The Momma // Books for Every Lady on Your List // Holiday Gift Guide // 2014

The Momma

Anyone woman with a child can be a mom, but she is so much more than that! Her kids are her world and there is no way she would rather have it. She enjoys creating family and solo activities for her kids. She might like animated movies and children's books just as much as (if note more than!) their adult counterparts. She strives to interact with her children in a way that helps them learn and grow. When you see her she probably has a funny story to tell you about one of her kiddos, she might have finger paints on her jeans, or glue on her sleeve... but she wouldn't have it any other way! She might also be a school teacher. Her Instagram is made up of pictures of her kids and details of their lives. From soccer practice to creative sandwich cuts, and board games, and snow angels -these are her favorite parts of her day.

1) Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists

These books are an amazing resource for creative mommas, or any parent that wants to be more creative, and encourage creativity in their child's life. Written by an experienced art teacher and mom it explores many different media in art. It is organized by media type (water color, pastels etc.) and gives detailed instructions on materials and methods within the different 'labs' (projects). Very, very cool book! :) There are more books as well, including this one Art Lab for Little Kids. This would also be a great book for the DIY-er!

2) The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family's Life with Art and Creativity--Includes over 60 Art Projects for Children Ages 1 to 8

This book is also good for the creative parent. It includes 60 projects for kids, but is more heavily based upon the parent's part in the process. It includes things like how to set up art spaces, how to talk to your kids about their art, how to reuse, which materials are best to use, etc. It is very great for intentional teaching about art, imagination, and creativity. Another good choice for DIY-ers.

3) How to Rock Your Baby: And Other Timeless Tips for Modern Moms

This will be the first book I purchase when the time comes to start a family. I cannot express how much I love Erin Bried's 'How-to' books! If you haven't heard about them, here is the deal: Erin Bried (funny, adorable writer) interviews grandmothers and grandfathers who have depression era know-how about how to do all sorts of important things. The books are charming, funny, sweet, and applicable to life today. This book follows the same sort of pattern, but is all about raising kiddos. :) Also great for the Vintage Vixen Momma!

4) Unbored: The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun

Unbored is a great resource for parents and for kids! It is filled with activities, explorations, and lessons that get your kids moving and thinking. It is great to give to a parent to use with their kiddos, or to just give to an older kid. Ideas range from clapping games to cigar box tutorials, how to conduct an interview to birch bark house designs and everything in between. This book is incredibly well rounded! Now there is a new book in the same vein called UNBORED Games: Serious Fun for Everyone, focusing on games of all kinds! - These books would be especially great for cold weather months, and breaks from school! 

5) 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids: The Very Best and Easiest Playtime Activities

Another book for the momma who is looking for creative, imaginative and fun activities for her kiddos. This book is not all art-based either. There are plenty of games, sensory, and science based projects here too. Out of 72 Amazon ratings 71 are 5's, and the other 1 is a 4! Awesome!

6) Tinkerlab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors

With a few chapters on set up and parent information, and then a slew of chapters with activities for young experimenters (ages 6 and below).  These ideas will get your kids thinking mechanically, creatively, and work on their problem solving skills. Some activities including: gumdrop structures, DIY robots, straw rockets, glittery egg geodes, lemon invisible ink, and DIY lava lamps - just to name a few! This is a great option for The DIY-er too!

7) The Cardboard Box Book

Kids love a good cardboard box. It's just a fact of life. This book contains many activities to help you and your kiddos get creative and use your imagination to turn cardboard boxes into playthings and works of art. From a cardboard city to a train, a theater to a gingerbread house... there are tons of fun ideas here. I especially love the layout of the book, the step by step instructions are easy to read and to look at. A really creative book!

8) Let's Get This Party Started

Great for the Hostess / Momma combo! This book contains ideas, instructions, and inspiration for 15 fun, easy, and frugal parties for your littles! Author Soleil Moon Frye (Roxie from Sabrina the Teenage Witch - anyone? Or Punky Brewster!), organizes this book by party theme, each of which includes a party game, an activity, and a craft. - all of which are kid friendly! From movie nights to slumber parties, picnics to safari themes... there is something for everyone in here. 

9) Your Birthday Book: A Keepsake Journal

For the mom who loves to document the years. This book is nothing like traditional baby journals or baby books! It is set up like a fun scrapbook, with places for pictures, quotes, and prompts to help you document specific years in your child's life. This fun journal is very accessible, easy, and ranges from ages 1-18. A fun gift for any parent!

10) My Quotable Kid: A Parent's Journal of Unforgettable Quotes

Kids say the Darndest Things right? With my youngest sister being just 7, I have wished I could remember the funny things she has said. Even when I worked at preschool, I would try to remember what I would hear at school... but it's difficult! This book is a good way to organize those quotes before you forget! Simply set up pages feature callouts (quote bubbles) with lines, and a spot that says, 'who, when, age, where'. Simple, right? Keeping it in the kitchen or living room would give a parent pretty easy access to write these things down, and then look back on them later and laugh. :) There is also a version called, My Quotable Grandkid too!

I hope that this list has given you some book ideas for the family oriented mommas in your life!

Interested in more?  Check out this post to view my book recommendations for other 'types'.

Happy Gifting!

Alexandra