Grandma Stories» Activities

New Year’s Eve Songs, Traditions and Celebrations

Grandma — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:27:06 +0000

New year’s eve celebrations around the world traditionally include dinner parties, firework shows, singing songs, watching Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on ABC, plus the New Year’s kiss at the stroke of midnight. Year’s ago, celebrating New Year’s Eve may have meant getting all dressed up and heading out to a number of New Year’s Eve parties, but this year we’ll celebrate the holiday at home.

In year’s past, looking for things to do on New Year’s Eve was fun and exciting. Maybe we’ve just gotten too old for extravagant parties where everyone is drinking to excess and then stupidly driving while they are clearly intoxicated.

We will still prepare a New Year’s Eve dinner with all the traditional fixings, but to tell you the truth, I do not like black-eyed peas so we’re going to have to come up with a new recipe if I am going to eat any of those.

While many people will be out and about town searching for things to do and places to go watch fireworks, we’ll be content to celebrate the ringing in of the New Year at home, safe and sound. In previous years, we’ve managed to stay awake long enough for the traditional ball dropping in Times Square to finish, but we’re on a different time zone than NY so we’ll share a kiss and go to sleep earlier than most.

New Year’s Eve songs like the traditional Auld Lang Syne will be sung in celebration of the new year. Until recently I didn’t know that the song is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns and when translated into English literally means “old long since”, “long long ago” or “days gone by”. I’m trying to memorize the Auld Lang Syne lyrics and maybe just maybe actually learn the lyrics by heart and not forget them again. My memory must be slipping!

Popular New Year’s Eve Songs

Auld Lang Syne

Let’s Start the Year Right

It Was a Very Good Year

It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

Same Old Lang Syne

Happy New Year

The New Year

A Long December

New Year’s Eve by The Walkmen

New Year’s Day by U2

What a Wonderful World

Auld Lang Syne Video Song

Click here to view the embedded video.

Happy New Year to you and yours! I’ll be busy downloading my favorite versions of these songs New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day for sure, since there are so many different singers and performers.

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Children’s Books New Releases of Hot New Children’s Books

Grandma — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:00:13 +0000

What are the best brand new children’s books and hot new releases of children’s books for kids? Time will tell if the children’s books listed below will make it on the list of top children’s books of all time or not, but kids love books regardless of whether they are new books or “old” classic books.

USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced the winners and finalists of THE NATIONAL “BEST BOOKS 2009″ AWARDS (NBBA) on October 20, 2009. Over 500 winners and finalists were announced in 130 categories covering print and audio books. Awards were presented for titles published in 2009 and late 2008.

Below are the winners and finalists of some of the best new releases of children’s books that are expected to be amongst the most popular children’s books in 2010.

Children’s Activity Book

Winner:
The More We Get Together: Nurturing Relationships Through Music, Play, Books and Art by Gari Stein

Children’s Educational

Winner:
My Choices Make Me Who I Am by David and Mutiya Vision, illustrations by Ignacio Alcantara

6 Finalists:
Jacob Has Cancer: His Friends Want to Help by Heather Cooper, RN, Heather Paschal, RN, Melanie Williams, RN and illustrated by Lindsey McMillion

Davy Brown Discovers His Roots by Keely Alexander & Velani Mynhardt WitthÃ¶ft, illustrated by Manuela Pentangelo

Jaspa’s Journey: The Great Migration by Rich Meyrick

The Moose with Loose Poops (Dr. Hippo) by Charlotte Cowan, M.D., illustrated by Penelope Neal

Fraidy Cat by Melinda Chambers, illustrated by Sue Ann Maxwell Spiker

Kyle’s Colorful Life by Drema McNeal, illustrated by Kasey Short

Children’s Fiction

Winner:
Anna Smudge: Professional Shrink by MAC

7 Finalists:
Why Do I Have To? by B. Annye Rothenberg, Ph.D., illustrated David T. Wenzel

Forest Secrets: A Fairy Houses Mystery by Tracy Kane & Kelly Sanders, illustrations by Tracy Kane

Running Home by Jennifer Charron Ward

The Grey Ghost (Wolf’s Apprentice) by Julie Hahnke, illustrated by Marcia Christensen

The Idea Miners: The Lost Lake Dig by P.W. Cross

The Last Fairy by Augustine Campana

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab by Fiona Ingram

Little Wolf’s Adventure: A Medicine Dream and Warrior Ghosts by Nona Burroughs Babcock

Children’s Mind/Body/Spirit

Winner:
Another Sad Mad Glad Book – The Anatomy of Your Attitude by Chuck Stump & Jim Strawn

7 Finalists:
Where Do We Go? by James F. Weinsier, illustrated by Cliff Beaman

Sarah’s Waterfall: A Healing Story by Ellery Akers, illustrated by Angelique Benicio

The 4Fairy Scents: 4Fairy Tales: Book 1 by Tina Marie Mayr

What Are You Thinking? by Valerie Ackley, illustrated by Lori Nawyn

Fraidy Cat by Melinda Chambers, illustrated by Sue Ann Maxwell Spiker

Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too! by Grandma Sue

Make Your Dreams Come True by Karen Reed Hadalski

Children’s Non-Fiction

WinnerÂ :
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Seeing Is Believing! by Geoff Tibballs

3 Finalists:
Nana, What’s Cancer? by Beverlye Hyman Fead and Tessa Mae Hamermesh, illustrated by Shennen Bersani

Soil: More Than Just Dirt by Jerry Wermund

Tween You & Me: A Preteen Guide to Becoming Your Best Self by Deb Dunham

Children’s Novelty & Gift Book

Winner:
Elephant, Elephant Come Alive! by Steven P. Winkle, illustrated by Christie Mealo

2 Finalists:
Meet President Obama America’s 44th President by Angi Ma Wong

Tressi’s Magical Chest Series – Samantha and the Legend of the Whispering Trees by J.A. Kundert

Children’s Picture Book – Hardcover Fiction

Winner:
Darryl and the Mountain by Lynne Emily Ozgur, illustrated by Ismail Abay

8 Finalists:
Circus Fever by Alva Sachs, illustrated by Patricia Krebs

Beautiful Moon by Dawn Jeffers, illustrated by Bonnie Leick

Can’t Catch a Butterfly by Michelle Zimmerman

Kid Canine – Superhero! By P.T. Custard, illustrations by P.T. Custard & David Pearson

Nicholas, that’s Ridiculous! A Story About Being a Boy by Christa Carpenter, illustrated by Mark Wayne Adams

Nico & Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog by Meggan Hill, photography by Susan M. Graunke

The Little Green Pea by Alison Barber, illustrated by Paige Keiser

Too Tall Alice by Barbara Worton, illustrated by Dom Rodi

Children’s Picture Book – Hardcover Fiction w/ Audio CD

Winner:
Tino Turtle Travels to Kenya – The Great Safari by Carolyn L. Ahern, illustrated by Neallia Burt-Sullivan

2 Finalists:
The Ugly Caterpillar / La Oruga Fea by Carl Sommer, illustrated by Greg Budwine

The Belly Button Fairy by Bobbie Hinman, illustrated by Mark Wayne Adams

Children’s Picture Book – Hardcover Non-Fiction

Winner:
What Does It Mean to Be Global? by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Chris Hill

8 Finalists:
Let My Colors Out by Courtney Filigenzi, illustrated by Shennen Bersani

A Is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet by Anthony D. Fredericks, illustrated by Laura Regan

Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize by Kathy-Jo Wargin and illustrated by Zachary Pullen

S Is for Save the Planet: A How-to-be Green Alphabet by Brad Herzog and illustrated by Linda Holt Ayriss

Raising Lucy – The True Story of Raising an Orphaned Wild Goose written and illustrated by Carol Muzik

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Twist Series: Human Body by Camilla de la Bedoyere

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Twist Series: Space by Dr. Mike Goldsmith

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Twist Series: Wild Animals by Camilla de la Bedoyere

Children’s Picture Book – Softcover Fiction

Winner:
Four Pals at the Park by Angel Tucker and Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D.

6 Finalists:
Claire Bear Presents the Pilot Alphabet by Sue Hughes, illustrated by Wang DaiYu

Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy by Tina Turbin, illustrated by Aija Jasuna

Mabel Takes a Paddle by Emily Chetkowski, illustrations by Susan Spellman

Spitz A Cat With Attitude by Carolyn Garriott, illustrations by Jason Weibel

What Can We Do Next? The Adventures of Lexie and Lolly by Toula Magi

Hooray for the Circus: A Story of Sam the Lamb by Ginger DeVine, illustrations by MikeMotz.com

Children’s Picture Book – Softcover Non-Fiction

WinnerÂ :
Be A Thinker Not a Stinker: A story for kids and the big people they love by Sammie & Tudie

8 Finalists:
A Child’s View of a Prairie by Susan C. McDermott

Amazing Creatures, photography by Deborah Oelrich

AUTISM ABC by Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg, illustrations by Rachael Mahaffey

Daddy Loves You: Whispers of Wisdom from a Father’s Heart by Michael J. Hervey, II, M.D.

Gene the Pumpkin Man: 50th Year of the Pumpkin Farm by Carol Rhodes

Herman The Jester and The ABC’s of Art by Rafael Filion

I’m Not Weird, I Have SPD by Chynna T. Laird

Nettie Does the NCT: North Country Trail by Lorana A. Jinkerson, illustrated by Toby Mikle

Jeff Keen, President and CEO of USABookNews.com, says of the awards, now in their seventh year, “The 2009 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States. With a full publicity and marketing campaign promoting the results of NBBA, this year’s winners and finalists will gain additional media coverage for the upcoming holiday retail season.”

A complete list of the winners and finalists of the USA Book News’ “Best Books 2009″ Awards in other popular categories are available online at USABookNews.com.

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Top 10 Children’s Books of 2009

Grandma — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:27:23 +0000

One of the best activities grandparents can do with their grandchildren is to read children’s books to them. Of course, as children get older and are able to read books on their own, Grandma and Grandpa can still help teach the importance of reading by having some of the best children’s books of all time available for kids to read.

The New York Times has released a list of what it believes to be the top ten children’s books of 2009, and there are a couple kids books listed here that even I had never heard of, but will definitely take a close look at adding some of these children’s books to our library.

Here is the top 10 children’s books list from the NY Times:

Top Ten Children’s Books

#1 – Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

#2 -Guess Again! by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Adam Rex

#3 – Dogs Don’t Brush Their Teeth! by Diane deGroat and Shelley Rotner

#4 – Crow Call by Lois Lowry; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

#5 – Elephants Cannot Dance! By Mo Willems

#6 – Creature ABC by Andrew Zuckerman

#7 – How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? By Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

#8 – Pick a Pumpkin, Mrs. Millie! by Judy Cox, illustrated by Joe Mathieu

#9 – The Composer Is Dead by Lemony Snicket; illustrated by Carson Ellis; music (included CD) by Nathaniel Stookey

#10 – The Snow Day by Komako Sakai

Reading kids books to grandchildren is just as much fun as when we read children’s books to our kids when they were young, starting when they were babies and as the children got older. You’re never too young or too old to enjoy reading books, and reading children’s books to grandchildren is a favorite thing to do for many grandparents.

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Grandma Purse Book – My Granny’s Purse Book for Grandchildren

Grandma — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:00:54 +0000

The Grandma Purse Book is a children’s book but it is also a purse! Some people are so ingenious and crafty, and this Grandma is definitely getting My Granny’s Purse Book for when the grandkids come over. What fun!

My Granny’s Purse is a purse/book for children authored by Paul Hanson, who has also created My Mommy’s Tote and My Grandpa’s Briefcase for children. The Grandma Purse Book is a cardboard pocketbook stored in a clear plastic box, and it opens up to reveal a collection of fun items such as a mirror and comb, a wrench and a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Some objects are removable, like the cardboard keys and sunglasses, but it’s a shame that you can’t really see out of the glasses.

Synopsis: Open Granny’s purse (yes, she said it’s OK) and enter a treasure chest of mementos and magic. A unique, fourteen-page die-cut storybook crammed with interactive features and surprises for ages 3 and up, it contains a whole life waiting to be discovered.

Peek inside Granny’s notebook. Try on her sunglasses. Check yourself in the mirror. Play with her keys. Look at her photos, read her letter, tie a bow, try on Granny’s rings, wear her scarf. Not only is Granny’s purse a veritable playground for little girls, but piece by piece it creates a portrait of an adventurous, independent, contemporary grandmother, imbued with spirit and gumption. This Granny’s a traveler (and has the passport filled with stamps to prove it). A self-sufficient handyperson with her wrench and compass. A collector of lives and memories. And a genuine softie, with handfuls of treats ready to dispense.

She is also a very wise woman: “My mommy says, ‘You should never look in a lady’s purse.’ My granny says, ‘Never say never!’” “My mommy says, ‘Clean up your room!’ ‘Never throw anything away,’ says granny.” And while mommy always says, “Sit still, please!,” there’s granny: “Let’s go! . . . Life is an adventure!”

My Granny’s Purse is illustrated in full color, has a Velcro closure, and comes in a clear plastic, stackable gift box. Jam-packed with fun things, it’s really a story about love between the generations. What a spectacular and fun gift idea between grandma and grandchildren that is, and it keeps cute little fingers and curious minds out of Grandma’s real purse.

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