#ad GIVEAWAY and Review: Berenstain Bears Board Book - Please and Thank You

My Thoughts:

We are big Berenstain Bears fans in our house (if you remember from my recent review of a Berenstain Bears DVD set). I think my preschool son is the biggest Berenstain Bears fans in our home. We have at least 2 dozen paperback Berenstain Bears books, but this is our first board book of them. After reading Berenstain Bears' Please and Thank You Book, my son instantly started saying please and thank you and your welcome for everything the rest of the day. I will have to read it to him often to help instill those manners in him even more, because we know the repetition is very important. And that should be easy because we know how much young kids like to read the same book over and over again.

Berenstain Bears' Please and Thank You Book will be available for purchase from Ideals Publications starting March 1st.

Product Description from the Ideals Publications

The cherished Bear family is coming to a new generation of toddler and preschool readers.

Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962 and the Bear family celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012! Here the charming and lovable Bear family is once again introducing children to the typical issues and questions that they face every day.
In The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book, little readers are introduced to the importance of manners, through gentle reminders given to Brother, Sister, and Honey as they await their milk and cookies. The short story and well-loved characters provide toddlers a perfect introduction to valuable life lessons and routines.

About the author:
Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Though Stan died in 2005 and Jan in 2012, Mike carries on his parents’ love of creating Berenstain Bear stories from southeastern Pennsylvania, which looks a lot like Bear Country.

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"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

#ad GIVEAWAY and Review: A Butterfly Without Wings Book

My Thoughts

A Butterfly Without Wings is a darling book by David M.F. Powers. It's a story about a little caterpillar who decides to go after what he wants and comes up with a plan that involves convincing others he is something other than what he is, a caterpillar. He takes a risk and in the end it pays off for him and he does get to eat the tasty leaf he wanted. I did keep expecting it to take a bit of a Gingerbread boy turn, but it didn't and the main character ends up with his happy ending.

My son enjoys having this book read to him and gets excited whenever the caterpillar meets another creature who wants to eat him and manages to escape as a butterfly without wings, which seems to baffle all the characters who want to eat him.

The artwork is wonderfully drawn by Natalia Nesterova and will be sure to delight any child reading this book.

Buy A Butterfly Without Wings on Amazon

Book Description from Pants on Fire Publishing

When a caterpillar spots a green leaf waving from the top of a tree, he doesn't think twice about the dangers lurking about. Instead, he comes up with a plan and doggedly inches his way towards the leaf.

A Butterfly Without Wings is the charming story of a hungry, self-confident, and determined caterpillar that refuses to let obstacles stop him from reaching for his goal. The caterpillar proves that if you believe in yourself and set your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. With snappy dialogue, humor, and perfect pacing, award-winning author David M. F. Powers captures the spirit of determination and self-confidence.

Powers' spirited text is perfectly paired with artist Natalia's colorful and very lively artwork. Parents and their children will love reading and re-reading this celebration of confidence.

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A BUTTERFLY WITHOUT WINGS

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GIVEAWAY and Review: Treasury of Bible Stories by Kelly Pulley

My Thoughts:

This new book (available next month) Treasury of Bible Stories by Kelly Pulley is a wonderful collection of rhyming bible stories with beautifully designed full color and full page pictures. My son loves to listen to bible stories and was looking over my shoulder when I was reading the email asking me to review the product and he said "Mom, let's get that! Can we get that?" I told him it was a review and that yes we could and he was very excited that he was getting a new bible story book to read.

We have been reading a handful of stories from it every night to him and the sing-songy rhythm is perfect for before bedtime because it helps lull him to sleep. In fact, last night he fell asleep while my husband was reading it to him. My son loves all the pictures and depictions of bible scenes and likes hearing familiar bible stories in a new way.

About the book: Featuring lyrical stories that will make you laugh, this colorful collection is perfect for reading out loud. Magnificent Tales are rhyming Bible stories with clever art and clear lessons the whole family will enjoy. The stories and illustrations are so engaging that you won’t grow tired of reading a Magnificent Tale night after night! From “The Salty Tale of Noah’s Ark” to “The Lasting Story of the Last Supper,” the rhyming tales in this book remind us that God loves His people—in the Bible and today!

About the author: Kelly Pulley has illustrated dozens of books in The Beginner’s Bible series and has authored and illustrated several other children’s books, including Ten Unusual Features of Lulu McDunn and The Cycling Wangdoos. He enjoys spending time with his four grown children and his beautiful wife, Vickie, in the Nashville area.

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Treasury of Bible Stories by Kelly Pulley

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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification

GIVEAWAY and Review: Alphabet Wildlife A to Z Book by Nata Romeo

Alphabet Wildlife A to Z by Nata Romeo was such a neat book to review with my kids. They both enjoy the book but for different reasons. My preschool son enjoys just reading books and reinforcing the letters he has already learned and learning what animals start with each letter. He is beginning to figure out sound recognition of letters and this was very helpful in that because all the animals featured are not what you would expect for each letter.

My daughter really enjoyed looking at the drawings of each animals and the different techniques that were used in the creation of the intricate artwork. She has seen some of the artwork of the older kids hanging up at school and they use many different techniques, some of which are in this book and has been in awe of them. Now she can sit and stare at the pictures and figure out just how to make start drawing like this herself.

Here are a couple examples of pictures in the book so you can get an idea of how much detail was drawn in and just how long these pictures had been worked on.

My husband and I even had fun with the book too, as we turned it in to a guessing game. Since typically you might expect "S" to be snake, it wasn't always easy to guess what the animals was. What I did was go though page by page and had him guess what it could be and then would show him the pictures and tell him if he was correct or not. He got about 50% off them right. This should give you kind of an idea for the variety of animals used and is excellent exposure for kids to learn about new animals. 

My son in a dinosaur costume, reading the Alphabet Wildlife A to Z Book.

ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN A COPY OF THE BOOK

ALPHABET WILDLIFE A TO Z

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

GIVEAWAY and Review: What Its Like, Living Green? Book

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I am going a very quick giveaway for a copy of the book What's It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, By the Way They Live by Jill Ammon Vanderwood.  I had a chance to read the book and review it for my readers. The book is filled with stories of how other kids and families live green and what kinds of choices they make for their family. It gives lots of ideas from different perspectives. The book is divided in to 6 sections that are titled:

• What's It Like, Living Green?
• Recycle
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Responsible for Our Earth
• Kids Teaching Kids By the Way They Live

Each section is comprised of a number of essays that are written by kids like Sara Sikes, age 13, that wrote "Plastic Bags Contaminate Land and Sea" and adults like Carrol Wolverton, that wrote "Water Tips" as well as essays from the author Jill Ammon Vanderwood like the one titled "Why Are Families Concerned about Chinese Products." The book covers a wide range of topics and offers up many ideas to consider and thoughts on changes to make. There is also a Green Quiz where a kids can take it to see what shade of green their family it. The quiz too helps give ideas on how you could be a deeper shade of green.

The book is geared towards kids 9 and older and is the recipient of several awards including the Indie Excellence Book Awards, Best Books Awards from USA Book News, and Winner of the League of Utah Writers.

It is available for purchase on Amazon for paperback or for the Kindle.

ONE READER WILL WIN THEIR OWN COPY!

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GIVEAWAY and Review: The Sparkle Egg Book

My Thoughts:

If you loved The Sparkle Box when I review it a year an a half ago (if you don't remember it or didn't see it is a lovely book that engages the use of a sparkly box to help children engage in the true meaning of Christmas and learn what it means to give and do for others) then you are really going to love the next book by Jill Hardie titled The Sparkle Egg.

My kids couldn't wait to start reading the book, because face it, what kid isn't going to be intrigued by a book with a glittery egg on the cover along with Easter candy. So we read it for the first time as soon as they walked in the door after school was over. My son's response right away was to ask me if we can go make our own sparkly egg for Easter, which we do plan to do as soon as I get some plastic eggs. When we make ours I will let my kids be creative and choose if they want a golden egg or some other color. You can pick up glitter and plastic eggs at the dollar store, so this project won't have to cost you much, or maybe you have both of these items in your home.

This book really got them engaged in what Easter really is about, and it's not about a bunny or chocolates. You can read below about what the books is all about and decide for yourself and then at the bottom of the post you can enter to win your own copy.

About The Sparkle Egg  from Ideals Publications -

Easter is coming, and Sam loves Easter! But this year, he is upset about a lie he told his parents. Even though he apologized and they forgave him, Sam can’t shake the feeling that he is a bad kid for what he did. Meanwhile, his parents help him make a special Easter craft called a Sparkle Egg. His mom tells him to write anything he feels sorry about or ashamed of on a piece of paper and put it inside his Sparkle Egg.

On Easter morning, when he opens his Sparkle Egg expecting a surprise, Sam finds that it is empty! His parents explain that because Jesus died and rose again, we are forgiven. Like the tomb that first Easter Day, Sam's egg is empty—and Sam’s wrongdoing is completely forgiven. Once he accepts this forgiveness fully, Sam realizes a truth: we can sparkle and shine with God’s light when we let God’s gift of grace into our hearts. This touching story will strike a deep chord with readers of all ages, and the Sparkle Egg tradition will help readers and their families grasp the totality of God’s perfect grace.

This is just to give you an idea of another lovely holiday book available from Ideals Publications.

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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Review: Curious Critters Volume Two Book

I was so excited to be asked to review the next in the series of Curious Critters books by David Fitz Simmons. This newest one is of the same title, but add on Volume Two. It was almost two years ago that I first told my readers about Curious Critters and if you have read that book since then, you will not at all be disappointed in Volume Two. I am sharing some pictures I took of some of the pages so you can see just how wonderful all the pictures are. The quality of the photos are amazing and you get to see every details on each of the animals in the book. It is simply amazing!

The Bluegill page was what my son wanted to read first. Why, you ask? Well, he knows that is a native fish to Minnesota and his daddy caught some ice fishing this winter that we fried up and ate. He was so excited to learn more about this fish.

I wanted to point out that this book features the Eastern Cottontail, just in case anyone is looking for some kind of Easter present that wasn't all Easter-y. I know that many of us like to find something that we can use or read all year round when we give holiday gifts or prizes, and this certainly fits the bill.

Here is my son opening up to his favorite one. I gave him the book and although he can't read yet he looked through the book at all the amazing pictures and then said told me (point to the Bluegill) "I want you to read me this one first then we can start from the beginning."

What I haven't yet told you about is the text - not only is this book filled with page after page of wonderous picture but also entertaining and educational text. Each critter is written about from the perspective of the that animals while teaching them about themselves and their habitats and behaviors. You will find yourself chuckling a time or two while you read this.

Just look at the detail on that Armadillo and that is of me taking a picture of the book. Imagine how fantastic this looks when you have the actual book in your hands!

They will be coming out with Curious Critters: Marine this coming Fall. I sure do hope I am asked to review that one as well. They are fantastic book. The pictures are wonderful and the text is sure to make you laugh and interest your children.

The books are also available in audio versions in both MP3 and CD. You can check them out and here sample of them HERE.


You can buy Curious Critters Volume Two from both Wild Iris Publishing and Amazon.

GIVEAWAY and Review: Audrey Bunny Book

My Thoughts:
I love to get new books to read with my children. They both love to be read to so much and Audrey Bunny is such a sweet book in both content and adorable pictures to be able to share with them. And of course, as the newest book in our house this has now become the one I read my preschool son over and over again by his request.

My favorite part of the book was the discussion questions at the end of the book. I don't often think to discuss the book after we finished reading it and how it affected them or reflects their lives, so seeing the questions at the end spark a conversation and gave me some insight in to something my son thought was wrong with him and how that made him feel. It was a good conversation that sparked him sharing his feelings and thoughts with me.

The drawings are so sweet and since my son's favorite color has been pink for about the last 6 months, he loved that the cover had a pink tree.

I thought the open-endedness of how Audrey got her smudge over her chest could leave it open for children to identify with anything on their body that they might view an am imperfection, whether it be something they were born with, something they acquired as a result of a medical procedure or accident or something that developed on their body over time (like a mole or other mark.)

Audrey Bunny is available for purchase on Amazon.

About Audrey Bunny
From best-selling women’s author Angie Smith (I Will Carry You, Mended) comes this sweet children’s book about a stuffed animal named Audrey Bunny who fears her imperfections make her unworthy of a little girl’s love. She'll learn the truth soon enough, and young readers will learn that everyone is special and wonderfully made by God.

[Also included]: The Parent Connection (last page of the book) shares discussion questions and activities reinforcing God's love for us.

About the Author:
Angie Smith is the wife of Todd Smith (lead singer of Dove Award winning group Selah), best-selling author of Mended, I Will Carry You, and What Women Fear, and one of the most popular speakers and blog writers in the country. She holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University and lives with her husband and daughters in Nashville, TN.

Find out more about Audrey Bunny Online:

Website

YouTube

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Twitter

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Book review: Custer's Last Battle

My Thoughts:

While I think this will be a favorite book in few years for my son, we are not the current target audience for this book. Amazon has this book listed for 4-8 years and while my son is just a month shy of being 4 there was too much text on each page to keep his interest long enough and some of the ideas are unfamiliar to him. Give him a few more years and I think he will be more familiar with topics and ideas in the book and have a better understanding and have the attention span to listen to a book as long. And while I do have a 7 year old daughter, she was not as interested in the story as I think my son will be at the same age. I think the book would be more appropriate for ages 8-10 and would be a great addition to any school or public library.

The illustrations are wonderful and in a style I would expect for the story. I also love the feel of the book. I reviewed a hardcover copy of the book and they took great care to ensure that they had produced a high quality book from the outside paper cover to the hard cover, the binding and the very nice quality thick pages. I like a book that feels good in my hands, it adds to the quality of the reading experience, in my opinion.

About the Book and Author:


On the morning of June 25, 1876, a force of 700 men from the 7th US Cavalry led by General George Armstrong Custer attacked an Indian encampment on the banks of the Little Big Horn River. Unbeknownst to Custer, he faced the combined might of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, led by many great chiefs such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Advised by his Indian scouts not to attack, the foolhardy general ignored their warnings and trusted to “Custer’s luck.”

In this commemorative edition of his first published book, Goble recounts the tale of Custer’s last battle through the eyes of Red Hawk, a fictional young Lakota warrior. Presented in the shorter format that Goble originally intended, and combined with a new author’s introduction and a foreword by Joe Medicine Crow, the Crow tribal historian whose grandfather was one of Custer’s own scouts, readers will marvel at this tale of honor and bravery.

Paul Goble is an award-winning author and illustrator of over 40 children’s books. His book, The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses, won the prestigious Caldecott Medal. His most recent books are the award-winning “stories from the tipi” series, which includes The Man Who Dreamed of Elk-Dogs, The Boy and His Mud Horses, and The Woman Who Lived with Wolves.

Paul Goble lives with his wife in Rapid City, South Dakota.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Alone Yet Not Alone

My Thoughts

My daughter and I were very excited to read this book for several reasons and I will share them with you:

1. It's based on a true story and we both like to learn new things
2. It is set in Pennslyvania, where some good friends just moved to and we also have other friends and family that live there and we visited last year
3. The movie Alone But Not Alone will be in theaters starting September 27th and we thought it would be neat to read a book together an d then go see the movie and compare notes afterwards about what it different (because that's what it is all about when you read the book AND see the movie)
4. My daughter has become a bit of a historical fiction fan that accompanied her love of the Historical American Girls and learning about them, so having female main characters that are young sisters help her identify more with the characters and want to know more about them
5. My daughter thought it was interesting that the author first wrote her family story that was passed down through generation when she was nine years old.

About Alone Yet Not Alone (from the publisher):

Settled in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, deep within America's new frontier, the Leininger family celebrates the blessings of a beautiful homestead and bountiful harvest. That is, until tragedy strikes with the beginning of the French and Indian War and the devastating raid known as the Penn's Creek Massacre.

 The lives of this simple, God-fearing family are forever altered when Barbara and Regina, two young sisters, are carried away by the Delaware tribe. Driven by their faith in God and the powerful bonds of family, Barbara and Regina hold firmly to the belief that they are never alone, even in their darkest hour, and that they will be reunited again.

Rich in historical details, Alone Yet Not Alone is an inspirational, true story of a family caught in the cross fire of the French and Indian War.

 About The Author: Tracy Leininger Craven loves history and retelling real-life stories in her historical fiction books. She also loves spending her free time in the great outdoors with her husband David and their four children.

Stay Connected: 

Bring Alone Yet Not Alone to Your City: http://seatzy.com/main/moviedetail/alone-yet-not-alone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aloneyetnotalone

Movie Twitter: https://twitter.com/AYNAthemovie

Movie Website: http://www.aloneyetnotalone.com

ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN A COPY OF ALONE YET NOT ALONE

To enter, just leave a comment with why you want to win this book and who it would be for. Be sure to include your email so I can contact you! WINNER WILL BE PICKED AT 11:59PM ON 9/5/13.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sponsored Post: Bubble Gum Princess Book

My daughter was thrilled when she saw that she would be helping me review a new children's book called the Bubblegum Princess by Julie Gribble and published by New York Media Works. As any of us with children know, us liking something is only half the story; it is what our children think of it is the other half. A book needs to make it on a parents list of acceptable books and then the child deems whether it is worthy of reading a story more than once or not. At the time of writing this post, I have already read this book with my daughter three times and I am sure we will continue to read this book.

When I asked her what she thought of the book she told me she liked that it was about that if you just be yourself, good people will like you for who you are. When I asked if there was anything she would change or didn't like, she said she really wish that at the end of the book when Katy was teaching everyone how to blow bubbles that it would give instructions on how to blow bubbles. My daughter so badly wants to learn how to blow bubble gum bubbles and she has learned that books teach you things and was really hoping in the end this would teach her how to blow bubbles. Even though that disappointment was short lived, she continues to like the book for what it is.

As a parent, I appreciated the exposure to more complex words that were used in the text of the story. I think it is very important for children to be exposed to a wide vocabulary of words. I know through some of my parents child classes I have taken with my kids they have said research show a child only needs to hear a word a few times before it becomes part of their own vocabulary and the larger they build their vocabulary by exposure to new words the easier learning to read generally is for them.

I also think that the quirky illustrations by Lori Hanson appealed more to my 7 year old daughter than other books with perfectly proportioned princesses exist. At her age she has moved beyond the cutesy princesses and looking for more complexity in the drawings of books that appeal to her.

You can find out more information about New York Media Works online at:

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

GIVEAWAY and Review: Can't Wait Willow Children's Book

The first book in the series:  Can't-Wait Willow!

Willow is so excited that the Over-the-Top Circus has finally come to town! The only pONE roblem is, that when left to her own devices, she can’t say “no” to some good things. On the way to the show, she is distracted by enticing treats and fun that she just can’t turn down. Willow arrives late and is sad to find that, not only has she has run out of time, but money, and she won’t be able to enjoy the pink cotton candy she’s been dreaming of. Willow is given valuable advice and a second chance and is ultimately taught the lesson that sometimes in life you have to say “no” to good things to end up with something great!

Can't Wait Willow! is written by Christy Zigler and illustrated by Luanne Marten. It is published by Ideals Books.

My Thoughts:

I have read this book to my kids about a half dozen times already. They really enjoyed the book and would request it at bedtime. I thought the message about learning to say no and save your time and money for something for what you really value and want came across very well during the first half of the book, but then it took a turn where the Ring Master gave her free tickets to come back the next night and she ended up riding an elephant at the end of the book. I thought the message changed to that if you are sad because you made bad decisions and get upset and cry then someone will make you happy and make it all better.  I would have likes to see Willow have to save her money to go to the Circus the next time it was in town or to admit her mistake to her parents and ask to do chores to earn money to buy a ticket for the show the next day.I really thought all the pictures were beautifully drawn and very cute. 

ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN THEIR OWN COPY OF CAN'T WAIT WILLOW!

Winning # will be picked through Random.org.

GIVEAWAY ENDS at 11:59 on 5/20/13

To Enter (leave a separate comment for each one you do):

1. Comment who you want to win this book for
2. Like Save Green Being Green on Facebook
3. Like Ideals Books on Facebook

GIVEAWAY and Book Review: Jonah's Whale Book

I thought this was such an interesting idea for a book; Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! by Troy Schmidt is the whale's perspective from the story of Jonah and the whale. In the story, the whale doesn't want to do what God was asking of him, similar to Jonah, which was to swallow this human (which whales think taste gross, like dirt -LOL!) I have read this book to both my kids several times and they both enjoy it. My 7 year old is able to get the corny play on words that is used in several spots and the jokes in there, which go over my 3 1/2 year old's head. The book is designed for ages 4-8. I think this was an enjoyable book to read to my kids and it helps illustrate in a new way, the same Jonah story, about listening to God. There are also other books in the series I would love to read to my kids that include:  Hey God, Can You Stop the Rain so I Can Get off Noah's Smelly Ark? and Hey God, I'm Having an Awful Vacation in Egypt Thanks to Moses!

About the Book: 
Oh sure, we've all heard the story of Jonah and the Whale a hundred times. But have we heard it from the perspective of the whale who experienced that history-making event?
Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! imagines how that great sea creature from the incident might tell his side of the story, helping kids ages 4 to 8 discover a creative way of learning about that guy who was supposed to go to Ninevah.
The "Parent Connection" feature (inside the book) will help moms and dads take the story further with scripture references and tips on how to talk with their children about what really happened. 

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"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Don't Throw That Away!

I wanted to share with you this book called Don't Throw That Away!by Lara Bergen. It is a cute board book with lift-the-flaps that will help teach even the youngest resident of the earth about recycling and reusing. It gives ideas of house to reuse a jar, a milk jug, cans, a cardboard box, and clothes. I wasn't asked to review the book, I just wanted to share it with you. In fact, I got the copy I am reviewing from the library which you might want to check out too! But you can buy it on Amazon if you wish.

GIVEAWAY and Review: What I Wish I Knew at 18 Book

My Thoughts: 

It is starting to seem like it was a long time ago that I was 18, but I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I think one of the strong points this book has going for it is the approach to writing and how it is written to as if the author were having a conversation with the reader. There are 109 pointers that the author shares with the readers that are all about 2 pages in length, so it can be a book that is put down and picked up whenever it is convenient or if they just want to see what he has to say about a specific point. I could see this as being given as a graduation gift, although at 18 I am not sure how much time I would have taken to sit down and read it. Maybe, I can't really say. I think it is easier to think back about what you wish someone would have told you, but the issue really is are you ready to hear it (from a person or a book). If a young adult does pick up this book, there are several pointers that will probably stick in the back of their mind and help guide them.

Find More Information Online:

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About Dennis Trittin

Dennis Trittin is a successful investment manager, educator and mentor committed to helping young adults reach their full potential. Now retired from managing over $30 billion in assets, he devotes his life to promoting leadership and life management on a global basis. Trittin serves as an advisor to several charitable groups and as a speaker with national and local educational and community organizations. Dennis and his wife Jeanne are parents of two young adults and reside in the Seattle area.

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I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

GIVEAWAY and Review: Little Angels Prayers for Every Day Book

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Roma Downey's Little Angels Prayer for Every Day and to share it with my children. You can buy it from the Ideals Books website for $9.99 or on Amazon (for the same price, at the time of this post.)

My Thoughts
This is such a sweet board book. My 3 year old son seemed to enjoy the rhyming of the prayers. Rhyming is pleasing for kids to listen to and helps them to enjoy books more. They like the predictability's that rhyming offers.

The book features 50 different prayers that are easy to teach your children, especially the younger ones that might not be able to memorize a long prayer, as this is part of a series that is geared towards preschoolers. This was my first experience with this series by Roma Downey and I have to say that I am curious to read more of the Little Angels book with my son. I do like they there are short bible verses throughout the book, which helps them to become familiar with these verses that they will learn as they grow older.

The pictures are very vibrant and are of friendly wide-eyed children and animals. And I like that the book offers a wide variety of prayers to be said by the child throughout the day, so it is not just a naptime, bedtime, or storytime book. It is an anytime prayer book that you can pick up and read a prayer with them.

About the Book

Little Angels Prayers for Every Day features more than 50 simple rhyming prayers that cover a typical day and the typical worries of a young child. From waking in the morning to going to sleep at night, from thanking God for a meal to praying for His comfort when afraid, the prayers here will help little ones to see that any moment is a good moment to talk to God. Relevant Bible verses are scattered throughout the book as well!

You can find more information about Little Angels Prayers for Every Day online: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

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 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Book Review: Bible Stories that End with a Hug

Bible Stories That End with a Hug is such a wonderful book to read to your children, grandchildren or other children you may care for. It helps children (as well as adults) learn stories from the bible and encouraging positive growth and sharing special moments through hugs. 

Bible Stories That End with a Hug was created by Stephen Elkins and was illustrated by Simon Taylor-Kielty. The book contains 75 bible stories as well scripture passages from a different part of the bible that the story. Each story teaches a lesson that can be applied to a child's daily life. 

The book is listed as for ages 2+ and I would agree with that. Both my 3 year old and 6 year old enjoyed listening to the stories. I would think that it would be a nice storybook for ages 2-6, maybe 7. 

 I saw a picture that looked similar to this one I took and inspired me to take my own picture of a heart in the book. I thought this book would perfectly be illustrated with a heart.

Also, here is a short clip of me reading one of the stories to my children. As you will see it took about a minute and a half to read one story, so this book provides the perfect opportunity to read as many or as little stories as fit in to your allotted time.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review. No monetary compensation was received.

GIVEAWAY and Book Review: The 5 Money Personalities

About the Book:

The hidden key to a healthy relationship is not just managing money but understanding how the other approaches money.

Every couple argues about money. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been married for 40 years or dating for 4 months, money touches every decision you make as a couple—from the $5 cup of coffee to the $50,000 car. And when the two of you don’t see eye-to-eye on how much to spend or how much to save, that’s when arguments turn into ugly toxic fights that leave both persons feeling hurt and angry. It’s why money has become the #1 cause of divorce in the U.S. Obviously, something needs to change. The reason this crisis has not been addressed is because it has never been identified, defined, or given a name. Scott and Bethany Palmer, aka “The Money Couple,” have identified and defined this problem and offer concrete solutions to fix it.
Once you know your Money Personality, you can get to the root of money arguments and start really working together. You’ll discover what has an impact on your loved one’s money decisions, and you’ll learn how to talk about money in a way that’s actually fun! You’ll figure out how to put an end to money secrets and lies once and for all.
It’s not just about money management, and it’s definitely not just about overcoming debt. It is a whole new way of living that will change everything in your relationship. Tens of thousands have already been transformed. Are you ready?

My Thoughts:
I always knew that my husband and I differed on how we spent and saved money, but it was interesting to read more about which of each of the personalities (Spender, Saver, Risk Taker, Security Seeker, and Flyer) we are and get a better understanding. After you determine what your money personality it, the book gives you ideas of how to communicate and negotiate with other money personality types. The book is very easy to read and follow and very informative.It is also a very quick read, only 180 pages, but it is intended that you read the book over the course of 90 days, but due to having to review the book I needed to read it much more quickly. I think they authors also do a very good job of making sure that you understand that this is not money management book, it is a relationship book. 

You can find out more information about The 5 Money Personalities online:

Website: http://themoneycouple.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMoneyCouple

Twitter: https://twitter.com/themoneycouple

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/themoneycouple

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Money-Personalities-Speaking-Language/dp/0849964784/

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“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

Book Review: Still Lolo by Lauren Scruggs

I just love this top picture! It shows just how strong Lauren is and that she is a warrior in Life and in Christ. This picture is one of the many that are featured in the book Still Lolo: A Spinning Propeller, a Horrific Accident, and a Family's Journey of Hope by Lauren Scruggs and her family. In fact, all of these pictures are ones I received from the publisher but are int he book.

The perspective of the book is written from Lauren and each member of her family and they provide a chronological and heartfelt journey of the last year that tested their faith and strength as they clung on to hope that Lauren would pull through and rise out a strong er woman. Each chapter treats you to the insight from one family member and they remember what was happening at that particular time of her accident, survival and recovery.

The story begins when her parents are first married and the spiritual journey they needed to make during those early years of marriage that created the foundation of strength and hope from God that has helped through the toughest time in their lives.

It is really hard to imagine the amount of anguish the family felt and I am sure the story only gives us glimpses, which is a testament to their strength and hope.

As it has only been a year since the accident, I am very interested in following
Lauren's journey through life and luckily enough I will be able to do that through through her online magazine Lolo Magazine.


Here is the First Chapter of the book for you to preview.



I was given a copy of this book for the purpose of review from Tyndale Publishers. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post does contain an affiliate link.

Book Review: What Daddy Did Today

My husband (aka Daddy) and I both have had the opportunity to review this book, What Daddy Did Today, with our son. I think my son has asked me to read this to him either at bedtime or quiet time every day since receiving this book.

I had never thought much about what my kids thought daddy did all day. I stay at home with my kids, so one or both of them is with me all day and they know what I do. But what does daddy do? My daughter is in first grade and she knows that what daddy does is talk on the phone & type on the computer, which in a nutshell is what he does. But my 3 year old son, I am really not sure what he thinks.

I asked my husband what he thought about this book and he said it was neat and is pretty sure that now our son thinks he rides a lion to work but he really likes how it ends. I will have to ask my son now what he thinks daddy does do at work.

I just love how the concept of the book embraces a child's active imagination and how they believe that their daddy can do anything, how they believe he is the strongest and fastest man in the world and quite possibly could be a super hero!

There are beautiful & brightly colored illustrations in the hard cover book and I really enjoy the weight and feel of the pages (I know that might make me a dork, but I really do like really paper books and some book pages just feel better than others.)

From the Author:

This is Daddy's chance to tell his child about all of the amazing things he does while he is away at work.  But amidst the heart-pounding excitement, which includes wrestling a dragon and traveling to outer space, Daddy has only one thing on his mind - getting back home to his child.  

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it on this blog. No monetary compensation was received. All thought, opinions and pictures are my own.