Goodnight Moon. NASA Moon Image It’s almost hypnotic, this classic children’s book. Goodnight Moon was written in 1947, the year I was born. But, somehow, I missed it until my children were young. It is still a favorite on children’s bookshelves. Perhaps it is because the author, Margaret Wise Brown, had studied child development, so she understood how to soothe a restless, but tired child. Perhaps it is because the things in the room are familiar to children. They know about the kittens and their mittens and the three bears on chairs. Perhaps it is because the illustrator, Clement Hunt,... (Read More ...)

Back to Sleep 2,327 infants died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 2006. A sleeping male baby with his arm extended (Photo credit: Wikipedia) With the “Back to Sleep” campaign, launched in 1994, now 25% of infants sleep on their stomach. It used to be 85%. As a result, the rate of SIDS deaths has been cut in half, from 1.4 babies per live birth in 1988, to .55 babies in 2006. While the cause is still unknown, we do know some of the SIDS risk factors: Sleeping on the stomach Exposure to tobacco smoke Very young mother Mother smokes during pregnancy Mold No breastfeeding Excess... (Read More ...)

When Did They Start Making Ketchup Bottles Upside Down? Ever since I was little, getting ketchup in a bottle to start flowing has been an inexact, messy process. I learned about a number of techniques over the years. A bottle of Heinz ketchup (Photo credit: Wikipedia) You can tip the bottle upside down and smack it hard on the bottom a couple of times. First, you will see a little dribble of ketchup juice. Then, when you give it a couple more smacks, it suddenly releases and glops all over your French fries, hamburger, plate and lap. You can stick a knife into the neck and try to release the... (Read More ...)

When Did They Put Whistles on Life Jackets? I was on a cruise ship recently that had an evacuation drill. Child's life vest. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Everyone was assigned a lifeboat station. We had to meet there so the ship’s staff could be sure we knew where it was. We did not have to wear our life jackets for the drill, but the crew showed us how they work, just like flight attendants show you where the flotation pillow is under your seat if you fly over water. Or, how to put your seat belt on and take it off. Whistle-Blowers One of the things they showed us on the life jackets was... (Read More ...)

Weekly Recap. Last week, readers spent the most time on: What Do Sugar Cubes Have to Do with Putting a Bike Together? Grandmother Poems. Loss. Why Would You Put Butter in the Well? That’s What Grandpas Are For Mouse Trap Car. Frugal Friday. Last month, readers spent the most time on: What Do Sugar Cubes Have to Do with Putting a Bike Together? What Is Cornstarch? How Can You Make a Plastic Bottle Cave in Without Touching It? You Mean People  Didn’t Get to America by Walking Across the Bering Strait? When Did Hats Go Out of Style? Coming up next week, look for: When Did They Put Whistles... (Read More ...)