Check out a new pipclip that we just posted on our website - it’s Kung-Fu Critters! NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS VIDEO. Which one of the Kung-Fu Critters will come out on top? Kung-Fu Bunny, Tai Chi Tortoise, maybe it’ll be jujitsu Kitty…when anything is possible, bonks on the head and falling from the sky are just part of the madness. Enjoy!

I’ve got a few children’s book suggestions (i’ll blog about something else soon - I promise).

Ring Of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell, quite possibly the best book ever written about living with a sea otter. The book is sad (as is the great film version from the early 60’s) along the lines Watership Down. This is a “chapters book”, so it’ll need to be read to younger readers.

My second book suggestion is Nothing Ever Happens Around Here by Ellen Raskin. This book is about a “bored” little boy who is so busy being bored that he doesn’t notice everything going on around him. Page after page, burglers run around, a cat has kittens, a house burns down and is rebuilt - all while the boy is sitting on the sidewalk unaware.

My final book suggestion is Robert Francis Weatherbee by Munro Leaf. Munro Leaf is best known for his story Ferdinand the Bull (remember the bull who would rather smell flowers than participate at the bull fight). Robert Francis Weatherbee is the story of a little boy who refuses to learn how to read or write, until he grows up and realizes just what he has missed.

I know there are million’s of children’s book out there, and with that …millions of different of choices. whether its these books or something else, enjoy that time together.

Oscars have been announced, and the best in the stop-motion animated short category is Peter & The Wolf by Suzie Templeton - based on the original score by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Amazing film with striking attention to detail - everything from clothing to the interior of the house to even curtains in the windows replicated Russian style exactly as it was in that period (I can tell you since I lived there in that time). It has some mild violence in the beginning - but it is almost inseparable from the atmosphere of the movie. You can buy it here and you can watch the trailer here.

Hello everyone, my name is Skot and I’m the Associate Content Producer here at lilipip. The other day I came across this fantastic little gem at the local Kinokuniya Bookstore in Seattle. Its called: children’s rooms “Stockholm” and its published by SHUFUNOTOMOSHA.This book showcases the bedrooms of 27 Swedish children. With rooms that’re packed with color, children’s artwork, Pipi Longstockings, Moomin (Ksenia’s favorite), and ample amounts of lived in charm and character, is it any wonder that there is a book devoted to such a subject. This book is a wonderful addition to any parents library (especially those who’re into cute Japanese style, fabric creations, and homemade critter crafts).

From now on i’ll be blogging about all the cool Kids related stuff that comes my way (and trust me,there is a lot, because I’m the parent of a 9 yr. old). As most of us know, in this day and age kids are increasingly targeted with advertising - as well as adults. We’re trying to take a stand against “consumer” mindlessness, by being as thoughtful as possible about our choices (whether it be the food we eat, or the cartoons we watch).

I haven’t purchased new music in a long time, but the tune to the new Macbook Air Ad (now that we have converted the whole office to Macs) has caught on with me. Curious, I went to see who the artist is - it’s really a break-through story - Yael Naim is a singer/songwriter from Israel (read the full story here). The song “New Soul” is the kind that will get you and your kids swaying in the car to it’s rhythm on any trip (we have seen with my son once a family inside the car in front of us, swaying left and right to some music - that got us inspired to turn our music up!). Now we both love the whole album, and she has an awesome video to the song that your kids will enjoy - makes me feel like peeling off my house too! (Hope it will stay sunny in Seattle for a while!)

Here is what happened yesterday when we were driving home from daycare. All of a sudden Peter said: ” Mommy, when I will be big I can ride in the front seat!”. I said: “Yes, you can”. Peter: “But I can’t ride now because if we crash then the bag will come out of there. It is all sharp and it kills you…” That surprised me - where did he get this idea? “No, it’s not sharp, it is soft and round”. “Yes, it is sharp!” And on and on - we had an argument over whether or not the reason why little kids can’t ride in front of the car is because the airbag is sharp. He was so convinced! And immdeiatley I thought - this is the perfect Lilipip usage scenario - I had my phone on me, if I could have a video on it of a car crash test showing actually what an airbag looks like, I could put Peter’s fears to rest. Here is one that I found (of course, a day later - or, if you have an iPhone, you can do it instantly - except that I went through several of them before finding one that is not scary for toddlers). This is exactly what we are striving for - giving you, parents, some sanity moments when questions like these occur! Actually, after watching this video myself, I realized I have never seen a car crash test before, only imagined from what I have heard - there you go, education for both parents and kids on the go:)

We have bought a set of Pixelblocks a while ago and forgot about it (it was sitting in the garage). I think Peter got too many toys for Christmas, so this one was saved for later. We have opened the set yesterday, and what a great toy! Plus, it integrates with his LEGOs - the possibilities for building are endless! Watch this video on how kids are putting together various models.

Just stumbled upon this fun website by accident (was looking for trailer to Jumper - we just went to see this movie with my daughter - great entertainment!). Anyway, it is called Funbrain, and has all kinds of educational games, including our beloved MadLibs. I remember playing the game of words back when I was 5, of course it was called differently. Have fun on the weekend!

Here is a great website run by a local mom on how to teach kids about… where do bugs (or babies) come from?

Ever wondered how to explain to your kids what a black hole is? Fret no more - I have just stumbled upon this great demonstration.