The children are restless. There are loud sighs of discontent. Once beautiful smiles are now frowns. They are hitting each other and complaining, “There is nothing to do!” You are at your wit’s end. What is a parent to do?

Jennie Maizels creates the Things to Do Book for these situations. The Lift-the-Flap book is divided into eight sections. Each section has many children activities to keep them busy for hours. There are things to do in sections labeled in the car, on the beach, on a rainy day, in the back yard and four other places.

The illustrations of the children are delightful. Tens of children adorn the pages. Children make suggestions to other children. They show each other how to do the things. All are engaged in different activities. There are no grownups directing the kids.

Friends and siblings are playing games for children on each page. Jennie Maizels’ children are racially diverse. A child is sure to see someone of his or her race.

Each section has at least twenty children activities on the double pages. There are lift-the flaps to explain the activity. For example, in the country section, one activity is to identify leaves. Lift-the-flap and there are nine types of leaves with their names. This activity tests children’s observation skills.

Another flap reveals the titles of songs about the countryside. Old MacDonald Had a Farm and Mary Had a Lamb are two titles. There are smells and sounds to identify. Name the birds perching in trees or flying in the sky. Smiling children are running, playing games, flying kites and observing the world around them.

Songs are in the back of the book. There are eight children songs complete with words and music. Children are familiar with the songs. They just need gentle reminders that there are songs to sing and things to do. And that is what Jennie Maizels does in the Things to Do Book.

Beware parents and teachers! Small children three-years-old and younger may tear off the flaps. They may eat the flap. The book is targeted for children six-years-old and older. Adult supervision is needed for the younger kids.





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Note: Things to Do Book by Jennie Maizels is from Media Masters Publicity.