One of the site's biggest draws for teens is pop diva Taylor Swift -- at15 is the Official Charity Partner of the pop diva's current tour. The site's intent is admirable and there are no ads for Best ...
Common Sense Reviewer
- Ellen Dendy
- California
About Me
I have more than 20 years experience as a writer, editor, content manager, and communications specialist. I’ve edited magazines, books, web content and academic journals, and written a wide variety of pieces – articles and reviews, book covers, web copy, brochures, press releases, and more. I also find time to combine my love of words with my passion for educational content that inspires kids’ creativity and imagination. I have written and edited for Common Sense Media, and edited young adult and children’s books. I’m passionate about the power of storytelling, and fascinated by how pop culture is affected by what is going on in the world (and vice versa) and how technology and media affects kids. I graduated from UCSB with a BS in Sociology, with additional units in Early Childhood Education and experience teaching preschool. My favorites trend towards the classics – the thing they share in common is that the storytellers created tales, characters, and worlds that will last forever: Jim Henson, Theodor Geisel, Tim Burton, Roald Dahl, JK Rowling, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and so many others. I also love brilliantly-written comedy including 30 Rock, classic Get Smart (and Mel Brooks), Monty Python, Juno, & Scrubs.
What My Kids Love Now
House Rules
When the Kids Are Asleep…
My Biggest Challenge Is:
Titles You’ve Reviewed
Web site: at15
I rate this titleiffyand give itRetailer's charity site means well, but offerings are thin.
Web site: BigGreenHelp
I rate this titleonand give itNick's green site mixes community, learning, fun.
The site's high-production look is sure to appeal to kids and it imparts good messages and offers some educational information, but one would think that, given Nickelodeon's vast resources, there ...
Web site: Smithsonian Education for Kids
I rate this titleonand give itEntertaining yet educational place to go to learn.
Overall, this is a stellar learning site with loads of world-class content and fun activities, but parents should know that age ranges aren't provided for the many activities and interactive areas. ...
Web site: Kidsregen
I rate this titleonand give itEco-site inspires kids to get their hands dirty.
Kidsregen.com is an excellent resource for kids and families looking for ways they can help keep themselves and the world they live in healthy and happy. The site is run by an agricultural ...
Web site: Disney's Healthy Kids
I rate this titleonand give itLearning to eat right with Mickey and friends.
Overall the site does a good job emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle and explaining the food pyramid. Essential background information given at each camp stays the same, but training ...
TV: DogTown
I rate this titleonand give itCanine rehab docuseries is intense, inspiring.
The series does a great job of documenting the way that the facility's staff creates and adjusts unique rehabilitation plans for each case, making DogTown a solid choice for kids who are ...
Web site: Monterey Bay Aquarium's Fun & Learning
I rate this titleonand give itOceans of learning and fun for young marine fans.
Instructions are clear, but some activities require materials (like paint and scissors) while others require printing or opening other programs. (Note that most of the games and activities are geared ...
Book: Jack Plank Tells Tales
I rate this titleonand give itAn ex-pirate spins captivating yarns.
Award-winning author Natalie Babbitt (Tuck Everlasting) pays tribute to the art of storytelling in this ...
Book: Paint the Wind
I rate this titleonand give itHorse tale shines with rich plot and characters.
Award-winning author Pam Muñoz Ryan paints vivid images of wild horses and western landscapes in this tale about a young girl who must adapt to a brand-new life. It's hard to imagine any ...
Web site: United Nations Cyberschoolbus
I rate this titleonand give itAward-winning resource tackles tough subjects.
The information is extensive, and because it addresses topics that younger kids might not be ready to handle (such as genocide and human rights violations), teachers and parents will want to go ...
Web site: Childrenslibrary.org
I rate this titleonand give itMulti-language library opens new doors for kids.
The site has great search tools, broken down into many categories. Large buttons make it easy to navigate and to read through the books, but some books required the "zoom in" feature, which enlarges ...
Web site: Wikipedia.org
I rate this titleiffyand give itCollaborative reference: Research with caution.
The most important thing to know about this collaborative encyclopedia is that anyone with an Internet connection can edit entries, and while the site does have rigorous guidelines and a system to ...
