I don’t have kids, and because I’ve had more time to observe and judge how other people raise their kids, this pretty much makes me somewhat of an expert on child rearing. One trend that I hate is children’s books that make noise. As if colorful pictures and a nice story involving a small animal and its loving parent, read by your own adoring parent, is just way too boring when you’re 2. Now, I have never taken a class in psychiatry or psychology, but I’m fairly sure I’m 100 percent right when I say the formula is simple: Toys that make needless noise = future ADD.But there’s nothing unnecessary about one of the greatest children’s books of all time: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, which turns the big 4-0 this year. Bookworks (4022 Rio Grande NW) is celebrating this very important event with a story time and party on Sunday, April 5, at 1 p.m. Kids of every age, and in particular the wee ones under 6, are invited to come dressed in caterpillar green or butterfly multicolors. Snacks will be served, and the adorable factor will be off the charts. Bring your favorite tiny human and celebrate the enduring power of a good book.You know what else kids need? Art. I’ve said this before, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. The Albuquerque Theatre Guild is beginning a new scholarship program for youth ages 5 to 17. Scholarships in $100 increments will go to extracurricular programs offered by ATG member organizations (such as Tricklock Theatre Company and The Box Performance Space). ATG recognizes that the benefits of arts education are innumerable, and with funding constantly disappearing from school activities, it’s stepping in to help fill the void. Application materials are available at abqtheatre.org/youthscholarships and must be in by April 10.And speaking of students, Working Classroom will celebrate the opening of its new Visiones Gallery at 115 Gold SW on Friday, April 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. Working Classroom is focused on developing the talents of students from "historically ignored" and disadvantaged communities, encouraging them to work in their native languages and from their own experiences. The opening features the work of writer Alfonso Reyes and encaustic paintings by Charles Castillo, an instructor at Working Classroom. Go to workingclassroom.org for more information.
Culture Shock
Kids These Days
2 min read
