Are your Easter baskets ready?

Can you believe it's time to get those Easter baskets ready? I'm all about some good chocolate and filling baskets with a little candy, but do we really need to load them up with all that sugar? Probably not. Why not consider some other options as you get ready for the Easter Bunny!

1. Gift subscription to Grow Up With Books... Is there anything better than books? What about books delivered to your doorstep? Check out GUWB for what I call the "no-brainer" gift. You don't have to go out to find it, you're sure to be a hit, and it's a gift that keeps on giving.
2. Family Games...Adding a family game to your collection at Easter is perfect. Try to get something that will stretch to all of the ages in your house such as Dominoes, card games, and marbles.
3. Packs of Seeds...Start a small garden from seed. Let your child help you gather the necessary supplies.
4. Disposable Camera...Let your child take pictures of signs of spring. Put them into a book where they can write the story behind the pictures.
5. Art Supplies...Water colors, pastels, fun crayons and markers, construction paper, stickers, stamp pads and ink. bingo dot markers, glitter glue, sidewalk chalk, etc.
6. Project/Kit Ideas...Children love projects. Try building a kite, bird house, rocket, bat house, butterfly house, or hanging tomato plant holder.
7. Bathtub Supplies...Bubble bath, tub crayons, tub paint, and tub toys can be hours of fun!
8. Simple Toys...Yo-yo, hoola-hoops, play dough, and sandbox toys.
9. Easter Eggs...Rather than fill them with candy, why not put riddles/jokes in them. Kids get a kick out of telling a great joke to an audience of even one.
10. New Toothbrush and Toothpaste...Giving them a fun toothbrush and toothpaste can bring about a renewed interest in brushing. You have to replace them anyway, why not do it in the basket?

When in doubt...go with the gift subscription to Grow Up With Books! There is a uniqueness to this gift and the satisfaction of knowing that your child/grandchild has the chance to read amazing books.

What are some of your ideas for basket fillers? Send us your ideas and comments!

Happy reading-

The GUWB Team

Submitted by Lara

Gift Giving...Simple + Unique = Perfect!

At this time of year we tend to get into a rush and begin to feel rather overwhelmed. GUWB has a recipe for the perfect solution to any gift giving troubles you may have! A gift subscription to GUWB offers so much.


IT'S SIMPLE. Signing up for a gift subscription is quite easy. Use the "present" icon to guide you in the right direction. Follow the steps and your gift is done! No need to worry about whether the gift you are giving is too small or too big. You won't have to wonder if they already have this gift since it's such a new concept and product. With the wide variety of book choices, the child you have in mind for this gift is sure to find something that interests him/her! To top it off, it's purchased online and the ordered books are delivered directly to the child's house--FREE!

IT'S UNIQUE. A gift subscription to GUWB is a OOAK (one of a kind) idea. Not only does the child have a variety of books from which to choose, there are connection ideas inside the book covers helping to make the books and characters come to life even more. The connection idea cards can provide guidance to parents with our Read TWO Experience. It answers the questions--"Do I read this book To my child, With my child, or let my child read it on his/her Own?" A gift subscription to GUWB will also be a gift that keeps on giving. Once the books have been read, return them in the provided mailer and we'll send you the next books in your cue! Another key piece to this idea is that children have "CHOICE" in what they are reading. Donalyn Miller talks about the importance of "time to read and choice in reading material" in her article "Book Whisperer: Are good readers born or made?" Both of these important topics are addressed with a gift subscription to GUWB!

IT'S PERFECT. A gift subscription makes a perfect...
-stocking stuffer
-stand alone gift
-birthday gift
-baby shower gift
- a "just because we love you" gift


GUWB would like to help you with your last minute gift buying by doing our first giveaway. This packed prize includes a FREE month's subscription (5 books at a time), a copy of Recycle by Gail Gibbons, and a copy of 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh...a total giveaway package worth more than $40!!!!!!

In order to enter the "Gift Giving" drawing:

1. Post a response to our blog. (1 chance)
2. Become a follower of the blog. (1 chance)
3. Follow us on Twitter. (1 chance)
4. Share this entry on Twitter. (1 chance)
5. Share this blog on Facebook. (1 chance)
6. Become a FAN of Grow Up With Books on Facebook! (1 chance)

We will do the drawing on Wednesday (12/23) so that the winner can give the subscription for Christmas if they'd like. The winner will be able to decide if they want to keep the books or send them with the gift!

Happy Reading from GUWB!