children's books, paper dolls, dress up games, children's toys, stuffed toys, paper crafts, arts and crafts

From My BFF - ZMAN!

A Gift to My Children: A Father's Lessons for Life and Investing"I finished the book, A Gift to My Children, by Jim Rogers. It taught me a lot of lessons about life and investing. The book was wonderful. It was like reading through someone else's diary.

A Gift to My Children isn't just a gift to the author's daughters, but a gift to everyone who reads it, including boys!!! It teaches readers how to invest wisely and how to use history to influence your decisions. It also gives lessons on how to learn from your mistakes, to trust your own judgment, and to focus on what you like. He also tells several interesting stories: how he traveled the world on a motorcycle, how he saw China's potential when everyone else was skeptical, and how he sold empty bottles at baseball games when he was only five.

Of course, I don't agree with everything Mr. Rogers says. He says men will make false promises to girls in their 'frantic pursuit' for their hearts. OBJECTION!!! It could also work the other way around. And not all men are the same. Mr. Rogers also says that guys will need girls more than girls will need guys. OBJECTION!!! THIS IS A BLATANT CONTRADICTION!!! Again, I don't think all men are like that. It could work the other way around too. I hope to be a more secure and mature man."

.... And I'm sure you will, ZMan! Thanks a lot!

What's In A Name?

If it’s Chrysanthemum, it’s a lot! Thirteen letters to be exact! And if you’re starting summer camp or school, uh oh!!!

First published in 1991 by noted children’s author and illustrator, Kevin Henkes, Chrysanthemum is that rare, “instant classic” by any other name. Here's a book that lightheartedly deals with all the “name" calling so common among the kinder set ( and beyond! ). Best of all, it tackles all that nitpicking and consequent bullying with a whole lot of bloom!

How many of you just had bad "name" days? Just because your "name" was different? Then again, how many of you were lucky enough to have a teacher like Delphinium Twinkle, someone who inspired you to be who you are, name and all? It’s an ordeal for plenty but a rite of passage for many. Tudy's verdict: Chrysanthemum rocks!

So what’s in a name? Well, if it’s your name and you love it, then mums the word! Now go ... practice your signature. Make it your own.

Man on the Moon!

40 years ago, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and delivered the famous line, "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind!" (That's the new "official" quote, TudyGirls!)

So celebrate all things spacey, moony, and out-of-this-world with a trip to a museum, planetarium, or space center near you! Or, if you're earth-bound nowadays, check out the NASA Website for some "infinity and beyond" fun!

While you're at it, here's a spacial Tudy To Do: play a little Astronaut Dress Up and go dancing in space!

It's always a good time to stargaze, TudyGirls, and reach for the moon!

Dig This!

HOLESLouis Sachar's 1998 Newbery Award Winning HOLES is just the book we all need right now! When Stanley Yelnats's bad luck leads him to Camp Green Lake, a detention center for boys, he is forced by the frightening warden to dig holes to "build character." Little does Stanley know that the forces of fate and destiny are finally working on his side, and his most important tasks will be to dig up the truth and fill in the holes of his family's history. But it all depends on the choices he makes!

Full of wonderful twists and turns that are sometimes sad and funny, HOLES is the kind of book that gets you cheering for its hero, and its Zero.

Made into a movie in 2003, read the book, then rent the movie (Shia Labeouf stars!), then read the book again! I read HOLES twice and loved it both times!

A Penny For Your Thoughts

You’ve probably heard it time and time again: it’s never too early to $ave! It sounds simple enough 'til you realize even the big banks can’t do it. And neither can Uncle $am! OMG… what’s a girl to do???

Ca$h in on summer, Tudygirls! Read all about it. If there’s one subject they don’t teach you in school, it’s money. And it totally works against you. So do your pocketbook a favor. Brush up on your dollar$ and cent$ with a Tudy Mu$t-Have: The Everything Kids' Money Book.

From piggybank$ to money market$ and the Federal Re$erve Bank, The Everything Kids' Money Book will cover all these vast subjects.  It's Economics 101 written in such an entertaining, imaginative way!  Read it and you’ll soon be cruising down Wall $treet as easily as you do Main $treet.

$peaking of Main $treet... if you find yourself in Disney World's Main $treet this summer, take the train to The Great Piggy Bank Adventure at Epcot. I know, I know… the Disney fairies beckon but, believe me, so does this hands-on $avings adventure. Here’s your first promi$$ory note: you’ll be glad you did!

Can’t make it to Disney World? No sweat! Just click on these virtual treats: thegreatpiggybankadventure.com and kids'money.org. Then set your own dream goals and see how much of a finance smarty pants you can be. It's all here, so no more excuses, y'hear?

Put in the time now, Tudygirl$. Consider your$elf your best investment. ‘Cuz it takes more than an allowance to break the piggy bank. It take$ a whole lot of common cent$!

Chew On This

Hi, I'm Kawaii (that's right, repeat after me!). I'm a Tudypet grazing for treats (squawk... especially anything nutty!). Get to know me and all things avian. Click on the link: Parrot Tricks 101. Then track me on Tudydoll.com. Go ahead, ruffle my feathers.

The course is set, Tudygirls. Twitter in... it's a "bird" brainer!!!