| Wednesday, February 13, to Tuesday, February 19, 2008 |
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A Note from New York Family's Editor:
Stringing Me Along: Like most preschoolers, my son has some very firm ideas about how life (his life) should be. And so it is that when I take him to nursery school every morning, he has decided that it's necessary for him to take some small object of his (he picks a new one every day) along for the walk--and then when we arrive at school he decides whether to put it in his cubby or in one of my pockets. Yes, we've lost some toys doing this, and there's a sound argument against encouraging it, but I'm charmed by my son and his habits. The other night I was working late, and when I reached in my pocket for my wallet I first pulled out a piece of string he had slipped me earlier and I had forgotten about. I believe he gives me these things because he thinks it's my turn to have them, but in this plain old string (the kind they wrap around cake boxes) I found a repository of his love in absentia, a reminder to think of him, even if that's not how he meant it. It's now in my wallet.
---Eric Messinger
(emessinger@manhattanmedia.com) |
 Parenting Tip
Hugs and Kisses: Valentine's Day books run the gamut from sweet to spicy. For kids, we recommend "Hug Time," by Patrick McDonnell, author of the popular "The Gift of Nothing." The story centers on a cat named Jules who decides to make it his mission to hug the whole world! Adult softies at heart will enjoy "Other People's Love Letters," a collection of love notes from the poetic to the erotic that illustrate the passion, humor, and complications of modern love. And adults who can't get enough (of you know what) will appreciate "The Sexual Life of Catherine M," the European bestseller about the racy escapades of a French parenting magazine editor (just kidding; alas, she edits art books). |
 Joy's Shopping Tips*
Who Do You Love? Why, your baby, of course! And this Valentine's Day, why not let the world know it by advertising your heart on his (or her) sleeve? The word "Loved" is inscribed in red on white onesies, t-shirts, bibs, and burp cloths, all by Plain Mary. Prices range from $10 to $28. Available at www.plainmary.com.
Friendship Links: Links of London has designed its own version of the beloved friendship bracelets we all used to make at camp. The bracelet is offered in many color combinations, but for Valentine's Day the company is offering a limited edition of 600 in red. They are made of sterling silver and hand-woven red colored lanyard. It retails for $225. Available at www.linksoflondon.com.
Wii and You: The Omaha Chocolate Company is making dark, milk, and white chocolates in the shapes of characters featured in popular Nintendo Wii games. For a Valentine's Day bonus, the characters even have red hearts on their shirts. They are paired as boy/girl, girl/girl, or boy/boy, and come in a white box with the message "Wii belong together." Awww. $14.95 plus shipping. Available at www.paulpapedesigns.com.
*Joy Sherwood is the Style Director of New York Family. She can be reached at jsherwood@manhattanmedia.com. |
 Activity Tips*
Dance, Dance Revolution: This Saturday, rock out at the My Baby Valentine party at the Harlem Supper Club. The party, hosted by Kids Dance Revolution, will feature lively music, healthy snacks, face painting, games, and dance contests. Ages 6 months to 7 years. Details: 2-5 pm; $10 per person in advance, $15 per person at the door (children under 2 years free). Harlem Supper Club, 454 West 128th Street, 917-573-2879, www.mykdr.com.
History Scavenger Hunt: Scour the catacombs of Ancient Egypt and the jungles of Africa this Saturday at the Brooklyn Blitz Family Scavenger Hunt, held at the Brooklyn Museum. Kids and adults work together to figure out the clues to the various objects in the museum. Age 7 years and up. Details: 1:30 pm; adults $25, ages 13-17 $21, ages 7-12 $17.50 (prices include museum admission). Held at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn. For more information: 866-811-4111, www.watsonadventures.com.
Child Author: This Saturday, the Children's Museum of Manhattan will kick off its KidsCreate workshop series with a reading by 11-year-old author (!) Toni Valentini. Valentini will give a premiere reading of her newly published book "When I Grow Up," and kids can use markers to create their own books. KidsCreate, a series of workshops hosted by child inventors, authors, entrepreneurs and wunderkinds, aims to inspire other children to harness the power of imagination and creativity in their everyday lives. Age 5 years and up. Details: 4 pm; free with paid museum admission. CMOM, 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1234, www.cmom.org.
*Activity Tips are from New York Family and GoCityKids.com. |
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This Week's Bonus Tips
Presidential Quiz Show: Author and historian Kenneth C. Davis brings his "American Presidents Quiz Show" to the New-York Historical Society on Saturday. The program is modeled on popular television quiz shows--complete with buzzers and lights--and tests kids on how much they really know about our nation's leaders. Details: 11 am; $10 adults, $6 students. New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, 212-873-3400, www.nyhistory.org.
The Far Side of the World: With the pressures of work, school, activities, finances, and the million other stressful aspects of living in the city, we often forget that-lifestyle stresses and all--we are lucky to have such easy access to food, proper medical care, and tolerance. For a glimpse into a world in which women are not so lucky, parents and teens should see the film "A Walk To Beautiful," which has been lauded by the New York Times and produced by a friend of New York Family. The movie depicts women in Ethiopia who suffered childbirth injuries and were subsequently ostracized by their villages, husbands, and even parents. The film follows a group of these women to a clinic in Addis Ababa, where they wait to have their injuries repaired by surgery and form connections and friendships with one another. Details: Playing through February 21 at the Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street. |
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Special Family Deals & Promotions
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EBL Coaching offers one-on-one and small group academic skills instruction in reading, writing, reading comprehension, math, organization, and study skills. They use research-based, multi-sensory techniques, including the Orton Gillingham method. Specific programs for students with ADD and learning disabilities are also available. |
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Making Books Sing presents The Butterfly.
Hearts soar across faiths in this beautiful and touching musical about acceptance, courage and friendship between two adolescent girls in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Adapted from the illustrated book The Butterfly by award-winning author Patricia Polacco. Best for children ages 7+ and up.
The Butterfly will run through February 15 across New York City with a limited Manhattan engagement at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street (www.symphonyspace.org). In support of The Butterfly various Manhattan based restaurants and organizations are hosting special events and promotions including:
A Workshop of The Butterfly: A History of Yiddish Children Songs presented by Making Books Sing & The National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene
Chabad of the West Side, 101 West 92nd Street (at Columbus Avenue) (2/3/08, 3pm) FREE
VIP Reading by WABC-TV "Eyewitness News" reporter Lauren Glassberg reads The Butterfly to after-school groups and families.
Barnes & Noble, 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street (2/7/08, 4pm) FREE
Additional special promotions at: Alice's Tea Cup (www.aliceteacup.com) and Bubby's (www.bubbys.com)
For group tickets or more information about The Butterfly, visit: www.makingbookssing.org | | |
