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Book Reviews

Rice & Rocks Book Review + A Giveaway!

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the charming children’s book written by Sandra L. Richards and illustrated by Megan Kayleigh Sullivan, Rice & Rocks. The tour will run from August 23 – September 13, 2016. collages7_orig


About the Book

rice-rocks-by-sandra-l-richards Title: Rice & Rocksl | Author: Sandra L. Richards | Illustrator: Megan Kayleigh Sullivan Publisher: Wise Ink Creative Publishing | Publication Date: August 23, 2016 Genre: Children’s Picture Book | Number of Pages: 32 amazon2 Book Description: Tradition takes flight in Rice & Rocks, a picture book celebrating culture and diversity. Giovanni’s friends are coming over for Sunday dinner, and his grandmother is serving rice and beans. Giovanni is embarrassed he does not like ‘rice and rocks’ and worries his friends will think the traditional Jamaican dish is weird. But his favorite Auntie comes to the rescue. She and Giovanni’s pet parrot, Jasper, take him on a magical journey across the globe, visiting places where people eat rice and rocks. This exciting story celebrates the varied traditions of every culture while also highlighting the delicious similarities that bring us all together.  Take a look inside the book…

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Review
Being Jamaican-American I can totally relate to the way Giovanni feels in this book.  Back in the 1980’s it wasn’t “cool” to be Jamaican or Jamaican-American for that matter.  Although I was born in America, my mother was not.  She had a very thick and distinct Jamaican accent.  I remember sometimes asking my mom to keep quiet in public in attempts to save face and stray from being different because I was scared her accent would embarrass me.  Kids would often use the term “fresh-off the boat” when referring to my mother.  Sometimes it felt like I was trapped between two worlds.

Like Giovanni, I also have some embarrassing childhood food memories.  Even today, I’m sure many multicultural children still have food-related insecurities while growing up, like awkwardness about using chopsticks and the custom of eating all parts of the animal — chicken feet, fish eyes and pig head.

I loved when Giovanni’s auntie takes him on a magical journey and all the discoveries that Giovanni makes.  I love the look of wonder in his eyes!  He realizes that some of his friends also eat rice and beans as a traditional dish.  What a revelation!

Overall, we enjoyed this book for several different reasons.  The kids seemed to like pointing to the pictures of Jasper the parrot and little Giovanni.  I appreciate the fact that it was relatable as well as all of the detail included in the warm illustrations and the overall message of this book.  It teaches kids to understand they don’t have to apologize for the scent of their food or the way it looks.  In addition, I think this book does a great job teaching children about feelings, imagination, acceptance, and respecting other cultures and their traditions.

About the Author: Sandra L. Richards

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Sandra L. Richards is the debut picture book author of Rice & Rocks. With Rice & Rocks, Sandra brings a unique contribution to the world of children’s books. An American-born daughter of Jamaican immigrant parents, she hopes the book will serve as an educational resource for families seeking to teach their children the value of their heritage and the importance of cultural diversity.

Learn more about Sandra at www.sandralrichards.com.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | LinkedIn Amazon | Books a Million | Seattle Book Company

About the Illustrator: Megan Kayleigh Sullivan

megan-sullivan Megan Kayleigh Sullivan graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 2012 with a degree in Illustration. She is currently working as a freelance illustrator and storyboard artist, and aspires towards a career in the film and animation industry as a concept artist, character designer, or visual development artist (or d., all of the above). She enjoys traveling, writing, telling stories, and hula-hooping. Visit her at www.357meg.com.

LinkedIn | Instagram

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner’s choice

Giveaway ends: September 13, 11:59 pm, 2016

Open to:
Internationally

How to enter:
Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Sandra L. Richards and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

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Book Reviews

Daddy Do My Hair? Beth’s Twists (A Book Review)

Daddy Do My Hair? Beth’s Twists by Tola Okogwu, illustrated by Rahima Begum

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Publisher: Florence Elizabeth Publishing Limited
Available for Sale: October 2016
Pages: 36
UK & US Pre-orders available now!  Learn more

Synopsis
It’s Sunday evening and dinner is over.
Beth is excited and heads to the sofa.
Daddy is there with a smile and a chair,
“Daddy,” she asks, “will you please do my hair?”

Join Daddy and Beth on a wonderful hair adventure in this heart-warming story, which celebrates the unique and special relationship between a father and child. The perfect rhyming picture book read for every family, this is a book to be shared time and time again. This is the first book in the ‘Daddy Do My Hair?’ series.

Reflection

I love seeing dads style their daughters’ hair or paint their nails.  I don’t think my dad, in my entire life, ever even tried to do my hair let alone paint my nails.  With the popularity of the recent Pantene Superbowl ad and countless videos on the Internet, I think it’s refreshing to see so many dads who are stepping up to the plate to take on the task of doing their daughters’ hair.  Society has always made it seem like girls’ hairstyles can only be crafted by mothers, grandmothers, and sisters.

In this adorable rhyming book, Daddy Do My Hair? Beth’s Twists, Beth and her dad go on a Sunday evening hair adventure.  First dad asks Beth how he wants her to style her hair.  Beth decides she wants to have her hair twisted.  Dad is shown parting Beth’s hair gently with his fingers before he starts twisting.  Beth and her dad talk, giggle, tell stories and sing songs the entire time.  When the style is finished Beth inspects her daddy’s work and a huge smile spreads across her face.  In the end, Beth is pleased with the end result and can’t wait to go to school to show off her new hairstyle to her friends and let them know her daddy did it.  I love how Beth was involved in the process by choosing her own hair accessories and the style.  I also enjoyed seeing the father give Beth his undivided attention while he styled her hair.

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I think this book is such a cute testament to the relationship between fathers and daughters which captures the importance of fatherhood perfectly.  Not everyone is blessed with parents or dads who are active.  Let’s face it, for many dads, doing hair isn’t as easy as most moms make it look. From basic pony tails to buns to complex braids, there’s a lot to learn.  With a plethora of products, accessories and styles available, it’s easy for dads to get caught up in complicated styles that leave their daughters’ looking more chaotic than cute.  However, I think Beth’s dad does a great job making his daughters’ hair look fierce and stylish.  He gets an A+ for both effort and style.  Way to go, Dad!

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Overall, we enjoyed this book because it goes beyond the hair and shows the special bond between a father and his daughter.  Beth’s dad shows her that she’s worth his investment and reinforces in her heart that she is important, beautiful and unique.

Learn more about the Daddy Do My Hair book series!
To order a copy of the book click here. (For both UK and non-UK residents)

WebsiteInstagram | Twitter | YouTube

children's books

19 Unique Friendship Picture Books for Kids!

As September rolls through our lives, we find ourselves slipping into that back-to-school mentality: back-to-school means new clothes, new school supplies, and most importantly, new friends. Even as adults we get butterflies thinking about meeting new people, so it’s tough to imagine placing our kids in that position of needing to make new friends and coming out of their shells in new environments.

Friendships, of course, come in all different shapes and sizes, and there’s no better medium for exploring these unique friendships than picture books. The people we meet during our lives can be transformative and life-altering, and finding the people we want to spend our time with is always a process unique to the individual. (Written by Mel @spiky_penelope on Instagram)

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Here’s the round-up of Unique Friendship stories shared throughout August from the Kid Lit Picks Book Club on Instagram and quotes from individual reviews.

Leo, A Ghost Story, by Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson (shared by ME @readingisourthing)

“…friends come in many shapes and sizes. Well, they can cross through dimensions, too.”

Life Without Nico, by Andrea Maturana and Francisco Javier Olea (shared by @spiky_penelope)

“…honest and authentic, and it tackles a common issue in such a fresh and beautiful way.”

The Sandwich Swap, by Rania Al Abdullah, Kelly DiPucchio and Tricia Tus (shared by @ilovebooksandicannotlie)

“…a great book to use to discuss accepting each other’s differences and cultural diversity! Pick this one up!”

The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown (shared by @afriendlyaffair)

“This wild Robot causes the reader to consider that it isn’t a beating heart that gives us life. It is our friends, our loves, our ability to learn, adapt, to be both WILD and refined.”

Sophie’s Squash, Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf (shared by @the.book.report)

“Sophie finds the most amazing squash at the farmers market. Her parents plan to have it for dinner, but Sophie isn’t hearing anything of it!”

The Cloudspotter, by Tom McLaughlin (shared by @homegrownreader)

“…a gentle reminder that we don’t need to do everything alone and though friendship can be uncertain, it can also be its own reward.”

Lucy and Company, by Marianne Dubuc (shared by @book.nerd.mommy)

“This adorable picture book is a sweet tribute to childhood and friendships. It is three short stories about Lucy and her friends as they enjoy three special little adventures.”

Hole and Hill Are Best Friends by Kyle Mewburn and Vasanti Unka (shared by @hereweeread)

“Hill likes being a hill, and Hole likes being a hole, but sometimes they wonder what it would be like to switch places.”

Unlike Other Monsters, by Audrey Vernick and Colin Jack (shared by @astoryaday)

“This is a wonderful book about finding new friends, standing up for those friends, and what it means to be a friend.”

The Invisible Boy, by Trudy Ludwig and Patrice Barton (shared by @chickadee.lit)

“The book’s illustrations help children understand the invisibility metaphor; Brian is first depicted in grays and gradually becomes more colorful as his friendships grow.”

Duck & Goose, by Tad Hills (shared by @happily.ever.elephants)

“If everyone could learn to cooperate like Duck and Goose, this world would no doubt be a much lovelier place.”

Lost and Found, by Oliver Jeffers (shared by @bookbairn)

“…a fabulous story about friendship and how all things that are lost don’t always need to be returned to be found.”

Harry and Walter, by Kathy Stinson and Qin Leng (shared by @bookbloom)

“Decades dissolve, as once again their friendship is rekindled.”

Imaginary Fred, by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers (shared by @howifeelaboutbooks)

“The book is touching and – fair warning – the end might make you tear up.”

Wilfred, by Ryan T. Higgins (shared by @smallysbookshelf)

“This adorable story teaches a lesson in empathy, friendship, and the cost of greed.”

Same, but Little Bit Diff’rent, by Kylie Dunstan (shared by @fee_loves_)

Two friends “compare with wonder their differences in lifestyle, culture and traditions but they also find much of those differences contain just as many commonalities.”

The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty, by Beatrice Alemagna (shared by @ohcreativeday)

“Beatrice Alemagna can do no wrong in my books. One of my class spelling groups is named after her, in fact.”

Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School, by David Mackintosh (shared by @alittlebookhabit)

“This is a really interesting book. It’s really stylish and appealing to look at. The layouts are inventive and there are lots of fine details so that you can spot something new each time you read it.”

Goodnight Already, by Jory John and Benji Davies (shared by @childrensbooksgalore)

“Bear just wants to go to sleep, but Duck has other plans!”

@kidlitpicks is an Instagram book club. Its members are avid readers, and love children’s literature. Each month we share recommendations linked to a chosen theme. We want you to get involved. Follow @kidlitpicks on Instagram. You’ll find the monthly theme in our profile. Have a favorite children’s book that falls under this theme? Post a pic and review, and tag it with #kidlitpicks.

Books for Adults

MyTaughtYou Podcast Companion Worksheets + One-On-One with Myleik Teele!

If you follow my blog or Instagram account, you’ve likely heard me mention two trailblazing women I admire the most: Oprah Winfrey and Myleik Teele.  Kerry Washington comes in a very close third place.  I don’t know about you, but I love seeing fabulous women who are making big, bold moves out in the world.  To me, these women set the example that we can all accomplish our wildest dreams and be graceful and humble while doing it. They exude class, celebrate intelligence and break down barriers – they truly walk in their purpose.

Myleik Teele, has revolutionized the way women address their curly hair needs. She is the founder of curlBOX, an exclusive monthly subscription box full of amazing products.  She also started a second business called MyTaughtYou and she offers sage advice on her wildly popular podcast.  On the podcast, Myleik shares everything from personal stories, money tips, relationship advice, hobbies that make money, business tips and so much more.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Myleik to discuss her new podcast companion worksheets.  Have you seen these gems yet?  Each worksheet is approximately 5 – 9 pages long and they cover three main topics: Maintaining Momentum, Landing  Your Dream Job and my personal favorite, The Business Approach to Dating and Relationships.

Click here to purchase Myleik’s Podcast Companion Worksheets!  Current prices range from $4.99 – $9.99!

Let me break down each of these worksheets for you and let you know how I’ve been incorporating them into my everyday life.

Maintaining Momentum
This 5-page worksheet guides you towards overcoming obstacles that have no place in your life and moving full force to the top of your game. It has definitions of what a vision board is as well as a mantra – a word or phrase that is repeated often.

Myleik then challenges you to ask yourself an honest question about how you want to feel when you achieve your goals and leaves space for you to jot down your answer. There are also instructions on how to make a vision board and additional space to write down the mantra(s) you want to recite to yourself daily. The rest of the worksheet is about taking action and brainstorming so you can begin to reset your mindset, step outside of your comfort zone and build momentum.

I think this worksheet is very well thought out and organized. I’ve used it to help me start putting some personal plans and goals into action. There is something about the power of writing things down that starts to get the universe moving in your favor.

Landing  Your Dream Job
This 7-page worksheet is a companion to the “Why You’re Not Getting the Job” podcast.  This worksheet’s intent is to creatively guide you in the right direction of landing the job of your dreams.  Myleik shares proven tips, insider secrets and tells you how to enhance your resume and cover letter with step-by-step instructions.  Researching your online presence is also discussed along with some action steps to take.  The worksheet then discusses how to creatively find your dream job and provides an action plan.

I think entrepreneurs or people looking for a new job in the workplace would benefit from using this worksheet.  I used it to help me start building my early literacy consulting business.  It helped me to start getting crystal clear on my goals and vision.

The Business Approach to Dating and Relationships
This 9-page worksheet is a companion to the “Why I Took a Business Approach to Dating and Relationships” podcast. It provides a loose strategy for approaching dating in a way that makes you feel a bit more confident.

At the top of this worksheet Myleik challenges you to be honest with yourself about your life goals and priorities. There is space provided for you to write down your thoughts. Then there is a section for you to evaluate your past experiences with regards to relationships and useful information about how to find a therapist if you feel like you’re in need of one.

Other topics include: performing a gut check, working on your personal elevator pitch and writing down exactly what you’re looking for in a relationship.

I think this worksheet is a fantastic resource for both single and married people. I used it to re-evaulate some of the goals my husband and I have for our marriage.  Myleik says once she started approaching relationships the same way she did her business things started to change for the better.  Check it out for yourself and see if things start to shift for you too!

MyTaughtYou Podcast Companion Worksheets + One-On-One with Myleik Teele!

Now for the fun part, the interview!

Q&A With Myleik!
Q: Tell me about your new Podcast Companion Worksheets and why you decided to create them.
A:  The podcast companion worksheets are sort of a physical, tangible accountability partner for people in certain areas of their lives.  We looked at our most popular podcasts and wondered how can we help people maintain momentum.

Q: Who should use these worksheets and how can people benefit from using them?
A:  I think anyone can use the worksheets.  I have found the people who enjoy the worksheets most are visual learners.  They enjoy making vision boards, setting goals and making plans.  They like being held accountable and some are still looking for mentors.  The worksheets are sort of a way to help them stay on track.

Q: What’s your most popular podcast episode that you’d recommend others listen to?
A: I have a podcast that I did about therapy.  It’s about why I went to therapy and why I still go.  Therapy is such a taboo topic to many people, but that is probably the one that’s listened to the most.

Q: What are some lessons you’ve learned in leadership?
A:  When it comes to leadership, people have to remember to use their voice and trust their decisions.  I think sometimes people don’t think they’re good enough or don’t believe their ideas are valid.  We need new opinions, we need new ways of doing things.  So I think leaders have to get really good at trusting their voice.  They also have to learn how to work with others and not be so married to their own ideas.  I always say, “I lead from the back”.  Meaning, I know I’m on a team with other people so sometimes I let others step in and fix a problem instead of always doing it myself.

Q: After all of your success, what do you struggle with now? What keeps you awake at night?
A:  To be honest with you, I feel very content in my life right now.  That is something that I worked really, really hard on because there were many things that used to keep me up at night.  I think that now I decided at the end of the day I want to have some peace.  So with the help of psychotherapy and learning how to really let things go, I have become somewhat of a black belt communicator.  I know how to communicate better than I ever have before.  When you master that I think you don’t take things so seriously.  As long as I can say that I have done my absolute best I can’t be worried about what may or may not happen.

Q: Do you have any books that you would suggest I read for pleasure?
A: I don’t do a ton of pleasure reading, but I am currently reading The Perfect Find by Tia Williams and I’m absolutely enjoying it.  I also really enjoyed 32 Candles by by Ernessa T. Carter and Me Before You by JoJo Moyes.

Q: Which 3 business/career related books do you recommend the most?
A: Every person who works for me has to read The Personal Touch by Terrie Williams and Write to the Point by Salvatore Iacone.  If I had to pick a third book I’d probably say Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.  It’s a great networking book.

Q: What’s the most important business or other discovery you’ve made this year?
A: I think this year has been my year of contentment to be okay with where I am.  This year I’ve worked really hard to just enjoy my moments by not beating myself up.

Q: What’s unique about the MyTaughtYou products and services that you provide?
A:  The MyTaughtYou brand and products are purely based on the community.  People may not know this, but I’ve been on social media for over 7 years.  I used to chronicle my hustle on Twitter and provide tips.  I used to have people sending me money to my office as a way to say thank you for helping them.  So I decided to create MyTaughtYou as a way to give back and create useful tools in hopes that they help others.  It’s completely a labor of love.  I use the money I make from MyTaughtYou to put back into making more MyTaughtYou products.

Q: What’s next for MyTaughtYou and Curlbox in 2017 and beyond?
A:  With CurlBox, I think people will be excited to see we’re stepping things up quite a bit.  We’ll have a lot more offerings and partnerships.  For MyTaughtYou I have a few more product ideas and I’m also working on creating another journal.  I hope to have it finished before the holidays because I think that will be so great to help people start the new year.

Q: If you were to start a third business what kind of business would it be?
A: It would probably be something cooking related.  People who follow me on Snapchat know how much I love to cook.  So it might be something like a cookbook or something related to food.

Q:  Are you willing to share 1-2 things about yourself that can’t be found in your bio or on social media?
A: I’m pretty much an open book, but a lot of people may not know that I skipped the first grade.  Also me and my junior high track and field team hold a Junior Olympic Track and Field record for completing the 4 x 400m Relay in 3:45.90 seconds.

Q: I love the question you asked your friend Ken in a recent podcast so now I’m going to ask you. If you had $20 what would you spend it on?  Same question for $100.
A: If I had $20 I would get a foot massage at the massage place down the street from my house.  If I had $100 I would get the Alexa that Amazon sells.

Myleik also dropped some real gems and gave me some personal, valuable advice.  Here are some of the highlights:

Regarding time management…
“You have to use your time wisely as if your life depends on it because it does.  There’s a great amount of sacrifice that goes into working for yourself as an entrepreneur.  A lot of people want to reap the rewards of being an entrepreneur, but they don’t want to put in the time or the work.”

When deciding what to charge clients/customers for your time…
“If I know I need to make $5,000 per month in order to live comfortably, I could either have 2 clients paying me $2,500 each or 50 clients paying me $100 each.  I generally find the higher your prices are, the less customers you need.  In the past, the more cheaper clients I had, the more headaches I had.”

“You need to find the right people who are willing to pay for your time and services and work really, really hard to keep them happy.  You also need to figure out what it costs you to live on a monthly basis.  Then decide how many customers you think you can get and build it from there.  Start high and then you can negotiate.  You should also have to have a walking point to say, ‘No, I’m not going to do it for that price’ if it’s less than what you’re willing to accept.”

On consistently making money as an entrepreneur…
“If you want to consistently make money, you have to consistently hustle.  There are no guaranteed or steady paychecks like you get from working at your job.  With entrepreneurship you eat what you kill, period.  That’s the thing I love the most about being an entrepreneur.  I felt like I was a millionaire when I was 25 years old.  I know how hard I’m willing to work and do what it takes.  I will wake up at 4am for a decade if that’s what it takes.  Do the work, remove the date, and the check will come down.”

On changing your mindset…
“You really have to come to a place of understanding that your income is limitless.  You can make as much or as little as you want.  It’s up to you.  You have to get into that mindset and be willing to do what most people won’t or be okay with being micromanaged at your job.  Your job may not be as bad as you think given all of the things that come with being an entrepreneur.”

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Connect with Myleik!
Website Instagram | Twitter

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children's literacy

Why Your Child Hasn’t Developed a Love of Reading by First Grade

I learned to read while I was in preschool at the ripe age of four.  I don’t remember the methods that were used to teach me, but I do remember reading and literacy wasn’t seen as a big deal in my household.  I didn’t have someone who read stories every night before tucking me into bed.  Instead, once I learned how to read on my own I would read books and then fall asleep shortly after.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for books and reading.  When people used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up my first response was, “I want to be a teacher!”  For me, being a teacher was a no-brainer since I loved to read and had a passion for helping others succeed from a very early age.  By being a teacher I had a desire to transform instruction so that children could become powerful readers, writers and thinkers.  My dreams of becoming a teacher never came to pass, however I believe making the decision to be an early literacy and learning consultant will help satisfy my desire.

Why Your Child Hasn't Developed a Love of Reading by First Grade
As an early literacy and learning consultant my goal is to offer a host of personalized learning, tools, feedback, and resources to parents who have prioritized their child’s early literacy.

Through my interactive, online workshops, I help you figure out your child’s reading stage and where he or she is going next. This enables you to tailor home literacy practices to your child’s unique strengths and needs.

During the months of October, November and December I’ll be offering a beta version of my very first workshop, “Why Your Child Hasn’t Developed a Love of Reading by First Grade” as a holiday special promotion for $47. Start a read aloud habit with your children and set your child up to have a successful school year. Let me show you how. I look forward to working with you!

CLICK HERE TO GET SIGNED UP!

Perks of joining us:

  • Exclusive Facebook group with like-minded parents/caregivers who are passionate about early literacy and helping their children
  • Reading tips to help your child become a better reader
  • Advance notice on upcoming board, picture and YA books (6-9 months before they hit the market)
  • Book giveaways
  • Fun read aloud challenges for kids

What makes you a good fit for this course:

  • You have a child ages birth – 7 years old
  • You are an expecting parent
  • You have a desire to help your child become a better reader or fall in love with reading and books
  • You are looking for good quality books for your children to read

Testimonials from previous courses:
“It was money well spent and would gladly recommend it to any parent!”

“It really helped to reiterate and tweak some of the things I’m already doing and enhance some of the things of the things some of the things I need to do more of with my kids.”

*No refunds will be offered for this course once you are enrolled.*

Book Reviews

What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Pre and PostNatal Care

Thank you Workman Publishing, for sponsoring this post. Pick up your copy of the new fifth edition What To Expect When You’re Expecting anywhere books are sold.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was glued to pregnancy and parenting books like What to Expect When You’re Expecting.  Every week like clockwork I’d whip out my pregnancy book and follow the development of baby like a student cramming for a PHD in Obstetrics. I could tell you exactly when her fingernails formed, when her taste buds began to develop, and when she started hiccuping in the womb.  I think a first pregnancy brings out the neurosis in some women (especially me) and every stray kick, twinge or hiccup sends you flying to the bookshelf for confirmation that baby is okay.

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If you’re currently expecting a baby, I’d highly recommend picking up the latest edition of What to Expect® When You’re Expecting to incorporate into your everyday life.  It is now in a brand new 5th edition with a fresh perspective, up-to-the-minute information and advice, and the same friendly, reassuring voice that has made the book a bestseller for decades. In addition to bringing Dad into the book throughout, it answers every imaginable question expecting parents could ask and offers solutions for every pregnancy and postpartum symptom.  All medical coverage is completely updated, including everything expectant moms need to know about the Zika virus. Current lifestyle trends are incorporated too: juice bars, raw diets, e-cigarettes, push presents, baby bump posting, the lowdown on omega-3 fatty acids, grass-fed and organic, health food fads, and GMOs.

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I don’t know about you, but during both of my pregnancies the two most important topics for me were prenatal and postnatal care.  Of course I was concerned about that “in-between phase” of actually being pregnant during the 40 weeks, but it was also important for me to learn about different ways to take care of myself before and after once baby finally arrived.  Practicing self-care is so important both during and after pregnancy.  That was something I sometimes had to force myself to do as I was so caught up in making sure the baby was healthy.  At times, my own self-care took a back seat – this was especially true during my first pregnancy.  Now I understand the importance of pre and postnatal care and try to encourage new moms-to-be to explore these topics during their pregnancy journey.

The thing that I think sets this book apart from the rest and why it’s still going strong five editions later is the sheer level of detail. There’s advice on preparing your body for conception, early pregnancy signs, and thorough sections dedicated to each month of your pregnancy. There’s also loads of postpartum advice and a very sympathetically written chapter on how to cope when things don’t go to plan (the complicated pregnancy). It’s funny (in some places), informative, and incredibly well organized.  I think the thing I love most about this book is how it and aims to answer any question (no matter how minor or ridiculous) you might have about your pregnancy journey. With a superior index for quick referencing, I think it definitely deserves its accolade of being the world’s bestselling pregnancy manual.

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Here’s a snippet of some of the prenatal and postnatal topics featured throughout:

Prenatal Testing

  • Expanded genetic screening (pp. 48–53)
  • Prenatal screening and diagnosis, including NIPTs (pp. 53–61)
  • First-trimester ultrasound (p. 170), plus 3D and 4D ultrasound (p. 322)

Staying Fit

  • Pregnancy exercises you can do anywhere, anytime (including at your desk) (p. 231)
  • Choosing the right workout for two (from barre to Pilates, Crossfit to Spinning) (pp. 235–238)

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

  • Pregnancy depression, panic attacks, and anxiety disorder (pp. 174–177)
  • Managing stress (pp. 145–149)
  • Safety of antidepressants (pp. 44–46)
  • Postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD (pp. 495–503)
  • Dad’s mood swings and depression, during pregnancy and postpartum (p. 176)

Postpartum and Beyond

  • More on postpartum symptoms and solutions (pp. 460–521)
  • Babywearing for baby blues (pp. 496–497)
  • Getting started breastfeeding (pp. 478–487)
  • Tandem breastfeeding (pp. 484–485)

As many moms will probably testify, motherhood usually does come down to mere survival. Kids get sick. Laundry becomes an endless abyss. You are functioning on a level that is simply trying to keep everyone afloat. If you’re going to make it through those times, you need to be taking care of yourself.  That includes before, during and after pregnancy.  As moms, we need to be at our best in order to make it through the worst times.

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Read this book to learn some valuable tips and gain incredible insight on pregnancy from pre-conception to delivery and everything in between. Following the advice outlined in this book may help you have more energy, more patience and more confidence in yourself as a mother.  Pick it up for yourself or gift it to a friend, daughter or niece at your next baby shower.  I think they’ll appreciate you introducing them to the most beloved and trusted pregnancy book.

To learn more about this book check out the website: What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Your turn: Did you read this book during your pregnancy?  What are your best tips for prenatal and postnatal care?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Book Reviews

Puffy: People Whose Hair Defies Gravity (A Book Review)

Puffy: People Whose Hair Defies Gravity by Aya de León
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Synopsis
This is a children’s book of text and photographs featuring kids, teens, adults, and families with naturally puffy hair. Writer/performer/educator Aya de León put out a call for photos. Individuals and families from far and wide submitted pictures that reflect the pride, wonder, and delight that so many people feel in having hair that defies gravity. We live in a world that works to subdue the natural exuberance of children in a myriad of ways, and this includes attempts to subdue their hair. The Puffy Hair Project is a celebration of the authentic, untamed self as expressed through our hair. The selection of photos primarily reflects people of the African diaspora, and it includes people of Asian, Latina/Latino, Arab, and Jewish heritage, as well. It is designed to provide puffy-haired kids with positive images, and to provide all of us with an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our world. The text is inspired by the simple yet memorable style of Dr. Seuss: “Puffy here. Puffy there. Yay! I love my puffy hair.”

Reflection
I love the idea behind the Puffy Hair Project!  This book celebrates naturally kinky and curly hair and allows little readers to see positive images of people who look like them.  I’m so happy with the paradigm shift that has taken place over the past few years.  It allowed me to abandon the chemicals, love the natural hair I was born with, and cross over to “team natural”.  In addition, it allowed me to pass on the pride and love I have for my hair onto my two children.

The shift also sparked a movement that encouraged authors like Aya de León to write books about natural hair.  I think it’s important for parents and caregivers to read books like this one with children in order to have open and honest discussions about the unspoken beauty standards that are imposed on young girls (and boys).

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I love the catchy repetitive text that’s featured throughout: “Puffy here.  Puffy there.  Yay!  I love my puffy hair.”  The photographs are beautiful and showcase little girls, boys, men and women of different skin tones sporting their natural hair.  While most of the images in the book are of African-Americans, the book also features Jewish, Latina, Arab and Asian people with puffy hair, as well as many different types of families and people with disabilities.  The last few pictures show little sleepyheads who are fast asleep making it a cute book to read for a bedtime story.  My kids love reciting the rhyming text along with me as I read it aloud with them.  A short and sweet story that celebrates diversity and teaches children the importance of loving themselves just the way they are.

About the Author
Aya de León is a children’s book author, writer/performer for adults working in poetry, fiction, and hip hop theater.  Her work has received acclaim in the Village Voice, Washington Post, SF Chronicle, and has been featured on Def Poetry, in Essence Magazine, and various anthologies and journals.  For more information about Aya please visit her website or follow her on Twitter.

Your turn:  Have you read this book yet?  Feel free to share in the comments.

family fun

Literary Road Trip Series: Launch Trampoline Park + A Giveaway!

Disclaimer :: Launch Trampoline Park sponsored this post and allowed our family to enjoy a complimentary experience. The information and opinions — including the sore muscles — are completely my own.

Trampoline parks have been popping up all around the Northeast thanks to Ty Law, a retired NFL cornerback who was a three-time Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots.  Ty Law had the idea to start the Launch franchises in New England a few years ago because it provided an opportunity to manage a business remotely and with great returns, according to the Launch website.  Today, there are Launch Trampoline parks in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.  There are plans to continue to expand to other states around the country as well.

My kids love bouncing on trampolines so naturally we jumped at the chance to go to Launch Trampoline Park in Hartford, CT. This was not the first time the kids and I went to Launch, but it was first-time experience for my husband.

After signing our safety waivers and putting our shoes and personal belongings in a cubby, we entered the trampoline park.  First stop: The Foam Pit! Who can resist? (Yes, even I jumped in a time or two. However, I quickly realized it is much easier for two and three year olds to climb out than a thirty-something mama.)

Launch Trampoline Park

Next, we headed over to the Kid’s Court. This is the perfect roomy spot for little ones to run and jump and get out that energy with others of their own size. The Kid’s Court is one-fourth of the size of the Main Court and is reserved for children under 42 inches tall.  This space is great because it keeps the littles, who may not have the best balance or jumping skills, from getting injured or scared.  Launch also offers “Toddler Time” so if you have little kids, look for that and other programs on the website for more information.

The next area we checked out was the slam dunk basketball. There are two hoops at the base of the trampolines and plenty of balls to slam dunk.  Basketball lovers and older kids will think this attraction is a dream!  You can run on a trampoline track to jump for a slam dunk on a basketball hoop.

As you can imagine, all that jumping really worked up an appetite. The Launch Café offers foods like hot dogs, pizza, snacks and drinks.  One thing to note:  Eating here along with the cost of jumping can get a little expensive.  Therefore, parents may want to plan their visit so it doesn’t include a full meal.  We decided to purchase a couple of bottles of water and a quick snack for the kids before exploring the Launch arcade.  In the arcade kids can play games and win tickets to put towards a prize.

I think the highlight of the trampoline park for the kids was seeing Joey, Launch Trampoline Park’s hip hoppin’ kangaroo.  You will see Joey at Launch birthday parties, sporting events, road races, and charity events.

Launch Trampoline Park offers so much fun!  In addition to the stations mentioned above, guests can try a larger wall-to-wall trampoline arena, trampoline dodgeball court and fitness classes.  If you’re looking for a perfect spot for a birthday party for those energetic kiddos, I think Launch is a great choice.  They offer a variety of different birthday party packages and allow groups to rent the facility for private parties and events.  They also have some awesome programs including: summer reading, Toddler Time, home school time, field trips, teen nights, and special needs night.

Before heading back home we decided to visit the Hartford Public Library since we were so close by and hadn’t been there in a while.  Going to the library was a nice (and free) way for the kids to calm down after all that bouncing off the walls – literally.  The kids enjoyed playing in the children’s area for a bit while I browsed the shelves looking for some new books to read for the week ahead.

A fun-filled afternoon of jumping, laughing, running and reading made for an easy bedtime. Goodbye, pre-school energy. Hello, rest and relaxation!

Back-to-School Promotion!
Right now Launch is offering a back-to-school promotion that runs through Friday September 2nd.  Any student who purchases an hour jump receives a free 1/2 hour. (Must be used same day)  “Relieve back to school stress and take your kids to bounce off the walls at Launch!”For more information, check out Launch Trampoline Park and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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The Giveaway!
Want to win a family 4-pack of tickets to Launch Trampoline Park in Hartford, CT? (A $56 value)  Our friends at Launch Trampoline Park were gracious enough to sponsor this contest.  Enter our giveaway below for your chance to win.  Hurry – ends Tuesday, September 6, 2016.  Good luck!

Launch Trampoline Park Family 4-Pack Giveaway

back to school books

Back-to-School Giveaway with Brightly!

It’s no secret that I am a huge advocate of reading aloud and literacy.  Over the fast few years I have watched my children develop a love of reading and literacy.  I’ve also noticed their increased vocabulary and watched them make connections in the world through books.  It’s truly amazing to see how far they have come in such a short period of time!  That’s why I’m always thrilled when I get the opportunity to spread the word about reading, books and valuable resources like Brightly!

I first learned about Brightly two years ago when they emerged on the scene while doing an online search for children’s books.  Naturally, I was immediately intrigued by heir content.  Brightly is a site that helps parents raise kids who love to read.  It’s is a wonderful resource from Penguin Random House that features book recommendations from all publishers for every age and stage, reading tips, author essays, and more.

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Most recently, Brightly created a page on the site called, Back to School Essentials, which includes books for kids at every age level (Pre-K through High School), plus tips for parents to get back into the school groove. I’m sure you’ll agree, Brightly has a lot to offer when it comes to getting your family ready for back to school. Broken down by age and stage, our Back to School Essentials contains:

Are you excited yet?  Also, if you’re not already signed up to receive Brightly’s newsletter, I’d highly recommend that you do.  They deliver book recommendations and reading tips right to your inbox!

The Giveaway!
I’ve teamed up with Brightly to let you know about this fantastic giveaway where you can enter to win a back-to-school prize pack for your kiddos!  Contest ends Monday, August 29th at 11:59pm EST.  Winner will be announced on Tuesday, August 30th!

The prize pack includes:

  • a Brightly tote bag
  • back to school printables pack
  • a book from the back to school roundups based on the age of the winner

Good luck!

Back-to-School Giveaway with Brightly!

Book Reviews

Esquivel! Space-Age Sound Artist (A Book Review)

Esquivel! Space-Age Sound Artist by Susan Wood, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
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Publisher: Charlesbridge
Age Range: 6 – 9 years
Grade Level: 1 – 4
Hardcover: 32 pages
Available for Sale: September 6, 2016 Pre-order here!

Synopsis
Juan Garcia Esquivel was born in Mexico and grew up to the sounds of mariachi bands. He loved music and became a musical explorer. Defying convention, he created music that made people laugh and planted images in their minds. Juan’s space-age lounge music–popular in the fifties and sixties–has found a new generation of listeners. And Duncan Tonatiuh’s fresh and quirky illustrations bring Esquivel’s spirit to life.

Reflection
I just love a good children’s non-fiction biography book! Especially when I learn something completely new that I never knew before. Have you ever heard of Juan Garcia Esquivel? I hadn’t either until I read this book with the kids.  Juan who later became known simply as Esquivel! (with an exclamation point), the king of space-age pop, was born in Tampico, Mexico in 1918. He loved music and grew up to the sounds of mariachi bands. Defying convention, he created music that made people laugh and planted images in their minds.

A self-taught player (he learned how to play the piano on his own), composer, and arranger, he to be proved a musical prodigy, and was soon leading the station orchestra. Esquivel! also became a pioneer in the innovative style of space-age music popular in the 1950s and ’60s. This unique style of music  is full of brilliant, bizarre, and exciting sounds, which are particularly striking to ears.  It’s a mixture of Latin, jazz, instruments and human voices combined.

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During his career, Esquivel! became popular in both Mexico and the United States, and he wrote many songs for TV shows and movies. He passed away in 2002, but even today he remains an inspiration to artists in many fields from musicians to animators to filmmakers who appreciate his originality and imagination.

Recommended for children ages 6 – 9, but it makes an informative and fun read aloud for younger kids too – you may just have to break it up into a couple of reading sessions like we did. The illustrations are bright and cheerful – they really complement the story well as the characters are dressed in outfits from the 50’s and 60’s era.

I think the kids favorite thing about this book is repeating all the unique musical sounds like: “rah-rah-rah-ree”, “blop-bleep-bleep-blop” and “squiddle diddy squee”!  It would have been fun to have all of the different musical sounds on CD to accompany this book as I’m sure our little musical rendition was way off key!  My favorite thing about this book was learning about someone completely new (and lesser known) from a diverse background.  We don’t see too many books about successful Mexicans so this was a real treat for me to read.

The back matter contains both an author’s and illustrator’s note as well as a list of additional resources.  Highly recommended for music lovers as well as Mexican or Mexican-American children to allow them to see themselves represented in a book.  I think many little readers will be inspired by Esquivel! to follow their dreams just like he did.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Your turn: Do you think your little readers will enjoy this book?  Feel free to share in the comments.

children's books

7 Artful Alphabet Books for Design Lovers

Alphabet books are the staples of many baby and toddler home libraries.  Often they become the most beloved and chewed-up ones too.  My kids are huge fans of a good alphabet book and so am I. Although the kids are getting older, I believe alphabet books have much more to offer children than just teaching them their ABC’s.  In fact, I think alphabet books can be very beneficial even after the preschool years.  Today, ABC books offer a variety of forms and context for readers of all ages, abilities, and serve multiple purposes.

For example, alphabet books may have rhymes, or feature other sound properties such as alliteration; be based upon popular children’s characters; be artistic, where the illustrator or photographer has taken liberties with the shape and form of the letters; or be contextual, providing information about a particular subject.

7 Artful Alphabet Booksfor Design Lovers
Recently, alphabet books have certainly gone to a whole new level.  Have you noticed?  And while there’s usually really not much you can say about ABC books, I think these seven books are definitely the exception.  I think the text and illustrations in all of these books work together nicely.  Some of them challenge readers to carefully observe how the letters are created, what they look like, or to look for hidden items that may even inspire creativity of their own.  I hope you’ll agree and enjoy these books as much as we do especially if your little reader is a lover of illustration, design or art.

The following were chosen with the following criteria in mind: beautiful illustrations, compelling content, and high interest level.

ABC: The Alphabet from the Sky by Benedikt Gross
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Discover the alphabet from a bird’s-eye view!
Geographer and designer duo Benedikt Gross and Joey Lee have taken the alphabet to new heights—literally! Using satellite imagery and computer technology, the pair has discovered “accidental letters” all over the world: in roads, rivers, buildings, lakes, and more. Take a journey around the Earth in 26 letters with this special book.  I’ll be reviewing this book on the blog in more detail soon!

An Artist’s Alphabet by Norman Messenger
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At first glance, this elegant alphabet book—showcasing both upper- and lowercase letters—seems to follow a familiar formula. There’s an acrobat standing atop a horse to form a big letter A and another curled under herself to make a small one. There’s a colony of beetles attached to the leaves they’ve munched, creating a big and a small letter B. But then comes the letter C, made of sea waves evoking the artist Hokusai. Or a lowercase I in the form of a pen that has left an ink smudge, or two kingly beasts that create the letter K. And what of the many letters, equally fantastical and fascinating, whose associations are left to the viewers’ imaginations? Ingenious and intriguing, beautiful and full of stunning detail, this is an alphabet book sure to invite many repeat explorations.

ABC Dream by Kim Krans
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This stunning and innovative alphabet picture book will dazzle little ones and engage the adults who share it with them! Each page is dedicated to a letter, and clever alliterations are packed into each ink-and-watercolor spread. Be on the lookout for the beautiful companion book 123 Dream coming out in September 2016!

AB See by Elizabeth Doyle
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Hidden in each graphic letter are tiny troves of ABC treasures waiting to be found by sharp-eyed readers. Can you find the apple, arrow, and armor in the letter A? Or the bear, banjo, and bike buried in the letter B? Read along in this unique alphabet board book that asks audiences to A B See beyond the ABCs.

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: The Complete Book of Nautical Codes by Sara Gillingham
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This stunning visual reference is an introduction to maritime communication through nautical flags, along with Morse code, the phonetic alphabet, and semaphore signaling.
Today’s system of international maritime signal flags was developed in the 19th century, and is still used for communication between ships, or between ship and shore. Each flag, boldly colored for visual distinction at sea, stands for a letter as well as a phrase relevant to seafaring. The resulting code is both beautiful and functional, inviting readers to code and decode messages of their own!

Daytime Visions: An Alphabet by Isol

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A many-layered alphabet book from an international star of the children’s book world, Daytime Visions is graphically strong and intelligent in its exploration of words and situations. Whether it’s a kiwi who returns to a boy’s shoulder or a little duck who can’t sleep, the visions here are relatable to children and rich with possibility.

The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin
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Presents the hand shape for each letter of the American manual alphabet accompanied by an object whose name begins with that letter. The hands portrayed represent different ages, genders, and skin color.  Inspired by a deaf person, this alphabet book celebrates the expressiveness of sign with lyrical clarity and creativity.  The art is eloquent and elegant, and the hands are all different – male and female, large and small.

Your turn:  What about you? What are your favorite alphabet books? Feel free to share in the comments!

Book Reviews

Animals by Ingela P. Arrhenius

Animals by Ingela P. Arrhenius
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Publisher: Candlewick Studio
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Age Range: 3 – 7
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
Available for Sale: September 27, 2016

Synopsis
Know someone who loves creatures? Animal lovers will fixate on this giant book presenting thirty-two big, bold images of friendly beasts.

From a star of children’s design in Sweden comes an exquisite array of animals rendered with whimsy and stylish splendor. Every over-sized page highlights a different specimen, from an adorable sheep to an elegant flamingo, from an endearing hippo to a silly-looking snake. Each animal’s name appears in a different eye-catching type treatment, making for an attractive graphic keepsake sure to find a prominent place in nurseries and bookshelves everywhere.

Reflection
We finally added an over-sized book to our home library!  I think big books are so fun and engaging.  We love checking out the Big Books section at our local library.  I find larger books allow the kids to have more peaceful reading times.  I’ve noticed the kids have a much easier time seeing and staying focused when the pictures are large enough to see from many seating positions in the library.

I’m so impressed with this latest addition to our personal collection of books.  Animals by Ingela P. Arrhenius is absolutely stunning!  It features amazing illustrations of thirty-two animals including a: rooster, cat, cow, turtle, flamingo, toucan and koala just to name a few.

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While it’s a rather simple book, I think it’s captivating with engaging and bold design.  Designed by Swedish artist and illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius, this book has a rather unique retro style influenced by her love of design from the 1950’s and 1960’s.  I recently discovered Ingela  and I’m in love with her timeless, fresh and cheerful style.  Her illustrations are full of character and have a happy vibe to them.

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The kids love calling out the names of the animals on every poster sized page.  Both of my kids can easily recognize the animals featured in this book based on the illustrations.  The only three they weren’t initially familiar with were the badger, the boar and the meerkat.  My daughter had no problems reading each animal’s name the way it appears in a different eye-catching font.  The over-sized format of this book makes the bright illustrations pop off the pages. The bold typography, retro design and gorgeous end papers make this book a beautiful keepsake for readers of all ages.  You’ll definitely want to prominently display this beauty on your little readers’ bookshelf.  A winner!

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Disclaimer: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Connect with Ingela!

Website | Instagram

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book?  What over-sized books do your little readers own?

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