We’ve teamed up with our friends at Hain Celestial to bring an assortment of kid-friendly books to two lucky winners! Titles include:

• Is My Dog a Wolf?
• The Spa Princess Cookbook
• On a Road to Africa
• The Master Detective Handbook

To enter, click here. Hurry, contest ends October 31st!

Calling all kids: Do you like to read? Maylee does, and she’s looking for some fun new books! Share with her the name of your favorite book, plus why you like it so much. Don’t forget to leave your first name, age, and parents’ e-mail, too!

If you tried our suggestion for walking meditation that’s great, we hope it went well! If walking meditation however was not your child’s, partner’s or your cup of tea, no worries; there are many ways to meditate. Another great option is guided meditation. The best part is it allows you to be creative in what you choose to guide you and your family. There are a number of different options, one of which I’ll mention in a moment my favorite of which I’ll mention in a moment.  If you do go the traditional route and use a guided meditation CD, there is certainly one that will fit your family’s relaxation needs!

All you and your child will need for guided meditation is a comfortable and quiet place to sit or lie down, a blanket and/or pillow, and the meditation CD of your choice. To prepare your family for your meditation session, allow them to participate in deciding which meditation tape you use. Whether you take a visit to your local bookstore or do some online shopping, your child will be more eager to participate if they feel that there little voices were heard.

My favorite option for a guided meditation CD is to choose the audio version of your favorite children’s book, fairytale or folklore. If you don’t already have one in your home, two of my personal favorites are The Velveteen Rabbit and Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates.

Regardless of what you use to guide you with your meditation, make sure you choose a room that is quiet and where you will not be disturbed. Dim or turn the lights off for a greener meditation and enjoy this special, and most importantly quiet, time with your family.

– Sara, KIWI intern and mindfully meditating

This Mother’s Day, don’t forget the mamma that takes care of us all—the earth! Give your family a nudge in the green direction to seek out a Mother’s Day gift that shows their love for you and the planet.

Go With Organic Blooms. Point your family toward local farmers’ markets for pretty daffodils, peonies, and ranunculus, which are all in season during May. They can also seek arrangements at orangicbouquet.com.

Wrap Yourself in Silk. If your trusty flannel bathrobe is starting to look shabby, a new silk one will make every night feel like an at-home spa. Check out VivaTerra’s floral, kimono-style robe.

Make it Sweet. Tell your family you’ll be willing to share if they give you a sweet treat this Mother’s Day. Try an organic chocolate sampler from Dagoba, which practices full-circle sustainability in their growing, buying, and manufacturing processes, or a handmade vegan cookie sampler from organic, fair-trade baker Liz Lovely.

Take a Spa Day. Sometimes, the best gift is a little rest and relaxation, so make sure your family knows the name of your favorite holistic spa. A soothing massage, cleansing facial, and tranquil environment will leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to dive back into the crazy world of mommyhood.

Get Reading. Sharing a mom-themed bedtime story with your little ones is the perfect way to top off this family-filled day. Here are some books to get your started:

• Mama’s Kiss by Jane Yolen. If someone blows you a kiss and you don’t catch it, where does it go? Follow a little girl as she chases momma’s missed kiss all over the place and finally catches it. The illustrations are perfect, showing a fluttering, flittering, elusive kiss.
• LIFE with Mother by The Editors of Life Magazine. Honestly, some books should simply come with a complimentary box of tissues. Life Magazine has compiled a gorgeous photo tribute to moms around the world. The photos in both color and black and white are incredibly touching. They depict the intense bond of mother and child. A few famous faces appear, but this is every mom’s story.
• Mommy, Mama, and Me (board book) by Lesléa Newman (Tricycle Press). This sweet little board book takes a look at a family which has two moms and the happy style of play and love that each mother has. The illustrations are simple and perfectly accompany the text.

The official Earth Day is fast approaching and even if you believe as we do, that the Earth should be celebrated every day, there’s nothing wrong with stopping on one particular day and considering our relationship with the planet. And what better activity on Earth Day, than to open our children’s hearts to the environment by settling in at the library or at home with a beautifully written and illustrated book. Here are some of our favorites for various ages:

Young children

• The Tree by Dana Lyons

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

• Almost Gone: The World’s Rarest Animals by Steve Jenkins

Tweens

• A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids by Julie Hall

• Make It! by  Jane Bull

• Gaia Girls (series) by Lee Welles

Teens

• Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life by Linda Silversten

• The New 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The Earth by Sophie Javna

• What Do You Stand For? For Teens: A Guide to Building Character by Barbara Lewis

Our top pick?

• An Environmental Guide from A to Z by Tim Magner. Right now, you can get it at 25% off the cover price by entering the code, “celebrate” during checkout.

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.

Black History Month is a time to acknowledge the many African Americans who have made valuable contributions to our country. This year is exceptionally significant: February 12 marks the 100th anniversary of the NAACP, and an inaugural ball on January 20 will commemorate the election of Barack Obama as the first African American president of the United States.

This February, make an effort with your family to learn about groundbreaking African Americans. Check out a book from your local library, such as Follow the Drinking Gourd, by Jeanette Winter (preschool-grade 2); Journey to Freedom: A Story of the Underground Railroad, by Courtni C. Wright (grades 3-5); or a classic like Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin for older readers. Visit KIWI’s Bookworms Book Club for more of our favorite Black History Month reads and reviews. Taking time with your kids to reflect upon the victories and sacrifices of others can lead to greater global unity.

–Marygrace Stergakos, KIWI intern and avid book collector

Here are Sierra Club’s recommendations for 2009 of books addressing a particular aspect of environmentalism. See new and soon-to-be-published books that give good advice about living green:

• David Suzuki’s Green Guide
• Getting Green Done: Hard Truths from the Front Lines of the Sustainability Revolution
• Earth Talk: Expert Answers to Everyday Questions About the Environment
• What Would You Do If You Ran the World? Everyday Ideas from Women Who Want to Make the World a Better Place

For the full article, click here

– Stephanie, KIWI staff and lover of families