Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in minneapolis, MN

Books, Toys & More - The Toys

by Amelia McClain

December 02, 2008

If you're still trying to figure out what to get your (or another) preschooler for the holidays, or you're stuck for a fun yet education gift some other time of year, check out the Savvy Source Books, Toys & More section. I've picked a few favorites, and so have the other City Editors. Corolle Mon Premier Calin Naima Doll The baby dolls at my daughter's school are one of her  Read more...

Wrapping up the Books

by Amelia McClain

November 28, 2008

Since it is the end of our book month, and the "official" beginning of the holiday season, I thought I would go through some of my favorite books to give as gifts. Where the Sidewalk Ends - I've been known to give this book early, just to make sure I'm the one that give its. Shel Silverstein has a way with words that that makes them fun for kids. I also love The Giving Tree and any of his  Read more...

Sick and stuck at home with (seemingly) nothing to do.

by Amelia McClain

November 25, 2008

Well, we made it through it. There was much book reading, a little drawing, and anything else we could do to keep us busy. Here is my top eight list of things to do when you're really sick (temps over 105) Sleep - Good for both the sick kid, and the parent who was up half the night with the sick kid. We broke out rules and napped together a number of times. Fortunately she's  Read more...

The Book You Borrow

by Amelia McClain

November 24, 2008

My mom is visiting, and as we lamented getting tired of the same books, she reminded me of what they would do solve the problem when I was little. The monthly trips to the library meant filling up the old style grocery boxes with books. They would have some input in what I got, and then would balance out any repeat book requests with something they could tolerate. One of my choices,  Read more...

My Name Is Not Isabella

by Amelia McClain

November 17, 2008

Well, it isn't, but that isn't what this is about. Back when I started writing for Savvy Source I ran into a wonderful woman named Jennifer Fosberry who had self published a book. On a whim, I asked her if I could review it. She actually said yes. I was in shock, and I've been waiting for months to feel like my review would be read by enough people. I love the book, and I want as many  Read more...

You mean there are more than books?

by Amelia McClain

November 14, 2008

I grew up thinking the library was all about books.  Here in the city, it is so much more.     Childish Films - At the downtown library they've started up their Childrish Films series.  Every third Saturday of the month, they show children's films.  (ages three and up)  It is curated by the children's film curators from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival.  They are  Read more...

First Books & Author Event

by Amelia McClain

November 13, 2008

One of the first books that I remember was Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie dePaola. I guess you could say it hit home, since that was one of my favorite things that my dad made me for breakfast. It is even becoming the right time of year for that book, what with the snow and all starting already. After that came Strega Nona, and The Legend of the Poinsettia. His books were a huge part of  Read more...

The book you make yourself

by Amelia McClain

November 06, 2008

For a brief time when I lived in New York City, I seriously wanted to be a children's book author. It has been something that I've wanted to do since I was a kid. If your kid wants to write their own stories there are lots of options, even when they're very little. When we went to Chicago, we found a few small things to take with us on the trip. One of the things I got from  Read more...

Favorite New Classics

by Amelia McClain

November 05, 2008

The question posed at the national blog today is if a classic is forever. I would like to think so, but I also realize that times change. There are very overt racist statements in Kipling, and Babar is a not so slightly veiled commentary on colonial France. Knowing that though is half the battle. I still think that if you are willing to talk about what about those books may be  Read more...

by Amelia McClain

October 03, 2008

This week was Banned Books Week , a creation of the American Library Association to bring attention to the books that people have banned, or attempted to ban. There was a great little note about it on Cribsheet , and an even better collection of articles over at Strollerderby . We're also talking imagination here at Savvy Source, so I thought I would combine the two for a moment. In  Read more...

Things To Do - Last Weekend Of September

by Amelia McClain

September 25, 2008

The weather is looking good for now, so here are a few things to do this weekend, both inside and out. Family Fiesta at the Minnesota Zoo - Fall festival with a little Latin spice. There is dancing, crafts and food. Anything at the zoo is a good time. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Fall season officially kicks off at the Arboretum this weekend. While the activities are geared more  Read more...

A Fangirl Moment (disguised as a kids event)

by Amelia McClain

September 11, 2008

When I was in school, I discovered They Might Be Giants. They were funny, quirky, that perfect kind of odd that I was going for. I still know more about previous names of historic cities thanks to Istanbul (not Constantinople) than well, the people who don't know the song. I have been serenaded with Birdhouse in Your Soul. Now that I am a parent, I was happy to find out that they have  Read more...

Packing It Up

by Amelia McClain

July 30, 2008

After doing our best to pack as much summer as possible into the last few weekends, we're running out of steam at our house. Combine that with a new daycare/preschool, and we're beat. So, I'm back to focusing on things you can do at home. Good news is that since it is going to be hotter than heck this weekend with an added bonus of air quality alerts, that might be the best idea yet. My  Read more...

Escaping Through The Pages

by Amelia McClain

July 28, 2008

When I was a kid, I devoured books. Before I could read (and I was an early reader) I poured over them. As I got older, I tended towards the fantasy, the great escape of a book. Maybe a mystery novel here and there, but usually, it was all about the fantasy. I am sure the books my parents read to me might have had some influence on that, but a lot of it was growing up in a small town and  Read more...

Leopard Is More Than a Fabric Print

by Amelia McClain

July 17, 2008

Living under the sign of the big cat (Leo), I've always had a thing for cats, large and small. While M is most likely allergic to them all (like her dad), she can still enjoy the big ones, you know, from a distance. This weekend is the Amur Leopard Festival at the Minnesota Zoo. The name of the exhibit may be Russia's Grizzly Coast, but the really neat part is the leopards. They are a  Read more...

Summer Reads (No Reading Required)

by Amelia McClain

July 15, 2008

This may not be the best place to admit it, but I'm pretty sure the closest that my parents got to kids books on tape when I was little was the radio playing Hitch hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. (the original, I'm pretty sure) M is still just pretty excited when something comes in the radio with a good rhythm, so we haven"t ventured much into the world of kids books on tape. However, that  Read more...

Some Bunny Has Been Eating My Tomatoes

by Amelia McClain

June 18, 2008

I think rabbits are terribly cute. I think they have personality, and I even considered a house rabbit at one point. (before the husband who is allergic to everything, and before I realized I like my trim intact). However... The one place I cannot stand a rabbit is in my garden. We have an absolutely HUGE rabbit that seems to think the ends of my tomatoes and jalapeo make a terribly tasty  Read more...

Wild Rumpus - Creatures in the City (and books too)

by Amelia McClain

June 16, 2008

I've actively lived here for almost 7 years, and I'm still finding hidden little neighborhoods.  Nestled in the residential areas, these little areas of commerce are why I love this city.  One of the more well known (it turns out) is Linden Hills.   Bordering Lake Harriet, it is home to a variety of family friendly options, including my new favorite children's book store, Wild Rumpus .   Read more...