Blog Posts by Common Sense Media

By Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Editor

Finding the right book for your kid can be a challenge. But if you guess right and keep new ones coming, you may be on your way to raising a lifelong reader.

Every month we highlight a few books for different ages -- some exceptional titles that could be the perfect thing to perk your kid's interest, get your reader hooked on a new author, or rediscover an old favorite. Here are our picks for March:

• For kids 4 to 8, there's Penny and Her Song, by Kevin Henkes, about an adorable little mouse who makes up a song and can't wait to sing it for her family -- but she has to. The babies are sleeping, and there's dinner to cook and eat. Penny learns patience and is rewarded with attentive, enthusiastic listeners when the time is right. Caldecott and Newbery winner Henkes' knowing family tale is great as a read-aloud or for an early reader, with its short chapters and simple, engaging text.
• For 12 and up, there's Friends with Boys,

By Caroline Knorr, Common Sense Media Editor

Sometimes it seems like the more tech savvy kids become, the fewer real-world skills they're capable of. Many can easily manipulate a smart phone, but basic stuff like chores, sports -- even making eye contact -- has become a challenge.

My kid was well past his tenth birthday before he achieved true proficiency at tying his shoes, but he could rule the world in Civilization V. One friend's kid has a hard time maintaining a conversation, but she IMs a blue streak. And another friend's toddler is a genius on a smartphone but resists all efforts at potty training.

Kids are more digitally plugged in than ever. According to Common Sense Media's 2011 Zero to Eight media-use study, half of all children have access to mobile devices at home, like tablet computers and iPods. And in 2010, a study by the Internet security company AVG found that a whopping 69 percent of 2- to 5-year-olds can operate a computer mouse, but only 11 percent can tie

You've read the Hunger Games triology ... now what? We've gathered our picks of other dystopian novels -- books that imagine a not-so-rosy future under a menacing and oppressive regime, where teens and other folks must rely on their wits, courage, and strong friendships to survive. You can also check out our science-fiction, fantasy, and thiller recommendation lists to find even more choices for kids, tweens, and teens.

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Editor


Do you remember when you were a kid, about 9 or 10, and your best friend was everything to you? You'd stay up late during sleepovers, play silly games, and concoct crazy stories about your future? And then one day, you grew up, and you threw a glass of champagne in her face for calling your sequined cocktail dress ugly. Wait ... what?

If we believe the stories that so many TV shows tell us about female friendship, this scenario would seem wholly realistic. From America's Next Top Model and Dance Moms to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, girls are portrayed as competitive, backstabbing rivals who overreact to every perceived slight.

And it's not just reality shows that reinforce the stereotype that women can't get along. Scripted teen favorites like Gossip Girl and The Secret Circle regularly pit so-called friends against each other. Most of us grown-ups can see through the hype of TV shows that amp up the drama --

Regan McMahon, COMMON SENSE MEDIA

When R&B singer Chris Brown was arrested for beating up his then-girlfriend Rihanna in February 2009 and later pleaded guilty to an assault charge, parents were blindsided by the situation and presented with a teachable moment. We faced a choice: Either say nothing, and let our kids make sense of the news themselves, or talk to them about the difficult and complex issues of domestic violence and whether celebrities make good role models.

Three years later, the troubled couple has made news again, and it may be important to have another talk. This week, these two dubious role models revealed leaked (via Twitter) steamy remixes of two singles, his "Turn up the Music" and her "Birthday Cake," each featuring a vocal by the other.

What's troublesome is whether Brown -- who enjoyed a squeaky-clean image before what he has called his "big mistake" -- feels genuine remorse and has changed. Is Rihanna, who broke up with Brown after

During a recent evening of channel surfing, I was pleasantly surprised to come across Splash. Ron Howard's 1984 comedy about an Everyguy (Tom Hanks) who falls for a mermaid (Daryl Hannah) is a movie I loved as a kid, and I hadn't seen it in a long time, so I happily started watching. Apparently it really had been a long time, since I'd forgotten just how racy some of the humor is, from shots of Hannah running around naked to her heavily implied "afternoon delight" with Hanks' character to co-star John Candy's habit of dropping coins to look up ladies' skirts. Let's just say I don't think it would be a shoo-in for a PG rating these days.

Movies you remember as being innocuous when you were young may have iffier stuff in them than you remember -- or maybe it's just been ages since you saw anything other than the edited-for-TV version. To help you avoid getting blindsided by something totally age-inappropriate (or even just awkward) when you play your old faves for your kids, here

Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer, iCarly -- these are the characters our kids are growing up with, and the examples they set can make a big impression on kids' developing minds.

As parents, we want to steer our kids toward the best possible role models -- the folks who might not always be perfect but who are thoughtful, kind, and maybe even a little inspirational. And, usually, we want to guide kids away from the worst role models -- the ones who can be cruel, shallow, and rude.

Luckily, there's a lot of good stuff out there if you know what to look for. We've picked some of our favorites below. Complement these TV role models with real-life people who make a personal impact on your kids, and point out the qualities you want your children to emulate.

1. Manny, Handy Manny (3+)

Why he's great: Manny is a model of generosity and community spirit. He's always willing to help out a friend or neighbor, and he helps negotiate conflicts between his talking tools. And

What Are Kids Learning from TV Characters?

When it comes to sex, violence, drinking, bullying, and other sensitive topics, you want messages about right and wrong to come from you -- not, say, Snooki from Jersey Shore.

But surprisingly, Snooki might be more of an ally than you think. Talking about TV characters and their choices can be a great way to start conversations with your kids about their own behavior. We encourage you to get familiar with the characters kids are watching -- whether you love or hate them -- and sneak in a little parental direction between Snooki's visits to the bar.

1. Snooki, Jersey Shore
Why's she's bad: Not only is she not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but she drinks constantly and to excess. And while her drinking sometimes gets her arrested or leads to iffy sexual behavior, she gets lots of attention (and a big paycheck) for her antics.
Why it matters: Kids who watch shows with alcohol use are more likely to try drinking than those