Read Books, Give Books!

I spotted this site on the Money Saving Mom blog today called We Give Books, so I checked into it. I found it  worth sharing with all of you. This is a site which allows you to go online and pick a campaign,  read children's book (Gannon and Giovonnie both liked this) and then the site gives a book to the campain in  which you chose. There are a veritiy of children's books like Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, Corduroy Lost and Found by Don Freeman, Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse by Judy Schachner, The Spy-Catcher Gang by John Kelly and many more.

So why not enjoy some FREE books online with your children, and help out a good cause too? Go check out We Give Books too and get started. :)

The Dragon and the Turtle ~ Book Review

When I was offered the chance to do a book review for the book The Dragon and the Turtle written by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark, I jumped on it because I'm working on bringing Giovonnie into the world of reading. I know I've said it before, but I really want all my boys to harbor a love for reading. This book looked like one Giovonnie might like because of the love he has for animals; it seems he is a bit more drawn to books that have animal personification.

When the book came in the mail, I allowed him to open the package. His eyes lit up in delight, as he asked, "Is this book for me?" I said, "Well, yes. Would you like to read it with me?" Giovonnie bounced up and down in delight, and then headed toward the living room couch saying, "Come on." I took a seat next to him and we began to read, me reading one page then him the next page. Soon he was reading every page forgetting to give me a turn. I smiled knowing that he was enjoying the story of Padraig the dragon as he helped his friend Roger the turtle.

Padraig was out looking for bugs to eat when he found Roger who had lost his home. Roger became lost while he was out adventuring as a pirate. Padraig took the time to help a stranger, and became fast friends with Roger as he tried to help him find his way home. Along the way they use the five senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing) to aid them in finding Roger’s home, as well as chat about their likenesses and differences. The illustrations by Vincent Nguyen were dynamic helping to create that personification of the animals giving them a true sense of life and adventure.

In the back of the book there is a quick little book discussion guide that you can go over with your child, which I found to be a nice way to end the story.

We were also surprised to find a recipe in the back of the book. This was great because Giovonnie likes to pretend to be "Chef Giovonnie" when we do a bit of baking or cooking together. It will be a nice way for us to spend some more one on one time together creating a tasty treat for the family.



Giovonnie later reading the book on his own.



*Disclaimer: Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

Book Review: God Gave Us So Much

The hard cover book God Gave Us So Much, by Lisa Tawn Bergren, is a Three-part Treasury holding within it three separate stories; God Gave Us the World, God Gave Us Love, and God Gave Us Heaven. These three stories teach child friendly lessons with the family of polar bears on diversity which make us special, to love one another and show kindness, and that God made Heaven for us because he loves us. This is a beautifully written children’s book is matched with its adorable illustrations of polar bears by Laura J. Bryant, and an attached silky ribbon bookmark .

I was thrilled to receive this book in the mail, and sat down with my boys to read the book, my 2 year old, Gannon, enjoyed looking at the delightfully colored illustrations and pointed out bears, penguins, and fish as he sat on my lap while I read. Giovonnie, my 7 year old, sat listening to the first story, while asking Gannon to be quite because he was trying to listen. After I read the first story from the book, Royce, my 10 year old, asked if he could read it to Gannon and Giovonnie. I was impressed that they all seemed to enjoy the book.

*Disclaimer: Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

 



A Cute Freebie Music for MP3

This was to good not to share with you all.  Free VeggieTales Sing Christmas MP3 music.

Go here to get it: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001232ODA