Get ready!! The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo, Book 2) by Rick Riordan is now at a bookstore near you!! A big thanks to Disney-Hyperion for providing a prize pack for my readers and a review copy of the book which they're sending today! :) Readers, scroll down to enter the #TrialsofApollo "God of Poetry" giveaway! In honor of the god of poetry's second book, I've written a haiku . . … [Read more...]
New Summer Brain Quest Workbooks + Giveaway
Keep learning and prevent any summer slide with Brain Quest's latest super fun, game-like workbooks called SUMMER BRAIN QUEST for children kindergarten to 6th grade. Many students lose around two months of grade level equivalency in math, and many also lose reading achievement, over the summer. Yikes, right!? New Summer Brain Quest Workbooks That's where Summer Brain Quest workbooks can … [Read more...]
Vampirina at the Beach Book & Prize Pack #VampirinaBallerina
Get ready for summer with Vampirina At The Beach (Vampirina Ballerina Series) by Ann Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham for ages 2 - 6. Thanks to Disney for providing me the book as well as the Vampirina prize pack for a lucky winner. (Scroll down for how to enter.) Vampirina at the Beach Book & Prize Pack Vampirina and her monster friends and family travel to spend a fun night at the … [Read more...]
Sci-Fi Junior High Adventure from Jimmy Patterson Books
Sci-Fi Junior High is a funny, new middle grade science-fiction adventure for ages 8 and up by John Martin and Scott Seegert, published by James Patterson’s new children’s book imprint, Jimmy Patterson Books. Kelvin Klosmo is the son of genius scientist parents. He's just moved to the Galactic Science Hub's Sci-Fi Junior High where he's desperately trying to keep people thinking that he's … [Read more...]
Play with Green Toys Playsets
Guess what? Your favorite open-ended, eco-friendly toy company, Green Toys, now has two new and totally impressive Playsets! Both the Fire Station and Farm are brand new kid-approved Playsets that come with a building, vehicle, characters, and accessories for kids 2 - 6 years old. Scroll down for a chance to win a Playset! Play is linked with empathy according to play researcher Stuart Brown. … [Read more...]
Big Fat Notebook: Study Guides for Middle School
Go back to school with Big Fat Notebooks! Big Fat Notebooks are easy-to-read, condensed books of notes and quizzes from the smartest kid class in every subject. And they're perfect for our middle school kids. But guess what else, parents? If you're like me and maybe have forgotten everything about middle school math or American History or Science . . . , then these books will help us, … [Read more...]
Boys vs. Books: Turn Your Boys Into Readers
written by Edge of Extinction author, Laura Martin scroll down to WIN a signed copy of her book! I used to be able to recognize the question before it had even been asked. There was a certain look parents had as they squished themselves behind the desk their middle school boy sat behind day after day. Why? They would ask. Why weren’t their boys the natural born readers their daughters had … [Read more...]
Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books
Do your kids like action-packed adventure and mystery chapter books? Books you can't put down? Try one of these choices -- and scroll down to enter the Curious Cat Spy Club book series giveaway. I'm giving away 5 sets! Captivating Adventure and Mystery Chapter Books Edge of Extinction The Ark Plan by Laura Martin Action from the first page! This is a crazy good story about a dangerous world … [Read more...]
New Books for Summer 2016
I can't wait to tell you about the latest new books to get your kids excited about reading. So for this summer vacation 2016 or any time, browse through these reviews and see what will appeal to your child. See also my summer book lists by grade and age. New Books for Summer 2016 Nick and Tesla's Solar-Powered Showdown by Bob Pflugfelder, Steve Hockensmith ADVENTURE (ages 7 - 10) I LOVE … [Read more...]
Make a Wish Jar! DIY Origami Stars
Inspired by the Star Darlings positive messages, my daughter and I created our own Wish Jars -- with our wishes written on colorful strips of paper which we made into origami stars. Star Darlings are star-charmed girls who encourage and help others to fulfill their heartfelt wishes. Now with nine books, dolls, music and apparel, along with a mobile app and animated shorts, Star Darlings … [Read more...]
Take a Road Trip Out West with Travel Guides and Audiobooks
Take a road trip out west this summer but don't forget your Fodor’s Travel books and Penguin Random House Listening Library audiobooks! Fodor's Travel Website & Books Fodor's has been around for 80 years -- have you used their guide books before? I certainly have -- and never travel without one of their guidebooks, from Europe to Disney to San Francisco. Although now I could always … [Read more...]
New! Star Darlings Grant Wishes: What’s Yours?
STAR DARLINGS, the new fantasy middle grade series by Ahmet Zappa and Shana Muldoon Zappa for ages 8-12, follows the lives of twelve very unique, sparkly Starling girls who live on a star called Starland. The girls attend a special school to learn how to make a wish come true for girls from Earth who are called Wishlings. Normally, the girls would have to wait until graduation but for this group … [Read more...]