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Pre-Trip Fun for St. Thomas and St. John, Virgin Islands

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    Watch

    "Finding Nemo" -- Technically he's in Australia but Nemo's underwater adventures are perfect for pre-beach viewing. (Preschoolers and Up)

    "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" -- Captain Jack Sparrow's pirating ways are too intense for young ones but highly entertaining for the older set. (Teens)

    "Captain Ron" -- Take comfort in the fact that your Caribbean vacation can't possibly go as wrong as Kurt Russell's in this family comedy. (Teens)

    Eat

    Mango Salsa -- Mangos abound in the tropics. Serve with chips for a fruity twist on nachos.

    Conch Fritters -- Conch (pronounced "conk") is a local seafood delicacy. Ease into the islands' signature conch ceviche with this tasty appetizer.

    Read

    "Caribbean Dream" by Rachel Isadora-- Soothing watercolors follow a group of children through a day in the life of a Caribbean islander, from swimming to sunset. (Ages 1 to 4)

    "Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef" by Marianne Berkes -- Playful rhymes and vibrant pictures will have kids wide-eyed over this magical, tropical world. (Ages 1 to 4)

    "Into the Sea" by Brenda Z. Guiberson -- Like "Finding Nemo" for bedtime, this calming tale follows a female sea turtle through the coral reef. (Ages 5 to 9)

    "Up Mountain One Time" by Willie Wilson -- Written in the Virgin Islands dialect through the eyes of Viggo the mongoose, this unique tale adresses personal values and the Caribbean way of life. (Ages 8 to 12)

    "Claude's Adventure" by Wendy-Ann Diaz -- Older kids will relate to Claude's fish-out-of-water experience in the Virgin Islands. (Ages 8 to 12)

    "Caribbean Capers" by Joan and Marco Santomenna -- Add intrigue to the trip with a St. John version of "The Hardy Boys." (Ages 9 to 12)

    "Escape From Fear" by Gloria Skurzynski -- Ecological concerns combined with the fascinating, mysterious culture of the Caribbean leave readers intrigued to experience it for themselves. (Ages 8 to 12)

    Make

    Paper Sand Dollars -- Even toddlers can help make these pretty shells; Get the whole family to search for real ones on the trip.

    Water Purse -- Made from an onion bag, this super-easy beach tote captures the colorful, laid-back islands vibe.