Author Archives: viviankirkfield

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About viviankirkfield

Writer for children - Reader forever - Mom of 3, educator, author of FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN: AN ANIMAL COUNTING BOOK (PomegranateKids, PIPPA'S PASSOVER PLATE (Holiday House), SWEET DREAMS, SARAH (Creston Books); MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: THE INSPIRING FRIENDSHIP OF ELLA FITZGERALD AND MARILYN MONROE (Little Bee Books); FROM HERE TO THERE: INVENTIONS THAT CHANGED THE WAY THE WORLD MOVES (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Jan 19, 2021); PEDAL, BALANCE, STEER: Annie Londonderry, First Woman to Bike Around the World (Calkins Creek/Astra, Feb 20, 2024) picture book junkie, lover of travel, hiking, fly-fishing, cooking, and playing Monopoly with my grandson.

One of the Best Things in Life is FREE

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This past week I talked about safety tips for the summer and helpful hints for traveling with preschoolers.  But, summertime vacations and activities can put a strain on anyone’s budget.  Did you know that one of the best places you can take your child to this summer is FREE?

It’s your local LIBRARY!

If you are not a regular visitor there, check it out.  Most libraries have all kinds of programs for children of all ages.  The shelves are filled with books that will open up a whole new world for your little ones.

One of my children’s favorite picture books was A GIFT BEAR FOR THE KING, written by Carl Memling and illustrated by Lillian Hoban.  A very talented bear-cub is sent as a birthday gift for the king by a loving old couple.  As the bear-cub journeys to reach the king, he meets and helps many people.  However, when he finally arrives at the palace, the king’s birthday has passed and the guards lock him up in the dungeon because he is so late.  What will happen?  Will he be rescued?  Who can help him?  All these questions will be answered if you get the book and read it to your child.

For a simple craft activity after reading the story: help your child make a king or queen for a day crown.  All you need is some paper (a grocery bag will do if you don’t have construction or copy paper), crayons or markers, sticky stars (optional), scissors and tape or paste.

  1. Cut several strips of paper and use tape or paste to attach the strips together so they fit to the size of your child’s head.
  2. Decorate with crayons or markers.  Add the sticky stars if you have them.
  3. Cut along the top to make points.
  4. We can all help our children feel special…perhaps today, when your child is wearing the crown, he gets to choose the dinner menu or the story that will be read at bedtime.

5 Summer Travel Tips for Parents of Preschoolers

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When you have little ones, you can’t just jump into the car and GO!  You need to do a little planning and preparation before you take off for a week-long trip to see the grandparents or even when you go to the store a mile down the road.  Here are 5 timely tips that will help your summer travels with preschoolers go more smoothly.

  1. Pack a small backpack for your young child…it could include his special stuffed animal and/or small comfort blanket, favorite toy, book, one change of clothes (just in case there is an “accident” or major spill…you won’t have to start going through suitcases), a small zip-lock bag with his favorite dry cereal (or mix of small crackers, pretzels and cereals…see below for a GREAT recipe your child will enjoy preparing with you) for emergency munching.
  2. Pack a first aid/medicine bag (in a medium zip-lock bag) that will fit into your purse so that it will be handy at a moment’s notice.  Include in it band-aids, antiseptic ointment, and any medications your family takes (labeled carefully as to dosage), as well as important phone numbers such as your child’s doctor.
  3. If traveling by car, pack a small cooler with juice boxes, water bottles, packaged snacks such as cheese and crackers and/or peanut butter and crackers, granola bars and fruit.  A box of crackers and a tube of squirt cheese in the hands of an adult can entertain a young child who first requests a particular letter or design and then eats it.  Use small sandwich bags to hold clean, wet washcloths…very refreshing for wiping hot faces and dirty hands, especially if you keep them in the cooler.
  4. Pack a special box or bag with new little surprises…each gift-wrapped with plenty of tape and ribbon…to be opened when spirits need a lift, whether in your car or wherever you are staying…the opening will provide a few moments of peace and your child will look forward to this special treat.
  5. Take along a plug-in nightlight if your child will be sleeping (and perhaps waking up) in a strange room.

Traveling with little ones takes a little more preparation…but what a joy to see the world through their new and innocent eyes!

TRAVELING TRAIL MIX

You will need: 2 cups corn chex, 2 cups rice chex, 2 cups wheat chex (or 6 cups of your favorite dry cereal…pops, cheerios, etc), 1 cup mixed nuts (or melba toast rounds if your child has a nut allergy), 2 cups thin stick pretzels, 1 Tb margarine, 2 tsp soy sauce or Braggs Aminos, 13x9x2 inch baking dish.

  • Melt margarine, mix with Braggs Aminos or soy sauce and pour into baking dish.
  • Add cereals, pretzels, and nuts or toast, mix thoroughly to coat and microwave on high for 3 minutes…one minute at a time.
  • Stir and continue to heat, one minute at a time, until evenly toasted.
  • Makes about 3 quarts.  Store in an airtight container.

Indian lunch and fishing fun

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What a lovely day!  I went to lunch with my good friend, Bern, who is currently working on an exciting murder mystery.  She had emailed me a short excerpt from her book and I wanted to read MORE!  Definitely the mark of great writing!

We had lunch at Mirch Masala, a local Indian restaurant…I’ve been loving curries ever since my husband and I went on our first date, almost 47 years ago.  I don’t know which is more amazing…that I still love curried food after all those years…or that I still love my husband after all those years 🙂

The rest of the day was spent on the river…flyfishing with my husband…he complains that I usually catch the first fish…but I really think he is very proud and happy.  And today, I DID catch the first fish, although it was tiny…only about 6 inches…was it really a rainbow? or just a big minnow?

When my children were young, sometimes it was difficult to get them to eat certain foods.  Here is a lovely child-friendly curried vegetable medley recipe that may encourage your preschoolers to “eat their veggies”…especially if they get to help in the preparation!

  1. Melt 1 tsp margarine in a pan and add 1/2 tsp curry paste or curry powder, 1/2 cup onion and 1/2 cup diced celery.
  2. Add 1 cup broccoli, 1 cup cauliflower, 1 cup diced potatoes, 1 cup thinly sliced carrots, 1/4 cup chopped green pepper, 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup chopped apples and 1 cup apple juice.  Stir well and bring to a boil.
  3. Lower the heat to simmer, cover the pan and cook until the potatoes are tender (about an hour), stirring occasionally.
  4. Add 1 cup yogurt, stir to blend, heat through, and serve with basmati rice.
  5. Serves 2-3 as a main dish or 4-6 as a side dish.  Store left-overs in an airtight contain in the fridge up to three days.