Blog
Tag: Parenting
A Lot of Heart
by Jamie
Film / May 25, 2011
Do any movie studios still have any heart? Anthony Lane in recent profile in The New Yorker magazine (May 16, subscription required) thinks so and the answer is Pixar Studios, the makers of Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monster’s Inc. , Finding Nemo The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille. Wall-E, Up, Toy Story 3 and coming to theatres on June 24: Cars 2.
“Most of us, as we leave the theatre, can no more remember which company produced the film we just saw than we could tell you who manufactured the hand dryer in the men’s room. The exception is Pixar, the only studio whose products people actively seek out. Everyone knows Pixar.”
Pixar is based in Emeryville a small town just across the bridge from San Francisco, hometown to Chronicle Books, another company jammed full of talented people who march to their own tune. As with earlier Pixar films, Chronicle is releasing The Art of Cars 2 a gorgeously illustrated book that is filled with storyboard and original art from the new film. Thumbing through the pages of The Art of Cars 2 is the perfect visual accompaniment Lane’s of Pixar.
I am the father of four year-old and so know the Pixar “oeuvre” pretty well. Our favourite is Cars; for my son because he is lover of all things with wheels and for me (who doesn’t even have driver’s license) because the film is about making connections. My son thinks I am over reading the film (“stop talking daddy”), but I will stick to my guns on this.
The friendship between Lightening McQueen and Mater the rusty dump truck is replay of the archetype of the 'Prince and the Pauper' but also what it means to have best friend. While (endlessly) re-watching Cars I am reminded that in the western cannon far more pages have been filled by theorizing about de amicitia or “friendship” than on Eros or sexual love, because in many respects it is more essential. The film connects — race car and dump truck, small town and metropolis, old and young, red states and blue through the social capital of friendship. Wonderful stuff. Or as Doc Doc Hudson says to Lightening McQueen at the end of Cars: “You gotta a lot of stuff Kid!”
Favourite Books 2010: Heather Camlot, MySweetBaby
by Dan
Kids + News + Parenting / December 28, 2010
Create Your Own Planet
Todd Parr
Chronicle Books ISBN 9780811871464
$16.99
Trying to explain the world beyond the window to young children such as my own is tough, but this fun “doodle and draw” book makes them to think about life around them, from whether caterpillars wear shoes to what makes people happy.
Shadow
Suzy Lee
Chronicle Books ISBN 9780811872805
$17.99
Imaginative play at its best — while the young girl in Shadow creates her own world with simple items found in the attic, young readers create their own story to the simple, striking images in the wordless book.
Every Day's A Holiday: Year-Round Crafting with Kids
Heidi Kenney
Chronicle Books ISBN 9780811871440
$26.95
I can’t get enough of craft books — they are without hesitation my favourite reads. I love this one for the range of techniques and materials, from fruit-stamping onto fabric to constructing a garden basket out of mini fencing, as well as for the list of unusual holidays — World Origami Days, who knew?
Heather Camlot is the editor of MySweetBaby.
Favourite Books 2010: Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit, YoYoMama
by Dan
Kids + News + Picture Books / December 28, 2010
Play All Day
Taro Gomi
Chronicle Books ISBN 9780811871211
$22.99
Trust Taro Gomi to take it to the next level. While everyone else is now doing doodle books he’s moved on to playing. Play All Day is filled with things to punch out and make from games to toys to finger puppets. It’s literally hours of engaging entertainment and would be great for holiday travel with kids.
Shadow
Suzy Lee
Chronicle Books ISBN 9780811872805
$17.99
Shadow, a two-word, two colour book about a dark attic, a light bulb and an imaginative little girl can be “read” right side up or upside down as one side shows what’s really in the attic while the other shows how the shadows of ordinary household items like a vacuum cleaner and a ladder morph into a tropical jungle complete with exotic animals, rampant vegetation and just a hint of danger. Kids of all ages are entranced by the shadow world and Lee's lovely art.
Ivy + Bean What's the Big Idea
Annie Barrows
Chronicle Books ISBN 9780811866927
$16.99
I've enjoyed reading this whole series with my now seven-year-old and the latest book in the series. The adventures of this unlikely BFF duo are everyday in a lovely way that kids can relate to and parents will appreciate. With nary a licensed character in sight, Ivy and Bean's shenanigans are based on imaginary play and they're just "naughty" enough that kids will thrill to it but parents won't be dismayed. Plus I was thrilled to be able to meet Annie Barrows when she came to town this fall, my kids thought I was a rock star!
Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit founded yoyomama, a free daily e-newsletter for mums in Vancouver (and now Toronto), in 2007 when she couldn’t easily find local info on products and services for mums and their babies. As a mother-of-two girls and busy entrepreneur, she taps into her own front-line experiences to provide readers relevant, useful information that will (hopefully) make their life less harried. 5 Things Vancouver: Maria + Stefanie, dandelion KIDS
by Dan
Travel + Vancouver / February 25, 2010
Maria Livingstone and Stefanie Missler are the co-owners Dandelion KIDS, a modern kids shop that stocks hip baby clothes and stylish duds for boys and girls. The store was born over 5 years ago over a casual coffee when they discovered a shared childhood dream of wanting to have a shop. The doors have been open since Winter 2004 on Commercial Drive in Vancouver and, in April 2009, Maria and Stefanie opened their second shop Port Moody.
What is the single best thing about living in Vancouver?
Maria: The moist air, your skin never gets dry
Stefanie: All the great parks and beaches
What’s the one place everyone should visit?
Stefanie: Museum of Anthropology
Maria: dandelion KIDS! [SHAMELESS! ~Dan 
]
What is the best thing to do with kids in Vancouver?
Super Sundays at the Vancouver Art Gallery
What’s your favourite bar?
The Narrow Lounge
Why should people live in Vancouver and not just visit?
Maria: It would be nice to have that city buzz, and that only happens when there’s lots of people.
Stefanie: To bring even more flair, sophistication and diversity to this great place.
Bonus:
What’s the most common misconception visitors have about Vancouver?
That it rains too much (it’s spring in February-let it rain!!) and “we’re a no-fun city”
Thanks Maria + Stefanie!
5 Things Vancouver: Jill Amery
by Dan
Kids + Travel + Vancouver / February 25, 2010
Jill Amery is the Editor of UrbanMommies an online magazine with a focus on the stylish side of pregnancy and parenting.
Based in Vancouver, Jill is constantly searching for parenting tips, fun children’s activities and kid’s travel stories.
What is the single best thing about living in Vancouver?
Skiing and sailing on the same day.
Who is your favourite Vancouver author?
Aislinn Hunter
What’s your favourite restaurant for a romantic dinner?
Boneta
What is the best thing to do with kids in Vancouver?
Can’t choose just one – skating at Robson Square, play area at the aquarium, Wreck Beach – the sand’s gradual entry into the ocean is perfect for kids.
What is your favourite Vancouver hangout?
The patio at the Art Gallery in summer.
What’s the most common misconception visitors have about Vancouver?
Tie: A) We never dress up. B) It rains all the time.
Thanks Jill!
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5 things vancouver kids parenting travel urban mommies vancouver winter olympics
5 Things Vancouver: Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit
by Dan
Kids + Parenting + Travel + Vancouver / February 24, 2010
Annemarie is the founder and editor-in-chief of yoyomama.ca and yoyobelly.ca.
She’s also the author of Healthy Mum, Happy Baby: How To Feed Yourself When You're Breastfeeding Your Baby which was published by Random House in 2007.
She’s an email marketing expert with a background in web strategy and usability.
How long have you lived in Vancouver?
I’m one of those rare people who was born here.
Where do you look for books in Vancouver?
Now I’ve had kids I can indulge my children’s lit fetish with no shame at Vancouver Kidsbooks.
What’s your favourite restaurant for a romantic dinner?
Les Faux Bourgeois.
What is the best thing to do with kids in Vancouver?
The beach. Any time of year and in any weather. At the beach kids can build sand castles and mud pies and explore tide pools. They can draw in the sand with a stick and get chased by waves and commune with the seagulls. They can get dirty and sandy and wet and no one minds, not like at home or at a restaurant. And of course you can get fries or a popsicle from the concession when you’re done to top off your trip.
What’s your favourite free thing to do in Vancouver?
We love walking the new seawall by the Olympic athletes village – when it’s open of course. There’s lots to explore and see and on good days we make it all the way from Science World to Granville Island.
Thanks Annemarie!
5 Things Vancouver: Spilt Milk Moms
by Dan
Kids + Travel + Vancouver / February 23, 2010
The Spilt Milk Moms tirelessly review products for parents and kids, and seek out the most interesting, quirky and helpful stuff so you don’t have to.
Three of moms kindly agreed to give us their combined recommendations for Vancouver...
What’s the one place everyone should visit?
Museum of Anthropology
Where do you look for books in Vancouver?
KidsBooks on Broadway
What is the best thing to do with kids in Vancouver?
- The Vancouver Aquarium
- The water park in Coal Harbour by the sea wall
- Granville Island
Where do you plan to watch the Olympics?
A combination of: home, friends, at a couple of events and the LiveCity venues!
What’s the most common misconception visitors have about Vancouver?
That it rains all the time ... oops. Or that its close to Toronto - haha! The biggest misconception Vancouverites have is that yoga gear counts as fashion!
Thanks!