My daughter Mari turns three this week, and for the first time in her life, she's participating in the joyful frenzy leading up to Christmas: decorating the bottom third of the tree; singing carols; baking (and eating) snowmen cookies; listening attentively as I read aloud from books about Santa, Scrooge, The Grinch, and a little boy who bought a crummy tree for his school Christmas play.
Mari loves stories about Santa most of all; of course, she doesnt know that Mommy is one of Santa's elves, and that I've been hard at work compiling a list of gifts that strike a balance between engaging, entertaining, and educating.
Tis the season for sharing — and I'm happy to share my picks with other Vancouver-based elves who have preschoolers on their gift lists.
BC-born author and illustrator Ashley Spires never disappoints. Her graphic-heavy books (which include the award-winning Binky the Space Cat) are a joy to behold, and 2011's Small Saul takes Spires signature whimsy to the high seas. Small Saul thinks he's found his dream job when he's invited to join the crew of a pirate ship — but will his fellow pirates ever appreciate his homemaking skills and generous spirit? Read this delightful book in your best pirate voice and your child will think you arrrrrrrr terrific. $18.95 at Kidsbooks.
There are plenty of great television shows being created for today's preschoolers, but I've yet to find one as accessible and unpretentious as Mr. Dress Up, which ran on CBC from 1967 to 1996. I grew up watching Mr. Dress Up (portrayed by the affable Ernie Coombs) sing, tell stories and make magic out of craft supplies and a tickle trunk full of costumes — and I'm so excited to share the effects-free magic with Mari via this DVD collection. Want to go the extra mile? Fill a tickle trunk with hats, boas, wands, non-toxic face paint, and other costume pieces, and live the on-screen magic. $24.99 at CBC store.
I've been counting down to the day when I'll be able to share my love of live theatre with Mari, and thanks to Carousel Theatre for Young People, I don't have to wait much longer. Their March production of Busytown — based on Richard Scarry's book What Do People Do All Day — is geared towards a preschool audience. I can't think of a better introduction to the theatre world than a play involving Huckle Cat, Farmer Pig and the other residents of Busytown. $15 at CarouselTheatre.ca.
This is the kind of toy you'll buy for your child but end up playing with yourself after they've gone to bed. Magformers are brightly coloured plastic squares, hexagons and triangles containing powerful magnets that allow users to create dynamic 3D structures. I love that kids can build whatever they'd like, tear it apart and start all over again; the possibilities are endless. Consider it a gift to the whole family. From $29.99 at Granville Island Toy Company.
This is that rare item where art and physical education intersect. The kit contains all of the tools required to personalize a soccer ball: paint, brushes, a ball pump, instructions, and an all-weather regulation ball. Talk about a beautiful game. $24.99 at Granville Island Toy Company.
Mari is showing signs that she may one day be a performer: she'll quite often line her stuffed animals up on the couch and launch into an unscripted production for them that includes songs, dancing, stories, and jokes. This Christmas, I'm going to up the production value of her improvised shows with a Melissa and Doug deluxe puppet theatre. The non-tipping wooden structure features velvety curtains, a clock with movable hands, and a chalkboard panel for playbill information. Next stop: 42nd Street.
$99.95 at Chapters.
There's a lot that I admire about this bicycle: the birch plywood frame; the lack of pedals and training wheels, thus encouraging riders to use their legs for movement and balance; the fact that (in theory) it'll make the transition to a two-wheeler easier because the essential motor skills will have already been developed. $140 at Mountain Equipment Co-op.
