books — Family Review Network

My Purple Toes

August 30, 2010 By Kailani Leave a Comment

From the site: My Purple Toes is a creative children’s board book written for children under eight-years-old that tells a story about a father’s experience navigating life with purple painted toenails. From mom to the kids to their dog, everyone reacts differently to dad’s purple toes showing their surprise, embarrassment, and even laughter.

Throughout the book, children can look for dad’s toes in various environments and also find a friendly frog with purple toes that hides on each page. In addition to entertaining, “My Purple Toes” teaches a simple, yet relevant lesson about the importance of acceptance, enjoying life and being different.

A group of FRN members had the opportunity to review My Purple Toes. Here’s what they had to say . . .

Dad of Divas: The book itself is a lighthearted look at fatherhood and holds many great messages within including ones of: enjoying life, being true to oneself and accepting others. I know there have been many times where I have been given imaginary makeovers, but never the real thing… so I admire this father for going the mile and having fun with his daughter! My girls also loved the story and now have some great ideas about what color would look great on my toes (Oh No!).

Real Mom Real Views: My girls and I have had a lot of fun reading this book! They love finding the Dad’s purple toes and counting them, and they also enjoy finding the purple-toed frog who peeks around corners on each page. Lots of giggles and clapping and read-it-again-Mama…I don’t mind because this book is such a delight to read. I also love the illustrations, which are so lighthearted and make me smile every time. But it’s not all silliness…between the giggles, you’ll be teaching your child about acceptance of others, that being different is okay, and just to have fun in your life. Those Purple Toes…they’re powerful!

Two Monkeys & a Washtub: As a parent, I love how a light-hearted and humurous children’s board book about a father with purple toes teaches children to accept themselves and others for who they are both on the inside and outside. It’s not always what’s on the surface that counts when you meet someone, and Blair Hahn has made the topic easy to discuss as he teaches kids to get to know someone and their story before making judgements in My Purple Toes.

Maria’s Space: I loved it for so many reasons. First, I loved that Dad was the “main” focus. As a child who lost her mom early in my childhood it wasn’t often that I found a book that didn’t make me long for having a mom. This would have been a perfect book for me and my sisters. The book is short, only 24 pages but packed with a few very important lessons.

Here and There: My Purple Toes helps little ones learn; it’s interactive. Toddlers can search to find the hidden purple frogs on every page, practice counting from 1-10, and more while they learn lessons on being true to one self, differences, and acceptance.

Busy Working Mama: Lily was so excited to open a package and find a book! We love to read and have children’s books in just about every room in the house. I read the book to her and her immediate response was “read it again!” So I did. My Purple Toes is a fun book – we enjoyed playing “I spy” on the pages and laughing at the dad’s silly purple toes. The book is sturdy and great for little kid hands.

Armymom’s Place: My kids enjoy this story very much. Not only does it further encourage their love of reading, it engages play within the book. On every page, hidden somewhere, is a little green frog, who, like dad, has purple toes! Learning the life lessons of accepting everyone, enjoying life and being yourself has been made so simple, that even my pre-schooler is pointing out when her sisters aren’t following these simple, yet major lessons!

All Because Two People Fell in LOVE: Ella was especially excited when this book arrived! Painting her toe nails is one of her favorite things to do lately so she was totally interested just by seeing the cover! Then, we read the story and she loved the story just as much as the cover I really enjoyed the story as well! The teacher in me is always in such of a good picture that teaches some of life’s important lessons!

“My Purple Toes” donates a significant portion of its proceeds to benefit children in the United States and around the world through nonprofit, Soles4Souls, which collects and distributes shoes at no cost to people in need. Purchase your copy online for $10.99.

Here are more reviews of My Purple Toes:

Filed Under: books, reviews

My Teenage Werewolf

August 24, 2010 By Kailani

My Teenage Werewolf will find a captive audience in mothers of daughters and daughters of mothers. It is the craftily-written story of Lauren Kessler’s quest to understand her mercurial daughter Lizzie as she comes up on her thirteenth birthday. At first Lauren sits down with all the best Amazon.com-ranked parenting books but soon finds that reading is not enough. She needs empirical evidence. She needs to experience Lizzie’s life. She needs to follow her—everywhere.

With Lizzie’s approval—which is often as shocking as what follows—Lauren sits in on her daughter’s classes, observes her in gym, watches her practice with the school band, attends track practice, even participates in a wrestling match, and ventures online into the world of teen chat rooms. What the experiment produces is not only an intimate scrutiny of a pre-teen but an open, honest process of introspection.

FRN had the opportunity to review this book for themselves and here’s what they had to say:

Ciara’s Ramblings and Whatnot: As a mom to a tween and a teen girl, it’s often a daily challenge with them. They’ve pushed my buttons, told me they hate me, say I’m embarrassing, talk back, and refuse to do what they’re told when it comes to doing things around the house. I start to think to myself, “Am I the only one who is having a tough time trying to understand their daughter(s)?” In the book, My Teenage Were-Wolf, author Lauren Kessler, shows me that I am not alone.

Maria’s Space: I want to run out and buy this book for all my girlfriend’s with daughters. It is not preachy. Is filled with humor and I loved reading Lizzie’s comments to her mom. Through their headbutting you can see a deep, deep love between mother and daughter and that was my favorite part of the book. As the mom of an already spirited 5 year old, I already know that I have to love her for the spirit in her and that I will undoubtedly have many, many moments where I feel like Lauren. However, the one thing I have that Lauren didn’t have is her book to help me tread through the waters of preteen angst. God help me!

Mom of 2 Dancers: Kessler writes in a very light and witty style while tackling a serious subject matter. If you have a daughter, this is a must read book. It made me feel that I wasn’t alone. I will be honest, things have been super tough with my 12 year old. This book really helped me a lot. The tween and teenage years are so hard on everyone, any help is much appreciated to all involved! Being a daughter myself, I also enjoyed the book from that end. Honestly, I think most women will enjoy this book regardless of if you have your own daughter. It is just a great read that really makes you look inside yourself.

Sweepstakes & Contest List Directory: After just reading the first chapter I knew that I had found someone who completely understood what I was going through as a parent with a teenage daughter. A few times I reached for a tissue because I felt the same hurt Lauren had. I think the book helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel if I learned to listen and accepted more from what my daughter was feeling during her awkward moments. I recommend this book for any mother with a teenage daughter; it’ll help from the first page just knowing that you’re not alone.

You may purchase your copy of My Teenage Werewolf at Amazon.com for $17.13.

Filed Under: books, educational, kids, reviews

Ghost in the Graveyard

August 22, 2010 By Kailani

Did you know?

Since 1980, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for children ages 2 – 5 and more than tripled for children ages 6 – 11.
Between 1981 and 1997, free playtime among 6 to 8 year olds dropped 25% and homework more than doubled.
Since 2005, the amount of time children and teens ages 8 -18 spend watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the internet increased from 1 hour, 15 minutes per day to more than 7 and a half hours per day. (That’s more than 53 hours a week and more than most adults spend on their full-time job!)
An increased focus on standardized testing has resulted in the reduction or elimination of recess in about 40% of American elementary schools, and in some districts, schools are being built without playgrounds.

What’s a parent, health professional, or child to do?

Marlene Byrne, an award-winning children’s author and advocate of unstructured playtime, has come to the rescue with PROJECT PLAY—a movement to get kids away from their televisions and into the backyard for exercise, creativity and old-fashioned fun.
With more than 20 years of experience as an advertising agency owner, spokesperson, and writer, Byrne is using her creative talent to inspire today’s overscheduled, electronic-focused, and dangerously overweight generation of children to get active. Through children’s books, community activities, and school curriculum, Byrne is bringing back the nostalgic memories of her youth and teaching children backyard games like pick up baseball, kick the can, and ghost in the graveyard.

As the founder and author of Project Play, Byrne is not the first to call for more unstructured playtime among children. But while there are countless initiatives to increase children’s activity levels, few of them aim directly at the children.

Some of our FRN members had the opportunity to review Ghost in the Graveyard ($9.99). Here’s what they had to say:

Mama’s Money Savers: After reading this book, I want to go out and play Ghost in the Graveyard! It is such a cute book with tons of great colorful pictures. Since it is a chapter book it is geared towards kids around 9 years old, but I can see reading this to my boys in a few years. The chapters are short and the font is big so it really is a quick read, even though it is 55 pages. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for inspiration for your kids to get out and play and read a book! I am sure the other books in the series are just as fun and creative as this one!

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews: I gave this book to my daughter to read and she flew through it. She really enjoyed the story and wants to play the game included in the book. She also wants to read the previous stories especially Treasure Hunt!

Simply Stacie: The kids and I immediately settled in to read the latest edition in the Project Play book series. My young children sat captivated as I read about Sam and his friends “spook-tacular” adventures on Halloween night. My children immediately wanted to start playing and it was so easy to explain how to play as the rules are included in the book. My husband and I and even the family dog joined the kids in our own version of “Ghost in the Graveyard”. I have to admit it was a blast and the kids have asked to play again and again.

Sweeps4Bloggers: The book includes very clear instructions for playing the game. It can be played with 3 or more players and can work well for a large group. Depending on the safety of your neighborhood and the ages of the participants, you can set up easy boundaries (a backyard or playground) or it can be a larger area. It can be played during the day, but nighttime gives it some added spooky fun. Or it can be modified a bit and played indoors.

Stop by Project Play for more information about this and other great books!

Filed Under: books, educational, kids, reviews

How To Choose The Best Preschool

August 11, 2010 By Kailani

I never imagined how difficult it would be to get my child into the right preschool. I always thought they were all the same and couldn’t understand why people started signing their kids up at birth. However, after seeing how Kacie blossomed and learned during her preschool years, I am convinced that going to the right school makes a big difference in her overall education.

But how do you know which preschool is the right one for your child? Well, some of the FRN members had the opportunity to find out by reviewing the book How To Choose The Best Preschool by Jenifer Wana. Here’s what they had to say:

Busy Working Mama: It is easy to read and well-organized. I feel more prepared for what is to come. I really liked the “Real Parents Talk” quotes and insights included in the book, too. I will be sharing this book with my friends who have children Lily’s age.

Bzzing Mom: This book is great, and full of valuable information! In a couple of years, I”ll be looking for a preschool for Audrey (yes, I plan very far-ahead!), and I will be reading this book over, and over again! Not only does this book have all kind of great lists, and very helpful tips. But it also has great advice on things, like how to get your child into that great school you’ve been looking at, and how to afford it!

Mommy’s Free Time: I love this book. It’s like my new bible. I’m slowly trudging through the book, taking notes, and marking pages. There is so much awesome information! I love the way the book takes you from the start of your journey, “preschool primer”, to “what to look for”, to ” how to pay” and finally my favorite, “countdown to the first day”! This is a book you’ll read and pass on to your friends. I’m happy that my kiddos are back to back so I can read it only once!

The Crafty Charlestonian: This book provided us with an easy-to-read, step-by-step guide for all things preschool-related. I know that this will become a book that I refer back to again and again.

Two Monkeys & a Washtub: What I liked best about this book is that it will really work whether you are in a small town or a large metropolitan area. I think if you are in a smaller town/city you are less likely to find long application forms, admissions interviews, and competitive programs that are discussed in the book but there is still plenty to assist you in understanding the preschool programs.

Purchase your copy of How To Choose The Best Preschool at Amazon.com for $10.19.

All posts were written for Family Review Network & Sourcebooks who provided the complimentary books in exchange for an honest review.

Filed Under: books, educational, reviews

The Lunar Antics Presents: Boy, I’d Hate To Be Made Out Of That Stuff

June 29, 2010 By Caryn

Comics are making a resurgence with Robert Walter’s new book, entitled The Lunar Antics Presents: Boy, I’d Hate To Be Made Out of That Stuff! Author Robert Walters presents “a collection of newspaper-style cartoons about moon inhabitants who are the ultimate outsiders. But it’s not about them, it’s about us. And these cartoons are not available online or in newspapers—just in book form.”

Here are what some of our members are saying about The Lunar Antics Presents: Boy, I’d Hate To Be Made Out of That Stuff:

Brain Foggles: Once I read it a bit, though I began to see the sarcasm and enjoyed it a bit more. My 11 year old daughter Sammi enjoyed it because of the humor and the characters, especially Linda who believes that “boys will be boys” and is able to hold her own even though she is the only girl.

A Couch With a View: The wit that comes out between the characters is quite entertaining! There are quips about credit card debt, and much more. There are some comics in the book that even Boug at 5 years old can understand!

Happy Healthy Families:

Mom Start: The Lunar Antics was a little bit difficult for me to get into. Once I started to get into it I found some mild humor, sarcasm and a slight simple-ness that kept me reading. It also helped that my daughter was sitting next to me asking questions. What’s that, who’s that, what’s her name. I had to look on the back cover so I could get a little more background information to answer her questions.

The Mommy-Files:

Nerd Family Things: This is a clean and fun comic. It has some sarcasm and a lot of wit! It is so cute! While the main characters are moon people (who are bright, a bit egotistical and very good at math) the strip is really about humanity. I recommend this book! I think it is a fun gift for your favorite comic lover be they children or adults!

Rockin’ Mama: It’s a unique, “comical” way to explore and discuss everything from politics and economics to human emotions. Not only will it make you laugh, it will make you think.

Sheltered Not Shattered:

Snarkyville: It’s my personal believe that comic strips are excellent for not only developing a love for reading in children that aren’t typical book readers but also for developing a different type of ‘spacial’ reading – for lack of a better term. The way in which you read comic books reminds me of way in which listening to classical music enhances learning and intelligence. You don’t typically read just from left to right. When you read a comic book – when you get used to the technique – it’s a matter of fractions of a second that your mind and eyes know immediately which panel to look at first and which words or sentences within that panel to focus on before any others.

Tara’s View on Books: The Lunar Antics are funny! I really appreciated the fact that this book is 100% family friendly. There is nothing crude or offensive… which just proves that you can be funny without being obnoxious at the same time. I found the characters quite entertaining and loved how the author used them to point out some of our unique “earthling” eccentricities. It is always fun to laugh at ourselves.

Filed Under: books, reviews

National Geographic Kids: Weird But True

April 18, 2010 By Caryn

Children are very inquisitive. And as a parent, I’m constantly looking for innovative ways to foster my own children’s learning, creativity, and curiosity. National Geographic, one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world, offers an entire kid’s site and section featuring books and activities designed to inspire and educate children. Several of our reviewers had an opportunity to check out Weird But True. Here is a bit more information about the book from the site:

Weird But True is based on the hugely popular magazine page of quirky, fun facts that many readers of National Geographic Kids magazine turn to first. All of the facts in this handy book will amaze friends and family: Animals Superpowers, Chills and Thrills, Eat or Be Eaten, Mini and Mega, Wild and Crazy, and much, much more. Wacky facts, fascinating information, and lively art combine in this easy-to-browse, casual reference book that is sure to give young readers hours of fun.

So what did our reviewers think?

All Because Two People Fell In Love: All of the facts in this handy book just totally amaze my kids and they can’t wait to share these facts with friends and family! I appreciate the adjacent pages for each fact that presents a one-paragraph explanation of how that fact is possible or why it is so. I also like how these wacky facts, fascinating information, and lively art are combined into an easy-to-browse, reference book for my little ones.

An Island Life: The best part is that this book shared the information with just a basic phrase. If my kids wanted to know more about the subject, they had to look it up themselves in the encyclopedia or internet. And believe me, their curiosity just had to know more. All in all, we found this book to be interesting, educational and fun!

Army Mom’s Place: I love how this book has been able to get my kiddos thinking! It’s a book that they all enjoy. Finding a book that is able to meet the interests of a wide age range is always great!

A Nut in a Nutshell: I’m all about quirky. And this book is full of it! You won’t be able to stop turning the pages to see what’s next!

Maria’s Space: The book is small enough for little hands. The pictures are full color. The information is fun, educational, interesting and some of it is just plain weird. (Pun on the Title!). There are 300 facts in this 206 page book and at the end you are wishing and praying for book 2 to come out soon.

Mommy Reviewed: An amazing, amazing and FUN book for all ages! So far me, my husband, and my father-in-law have been through it and we all loved it. It’s made for fascinating dinner table conversation. I can’t wait to read this thought-provocative book with my kids when they’re a little older and better able to understand it.

Moody Mama Says: This is such a fun book! My boys have requested that I read it to them over and over. Some of the facts are just plain funny!

Rockin’ Mama: I think it is a fun, creative way to get children excited and interested in the subject matter. It opens the door for discussion and expansion on topics brought up in the book. The pictures are colorful and kid-friendly.

The Angel Forever: Both of the boys are fascinated with the photos within Weird But True. Yes, even my 2 year old will sit with the book for an extended time looking at all of the photos. JSL will chat away and call out all of the items that he recognizes. NHL, in first grade, will read the facts to me and then talk with me about what it says. Our conversations actually made me think about ways to use this book in the classroom. (I am always a teacher, even when on hiatus.) I could see the fun facts in this book being used as a prompt for classroom discussion and/or a writing exercise. In addition to this, the facts could easily create interest in a subject for kids to do more research on.

The Clan McLeod: Some of the facts presented in National Geographic Kids: Weird But True, left me saying, “No way!” I got my hands on it before the girls and after seeing and hearing my reactions, they couldn’t wait to read it for themselves. Weird But True is a small, softcover book with 208 pages of wacky facts that will get your kids giggling and gasping and having fun. It’s brightly colored pages and fantastic graphics really add to the value of the book.

The Mommy-Files: I really enjoyed this little book and loved the fun facts presented in it. I also loved the pictures throughout it, as did my kids. There are so many fun facts in here. I think I may have enjoyed it more than my kids!

Weird But True retails for $6.95 and is available at the National Geographic Store.

Our reviewers received no compensation, other than a copy of the book to facilitate the above reviews.

Filed Under: books, educational, kids, reviews

Overcoming School Anxiety

October 15, 2009 By Natalie

overcoming-school-anxiety Being a parent is hard sometimes. One of those times is when your child is anxious about something. More than anything you want to be able to help them, but sometimes you just don’t know what to do. Fortunately psychotherapist Diane Peters Mayer has done the research and has created a book called Overcoming School Anxiety to help parents out when it comes to such anxiety.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Diane Peters Mayer developed the Overcoming School Anxiety Program through her years as a psychotherapist working with school-anxious children and their parents and has successfully treated hundreds of elementary school students suffering from this common disorder. As she observes in OVERCOMING SCHOOL ANXIETY: How to Help Your Child Deal With Separation, Tests, Homework, Bullies, Math Phobia, and Other Worries (AMACOM; 2008) “the real beginnings of this program come out of my own painful experiences with school anxiety. Although not formally diagnosed with a learning disability, as an adult I finally put a name to the struggles I had with math that could make school a living hell.” She shows parents how to deal with a wide variety of problems, from test and homework anxiety, to bullying, school violence, and fear of speaking up in class. Mayer also offers easy-to-learn techniques for children, including breathing and relaxation exercises, focusing techniques, and tips on proper diet and exercise that help relieve stress. Parents will learn to cope with the needs of children with every kind of anxiety, including:

• The inability to stop worrying
• Panic attacks
• The fear of people, places, and things
• Test anxiety
• Perfectionism
• Low self-esteem
• Parental and family problems

Filled with real-life examples as well as proven advice for working with teachers, principals, and counselors, this is the only comprehensive guide that will enable every parent to help a child cope, build confidence, and succeed in school.

BOOK REVIEWS

Recently a number of our reviewers had the opportunity to read and review this helpful book on their blogs. Here’s what they had to say:

Chocolate Fingerprints: One unexpected thing happened to me when I read this book. I uncovered an almost forgotten severe anxiety I had as a child. When I was seven, my mother remarried and we moved to a different town. I don’t know exactly what happened to cause it, but for several years after that, I had a very extreme reaction whenever I had to sleep away from my mother. I never had a problem with going to school, but after reading Overcoming School Anxiety, I recognize many of the signs of separation anxiety disorder in my former self. I wish my mother had had this book back then, so maybe I could have gotten over my problems much sooner!

Tara’s View of the World: I’ve mentioned before that my oldest son Aiden (age 7) has high-functioning Autism and ADHD. Aiden has struggled with anxiety and so I was happy to review this book. It is incredibly straight forward with a ton of practical advice. I found the book easy to read and understand. I especially appreciated chapter 13 which has specific advice for helping a child with special needs.

My Organized Chaos: This book is well-laid out and very simple to understand. It starts with a chapter called ‘What is School Anxiety?’. To me, recognizing the presence of Anxiety is key, and Diane has succeeded in explaining the symptoms, signs causes and the long-term effects of anxiety. The chapters which organize this book make it so simple to search for specific information.

The Power of Housewife Word of Mouth: Just in time for school I read Diane Peters Mayer’s book Overcoming School Anxiety. The book addresses being different in school and how to handle it. Regan is the only physically disabled child in her whole school district, so she tends to stand out no matter what. Most of the time she handles it all with grace and poise, but when she is nervous or angry then everything goes right out the window. She and I practiced some of the stress management skills talked about in the book, and we had a discussion about her limitations and her strengths that helped her face the first days with confidence.

A Couch with a View: Given the opportunity to reference a great book, Overcoming School Anxiety, has helped me to help my child to make the back to school transition so much easier. The fact that she may have anxiety gave me anxiety, and having a guide to go through to help myself help her, made a world of difference even with my own nervousness!

Go Graham Go!: Diane offers several tips depending on the situation your child happens to be in. Maybe they won’t go to school, have test or homework anxiety, or are being bullied. There can be so many different levels and situations when you are talking about school anxiety. Diane is a psychotherapist that has been treating children and adults with anxiety disorder for 17 years in Pennsylvania. There are easy to learn techniques as well as guides on how to eat, exercise, and breathe to relieve stress and deal with stressful situations.

She Scribes: I was very surprised that the author put a lot of emphasis on nutrition and getting enough sleep. I knew there would be a lot of behavior modification suggestions but I never expected that nutrition and sleep would be such a huge part of dealing with the anxieties children face in school. WOW! I wish I knew about this years ago. Maybe it could have helped us have less stressing years of elementary school.

A Simple Kinda Life: This book is clearly written, easy to understand, and incredibly helpful. It teaches you about anxiety, not just how to deal with it! Also included are examples of symptoms, as well as includes TONS of helpful tips! Not only have I used it for my daughter, but also for my son, for if/when he has problems with those kids in school (like we did at the end of the year last year!) It’s great for parents and teachers alike and I would recommend it to any parent of a special needs child and to any teacher!

1stopmom Giveaways: Each topic has corresponding exercises that can help parents to help their children deal with the cause of their anxiety. I think this book is going to be an invaluable tool that I am glad to have in my home. As a parent you never know what you may come across in the future. I do know that if this ever becomes an issue, I will have something to refer to.

All Because Two People Fell In Love: As a teacher and mother anxiety is something that I have seen first hand. This book does an excellent job describing the problems that children face as well as how to approach these issues. I appreciate the creative and practical approaches that the author offers to deal with these issues. It is written in a well organized manner that makes it very user/reader friendly.
This book is invaluable resource that should be on the shelves of all parents, teachers, and counselors!

Filed Under: books, educational, reviews

Made Here, Baby!

September 23, 2009 By Andrea

With Christmas shopping season coming up, wouldn’t it be nice to have a guide that could tell you which products would make safe, sturdy, and reliable gifts for your children? Would you love to support the U.S. economy by purchasing products that are made in America? If your answer is yes to either (or both) of these questions, you should definitely read Made Here, Baby! by Bruch H. Wolk.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

After all the recalls of Chinese-imported toys containing dangerous chemicals, parents want to know where to get products they know will be safe because they have American manufacturing standards. Plus, in the current recession more and more people are looking to support their local businesses.

Author, product developer, and proud uncle and godfather Bruce Wolk tracked down over 400 U.S. companies that produce amazing children’s products from infant moccasins from Minnesota to cribs handmade in Memphis, sustainably-built wooden sleds from Colorado to Cotton Monster’s unique plush animals in Seattle. In addition to basic company information and interesting facts, he includes notes on eco-friendly companies, family businesses, and ones that make products for children with special needs, so every parent is sure to find a product that meets their home’s needs.

BOOK REVIEWS

Several members of Family Review Network had the opportunity to read Made Here, Baby for themselves. Here’s what they had to say:

Mama Sparkles: I loved how each listing included an interesting fact about the company, such as how it started, their philosophy, or a story about the owner. These facts were interesting to read and made each company personable. In addition, each section includes an entertaining introduction in the form of an enlightening interview or personal anecdote.

A Couch with a View: I’m sorry, but the cheap, crappy, mass manufactured trinkets just aren’t cutting it for me anymore and Made Here, Baby is pushing me in the right direction to find quality items for my monsters. This is one of those books that rank up there next to the What To Expect books for every expectant mother.

All Because Two People Fell in Love: This is a well-organized resource for anyone shopping for the little ones in their life!! It is organized by states so it makes it simple to find stores close to you! It’s very helpful and timely resource for us busy parents. It lists over 400 companies that uses only materials sourced in the USA in their products. I found it very interesting to read the sections about how the companies were started and why the founders started their companies. We highly recommend this great book as a resource for finding high quality, locally made toys and products that will keep your kids happy and healthy!

Sage and Savvy: What’s really great about this book is how you can search for companies based on various criteria, such as by the type of product they manufacture, by state, those who are eco-friendly, woman-owned, and more.

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires: I really like that the book includes both large and small companies. I think it is very important to point out that many of the businesses that produce safe wooden and fabric children’s
products are small mom and dad businesses. They really should be commended and deserve our business.

She Scribes: I also really like that there are web sites listed so you are able to check out each company online too. I think I have about a dozen sites bookmarked thanks to this MUST HAVE book for all parents, grandparents or anyone who cares for children. It’s a great resource to have an a “go to guide” the next time you want to make a purchase.

My Sentiment ExactLee: Made Here Baby is a book that will always be in arms reach in our home. I found it to be essential to helping our economy in a difficult time. Wolk makes it easy for parents to find quality, safe products for our children that are made here in the USA.

Brimful Curiosities: I noticed several familiar companies mentioned in the book including Louisville Slugger, Step2, K’nex, Big Wheel, and Britax USA. We own a Britax carseat, and I didn’t realize it was American-made until reading Made Here, Baby! I happily found a few companies I’ve mentioned on my blog listed in the book as well: Lindenwood, Inc (maker of Uncle Goose blocks) and Northstar Toys. I highly recommended this resource for finding American-made children’s products.

Homeschooling and Loving It: We have had so many recalls and dangerous things out there being sold, it truly can be scary! This book wants to tell you about companies that are known to be safe and well-made. The book also contains companies that are family run, companies that are owned by women and moms and companies that care about the enviroment!

The Way I See it Too: I rarely purchase a product before I research it. It’s important for us to know how Consumer Reports and J D Powers rate the product and more importantly what other consumers have to say. For these reasons, Made Here Baby is the perfect book for us and if you feel at all as we do about your purchases, I’d wager you will like this book too.

Chocolate Fingerprints: This book would be a fantastic baby shower gift, or a gift for parents or grandparents of young children; basically anyone who has the desire to buy high-quality, American made products for babies and children.

Filed Under: Family, books, kids, reviews Tagged With: American made products, book reviews, familly

Dirty Bow Wow – Giveaway

June 18, 2009 By Cathi

I have always been a dog lover. An a child I had a Cocker Spaniel named Blackie. Over the years, our children had numerous dogs however our Rottweiler Tazy and our German Shepherd Hunter, stand out the most. We haven’t had a dog in recent years and I truly miss the canine loyalty I enjoyed in the past.

Dirty Bow Wow is a delightful book about dogs and the objects of their affection like Semus in the above photo. The book is full of colorful photographs of dogs and their stories like adorable Malibu. She’s a Pit Bull Terrier, who was only three months old when she was left orphaned and homeless from Hurricane Katrina. Her new mom gave her a pink pig as a “welcome to your forever family” gift, and to this day, “Pink Pig” never leaves Malibu’s side.

The authors, Cheryl and Jeffery Katz, decided to put together this wonderful tribute to man’s best friend after receiving countless letters from fans of their first book, Love Stories: A Tribute to the Threadbare. Included in many of the letters were photographs of beloved pets with their own “dirty wow wows”. The book didn’t become a reality until a year later when Cheryl and Jeffery were walking by their neighborhood dog park and realized that nearly every dog had a stuffed animal, squeaky toy, dirty tennis ball, filthy Frisbee, or frayed rope toy in their mouth, that the idea for Dirty Bow Wow was born.

Our dogs always had favorite chew toys. Unfortunately for me, Hunter’s favorite chew toy was any one of my shoes he could grab. Tazy on the other hand loved to chew my son Brian’s shoes. I was on a first name basis with the local shoe cobbler as he was constantly repairing or more accurately, rebuilding Brian’s shoes!! As Tazy grew older she was obsessed with balls and believe it or not, rocks. She would fetch anything and everything we could throw. She preferred golf balls however if none were available, she would grab a rock and bring it to anyone who would “play”!!

Join the Dirty Bow Wow Dog Toy Drive at bookstores across the country. It’s your chance to help shelter dogs find the toy of their dreams, and hopefully a permanent, loving home. Go here to see a list of retailers who are collecting dog toy donations. Drop off a new dog toy at the location nearest you, and aid a dog in need today!

Win your own copy of Dirt Bow Wow!

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Wish List Worthy: The book is a great addition to the library of any dog lover. This book is more than just a fun tribute to dogs and their toys though, it is also part of a great toy drive for the dogs who are still waiting to find forever homes in shelters. We love this book, as we are familiar with the bond between dog and toy. Baby the Maltese has two favorites that are rarely out of her sight! So, if you love dogs too, here’s a chance for you to win a copy of this fun book!

Homeschooling and Loving It!: The pictures are colorful and vibrant and each one tells a small story about the dogs favorite toy, stories of how some of the dogs have endured hard times in their past and just heartwarming stories that tug at your heart strings. This book would be loved by all dog lovers and makes a wonderful story book for the kids. Each one of my children ages 10, 6, and 5 have loved this book. They will look at it over and over trying to pick the cutest dog-they change their minds everytime they look at it. They are all so cute!

Just a mom’s take on things…: Dirty Bow Wow is an extremely cute book with amazing photos that almost seem to leap right off of the page along with their well-worn and so loved toys. It’s something that I can sit down with my girls and read together, or just look at the pages with my 3-year-old. I don’t think it’ll satisfy their desire to have a ‘real’ dog, but it’s giving them a way to learn more about dogs and what they’re like before we take that step.

Something Snappy: As a dog lover, I was thrilled to share this book with my daughter and read the short stories about all these lovable fur ballsandtheir favorite toys. With extraordinary photography (and you KNOW that’s a huge compliment coming from ME), I truly got the sense that I knew each and every dog on the pages of Dirty Bow Wow

Go Graham Go! This beautiful book would make a perfect gift for the dog lover in your life and would also be a beautiful table top book! My favorite picture is Halle and Frisbee! It is a great action shot of a fun loving dog catching her Frisbee in mid-air! And of course, there is a special place in my heart for Malibu, a rescue dog, and his pink piggy!

Therapeutic Reviews & Giveaways: My children have always feared dogs stemming back from an incident when they were toddlers. This heartwarming book was purely a delight and restored their love for the animals. Showing the softer, gentler side of all the dogs, my youngest squealed with delight at each picture. My youngest is also the only one of my 3 kids that has had a special “blankie” since she was an infant. I think she can relate! My son loved the golden retriever, Fiona and her “Bear: best, my husband and I got a good chuckle out of Daisy and her “Stick”! My youngest adored Beau Beau and “Big Red.”

Mudpies and Mary Janes: The dog’s stories range from humorous to touching, with all being fun to read together as a family. My kids have really enjoyed the book as well, asking the names of the different breeds and laughing at some of the unique objects to which some of the dogs have become attached. Their hands down favorite is Lucy, a Puggle, laying nose to nose with her stuffed dog Doggie. Even my fourteen month old sat on the couch completely enthralled as he flipped through each page, pointing and saying “doggie“. I love that Dirty Bow Wow includes dogs that are purebred to mixed breeds, as well as those found on the street and rescued from Hurricane Katrina. I think that Dirty Bow Wow is a terrific book for people of all ages, young and old.

Sheltered Not Shattered: My boys and I enjoyed reading this book and looking at all the adorable photographs of the dog’s with their favorite objects. It even opened up discussions about different breeds of dogs. Youngest is a true animal lover and he refers back to the book often. One of my favorite pictures was of Bugsy and Bear but my favorite story was of Belle and her quilt. Belle was a homeless dog that was adopted and finally found a home with Astrid.

Brimful Curiosities: A quick and enjoyable coffee-table worthy read, all dog lovers will find something to love when perusing Dirty Bow Wow. In my household, lots of books fall into my hands and my hands alone. However, this book managed to become a family favorite. My preschool-aged daughter immediately fell for the Toy Poodle named Annie Goodman odeling her beloved chic Pink Purse toy. My husband, the discerning reader (so discerning he hardly ever picks up a book) read Dirty Bow Wowcover to cover and remarked on a number of dogs. Puggle Lucy nose-to-nose with her stuffed, earless Doggie won him over.

Filed Under: Family, books, entertainment, giveaways, kids, reviews

The Legend of Honey Hollow

April 10, 2009 By Caryn

As we near Earth Day, many of us are looking for ways to educate our children and raise awareness about important environmental issues such as global warming, conservation, and eco-preservation. Parents value the importance of books, particularly in helping children understand complex topics. Some of our reviewers had an opportunity to review The Legend of Honey Hollow, perfectly timed for Earth Day which is coming up in a few weeks. Here is a little more information about the book from the site:

The Legend of Honey Hollow is intended to teach children about the different endangered bears of the world and the importance of community, sharing and trust. Author Jeanne McNaney introduces readers to Grendel, a polar bear who, along with the other bears of Honey Hollow, illustrates how significant it is for our children to grow up in a healthy world. The Legend of Honey Hollow helps children: appreciate wildlife and the environment, discover how one person can make a big difference, learn the importance of community and find a fun way to learn about going green.

honey2 honey4

Some of our reviewers had an opportunity to preview this book and here is what they had to say:

An Island Review: Baby Bug loved the deep, rich illustrations that almost seem to jump off the page. It really helped to hold her attention to the story. We found this book to be very educational. It taught my girls that we cannot take our planet for granted and if we continue to destroy it the way we are, there will be nothing left for future generations. However, what I really liked about The Legend of Honey Hollow is that they broke it down into manageable pieces which really helped Girlie Girl understand the different effects that environmental destruction has around the world. The characters were lovable and sympathetic and you’ll find yourself feeling so sorry for everything they’ve been through.

Chocolate Fingerprints: The book does an excellent job of teaching kids about different kinds of bears around the world, where they come from, and how humans’ actions affect every living thing around them. Yes, it’s a pretty heavy subject, but McNaney handles it well, emphasizing also the effect that good acts like cooperation, caring and conservation can have. The story shows that it’s not to late to turn things around when it comes to the environment, that the future is in our hands.

Mama Sparkles: I enjoyed reading this book. It’s simple to understand and while it is sad at times, it provides great hope for the future. I learned a great deal about different species of bears, and how their homes are being threatened as a result of the global search for energy in the form of oil, gas and coal. Educating our children on these important environmental issues will be necessary for the survival of many animals, including bears.

The Mom Buzz: The message is clear. People have to take responsibility for their environment, because pollution and deforestation affects everyone. The illustrations are bright. The animals clearly display their emotions. And my sons love the bears on every page. The back of the book talks more specifically about the types of bears found in the book.

The Mud Bug: I was very impressed with this book. It is not often that I will take to a children’s book but this one was one that really touched my heart. It sends a very clear message that we are also responsible for our environment. My girls loved the pictures (and the bears). They were warm, inviting and vibrant colors. My 5yo likes the back were there are most specific descriptions of the bears that are in the book. I have been doing alot these days in the green area of things (such as recycling, etc) and my girls have been very eager about learning more. The Legend of Honey Hollow has given me the opportunity to teach them more regarding other areas that need our attention.

My Organized Chaos: I find that this book illustrates very well to children, the effects that Mankind has on the environment (and the animals who live in it). It takes a pretty tough subject for kids to comprehend, and enables them to understand. After the first time I read the book to Isabelle, I asked her to tell me what the book was about. She said, “The bears and birds have no where to live because people cut down their trees and they get sad and scared”. The book also does a good job explaining that some of the effects can be reversed with some care and cooperation, for example – by planting trees.

Rockin’ Mama: The book is beautifully illustrated and portrays an accurate depiction of real-life events, such as oil drilling and cut-down trees. The pictures add a rich dimension to the story and initially portray a somewhat somber tone, emphasizing the seriousness of the subject. Fortunately, the story concludes with a hopeful tone. I appreciate the fact that the author provides children with information on the steps we can take to help preserve the environment. Community, sharing and trust are important unifying messages and the book is best summed up by this quote: “At Honey Hollow, we help each other. Though their parents have damaged our habitat, children are the planet’s future.”

The Way I See It Too: It’s an excellent book that teaches children (and adults!) many of the environmental issues our planet is presently facing. The story is intriguing from the get go, which keeps the attention of little ones as well as adults. The Illustrations are colorful, detailed and simply gorgeous. The Legend of Honey Hollow is a book that will be read for generations to come. It’s also the first book in a new series which gives us all something to look forward too.