I received a copy of Mariah Bruehl’s book, Playful Learning, during her blog tour held last September. What a fun book to receive in the mail: bright, colorful and inspiring! Playful Learning is a guide to simple activities that promote reading, writing, math, science and social skills for young children. Of course, she includes a nice chapter on art as well.
I wish I had this book when my children were young. Not only does Mariah inspire organization, she instills a sense of calm with her orderly lists and photos of engaging spaces. Book suggestions dot most pages and helpful tips abound. I read this book in bits and pieces, thumbing through the pages and stopping when one of the photos caught my eye. Of course, it’s not hard to guess where I stopped the most. Exploration Of Art and Artists introduces Matisse, Pollock, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Monet. This book is aimed for children between the ages of 4-8 and Mariah does a great job of introducing these artists in a child-friendly way.
Chapters like Nurturing Young Authors, The Joy Of Reading, Scientific Investigations, and even Raising The Citizens Of Tomorrow encourages parents to step back and observe the process of littles ones engaged in discovery. And as the mother of three teenagers, let me just say, step back and enjoy the moment because it sure does change!
If you get a chance, pay Mariah a visit in her Sag Harbor, New York store or visit her online at Playful Learning. You can purchase Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder
A gift for one of you…
Aren’t you impressed with women like Mariah who can raise children (probably really well), own a store and write a book? I know I am! What about you? If you could write a book, what would it be about? Non-fiction and fiction ideas included! One reader will be selected at random to receive Mariah’s book, Playful Learning.
Please note that I will only ship this beautiful book to US residents. Comments will close one week from today on November 2nd.
Looks like a great book, organizing and kid’s art!
ooh, that book has been on my wishlist for a while and i would love to win. i would love to write {and illustrate} a children’s fiction book about a girl who likes to run.
i’m finding your blog through our BYW class. so, so happy i found you. i have 3 little ones that have their own craft room and i can’t wait to explore your site more.
i’m adding you to my reader and visit again soon!
i would so love to win this book–i have 2 lively boys that i think would enjoy a little bit of play attached to learning something new. i am convinced that children learn best when they are playing and it kind of sneaks up on them.
I would love to see this book!
I would love a copy of this book. It is on my to-buy list already.
I hope I am the lucky one – thanks!
I would love this book. If I could write my own book it would a collection of all my favorite inspirations or ideas for my classroom, my cooking, and my art making.
I would write a cookbook! I love your website. I am so appreciative of your generosity and creativity. I homeschool my 5 children and you are a valuable resource in our journey! Thank you!!
I would love to write a book with my students. The book fair has just come to both my buildings and I have discovered that scholastic has a competition for elementary students to write and illustrate their own book as a class. I couldn’t help but be inspired to someday do this with my own students.
Looks like a fantastic book! I have a new baby at home and I am already thinking about all of the things I want to teach him. If I could write a book, I too would write a book on my favorite multicultural art lessons or maybe one on incorporating children’s literature and art!
Teaching children and how they learn. It’s a topic that fascinates me!
This has been on my amazon wish list for a couple weeks now. Everything a out this book draws me art and play are my every day!!
I would write (& illustrate) a children’s storybook that would appeal to boys with ASD
I would write a children’s story sharing how the journey is just as important as the destination.
Love this book!
I would write children’s story books with fantastical characters and children.
I have always wanted to write a children’s picture book, particularly a bilingual book in Spanish and English since quality bilingual books are harder to come by and we try very hard to expand our son’s bilingual library since we’re raising him in a bilingual home. I would also love to publish a book with all of the art projects that I’ve done with my son over the course of his two short years of life so far and onward. And anything in the style of Keri Smith’s work would be awesome too! I’ve had students of mine create their own versions of “Wreck This Journal” and making one of my own would be pretty awesome too.
This looks like an amazing book. I am a mom of 2 and an art teacher so I’m pretty much drooling all over my key board hoping to get this book.
I have started (and stopped) many books in my life. One about losing twins at 5 months…too serious. One about my daughter’s best friend going on a popcorn frenzy…so silly. One about my 100 lb dog who thinks he’s a lap dog and is scared of everything…hmmm, maybe this is one to resurrect. Anyway, I routinely encourage my kids to write and illustrate stories, so this book would be a perfect addition to my home and classroom!
Keep up your awesome awesomeness!
I would write a book about a caterpillar growing up and the adventures after emerging into a butterfly.
I would write a book of silly nonsensical statements. Also known as the Jenny Logic.
My 96 year old grandfather wrote a book about his life growing up in Northern Minnesota, and has left behind these wonderful stories for my family to read long after he is gone. If I could be so lucky to make it to 96, I would love to write my life story for my children and grandchildren.
Wow. What a gift he left. I hope you get to do the same.
I am a mother of 4 children under the age of 10. We love art and I am always on the hunt for new ways to create an inspiring home! What a cool book review! When I write a book I will spin fabulous tales based on my spotty childhood memories. Whatever I have forgotten I will make it up! ha!
I would love to win this book. Thanks for the give away
what a beautiful book, person and inspiration, keeping fingers crossed:)
If I could write a book, it would probably be about teaching art. I went into teaching kicking and screaming, both my parents were teachers and I didn’t want to be like them! BUT- I loved art and wanted it to be a part of my life, and here I am. Art reaches so many kids that nothing else does. It keeps them in school. It teaches them so many other things then just about making art. My book would be about the many ways art touches children and how lucky I am to be able to share what little I know with them.
This book looks so beautiful and inviting. I don’t know what kind of book I would write–yet.
I am an art teacher and mother of three amazing children (10, 8 and 2). I have been thinking of starting some children’s books as a collaboration with my two older sons. Goodness knows where their uninhibited imaginations and creativity would lead us.
And hopefully it would be a great memory for them.
I have always thought that it would be great to write a book of all of the funny things my students have said over the years! I have been informed of everything from strange animal anatomy to personal parent secrets! Kids say the funniest things!
I would write a children’s fiction book..not sure what it would be about. Thanks.