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I fell in love with Usborne Books because of their gorgeous mythology books. Some of my favorites are:

• Greek Myths for the Young Child - For ages 4 and up this collection of the best-known of the Greek myths has been carefully written to appeal to young children who will find these stories of gods, mortals and monsters irresistible. Beautiful illustrations by Linda Edwards perfectly capture each story and will bring the myths to life for children of all ages. The stories have been specially written for reading aloud and there is also a pronunciation guide at the back of the book which will help with the pronunciation of the Greek names. (Comes in a mini version, too.
• Greek Myths: Ulysses and the Trojan War - For ages 10 years and up, this vividly illustrated, beautiful gift book includes the events described in the Iliad and the Odyssey. It follows the Greek army to the siege of Troy, where bravery and horror on the battlefield combine with the wit and cunning of Ulysses, King of Ithaca. Ulysses struggles to return home from the Trojan War - only to find he has another battle on his hands and a kingdom to reclaim.
• Greek Myths & Legends - For ages 11 years and up, this superbly illustrated reference guide is a thrilling introduction to the characters and adventures that make up the Greek Myths. Includes condensed versions of all the most famous stories brought to life with stunning pictures by artists including Rodney Matthews. Also includes a ‘Who’s Who’ in Greek mythology section on the Ancient Greeks and their beliefs.

What goes better with Greek mythology than Greek food? Inspired by “Salad Week” over at ClubMom blog Cooking with Whine, I had to share this feta salad recipe with an American twist.

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The Little Red Hen is a classic tale of the hardworking hen and her lazy friends cat, duck and rat. Young readers will love the retelling of this classic tale, with its rhythmic, repetitive language and lively illustrations.

The Little Red Hen is in the Usborne First Reading series, written especially for children who are learning to read, and developed in consultation with Alison Kelly, Senior Lecturer in Education and reading specialist at Roehampton University.

Not only will the story and illustrations inspire any beginning reader, but so will the bread baking activity presented in the back of the book.

So in conjunction with “Salad Week” over at ClubMom blog Cooking with Whine, I offer a little bread to go along with Becki’s A Series of Unfortunate Events inspired mango salad (from Book 10 - The Slippery Slope).

The Little Red Hen’s Guide to Making Bread

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb (3 1/2 cups) white bread flour
2. 1/2 teaspoon salt
3. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
4. 2 teaspoons dried yeast or 1 teaspoon rapid rise yeast
5. 1 cup warm water
6. 2 Tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

Directions:

1. First, the Little Red Hen sifts the flour, sugar and salt through a sieve into a large bowl. Then she stirs in the yeast.
2. The Little Red Hen then mixes the water and oil. Next she pours them into a hollow in the middle of the flour.
3. She uses a wooden spoon to mix everything together until she’s made a soft dough.
4. Then, she puts the dough onto a floury work surface and kneads it for 10 minutes.
5. Next, the Little Red Hen puts the dough into a clean bowl and covers it with plastic food wrap.
6. She leaves the bowl in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours. The dough rises to twice its size.
7. She kneads the dough for a minute to get rid of any air bubbles. Then, she puts the dough in a buttered loaf tin.
8. The Little Red Hen leaves the dough for an hour in a warm place. Just before the hour is up, she turns on her over to 425 degrees F.
9. She puts her loaf on the middle oven shelf and leaves it to bake for 35-40 minutes.
10. She leaves it to cool on a wire rack. Then she eats it all by herself!

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Why is book shopping for young people so difficult. You know your son, daughter or young friend has certain interests, but which book to get them?

Shopping with Usborne makes it incredibly easy. First, all of Usborne’s titles are top quality - gorgeous illustrations, beautiful photography, thick paper, bright colors, and extras like spot varnishing and sewn bindings.

Second, popular subjects like dinosaurs, princesses, art activities, and animals are covered by Usborne in all age groups from birth to high school (even adults enjoy  the more mature titles). Finally, if your child like one books in a book series, they’re guaranteed to love them all.

Here’s an example. Let’s say your son loves everything to do with space. Here are your choices:

• Mouse on the Moon - for ages 9 months and up. This book is part of the Look Through Board Books series, which also includes Bunny on the Beach and Panda in the Park.
• On the Moon - for ages 2 years and up. This book is part of the Picture Books series, where science is introduced to young children in form of story and picture books. Other titles in this series include: The Butterfly, In the Castle, On the Seashore, A Rainy Day, The Snowy Day, Pinocchio, and The Snow Queen (The Birds and What’s Underground coming soon)
• Dot to Dot in Space - For ages 4 to 7, this bright, friendly activity book is both entertaining and educational. Young children will have lots of fun finding the hidden pictures and developing their number skills and pencil control at the same time. This book is part of the Dot to Dot series which includes books on nature, the farm, dinosaurs and the seashore.
• First Guide to the Universe C/V - For ages 7 to 9, this book explains some of the fascinating mysteries of the Universe for the younger reader. Written in clear, simple language and with bright colorful illustrations, it’s perfect for any child interested in space and spaceflight. One section looks at our own planet Earth, explaining such things as why it gets dark at night, why we have weather and what is under the ground.

Another section looks at our part of the Universe — the Sun, the Moon and the planets — and the stars and galaxies of outer space. This book also talks about space travel, explaining how rockets work, what satellites do, the Apollo Moon missions and the future in space. The material in this book is also available as three separate titles: Our Earth, Rockets and Spaceflight and Sun, Moon and Planets and is part of the Explainers Series.

• Astronomy IL - For ages 8 and up. In this book, you’ll discover some of the amazing things that are out there, many of which you can see with just a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. This book will give you practical advice about how to find them, as well as the answers to hundreds of questions, including: What are constellations and how can you find them? Why do the stars seem to change position from one night to the next? What happens when there’s an eclipse? What causes meteor showers? This is part of the Discovery Series including books on snakes, birds, bugs, sharks, whales and dolphins. All of these titles are Internet linked.)
• Book of Astronomy and Space IL - for ages 8 and up, this Usborne Internet linked book gives you a breathtaking surface-eye view of the planets. See stars exploding, black holes forming, and zoom through the solar system with comets and asteroids. Navigate the night sky using our clear, detailed maps. This updated edition shows you the universe, using the latest amazing information from astronomers around the world, and space proves around the galaxy. This book also includes practical information on home astronomy and buying and using equipment. This is part of the Complete Books series.
• First Encyclopedia of Space - for children 10 years and up with simple text, amazing photographs, detailed illustrations and a selection of exciting, recommended web sites introduce young readers to the wonders of the Universe. Other titles in this series include: First Encyclopedia of Animals, First Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs, First Encyclopedia of History, First Encyclopedia of Our World, First Encyclopedia of Science, First Encyclopedia of Seas and Oceans, and First Encyclopedia of the Human Body (these are also available in mini-editions and all titles are Internet linked.)

So you see while you still have many, many choices Usborne makes it easy by picking popular subjects, and breaking them up by age groups. They also give you different angles on the subject - do you want “just the facts” or maybe some activities to do? Finally, if your child likes one of the books in a series, he or she will also like other books from that series.

Now go here to search by age group, series and category to find out what your child will like. Do they have an interest in dinosaurs or a passion for all things fairies and princesses? Do they like science or ballet? Usborne truly has the books children love to read.

Want more info? Try Usborne’s Quicklinks website to see how to enter book and page numbers you are interested in learning more about. This site will provide you web addresses of safe, content appropriate websites you can visit to research a subject in a fun and informative way.

Usborne’s activity books have simple step-by-step instructions, enabling young readers to produce delightful results quickly and easily. Children (and parents) find these books very attractive because of the gorgeous graphics and photographs. Most importantly, the books are FUN and help parents get kids involved in activities away from the television.

A great example is the What Shall I Do series. What Shall I Cook? is specially designed to be quick and easy, using simple ingredients that can be found in most kitchens. Stunning photographs of the tasty results will entice any young cook (ages 7 and up) into the kitchen.

Sunshine toast

Note: this recipe involves use of a microwave and oven. Please do not let children cook without adult supervision.

You will need:

1. 1 slice of bread
2. Melted butter
3. 1 medium egg
4. Large cookie cutter
5. Cookie sheet
6. Aluminum foil or a non-stick silicone baking mat

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. If you are using aluminum foil on your cookie sheet, spray the surface with a non-stick cooking spray or grease well with butter. If you are using a silicone baking mat there is no need to grease the surface.
3. Use your microwave to melt some butter. Make sure to use a microwave safe bowl.
4. Brush the melted butter on one side of the bread with a pastry brush. Then take the cookie cutter and press it hard into the middle of the slice of bread. Wiggle it back and forth slightly while pressing to make sure you’re cutting through the bread.
5. Carefully lift out the shape you have cut out. Lay both pieces of bread on the tray with the butter side up.
6. Break the egg into a saucer and remove any pieces of shell. Carefully slide the egg into the hole you have cut.
7. Bake for seven minutes on the top rack of the oven, or for a little longer (about 10 minutes) if you don’t like a runny yolk.
8. Lift the pieces of bread carefully off the tray. Season with salt and pepper. Eat it while it’s still warm. Use the toast shape to dip in the egg yolk.

Variation: If you like cheese with your egg, sprinkle grated cheese on your egg before placing in the oven.

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Have you ever been in a room where over 550 people gave a standing ovation to children’s books?

I have, thanks to Usborne Books!

The Usborne Book convention last week in Tulsa was amazing. I can’t think of anything more exciting than being surrounding by people who love books and want to make a difference in children’s lives through literacy. Not only did I learn ways to expand my Usborne business (I’m a educational and literacy consultant), and have a hotel room all to myself all weekend, but I got to meet and get my picture taken with Randall W. White Chairman, President and CEO of Usborne Books (USA), and Peter Usborne, the founder of Usborne Publishing (UK).

Peter gave a wonderful talk and explained how the books are created and printed. Unlike most UK and US children’s publishers, almost all of their books are written and produced by an in-house staff of writers, artists, graphic designers, and photographers.

Usborne is so successful because they determine what parents, educators and children are looking for and create gorgeous, quality books to meet that demand at an affordable price.

This week - thanks to the redesigned Usborne website that will take you to your local consultant when you order books - I’ll be highlighting new titles as well as some old favorites.

Here are a few that are already a big hit with children and their parents:

• Dinosaur Stencil Book - This book contains 13 stencils to help you draw all kinds of dinosaurs. It is also a fun first introduction to these amazing prehistoric creatures. For ages 4 and up.
• The Dragon Painter - Chang paints the best animal pictures in all of China. But when it comes to dragons, he has a problem. Why is he afraid to paint in the dragons’ eyes? Find out, in this lively retelling of a traditional Chinese story. For ages 6 and up. (First reading level 4)
• Ann Frank - Part of the Usborne Famous Lives series - At the age of thirteen, Anne Frank went into hiding with her family to escape from the Nazis. For two years, she couldn’t go outside or run or shout or laugh too loudly. Instead, she poured her thoughts and feelings into her diary, which is now famous all over the world. This story of her life begins when she was still a carefree girl like any other. For ages 7 and up.