New Redesigned @Beginner's Bible #FlyBy #TheBeginnersBible

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

I use The Beginner's Bible every week as I teach my preschoolers! We have used it for years as parents reading it to our children and we will continue to use it to guide and teach our children.

That is why I am so excited that The Beginner’s Bible, a trusted, bestselling brand for over 25 years, is now all new with vibrant, three-dimensional illustrations! This popular brand of children’s storybook Bibles and books, designed for kids ages 6 and under, has been newly redesigned with a fresh, clean look!

The Beginner’s Bible® has been a favorite with young children and their parents since its release in 1989 with over 25 million products sold. Now it’s redesigned with fresh new art that will excite children for many more years to come.

Full of faith and fun, The Beginner’s Bible is a wonderful gift for any child. The easy-to-read text and bright, full-color illustrations on every page make it a perfect way to introduce young children to the stories and characters of the Bible. With new vibrant three-dimensional art and compelling text, more than 90 Bible stories come to life. Kids ages 6 and under will enjoy the fun illustrations of Noah helping the elephant onto the ark, Jonah praying inside the fish, and more, as they discover The Beginner's Bible just like millions of children before. The Beginner's Bible was named the 2006 Retailers Choice Award winner in Children's Nonfiction.

My youngest received this The Beginner's Bible for Christmas and he instantly began looking through it, picking out his favorite stories! It made my heart happy to watch his eyes light up as he looked through the Bible and begged for me to read it to him! I can't wait to read it to him for many, many years more!

Buy It:

You can purchase The Beginner's Bible for $12.88 from Amazon.com

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

New @NGKidsBks Books Make Great Gifts! #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Books make the best gifts -- a thoughtfully selected book will hold a child's interest long after the new toys have been tossed aside, and books are also very budget-friendly.

This holiday season, National Geographic Kids Books is featuring SIX new titles that are perfect for gift giving. They are big, bold and beautiful hardcovers; cater to book enthusiasts and reluctant readers alike; and are fun, inspiring AND educational (but don't tell your kids that last part!).

Check out more info about each book below:

How Things Work 

(ages 7-10, $19.99) 

Discover the secrets and science behind bounce houses, hovercraft, robotics and everything in between in this book that provides both the quick answers AND complete explanations for all things high tech, low tech and no tech (how DOES glue work???). Detailed diagrams, revealing photos, hands-on activities and and fascinating facts all help to demystify many common items -- like how a microwave works, how an eraser makes pencil marks disappear and how an iPad or tablet can do so much -- and also delves into the more futuristic -- but very real -- inventions like bionics, invisible cloaks and tractor beams. "Tales from the Lab" and profiles of talented engineers, inventors and scientists provide plenty of inspiration. How Things Work is perfect for the kid who thinks "just because" isn't a REAL answer. Several spreads from How Things Work can be found by clicking here.

Ultimate Oceanpedia 

(ages 7-10, $24.99)

Perfect for the ocean-obsessed, this book is the most complete ocean reference ever! Ultimate Oceanpedia is overflowing with amazing facts, photos, art and diagrams that take the reader on a journey through the ocean. Whales, dolphins, porpoises, turtles, sharks, fish, crustaceans, sponges -- from the weird to the wonderful -- they are all featured in breathtaking photographs with easy to read captions. Wild weather, underwater exploration and tips and pointers on how to help keep our oceans thriving round out this thick, keepsake volume.

Tales from the Arabian Nights: Stories of Adventure, Magic, Love and Betrayal by Donna Jo Napoli 

(ages 8-12, $24.99) 

 "A brilliant tapestry woven not of yarn but of stories, both fresh and faithful to its historical routes" -- starred review, Kirkus

Do you have a child who loves magical stories about far away places? Classic stories and dazzling illustrations of princesses, kings, sailors and genies come to life in a stunning retelling of the Arabian folk tales from One Thousand and One Nights and other collections, including those of Alladin, Sinbad the Sailor, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. In this beautiful, gift-worthy book, beloved author Donna Jo Napoli not only brings timeless tales of royalty, adventure and love to life but also includes sidebars that connect the stories to history, culture and geography. A perfect story time selection for bedtime or anytime.

The Book of Heroines and The Book of Heroes 

(ages 8-12, $14.99) 

All kids are heroes in waiting and these two titles are sure to inspire. In The Book of Heroines it's all about Girl Power! Looking for a leading lady? How about more than 100 of them? True stories of superstars, war heroes, world leaders, ladies in lab coats ad everyday people who all have two things in common -- they were girls and they changed the world. From Michelle Obama, Jane Goodall and Wonder Woman to Susan B. Anthony, Gloria Steinem and Katie Ledecky, The Book of Heroines not only highlights how girls are just as tough as boys, but also challenges the reader to be a heroine herself and provides tips on how to unleash her inner heroine. Sample pages of Heroines can be found here. The Book of Heroes highlights 100 guys who had the boldness, bravery and brains to meet the challenges of their day. Featuring a very diverse array of amazing minds, heroes from history, sports stars and even action heroes -- like Abraham Lincoln, Mark Zuckerberg, Stephen Hawking and Steve Irwin -- boys will be sure to find more than just a few role models in the pages of this book and also perhaps inspire them that they, too, are capable of extraordinary things.

5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) 3 

(ages 8-12, $19.99) 

Did you know that one-third of the earth is a desert, that beets are sometimes used to give red velvet cake its color or that there are more caribou than people in Alaska? Well, that's only the beginning......5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) 3 features gross facts about toilets and edible insects, gravity defying facts about things that fly, awesome new dino-discoveries and even facts about newborn octopi and how many oranges it takes to make one glass of o.j. -- to name just a few! This book is the ultimate boredom buster and is perfect for curious kids who love to learn about the weird, wild and wacky!

On behalf of National Geographic Kids Books I'm so pleased to offer your site a Holiday Gift Pack Giveaway of the six books listed above (ARV $120.00). US only please and we'd be pleased to ship the gift pack directly to your winner.
It would be terrific if your readers could earn additional entries the following ways:
* Follow National Geographic Kids Books on twitter - @NGKidsBks
* Friend National Geographic Kids on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/NationalGeographicKid

Win It:

National Geographic Kids Books is generously offering (1) Holiday Gift Pack Giveaway of the six books listed above (ARV $120.00) to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) National Geographic Kids Holiday Gift Pack including:

• The Book Of Heroines
• The Book of Heroes
• 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) 3 
• Tales from the Arabian Nights: Stories of Adventure, Magic, Love and Betrayal 
• Ultimate Oceanpedia 
• How Things Work

(worth $120!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to National Geographic Kids for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Power Your Pregnancy with @jillianmichaels #YeahBabyBook ! #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

YEAH, BABY!

By Jillian Michaels

Release: November 15, 2016

The Modern Mama’s Guide to Mastering Pregnancy, Having a Healthy Baby, and Bouncing Back Better than Ever!

About the Book: 

You know Jillian Michaels as the world’s leading fitness expert and a renowned nutritionist; but she’s also a proud mother of two. In Yeah Baby!, Jillian, along with her team of top-notch experts, will change everything you think you know about pregnancy, arming you with the most cutting-edge information available, so you can make the right choices for you and your little one.

They will help you navigate the hidden dangers in your immediate environment; understand the check-ups, tests, and treatments your doctor recommends; and provide powerful solutions for all your issues, from heartburn and swollen feet to more serious medical concerns.

Also learn how to optimize every facet of your child’s development, from IQ and long-term earning potential to future level of physical fitness and even taste preferences! Yeah Baby! also features a complete meal plan with delicious, nutrition-packed recipes, and a one-of-a-kind, trimester-specific fitness program, to ensure you bounce back stronger and better than ever.

Expert Dream Team:
· Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD is an Ob-Gyn, a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, and board certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine.
· Andrea Orbeck is a PregnancyFitness Specialist who holds an advanced degree in Kinesiology and Intracellular Physiology.
· Katja VanHerle, MD is one of America’s Top Physicians in Endocrinology as named by Consumer Research Council of America.
· Cheryl Forberg, RD is an award-winning registered dietitian, chef, and New York Times bestselling author.
· Jay Gordon, MD, FAAP is a pediatrician who specializes in infant nutrition and breastfeeding.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JILLIAN MICHAELS is a celebrity fitness trainer, author, and television personality known for her appearances on NBC’s The Biggest Loser and Losing It With Jillian, and as the host of Sweat, Inc. on Spike. Her New York Times bestselling books include Unlimited, Master Your Metabolism, The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook, and Making the Cut. She has two children with her partner Heidi Rhoades, a son, Phoenix, and daughter, Lukensia. She lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Learn More Here: 

Learn more at the Official Site

Follow Jillian Michaels on Twitter and Facebook

#YeahBabyBook

Power your pregnancy with the help of celebrity fitness coach Jillian Michaels!

Win It:

Rodale Books is generously offering (1) Copy of Yeah Baby!, Jillian Michaels Body Shred workout tank, and Takeya classic water bottleto a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Yeah Baby! Prize Pack including: 

· Copy of Yeah Baby!

· Jillian Michaels Body Shred workout tank

· Takeya classic water bottle

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: Until My Name is Known

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book:

The Exodus of the Jews from Egypt is a love story between God and His people. God woos His people to Himself as He prepares them to leave. Before leaving, God must fight Pharaoh for possession of His people. See how God changes all people: some for the better, others not. None stay the same. How will He change you? Can you trust a God Who destroyed a nation before your eyes? Would you want Him as your Friend?

See God free His people from Egypt's bonds before a watching world. Trace His Finger in the lives He touches. The time: 2450 BC. The Place: Old Kingdom of Egypt where Pharaoh is god. His people worship him. Israel's God arrives. He challenges Pharaoh. His power touches all people. They must change. Some do not concede. They suffer. Others yield. They find freedom.

Until My Name Is Known brings all to see the one true God. Read it to see Him. Today's historians and archaeologists puzzle over the fall of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, But the world at that time heard of God. The world knew that He is the Lord. His Name was proclaimed in all the earth.

About the author:

Growing up with five sisters, Sonya Contreras asked God many questions, even when she did not like His answers. Graduating from Cedarville University and Institute for Creation Research with a Masters Degree in Science Education did not stop her questions. Marrying her best friend and homeschooling their eight sons, she found that dreams do come true, in spite of unanswered questions.

My Opinion

I am really starting to LOVE Bible History fiction books because of how much I learn from them and how much closer I feel to God after reading them!

This book from Contreras may be my favorite Biblical Fiction book that I have read so far!

This book was so well researched and so accurate both in history and Biblical elements. I learned so much from this book about the Exodus and Moses and it made me want to read the account from the Bible all over again to really remember how amazing it really was!

This book made me understand the historical times, understand how AMAZING God is and was for Moses and the Jews and makes me bow at the feet of God humbled and Amazed at everything he has done! She made the story COME ALIVE for me and put me right there to experience it all - the pain of the Jews, the stress and nervousness of Moses, the anger and stubbornness of the Pharoah and so much more!

This book was written so well and drew me into the story while also staying true to facts of history and the Bible. Sonya Contreras is definitely an amazing author and I can't wait to read more in this series!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Buy It:

You can purchase Until My Name is Known for $13.36 from Amazon.com

*Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Brand NEW Dr. Seuss Book: WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? #whatpet

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

It's like a dream come true for Dr. Seuss book lovers...

There is a NEVER BEFORE SEEN Dr. Seuss book just discovered and it was published on July 28, 2015!!!

WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? 

An original manuscript with accompanying sketches by Dr. Seuss, aka Ted Geisel, which was discovered in the La Jolla, California home of the late beloved children’s author will be published by Random House Children’s Books, was published on July 28, 2015.

A box filled with pages of text and sketches was found shortly after Ted’s death in 1991 when his widow Audrey Geisel was remodeling her home. At that time it was set aside with other of Ted’s materials. It was rediscovered in the fall of 2013 by Mrs. Geisel and Claudia Prescott—Ted Geisel’s longtime secretary and friend—when they were cleaning out his office space. They reviewed the materials, finding the full text and illustrations for WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? among other work.

At least two more books will be published from the materials discovered, with titles and publication dates to be announced.

The text and illustrations for WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? were found nearly complete. Geisel traditionally completed his black-and-white line art illustrations first, with color to be filled in later.

They believe that he wrote and illustrated What Pet Should I Get? somewhere between 1958 and 1962—as the brother and sister in the book are the same as those in his bestselling Beginner Book One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish which was published in 1960.

WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? captures the excitement of a classic childhood moment—choosing a pet—and features the brother and sister characters that Dr. Seuss introduced in One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

DR. SEUSS'S WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? IS THE FASTEST-SELLING PICTURE BOOK
IN RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN'S BOOKS HISTORY!!

In its first week on sale, which began on July 28, WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? sold 200,000 copies, making it the fastest-selling picture book in Random House Children's Books history, and across all picture-book titles this year, it was announced today by Barbara Marcus, President & Publisher.

In celebration of the book's publication, Random House Children's Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises are pleased to announce a social media campaign that will support the work of the ASPCA(r) (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(r)) to help animals in need across the country.

Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) loved animals. His body of work-with 650 million copies of his books sold worldwide in 17 languages and 95 countries-is filled with creatures of all kinds (including one very special Cat), and he kept and cared for animals throughout his life. His first "pet" was a brown stuffed toy dog that he named Theophrastus and had for the rest of his life.

The social campaign on behalf of WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? celebrates Ted's love for animals, and calls for all pet owners nationwide to share a photo of their pets, tagging it with the #whatpet campaign hashtag. For every photo shared on Twitter or Instagram with #whatpet, Random House Children's Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises will donate one dollar to the ASPCA(r), up to the first 15,000 photos.

A landing page at www.WhatPet.com will aggregate all appropriate posts with the #whatpet hashtag from Twitter and Instagram.


My children LOVE this book and I love the rhymes, pictures, and characters in this book! It is definitely classic Dr. Seuss and it has instantly become my children's favorite book!

Buy It:

You can purchase WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? for $10.09 from Amazon.com

* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

New Book Alert! Raising Kids to Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust

This post is sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer's Network. All opinions are mine.

If you are a parent, one of your main goals in life is probably to raise healthy, responsible and loved children. But I am sure you have found that task isn't always very easy. It is definitely easier said than done especially with hormonal teenagers, terrible twos (and threes!), independent tweens and all the in between stages of childhood! Every day has new challenges and sometimes I don't know if what I am doing is good or bad anymore!

Am I raising children I can be proud of? Am I doing the right things as a parent? Those and so many more are questions I ask myself every day.

So I am so glad to now have a copy of Ken Ginsburg's new book, Raising Kids to Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust. In this great book, renowned resilience expert, Ken Ginsburg MD, MS ED, FAAP, combines his experience with perspective from his teenage daughters and over 500 adolescents.

In this latest book, best-selling author, pediatrician and resilience expert, Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MS Ed, FAAP, offers essential tips on fostering resilience in teens. He gently helps parents understand how they can meet the challenge to balance unconditional love, yet still hold high expectations for their children. Through his “Lighthouse Parenting Strategy,” he also helps parents recognize when to set boundaries and when to get out of kids’ ways.

This groundbreaking book includes two chapters written by Dr. Ginsburg’s twin teenage daughters, and interweaves opinions and input of over 500 adolescents who participated in the “Youth View” chapters. By combining the wealth of experience from Dr. Ginsburg and insightful commentary from today’s teenagers, Raising Kids to Thrive offers a fresh take on how to successfully parent teens in today’s complicated world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kenneth R. Ginsburg, M.D., M.S. Ed, FAAP is a specialist in adolescent medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and a professor or pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He is also director of health services at Covenant House Pennsylvania. He has over 100 publications, including 30 scientific articles and 5 books including the award-winning / best-selling Building Resilience in Children and Teens (American Academy of Pediatrics). He drafted the AAP policy statement on The Power of Play and has been an expert source for several prominent parenting news articles and reports in media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, TIME Magazine, ABC News, Yahoo! Parenting, NBC News and CNN. He is working with The Boys and Girls Clubs of America to incorporate resilience-building strategies into their programming. He is also honored to be working with military parents and professionals to incorporate stress reduction and resilience building strategies into the lives of our nearly 2 million military-affiliated children. His greatest privilege is to be a husband and the father of two teenaged daughters.

Raising Kids to Thrive will help parents to raise kids who thrive for lifetime by:

* Balancing unconditional love with high expectations.

* Eliminate the need for helicopter or “tiger” parenting.

* Start meaningful conversations with their children by being a sounding board, not necessarily a dictator.

* Become a stable beacon so their children can turn to them for guidance and self-measurement.

* Understand and accept that people are uneven and the importance of expecting growth, not perfection from children.

* Reduce anxiety – for themselves and their kids – as they venture out on their own and move into adulthood.

* Holding our kids to high moral standards, while also being a role model for those standards.

If you have teenagers, up and coming teenagers or just want to be ready for this challenging stage, then Raising Kids To Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust is a must have in your home library! This book will be released March 24 (tomorrow!) so you don't even have to wait to get this book in your hands!

Buy It: 

You can purchase Raising Kids To Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust is available at bookstores nationwide and online from Amazon.com for $13.56; also available from shop.AAP.org/books, the award-winning AAP Web site for parents.

* This post is sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer's Network. All opinions are mine.*

Book Review: A Sensible Arrangement

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book: 

A Lone Star Brides book.

Marty Dandridge Olson is ready to leave behind the pain of the past.

Answering an advertisement for a "Lone Star bride," she leaves her Texas ranch and heads to Denver to marry a man she doesn't know.

Jake Wythe is the man waiting for her.

Burned by love, he marries now simply to satisfy the board of Morgan Bank, which believes a man of his standing in society should be wed. Together Jake and Marty agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.

When missing money and a collapsing economy threaten his job, Jake's yearning to return to ranching grows ever stronger, much to Marty's dismay. But a fondness has grown between them, as well, further complicating matters.

What will happen when their relationship shifts in unexpected ways . . . and dreams and secrets collide?

About the Author: 

Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

Learn more about Tracie at: www.traciepeterson.com

My Opinion

I have been reading Tracie Peterson's books since I high school and she was one of the reasons I fell in love with historical fiction - her books have always been amazing and her 100th book: A Sensible Arrangement was no different!

I always love the "mail order" bride story line because it is so unbelievable that that really happened and I give so much credit to those marriages that stayed together without even dating or knowing each other before!

I loved cheering with Jake and Marty as they begin their marriage in a tumultuous time in our country's history and I loved the little history lesson I also got!

This book was a great mix of history, romance, drama and love and Tracie writes the same amazing books as she did 100 books ago!

Buy It: You can purchase A Sensible Arrangement for $11.72 from Amazon.com

Welcome to the campaign launch for Tracie Peterson's 100th book! 

A Sensible Arrangement launches Tracie's new Texas-based series, Lone Star Brides, that’s sure to please. As a special treat, devoted fans will be able to catch a glimpse of several popular characters from previous series.

Tracie is celebrating by giving away an iPad Mini and hosting a LIVE webcast event on 4/29.

 

One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 29th. Winner will be announced at the A Sensible Arrangement Live Webcast Event on April 29th. Connect with Tracie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tracie will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of A Sensible Arrangement and join Tracie and friends on the evening of April 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

New January Licensed Releases by Random House Children's Books!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Some of my children's favorite books to read on a daily basis are from Random House Children's Books! I always get so excited when they come out with new licensed books because my children LOVE new books!

These are new books based on top children's entertainment characters, television shows, feature film releases and more!

Check out some of my family's favorites from the new licensed releases!

CAN YOU SEE THE CHIMPANZEE? 

by Tish Rabe; illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu

The Cat learns about primates—from marmoset monkeys to silverback gorillas—in this latest addition to the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library series! Traveling in his open-air Chimpmobile, the Cat takes Nick and Sally to Africa, Asia, and Madagascar, where they meet a barrel full of “monkeys,” including mandrills, marmosets, gorillas, gibbons, gallegos, tarsiers, tamarin, pottos, bonobos—you name it! Along the way they learn the basic characteristics of primates (such as hands that can grasp and forward-facing eyes); how to tell the difference between an ape and a monkey (most monkeys have tails; apes don’t); and most amazingly, that people are primates, too! Fans of the hit PBS Kids show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, which is based on the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library, will go bananas over this latest addition to the series!
48 pages | $9.99 | $10.99 Can.

NIGHT LIGHTS 

by Tish Rabe; illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu

Learn why fireflies flash their lights in this glow-in-the-dark book based on the hit PBS Kids show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! Sally and Nick are making shadow shapes when the batteries in their flashlight conk out. Luckily, the Cat knows where they can get some light—from his friend Shimmer, a firefly! But it turns out Shimmer needs some help of her own: her friend Glimmer is in trouble. Fireflies call to each other using unique flashing light patterns, and Glimmer’s pattern is all wrong. He needs help—fast! Can the Cat and Co. un-stick Glimmer from a giant spiderweb and find enough light to put on a shadow show? You bet they can! With glow ink on every other spread and two sheets of glow stickers, this is a fun way to celebrate summer and to spark discussions on how different animals communicate!

A TALE ABOUT TAILS 

by Tish Rabe; illustrated by Rom Brannon

Step into reading with the Cat in the Hat in this leveled reader about animal tails, based on an episode of the hit PBS Kids television show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! While playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Sally and Nick get to wondering: What would it be like to have a tail of their own? And how would you pick the best one? Enter the Cat in the Hat. To help the kids choose, he whisks them off to the jungle to see—and try on—a variety of tails that serve different purposes: a monkey’s tail that is strong for holding onto branches; a quetzal’s tail that is long and colorful for attracting a mate; and a rattlesnake’s tail that makes sound as a warning. Written for children who are ready to read independently, this tale about tails is a fun, funny book that introduces kids to basic comparative anatomy!
 48 pages | $3.99 | $4.99

JET SET! 

by Courtney Carbone; illustrated by RH Disney

Ready, jet set, go! Boys and girls ages 2 to 5 will love these four sturdy board books featuring Dusty and his airplane pals from Disney’s Planes. The colorful plastic handle makes this box set a perfect carry-on for little travelers!

Box Set | 48 pages | $10.99 | $11.99 Can.

TEAM LIGHTNING

 written and illustrated by RH Disney

Boys ages 2 to 5 will love lifting the sturdy flaps to reveal hidden surprises! Starring Lightning McQueen, Mater, and all their friends from Disney/Pixar’s Cars, this interactive board book features over 30 flaps!

12 pages | $5.99 | $6.99 Can

SHAPES, COLORS, COUNTING & MORE! 

written and illustrated by RH Disney

Learn about colors, shapes, opposites, and numbers with the Disney princesses! This fun and educational Friendship Box comes complete with a handle and features four sturdy board books, each with an essential lesson for little princesses ages 2 to 5.
Box Set | 48 pages | $10.99 | $11.99 Can.

LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES 

by Various

This boxed set of five Little Golden Books doesn’t even need gift wrap! It includes a mix of classic and newer inspirational titles: My Little Golden Book About God; Prayers for Children; The Story of Jesus; Bible Heroes; and Bible Stories of Boys and Girls.
Box Set | 24 pages | $19.95 | $24.95 Can.

RICHARD SCARRY’S BEST NURSERY TALES EVER

 by Richard Scarry

Richard Scarry illustrates a mix of well-known and obscure folk tales, from The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood to The Teeny-Tiny Woman and The Three Wishes. Characters from his Busy World populate these gently told stories, and children will delight in the rich, engaging scenes.
72 pages | $15.99 | $17.99 Can.

THE BIG BOOK OF ENGINES 

by Rev. W. Awdry; illustrated by Golden Books

This handsomely illustrated, hardcover guidebook is just what every Thomas & Friends fan has been waiting for. Inside, boys ages 3 to 7 will discover fascinating facts about all the engines, trucks, buses, and cranes on Sodor.
$9.99 | $10.99 Can.

* Thank you to Random House for their product for review! Disclosure - These books were given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: Home to Heather Creek Series

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the books: 

When the world around you falls apart, could it be that God is giving you a second chance? This is just one of the questions on Charlotte Stevenson's mind as she brings her three grandchildren to live on the family farm in Guidepost Books' Home to Heather Creek series.

Before the Dawn begins just one week after the funeral of Charlotte's daughter, Denise. Denise's three children barely have time to process the death of their mother before they must move to the Heather Creek Farm they have never visited with grandparents they barely know. At age 16, Sam is fiercely protective of his younger siblings. Emily is 14 and desperately misses her friends. Young Christopher is only 8 and just wants to fit in. While Charlotte tries to help her grandchildren adjust to their new life, she also wrestles with her own grief and the enormous task of bringing her family together. Bob believes the fastest path to adjustment is a firm routine, with structure and chores, the same way they raised their own kids. However, that route led to Denise running away from home as a teenager and an estranged relationship with her family. Charlotte is worried about making the same mistakes she made with Denise. Is this her chance to make things right?

It is spring when the children arrive, and as Charlotte looks around the farm, she hopes the new life around them will signify hope and healing. The miracle of new life, along with God's healing touch, reminds all of them that it's always darkest just before the dawn.

Sweet September picks up at harvest time, as the children are settling into a new school year. While the harvest should be an exciting time, the children don't seem to be getting into the spirit. Emily is struggling with farm life, Christopher spends most of his time alone, and Sam is failing school. Trying to learn from what did and didn't work with her own kids, Charlotte is determined to get her grandchildren back on track.

As tenuous family bonds threaten to break apart, a mystery on the farm might be the one thing that can bond the family together. Charlotte sets out to uncover the truth, and as the kids unite to find answers, this cobbled-together family learns more about one another and the love that binds them together.

The lives of the Stevensons and their grandchildren unfold in this captivating story of the remarkable change that comes from the love of family, the kindness of others, sheer persistence and unshakable faith. As readers follow the Stevensons' inspiring stories, it's almost impossible not feel a part of this friendly, loving community, where God's grace can be seen in every circumstance.

About the Author: 

Kathleen Bauer is the pen name for a team of writers who have come together to create the Home to Heather Creek series.

My Opinion

First off, I absolutely LOVE when a series comes out together so I can read them one after another without having to wait (and forget!) for the second books in the series to come out!

Second of all, I love the story line and the focus on family, love and faith! Keeping a family together, especially in hard circumstances, is one of the most challenging aspects of life but one of the most important! As I raise my young children into adults, I really appreciated reading these books and learning and growing along with the characters!

These books are a perfect read for the upcoming Fall and you will enjoy sitting down and reading them one after another!

Buy It: You can purchase the Home to Heather Creek series from Amazon.com

Guideposts Books is thrilled to announce their brand new series, Home to Heather Creek, by Kathleen Bauer. The first two books, Before the Dawn and Sweet September, launch this month and Guideposts Books is celebrating with a Paperwhite Kindle Giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• A Paperwhite Kindle
• Before the Dawn and Sweet September by Kathleen Bauer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 5th. All winners will be announced October 7th HERE.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 7th to see if you won! (Or better yet, subscribe to their blog [enter your email in the blog sidebar] and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

* Disclosure - These books were given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: The Courier of Caswell Hall

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book: 

An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women's families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages---a network that may be the Patriots' only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family's protection and her own heart's desires.

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

Part of the American Tapestries™ series: Each standalone novel in this line sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. This is the fifth book in the series.

About the author: 

Melanie Dobson is the author of twelve novels; her writing has received numerous accolades including two Carol Awards. Melanie worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.

Connect with Melanie at: http://melaniedobson.com

My Opinion

First of all, I love this Revolutionary War setting - I don't get to read enough historical fiction book set in this setting and it is such an interesting time in our country's history! Melanie Dobson does a great job of portraying what life was like back then and what the people of this country had to go through during the War no matter what side they were on!

Lydia and Sarah were both great characters who were fun to follow along with on their adventures!

Overall, this was a really great book, especially if you are searching for a great historical fiction set in the Revolutionary War period! I love Melanie Dobson as an author and she came through for me again!

Check out other reviewers had to say about this book!

Buy It: You can purchase The Courier of Caswell Hall for $13.49 from Amazon.com

Melanie Dobson's latest release, The Courier of Caswell Hall, is a riveting story you won't want to miss. The newest offering in the American Tapestries™ series, it follows an unlikely spy who discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!

Five winners will receive:

• The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 5th. All winners will be announced October 7th at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 7th to see if you won one of the books!

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*