Newswise — Books " they are never the wrong size or color.
Safety features for your children " they're the perfect gift for the family who has everything and the single parent holding down two jobs and struggling to make ends meet.
As an added bonus, these holiday gifts also will help a good cause.
The National Center for Family Literacy has raised more than $100 million in its fight to help the 34 million U.S. adults who have literacy problems as well as their families. By researching and pioneering family learning initiatives, it has helped more than 1 million disadvantaged families attain life improvement through education.
NCFL is teaming up with three partners to provide holiday gifts that are the perfect fit this season:"¢ NoodleNet has developed a program that allows children to successfully explore the Internet without putting them at risk from online predators, unwanted pop-ups or accidental access to inappropriate content. Going beyond traditional parental control software, NoodleNet provides a safe desktop environment that grows with the child and prevents access to online dangers. The program delivers high-quality, age-appropriate content that reinforces classroom activities, and provides a customized experience with fun, educational links for children ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-11. By creating a virtual gated community, NoodleNet effectively prevents children from getting out of their secure desktop and keeps predators and illicit content from getting in. Parents also can take comfort in the fact that NoodleNet protects their desktop, keeping their email, hard drive and important files out of reach. NoodleNet recently won an Adding Wisdom Award for Top Educational Products 2007.
NoodleNet is donating 1 percent of all sales between now and Jan. 31 to NCFL. To order, visit www.noodlenet.com. The company's support will enable NCFL to continue pioneering family approaches to literacy, including online programming.
"¢ Half Price Books has announced that the proceeds from the 13th edition of "Say Goodnight to Illiteracy" will solely benefit the National Center for Family Literacy for the first time. This collection from up-and-coming children's authors offers whimsical tales ripe for reading aloud. The book can be purchased by clicking on the link below: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=983155056&searchurl=bi%3D0%26bx%3Doff%26ds%3D30%26isbn%3D1931040583%26sortby%3D2%2Btarget%253D%26sts%3Dt%26vci%3D4611092%26x%3D0%26y%3D0.
Or you can locate one of its more than 90 stores is near you by logging on to: http://www.halfpricebooks.com/find_a_store.html.
"¢ BetterWorld.com is a socially responsible online bookstore. By purchasing your holiday gifts from BetterWorld.com/ncfl, you can support NCFL and protect the environment --all in the comfort of your home, which is a plus for a traveling executive or parent on the go. By going to www.famlit.org/shopping, 10 percent of your purchases in the month of December will benefit NCFL. In addition, shipping is free and carbon neutral because BetterWorld purchases renewable energy credits that support reforestation to offset emissions from shipping.
"These holiday gift ideas are a unique way to benefit literacy efforts across the country, while at the same time, sharing a love of reading with your children and grandchildren," said Sharon Darling, president & founder of NCFL. "It's important to remember to look for books that are appropriate and engaging for the age of the child. That way, you will more effectively instill a love of reading in the family."
Darling recommends the following tips when selecting a book to give a child:
"¢ Birth to age two -- look for books that have bold pictures in black or bright colors on a white background, no words or only one or two words on a page; have stiff pages that are easy for young children to turn and are made of cloth or vinyl; have familiar characters, actions or objects; and include songs, rhymes and repeating phrases that are fun to listen to;"¢ Ages 3 to 5 -- look for books that are about ideas or concepts, such numbers, colors, letters, shapes; have simple stories; have a beat; focus on interesting characters, like young children or animals who solve problems and get along with each other; and include clear, colorful pictures that match the story; and"¢ Ages 6 to 8 -- look for books that have clear, easy-to-read print; play with sounds and language, such as books that rhyme or include chants and songs; present a realistic picture of the world; and are non-fiction, like books about science, history, or real people.
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