'I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love' a joyful look at children acting like animals

When I see young animals in nature, I can't help but consider my grandsons. Whether it's baby ducks waddling behind their mama, a fawn nursing from a mother deer, lone calves frolicking in the field, or any other number of wild and often wacky little ones, they remind me of my two favorite wee ones.

Seems author Nancy Tillman thinks of wee ones when looking at animals, too. More accurately, she sees children as animals — in the most loving of ways. At least that's the case with I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love, the latest picture book from the award-winning author and illustrator, which I recently had the good fortune of receiving free for review.

Children across the globe delight in pretending to be animals, and in I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love, the mother of an imaginative child vows to know her child anywhere, regardless of what animal he chooses to be.

In delightful illustrations and magical prose from the mother's point of view, Tillman celebrates a mother's love as her child becomes everything from a rhino to a racoon, a white snowy owl to a blue-footed bobby. She'd know the wild spotted pony by the sound of his feet, she says, the bear cub by his nose, the giraffe by his whiskers.

The sweet story filled with affirmations encourages children to dream big and loud and to have confidence that no matter what they dream, not matter what they become, their mother will always recognize them, always love them.

I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love was inspired by Tillman's own children who, like most children, enjoyed pretending to be various animals when they were young. Here Tillman shares more about how her joyful picture book came to be:

Q & A with Nancy Tillman, courtesy MacMillan Children's Publishing Group

What was the inspiration behind the story of I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love?

I wanted to give children the joy of becoming another creature with the comfort of knowing their parent would always recognize them. And I always love to create interactive pages that allow children to “be” the animal either in action or in sound.

The child in I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love pretends to be many different animals. Why do you think children enjoy pretending to be different people, animals, or things?

It comes naturally to them, probably because pretending is so developmentally helpful. By trying on different personalities, children learn social differences and empathy for others, among many other things. Plus, it’s FUN!

Millions of families across the nation have grown to love your books dearly. What is it about your stories that you think creates such a special connection with your readers — children and parents alike?

I try to give parents words to say what they already feel for their children. Most parents really deeply feel those words, and their children can tell. In their early years, children are little sponges. I love knowing parents are getting those messages of love into their children before many of the world’s other messages make their way in, or before barriers go up.

Your books are heartwarming and very comforting but always close with the phrase “You are loved.” Why?

Quite simply, it’s a message no one gets enough of. It’s the bottom line take-away of all my books, so I always want to end with it.

I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman is available in hardcover, ebook and audio book formats from MacMillan Children's Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book free for review. Opinions and anecdotes are my own.

Still summer: Children's books for fun-filled dog days

The calendar shows several weeks of summer remain, which means there's still time for outdoor and travel fun. These three books from Candlewick Press — which I recently received free for review — offer up plenty to enjoy during those final sun-filled summer days.

Where's Waldo: The Totally Essential Travel Collection by Martin Handford (ages 5-9, Candlewick Press, $14.99 flexi-book) Waldo first hit the road way way back in 1987 and we've been searching for him ever since. This collection of all seven of the classic books in one is a must-have for anyone who spent hours poring over pictures highlighting the hijinks and adventures of the goofy guy donning glasses and a red-and-white striped sweater. From the original Where's Waldo on up through Where's Waldo: The Incredible Paper Chase, Waldo still beckons kids of all ages to search for him as he rambles on his merry and colorful way. Featuring several fold-out pages listing objects and people to find, plus an attached elastic band to mark one's spot in the book, readers will never lose their way in this entertaining book that's a perfect accompaniment on final summer travels by plane, train or automobile.

Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate (ages 8 years and up, Candlewick Press, $15.99 hardcover) No need to travel when adventure awaits in your backyard, and author-illustrator LeBlanc Cate (she of The Magic Rabbit) shows bird-watchers — and bird-watcher wannabes — exactly how to find it. Every single page, including the front and back cover spreads, are filled to the brim with humorous but informative tips and tricks for finding feathered friends. It's a quirky and endlessly entertaining introduction to bird-watching via illustrations portraying various birds chatting about their distinctive characteristics, including color, shape, plumage, and beak and foot types. No need to read this fun guide from front to back — simply open to any page and you'll be smiling and seeking out wrens, woodpeckers, purple gallinules and more. Fun, fun, fun.

Go Out and Play!: Favorite outdoor Games from KaBoom! by KaBoom (ages 5 years and up, Candlewick Press, $11.99 paperback). Speaking of fun, fun, fun in one's backyard, this collection encourages kids to, well, go out and play. KaBoom!, a non-profit "dedicated to saving play for America's children," provides all kids and grownups need to know for getting the ball rolling: how to play, number of players, ages, place space and equipment for each game. The seventy-one games include old favorites like Ghost in the Graveyard, Wall Ball, Capture the Flag, Red Rover and more, plus new ones I had never heard of, such as Snail, Lose the Bacon, and Don't Get Caught with the Cookie. Games are broken into category chapters (Tag Games, Team Games, Sidewalk Games and so forth) plus tips for facilitating play and ways to encourage safe — and fun — play spaces in the community. This book is a must for every Grandma Bag, for sure.

Disclosure: I received these books free for review. Opinions are my own.

What's mine is mine: We're talking kidecals

I have six siblings. I also have three daughters.

Because of those two facts, I fully understand the importance of labeling one's stuff.

I have two grandsons. They like to label their stuff. Toys, trikes, fancy-schmancy water bottles they don't want their brother to steal sip out of.

I recently received labels for my grandsons to try out. They're called kidecals, and they're the kind of label designed for kids to mark their gear for summer camp, school supplies and more.

My grandsons like to mark what is theirs.

Now, the boys are actually pretty good at sharing their belongings. They do prefer to know who is the rightful owner of things, though, so the Mini Sets of kidecals I received for free for each one to review, were ideal for marking what belongs to whom.

Now, because I don't use the real names of my grandsons here on Grandma's Briefs, I can't really show you close-ups of their personalized decals. Instead, I'll share the graphic from the kidecals website for each of the mini-sets I got the boys.

Bubby received this:

 

Mac received this:

 

With their real names on them, first and last.

Once Gramma handed out the appropriately personalized decals, the kids went to town.

They claimed their bikes...

 

Their outdoor toys...

 

Their indoor toys...

 

Even the shared easel (claiming sides, of course)...

 

And their games — which they would technically share, if only Mac were old enough to play...

 

My grandsons appreciated the opportunity to say mine! ... mine! ... mine! without getting in trouble by Mom for not sharing with one another.

The decal sets — an everyday set which included 12 two-inch labels and 24 one-inch labels for Bubby's set and a mini set of 66 one-inch labels for Mac's (there's also a mega set option) — were more than enough for the boys to mark their territory.

There are many positive points about kidecals, including the fact there is always free shipping to anywhere in the U.S. (though there is state tax, so keep that in mind). The decals are durable and intended to withstand all kinds of washings — they're waterproof and stand up to dishwashers and laundry machines. They also arrived lickety-split.

Those are some of the positive aspects of my kidecals experience.

There were a few minor negative aspects, too, such as the letters used for the personalization are not what young kids are used to seeing. That may not really matter all that much unless the recipient is learning to read or write, as Bubby is. Some of the letters are in cursive and/or in fonts that don't look like the fonts early readers used to. The letters E and A, in particular, kind of tripped him up. Of course, the kid does know his name regardless of how it looks on a decal, but it's something manufacturers of kid products should keep in mind.

Another thing that proved challenging for me was finding a design that complemented my grandsons' personalities because the options for graphics were limited, then the options for personalizing (adding or removing elements) was even more limited.

Overall, though, the kidecals were a hit with the kids. And in the end, isn't that really all that matters — in addition to knowing what belongs to whom, of course.

For more information, visit the kidecals website, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: I received this product free for review (though I did pay that sales tax!). Opinions are my own.

More summer reading for kids: Three unique books with unique twists

There's still plenty of time for summer reading fun. Not long ago, I shared summer-themed picture books for little ones. Here are three fun ones for older kids, those who have a hankering for something beyond the picture books.

Each of the following three books — which I recently received free for review — have a unique twist kids (and adults) will appreciate. Take a look:

The Big Bad Wolf Goes on Vacation by Delphine Perret (ages 4 and up, Sterling Publishing, $12.95 hardcover). First up is the perfect story for summer time, especially for kids who get a kick out of comic-style books. Louis and his grandpa enjoy annual vacations at the sea, just the two of them. This year, though, Bernard — a cookie-munching and kooky wolf made famous in Perret's 2006 The Big Bad Wolf and Me — wants to join his pal Louis on the adventure. Silliness ensues as the road trip takes the trio on a memorable trek to the beach. The humorous text and drawings will keep not only the kids giggling at Bernard's antics, but any adults who share the story with their favorite kids, too.

The Remarkable Ronald Reagan: Cowboy and Commander in Chief by Susan Allen, illustrated by Leslie Harrington (for guided reading level P — third and fourth grades, Regnery Publishing, $16.95 hardcover). When my girls were young, I had a set of books called Value Tales, which told the stories of famous folks and enlightened kids of all ages on the values that led the subjects to success and celebrity. This book feels much like those old books (which I so wish I had kept), only with much more heart, soul and solid information. Our 40th president is the subject here, and Allen — who once met "Dutch" in person — shares the story of Ronald Reagan's life, from his humble beginnings as a lifeguard and sportscaster, on up to his years as an actor, then governor, then revered president of the United States. Highlights of the book include the colorful illustrations and solid story line, plus the extensive information (important dates and quotes and more) shared in the back pages. Beyond kiddos, this is a book any history/presidential/Reagan buff will want to add to his or her library.

Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse To Stay Up Late by Laura Overdeck, illustrated by Jim Paillot (ages 3-8, Feiwel and Friends — an imprint of Macmillan, $14.99). I used the word unique in the intro above, and this book is truly the most unique of all. So much so, in fact, that in order to do it justice, this book with a mission to make math a fun part of kids' every day life (including bedtime), I'd like to share with you the trailer for the book instead of trying to explain it in mere words:

One point I'd like to make is that although the age range for Bedtime Math, per the publisher, begins at 3, I believe — as the grandmother to a two-year-old and a five-year-old — that the math problems noted for "wee ones" may be too challenging for wee ones of 3; age 4 or 5 might be a better place to start. That said, though, the ability to tailor the book to a child's age is one of the great things about it. Another is the opportunity to attend Pajama Party events featuring Bedtime Math at various libraries and bookstores across the country. Check the Bedtime Math website to see if there's a pajama party near you.

Disclosure: I received the above books free for review. Opinions are my own.

Grown-up kids still growing up? A book (and review) for you!

I used to tease my daughters when they were in their early 20s that you know you're a grown-up when you make your bed every day. They're all now 30 or pretty close to it, and if that's truly the test of having reached adulthood, my daughters still have lots of growing up to do. Well, all but my youngest, who does indeed make her bed each and every day. The other two? Not so much.

Fortunately for them, bed-making isn't the barometer of being a big girl, er, adult, by any means. There are, though, markers that do signify adult status — and they're far different than what they used to be, according to When Will My Grown-Up Kid Grow Up? by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Fishel.

It used to be — for most baby boomers and older generations — that finishing one's education, moving away from home and getting married meant, viola!, you're an adult. That's not the case with the current generation of kids now ages 18-29. Not just in their minds, but in the minds of their parents, too. And this book, subtitled "Loving and Understanding Your Emerging Adult," is for those parents — and for parents of kids well past that age who can still use the advice and/or find comfort within.

Parents of today's 20-somethings look to different markers to signify a child has reached adulthood, according to a survey conducted by the authors of When Will My Grown-Up Kid Grow Up?. When asked "What is important in reaching adulthood for your child, in your opinion," the top three answers given by parents had nothing to do with finishing school, moving out or marrying. The top three were "Accepting responsibility for him/herself," "Becoming financially independent," and "Making independent decisions." Farther down the list were, of course, the traditional markers, plus "becoming more considerate of others" and "having a child."

So if those traits are the goal with our adult children, why do they seem to be taking so long to get there nowadays? Arnett and Fishel offer plenty of reasons, as well as advice for how parents can remain supportive but allow their children to develop the necessary skills, traits and characteristics that now define in today's culture a fully emerged adult.

Parents of children over the age of 18 may have thought they no longer needed parenting books. Consider this the last one you'll likely need... and you probably really do need it. There's not only advice and insight on the child at this stage, but excellent information on dealing with the empty nest and the effect it can, no will, have on the parents — their marriage (or non-marriage) one's own self-image and plans for the future. And it's all told with a sense of humor. Serious stuff here, but not dry and stuffy by any means.

The information and advice given in When Will My Grown-Up Kid Grow Up? — whether focusing on the child or the parent — is real, accurate, helpful, insightful. How do I know? Because I've been there, done that, could have used that. In my family, the kids are alright. And those alright kids are no longer kids, really, for they have surprisingly, successfully, emerged into adults.

It sure would have been nice, though, if I would have had this book while we all struggled through the "emerging into adulthood" process as a family, to let me know I was doing alright, too. Those years featured many long days, sleepless nights, and plenty of fights, all which made me believe my husband and I had clearly not instilled something or another that we should have in our daughters. This book shows otherwise, made me feel better. I'm pretty sure it'll make parents still in the process of watching their children emerge into adulthood feel better, too.

Unfortunately, though, the book won't teach grown-up kids how to make their beds every day. But as we all know, that's not really what matters anyway. (Just don't tell my daughters.)

When Will My Grown-Up Kid Grow Up? by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Fishel (Workman, $23.95) is available wherever books are sold. Learn more on the Workman Publishing website.

Still on the fence about the book? The following book trailer will surely resonate with — and make chuckle — those who will most appreciate When Will My Grown-Up Kid Grow Up?

Disclosure: I received a free and unsolicited copy of the book for review. Anecdotes and opinions are my own.

Froggy Boogie: Eye-popping summer fun

Summer has arrived! Time to get out and have some fun in the sun. Unless, that is, you live where summertime outdoors is far too hot for fun in the sun or any other outdoor spot. Hot places such as in the desert... which is where my grandsons live.

Summers at my grandsons' house often mean finding fun inside rather than out, at least on those days when heat advisories from the National Weather Service prohibit outdoor play.

One game ideal for such times — perfect for play any time, any where, in fact, even outdoors in fair-weather climes — is Froggy Boogie from Blue Orange Games. The all-wooden game carries the tagline "The eye popping, frog hopping, memory game!" It's designed for two to six players, ages 4 and up.

As I'm a long-distance grandma and have not yet had the joy of playing Froggy Boogie with my oldest grandson (who celebrates his fifth birthday in June, putting him in the perfect age range), I'll share with you here a video of the game play:

My grandson adored the last game we received for review from Blue Orange Games (SpotIt!), and Froggy Boogie seems like it 'll be an equally great time. I'll surely bring it along on my next visit — and likely end up leaving it with my grandson, just as I did SpotIt! because he loved it so.

A few of the impressive aspects of the Froggy Boogie game, from a grandma's perspective, include the fact all the game pieces are fully (and finely) crafted of wood. Wooden games harken back to a simpler time and have entertainment value younger kids likely aren't exposed to often anymore. That also means it's sustainably made — a perk for the environment.

Other aspects I appreciate about Froggy Boogie:

• Players focus on memory skills, color identification, fine motor skills.

• Game play time is relatively short, right in line with the attention span of young players.

• Winner of several awards, including FamilyFun Magazine Toy of the Year.

Froggy Boogie has a suggested price of $29.99 and can be purchased from Blue Orange Games (with a 30-day money-back guarantee), as well as from Amazon.com and other game retailers. Blue Orange Games can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: I received the product free for review. All opinions and anecdotes are my own.

Speedeebee and Spot it Jr.! Animals: Two super fun, super quick family games

My family and friends are big on playing games together. As a kid, playing games as a family just wasn't in the cards. As a mother and grandmother, though, I regularly seek out new games we can enjoy together.

Two new ones recently came my way for review, courtesy of Blue Orange Games.

The first is Speedeebee, a fast-paced word game for 2-6 players, ages 8 and up.

When the game I received free for review first arrived at my door, I shared with my husband during dinner that two new games had been delivered. Once we were through eating, I pulled out the games to show him — and Speedeebee looked like so much fun, we decided to try a quick game right then and there, before even clearing the table.

Quick is the operative word — as in we quickly decided we loved the game and it would be one of the games played with two of our daughters and their boyfriends after Easter dinner .

The game comes in a round tin and has 150 word challenges on 50 game cards. One or more of the four included dice are rolled in accordance with the card play, for challenges such as, "Name something shorter than one inch, starting with one of these letters (throw all 4 dice)" and "Name something that smells bad (to you), containing this letter (throw the die of your choice)."

Even with just two of us playing, the word play was fun... and fast. We decided to go through the entire stack of cards instead of just 20, as recommended in the illustrated rules for play. Still, the game was completed in about 20 minutes. (For the record, I won!).

Here's a look at the game play, courtesy Blue Orange Games:

Speedeebee has won a variety of toy industry awards and recognitions, including The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. The game can be found where games are sold, online and off, with a suggested price of $14.99.

Speedeebee is the game recently offered for review by the Blue Orange Games representative. When I told her I'd be happy to try it out, she took a look at my blog and — because Speedeebee is made for ages far above the age of my grandsons — she graciously offered a second game to go along, one more appropriate for my grandsons.

The game she sent along was Spot it Jr.! Animals. This one is similar to Speedeebee in that it comes in a tin and features round playing cards. It's intended for 2-6 players, ages 4 to adult. According to the Blue Orange website, the skills tweaked for kids playing include visual perception, reaction time and focus.

I look forward to sharing it with my grandsons when I visit in a couple weeks, but my husband and I couldn't resist playing it, once we opened the tin. Spot it Jr.! Animalsmay be primarily a kid game, but I must admit that my husband and I both got quite the brain workout as we tried to beat one another in matching the animals on our cards to the card in play. (Okay, I admit it: My husband won this one.)

Take a look:

Spot it Jr.! Animals has won awards, too, including being named a "Dr. Toy 10 Best Games." The game has a suggested price of $9.99 and can be found most places games are sold.

Considering the fun they provide as well as their small size (making them perfect to tuck into Easter baskets!), both Speedeebee and Spot it Jr.! Animals would make super gifts for spring-time holidays,  school graduations... or just for the sheer fun of it.

For more information on both games, as well as plenty of other fun-looking family game options, visit Blue Orange Games.

Disclosure: I received the games free for review. All anecdotes and opinions are my own.