Holiday Gift Guide 2017 ~ Books for Kiddos Teaser!

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Holiday Gift Guide 2017

BOOKS FOR THE KIDDOS!

National Geographic Kids!

A favorite of young ones of all ages.

Give a gift subscription!

Books make the best gifts -- a thoughtfully selected book will hold a child's interest long after the new toys have been tossed aside.  National Geographic Kids Books is featuring FOUR new titles that are perfect gifts for the explorer in

all of us.  From the big “WOW” books for middle graders to affordable stocking stuffers, these bright, beautiful titles cater to bookworms and reluctant readers alike. They are fun, visually stunning, totally engrossing AND educational (but don't tell kids that last part!).   

Weird But True! Christmas: 300 Festive Facts to Light Up the Holidays — (ages 8-12, 208 pages) The PERFECT stocking stuffer! Ready for some totally festive facts? Even Christmas can be weird -- it's true! Did you know that Santa's reindeer are probably all female? Or that artificial snow can be made from seaweed? Or that "Jingle Bells" was the first Christmas carol sung in space? Every kid will ho ho ho when they unwrap this book that is chocked full of the most random and fascinating facts about their most favorite holiday. 

Ultimate Dinopedia - (ages 7-10, 296 pages) Attention dinosaur fanatics! This is a big, gift-worthy hardcover that is also the most complete and comprehensive dinosaur reference ever. Although these amazing creatures roamed the Earth ages ago, new dinosaur discoveries are still being made today.  The new edition includes favorites, like the fierce T-rex and the gentle Brontosaurus, plus audacious new finds, like the Anzu, Kosmoceratops, and Yi. Every dino profile is colorfully illustrated and features descriptions of when they roamed the Earth, how they lived, what they ate, and more. There are more than 600 dinos featured in all, including 10 profiles of recently discovered dinosaurs and new entries in the Dino Dictionary. Reports from paleontologists present the latest news and insights from the field.

Bet You Didn’t Know: Fascinating, Far-Out, Fun-tastic Facts - (ages 8-12, 192 pages) “...the whole outing is really tailor-made for dipping and flipping at random....A bodacious wellspring of random knowledge."— Starred review, Kirkus Reviews. BIG, packed with gorgeous photos and illustrations and guaranteed to keep kids occupied for hours and hours, Bet You Didn’t Know is the perfect holiday gift for the fact-lover or for your kid’s favorite teacher’s classroom. Did you know that the first stop signs were black and white? Or that a litter of kittens is called a kindle? Or that butterflies can see more colors than humans can?  Based on a favorite department in Nat Geo Kids magazine, this book is overflowing with fascinating facts, silly stats, and catchy little knowledge nuggets in all kinds of cool categories, from astronomy and sea creatures to revolutions and breakfast. Special features include Extreme Weirdness, Strange Places, Wacky World, and more. 

Just Joking Jumbo — (ages 7-10, 288 pages)  What do you get when you have 1,000 giant jokes and 1,000 funny photos?  A stocking stuffer that adds up to some seriously big laughs! If you have a budding stand up comedian on your list this year - this is the perfect book for them.  Knock-knocks, puns, riddles, tongue-twisters, photos of silly situations and even the craziest info about the history of funny business - it’s all here! 

Ok so here is a little secret from my family to your shopping list....  My 16 year old son and 13 and 9 year old daughters all LOVE to read these National Geographic Kids magazines.   And if that doesn't convince you, my 9 year old just asked me for a new subscription for Christmas!  It was #2 on her Wishlist!  (#1 was a motorized scooter...!?!?!)  So whether you are buying for kiddos in your own household or sending a gift to loved ones far away, check out National Geographic Kids!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Dog Trouble Author Galia Oz ~ Guest Post & Exerpt from her newest book!

 

The capricious muse or Hermes, patron of thieves - who not to rely on when writing a book 

by Galia Oz

Looking forward to reading another positive post about fleeting inspiration that spawned a book? Not on my watch. People think that inspiration is like a good fairy; they wait for it to suddenly appear and tap them with her spark-emitting wand like in the movies, and suddenly they’ll know how to write a book. For me, however, it doesn’t work that way. For the most part, I sit down in front of the screen, grumpy

and reluctant, and tend to the text like a gardener a garden: cleaning and arranging and weeding, giving up and then pushing forward, all while constantly trying to woo the language, to persuade it to work with me.

My language, by the way, is Hebrew. I wrote the Dog Trouble series between 2007 and 2014, and all five books were bestsellers and some won awards in Israel. They have been translated and published in France, Spain, and Brazil before they were published here, in the United States, recently.

Extract from Dog Trouble:

Last night Mon was in a pretty good mood for a change and she asked me what I would want to be if I wasn't a girl named Julie. I said I didn't know, and she put her arms around me and said I wasn't a girl named Julie, but a sweet cake made totally out of chocolate. And she gave me a hug and tickled my stomach as if I was Max or Monty, and she said, "You see? All this is made out of chocolate!"

I'm not trying to say that this fairy with her wand never appears. She appears, capricious and unexpected, and in the most impossible of situations; like when I’m cooking one thing in a pot, frying something else in a pan and cutting vegetables at the same time. At that very moment, a funny situation or a crucial dialogue will pop into my head, and I’ll have to choose: do I run to write it down and let the food burn, or inversely, do I keep watching the pan and risk losing my inspiration?

And then I asked her what she'd like to be if she wasn't Mon, and she thought for a minute and said if she wasn't Mon who worked at the bank and had taken a long time off to stay home with the twins, she'd be an explorer or a sea captain. I tried to imagine her as a sea captain, holding Max in one hand, a pair of binoculars in the other, with a pacifier hanging around her neck, and I thought it was pretty funny.

"But I wouldn't do anything too serious", said Mon. "I'd let other people sail the ship. I'd just lie on the deck in the sun".

Mon looked really happy, as if the boat story was really happening. She kissed me in the place between my forehead and my nose, which was her favorite kissing spot, and said, "Now jump into bed. Did you brush your teeth?"

Not all writers are alike, each has a different mission. What’s mine? To refine that elusive moment when you can see the soul through words and deeds. So I have a little notebook and pencil next to the bed to write dreams, and pens and paper in every room, all to trick that wicked muse disguised as the good fairy.

But good fairies – if you have come this far you already understand – cannot be relied on. They represent an arbitrary form of creation, based on a stroke of genius of external origin.

I much prefer to count on Hermes, patron of writers, nomads, and thieves. It is no coincidence that thieves and writers are depicted as like professions. Every writer is a thief, by definition, and I am not talking about literary theft. Writers steal completely legally; they draw ideas from those close to them and complete strangers, from politics and the weather, from their dreams at night and from a joke thrown their way in a cafe. Writers are active and sophisticated thieves. They dig deep within their memories and even import from those of their parents.

At bedtime, I told her that only little kids could ever be happy. Then they got a bit older and went to school and that was when the trouble started. Later they turned into adults like her and Dad and suddenly they had little kids of their own and then they got annoyed all the time. Mon was rocking Max in her arms to help him fall asleep and then she said, "So what you're really saying is that only babies are happy people".

"Yes", I said angrily. "Only babies are happy people".

Mon didn't try to convince me that everything was going to be okay. She didn't say, "Of course grown-ups also know how to be happy." She just looked at me and didn't say a word. Then she hugged me real close and said I belonged to her and she belonged to me and that was the way it would always be, nothing would ever change that.

So, the next time this lazy fairy, this capricious muse, knocks on your window, let her in but beware. To rely on her is to go through life in passive anticipation. Better join forces with Hermes. You'll never burn your food again…

About the Author

Galia Oz was born in Kibbutz Hulda, Israel, in 1964. She studied film and Television in Tel Aviv University 1984-87.

Her award winning series of 5 books titled DOG TROUBLE was published in France, Spain and Brazil – and recently in the US by CROWN BOOKS Random House. The series is a steady seller in Israel for over 10 years (selling over 150,000 copies). 

Oz has directed several documentaries, all screened in international film festivals, and in Israeli leading television channels.

Over the years, Galia Oz has been meeting thousands of readers in Israeli elementary schools, and taught creative writing and classic children's literature to kids in public libraries.

Galia Oz is married and has two kids, a dog and a cat, and they all live in Ramat Hasharon, just outside Tel-Aviv.

Visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009378865434.

 

About the Book:

Title: DOG TROUBLE!

Author: Galia Oz

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 144

Genre: Children's book for young readers, ages 8-12

BOOK BLURB:

Readers who have graduated from Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean will fall head over heels for feisty Julie and her troublesome new dog.



Julie has only had her dog for two weeks, but she is already causing all sorts of problems. For starters, she is missing! Julie suspects the school bully Danny must be behind it. But it will take some detective work, the help of Julie’s friends, and maybe even her munchkin twin brothers to bring her new pet home.



Wonderfully sassy and endlessly entertaining, the escapades of Julie and her dog are just beginning!



Julie’s adventures have sold across the globe and been translated into five languages. Popular filmmaker and children’s author Galia Oz effortlessly captures the love of a girl and her dog.



"A funny exploration of schoolyard controversy and resolution.” –Kirkus Reviews 



"Will resonate with readers and have them waiting for more installments.” –Booklist  

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Disclosure:  I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

What matters most? Boy Scouts now let in Girls?!? AHG sticking to roots!

Apparently, the BOY scouts are now allowing GIRLS in?

I am Not a happy Mom!

(From CNN) The Boy Scouts will soon include girls, and not everyone's happy about it.

The 107-year-old organization announced Wednesday that younger girls will be allowed to join Cub Scouts and that older girls will be eligible to earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.

"The historic decision comes after years of receiving requests from families and girls," Boy Scouts of America said in a statement. The group said it considered input from current members and leaders

before making the decision.

BSA said the expansion is also aimed at helping busy families consolidate programs for their children.

"Families today are busier and more diverse than ever. Most are dual-earners and there are more single-parent households than ever before, making convenient programs that serve the whole family more appealing," the BSA statement said.

DO YOU AGREE?

What would be the reason for Girl Center programs if girls are allowed into Boy center programs?  I completely disagree.  We NEED separate programs to allow "boys to be boys" and "girls to be girls"  Having BOY scouts, GIRL scouts, or in our family American Heritage GIRLS allows children to develop relationships and friendships with other same-sex children, camp together in the same tent and share similar experiences.  We have VENTURERS for those who want girls and boys to be mixed.  Venturers is a scouting program for both boys and girls ages 14 and up.  Why should be pressure boys to allow girls into their "club" and vice versa?

Thankfully our Christ-Center AHG is sticking to their original program ideals!

AND for my son, I am SO glad he is almost Eagle Scout and nearly done with BSA!

AHG to Remain Exclusively Girl-Oriented 

American Heritage Girls would like to take a moment to reassure AHG families and Charter Organizations that we remain committed to providing a Christ-centered program tailored to the unique needs of girls. AHG’s Program was created specifically for girls, and not only celebrates girlhood, but actively prepares girls for godly womanhood. The benefit of a single-gender learning environment is part of the beauty of AHG’s Ministry and one that we feel God has called us to. AHG will continue to develop programming that offers exciting outdoor adventure, leadership development, opportunities to strengthen faith, all while having lots of fun! We are thankful that Trail Life USA offers a Christ-centered program for boys, providing a wonderful, bookend opportunity for families. AHG is excited to continue to follow God’s calling and looking forward to working alongside you to offer girls a program full of faith, service and fun.





You may receive questions from friends, neighbors and church families and we wanted to share the following AHG Information points with you:





American Heritage Girls is the premier national character development organization for young women that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement.

American Heritage Girls is committed to its girl focus and will not acquiesce its dedication to girls due to enrollment decline or political correctness.





American Heritage Girls will remain committed to the calling that God gave the organization – serving girls in a Christ-like way through service to God, family, community and country.





American Heritage Girls all-girl structure allows for:





Girls to occupy every role within a Troop, a structure upon which AHG has built their program.

The development of strong Girl Leadership, encouraging girls to become more confident in who they are as women and whose they are, as well as providing an emphasis on mentoring younger girls within the Troop structure.

Girls to focus on life skills, which is offered through Badge work and outdoor experiences that are unique to a female audience.

Growing girls physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually through the support and encouragement of other girls who are just like them. The all-girls environment provides girls with the opportunity to share in understanding with each other in who God made them to be.     





American Heritage Girls has a close partnership with Trail Life USA, the boys’ counterpart to the AHG Program. While allowing boys and girls to develop their abilities, confidence and faith in the welcoming environment of their own sex, youth are able to explore and grow at their own pace.





While we are always hopeful that Boy Scouts of the USA will return to its historical roots, American Heritage Girls is focused on strengthening and growing the AHG Program. We continue to be excited about providing a faith-based opportunity that teaches girls leadership skills, virtue, patriotism, outdoor skills, life skills, and assists in development of them as confident women in faith.





We praise God for your involvement together with AHG Staff in helping to build young women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.





Blessings,

American Heritage Girls

COMMENTS~!  Please feel free to share your opinion but please keep in clean and family friendly.  If any comments are offensive or hateful, they will be removed.

Make the most of Hurricane weather - Earth Science for Kids!

As I was searching around the internet for fun ideas to teach my younger daughter more about Hurricanes and the recent weather here in Illinois that has been affected by them, I found this fun website that has tons of great Science Education for kids.

It looks like a great place to find fun information about a variety of things including hurricanes. . .

And additionally has a huge selection of science subjects just perfect for a rainy day, or additional learning for a school project.

This is not a paid post.  I just personally found this website to be fun, informational, educational and one that I will utilize with my 9 year old for weekend or rainy day fun.  Personally I would prefer she be on educational websites like this one than playing Minecraft all day!



**Susan**

Beauty and the Beast for young and old from Silver Dolphin Books #review

The First Stories series (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Rapunzel) is a perfect interactive introduction to classic fairy tales. Push, pull, and turn mechanisms bring the stories to life and introduce all the beloved characters with simple rhyming text and adorable illustrations. Pull the tab to turn the Beast into a prince, push the tab to fit the glass slipper on Cinderella’s foot, and pull the tab to let

down Rapunzel’s hair. Toddlers and readers of all ages are sure to enjoy these well-loved fairy tales once again with these beautifully imagined titles.



First Stories: Beauty and the Beast

“Do you love me, Beauty? Will you marry me?” First Stories: Beauty and the Beast is a perfect introduction to this classic fairy tale. Push, pull, and turn mechanisms bring the story to life and introduce all the main characters: Beauty, her father, and of course the Beast! This well-loved fairy tale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children’s illustrator Dan Taylor.





First Stories: Rapunzel

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your golden hair!" First Stories: Rapunzel is the perfect introduction for young children to this classic fairytale. Push, pull, and turn mechanisms bring the story to life and introduce all the main characters: Rapunzel, the handsome prince, and of course the wicked witch! This well-loved fairytale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children's illustrator Dan Taylor.

First Stories: Cinderella

"Cinderella, you shall go to the ball!" First Stories: Cinderella is a perfect introduction to this classic fairytale. Push, pull, and turn mechanisms bring the story to life and introduce all the main characters: Cinderella, her stepsisters, the handsome prince, and of course the fairy godmother. This well-loved fairytale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children's illustrator Dan Taylor.

Review:

My nieces will be so surprised when they receive these adorable board books for their upcoming birthdays.  Based on the classic fairy tales we all have grown to know and many of us love, these adorable books have a slide or flip on each page that adds wonder to the story being read.  Great for ages 1 and up, these adorable books are sturdy and will last through many hours of enjoyment.  Highly recommended by this Mommy Blogger (and Aunty blogger).





Beauty and the Beast: A Coloring Book

Bring the classics to life with a coloring adventure for all ages! With gorgeous line illustrations combined with quotes from the original text, this series offers a unique way to interact with beloved stories and add creativity and color to richly illustrated scenes. The enchanting Beauty and the Beast coloring book is full of wonderful pictures, patterns, and borders to be colored in, as budding artists immerse themselves in the story of Beauty, who goes to live with the terrifying Beast in order to save her father and then gradually learns to love him.

This enchanting coloring book is full of wonderful pictures, patterns, and borders to be colored in, as budding artists immerse themselves in the story of Beauty, who goes to live with the terrifying Beast in order to save her father…and then gradually learns to love him. All the key scenes and characters are here to color in as you relive this most romantic of fairy tales.

Review:

I would not recommend this adorable coloring book for that 1 year and up range, as I do the First Stories collection.  This is more for the kindergarten and up age range.  A fun way to explore the story of Beauty and the Beast (and many others found on the website) with bits and pieces of the classic story woven into wonderfully drawn pictures just waiting for those budding artists to color and design.   I love the idea behind this coloring book and although the pictures seem detailed enough for adults to color, it is intended for children to enjoy.  This is not the coloring book that I grew up with, nor what I sat coloring along with my children when they were young.  I can see many parents, grandparents, and babysitters loving this new fun way to color along with the kiddos!

For even more amazing coloring and activity based books, check out the Silver Dolphin website!





About Silver Dolphin Books

For over 17 years, Silver Dolphin Books has published award-winning activity, novelty, and educational nonfiction books for preschoolers to 12-year-olds. Our focus is to create books that engage and inspire children to learn more about the world around them while fostering a love of reading, exploration, and creative expression. From adorably-illustrated board books for toddlers to interactive play and building sets, to sound books made for story time, we develop innovative books that both enlighten and entertain.



Find out more about Silver Dolphin Books on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and more!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review through Media Masters Publicity. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Back to School savings with Label Daddy! Check out the discount here! #labeldaddy

Get ready for the new school year with personalized labels for each child's gear and save 25% on Label Daddy peel and stick custom name labels! Label Daddy is an amazing solution for labeling your belongings! No ironing or sewing . . . just peel and stick. 


Their exclusive laminated coating gives labels an extra layer of protection and is a must for school! Remember to label all clothing, books, bags, sports equipment,

musical instruments, electronics, and other personal belongings your kids bring to school, camp, sports leagues, day care, vacation, and other places Label Daddy labels keep them from getting lost or mixed up with others. These convenient labels are great for adults too! -- Put them on your sunglass/eyeglass case, phone, camera, sports equipment, tablet, e-reader, hats, clothing, and more.



These labels are super durable peel-and-stick washable labels -- they're washer/dryer safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe and UV resistant! Label Daddy labels are also fun and attractive. You design your own labels! Pick from tons of colors, sizes and logos, including professional sports team logos (NBA, MLB, NHL), classic clip art icons, Emojis, kids' icons (princesses, trucks, and monsters), and more. These labels are made in the USA and shipped directly to you worldwide.



Save 25% on your entire Label Daddy order - this is the best discount available anywhere. Use code USFAMILY25 at checkout.

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

HICKIES keep shoes together without the hassel of tying! #hickies

Hate tying your kids' shoes everyday before they step out of the house? 

Hate stopping to tie your own shoes mid-run?

Have kiddos that get discouraged trying to tie their shoes?

Check out the newest help for moms, dads, grandmas, teachers and kiddos . . . HICKIES!

 HICKIES products turn any pair of sneakers into

convenient, comfortable, and stylish slip-ons that are perfect for any activity from recess play and on-the-go errands to Mom and Dad's triathlons.

https://www.hickies.com/

Features:



Works in any shoe with eyelets.



One size fits all.



Elastic material keeps shoes secure and comfortable.



Never tie again! Play uninterrupted.



Fun look, without messy knots and bows.



Adjustable tightness.



Quick and easy - simply slip on and off.

Never tie, never worry. @Hickies Never Tie Laces on hickies.com 25% off w/ code USFAM now thru Sept. 20th! 

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.