Latest Adventures

Let's partner to spark each child's imagination and creativity while creating a foundation for a lifelong love of reading!

- Current Favorites -

- Where to Find Me Next -

My Book and Me by Linda Sue Park

Browsing a children’s bookstore on a date with my husband this summer (yes, my patient husband peruses bookstores with me on dates!), I came across My Book and Me on display. I was immediately drawn to the cover illustration and the expression of joy on the girl’s face. The illustrations are colorful and expressive throughout, but it is the sentimental connection the text makes with the reader that really made me fall in love with this newly published book. Adults with fond memories of reading as a child and children who ask you to read their favorite book “again and again” will feel understood in Linda Sue Park’s latest achievement. Soft illustrations, feel good connections, and the rhythm of the text will have children shouting, “Read it again!” Check it out!

The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland

Somehow it took me traveling to Canada this summer to find this treasure! It’s not new, (published in 2014), but it is new to me and I’m so grateful I came across the Australian author, Nick Bland. His characters are adorable and his story themes are so creative! The Very Cranky Bear’s rhythm, rhyme, and humor will bring lots of laughter to a preschool audience. This is a book that is definitely meant to be read-aloud. I can’t wait to introduce it into one my story times this fall!

Get ready to “Jump In A Book With Jen” and open the gateway to reading! Experience interactive stories, songs, rhymes and chants to build phonemic awareness — a fundamental first step in learning to read. Come delight in books and spark imagination through this special time together!

Who: Kids Ages 2-5 and Caregivers

(Siblings welcome)

Locations:

NEW LOCATION:

kiddywampus - St Louis Park/West End, MN
- Wednesdays at 9:00am
  - January 8, 15, 22, 29
  - February 5, 12, 19, 26
  - March 5, 12, 19, 26

kiddywampus - Hopkins, MN
- Wednesdays at 10:30am
  - January 8, 15, 22, 29
  - February 5, 12, 19, 26
  - March 5, 12, 19, 26

kiddywampus - Chanhassen, MN
- Thursdays at 10:30am
  - January 9, 16, 23, 30
  - February 6, 13, 20, 27

Cost: FREE!

WINTER Dates Added

My final favorite book find of the summer is I Am Okay to Feel by Karamo Brown. This book was gifted to me this summer and I knew it had to be on this list for parents and educators of preschool aged children. Early childhood educators know, nurturing emotional intelligence is important for children’s development. Brown’s book serves as both a beautiful portrayal of a father-son relationship, while also a guide for how to scaffold a conversation with your child to help him/her express feelings in a healthy way. In this book, Brown provides both the language for caregivers and the positive messaging for children that intertwine to create a special read-aloud adult-child connection.

We continue to receive fantastic feedback for your storytimes - the parents are impressed with the educational quality, kids love how fun they are, and everyone walks out happy.

-Amy Saldanha, Owner ~ kiddywampus

"If I had young ones, I would definitely be taking them to these story times with my talented friend Jen! Co-teaching with her in my 2nd grade classroom, I got to see first hand her engaging read alouds."

-Dawn Puroway, Educator and Parent