We all know reading with our children is imperative to their development, and happily book stores and libraries are overflowing with choices. So Paige and Gretchen are checking in with Erica Perl, author and reading expert, to get her advice on how to pick great books to read with your 3-5 year old. Her ideas include looking for books that are concise and well written, have fun and engaging characters, and are visually interesting. Try to find books that you enjoy too, since you may well be reading them many, many times!

SwitchCraft HowTo

There’s a new (really new!) trend in crafting—techno crafting, and Paige is hooking us up with Alison Lewis, creator of www.iheartswitch.com, to show us how fun and easy it can be. Alison is an instructor at Parson’s school of design and has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show. Her fun and innovative projects combine technology and crafting to make super cool and unique items, like a lighted purse or “gadget gloves” that let you use your iphone without taking off your gloves. Yum! Check out her blog and book for easy, clear step by step instructions for making your own projects…like a light up snowflake ornament! Also watch a special HowTo video right here on MommyCast.com and learn how to make those neat light-up present boxes! Who doesn’t want that?

The Mommies continue their tour of the cruise ship, the Disney Wonder, and give us a peek at some of the fantastic restaurants and activities on board. Then they catch some fun in the sun at Disney’s beautiful private island, Castaway Cay! A trip to this island is full of Disney magic, with tons of supervised kid activities, a family beach, snorkeling, Serenity Bay (for adults only, oh boy!) and so much more!

Adding to their audio show, the mommies show you a sample of what MommyCast Videos will bring you. It's fun. It's educational. It's MommyCast Videos!

In their ongoing quest for family friendly fun, Paige and Gretchen took a cruise on the fabulous Disney Wonder. These girls will do anything for us, from checking out all the kid supervised activities to "inspecting" the Vista Spa. Join the Mommies as they interview some of the key cruise staff to find out all that goes into making a vacation on a Disney Cruise so special! And if you’ve taken your family on a Disney cruise, leave a comment; we'd love to hear about your trip!

When the creative minds at Playhouse Disney go to work on a new show they really pull out all the stops to make sure their preschool audience is engaged, entertained, and educated! Paige and Gretchen visited with Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President of Playhouse Disney Worldwide, to talk about The Imagination Movers and what drew Playhouse Disney to them. She shared how Playhouse Disney connected with the Movers, and what (and who) it takes to make such a great show.

Are you gearing up for the holidays?  We have some great book recommendations for you to read with your family this year!  Paige and Gretchen invited author and reading expert, Erica Perl, to share some of her favorite holiday books, including Mrs. Muddle’s Holidays, Celebrate Hanukkah, D.I.Y. Kids, and The Spatulatta Cookbook.  These books make great gifts, but if you buy one early, they also have wonderful ideas for making your holidays more fun and meaningful.  Erica also has her own delightful new book, Ninety Three in my Family.  We know you’ll enjoy it!

Season's Greetings!  Join Gretchen and Paige as they talk with children's book author and reading expert, Erica Perl, about some great holiday books for you and your family.

Join Gretchen as she explores American history at the Library of Congress.

The “Exploring the Early Americas” exhibit at the Library of Congress features selections from the more than 3,000 rare maps, documents, paintings, prints, and artifacts that make up the Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress. It provides insight into indigenous cultures, the drama of the encounters between Native Americans and European explorers and settlers, and the pivotal changes caused by the meeting of the American and European worlds. The exhibition includes two extraordinary maps by Martin Waldseemüller created in 1507 and 1516, which depict a world enlarged by the presence of the Western Hemisphere.

If you are unable to visit the Library of Congress, don’t worry, they have an interactive exhibit right online at http://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/EarlyAmericas/.

Gretchen visits the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and explores the new interactive "Creating the United States" exhibit. This new addition to the Library of Congress gives children and adults an immersive experience, bringing history to life.

“Creating the United States,” offers a remarkable opportunity to learn in a fresh new way how our country’s founding documents were forged out of insight, invention, and creativity, as well as collaboration and much compromise.

Visit http://www.loc.gov/exhibits to begin exploring with your family.