Video Game Play and Addiction: A Guide for Parents, by Kourosh Dini, MD; self-published, 2008; $15.95; www.videogameplayandaddiction.com.

How much video game time is too much? Child psychiatrist Kourosh Dini, an avid gamer himself, addresses this question in this thoughtful and balanced book. He explains the allure of games, describes the potential benefits of gaming, and offers guidelines on assessing an overuse problem.

“Dini’s research and arguments are very solid. Actually, this is one of the most accessible, well-written, and reasoned books I’ve seen on this subject.”
– Software Judge

“The author explains parent-child communication in very simple, sensible terms: your child isn’t going to want to learn your language, so you have to learn his to communicate well with him. Dini emphasizes that the effects of a video game depend on the child-and-family dynamic.”
– Tester/Editor
 

Best Bang for the Buck Winner! 

Toy Box Innovations, 2007; $7.99; www.toyboxinnovations.com. This Disney classic is still fun for 21st-century kids. Children already familiar with the film will love this recording; the story is one they remember … right down to the friendly mice and birds. Emerging readers can follow along word-for-word in the accompanying 24-page book. Extra savings: both a book and a story CD for under $8 dollars!

iKeepSafe Coalition, 2006; free; www.ikeepsafe.org; for families with kids ages 3 to 17. Requires: Web browser.
The mission of iKeepSafe is to empower parents, educators and policymakers with the information and tools needed to teach children safe and healthy use of technology and the Internet. Faux Paw the Techno Cat is the site’s engaging, animated character that provides creative examples to show kids where risky or irresponsible behavior can lead in the virtual world. These scenarios give parents the groundwork to begin discussions about screen time, privacy and online abuse, so that children recognize the importance of safe online behavior.
 

Best Bang for the Buck Winner!  

$20; www.setgame.com; for ages 8 and up. This twist on the card game Set adds the chance of dice and the consideration of dominoes while maintaining the challenge and thought process of the original game. A handsome game board and components give a sophisticated feel.

Family Fun Winner! 

$24.99; www.briarpatch.com; for ages 5 and up. Shake up the nine picture dice and view them for 30 seconds. Then cover them up, recall as many objects as you can, and then find the matching pictures on your I Spy card.

Digital Blue, $49.99; www.digiblue.com; for ages 3 and up. This camera is a gem for kids! The rugged rubberized shell withstands rough handling and the simple design and buttons make it easy to use right out of the box (batteries sold separately). The 32MB of memory holds approximately 150 pictures and an automatic flash yields impressive picture quality. A special Magic Wand button allows children to choose a Disney character to appear on the screen along with the subject. The Windows software installs effortlessly.

For more award-winning photography fun, try:

Crayola Digital Camcorder
KidiArt Studio

Every Baby Company, 2008; $14.95; www.eebee.com. This clever cloth book, part of a series, features colorful items from a laundry basket to sort, play with and talk about.

$24.99; www.educationalinsights.com; for ages 5 and up. Pictorial challenge puzzles show the starting positions of a knight and princess along with the building blocks needed to solve the puzzle and create the route to reunite the royal pair. Starter, junior, expert and master levels help children advance their logical thinking through skill-building fun.

For more advanced puzzle fun, try:

Lonpos 84T Braintelligent Pyramid Game

The Busy Mom’s Guide to a Happy, Organized Home: Fast Solutions to Hundreds of Everyday Problems, by Kathy Peel; Tyndale House Publishers, 2008; $16.99; www.familymanager.com.

This book really delivers!  It’s truly a must read for every mom who wants an organized home, and wants to educate herself on how to make life simpler, easier and better for herself and her family. Author Kathy Peel, “America’s Family Manager,” has written this easy-to-use reference guide to help answer key questions by women who want to be the best moms they can be. Tips from reducing sibling bickering, to throwing a fabulous birthday party, are organized by a comprehensive index, checklists and charts and a thorough list of online resources. Moms (and dads) will want to keep this book close at hand!

“This book is a star among organizing books because it includes more than the basic organizing tips. There’s a chapter on managing finances, interesting tips for appliances, safety information and lots more that will not be found in most other mom’s resource books.”
– Organization Judge

“The solutions were great! The pages with ‘The Most Important Things to Remember’ and the ‘Smart Move’ tips were useful and practical.”
– Tester Mom

“It’s relatively easy to quickly read the sections that are more helpful. I really liked the sections on preparing dinners since sometimes that is tough for me to do while the boys are running around the kitchen.”
– Tester Mom

 

Best Bang for the Buck Winner!

Round River Records, 2008; $17.99 double CD; www.billharley.com; for ages 6 and up. This Grammy-winning storyteller, musician and NPR commentator has a gift for pulling audiences into the world of childhood and school with irreverent humor and impeccable comic timing. These two in-concert CDs are the next best thing to seeing this consummate artist live, with stories and songs from the beloved recordings Blah Blah Blah, I Wanna Play, The Teacher’s Lounge and more. Don’t miss “Mrs. Ammons and the Boys’ Room,” a tale of the battle between kids trapped in the final week of school and the long-suffering, ultra-strict substitute trapped with them – the inevitable escape will have your whole family cheering along with the recorded audience!

 

"This CD will be played repeatedly to the delight of all." - judge comment