Ariane Coffin, Author at GeekMom

New York City. Photo credit: Flickr user tinto, CC BY 2.0

The Tale of 6 Cities That Have Changed Names Over Time

October 27, 2017December 12, 2017Ariane Coffin1

Whatever happened to Constantinople? Where’s Old York? And what is Peking duck? History nerds rejoice!

Are You Sure You Don’t Want to Play Shadow Puppets Again?

September 7, 2017December 12, 2017Ariane Coffin1

Sometimes it feels like picking a kid-friendly activity isn’t a question of how fun it will be but a careful balance of in which way it’s going to suck.

New favorite artists of SDCC 2017. Image credit: Ariane Coffin.

San Diego Comic-Con 2017 Artist Roundup

August 3, 2017December 12, 2017Ariane Coffin1

Here’s a handful of artists I’ve discovered at SDCC this year—and their respective online shops so you can get the full SDCC art hoarding experience.

Afternoon reading. Image credit: Ariane Coffin.

From Working Mom to Stay-at-Home: 7 Ways to Keep Your Identity

June 29, 2017December 12, 2017Ariane Coffin3

After transitioning from being a working mom to a stay-at-home mom, I struggled to maintain an identity. Here is helpful advice I’ve received over my last year as a SAHM.

My favorite read-alouds this month. Image credit: Ariane Coffin

My Favorite Read-Aloud Books Right Now: May 2017

May 6, 2017December 12, 2017Ariane Coffin1

This month we discovered some new and old library books, many of them nonfiction picture books featuring many brave women. Oh, and also slugs.

Smore Magazine. Image credit: Smore, used with permission.

‘Smore’: A New Science Magazine for Girls

April 16, 2017December 12, 2017Ariane Coffin

I chat with ‘Smore’ magazine founder Sarita Menon about her motivation for this new endeavor.

Some of our favorite read-alouds! Collage credit: Ariane Coffin

Transitioning From Picture Books to Novels, the Experimental Way

March 24, 2017December 15, 2017Ariane Coffin

Here’s how I transitioned my first child’s bedtime read-aloud routine from picture books to novels, and how we’re doing it differently the second time.

Wacky Lactation in Nature: Underwater, Nipple-less, and Other Milky Oddities

February 25, 2017December 11, 2017Ariane Coffin

Having breastfed both of my children for a whole year each, I had a lot of time to ponder this evolutionary trait we share with our mammal cousins. So I did some research, and it turns out lactation in nature is even weirder than I thought.

New Year resolutions. Flickr user chrish_99, CC BY 2.0

Finding Purpose in the New Year With a One-Word Mantra

January 2, 2017December 11, 2017Ariane Coffin1

Instead of making a resolution, assign your new year a word. A mantra. Rather than define success as a concrete goal, success is the journey.

Child, hacker. Image credit: Flickr user donnieray, CC BY 2.0

The Ultimate-est List of Toys, Kits, and Books to Teach Kids Coding

December 6, 2016December 15, 2017Ariane Coffin

An updated list of toys, kits, and books that teach kids to code. Perfect for celebrating Hour of Code or under your Yuletide tree.

Test Your Trivia Knowledge With the New ‘Good Job, Brain!’ Book

November 25, 2016December 16, 2017Ariane Coffin

Brought to you by the popular trivia podcast, the ‘Good Job, Brain!’ book delivers trivia goodness to test yourself or stump your loved ones.

How to Organize Your Game Closet Like a Boss

October 23, 2016December 9, 2017Ariane Coffin

It won’t be easy. Tears will be shed. Cardboard papercuts will probably occur. But you can do it. You can organize your game closet. I believe in you.

My Favorite Read-Aloud Books Right Now: September 2016

September 14, 2016December 8, 2017Ariane Coffin1

My family’s favorite read-alouds this month cover embracing what makes you different, finding beauty in ordinary life, and coping with the death of loved ones.

San Diego Comic-Con 2016 Artist Roundup

August 2, 2016December 8, 2017Ariane Coffin

A look at this GeekMom’s favorite new art from SDCC this year.

My favorite library finds of July2016. Image credit: Ariane Coffin

My Favorite Read-Aloud Books Right Now: July 2016

July 13, 2016December 15, 2017Ariane Coffin2

Our random grab bag of library books this month ended up containing multiple books with characters who get eaten! Still, they ended up being some of favorite read-alouds this month!

My Favorite Read-Aloud Books Right Now: June 2016

June 16, 2016December 15, 2017Ariane Coffin

Our favorites picture books included stories monsters under the bed, mimes, writer’s block, and unruly fathers. Plus, we got to read a new graphic novel about alien abduction and a spunky little girl.

Zelda party decor. Image credit: Ariane Coffin.

How to Throw a ‘Zelda’ Party

June 3, 2016December 8, 2017Ariane Coffin1

My daughter loved playing ‘The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker’ so much that she requested a ‘Zelda’-themed party for her 6th birthday—much to the delight of her nerdy parents!

How popular fandoms influenced baby names in 2015.

How Top Fandoms Influenced Baby Names in 2015

May 13, 2016December 8, 2017Ariane Coffin

Social Security recently released the baby names given in 2015. Which pop culture icons made an impact?

Our favorite read alouds this month. Image credit: Ariane Coffin

My Favorite Read-Aloud Books Right Now: April 2016

April 22, 2016December 15, 2017Ariane Coffin

My family’s favorites this month include some picture books and graphic novels covering epic stories about robots who can’t fall asleep, the power of music and kindness, what it means to lie, cardboard creatures coming to life, and a girl and her sword.

Professor and Doctor from Curious George. Screenshot by Ariane Coffin.

Why Is Every Man on ‘Curious George’ a Raging Idiot?

April 10, 2016December 8, 2017Ariane Coffin5

I always enjoyed ‘Curious George,’ but something eventually started nagging at me; why are so many of the male characters so desperately incompetent?