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Perfect Daytime Activities for Kids With Free Mornings!

7/15/2016

 
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​If your child is currently back from sleep away camp, or is no longer attending a day camp, it can only be imagined that you’ve possibly heard the phrase "I'm so bored! There's nothing to do at home!" every once in a while. 

However, we at Tomfoolery Toys & Books feel no fear of boredom as we have expanded our collection of unique activities for children to do at home that will keep them busy, entertained, and creatively thinking for a good few hours!

Fitted to follow our review of Rosie Revere Engineer, by Andrea Beaty, aid your little engineer through these Steel Works Micro Kits!

The instructions are only available in pictures, creating a challenging and fun activity for a child who enjoys producing things through hard work! These Micro Kits are available as racing cars, airplanes, and helicopters which can then be used for play or to sit proudly on a child’s desk with their other creations and masterpieces!

Make sure to stop by Tomfoolery if you are needing some ideas for past time activities for your children, we have almost everything under the sun from chocolate science labs, volcano kits, build your own robots, or even solar car kits and more!

​Don’t forget to send us pictures of your child’s creations to our Facebook or Instagram, we at Tomfoolery would love to see your little one’s abilities and how they grow!

Bluebonnet 2016-17 Book Review:  "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate

7/14/2016

 
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By Lisa Sandoz Robinson @LoveTheLibrary1

Crenshaw is highly recommended for a mature child who is able to understand and process the reality of living in constant fear of losing your home, school, and friends. Its spare language makes it perfect for reluctant readers who might be interested in exploring social issues. The details are so vivid that it frequently reads like an interview with an actual child who has experienced homelessness.  So when Jackson explains that his invented game Cerealball is a “good trick for when you’re hungry and there’s nothing much to eat till morning,” it’s almost too heartbreaking to enjoy the humor. This is a book that is perfect for a parent to read with their child so that these difficult passages can be discussed together.

The threat of homelessness is an issue that many families face every day here in Houston and across our state and country. But it is rare to find this issue in a book intended for elementary age children and even more rare to find it as beautifully and sensitively explored as it is in “Crenshaw.” 

Written by Katherine Applegate, the author of Newbery medal winner “The One and Only Ivan,” “Crenshaw” tells the story of ten year old Jackson, his five year old sister Robin, and his musician parents. Actually, Jackson tells his own story, and it is a difficult one at that


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Book Review:  Rosie Revere Engineer

7/13/2016

 
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A New York Times bestseller, and at no surprise,  Rosie Revere Engineer, by Andrea Beaty is a new Tomfoolery favorite for story time or bedtime! This story is the perfect go-to book for any child that struggles with getting settled at night, as the story itself is filled with silly moments and is also quite long compared to other children’s books making it ideal for snuggled up reading and aiding gearing for bedtime.

The book is written in a very playful, sing-song rhyme and thus helps the reader become more involved in the storytelling. Written about young Rosie who wishes to become a great engineer, this story praises many great morals such as believing in yourself, being true to your passions, and appreciating what you have, as what might be useless to one could be incredibly valuable to another.

In the story, Rosie appears to be a regular young girl in school; however, she has a hidden secret: she collects things others find useless and turns them into her own inventions! While this may sound exciting and promising, unfortunately young Rosie hides her inventions under her bed and does not allow anyone to become aware of her dream of being an engineer. She became discouraged as someone had laughed at one of her creations when she was much younger. Rosie’s aunt visits her and tells her of the importance of setting goals for yourself and working hard to reach them!

True failure, as Rosie Revere Engineer teaches, is not determined by the success of your first few attempts at something but rather if you lose hope in yourself and give up! The story includes higher-level thinking through personification of things around Rosie. This story is absolutely excellent, the artwork is fun and creative, and the plot boasts a message that is incredibly inspiring for all of its readers! Rosie Revere Engineer is highly recommended as your next summer book read of choice, and will be sure to instill confidence in your child!

Everything is Bigger and Therefore Better in Texas!

7/12/2016

 
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​June has passed, and we are finally easing into July! With June being filled with adventurous children’s camps, we can now say we are "Summer experts" as we experience this second Summer month!

If you have family this summer visiting from out of the state, or even out of the country, hosting family can sometimes be difficult as you wish for their experiences here to be perfect!

Tomfoolery would like to give you a hand and aid your planning with these perfectly Texan gifts! We often receive requests for Texan themed items as gifts for traveling visitors, and have dutifully received these suggestions with a few superb items! What better way to say I visited Texas! than with these adorable baby onesies? Sizes are featured in small (newborn), medium (six months), and large (twelve months).

Our one-of-a-kind mugs, featured solely in Tomfoolery have also been a huge hit not only for those residing in our community but those visiting! Mugs feature our local communities of Houston including Westbury, Robindell, Meyerland, Bellaire, Maplewood, and Willowbend! We will also be creating new designs in the future so please do look forward to them!

We have also received whimsical pocket books with themes such as, "Texas Speak Advanced
Course," "Texas Sayings," "Speak Texan in 30 Minutes" and "100 Great Things about Texas!" These hilariously cute little handbooks make excellent gifts for someone who loves a good laugh! Ease your tension from preparing for your visitors, and come stop by Tomfoolery! We promise to make your day a little more fun!

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