KidCrunch

Others may have their names in the record books, but Hank Aaron is the only “Home Run King” who is a hero in our house.  Hank Aaron hit 755 home runs and was a tremendous all-around ballplayer, but what makes him a role model is the strength, determination and class he has exhibited throughout his life.

I love the book Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way, which was written by Peter Golenbock and wonderfully illustrated by Paul Lee.  I was the Mystery Reader today for my son’s second grade class and chose this book because in our suburban Atlanta town, kids are already playing baseball and they all love the Braves.  It is also relevant because Hank Aaron was born in February - which is Black History Month - and as today’s hitters are tainted by steroids, Hank Aaron’s achievements seem even more impressive.  The kids enjoyed the book and hopefully learned something about a truly heroic slugger.

Older kids will also appreciate ESPN’s biographical video SportsCentury Greatest Athletes: Hank Aaron.  The interviews and game footage in this video show Hank Aaron’s greatness as a ballplayer and strength as a person.

Find biographies of Hank Aaron and other heroes at the KidCrunch Store.

Some wonderful kids movies have been released since 2000, including these G-Rated kids movie favorites:

1. Ratatouille (2008)  A young French rat becomes head chef at a Paris restaurant.
2. Wall-E (2008)  Lonely robot Wall-E finds love and his purpose in life.
3. Charlotte’s Web (2007)  Classic story of friendship between a determined spider and a special pig.
4. Everyone’s Hero (2007)  10 year old Yankee fan strives to retrieve Babe Ruth’s stolen bat.
5. Cars (2006)  Rookie race car Lightning McQueen on his way to the big race.
6. Curious George (2006)  Sweet movie starring everyone’s favorite little monkey.
7. Finding Nemo (2003)  Underwater adventures of a young clownfish captured by a scuba-diver.
8. Monsters, Inc. (2002)  Charming peek into the hidden world of Monstropolis.
9. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)  Young mustang’s quest to regain his freedom - the best part is the canyon jump.
10. Chicken Run (2000)  Witty family film about chickens plotting their escape from Tweedy’s chicken pie factory.

Related Posts:

Kids Movie List: Best G-Rated Movies of the 1990s

Shop for these and other G-rated kids movies at the KidCrunch Store.

One of the best books I have purchased for my kids is 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet by Dennis Denenberg and Lorraine Roscoe.

The profiled heroes include both historical and contemporary figures from diverse fields.  Notable men include Benjamin Franklin, Jonas Salk, John Glenn and Yo-Yo Ma.  The heroic women include Mary McLeod Bethune, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martha Graham and Sandra Day O’Connor.

For each hero, the book includes an easy-to-read two page profile with black and white photographs and illustrations.

This is a great book to keep in the backseat of the car for kids to flip through - and be inspired.

Shop for this book and other biographies at the KidCrunch Store.

Kids who like science will love The Magic School Bus, a series that follows the adventures of Ms. Frizzle, a fearless science teacher who takes her students on amazing field trips aboard her incredible bus.  The Magic School Bus changes form and moves across time to bring Ms. Frizzle and her class to outer space, inside the human body and on other fantastic journeys through the world of science.

Magic School Bus Classic Books are cartoon-like, detail-packed books written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen.  The series was turned into an educational TV show - with Lily Tomlin as the voice of Ms. Frizzle - that is available as Magic School Bus DVDs.  Later, a variety of authors contributed to additional books in the classic format, plus a series of Magic School Bus Chapter Books which continue the adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her class in chapter book form.

The Magic School Bus series is valuable because it conveys detailed scientific information in a format that is both understandable and entertaining to kids.

Shop for Magic School Bus books and DVDs at the KidCrunch Store.

Your kids will chew the corners off their favorite board books and will bug you to read them over and over again.  The best board books should stand up over time, like these do.

1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown - The classic bedtime book so many parents know by heart.
2. Time for Bed by Mem Fox - Sweet, sing-song goodnight wishes from animal parents.
3. While You Were Sleeping by John Butler - Counting book with wonderfully detailed animal illustrations.
4. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle - Each turn of the page reveals another colorful animal.  
5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle -  Beautifully illustrated caterpillar story that teaches the days of the week and the importance of good food choices.
6. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann - The pictures tell the story of bedtime at the zoo.
7. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram - You will love this book right up to the moon - and back.
8. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt - Pat the bunny, look in the mirror and, of course, feel Daddy’s scratchy beard. 
9. The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton - A silly little bedtime book with Boynton’s familiar animal characters.
10. Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss - Oh, the wonderful sounds Mr. Brown can do!  This book is the most fun when you do them too.

Shop for these great board books at the KidCrunch Store.