Read, Discuss, Do Holiday Gift Guide

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  It’s that time of year again. The time of year when we’re all thinking about what books to give the people in our life! If you’re at a loss or just need some fresh ideas, we’re here to help with a list of some books that we think would make great gifts. From babies to middle graders, from fans of board books to graphic novels, there's something for all the young readers in your life on this list! Read the full list here . Don't miss a thing. Sign up for our biweekly newsletter by filling out the form below! 
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Summer Challenge Week Two: Inspire Creativity with Interesting Inventions

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Welcome to week TWO of the Read, Discuss, Do! Summer Challenge! Stories about creative people and interesting inventions are a good way to encourage creative thinking in your own kids. That's why we are hoping this week's theme will encourage you and your kiddos to do some creative thinking together! What kinds of things will your brains come up with? There are endless possibilities!

Ideas for books to read:

  • BE A MAKER by Katey Howes, illustrated by Elizabet Vuković is a book about the possibilities that exist when you set out to make something, especially making an impact on the world around you.
  • IF I BUILT A CAR by Chris Van Dusen is a super fun and creative rhyming book in which a little boy describes the car he would build if he were to build a car. It's a great book for getting kids to think way outside the box!
  • THE CRAYON MAN: THE TRUE STORY OF THE INVENTION OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS by Natascha Biebow, illustrated by Steven Salerno is a fun and colorful non-fiction book about something most kids probably take for granted--their box of crayons!
  • FROM HERE TO THERE: INVENTIONS THAT CHANGED THE WAY THE WORLD MOVES by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Gilbert Ford. This book is geared toward the older readers, though it may capture the interest of younger kiddos with its vivid imagery. It's a non-fiction book about familiar and unfamiliar inventions that have allowed people to move across air, water, and land. 

Ideas for things to discuss:

  • What does it take to be an inventor?
  • What is your favorite invention?
  • How might you and an inventor use some of the same skills? 
  • If you could invent anything, what would it be? 
  • Do you ever wonder about how an everyday object was invented? What can you do to find out?

Ideas for things to do: 

  • Make "inventions" out of Lego bricks or loose parts.
  • Visit a museum. 
  • Do an internet search or look for books about specific inventions your child is interested in.
  • Set up a Rube Goldberg machine in your family room
  • Make paper airplanes.
  • Draw ideas for imaginative vehicles or machines.
We'd love to hear about your family's inventiveness this week. Share in the comments or on social media using #RDDSummerChallenge. 

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