holiday gift guide series

December 8, 2015

Mrs. G

Holiday Gift Guide Series: 4 Children’s Book Subscription Boxes

Are you planning to gift your little readers with a book subscription box this holiday season?

I love kids’ monthly subscription boxes because they offer unique educational experiences. They can give kids of all ages the chance to learn by doing fun projects, crafts and activities. Many subscription boxes on the market today are designed to include everything you need to spend quality time together with your children.

Subscription boxes make great last minute gifts for out of town family members, discerning nieces and nephews, your own kids, and just about anyone else. Kids love receiving packages in the mail and how fun for them to know know that they’ll be receiving packages long after the holidays are over. Today, there are subscription boxes that appeal to all sorts of different interests and passions.

Below are some of my favorite book subscription boxes for kids. Please note this is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions expressed are my own.

Cocoa Mocha Kids (October 2016 Update: This subscription box is no longer available.)

I found out about this wonderful subscription box on Instagram. Cocoa Mocha Kids is the first monthly “Surprise” product & book service specially tailored for children of color. When you subscribe to Cocoa Mocha Kids know that 100% of the net profit will help send children to STEM (Science, Technology Engineering, Mathematics ) programs throughout the United States. Every month your child will receive a box of products, art, books, samples & surprises.

To get started, simply sign up as a subscriber and your special Cocoa Mocha Kid will receive a new crate every month! Currently, the crates are available for children ages 2-11 for both boys and girls. They also plan to carry crates for babies soon.

Bee Mee Bookshelf (October 2016 Update: This subscription box is no longer available.)

Be Mee Bookshelf is a diverse children’s book subscription service that offers a curriculum to educate and empower children.

Each month the experts at Bee Me Bookshelf select a dynamic theme to focus on and we curate a collection of diverse books with protagonists of color around this theme. Next, they design curriculum cards for each book with vocabulary words, reading comprehension questions, discussion questions, and activity suggestions. Their goal is to create a space for young readers rooted in empowerment and education, that helps them cultivate a love of themselves, others, and reading.

You have the option of choosing a Bee Me Bundle for ages 4-8 years or a Bitty Bee Bundle for ages 0-3 years. You can also select how often you would like to receive a bundle: once, once per month for 3 months/6 months/9 months, etc.

Bookroo

Bookroo makes reading exciting for kids and affordable and convenient for parents. Each box contains either 3 board books or 2 picture books and the combined retail value of the books always exceeds the subscription price.

Bookroo offers 3 different subscription types to choose from: month-to-month, 3 month, and 6 months.

Check out my recent review of Bookroo here to learn more.

The Story Box

I’ll be reviewing this subscription box and providing more information soon, but I wanted to include them in my list now so you can check them out.

When you subscribe to The Story Box, your family will receive a monthly box that is curated by a nationally certified speech-language pathologist. Each box contains 2 children’s books and a guide for parents. Use the books and guide to make the most of your family reading time, enhance your child’s language skills, and improve your child’s chances of becoming a successful reader. The books in their boxes are most appropriate for children between the ages of 1-year old and 7-years old.

A portion of each subscription fee is used to purchase books and other educational materials to benefit children with disabilities and children from low-income families.

Your Turn: Do you have a favorite kids book subscription box? Is there an awesome subscription book box for kids missing from my list? Please let me know in the comments.

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Uncategorized

November 23, 2015

Mrs. G

Xfinity Lunch N’ Learn: Using Media as a Learning Tool

The phrase “screen time” is often associated with being negative, especially in today’s society. Growing up as a kid, we did have some television rules in place like: we were only allowed to watch “G” rated and “PG-13” rated movies. Relative to my childhood, limits on screen time have become increasingly restrictive and confusing. At least to me anyway.

Since I work in the technology field, it’s important to me that my children are familiar with technology and know how to use it. At the same time, I don’t want to overdo it and let my kids overdose on having too much screen time.

The iPad, Kindle, and various other tablets have opened up a world of “educational” screen time. For this reason, I totally subscribe to the new “transmedia approach” that some schools and colleges have recently adopted. Basically, the transmedia approach uses different forms of media to teach and reinforce key concepts.

For example, using the transmedia approach, you can let your kids watch a 1o-15 minute episode of a TV show, then move to an app that reinforces the lessons from the TV show, and then extrapolate on the topic in your lesson plan, workbook, read a book, or do another learning activity.

Recently, I was invited to attend an exclusive Lunch N’ Learn event at the Home of Distinction with a few other fellow mom bloggers in my state. The event was sponsored by Comcast (my local cable provider). Being a current Comcast subscriber I was excited to attend this event for a few reasons: 1) I’d have the opportunity to network with other local bloggers in my area. 2) I wanted to learn about some new features my family could take advantage of. 3) I was excited to learn more about the X1 platform because I think it’s a great way to incorporate the transmedia approach with my children at home and on-the-go.

The Lunch N’ Learn consisted of three different segments:

1) Xfinity X1
2) Xfinity Home
3) Xfinity Mobile Apps

First, I’ll provide a brief description about each segment, then I’ll tell you how I think you can apply it to your family and the transmedia approach.

Xfinity X1

During this segment I learned about the new voice-activated remote control. That’s right, you can “talk” to the remote and tell it what to do. How cool is that? For example, you can say the name of your favorite show, tell it to turn to a specific channel, and so much more! It’s also bi-lingual, but only understands English and Spanish at the present time.

I also learned more about the Kids Zone which is a safe place for kids to independently explore their favorite shows and discover new ones too. Although my kids still don’t know how to maneuver the entire remote, I would feel safe leaving the room knowing the television was tuned to the Kids Zone. Also, since you can activate the parental controls you won’t have to worry about your kids changing the channel to another program outsize of the “zone”.

It was also interesting to learn about the new integration of displaying movie ratings and reviews directly onto your TV. It’s similar to the Rotten Tomatoes movie ratings you may have seen online. This is so helpful for parents to determine what content is appropriate for different age ranges.

How to incorporate the transmedia approach: Using Xfinity X1 you can watch a television show with your children at home.

Xfinity Home

The Xfinity Home Security System is a steal starting at just $30 a month. Using a mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer you can do things like: turn on/off the lights, arm/disarm your security system, control the temperature, and even view a live video feed to see what’s happening in your home in real-time.

You also set up notifications to let you know when a door is opened and receive other e-mail/text alerts related to your home. Some of the other security features they provide are: 24-hour monitoring, door/window sensors, water sensors, glass break sensors, smart thermostats, indoor and outdoor cameras and smart light switches.

How to incorporate the transmedia approach: Using Xfinity Home you can teach your children about video cameras and how they work. It’s also a great learning opportunity to teach kids about security and the importance of being safe.

Xfinity Mobile Apps

With Xfinity mobile apps television shows and movies can be watched on your smartphone or tablet making it a truly portable experience! And the best part is you and kids can can watch your favorite shows even if there is no internet connection available! Simply download your favorites including DVR recordings and then watch them at any time whenever you want! Another cool feature is the ability to share live stream video and photos with other Xfinity subscribers using Xfinity Share.

I was completely surprised at how much I learned about Xfinity and all they have to offer in a short two-hour period. For me, learning about the Xfinity Wifi app and downloading your DVR recordings were truly game changers! Having the kids favorite shows available at my fingertips at anytime when I need them to sit quietly will definitely come in handy.

How to incorporate the transmedia approach: Using Xfinity Mobile Apps you can you can watch a show with your children on-the-go.

So you see, screen time isn’t such a bad thing, right? The truth is in today’s tech-savvy world kids will ultimately have access to screens. There’s not much we can do about that except be aware of how they’re using them, AND get creative with ways to keep them occupied (and ourselves sane) both with and without screens.

Let Xfinity show you how media can be an amazing tool for learning when used correctly.

P.S. If you live in Connecticut, you can tour the Home of Distinction during one of their public tours. See their website for more information.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Comcast. All opinions expressed are my own.

Your turn: Have you tried Xfinity TV yet? How are you and the kids enjoying it? Do you limit screen time in your home? Feel free to share in the comments.

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Audio Books

November 19, 2015

Mrs. G

Our Latest Obsession: Playaway Bookpacks!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen an image I posted a few days ago about Playaway audio bookpacks. Playaway is a better listening experience combining an easy-to-use player with an entire audiobook(s). Each bookpack comes with books (or one single book), a player, and a AAA battery. You just plug in a pair of headphones!

The audio book(s) are already pre-loaded on the player so there’s nothing to download…just put in the battery, plug in your headphones and press play. Easy, peasy! My local library carries a variety of Playaway bookpacks for both children and adults. So far we’ve enjoyed listening to classic books like Make Way for Ducklings, The Cricket in Times Square, and more modern books like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

Prior to finding out about Playaway the kids and I hadn’t really explored audiobooks much . I actually thought about purchasing a subscription through an audio book service before in the past, but now there’s no need to spend that extra money when I can just go to the library and check out a Playaway bookpack.

The player has 5 different narration speeds so you can find the reading pace that best suits your needs. You can also adjust the volume, reverse by chapter, fast forward to the next chapter, and rewind/fast forward within the chapter.

Playaway bookpacks are ideal for any upcoming travel by car, plane, bus, or train. Everyone can listen to their own audiobook on the go! They are also ideal for long commutes to work.

Check out your local library to see if they carry these wonderful audiobook packs. We’re obsessed with these gems! If they’re not available at your library – request them!

For more information about Playaway bookpacks check out their website here.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Your turn: Have you ever heard of Playaway? What’s your favorite way to listen to audiobooks? Feel free to share in the comments.

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product reviews

November 17, 2015

Mrs. G

Interactive Growth Charts for Kids Plus a Discount!

Sometimes when I look at my kids it doesn’t seem like they’re growing that much. I think that’s because I see them everyday so I don’t notice the difference as much as a person who hasn’t seen them in a few months. It’s only when I look back at photos from previous months/years that I notice they are in fact growing like weeds and it sort of makes me want to burst into tears! I love the fact that they are growing and learning new things and coming into their own, but its happening so quickly. If you’re a parent, I am sure you understand.

Since I never had an official growth chart growing up, I knew I wanted one for each of my children. As a kid, I remember having a wall in our apartment where we would measure how tall we were. It was always so fun to see how much we had grown. But then we moved and the wall went away… as did our “growth chart.” I wanted something for my kids that could move with us, but was still simple and easy to store. The interactive growth chart from PaperRamma is perfect because it simply rolls up and you can store it away.

Here’s the proof image I received which shows the entire growth chart from top to bottom.

I recently came across PaperRamma and instantly fell in love with their interactive, info-graphic style growth charts for kids. They are so beautiful, chic, and modern. Gone are the days when you just used a growth chart to record your height…that’s so 20th century! With this growth chart, you can keep track of milestones, favorite things, first words, birth stats, and more!

Each chart is customizable and printed on canvas. You can pick the colors, customize with your child’s name, pick a world or US map and can pick almost anything to put at the top for design from flowers to a graphic that fits your nursery decor.

I love the overall concept behind this growth chart – it’s a keepsake you can move from home to home (or room to room) with you. You can also write down notes (using an oil-based marker or pen), add photos and remember all those cute and funny moments for the whole family to look back on.

My growth chart arrived within a few days in a sturdy cardboard package and I couldn’t wait to get it open! Once out of the package, I was instantly impressed with it. The colors are beautiful and the design is flawless. I can tell the chart was made to last. Their design gurus use rich, vibrant inks which will help to preserve the design for years to come.

I truly love the interactive growth chart we received and it is so much nicer and more creative than the other charts I had been finding in stores and online. I’m sure it’s something my children will also treasure for years to come. Order a personalized growth chart for your little ones today before they grow any more! Makes a great gift for holidays, birthdays, or baby showers.

Interested in ordering a chart? Well, you’re in luck! Our friends at PaperRamma have graciously provided a discount code for all of my readers to use. Just visit their website to browse their collection and use the code READ10 in order to receive 10% off of their collection interactive growth charts. Offer ends Jan 31, 2016.

Connect with PaperRamma!
Website
Facebook
Instagram

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary growth chart in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Your turn: How do you guys document your kids growth and milestones… or do you? Feel free to share in the comments.

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family fun

November 16, 2015

Mrs. G

Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day: December 5th

We’ve all heard of “Take Your Child to Work Day” and “Take Your Child to the Library Day”, but did you know the first Saturday in December is designated for “Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day”? If you have heard of it, then maybe I’m just a little late to the party, but if you haven’t – read on!

Unfortunately, the kids and I may not be able to participate this year as we already have a kid’s birthday party scheduled as well as a another event planned later that day. However, I wanted to let all of you know about it in case you want to take your little ones to a participating bookstore near you.

Saturday, December 5th, is the sixth annual Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day. Founded by novelist Jenny Milchman, TYCBD has grown from 80 stores participating in its first year to 700 this year across all 50 states, Canada, Europe and Australia. Milchman was inspired by taking her own young children to bookstores: “Did all children know the pleasure of spending time in a bookstore? I wanted to begin a holiday that would expose as many kids as possible to this joy.”

Each bookstore plans their own events, a mix of everything from story time, giveaways, children’s author visits and even a few canine companions for kids to read to. Participating stores can be found on this interactive map.

What a great initiative that encourages families across the country to visit their local bookstores as a way to encourage literacy and love of reading. I love this idea and totally support it!

While I do purchase some books online from Amazon, I still enjoy physically going into a bookstore. Online shopping just can’t beat things like: face-to-face interaction with friendly, knowledgeable staff, comfortable and bright reading nooks and spaces to unwind, an array of refreshments, in-store author events, and of course, story time for the little ones.

Have I convinced you to check it out yet? If there is a child in your life, won’t you consider taking him/her to a bookstore this December 5th? I hope you’ll join me in spreading the word about this wonderful event.

For more information about Take Your Child to the Bookstore Day go here.

Your turn: How often do you take your little readers to the bookstore? Have you attended a Take Your Child to the Bookstore Day event in the past? Feel free to share in the comments.

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Book Reviews

November 14, 2015

Mrs. G

Stunning Braids: A Book Review

Since I have a daughter and I’m a natural hair enthusiast, it was inevitable that I at some point I was going to write a post about hairstyling books. I own a few hairstyling books in my personal home library so I was excited to have the opportunity to review Monaé Everett’s book Stunning Braids.

Synopsis
Nothing impresses like an intricate braid. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to fix up day-old hair, a chic look for a night out on the town or a dazzling do for your wedding day, the braid is the way to go. In this DIY guide, New York City celebrity hairstylist and YouTube sensation Monaé Everett presents easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos for creating beautiful looks. Up your skills as you master a range of braiding techniques for any hair type, including:

•Five-Braid Updo
•Diagonal Lace Braid
•Fancy Fauxhawk
•Fringe Lace Braid
•French Fishtail Pony

Reflection
Stunning Braids is a beautiful publication that includes step-by-step illustrated tutorials for 25 braided hairstyles. I love the fact that each style is accompanied by color photographs on different models with various hair types and textures. I think this book also does a great job of describing different styling tools and equipment that is needed to achieve each style.

I tried out several of the hairstyles on my own hair and was pleasantly surprised at how they turned out. I’ll definitely be wearing these styles at various holiday parties I’ll be attending over the next few weeks. This book is my new go-to book when I want to style my hair in a cute, chic, braided style for weddings or other special occasions.

The photographs are professional quality and they’re not over-styled as they perhaps would be in a fashion magazine, making them seem achievable – even to some women who may be ponytail kinda girls. I think this book is great for tweens, teens, and adult women especially if you like braided hairstyles with a touch of elegance that are not too overwhelming. I suspect the intended audience for this book is teens and adults, but the tutorials are so well laid out that they can be followed by all ages with ease. A must-have for your home library collection if you’re into hair as much as I am.

About the Author

Monaé Everett knows how to bring out the beauty in everyone. Her celebrity clients have include: Taraji P. Henson, Mariah Carey, Connie Britton, Lauren Graham, and more. Her expert opinion has been featured in major publications such as: Huffington Post, Redbook.com, and Essence magazine. To help make women look and feel their best, she regularly blogs at HairandMakeupBlog.com and uploads beauty tutorials to YouTube.

Connect with Monaé!
Website: MonaeEverett.com
E-Mail: Monae@HairandMakeupBlog.com
Stunning Braids Press Release

Find Her on Social Media!
YouTube Instagram FaceBook Twitter Pinterest Google+ LinkedIn

Your turn: Did you enjoy this post? Do you like to experiment with your hair and try new styles or do you usually play it safe and wear your hair the same way all of the time? Feel free to share in the comments.

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Book Reviews

November 11, 2015

Mrs. G

Crow Made a Friend Book Tour & Giveaway!

I’m thrilled to be a part of the TLC tour for Crow Made a Friend by Margaret Peot!

Recommended for Children Ages: 4 to 8
Themes: Easy Readers, Animals/Fiction, Friendship

Book Synopsis
Try, try again is the lesson Crow teaches beginning readers in this picture book reader. Crow was all alone. But like all crows, he was very clever. Using autumn leaves for wings, sticks for the body and a crab apple for the head, Crow made a friend! But winter winds blew in, destroying his creation. Undaunted, Crow fashioned another bird friend out of snow but could not prevent it from melting in the warm spring sun. Alone again, Crow heard the caw, caw, caw of a real, live bird. Together they built a nest and by summer, Crow had a family. This warm, satisfying story, celebrates perseverance and ingenuity.

Reflection
Making new friends can be intimidating, but it’s definitely rewarding. After all, friends form a big part of our life. They are the ones who walk through life together, share our ups and downs and joys and pains. Without friends, life wouldn’t be the same at all. The lonely crow in this book certainly understands this so he goes on a quest to make a new friend and ends up starting a new family at the end.

The kids and I really enjoy this book! It’s a wonderful, charming, beautifully illustrated, short story that my three-year old daughter can read word for word on her own. It’s a quick read and perfect for beginning readers to enjoy over and over. I think the overall messages about the importance of friends and continual effort are easy enough even for the youngest readers to understand.

After reading the book, the kids and I did the craft activity that was included to make our own “friend”. I adore doing craft activities with the kids after reading the book as it seems to help reinforce what we’ve just read while having fun. You can download your very own crow activity sheet here!

I’m a true believer that children’s books teach us some of life’s most valuable lessons. The valuable lesson I took away from this book is the key to making new friends is YOU! Friends will not magically come your way. It takes time, trying different things, and lots of effort on your part. Just like shopping for shoes, you have to try on lots of pairs before finding the right fit.

About the Author

Margaret Peot is an artist, writer, and a teacher. Some of her other books include: Inkblot: Drip, Splat and Squish Your Way to Creativity (Boyds Mills 2011), The Successful Artist’s Career Guide: Finding Your Way in the Business of Art (F&W 2012), Alternative Art Journals: Explore Innovative Approaches to Collecting Your Creativity (F&W 2012), and Make Your Mark: Explore Your Creativity and Discover Your Inner Artist (Chronicle Books, 2004).

Margaret attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and studied with Alex McKibben, Rocio Rodriguez, Lon Beck, Thomas Effler, Geoff Fishburn, Michael Griffiths, and Crossan Curry. She is currently serving on the first College of Creative Arts Advisory Board at Miami.

Connect With Margaret!
Author’s Website
The InkBlotBook
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest (Crow)
Pinterest (Birding)

Also, be sure to “like” the TLC Tours Facebook page for contests, giveaways, book talk, links to great reviews, and much more!

Now you can enter to win a copy of the book! TLC Book Tours is Giving Away a Copy of Crow Made a Friend to one random reader. To enter simply leave a comment below. Hurry, ends Monday, November 16, 2015.

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children's literacy

November 9, 2015

Mrs. G

Literacy Expert Spotlight: Sophie Helenek

This month’s literacy expert is Sophie Helenek. Sophie is an elite athlete, award-winning author, former banker, Everest summiteer, runway model, and mother. Also, her daughter happens to go to the same preschool as my son – how cool is that?

Please tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I was born in Guyancourt, France. I’ve always had a passion for music, education, and sports. At the age of 22, I obtained my Master’s degree at La Sorbonne Business School. In 2013, I became a new mom and embarked on the journey of writing a baby book series which includes four delightful board books Fruits, Sky Wonders, Shapes and Musical Instruments. I am also a motivational speaker and panelist at different events around the world. I am currently embracing my new career as executive coach and keynote speaker.

Please provide some insight on what it’s like to be a children’s book author.
As per my experience, it is not easy to be a children’s book author mainly because everyone thinks they can do it. But it is far from easy. Writing a children’s book is a tedious and challenging process which requires lots of research, great attention to details, and a mental made of steel! You are working on complex concepts that are expressed in “simplistic” ways. Such discrepancy often undermines your hard work and it can be very discouraging.

My inspiration
My inspiration was my daughter. When she was a small baby, I showed her an M.C. Escher book. She seemed to like the black and white spiral drawings. When I say “like,” I understand you don’t really know what is going on in an infant’s head, but I could tell that something happened. I was surprised and started reading about how babies’ eyes work, what they see, and why.

At birth, babies are very nearsighted; that is why they are interested in bold black and white shapes and high contrast patterns. Eager to learn more, I read bunch of studies on speech development, child temperament, and babies’ milestones. Gathering all this information, I developed and designed My First Books series from a baby’s perspective. I wanted to write an engaging book that promotes bonding and supports an infant’s developmental growth milestones: vision, memory, speech, and social skills.

They are not just picture books or bedtime stories but rather activity books conceived to stimulate a baby’s senses.

Here how My First Book series works:

At first, a baby will enjoy simple illustrations with black-and-white and high-contrast patterns designed especially for the very young to focus on.
As babies gets older, their brains learn to distinguish bright primary colors and will start identifying the illustrations with the words you read, which triggers their memory process.
Each picture is accompanied by a simple word that babies will love repeating and which helps their speech development.
The last pages show all the illustrations together, which also helps the baby’s memory process.
My First Book series offers a special feature for toddlers, as they can write on the book with a white board pen, wipe it, and write again!

What tips and advice would you give to others who may be considering writing a children’s book?
First you need an idea. Then, do your research and see if your idea makes sense, and if it could target an audience niche. Once you are getting ready to start writing, step back and ask yourself : Why am I doing it? And What do I really want to achieve with my book? Write down your answer, and keep it handy. It will be a good motivation boost going forward! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need advice.

What are some activities that you’ve done with your child to promote literacy?
I placed books everywhere, among toys, on shelves at her eye sight, on the dining table, in the car…. Books are part of her daily life. It is a bonding time, as well as a self-exploratory medium for her. She discovered she can turn pages, choose her books, “read” at her own pace, etc.

What are some of your must-have children’s books for a home library?
I always encourage people to think out of the box and be open minded to your child interests and affinities. Some unknown authors wrote wonderful books which are not promoted by big publishing companies and therefore are stuck under the radar of the “must-have” children books.

Nevertheless, I personally love board books by Karen Katz, Where’s Spot flap books, and Mother Goose.

Do you have any literacy rituals that you practice in your family?
I read her books every morning before or after breakfast, and every night before going to bed. I always give her a book to look at when she is in her car seat.

I also incorporate several types of books into my parenting: nighttime stories, which are mainly soft pastel drawing books that are calming; nursery rhyme books, which are more wordy and playful; and activity baby board books like My First Book series which are placed with all other toys.

Besides reading, what are some other things parents can do to set their children up for literacy success?
Don’t hesitate to read in front of your child – before you know it he/she will mimic you reading.

If you could give parents one piece of advice about reading with children, what would it be?
It is never too early (or too late) to read to baby.

Parents play a key role in their child development by supporting their healthy physical, emotional, and developmental growth. Being a first-time mom my motherhood instincts were to love, bond, and nurture my child as well as to feed her active brain. I played and read a lot to her and she loved it since day one. It is never too early to read to your baby, despite their seemingly passive demeanor their brain is constantly at work absorbing information and generating new connections among brain cells. Reading to babies appears to be an excellent nourishment to complete their brain development, a “brain food” as mentioned in Baby Read-Aloud Basics book.

Hardcover, Paperback, or e-book (when reading a book on your own)?
I love hardcover books. I don’t like e-books, I love turning the pages and writing notes.

Fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, romance, or some other genre (when reading a book on your own)?
I am scared very easily, so it is impossible for me to read a suspense or thriller book. I enjoy reading fiction and business/reference books.

Name an adult book that:
You really enjoy: Gabriel Garcia Marquez author of the marvelous book “One hundred years of solitude”. I also like more light hearted authors like Natalie Nothomb or Anna Galvalda.

You would recommend to others: The book series by Katherine Pancol
“ Les yeux jaunes des crocodiles”, “La valse lente des tortues” and “Les ecureuils de Central Park sont tristes le lundi”

What books are on your nightstand right now?
I did not realize how many books I read at the same time. I have two magazines on my nightstand, the Times, and the Atlantic ; a financial book: “The New Advisor for Life” by Gresham and two books in French “au revoir la-haut” by Pierre Lemaitre and “Un secret” by Philippe Grimbert.

Are you working on any special projects that you want to share with others?
I am working on a new board book series “Baby Babble” dedicated to promote speech development by introducing fun and engaging age appropriate sounds. The first book of the series will be released in spring 2016 “Baby Babble Ooo”, which includes vocalization such as Ghosts say Boo, Cows say Moo, Owls say Ooo, as well familiar words and functional objects such as spoon and balloon. Some videos will be added on the publisher website to guide parents in helping their child in the production of the sound Ooo.

How can people get in touch with you on social media or on your website?

Website: www.nurserybooks.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurserybooks
Twitter: @nurserybooks
Books available on :

Barnes and Noble
Amazon

Your turn: Did you enjoy this post? Are you interested in being featured? Do you know someone who might want to be featured? Feel free to let me know in the comments or send me an e-mail.

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Book Reviews

November 5, 2015

Mrs. G

Princess Cupcake Jones Book Series: A Review

Well, it finally happened. My three year-old daughter “Sparkles” is officially obsessed with all things related to princesses. It all started shortly after her third birthday a couple of months ago. I always knew if I had a daughter at some point she’d be hit by the princess craze like a tidal wave.

I don’t mind that “Sparkles” already knows what a princess is or even that she pretends to be one on occasion, but I want her to have a healthy view of herself and have good role models even if some happen to be princesses like Princess Cupcake Jones.

Princess Cupcake Jones is a beautiful, spunky, natural-haired, brown girl who happens to be a princess. She lives with her parents (the king and queen) in a beautiful castle located at 6 Garden Place. There are currently three books in the series and each one celebrates diversity and teaches children valuable lessons while allowing each reader to have a fun, interactive experience.

I was immediately drawn to this adorable book series because it features a little brown girl on the cover. Yay! As you may know, finding a book that actually includes African princesses, African American princesses, Native American princesses, Indian princesses, Latina princesses, or Asian princesses, is next to impossible. Perhaps one day book publishers, television producers, and movie producers will understand the beautiful variety of princesses (and princes) that the world has to offer. Good thing there are children’s books like these to help remind little readers of all cultures and backgrounds that princesses, kings, and queens are not limited to the images they see in the mainstream media.
So far, the kids and I have read two out of the three books: Princess Cupcake Jones and The Missing Tutu and Princess Cupcake Jones Won’t Go to School. The third book in the series is called Princess Cupcake Jones and the Queen’s Closet. The author is also hard at work writing the fourth book about a dance recital that’s due to be released in 2016.

To add to the interactive element, each book includes the word “love” hidden within the full color illustrated pages. Helpful hints to finding the hidden word are available on the book’s website, which also features downloadable color pages and other activities.

Both of the books we read teach an important lesson in a fun and whimsical way with gentle, rhyming cadence to match. Oh, and the illustrations are gorgeous throughout. They are so vibrant, bold, cheerful and really compliment the story well. I can’t wait to read about Cupcake’s next adventure!

If your daughters have been hit by the princess craze like my daughter has, consider checking out Princess Cupcake Jones. Little readers who like the series Fancy Nancy or Pinkalicious will adore these books just as much. Cue the sparkles, tiaras, and tutus!

About the Author
Ylleya Fields has three daughters and a son. While looking for books to read to her eldest daughter (when she was 2), Ylleya was struck by the limited number of titles featuring African-American characters. Blending both of her daughter’s images and personalities together, Cupcake Jones was created. Born in South America, Ylleya currently resides with her family in Cleveland, Ohio. She enjoys writing and is currently working on new Princess Cupcake Jones adventures.

Your turn: Have you read any of the books in this series yet? Do you have a princess book that you feel great about reading with your children? Feel free to share in the comments.

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November 2, 2015

Mrs. G

It’s National Picture Book Month!

Hello, November…it’s National Picture Book Month!

What is Picture Book Month?
Picture Book Month is an international initiative to encourage everyone to celebrate literacy with picture books during the month of November.

Every day in November, there will be a new post on the website http://picturebookmonth.com from a picture book champion explaining why he/she thinks picture books are important. There will also be a literacy activity to do with your kids. Check out the calendar shown below.

This year’s list of picture book champions are: Sudipta Bardan-Quallen, David Biedrzycki, Paulette Bogan, Mike Curato, Matthew Gollub, Julie Gribble, Julie Hedlund, Carter Highins, Molly Idle, Joe Kulka, Jennifer Gray Olson, Kathryn Otoshi, Anne Marie Pace, Rukhsana Khan, Robin Newman, Penny Parker Klostermann, Eric Litwin, Loren Long, Deb Lund, LeUyen Pham, Matt Phelan, Stephen Shaskan, Trisha Speed Shaskan, TJ Shay, Whitney Stewart, Holly Stone-Barker, Mo Willems, Natasha Wing, Matthew Winner, and Paula Yoo.

In this digital age where people are predicting the coming death of printed books, picture books need love now more than ever. And the world needs picture books. There’s nothing like the physical page turn of a beautifully crafted picture book.

Join the celebration and party with a picture book! Be sure to check out the hashtag #picturebookmonth (on Instagram) for additional picture book suggestions to read with your little ones.

Disclaimer: I signed up to be a Picture Book Ambassador simply to support this initiative and share the information. I did not receive any compensation to write this post.

Your turn: Will you be celebrating National Picture Book month? Which picture book champion are you looking forward to reading about this month? Feel free to share in the comments.

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children's books

October 28, 2015

Mrs. G

What the Kids are Reading (for Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday of the year. Yes, I am a true foodie at heart, but that’s not the only reason why I love Thanksgiving. (Really, it’s not!) To me, everything about the day provides a sense of comfort. Stuffing your face and eating until you’re comatose…well, that’s just an added bonus.

This will be my third time enjoying Thanksgiving as a parent with the kids. I’m looking forward to enjoying family, good food, and of course reading some great books with the kids before the holiday arrives. There are so many Thanksgiving-themed books available you may end up having a hard time deciding which ones to read. To make it a little easier I’ve rounded up a collection of board and picture books that will teach your kids the importance of gratitude, thankfulness, and kindness mixed in with a little fun and food…yum! Enjoy!

Board Books
Who’s Coming for Dinner, Little Hoo? by Brenda Ponnay

Whooo’s Ready for Thanksgiving? Little Hoo is hosting all of his friends for a Thanksgiving feast, but first they have to arrive. Toddlers will love guessing who will be at the door in this “Knock, Knock” book featuring a little owl and his friends and family.

My Thanksgiving Prayer by Crystal Bowman

This oversized board book features a child thanking and praising God for the big and small joys of life. Children will delight in the colorful illustrations and the catchy rhyming text.

Thanksgiving Parade by Kelly Asbury

Through rhyming text, this shaped board book captures some of the best features of the parade, as seen through the eyes of a child.

Turkey Time! by Price Stern Sloan

Through rhyming text, this adorable book walks through Thanksgiving Day in the lead-up to the big meal.

Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon

Toddlers will love the silly Thanksgiving turkeys in this fun counting book full of silly turkeys doing very silly things! From twirling on a dance floor to being chased by a bee to tanning in the sun, these are no ordinary Thanksgiving turkeys. This shiny fabric–tabbed book is a holiday treat that is sure to be gobbled up quickly.

10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston

Little readers will gobble up this silly story about ten goofy turkeys and their antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noodle dance, and more.

Picture Books
Turkey and Mr. Bear by Jessika Daly

When Turkey shares his enthusiasm for Thanksgiving with Mr. Bear, he learns that he has no idea what that holiday really means. With wild ideas about birthday cake, fireworks and stockings hung by Santa, he soon finds out what Thanksgiving is all about. What does that mean for Turkey?

The Very Stuffed Turkey by Katharine Kenah and Binny Talib

A Thanksgiving story featuring a large turkey with a big problem. He’s been invited to EVERYONE’S home for dinner! With five homes to visit — Horse’s, Pig’s, Sheep and Goat’s, Cow’s, and Mouse’s –Turkey knows there’ll be a ton of food to eat. But there will also be friends and their families who can’t wait to celebrate the holiday with Turkey! Can this very plump bird make it through every meal without bursting?

The Great Thanksgiving Escape by Mark Fearing

It’s another Thanksgiving at Grandma’s. Gavin expects a long day of boredom and being pestered by distantly related toddlers, but his cousin Rhonda has a different idea: make a break for it – out of the kids’ room to the swing set in the backyard! Gavin isn’t so sure, especially when they encounter vicious guard dogs (in homemade sweaters), a hallway full of overly affectionate aunts, and worse yet, the great wall of butts! Will they manage to avoid the obstacles and find some fun before turkey time? Or will they be captured before they’ve had a taste of freedom?

Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy by Lisa Wheeler

A Thanksgiving comedy story about two brother turkeys and how they save each other from being someone’s Thanksgiving dinner. I’d recommend this one for kids ages 5 – 8.

Thanksgiving for Emily Ann by Teresa Johnston

Celebrate Thanksgiving in this sweet, rhyming story all about family and togetherness!
Emily Ann doesn’t like Thanksgiving, not one bit. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday, she feels a little ignored…and just a little bit sad. But just as Emily Ann prepares to do her worst, her family comes together to show her what matters most about Thanksgiving: family.

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes

From the turkey on the table to warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures. But what is most important is being able to share them with family. This book reminds kids and adults alike about the little details that make each day enjoyable and the illustrations bring the thoughtful words to life.

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano and Lee Harper

Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving . . . and you’re the main
course. But Turkey has an idea–what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead?
After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever that puts a nice twist on the story’s ending. Vegetarians rejoice! (No, I’m not a vegetarian, but I think they will enjoy the alternative ending.) This is a fun read aloud book to read with the kids.

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

Bear has come up with the perfect way to say thanks—a nice big dinner! When Bear decides to throw a feast, his friends show up one by one with different platters of delicious food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do?

T is for Turkey: A True Thanksgiving Story by Tanya Lee Stone

An ABC Thanksgiving book. A group of children puts on a play using rhyming couplets, featuring each letter of the alphabet, to provide the facts about Thanksgiving Day.

The Little Kids’ Table by Mary Ann McCabe

Everyone knows that the little kids table is the place to be for any holiday or family gathering. They just know how to have fun! This silly, rhyming story follows a group of rambunctious cousins from table setting to dessert.

But wait…there’s more! I also included these three bonus books.

Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table by Vanessa Newton

Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zietlow Miller

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell

Your turn: What books will you and your little ones be reading for Thanksgiving? Feel free to share in the comments.

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children's books

October 26, 2015

Mrs. G

Our Latest Obsession: Dinosaur Books!

The kids and I are counting down the days until the movie The Good Dinosaur opens on November 25th. Have you seen the movie trailer yet? We’re currently obsessed with all things dinosaur, especially books! Check out some of the kids’ favorite dinosaur books below that we’ve been reading.

Brontorina by James Howe

Book Synopsis: This book is a sweet tale about fulfilling your heart’s desire no matter what shape or size you may be. Brontorina is a rather large orange dinosaur who desperately longs to dance. Although she meets many obstacles along her path, she knows in her heart she is to be a ballerina. Ultimately, her size is only outmatched by her sweet determination and the affection of some kind-hearted people. A lovely book for any and all who feel unsuited for something they long to be.

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems

Book Synopsis: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs is a new take on the fairy-tale classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears, so funny and so original—it could only come from the brilliant mind of Mo Willems.

Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur . . . and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.

One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go . . . someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl. Definitely not!

Tyrannosaurus Drip by Julia Donaldson

Julia Donaldson is my favorite children’s book author. I believe she has an amazing gift of delivering high quality books with easy-to-read rhythm and rhymes that appeal to a range of ages. I enjoy reading Julia’s books as much as my kids love to hear them so I am always happy when one of them is requested.

Book Synopsis: Everyone knows that tyrannosauruses are big and scary, so when a placid duckbill dinosaur’s egg ends up in the wrong nest confusion is sure to ensue! When the baby dinosaur hatches out, he’s so out of place that his grisly big sisters call him Tyrannosaurus Drip. Poor little Drip: all he wants is a quiet life munching on water weed.

Dinoblock by Christopher Franceschelli

If you’ve read the books Alphablock and Countablock then you may also enjoy Dinoblock.

Book Synopsis: This book features thick pages cut into the shapes of dinosaurs! Readers will be introduced to more than 20 different kinds of dinosaurs via die-cuts of their unique silhouettes and the illuminating comparisons to familiar things from a young child’s world. I stretch high like the ladder on a fire truck. I am a Brachiosaurus. As children touch the pages, they have a chance to guess the dinosaur and appreciate the uniqueness of its silhouette.

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey

Book Synopsis: If you happen to have a dinosaur, lying around your living room, and you don’t know what to do with it … why don’t you use it as a can opener? It will make a terrific nutcracker too! There are oodles of uses for a dinosaur — from a fine umbrella to an excellent kite and a dandy pillow, not to mention a reliable burglar alarm and the perfect excuse to forget your homework. This delightfully absurd exploration of the domestic uses of dinosaurs — and the things dinos just aren’t good for at all — is guaranteed to tickle funny bones and spark imaginations. If you read carefully, you’ll learn how to make your dinosaur last a very long time.

How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yolen

Book Synopsis: This brilliantly illustrated board book is packed with rhymes that will teach children how. Mark Teague’s laugh-aloud illustrations, along with Jane Yolen’s playful text, will show children that “playing nice” can be easy and fun. Perfect for parents to read aloud with their children, this book is as humorous as it is instructive.

The Mine-O-Saur by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Book Synopsis: Do you have a little one who doesn’t like to share? The Mine-O-Saur is a selfish dinosaur who constantly takes everything away from the other dinosaurs at school. Eventually, the Mine-O-Saur realizes that having everything for himself is not fun if the result is having no one to play with.

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems

Book Synopsis: Edwina is one of the most helpful dinosaurs around who also happens to make really good chocolate chip cookies. Everyone loves Edwina—except for a know-it-all little boy named Reginald. He is determined to convince everyone, including Edwina, that dinosaurs are extinct. If you love Willems, you’ll really like this one. Before you read this book with the little ones, bake some chocolate chip cookies to go along with it for story time. The kids will love it!

Just for fun: Pixar has been so gracious as to create The Good Dinosaur Coloring Pages that are free for you to print and use. You can download the coloring pages PDF file here.

I’ve also included a fun Laurie Berkner video that has constantly been on replay in our house. So fun!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Disney or Laurie Berkner nor was I compensated to write this blog post.

Your turn: Are you and your little ones looking forward to seeing The Good Dinosaur during the Thanksgiving holiday? What are some of your favorite dinosaur books?

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