A father of four, B. F. Parajon says that he had witnessed his own children experience the wonder and magic of the Christmas season and watched as his kids enjoyed the very same classic Christmas stories that he had watched as a child. In over a quarter century, he noticed, not a single new classic Christmas story had succeeded in capturing the imagination of children the way those classics had…and the youngest of those stories was over 50 years old! Without a new, fresh Christmas story, Parajon feared, kids would eventually grow tired of the same old stories year after year and lose interest altogether. Part of the specialness of the Christmas season would be lost forever.  Hence, along came Elphland: The Story Of Santa’s Elves.

Horrid Henry Rocks

Horrid Henry, the “Loveable Bad Boy” of children’s literature, returns with a new book!

Horrid Henry loves nothing more than to tease his brother Perfect Peter, antagonize his neighbor Moody Margaret, irritate his teacher Miss Battle-Axe, and manipulate his parents, and Horrid Henry Rocks features four terrible tales in one!

Hailey Twitch and the Campground Itch:

Hailey Twitch wants to have fun, fun, FUN!

Hailey Twitch and the Campground Itch is the third in the fun, new series featuring a seven-year-old mastermind who gets into heaps of delicious trouble. It’s a long weekend, and Hailey’s family is going camping. The two downsides: the dark and Hailey’s sister’s friend. When Hailey’s sister and her friend sneak off to a tree house in the night and get stuck, Hailey and the magical sprite Maybelle could be the only ones who can help them.

My take:  While Horrid Henry is a little too naughty for my boys I did read the book and laughed out loud at all the horrible things Henry and Moody Margaret did to each other.   On the other hand my oldest LOVED Hailey Twitch and I couldn’t read fast enough for him….we can’t wait for the next book!

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes

Get ready to board the Dinosaur Train and meet some new friends! Buddy, the adorable preschooler Tyrannosaurus Rex, and this adoptive Pteranodon family are always on the move. Today, they are going to Volcano Valley. Along the way, the train is making stops at the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous stations to make dozens of dinosaur discoveries. With more than 40 flaps to lift, kids will want to explore Buddy’s world again and again!

Summertime is here and what better way to spend the summer with family and friends than on an adventure to visit one of our national parks and/or recreation destinations.  July is Park and Recreation Month in the U.S., and the theme for this year’s celebration is “Rock Your Park.”   The National Park and Recreation Association wants you to show the country how parks and recreation make your life extraordinary! Whether it is visiting your local park, a playground, swimming pool, or taking a family trip to one of our national park treasures, celebrate our country’s love of the great outdoors this month!  Visit the organization’s website to find out ways to get involved:  http://www.nrpa.org/july

 You can also turn your visit to the local park into a game by participating in the Dinosaur Train Geocache Challenge.  Geocaching is a family friendly outdoor adventure that blends technology, gaming and environmental discovery. Each geocache features one of the dinosaurs found on the online Dinosaur Train Field Guide and contains educational information related to that dinosaur.  So, perhaps pick your local park as a destination to hide your own Dinosaur Train container. To participate in the Dinosaur Train Geocache, visit http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/geocachingchallenge/

My take:  I was pleasantly surprised at how big this book is.  With so many flaps to lift up and discover both of my boys had a great time with this book.  I also liked how they were able to count and search and find in this book.

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes

All of our products are based on our lifelong love of music and our belief in its power to open hearts and minds. We firmly believe that by surrounding young children with beautiful music, we can engage their minds, inspire them artistically and nurture them emotionally.

US Family Guide is offering parents a great deal at the Juno Company online store.  They have a $40 online store credit we are selling for just $20. Hurry though, it ends in just 3 days!

Classical music is always a great thing for children to have from infant to toddler (and older of course). There are days when even i sit back and just want to listen to soothing sounds.

You can view Baby Juno on your local BabyFirstTV channel. (Ch 293 in the Washington area on DirecTV)

The bag i was sent is probably the most durable shopping bag i have ever had. Its like 3 inches thick in fabric lol. The CD went straight to my 3 year old who loves music in general.

Disclaimer:

I received a bag & CD for my post.

“The Discovery Kits resulted from our ongoing discussions with parents who loved the concept of a single product that offered a variety of different ways to interact with their babies,” noted  Susan McLain, vice president and general manager, The Baby Einstein Company. “We’re thrilled  to offer this unique new experience for parent and child to share as they go through their busy  days together.” 

Representing a new path for the company as Baby Einstein continues to listen to and evolve with today’s parents, the Baby Einstein DVDs will now only be available at retail as part of the Baby Einstein Discovery Kits.   The new Discovery Kits encourage parents to take what they and their little one have seen on screen, in the book or on the Discovery Cards, or listened to on the CD and apply it to baby’s everyday life.  They were created to grow with babies and are organized in a way that offers three distinct levels of discovery:

Level 1:  Experience  

 • Baby Beethoven™ Discovery Kit includes a DVD, Book, Music CD and Parents’ Guide. 

Parent and child will listen to the joyous sounds and cherished works of Beethoven. See how music celebrates the sounds of different instruments. Together, they will experience a world of enchanting sights and sounds and make new discoveries with Baby Beethoven. 

• Baby Mozart™ Discovery Kit includes a DVD, Book, Music CD and Parents’ Guide. 

Parent and child will discover the joy of classical music together and listen to Mozart’s popular works – including “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” – delightfully reorchestrated for little ears.  They’ll look at real-life images and enchanting puppet shows bringing a symphony of sights and sounds together as they share new discoveries with Baby Mozart.  

Level 2:  Explore   

 • Wild Animal Safari Discovery Kit includes a DVD, Discovery Cards, Music CD and Parents’ Guide. 

  Parents can take their little explorer on an exotic musical expedition to meet wild animals from across the globe.  Together, they’ll journey to the jungle, savanna, desert and forest on a wild, wonderful voyage of discovery with Wild Animal Safari. 

• Animals Around Me Discovery Kit includes a DVD, Discovery Cards, Music CD and Parents’ Guide. 

Parent and child set off on a fun-filled “field trip” to discover animals found at the park, on the farm, and in their own backyard – whether furry or feathered, winged or wiggly, bumpy or cuddly, they’ll explore the Animals Around Me.

Level 3: Expression  

 • World of Colors Discovery Kit includes a DVD, Book, Music CD and Parents’ Guide. 

Parent and child share a rainbow of sights and sounds and discover the wonders of color together! They’ll join puppet host “Vincent Van Goat” as he creates six Van Gogh masterpieces exploring red, green, blue, yellow, orange and purple with World of Colors. 

• World of Words Discovery Kit includes a DVD, Book, Music CD and Parents’ Guide. 

 Parent and child join playful puppet host Bard the Dragon on an exciting adventure using everyday words, such as flower, cat, and moon, plus beautiful scenery from nature with World of Words.  

The first six Discovery Kits are available for purchase November 23, 2010 and three additional Discovery Kits will be available in early 2011. The Baby Einstein Discovery Kits have a U.S. suggested retail price of $19.99 and a suggested retail price in Canada of $24.99 CAD.  For more information about the Baby Einstein Discovery Kits and other Baby Einstein products, visit http://www.babyeinstein.com/home/. 

 My take:  I was able to review the Level 1 series.  Now my boys are out of the baby stage but I do have a brand new nephew who I am able to spoil.  We have always had Baby Einstein products in our house especially their books and DVDs so I had high expectations which were met by this first series.   I initially put this in to review it but both of my boys ended up watching it.  The 2 year old especially liked that after watching the DVD he was able to see the same things in the book.  Brightly colored and great music these kits are sure to be a hit!

The Legend of Papa Noel: A Cajan Christmas Story

Around the world Santa Claus has many names. But in a deep, swampy bayou of Louisiana, he’s known as Papa Noël. In such a hot and humid place, there can be no sleds or reindeer, so Papa Noël rides the river in a boat that’s pulled by eight alligators, with a snowy white one named Nicollette in the lead. On this particular Christmas Eve, it’s so foggy on the river that even Nicollette’s magical glowing-green eyes may not be enough to guide Papa Noël. The alligators are tired, grumpy and bruised from banging into cypress trees, and Papa is desperate to get all the gifts to the little children. Well, “quicker than a snake shimmies down the river,” the clever Cajun people come up with a solution that saves the day. A colorfully inventive Christmas tale, Papa Noël is a lesson in fast thinking, as well as a witty introduction to a part of America that’s rich in folklore and legend.

Retails for $17.95

The Night Santa Met Henry Ford:

Could Henry Ford have taken his idea for an automobile assembly line from the elves at the North Pole? Maybe so. Set just before Christmas in 1908, this charming tale finds Henry Ford puzzling over a way to make his Model T affordable for the average family. His little son Edsel suggests that Daddy write to Santa for advice. Since Santa makes toys for millions of children, Edsel points out, he must know a better way. Henry writes the letter just to please his son, but Santa actually answers by taking Henry to visit his North Pole workshop. When he sees the elves working in a line, each completing just one specific task on every toy that?s made, Henry Ford envisions an automobile assembly line. The story not only illustrates that children can teach adults how to dream, but it also provides an author’s note with factual information about Henry Ford and the Model T.

Retails for $17.95.

My take:  I really like both of these books.   The Legend of Papa Noel is pure charm and the illustrations complement the story so well.  The Night Henry Ford Met Santa is very whimsical and a great book for any car enthusiast!

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes.

Disney Pixar Toy Story 3, Together Forever, is a storybook and play box in one!  This portable play box comes with a storybook, 33 press-out play pieces and 36 reusable stickers!  Great for travel or fun at home, this book is sure to provide hours of fun for your little loved ones.

Retails for $19.99

Disney Tangled, Rapunzel’s Adventures, is a storybook with a portable music player containing I See the Light, a song from the movie, as well as 19 additional tunes inspired by the film.  This player can be used page-by-page along with the storybook or as a stand alone toy bringing to your child musical tunes for hours of play.

Retails for $24.99.

My take:  I had no idea that Reader’s Digest even had a children’s book section before this review!  Both of these books were huge hits with my boys and my niece.  I love how the Toy Story 3 book even has 2 levels of play area for the play box and all the important characters are present the 4 1/2 year old informed me.

I really loved the illustrations in each book.  As we don’t know much about Tangled or Rapunzel, I thought this book did a great job of telling the story.  I do wish the songs had words though but my niece is perfectly happy to dance along to the “dreamy” music and she loves that she can take the player wherever she wants.

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes.

Daily transitions and routines can be a challenge for any toddler, as well as parents and caregivers. These award-winning, positive books can help ease the many trying “times” that are a part of every toddler’s day. Share them before (or during) the desired “time,” or whenever toddlers need encouragement with routines.

Clean-up time, bye-bye time, naptime . . . daily routines like these can be a challenge for any toddler, as well as parents and caregivers. An award-winning author/illustrator team offers a fresh look at the times and transitions all toddlers face daily, giving young children the tools to handle routines with confidence and cooperation. The positive books in the Toddler Tools series can be shared before (or during) the desired “time,” or whenever toddlers need encouragement with routines.

Bedtime:

Ease the transition from evening activities to bedtime with this warm and cozy get-ready-for-bed book. Cheerful, soft illustrations and reassuring text set a tone that helps toddlers feel good about the daily routine of settling down to sleep. In the morning, the children will yawn, stretch, and be a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, and a little bit smarter—all because of a good night’s sleep.

Calm-Down Time

Every parent, caregiver—and young child—knows the misery that comes with meltdowns and temper tantrums. Through rhythmic text and warm illustrations, this gentle, reassuring book offers toddlers simple tools to release strong feelings, express them, and calm themselves down. Children learn to use their calm-down place—a quiet space where they can take time out. After a break, toddlers will feel like new—and adults will, too.

 Manners start with a smile—then you add the words. There are polite words to use when you greet someone, ask for something, or (oops!) make a mistake. There’s even a nice way to say no. This book gives toddlers a head start on manners, setting the stage for social skills that will last a lifetime.

Sharing Time

Sometimes it’s fun to share, and sometimes it’s hard. This book offers toddlers simple choices (take turns, use it together, wait for another time) to make sharing easier, and shows them where to turn for help when sharing is difficult. Little ones learn that sharing can mean double the fun—and sharing a while can make someone smile!

Clean-Up Time

Toddlers will look forward to clean-up time with this simple rhyming book that encourages them to chant along as they tidy up. Young children learn to work together to put items in their place, make a neater space, keep a smile on their face—and make room for more fun.

Bye-Bye Time

Being dropped off at childcare or cared for by a baby-sitter means saying good-bye to Mom or Dad—and for many toddlers, bye-bye is a big deal. This gentle book helps ease the transition with simple rituals: hugs and kisses, a big wave, a deep breath, and the confidence to seek comfort with the new caregiver or other children.

Naptime

Naps are just a little break—but when it’s naptime, many toddlers have trouble settling into sleep. This calming, encouraging book helps young children quiet down so they can get the rest they need. Eyes are closed, lights are dimmed…and (yawn, s-t-r-e-t-c-h) before little ones know it, it’s time to wake up. Cozy illustrations enhance the text

 “Put away the wiggles. Put away the giggles. Listening works better when your body is calm and still.” When it’s time for young children to listen closely, this book sets the tone. They discover that it’s important to open their eyes and ears but to close their mouths (“zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket”) so good listening can begin.

My take:  I love the messages of this book- simple and to the point so a toddler can easily understand the message.  The illustrations are colorful and my youngest enjoys flipping through the pages looking at all the pictures.  I also like how sturdy these hardcover books are- strong enough to withhold the abuse a toddler will give.

By Charles Dickens, Chuck Fischer

“This beautiful re-imagining of Charles Dickens’s timeless fable, A Christmas Carol: A Pop-Up Book features artist Chuck Fischer’s richly painted depictions of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, brought to life in intricate pop-up scenes by paper engineer Bruce Foster. The entire text of A Christmas Carol is reproduced in five removable, illustrated, keepsake booklets. An introductory booklet provides a biography of Dickens and an illustrated feature on the enduring appeal of this beloved story.“

About the Book:

Category:   FICTION, JUVENILE FICTION
Format:  HARDCOVER BOOK
Publish Date:  11/10/2010
Price: $30.00/$36.00
ISBN: 9780316039734
Pages: 810 Size: 7.75″ x 9.75″

Connect:

Visit Scrooge and Marley online.
Visit Chuck Fischer’s online site.
Follow Hachette Book Club on Twitter. (Little Brown)
Follow “Charles Dickens” on Twitter
Follow Chuck Fischer on Twitter

Buy it: A Christmas Carol’s Pop Up Book can be purchased from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and many others.

*information from www.hachettebookgroup.com

Candlewick Press, based in Somerville, Massachusetts, publishes outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages. Since we first opened our doors in 1991, we’ve received more than 1500 accolades and honors, and have been named “the fastest growing children’s publisher in the U.S.” by Publishers Weekly. A recent article in the Oakland Tribune noted:

If we are to remain a literary people, we must turn off the television and read books to our children. But what to read? In this glutted book market, mediocrity reigns.

Not so at Candlewick Press. . . . Lively stories, superior art, and revisited classics are hallmarks of this employee owned company. Bravo to leadership that recognizes quality writing and artistry and chooses to promote them.

How have we done it? By publishing only those books we believe in, only those books that speak to children, and only those that have both words and art of the highest quality. Why do we care so much? Because Candlewick Press is 100 percent owned and operated by our employees, making us one of the largest independent publishing companies, not just in the country, but in the world. Our independence and passion translates into the highest-quality books possible for you, our discriminating readers — the teachers, librarians, parents, and of course, children of all ages — who have learned to expect a truly wonderful book wherever the Candlewick logo appears.

A Bedtime for Bear:

Bear must have absolute quiet when he goes to bed.  He likes to set out his glass of water, adjust his nightcap, fluff his favorite pillow, and then drift peacefully to sleep.  But the effervescent Mouse, small and gray and bright-eyed, finds it terribly hard to be quiet as a…well, you know.  With masterfully paced slapstick humor, droll repartee, and comic visual details, the curmudgeonly Bear and his irrepressible friend Mouse return in a third wry adventure that will have readers of all ages laughing in recognition.

When the impish Mouse comes to spend the night, Bear is in for a rude-and very funny-awakening in this irresistible new story starring the unlikely pair.

Retails for $16.99.

My take:  This book is charming and cute.  I loved how Mouse took care of Bear and the boys loved how two different sized animals were such great friends.

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing

Some information may have been used from the sponsors website, PR, or other provided material. (Giveaways- Odds of winning depend on the number of entries vs prizes. No purchase is ever needed or endorsed for an entry) The views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own and any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified by the above mentioned store, PR,or product designer. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to twitter, facebook or any other network. This post is solely the property of Mommy PR and/or its above sponsor. ]]> http://www.mommypr.com/2010/10/a-bedtime-for-bear-book-review/feed/ 1