A while ago we told you that the best things about October were fall foliage and Halloween. Well we apologize. How could we have left out October’s most famous and perhaps longest running tradition. We’re talking about Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is an annual festival that takes place every year during the first two weeks of October to celebrate Bavarian culture. Oktoberfest originated in Germany in 1810 when Germany’s crown prince Ludwig and his wife organized a horse race as a public commemoration of their early October wedding. The race was such a hit that it occurred again the next year, bolstered by an agricultural show. It would quickly become an annual tradition within Germany, and its celebration of the nation’s culture has spread all over the world.

Oktoberfest celebrations are often largely centered around drinking. Every year numerous beer brands release a special Oktoberfest edition that is only available for the autumn months. Nowadays people still corner off a time during the month of October to celebrate German culture, foods and traditions. Cities all over the world open up celebratory tents full of specially brewed beer, German delicacies like sausages, and traditional German clothing. It’s definitely worth the experience to find a local spot that’s celebrating it to grab a delicious Oktoberfest brew and a bit of bratwurst. Hurry though, it’s almost over!

Tags: Lifestyle, Oktoberfest

Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel

I feel like I would be remiss of my duties as a blogging children’s librarian if I did not write a review of one of the Frog and Toad series. My feelings on these books are complex; I love them and enjoy revisiting them. At the same time, however, I have always felt a certain air of loneliness and helplessness when reading them: the images are drab olive and browns; Toad is always hopelessly needy and doing the wrong thing (kind of the George Costanza of children’s books); and occasionally their small stature makes the rest of the world seem daunting. That said, these are great to read with beginning readers, who will love the bumbling Toad, and admire the cool and wise frog. The stories are very short so parents and children can easily read a story or two before bedtime. Also, their pants go up to their chests, which is always fun to look at! My favorite story is the one in which Toad makes cookies and the only way to resist eating them all is to give them to the birds. Such willpower George—er—Toad has! Ages 4 and up.

Moonlight the Halloween Cat by Cynthia Rylant.

There’s something about Moonlight that lends itself to being read over and over. It lends itself to being read in a whisper. I love it. It follows the nighttime prowl of a cat whose favorite night is Halloween. He watches trick-or-treaters from the shadows, watches owls and bats fly about, and even finds a fallen piece of candy! The illustrations are sometimes laughably simple, as if a ten-year-old did them and somehow this just adds to the charm of the book. Go out and get it right now. NOW! Ages 2-6.

Tags: beds, bedtime stories, book reviews, Books, family, Frog and Toad, Lifestyle, Moonlight the Halloween Cat

It wasn’t that long ago that we gave you our list of the Top 5 Sleepy Songs About Sleep. Well in the process of dreaming it up, we came across literally hundreds of suitable sleep- and bedtime-themed songs that were just as good as, if not better than, the original five. So without further ado, here’s five more sleepy songs about sleep.

The Beatles – “I’m So Tired”

Those Beatles sure had a fascination with sleep! John Lennon’s spectral vocals on this one perfectly capture the listless exhaustion outlined in the lyrics.

Frank Sinatra – “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning”

There isn’t much to say about Sinatra that hasn’t already been said. This elegant number is about a sleepless night spent longing for the company of a girl.

The Mamas and the Papas – “California Dreamin’”

Anyone who’s ever experienced a New York winter can relate to this expertly performed tune about a daydream of California’s summery warmth even in the coldest time of the year.

Roy Orbison – “In Dreams”

The late, great Roy Orbison had a voice so delicate and angelic that even this tale of longing and loss couldn’t bring him down.

Cake – “When You Sleep”

Alt-rock group Cake is better known for their hilariously sincere cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”, but they also penned this silly song about what our fingers do to pass the time while we sleep.

Tags: beds, Lifestyle, music

Posted by Mark Locker.

John Bellairs is, in my opinion, the most woefully under appreciated children’s author ever. Despite having written eighteen chilling Gothic tales for kids, he has attained little more than cult status. My all-time favorite book of his also happens also to be the first of his books that I ever read. As with most of his books, the dust jacket and frontispiece are illustrated by Edward Gorey, whose grim pen-and-ink illustrations add a deliciously creepy feel. The Mummy, the Will and the Crypt is one of many books about shy, nerdy Johnny Dixon who lives with his grandparents in Duston Heights, circa 1950. After a visit to a cereal mogul H. Glomus’s home with his only friend, the lovable, cranky Professor Childermass, Johnny becomes obsessed with trying to unravel the mysteries of the location of the Glomus will. When his grandma falls ill, the $10,000 reward for finding the will is irresistible to him. By luck, a Boy Scout trip to the White Mountains leads, Johnny to the Glomus summer home. Convinced that the will is hidden there, he sneaks back up only to find himself going head-to-head against scary forces Glomus himself summoned while tinkering with black magic and scrambling to preserve his life.

One of my favorite features of Bellairs’ novels is that not only are they funny and exciting, they are genuinely spooky. There is never a “Scooby-Doo” ending in which the villain is simply a cranky neighbor (in fact the cranky neighbor in these books is the hero!); the villain is always a warlock or a force summoned from Hell. Good fun for a rainy night. Ages 8-12.

Tags: beds, bedtime stories, book reviews, Books, Lifestyle, The Mummy the Will and the Crypt

Music plays an important part in our daily lives. Walk into any place of business and you’re bound to hear gentle sounds piped in through distant speakers. Hop onto public transportation, and listen to the symphony of sounds seeping out of the head-phoned masses around you. Music is ever present around us. It can be a great sleep aid as well. The right song can help you make the delicate traverse into the realm of slumber with style and grace. This list of sleepy songs about sleep will have you snoring in no time:

The Beatles – “I’m Only Sleeping”

There’s a faint hint of sadness in John Lennon’s tale of a man’s perpetual slumber, but any trace of it is promptly washed away in a sea of gorgeous harmonies during the chorus.

Various Artists – “Dream a Little Dream of Me”

This lovely little ditty has been kicking around since the early 1930s. It’s been covered by the likes of Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, and many, many more.

The Postal Service – “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight”

Singer Ben Gibbard’s tale of alienation in a new city is worlds apart from from the tender vocals and barely there, hushed electronics that anchor the music here.

Fleetwood Mac – “Dreams”

OK, this one’s cheating. Barring the title, this song isn’t really about sleep at all, but the band’s laid back groove and singer Stevie Nicks’ deep, sultry vocals are the very picture of serenity.

The Beatles – “Golden Slumbers”

This was Paul McCartney’s stab at a sleep song. Even though it only lasts the better part of a minute, “Golden Slumbers” skates by on McCartney’s exquisite melodies and breathtaking string arrangement.

Tags: beds, Lifestyle, music