Winner of the 2015 Parent's Choice Award The perfect starting point for creative play, this is the ultimate book of ideas for arts and crafts, building and tinkering, writing and rhyming, singing and dancing, and more! For parents who don't feel they are creative, this book provides an easy entry point for raising creative kids. Creativity is an essential ingredient for a happy childhood, and this is the ultimate collection of ideas for arts and crafts, building and tinkering, writing and rhyming, singing and dancing, and more! With 500 unplugged, hands-on activities for children ages two to twelve, this book goes beyond the simple arts and crafts found in most kids’ creativity books and offers fun ideas for a generous range of imaginative and creative play—all in one giant book. You have the power to encourage creativity in your child’s daily life, whether you feel creative yourself or not. This book is your guide for being a creativity mentor, your handbook for raising kids rich with creative habits and skills, and your toolbox full of ideas and activities. So say YES to creativity! Encourage your child to dabble in all kinds of activities, and discover the magic and beauty of imagination.

Inspire to Create a Better You Series.

“[Tess’s] self-confidence grows to match her giant heart. A fanciful story of empowerment.” —Kirkus Internationally acclaimed and bestselling author-illustrator Dan Yaccarino presents a larger than life picture book about a girl with a heart as giant as she is. Tess has a BIG problem. She’s a giant with an enormous wish to be like everyone else in the city of Myth-hattan. When she gives up on ever fitting in, she meets a friend just her size, and the two team up for a daring rescue. Can these misfits save the day—and the big city parade? This reassuring and heartwarming tale will empower young readers struggling to find acceptance, and it reminds us that there’s a hero within every one of us.

The Highlights Book of Things to Do is the essential book of pure creativity and inspiration. Kids ages seven and up will find hundreds of ways to build, play, experiment, craft, cook, dream, think, and become outstanding citizens of the world. This highly visual, hands-on activity book shows kids some of the best ways to do great things--from practicing the lost arts of knot-tying, building campfires, connecting circuits, playing jump rope, drawing maps, and writing letters, to learning how to empower themselves socially, emotionally, and in their communities. The final chapter, Do Great Things, inspires kids become caring individuals, confident problem solvers, and thoughtful people who can change the world. Full List of Chapters: Things to Do Inside Things to Do Outside Science Experiments to Do Things to Build Things to Do with Your Brain Things to Do in the Kitchen Things to Draw Things to Write Things to Do with Color Things to Do with Paper More Things to Do with Recycled Materials Do Great Things National Parenting Seal of Approval Winner, National Parenting Product Award (NAPPA) Winner, Mom's Choice Award, Gold

The Masterpiece follows an ambitious set of paintbrushes as they set out to create a grand work of art. But will their goals be derailed when some of the paintbrushes display unusual behavior, or will they all learn how to work together, no matter what? Join a spunky collection of paintbrushes as they set out to create a grand masterpiece. When some of the brushes don't cooperate, is it because they are misbehaving...or is there another reason entirely? In this story, an initiative of REED Foundation for Autism, young readers are introduced to some of the behavioral differences in their peers with autism. Without ever mentioning any particular challenge or disability by name, this story helps children recognize and understand what autism is, and impress upon them the importance of showing kindness to those who are different, wrapped into a fun story with lighthearted, engaging characters.

Teach children to use intuition and spontaneity to fuel their creativity and gain confidence in themselves. A must read for art teachers and parents. In Kids Play, Michele Cassou brings her unique method of creative instruction to children and shows parents how they can inspire their children to discover the world of art. Too often a child's creativity is stunted because he or she feels the need to produce something specific that will meet with the expectations of teachers and parents. Cassou explains that it is the creative process that should be encouraged in children, and criticism, evaluation, or even praise of the end result can actually be damaging. Kids Playuses examples from Cassou's own teaching experience to illustrate how helping children trust creative intuition instead of overloading them with technique will lead to self-expression and self-discovery. It will give them confidence not only in their art, but in themselves as well.

Showcases 500 art ideas for parents, teachers and kids. Each project features an image and a list of materials.