The holidays are quickly upon us and I have received emails asking for educational gift recommendations. The following sites I feel are user friendly for parents and provide items that are educational and fun for children of multiple ages. The sites were chosen because I feel after reading and researching more about theses companies, that they themselves help play a positive role in educate as a whole because it is the right thing to do. When we come together for the common good for the right reasons, amazing things can happen and at Unlock the Teacher, we are all about sharing the good!
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ~One of my favorite publishers!
Bio:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Group
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group encompasses three award-winning imprints as well as the HMH franchise line and the Graphia and Sandpiper paperback lines. Houghton Mifflin introduced its first list of books for young readers in 1937 and has published such luminaries as H. A. and Margret Rey, Virginia Lee Burton, Bill Peet, Holling C. Holling, Scott O’Dell, and James Marshall; its contemporary authors and illustrators include Chris Van Allsburg, Lois Lowry, Steve Jenkins, Joyce Sidman, Brian Lies, Sy Montgomery, and Allen Say. Houghton Mifflin is also home to some of the best-loved children’s book characters: Curious George, Lyle the Crocodile, George and Martha, Martha of Martha Speaks, and Tacky the Penguin.
Clarion Books became an imprint of Houghton Mifflin in 1979. Clarion’s award-winning authors include David Wiesner, Linda Sue Park, Paul Galdone, Russell Freedman, Karen Cushman, Katherine Paterson, and Gary Schmidt.
Harcourt Children’s Books, known for classics such as The Hundred Dresses and The Little Prince, features notable authors and illustrators such as Avi, Janell Cannon, Lois Ehlert, Mem Fox, Gerald McDermott, Han Nolan, Susan Beth Pfeffer, Janet Stevens, Susan Stevens Crummel, and Don and Audrey Wood.
I recommend that readers young and old check out this online educational store. Notice the authors listed in their bio…amazing! This is a great resource for schools, teacher and parents. Regardless if you are shopping to put a gift under the Christmas tree or enhance the classroom or school library, this is a great resource tool!
Bio: Read everyday. Lead a better life.
I recommend this site and this company. It is cost effective and one can shop and know that most if not all products will enhance a child’s education. I also like the way this company helps schools…I am a HUGE fan of this practice and Unlock the Teacher believes in giving back to the community too!
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio~The Independent Guide to Social Media
Bio: Educator, parent & kid testing goes into each product considered for an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award. We don’t accept ads or charge “review fees” from manufacturers or publishers, so you know you’re always getting independent opinions. We have awards for the best toys, books, videos, and audio for kids.
I encourage readers to check out their book and toy recommendations.
Bio: Oceanhouse Media, Inc. is a leading publisher of more than 270 apps for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), Android and NOOK Color devices. The company’s mantra is “Creativity with Purpose,” developing apps that uplift, educate and inspire.
I recommend that readers check out their amazing book apps! My children own many…they are educational, affordable and fun! A great 21st century tool for the parent.
Bio: Big Idea Entertainment is a leading studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Big Idea’s best-selling series VeggieTales® is the #1 animated home video series in the US with moms of pre-schoolers*. Since 1993, VeggieTales® has sold 54+ million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs. VeggieTales® and Big Idea’s property, 3-2-1 Penguins!®, enjoyed four seasons as top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV via the qubo® children’s programming block. The studio’s two theatrical releases, Jonah-A VeggieTales Movie® (2002), and Universal Pictures’ and Big Idea’s The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything®-A VeggieTales Movie® (2008), are distinguished among the most successful faith-based films of all time. Big Idea also maintains an extensive presence in publishing, licensing and live entertainment arenas.
I am a huge fan of this company, their vision and their products. They have a range of products for children from pre-K to teenager. I also like their education online games that they offer for children too. If you haven’t taken a look at them or their products, I encourage readers to do so.
I recommend this site because…the learning toys at this site are amazing! The prices are a little higher than one might find in a local reatailer, but the learning potential is high. The goal would be to try to find a toy that your child or student might be able to utilize for a few years to make the purchase a true investment.
These are some of my favorite sites to shop and explore for new educational discoveries. Please share your favorite places to shop this holiday and I will post them here so we can all benefit from positive collaboration.
Have a super day!
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
Unlock the Teacher 