feeds

Carla Mancini CM858 Feed Bag,Navy,one size
$547.00

World Food Programme Feed Bag,Natural,one size
$35.00
I picked up this bag as a gift for my co-worker. She commented about how she had wanted one after seeing a woman carrying one during a lunch outing. Because it comes unsealed in a plastic bag I was able to take it out and look at it before giving it to her.

When I ordered it I didn't realize that it was reversible, but it is. It has the same FEED logos on either side, so you can choose to carry it either as a burlap or cotton bag. The construction of the bag is also very good, I would expect it to last quite a while with normal use. Additionally the size is perfect for carrying groceries, books, a change of clothes or whatever you need.

Obviously the look, style and use are not the only reason most people will buy this bag. The purpose of the World Food Programme Feed Bag is to raise awareness of the UN World Food Programme. The purchase of every FEED bag will provide food for one child for an entire year in school! It's my opinion that this makes a great gift, not only do you help out a worthwhile charity, but you can give a stylish bag too.

Touch the Art: Feed Matisse's Fish
$9.95
This book is neither interactive nor a good introduction to art for kids. There are 9 paintings, 7 of which have a single textured touch space (actually some of them aren't even textured). There is no textured touch space in the paintings by Modigliani or Frida Kahlo. The portrait by Modigliani has a single tiny braid and Frida Kahlo's scarf has a little bit of fringe at the end of it. That's it. Part of the problem is because the book itself is too small. If it were larger, more of these touch spaces or interactive elements could have been added. If the book were truly "interactive" Modigliani's Girl with Braids would have a full head of hair so you could braid both braids. Frida Kahlo's scarf would be made of real fabric so you could tie it or play with it. The entire blackboard in Jacob Lawrence's painting should have been cut out and painted with chalkboard paint so children could really write on it. The neon bulbs in Edward Hopper's work could have been replaced by little beads and rhinestones so they would have texture and sparkle. The "interactive" elements of the book could not be more disappointing.

Out of all of the colorful and fantastical paintings of last century that the authors could have chosen to excite children's imaginations and foster their interest in art, it is inconceivable that they gathered together such a static and wholly uninspiring collection. Except for Matisse's fish, all of the paintings are portraits or pictures of people, all of whom have somber expressions on their face. I don't think a portrait of a girl or a picture of two women sitting at a table is going to excite children, much less turn them on to art. The subject matter should be more varied. Also, if this is a book on 20th century art, why is Seurat included?

It's a shame that in a book about art, the left page is wholly blank except for 4 little lines of text. Either the painting should have covered both sides and the text been written much smaller, or better yet they should have eliminated the uninspired text and included a small biography or story about the artist. The book does include a section on each artist, but it's in the back of the book, so you have to flip back to it - not very kid friendly. In my opinion, the details about the artists are not geared to 4-8 year olds.

My 16-month old loves touch and feel books. Understandably this one did not hold her interest long. It's only redeeming feature for us is that she is currently learning the parts of the face, so we will be able to get in a lot of practice with this book.

Feed
$7.99
I placed an order for this book (FEED) on CD on June 25. Three weeks later, I learned through my amazon account, that my order wasn't ever sent to me and I never heard from the seller. There was no explanations given about what happened. I'm really dissappointed in the service for this purchased item. I wanted this book on CD which would have been used for a class that required the book. Now its too late to use for the purpose intended.