Today’s Life By Joy Fisher

ParentLife Product Picks

Crimson Cross: nate Donovan revolutionary Spy by Peter Marshall, David Manuel, and Sheldon Maxwell (B&H, 2007) The first book in the Crimson Cross fiction series for readers age 11 to 15 is set during the Revolutionary War. The father of a family of Quakers intends for his family to remain neutral during the conflict between the British and the Patriots. His children, however, have their own ideas about taking part in the war. Nate, the middle child, becomes a spy for the Patriots. The series is inspired by the 15th century Spanish cross first given by Queen Isabella to Christopher Columbus before his famous voyage of discovery. Each title character in the Crimson Cross books ultimately receives the crimson cross and learns valuable lessons about God and country. For more information, visit www.crimsoncrossbooks.com. You will find teacher resource guides and other historical information to help bring the past to life.

the Best-ever Christian Baby name Book by Nick Harrison and Steve Miller (Harvest House, 2007) One of God’s greatest blessings is the addition of a new baby to a family. If your family will be growing soon, you will want to take care to select just the right name for your new little one. The Best-Ever Christian Baby Name Book not only offers the origins and meanings for dozens of names but also guides parents on what not to do when selecting a name. The book suggests ways to positively carry on family names and how to select a name that perfectly reflects your family heritage and faith.

Our Special kids

Having a child with special needs is both rewarding and challenging. Our Special Kids ( www.ourspecialkids.com) is a Web site that brings parents together to share concerns, wisdom, and ideas. On the site, parents can view current articles (such as one on finding a summer camp for a child with special needs) and read reviews of books for both parents and children. There is a “Parent Forum” for sharing information and a special spot just for bragging on your child’s accomplishments and victories. Best of all, Our Special Kids is a place where parents of children with special needs always can find support.

Slap wacky!^™

(MorningStar Games^™)

More than a card game, Slap

Wacky is a fast and furious race to see which player can put together the most shape patterns. Each player holds five cards at a time; each card is a segment of a patterned puzzle. Everybody works at the same time, laying down cards and thwarting opponents with special wild cards and blocking cards. The player who completes each puzzle “slaps” it, then keeps the cards to accumulate points. Kids love it because they do not have to wait for a turn in this wacky free-for-all. For 2 to 10 players, ages 7 and up. Visit www.morningstargames.com.

the Many adventures of Winnie the Pooh: the friendship edition

(Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment, 2007)

“The Blustery Day,” “Honey Tree,” and “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too” — If these titles take you back to your childhood, you will love sharing this digitally restored and remastered DVD with your preschooler. Bonus features include a sing-along version of “The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers” and the first episode from the new TV series My Friends Tigger & Pooh.

Shoe Clues^™ (Mom Inventors, Inc.) Which shoe goes on which foot? Eliminate the guesswork with Shoe Clues, stickers that “look” at each other when properly placed inside a child’s shoes. Each package includes three sets of durable stickers. If your child’s dogs, fish, or ducks are looking in opposite directions, his shoes need to be repositioned. Visit www.inventiveparent.com.

Joy fisher and her husband, David, have been married 12 years and have three children. Joy edits Life Way’s Special Buddies for Kids, a Sunday School curriculum for children with special needs.

48 PARENTLIFE MARCH 2008