What exactly are Kid Kits?  They’re Usborne books packaged with some extra hands-on supplies to keep kids’ imaginations going and their minds growing.

Our catalog contains over 60 Kid Kits and Activity Packs with something for all ages. Each kit contains a book and some specially chosen materials  to enhance what your child reads. The extras have been carefully chosen to bring out your child’s creativity. Let’s look at some examples:

• For ages 4 and up:  Vicky the Vet Kid Kit comes with a book and a bendable figure of a vetrinarian for hours of play-acting fun.
• For ages 6 and up: First Book of the Recorder Kid Kit contains the book and a Hohner soprano recorder and a cleaning wand.
• For ages 7 and up: The Dinosaurs Sticker Book Kid Kit comes with the sticker book and a 19 inch wooden T-Rex 3-D puzzle.

All of the art Kid Kits come with various art supplies helpful  in completing the projects in the selected book. Many kid kits give you the option of coming in a bag or a box to help make gift giving easy.

As the mom of an 11 yr. old son and nearly 13 yr. old daughter, I’ve taken on the task of pre-reading many of the books that my children read in order to prevent them from delving too deeply into adult topics.  This hasn’t been a difficult task for me as I often enjoy these books very much and I usually read just one book in a series before either turning my children loose on the series or turning them away from a series.

However, I sometimes become so involved in the characters of a book that I can’t help but continue reading the rest of the series.  I’ve just completed the first book in a new series (for ages 9 and up) published by Kane-Miller Books called Shadow of the Dragon and I’ve found myself drawn into this story in exactly that way.  The story is a delightful tale of a young girl who bravely protects and provides for her younger sister when an evil king steals away their family and destroys their property.  You find yourself cheering for these two girls as they hide from the king’s knights and care for a baby dragon left abandoned and helpless.  The story parallels the suspenseful plight of their brother and the rest of the family.  You’re soon rallying for the freedom of all those taken prisoner by the king.

Full of excitement and action, I think this series will be enjoyed by girls and boys alike.  Who wouldn’t appreciate a tale that includes knights and dragons, enchanted castles, talking to animals, and standing up for what’s right?  When’s the next one coming, Kane Miller?

This huge 288-page book aimed at ages 10 and up is packed full of great art projects that are sure to keep kids busy for hours. This title is the combined volume of three separate titles, Art Ideas,  Art Skills (that are also available individually) and Art Projects (out of print), but the combined volume gives you all three at a bargain.

Inside this book you will find simple step by step instructions and colorful illustrations and examples of each project as well as a list of supplies needed.  The variety of material used allows children to explore many different types of art. Some of the options include paint, chalk, ink and paper folding.

These books have won several awards including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award in 2006.