Holiday Gift Guide: The Christmas Magic Book Review

Frozen Turkey

Product Description: Far, far North, when the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa begins to prepare for his big night of giving. He gathers his reindeer, feeds them parsnips and berries, and polishes his bells and his sled. Then lovingly, he chooses toys for every child in the world. For Santa loves them all, and he knows what each child at heart wants most. Then, with the thrum of magic that makes reindeer’s fly, he spreads the Christmas joy and warmth throughout the world–as he always has — and always will until the end of time.

The Author:LAUREN THOMPSON is the author of several New York Times bestselling childrenÂ’s books, including the much-beloved Little Quack and Little Mouse series and the award-winning picture book Polar Bear Night. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their son. Jon J MuthÂ’s highly acclaimed picture books are beloved around the world and have been translated into more than ten languages. His Caldecott Honor Book, Zen Shorts, and the sequel, Zen Ties, were both long-running New York Times bestsellers. He lives with his wife and four children in upstate New York.

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****This book is  very bright and colorful. The book is a little different from most christmas books. No mention of elf, Rudolph, or any of the reindeer by name.   It was a fun and interesting book. My kids really enjoyed it.

Retail price:  $11.99 on Amazon.com

Pages:40

hardcover

Reading age:4-8 yrs old

Rating:7

Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my review, this however does not affect my views on this product.

Holiday Gift Guide:Yo Gabba Gabba Christmas In Gabba land Book

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What happens in Gabba Land at Christmas time? The Gabba gang decorates the tree and makes presents… and takes pictures of the festivities! This padded board book with photo sleeves lets kids see themselves in Gabba land!
***This book is perfect for any preschooler, to celebrate christmas with Yo Gabba Gabba. The book is about the gang decorating a Christmas tree. You can inset your childs photos in the book, to make them feel part of the holiday fun.  The book is onlyabout 5 pages long, so it was short entertainment for my son.  The pages are cardboard(board book), so you don’t have to worry about pages being ripped.  My children enjoyed this book and even wanted to start decorating the Christmas tree already.
Retail price: $7.99 www.kids.simonandschuster.com
Rating: 7
Visit www.YoGabbaGabba.com to see whats new with your favorite cartoon.
Disclosure- I received a free book in exchange for my review, this however does not change my opinion. Everything expressed is my own opinion.

Someone i love is sick review

Someone I Love is Sick is a customizable tool to use when talking with children ages 2-6 years old about a parent or grandparent who has cancer. Pages can be selected to address the family’s specific situation including diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization, recurrence and, if need be, end of life.

 It addresses the unique learning capabilities and needs of very young children. They are sensitive to changes in their families, but their capacity for understanding and coping with these changes is limited by their attention span, language level, understanding of time sequencing and retention abilities.

 
Many young children learn well from being told or read stories, but the story must respect the specific developmental abilities of this age group. At the current time, there are no materials developed to help them understand and cope with the reality of a parent or grandparent with cancer. For a story to be most effective, it should be designed to be specific to that family, that child and that cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Someone I Love is Sickhas been developed in such a way that it can be adapted by parents, guardians or health care professionals to be used in many situations involving a parent or grandparent with cancer. The pages are loose-leaf, pre-printed pages of the many realities of cancer in the family, all at a pre-school level, with instructions for how to select the appropriate pages. Guidelines are provided so that parents or guardians using Someone I Love is Sick have the tools and the autonomy to help their own children.

I found this book to be genuine, and touching. my daughter is starting to ask about death since her grandmother died last year. although she go from cancer, the book still gives a good definition of what to expect for children. I was afraid my daughter wasn’t emotionally stable for this book, it made me cry. she did okay with it though.

for more information please visit www.someoneiloveissick.com

Summer reading tips and giveaway

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During the summer when school is out kids tend to get away from the reading and learning. although it’s summer vacation keeping kids on track with their reading and studies is still important. I could remember forgetting  important information in the summer that i needed for next school year.

I think it’s important no matter what time of year it is to read to your children every night at least until the age of 7, and then you can have them read to you or read together. 

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here are some reading tips for summer from Tim Shanahan, author of  MacMillian/McGraw-hills best selling elementary reading program-Treasures.

Ask Questions.Even if you are not reading the same books they are, talk to your children about what they are reading. Ask them questions such as what happened in the story or what might happen next, who is their favorite character, or who is the villain. This builds summarization and recall skills, and your interest helps increase their interest.

Designate a Reading Spot. Create a summer reading nook or spot in your home where your child can read. Make sure there is good light and comfortable seating and try to set aside one TV/video-game-free night per week for family reading. Reading night can be a special snack night, too. There is nothing better than reading with a big bowl of popcorn!                        

Use Resources. If your children’s school program provides materials for home activities over the summer, absolutely use them.

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  Find Reading Opportunities Everywhere. If you are taking a trip this summer, send for brochures and maps and have your children read them aloud with you.

  Leverage Pop Culture. Don’t ignore the value of graphic novels or a popular series like the Twilight books or Harry Potter. These are great ways to encourage adolescents to read more.

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Reading is a great way to bond with your children, and be able to share great story fun. you could even pull one of your old favorites and share it with your child. I know my children seem to love my husbands textbooks and books about animals. more factual books!

for more information and great reading tips please visit http://www.macmillanmh.com/reading/

 To get you and your child started with summer reading I’m offering a set of 3 treasure story books. Age appropriate(the books you will receive will be based on your child’s age). For one winner

to enter leave me a comment with your best reading tip.(must do this for entry)

US only

extra entries

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blog or tweet this giveaway with a link

contest will close 6/29/09

Along Came You review

When you bring a child into your life, your whole world changes. every little thing.  Briefcases become diaper bags,silk scarves become fluffy dress up boas, and your whole schedule changes.

Along Came you is a picture book following a mother who tells her daughter what life was like before she was born and how she makes her world rich.

I absolutely loved this book, it made me choke up. there is no better way to express your love to your children. My kids really enjoyed it and wanted to share it for mothers day.   I think it’s important to let your kids know just how much they mean to you and what you’ve done for them

the book features bright colored pictures. one page reads what life was like before, and the next what life was like after.

hardcover 32 pages

retails at 15.99, you can get it on amazon for 11.99

Childrens book: 20 ways to save the Earth

Did you know last year, Americans produced over 505 million tons of trash.  Your daily habits impact the environment, but there is still time to reverse the damage and help preserve our precious planet for future generations.  It doesn’t take a energy powered car or a wind farm to prevent damage to our earth.  Just a few simple things you do everyday. like turning off the T.V when you leave, pick up litter and throw it in the trash, or turning off the water while brushing your teeth.

I think it’s is really important to teach our kids how to save the Earth, no matter what age they are. It’s their future that will be impacted long term.  I’m so glad this new children’s book was introduced to me. we found it very useful and interesting tips and ideas for kids. my daughter has already started being very conscious about saving energy and the Earth.

20 easy ways to help save the Earth is full of situations kids encounter everyday. this book has very useful images and gives suggestions kids can use to help.  teaches through words and pictures recycling bottles and cans, to innovative ideas like using rainwater for watering household plants. Kids are encouraged to do their part and share their enthusiasm for conservation with others. retails for $19.49

20 easy ways to help save the earth encourages children to:

pick up their trash before leaving an outdoor area

conserve water and only use it when needed

turn off lights and video games when not being used

plant trees and flowers to help the climate

about the author:

Youth soccer coach and Eco-conscious citizen Coach Pedro Rita, believes teaching children to make simple changes in their daily lives may be the answer to saving the Earth from the destruction of past generations. In his new children’s book, “20 Easy Ways to Help Save the Earth” (Author House, September 2008), Coach Pedro shows kids how their actions can affect their homes and communities and offers them easy-to-use, Earth-saving tips to inspire and empower our youth to protect the environment.   

“I made a team rule that we were not to leave any trash behind,” explains Coach Pedro, who noticed the soccer fields littered with trash. “It’s all about doing those little things that make a huge impact on the environment.”

“We have found that children are very influential,” Coach Pedro says. “There’s a tendency for children to learn a behavior and in turn teach their family.”

Written in both English and Spanish, Coach Pedro hopes to reach kids in Hispanic communities, the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, all while teaching them something they can be proud of when sharing their knowledge with friends, parents and educators.

Coach Pedro Rita resides in Ann Arbor, Mich., with his wife and co-author, Susan Adam-Rita. He works as Coaching Director for Michigan Tigers FC as well as Director of Development for Wide-World Sports Center, a soccer facility with programs for youth players. Coach Pedro is currently working on his next book called Bending a Soccer Ball. For more information, please visit www.coachpedro.com

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