Kid-friendly movies

A couple of movies that have caught my attention of late:



The Borrowers was one of my favorite books when I was ten.  Blew through the entire series in quick, obsessive succession, to the annoyance of my best friend at the time who couldn't pry me out of its pages (much like a similar episode, different BFF, seven years later with Tolkien). The movie is in U.S. theaters beginning February 17th.

And currently available as a free download on iTunes is the Academy-Award-nominated animated short film, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, written by William Joyce (the book is available starting in July and is available for pre-order from Amazon).  I'm a fan.  Thanks to Tabatha for bringing the movie to my attention.

More "Family Trees"

I mentioned a little while ago that I'd post more pictures from our museum visit to see these wonderful trees that are decorated in the theme of children's books.  I already can't wait for next year's crop!

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (sorry, no flash permitted in the museum)

Hitty--Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field

Orange Peel's Pocket by Rose Lewis with illustrations by Grace Zong

Little Women (I'm wondering if there is an Alcott tree each year.  It would seem a sin not to have one in this town.)

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram (a family favorite of ours)

An activity to go along with the above tree

"I love you as much as Christmas morning." Quite the statement, I thought.

How Full Is Your Bucket for Kids (new to me, but sweet and not *too* in your face with the message for us, at least the first time through it.)

This was probably my favorite tree: A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead with illustratations by Erin Stead

I'm a sucker for a cute owl.  The penguin doesn't hurt, either.

Another family favorite: If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by the fabulous Felicia Bond

So cute!

Alice through the Looking Glass

According to one of the docents, this one figurine took the woman who created the "Alice" tree forty hours to complete!

Happy Holidays, all!

Wordless Wednesday - Family Trees

Snapshots from September - Museum of Life and Science, Durham

Our journey to North Carolina in September included our third trip to Durham's Museum of Life and Science.  If you are ever in the Triangle area, we highly recommend a visit!  We arrived just after lunchtime, and, since the main building was fairly crowded with school groups, headed right outdoors to the Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind exhibits.

Left: Exploring river ecology  Right: Learning how seeds fly

Catch the Wind!

Top: using sound cannons to make mirrored discs move (and blow each other's hair back)
Bottom left: mist garden  Bottom right: making vapor rings

In addition to these two trails, the youngest of member of the family much enjoyed the dinosaur walk and train ride.  Indoor options include an insect room and butterfly pavilion in an auxiliary building, and weather, gem & fossil, space, germ, and a whole host of other science activities in the main building.

Snapshots from September - Sylvan Heights

We were recently in North Carolina visiting family, and had the pleasure of visiting Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck.  Even though the weather was a formidable 98 degrees, we enjoyed walking around with our intern-guide, Matt, and learning more about birds from all over the world.  It's definitely worth the drive from the Triangle area!

Clockwise from top left: JaneG. feeding a crane; a Nene (Hawaiian Lava Goose); Jazz talking with a Scarlet Macaw; Scarlet Ibis

Left: Boardwalk to the breeding center.  Right: Bebop feeds the toucan a guide-provided grape; unknown berry (still looking for this one's name--its bright fuchsia color caught both my eye and Jane's)