Review of '101 More Improv Games for Children and Adults' by Bob Bedore

Description

101 More Improv Games for Children and Adults: A Smart Fun Book for Ages 5 and Up is the follow-up to Bob Bedore’s popular 101 Improv Games for Children and Adults. This sequel takes us even deeper into the craft of improv — the magical art of creating something out of nothing — with all new games!

Author Bob Bedore emphasizes how you can use improvisation, creativity, and teamwork any time, any place, to get your imagination flowing, win over a crowd, or be a wittier conversationalist. Actors and improv students will appreciate the author's fun, down-to-earth approach to developing theater craft. And improv isn't only for serious thespians. Used as a classroom activity, it teaches kids how to have fun, relax, and work together without seeming like an educational tool at all.

Great on its own or as a companion to Bedore’s first book, 101 More Improv Games for Children and Adults is centered around entertaining an audience and creating memorable scenes. This sequel includes information on how to produce your own improv show.

101 More Improv Games for Children and Adults is full of wacky and brilliant activities for kids, teachers, actors, comedians, improv groups, or anyone else.

**My review, which first appeared on Examiner**

This book is filled with all kinds of fun activities for most ages. I would recommend it for elementary and beyond, though some could be scaled back for kindergartners, as well.

The first quarter of the book provides some examples as to how an improv situation works, via descriptions known as "Magic Moments." It provides rules on how to "stay in the game" and provides a general outline that fits all of the different types of activities. It doesn't get very in depth with the methodology involved with doing improv. In fact, author Bob Bedore recommends you read his first book to get more of that information. I don't know much about doing improv, but still felt that there was adequate explanation in this book. Bob does provide his contact information, should you have questions. 

These activities would be great for building community within a group, forging relationships and bonding experiences. It gives children a chance to practice speech and language skills, as well as helping them to build confidence. They also have to pay attention to what is going on, so that they can effectively participate. My favorites are the ones where the audience calls out different characters or emotions, music is played to dictate movement, or the one-word debate.
While kids would benefit from having an adult supervise or guide the activities, once the concept is introduced to them, they could page through this book for ideas on their own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Buy links

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Hunter House

Get the first book, 101 Improv Games for Children and Adults

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Hunter House

Why Books Are an Important Part of Childhood by Evelyn Gresham

Children's author Evelyn Gresham has an education degree, a soft spot for children, and now writes books for young ones. Here are her thoughts on why books are so important in childhood:

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Since this is the generation of technology, I feel books are even more important to keep alive with our children. There is nothing like holding a book in your hand as your child lies in bed and listens to you read to them. First, it gives you a chance to bond with your child and second, it is a memory your child will never forget. Many people that I talk to state, that they cherish that time they had with their parents, when they read to them. We must keep those moments alive and we must teach our children to love books and preschool children are the ones to start with. In my humble opinion, it should start while you’re pregnant and should continue as a family tradition.

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Since childhood author Evelyn Gresham has always had a desire for writing and poetry, but kept it as a hobby. She graduated from Ashford University and received her master’s degree in education and child development. Aside from “Sweet, Sweet Carabee”, Evelyn has also authored the book “Brown Little Babies.” For over twenty years Evelyn has worked as a nursing assistant, but always had a passion for children. Ms. Gresham currently resides in the Midwest and enjoys traveling and illustrating in her spare time.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilovecarabee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/egee11

Book description:
Take a trip into the lovable world of “Sweet, Sweet Carabee.” A delightful tale about a playful little girl with a colorful personality; Join Carabee and her faithful companion Snowbelle in the very first story of the Carabee book series. A fun-filled world of make believe and excitement that never ends.

'Sweet, Sweet Carabee' is a great book for both the classroom and in the home. Included within the story is a recipe and activity that fit in perfectly with an apple theme.

Get your copy today on Amazon

Also available from Halo Publishing

'Side by Side: 20 Collaborative Projects for Crafting With Your Kids'

Crafting is always more fun and more meaningful when it’s shared with those you love. Discover the joy of working alongside your child while creating arts and crafts that inspire. With these twenty whimsical projects in a variety of mediums, you and your child will find fun ways to work collaboratively and independently—together on the same project, or side by side on related projects. Create Giant Newspaper Snowflakes that take traditional paper snowflakes to magical new levels. Create surprising monoprints that take glitter glue to new heights. Explore the versatility of embroidery with a child-friendly version that uses a leaf as the canvas and a more advanced version that uses a child’s drawing for stitching inspiration. Get out in the garden and plant a Living Willow Teepee that will be a perfect playhouse and retreat for years to come.

Some of life’s best moments are spent simply doing things in the presence of the ones we love, not necessarily doing the same thing together, but being together and working side by side. The craft projects in this book will help you to create just those moments with your child.

Print Editions:

Format: Paperback
Publication Date:	August 14, 2012
Pages:	160
Trim Size:	7 1/2 x 10
ISBN:	9781590309568
List Price:	$19.95 USD

Promotional information provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Free Parenting Books for Kindle

Amazon often has an offering of daily books for parents and those who work with children. Here are some freebies that I found today.

No Kindle? No worries! I read mine with free reading apps for my Droid and my laptop. Get your free apps here or give in and purchase your own Kindle.

How to Be a Parent (Best Value Ever)

This all-inclusive book is meant to give you straightforward advice on handling your kids from the "terrible twos" to the "truculent teens."

Get your Kindle copy here.

Let's Talk to Our Kids: Successful Communication With Your Child

Communication skills can always be improved. This book goes beyond simply talking with your children to looking at how you communicate with people in general. The way that you model your communication skills with other adults will also model how children will communicate with each other. Also, sometimes when you think you are being quite clear, children are misinterpreting your actions or words. And sometimes you misinterpret what children are trying to tell you. This book will help.

Get your Kindle copy here.

Six Questions Children Ask About Death...And How to Answer Them

Adults often think that children are not affected by the death of a loved one. They are affected; they just manifest their grief in a different manner. Author Sharon Marshall Lockett has worked with children for several years. She also had to help her preschooler through the death of his baby brother. The book is written from a Christian perspective to help parents answer those tough questions that inevitably pop up.

Get your Kindle copy here.

Successfully Raising Grandchildren

Your parenting duties don't end when they leave the house. You are still their parents. And even more, you often become grandparents. Grandparents are just as instrumental in raising children as their parents are. This book, written by a pastor, aims to distinguish between the two different roles in life.

Get your Kindle copy here.

Lucky's Top 50 Toddler Activities

This is a collection of inexpensive, constructive activities to satisfy your toddler's craving for your attention.

Get your Kindle copy here.