many other little people who make my life better because they are a part of it). I adore her. She is about as cute as any two year-old could be. And the girl is getting ready to do... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
November 1, 2012 at 9:29 am • 

Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday with Open Books

Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday with Open Books
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” (Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”) How much Dr. Seuss do you read at your house? I myself just finished The Cat in the Hat Comes Back an hour ago (love that one). If you are Dr. Seuss fans, I've got a family event for you (featuring some of my very favorite creative people -- Nili and Candice -- I am looking at you). On Saturday, March 3rd, Open Books  (213 W. Institute Place, Chicago) encourages adults and children alike to experience the joy of reading with a one-day celebration in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and national Read Across America day. Bringing Seuss’ creative, wacky, and educational novels alive, the day will feature three special guests, each paired with a unique Seuss-inspired activity...
By Caitlin Giles,
February 22, 2012 at 8:59 pm • 

William and the Christmas Moon: A Review

William and the Christmas Moon: A Review
I never repost here on Wee Windy City — mostly out of laziness and the desire to not look back. But I dug out our collection of Christmas books over the weekend and I was reminded how totally spectacular one of them is. I really wanted to mention this book to you because I know... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
December 12, 2011 at 10:04 pm • 
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Grow Books: Cultivating Imaginations Right Here in Chicago

Grow Books: Cultivating Imaginations Right Here in Chicago
I love a good surprise. When my kiddos recently received an intriguing package from Grow Books, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect. What we discovered inside our neatly-wrapped, rectangular, red package actually isn’t a book at all. Local Chicago company (by now you surely know that I am a sucker for all-things local) Grow... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
July 24, 2011 at 5:40 pm • 

Be Who You Are: A Book with a Message for All of Us

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” — The very wise Dr. Seuss This simple message is at the heart of Jennifer Carr’s new children’s book Be Who You Are. I can assure you that you’ve never read a children’s book... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
January 11, 2011 at 2:16 pm • 

The Pesky Peanut: A Fabulous Educational Resource for Food Allergy Families

I’ve written before about the fact that my nearly two-year-old son Colin has food allergies (specifically peanut, tree nut and eggs). Because he is still a little guy, we haven’t done much yet to educate him about his allergies and what he needs to do to keep himself safe (although I am teaching him to... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
November 17, 2010 at 12:56 pm • 
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Larry Gets Lost in Chicago

Many of the children’s book about Chicago that I’ve come across just aren’t that good. I’m not going to name names or anything, but trust me — there are a bunch of really mediocre children’s stories about our great city out there. Larry Gets Lost in Chicago (illustrated by John Skewes and written by Michael... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
October 17, 2010 at 9:52 pm • 

Loui Saves the Earth (and your kid can too)

Chicago author, illustrator and mother of three Alexandra Gnoske has a new book with a simple message for kids: children can make a big difference for Planet Earth. In Loui Saves the Earth, a little boy named Loui and his dog Dusty (who live in Chicago of course) learn that we can all play a... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
May 12, 2010 at 2:08 pm • 

The Wee Weekender (May 14th-16th)

A Family Workshop at the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park. Looking for something fun do to? How about a hands-on gardening workshop, yoga for toddlers, making creative critters out of rocks, or a storytelling event for the whole family?Lurie Garden Family Workshop: Plant Power. Families with kids over age 6 can spend an afternoon in... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
May 11, 2010 at 12:23 pm • 
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A Review of The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites

Last Saturday, I took my nearly four-year-old son and not-quite six-year-old daughter to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites performed by the Mermaid Theater Company of Nova Scotia and presented by the Chicago Children’s Theatre at the Field Museum. The 50-minute show includes 3 of Eric Carle’s familiar children’s stories: Little... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
April 11, 2010 at 2:39 pm •