What we’re reading this week

Hannah Montana Secrets Unlocked Online
(Reader’s Digest Children’s Books, $15.99) For ages 6 and up

Can’t get enough of Hannah Montana? Sure, she’s got a movie coming to theaters soon. But there’s more to discover about the Disney superstar in Hannah Montana Secrets Unlocked Online. This charming book, which comes with a secret password for www.hannahwebpass.com, works in conjunction with the site. Both offer a peek inside Hannah’s world: her fashions, family, friends and even her love life. Online, kids can design a room, guitar, concert T-shirt and more. Or, they can choose Hannah’s outfits, read Miley’s diary or find out their own “crush style.” There’s also a special bonus page with printable posters and stickers.

What we’re reading this week

Have You Ever Seen a Duck in a Raincoat?, by Etta Kaner, with illustrations by Jeff Szuc.
Have you ever seen a duck in a raincoat? No? How about a cheetah in soccer cleats, or an eagle in a baseball cap? This cute book mixes humor and science to explain to curious little ones why animals don’t wear clothing like people do. For example,  we wear raincoats to keep dry, but what do ducks do?  They use their beaks to spread oil all over their bodies. The water beads up and slides right off their feathers. Turns out the oil is built right into their feathers. Who knew?

Readers are sure to get a kick out of Szuc’s fun illustrations  – just try not to laugh at the jackrabbit in shorts!

We can’t wait to read more books from this new series, which will include Have You Ever Seen an Octopus With a Broom?, coming this fall. (Kids Can Press, $14.95) For ages 4 to 7

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS WEEK’S BOOK?
Send an email with your name and mailing address to felicia@themombeat.com by noon each Friday. Winning entries will be entered in a drawing and chosen randomly. Happy reading!

Books on your child’s wish list

Started holiday shopping for the kiddos yet? If not, don’t forget to add books to the list. They’re sure to enjoy finding these among their gifts this holiday season or anytime of year:

FOR AGES 4-8

• Chester’s Back, by Mélanie Watt. Chester the cat has a big ego – so big that he even sabotages this book with his red marker and diva-like demands. Limousines, jelly beans and marquee billing are just a few of his must-haves. Chester’s Back is the sequel to Chester, whose popularity is partly to blame for this feline’s inflated ego. (Kids Can Press, $18.95)
• Berkeley’s Barn Owl Dance, by Tera Johnson and Tania Howells. Berkeley the owl loves to dance, and she loves her Momma and Poppa Owl. But when it comes time for Berkeley to leave the nest for good, she’s not sure she can face the world by herself. Who’ll be there to watch her “flappity, tappity, clap, clap, clap?” (Kids Can Press, $16.95)
  
• Looking Closely Inside the Garden and Looking Closely Across the Desert, by Frank Serafini.
  “Look very closely. What do you see? Cornsilk? A lion’s mane? What could it be?” This series of close-up photographs inspires kids to get up close and personal with nature and to use their imagination to determine what’s on the next page. (Kids Can Press, $16.95 each)
• Sir Reginald’s Logbook, by Matt Hammill. Sir Reginald has a wild imagination. The armchair explorer takes readers on a journey through his jungle of a living room to find the Lost Tablet of Illusion, which turns out to be something quite unexpected. (Kids Can Press, $17.95)

FOR AGES 6-8

• Naming Liberty, by Jane Yolen. As 7-year-old Gitl emigrates with her family from Russia to America, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a young French artist, dreams of building a monument to honor freedom. Readers get two history lessons in one here: a behind-the-scenes look at an immigrant’s journey, and some insight about how the Statue of Liberty came to be. (Philomel Books, $16.99) 
  

FOR AGES 8 and older

• Gotcha! 18 Amazing Ways to Freak Out Your Friends, by David Acer. Doubting Dave and his team of Mystery Hunters have a few tricks up their sleeves, and they want to show young readers how to impress their friends. For instance, they’ll learn how to make Bigfoot prints, UFO photos, crop circles and more. Or, try the experiments on hypnosis, spoon bending and ESP. (Kids Can Press, $16.95)
• Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World, by Jane Yolen. Some of the greatest pirates ever known were women? Who knew? From Artemisia to Jeanne de Belleville to Madame Ching,  Yolen gives a swashbuckling account of 12 ladies who took charge in what is typically a man’s domain. (Charlesbridge, $18.95)
  

Disney’s Charlie and Lola toys

There’s something about Charlie and Lola. Perhaps it’s their adorable British accents, or the “small and very funny” Lola who keeps her brother, Charlie, on his toes. Fans couldn’t seem to get enough of the popular Playhouse Disney cartoon, so now come the dolls, books, toys and more.

The items listed below are just a small sample of Charlie and Lola’s goodies. Most are recommended for ages 3 and older; available at FAO Schwarz (www.fao.com) and www.tystoybox.com.

• Giggling Charlie and Giggling Lola dolls. 8 inches tall, the dolls laugh when you press their belly. ($10)
  

  Press their tummies to hear Charlie and Lola giggle. (Photo by Grand Communications)

• Talking Poseable Charlie and Lola Play Set. Includes 12-inch Charlie and 9.5-inch Lola.  Each character speaks their signature opening line: “I have this little sister, Lola.  She is small and very funny,” says Charlie. Lola says, “I’m not small.  I am BIG!”  ($25)
• Sizzles the Dog. 8-inch beanbag toy. ($10)
• Lola Pajama Set. Put Lola to sleep in her cozy red and white PJs and slippers. The set includes a hanger, toothbrush & toothpaste! ($14)
• Dressable Talking Lola. 16-inch Lola says six different phrases when her hand is pressed, from “We’ve got to get to school before the dragons!” to “I am not sleepy and I will not go to bed.”  ($30)
• Dressable Lola Doll Case. Holds Lola dolls and accessories; features clothing hanger, drawer and a bedroom play scene.  ($28)
• Charlie and Lola books.  TitIes include I Completely Must Do Drawing Now Activity Book; My Very Busy Sticker Stories; I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato; I Am Not Sleepy & I Will Not Go to Bed and Sizzles is Completely Not Here. ($3.99 to $7.99)
  

  Sizzles loves to play with Lola – when he’s not chasing footballs with Charlie and Marv. (Photo by Grand Communications)

• Pink Milk Game. Lola’s favorite beverage is now a board game. Be the first to reach “I’ve Won!” in the center of the board, but watch out for the tigers who want your pink milk. ($9.99, amazon.com)

Best playgrounds in the Fort Worth area

This trio of tots had a swingin' good time at Sunrise Creative Playground in Arlington. (Photo by Ron Ennis, Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

My kids and I searched high and low for the best playgrounds in the Fort Worth area. We needed lots of room to romp, shade, restrooms, seating and a toddler-friendly play zone. We found a half-dozen hidden treasures throughout Tarrant County. Our faves are listed below. What are yours? (Maybe we’ll meet you there for a playdate!)

OUR FAVES:

1. J.W. Dunlop Sports Center (Sunrise Creative Playground), 1500 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington

• Why we like it: It has nearly everything we look for in a playground: It’s large and shady, and little ones can play safely on the big-kid stuff; the screened-in play structure prevents falls from high up.  Plus, there’s a deep, roomy sandbox in the Tot Lot. NOTE: Watch out for cobwebs underneath the play structure.

2. Trinity Park, 2401 University Drive, Fort Worth

• Why we like it: Lots of slides, tunnels, swings, things to climb on and into. The play area is massive and really shady. NOTE: Check out the duck pond, which you’ll find if you follow the winding road through the park. And definitely take a ride on the miniature train, which takes a 5-mile trip throughout the park. (Check www.fpmt.us for times and ticket prices.)

3. Glenview Baptist Church’s indoor playscape, 4805 N.E. Loop 820, Fort Worth (near Haltom City)

• Why we like it: The three-story treehouse has five slides, one of which is the tallest spiral slide in Texas. Mazes throughout the treehouse lead to various levels of fun and adventure. There’s a “Romper Room” for crawlers and new walkers. Plus, it’s indoors and there’s no admission fee. (See www.glenviewchurch.org for hours; click on “Ministries,” then “Preschool & Children’s Ministry”)

4. Johnson Road Park, 640 Johnson Road, Keller

• Why we like it: The castlelike play structure has bridges and towers all around. There’s also a sandbox, a climbing wall, several sets of swings and a ship-shaped playhouse; the play area is huge and offers  great spots to play hide-and-seek. And the “Tot Lot” has baby swings, slides, lower-to-the-ground monkey bars and a padded surface.

5. Chisholm Park, 2200 Norwood Drive, Hurst

• Why we like it: Plenty of room to run and lots to do here, with a couple of play areas; six slides, several climbing walls, a handful of swings and a tot spot. Plus there’s something for nearly everyone: fishing, swimming, jogging trails and more. NOTE: Plenty of shade over the park itself but none over the playground.

6. Town Park, 500 N. Main St., Mansfield

• Why we like it: Two play areas, which are partially padded, offer plenty of room to roam; five slides, swings, jungle gyms made of ropes, climbing wall, lily pads, paddlewheel; tot spot; spinning monkey bars were fun  (for moms and dads, too)!

While the kids are away, Mommy and Daddy will play…

Been a long time since hubby and I have been kid-free. All four kids are out of town, doing their thing. The oldest has pretty much moved out, and the younger three are with grandma in another state. What to do, what to do?

1. Pray that grandma doesn’t demand that you pick up kids early because of their bad behavior.
2. Sleep late, like waaay past 7 a.m.
3. Eat at restaurants that don’t have a kid’s menu.
4. Watch movies that aren’t rated G or PG.
5. Um, well, you know…
6. Use the bathroom without a little person begging to come in to see what you’re doing.
7. Take long, uninterrupted bubble baths.
8. Paint over crayon stains on the wall and enjoy “like-new” look for a few days.
   
9. Stay up late to read favorite blogs and to update yours.
   
10. Call kids everyday to say that you miss them like crazy.

Baby Loves Disco boogies into Dallas

This tyke liked the mike at Purgatory Dallas, which hosted the premiere of Baby Loves Disco. (Photo by Karen Fish)

It’s not often that I get invited to a bash at a hip dance club.
With four kids at home and my 40th birthday looming, I hadn’t partied like it’s 1999 since, well, 1999.
So I was understandably giddy when I got the invitation by email. But there was a catch: I had to bring my kids.
Say WHAAAAT?
No matter. I loaded my 2-, 5- and 7-year-old daughters into the car and made a beeline to Purgatory, a tri-level club near Dallas’ Deep Ellum, which was hosting the area premiere of Baby Loves Disco.
A Saturday afternoon dance party for children 6 months to 7 years of age, Baby Loves Disco is like a birthday party on steroids: There are hundreds of people milling about; a real DJ spinning ’70s and ’80s tunes; egg shakers, scarves and hula hoops to get the kiddos moving; and bubbles, balloons, books, toys, tents and TVs tuned to Nickelodeon.
If you’re too pooped to party, the chill-out zone has comfy couches, pillows and quiet games.
There are healthful snacks to munch on, including fresh fruit, cereal bars, hummus, organic raisins and juice. (The cash bar is open for non-driving adults.)
Vendors are also on site offering a variety of free services, from face painting to crafts to massages for kids and grown-ups.

And, yes, there are diaper-changing stations and places to park your stroller.

Read the rest of the story here.

The Dallas premiere of Baby Loves Disco attracted more than 300 guests, including Dallas mom Lori Gutierrez, above, and her 1-year-old daughter Chloe. (Photo courtesy of Lori Gutierrez)

Read the 3 Little Divas’ review here.

If only kids came with a set of instructions…

Raise your hand if you, too, are the parents of picky eaters, tantrum-throwers, back-talkers and kids who worry about death, divorce and world events.

Just Tell Me What to Say, by Betsy Brown Braun

But if Grandma’s advice fails, try Betsy Brown Braun’s. A child development specialist and mother of triplets, Braun has been counseling families for 37 years on the above topics and more.

Now, in Just Tell Me What To Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents, she offers advice that may raise eyebrows among old-school moms and dads. For instance:

Do not demand eye contact from a child, Braun says. (He actually can hear you. Plus, the “look into my eyes” demand takes focus and may detract from the message you are trying to send.)

Don’t force children to share. (It might lead to resentment and cause them to hold on more tightly to the object.)

And implement a no-tattling rule, unless there’s an emergency. (Respond to regular snitching with a casual, “Oh,” and nothing else.)

THE VERDICT: If kids came with an instruction manual, it would be Just Tell Me What To Say. Deemed “the parenting guru” by The New York Times, Braun covers a lot of ground in 222 pages. Thankfully, she doesn’t come off as preachy here, just a wise mom who knows her stuff.

WHERE TO GET IT: Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents, by Betsy Brown Braun (Collins, $15.95), available wherever books are sold.

SURF’S UP: www.justtellmewhattosay.com

This review was originally published in various McClatchy publications and Web sites. Send product review requests to felicia@themombeat.com.

5 signs you’re a bored stay-at-home mom

1. You’ve washed, dried and folded every item of clothing in the house – even the Build-A-Bear’s couture.
2. Your husband asks if you need some fresh air because, once again, you have regaled him with tales about who’s doing what on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Ning.
3. You’re more excited about Pee Wee cheer practice than your daughters are, because you finally get to wear those cute little capris you found on sale at Target, rather than your knock-around-the-house sweats.
4. You’ve changed hairstyles several times today – not yours, but Barbie’s.
5. You’re actually considering having another baby, but only because your four children – the youngest of whom is potty-training and the oldest of whom is training for his driver’s permit – don’t keep you busy enough.

You might be a mom if …

1. You, too, snack on Goldfish crackers – not because you ran out of your favorite munchies, but because you actually like them.

2. You continue to watch Blue’s Clues – even when your children have left the room to go do something else.

3. You get separation anxiety, like, a year or two before your firstborn heads off to kindergarten.

4. Your ring tone is the theme to SpongeBob or some other kid show.

5. You can’t enjoy date night with your hubby until you’ve checked in with the babysitter.

6. You listen to Radio Disney when you’re alone in the car.

7. You wake up in the morning singing the theme to the PBS show SuperWhy.

8. You debate with other moms about which Wonder Pet is the cutest.

9. You secretly wish they made Barbie or Bratz clothes for grown-ups.

10. You still check in on your kids while they’re sleeping – even if they’re 18.

11. Add your own “You might be a mom if…”