EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
|
| ||||
|
Advertise
With Us
Click here to request more information.
OC Family reaches:
- Active & educated parents
- Growing families
- And more...
READ
|
||||
|
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to review Sterling Children's Books' "Creaky Old House" at HomeAid Orange County's 2010 Project Playhouse, which is taking place through Sept. 5 at Irvine Spectrum Center. Now in its 19th year, Project Playhouse helps raise funds to support HomeAid's mission to build housing for the homeless throughout Orange County. To date, nearly 50 housing developments have been completed for underserved individuals. This year, seven homes were completed for the campaign, and they are truly magnificent. I can't tell you how amazing it felt to stand inside these creations, which were built with so much love and compassion – all with the goal of helping the community. (Plus, I've been dying to be in one of those homes since I was 7. Dreams do come true!) I spent most of my afternoon in the 'Tween the House and the Pool, which was created in partnership with CHOC Children's and Newport Beach-based McCarthy Building Cos. And let me tell you, it is something: The house features a relaxed, beach-style atmosphere, with an 8-foot-high open ceiling, two mosaic pools and an airy feeling perfect for summertime, thanks to the transparent glass-door system donated by NanaWall, which essentially brings the outdoors, in. Of course, the house is more advanced than you can believe: LED lighting, flat-screen TV, a stereo sound system, you name it. The best part? The creation has been dubbed the Opportunity Drawing house and will be raffled off Sept. 5 – and tickets only cost $2 each! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the book-review portion of my visit. I selected "Creaky Old House," which was written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Michael Chesworth, because it's about the love one family feels toward their home – it's a theme I felt fit well with Project Playhouse. This is a hilarious, heartwarming tale about a large family who decides to fix up their home. The book features a rollicking rhyme, beautiful illustrations – kudos to Chesworth – and a wonderful message. "Creaky Old House" is truly among the best children's books I've come across this year. If you're looking for more details, visit sterlingpublishing.com/kids. And, if you're looking for a way to take part in this year's Project Playhouse, visit projectplayhouse.org.  Kristen Schott is OC Family's children's book editor. Be sure to check out "Storytime," my video book reviews, for more fun facts about stories you and your kiddies must read. Read this before heading back to school Reading Eggs for kiddies The sneezies A hint of excitement Reading around O.C. Promote reading! Scared of the dark? Going back to the roots of books Believe in the power of books! Want a book-signing treat? The craze continues 'Stella is a Star!' Why Bree? Another book-into-a-movie moment A Book and A Buck Bedtime books Are you ready for 'Toy Story 3'? Keep young ones reading with this program A book about meeting in the middle Read with this innovative app Why do kids have all the fun? Get a look at Walter Diemer's invention Created for children, by children Ever heard of Dustpan, Texas? Looking back at the genre that started it all Do you know a 'Tiny Art Director'? 'How to Draw With Drew' Summer books Author spotlight: Henry Winkler Borders launches Double Dog Dare Reading Challenge 'Zack the Prairie Dog' Oh, what a kid-book world Young adult and children's lit in 1 place Earth Day is coming! Author spotlight: Rhonda Fischer 'That Cat Can't Stay' Calling all book lovers 'Where the Mild Things Are' by Maurice Send-up That dog's gettin' old 'Prentice Hall: The American Experience' Pick up this springtime counting book One whimsical story Anaheim Public Library launches book donation campaign Gosh, I love Spoonfuls of Stories 'Are You My Mother?' Poetry for kiddies Books aplenty in O.C. Vocab – it's not a nightmare anymore 'What reading can do for your kiddies' A look back Book with no words 'Pickle Things' Book vs. Kindle A world of magic awaits Hearts and hugs? 'Rita and Whatsit' Colds and books More 'Twilight'? 'Princess and the Frog' Where do you read? Are they really 'Indestructible'? Book journals 'Weezer Changes the World' 'All Kinds of Families' |
||||
RSS SubscribeSEARCH THE SITE
