Almost a year ago now I had the honour of helping to beta test a new service. Designed for kids ages 0 to 8, Mail a Tale offers a monthly books in a box subscription. The packages go out once a month, for $19.95, plus shipping, you get two softcover books or one hardcover book. For $39.95 you get four softcover books or two hardcover books, and that includes free … [Read more...]
Gifts For Kids ~ Holiday Gift Guide 2012
This is Beauregard the Wolf. Isn't he a cutie? He's one of over a dozen different types of Blabla dolls. They are soft, durable, machine washable and made with natural fibers. Read about it: My previous Blabla doll review. Buy it: $21 to $52 at GivingGifts.ca. Get a Deal: Use the code "Maple" for 10% off everything at Giving Gifts (expires Dec. … [Read more...]
Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Arabic Lullabies & Nursery Rhymes, Picture Book & Music CD {Review}
Much like Songs in the Shade of the Flamboyant Tree, which I reviewed previously, Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree is a book and CD set that features nursery rhymes and lullabies in their native tongue. This time the collection features rhymes and songs from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia and "draws children into a musical journey across North Africa, from the Sahara Desert … [Read more...]
What Comes After The Wizard? – How to share Baum’s Oz books with your kids, & What should you read next?
Each night at bedtime I read my daughter a chapter from a "big kids" storybook. Over the past year and a half we've worked our way through all fourteen of the original Oz books, and then went on to read a handful of other assorted children's classics. However, by request we've ended up back with "DorothyToto" each night before bed. We are currently on our second go … [Read more...]
Indigo Adopt a School Program – Getting books into the hands of Canada’s kids and YOU can help.
We are a family of readers. We practically live in a library. My kids probably own two hundred books, easily. So I was shocked to discover that many Canadian children, particularly those from low income families, do not own even a single book. I cannot imagine a childhood without reading. I simply can not. Surveys show that over 42% of Canadians are functionally illiterate … [Read more...]
W is for Wapiti! An Alphabet Songbook & CD Set
Today I'm reviewing another lovely book and CD set from The Secret Mountain. I've mentioned this award winning Canadian publisher before, as I am totally in love with their high-quality hardcover children's picture books and audio CDs.. W is for Wapiti is a storybook-music CD featuring twenty-four original kids songs, all based around the alphabet. The artwork for the book … [Read more...]
Songs in the Shade of the Flamboyant Tree, Children’s Music CD & Book Set {Review}
I am pretty excited to share this one with you folks, as I don't think many people are aware of The Secret Mountain (yet!). The Secret Mountain is an award-winning publisher of kids books and CDs. They're Canadian and they operate out of Montreal, Quebec. They publish lovely hardcover children's picture books with accompanying audio CDs, such as Songs in the Shade of the … [Read more...]
Fifty Shades of Meh, or Could Someone Please Explain What the Big Deal is With these Books?
It seems like everyone is talking about Fifty Shades of Grey, this trilogy of erotic novels by first time author E. L. James. I've heard plenty about the series, which seems to be taking the "mommy world" by storm. Personally I couldn't care less. However, for the past few days Fifty Shades of Grey has been on my mind because it's been chosen as the theme for the … [Read more...]
Review Recap – How Stuff Stands Up Over Time…
As a blogger who does product reviews, I usually have a chance to try a product out for a week or two before I write up a review about it. A few weeks, or a few months down the road I often feel like I have a thing or two I'd like to add to my original review. Things I really feel like I should share with you guys, like I was wrong don't put that in the washing machine! So … [Read more...]
My Monster Burrufu { Book Review }
I had a chance to review My Monster Burrufu by Alberto Corral and Alessandra Sorrentino. It's a cute and unique kids storybook put out by a new independent publisher, Petite Grande Idée. The first thing I noticed upon arrival? This book is beautiful! I love the look of it, the paper they used, and the awesome illustrations. This is a well made book. Keeping in mind this … [Read more...]
Cool Book Alert – Un Pato en Nueva York
I was offered a free review copy of Un Pato en Nueva York, a cute kids storybook & music CD set, which I actually turned down. Un Pato en Nueva York is the Spanish language version of the Juno Award winning “Duck in New York City”. Right now Rainbow is fixated on learning French. She is constantly asking me to tell her what something is in French, she asks me to sing to her … [Read more...]
Amazing Cows by Sandra Boynton
Amazing Cows! Written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton Until a few years ago I had never heard of Sandra Boynton. Then someone gifted us with a few of her board books. I still wasn't really paying attention, because as much as I love books board books normally fail to excite me. Then I read them (Pajama Time, Barnyard Dance) and I read them and read them, over and over to an … [Read more...]
Indestructibles Baby Books {Review}
I have an 11 month old baby on the move. She is trouble on four limbs. She puts everything in her mouth and attempts to chew and swallow it. She is far more destructive then her older sister ever was. I have to keep a constant eye on her, and I have to keep books, all books, the heck out of her reach. Reading aloud to her is a challenge, as she squirms around on my lap and … [Read more...]
Jack the Kitten is Very Brave {Review}
Jack the Kitten is Very Brave Written by Tabitha Grace Smith. Illustrations by Mindy Lou Hagan. My daughter LOVES this book. Both of the girls got piles of books for Christmas, including ones that G-Girl had the excitement of picking out herself after family members gave us gift cards. So there are tons of new books in the house right now. But the one book that my … [Read more...]
R is for… READING
Yes, my three year old daughter insists on "reading" the dictionary. She just flips through page after page and makes up stories out loud. … [Read more...]