Alternative stuff for kids and Ideal Bite

[helwen]

A friend posted yesterday about her child wanted heelys because everyone else has them, and asked if she were as expensive as they were, or something like that - meaning, do you love me as much as their parents must love them, since they buy all that stuff? It can be a hard thing, surrounded as we are by advertising, for people (esp. kids) to remember that stuff does not replace love.

So what do I get in my Ideal Bite newsletter today, but a list of sites to go to for things for kids. Green-related, but does maybe help with the buy-buy-buy mentality.

Educational/game site for kids:
http://www.bamboo-zoo.com/joomla/

A book: Gaia Girls: Enter The Earth, by Lee Welles, Ann Hameister (Illustrator). From Ideal Bite: "teacher and grade schooler-approved and printed on recycled paper, this book follows four girls approached by an Earth in-need."

A book: There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars, by Bob Crelin, Amie Ziner (Illustrator). From Ideal Bite: "teaches starry-eyed kids all about light pollution in the prettiest way possible ."

A book: The Precious Present, by Spencer Johnson, from http://www.betterworld.com. From Ideal Bite: "for parents and young'uns, it's about a boy who gets everything for Christmas but wants something that you can't put under a tree."

A book: The Gift of Nothing, by Patrick McDonnell. Ideal Bite: "as soon as they leave the womb, kids are bombarded with the message that they need more stuff. This classic sets 'em straight."

A book publisher web site that has several series of books on nature and the environment, for kids: http://www.dawnpub.com/home.cfm

And last but not least, one more book, which you can find new or used:

The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss

***
And for those interested in checking out Ideal Bite, their URL is: http://www.idealbite.com

They have:
- a free newsletter
- a Tips Library (archive) of all their previous newsletters
- have a fun and readable presentation of the info they put out, including suggestions, links for finding stuff, and of course, their "Cocktail Factoid" for each newsletter. Ex: At 1,045 feet above sea level, a municipal landfill affectionately known as "Mount Rumpke" is the second highest point in the state of Ohio.

Comments

[baronessmartha.livejournal.com]

It is also a good idea to teach children about marketing.
I started with Erin talking about marketing and economics when she was very young (I don't know if you remember the 'pizza' budget comments). It helps children to understand why things look so attractive and what purchasing them actually means.

just some thoughts.

[fitzw.livejournal.com]

I remember the pizza equivalent comments during the bidding at one of the Bergental auctions...

[baronessmartha.livejournal.com]

That is exactly the one.