Monday, September 29, 2014

Frizzy, the S.A.D. Elf (Santa's Izzy Elves #4) Book Review

I was given an e-copy of this children's book for my honest review, which I've shared below.

Title: Frizzy the S.A.D. Elf (Santa’s Izzy Elves #4) |  Author: Dorothea Jensen  |  Illustrator: Shayne Hood  |Publication Date: August 2, 2014 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 34 | Recommended Ages: 4 to 10


My Book Review:

The author did a wonderful job with creating such an entertaining holiday rhyming story for children to enjoy! The illustrations are simple and compliment the story. 

I'm not a hundred percent sure what lesson the author was trying to teach. At first, I thought it was how easy it is for people to get attached to their creations. I know I do! I have the hardest time selling my hand painted wine glasses. But once I do, it brings so much joy to me to see someone else really appreciating my creative art piece. In this story, the solution in the end, didn't reflect that. Instead, Frizzy got to keep one of her dolls.


Even though there wasn't a clear learning lesson, it still is such a cute rhyming story that brings a different spin to one of Santa's elves lives. Kids love Christmas stories! Frizzy, the S.A.D. Elf is a great Christmas gift!


Santa’s Izzy Elves have won a number of literary awards.  Dizzy, the Stowaway Elf received Honorable Mention in the 2014 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards and has been Story Book Approved.  Plus, the e-book editions of Tizzy, the Christmas Shelf Elf and Blizzy, the Worrywart Elf both received the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award, honoring “the best in family-friendly media”.

Frizzy, the S.A.D. Elf is available for purchase

Amazon (Paperback)  | Amazon (Kindle) |  Barnes & Noble


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Sing-Along Construction Song Book Review

I was given a copy of this children's book for my honest review, which I've shared below.

Author: Louise Lintvel

Illustrator: Julie Sneeden
Publication Date: August 11, 2014
Publisher: Independent
Page Count: 32
Recommended Age: 1 to 5 years old

Free audio download of the construction song available at www.louiselintvelt.com






My Book Review:
This children's book is colorfully illustrated and fun to read! And the audio song that accompanies it is such a wonderful compliment. 

I read the book first, and then listened to the audio song that came with it. Right after, I shared it with my two year old daughter. It kept her fully entertained. In fact, within seconds of the audio song playing, she got up and started to dance (smiling from ear to ear). Once it was finished, I had her sit by my side, listening to me read the story to her and allowing her to look at the pictures on each page.  Both kept her attention.

The song reminds me of Thomas the Train. It's fun and simple, with a catchy beat. The illustrations were perfect for this age. They were colorful and kid-like.


There was one part of the book which I wasn't a huge fan of and that was the way the text was shown (mom view versus a kid view). On every page, the text was placed within a box that was supposed to look like it was underground. However, it actually made me think of ancient scroll paper, giving it an ancient time feel. That being said I don't feel it has any affect on any boy and girl construction enthusiasts enjoyment of the story and illustrations. 

As such, I give this book a 5 Star! 



About Author Louise Lintvelt  

Louise Lintvelt
I am from South Africa and I live in a city called Pretoria. I am a Chemical Engineer by day and a children’s book writer by night. I am married to a wonderful man and we have a beautiful two year old daughter called Allegra. I love writing stories for my daughter, who is a constant inspiration. 
I have always loved reading. My childhood was filled with books and you would often find me crouched the corner of my room devouring the pages of my favourite book. I lived for Tuesday mornings as this would bring with it the excitement of a trip to the local library for story hour and the opportunity to take home a new book. I was the local librarian’s worst nightmare. I would arrive a few minutes early to check that she had not mistakenly chosen a book that had already been read in story hour.
  
I was a very bossy three year old with an insatiable appetite for books! This has not really changed much in the last twenty seven years. Dr. Seuss was my absolute favourite and to say that my copy of One, Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish was well read would be an understatement.

When it comes to writing, my daughter is my biggest inspiration. I love seeing her face light up with excitement when we sit down to read a book before bedtime. My daughter was fascinated by giraffes after we went on a safari trip in late 2012. This planted the seed for my picture book called How Andrew Got His Spots which is a rhyming adaptation of a story I originally wrote in the third grade. My daughter has since grown into a healthy two year old with a passion for aircraft which was the inspiration for writing Goodnight, Sleep Tight, What a Wonderful Flight.

I am sure that there are many parents in the world (myself included), who are quite decidedly sick and tired of reading the same favourite picture book night after night. I believe that the words of Oscar Wilde best describe how children should feel about picture books when he said, If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.
Happy Reading!



Website  |  Goodreads 

Amazon Author Page  |  Author Blog  |  Google+


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Blogger Opportunity: Back-to-School Giveaway Palooza Event

Signups are now open for 

The Back-to-School Giveaway Palooza Event

Organized by Michelle @ Failing Perfect


palooza button 2  

 Signups Close at 8 PM EST on August 11th.

Event will take place August 15th - August 30th.

Open to residents of the United States.
One winner takes all: Amazon Kindle Fire HD, $100 Target Gift Card, Backpack full of school supplies, plus more.
Free Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest Link for posting giveaway. Must promote 3x weekly on social media accounts.
Additional links, host pages, co-host spots are available.

SIGN UP HERE


SALE ALERT: Pick Your Price Sale At Craftsy

Pick your price! Choose from this tiered selection of popular online classes today and get better at what you love to do without breaking the bank! Enroll today to enjoy learning anytime, anywhere, forever. See what's on sale: Pick Your Price Sale at Craftsy (affiliate link)

Pick your price promotion runs from Sunday, 6/29 thru Monday 6/30 at 11:59PM MT 

Craftsy also offers FREE mini craft classes!







Friday, June 27, 2014

BIG SALE ALERT on Tiny Prints: Invitations, Announcements and more!

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Tiny Prints Cyber Monday

**FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Prince Iggy Children's Book Blast and $50 Cash Giveaway

Prince Iggy and the Kingdom of Naysayer

About the Book

Title: Prince Iggy and the Kingdom of Naysayer | Author: Aldo Fynn | Illustrator: Richie Vicencio | Publication Date: November 5,2013 | Publisher: Boa Press, LLC. | Pages: 156 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 Summary: All Iggy Rose wants is for the kids at the Naysayer Academy to like him, and one special girl in particular. But instead, he gets teased and taunted. Every day, he eats alone in the cafeteria and gets beaten up after school on the playground. But when a cruel prank leads to Iggy's escape from the academy, a wild, unimaginable adventure begins. Why is King Naysayer offering a hefty reward for Iggy's capture? When Iggy joins forces with an eclectic cast of characters, he discovers the answer. But before he can escape from the kingdom of Naysayer, Iggy must first reclaim what is rightfully his. Does this sad, lonely boy have the courage to battle the biggest school bully, a mean headmistress, and a greedy, cruel king? Will Iggy finally believe in himself and discover his true destiny?  

Purchase

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Print)

 

The Buzz

“An entertaining fantasy with a quirky, inventive storyline that shows how things invariably turn out badly for bullies.” Kirkus Reviews
“The book is going to be devoured by readers of any type, whether they're looking for some fun fiction, a comical read, or a page-turner.” 5 Star Review, San Francisco Book Review
"Fynn's book reminded me a bit of Harry Potter, but he adds his own cast of characters and a boy (Iggy), fun dialogue, and an amazing story that you can't help but root for. If you are looking for a great book to get your kids hooked on, then I recommend the Prince Iggy series." 5 Star Review, The Pen and Muse Book Reviews, Amazon
“Has the flavor of a Dickens and a Harry Potter story while remaining wholly original. It just shares those characteristics that make it such an enjoyable read. This book should be on every child's must read list and if I'm to be perfectly honest it should be on every adults list too. It has enough subtle adult humor well within its boundaries to make it an entertaining read for the parents too. It certainly has a modern message. It shows just how heartbreaking bullying can be by children as well as adults. It's a story about losing yourself and finding yourself. It shows being a bully doesn't pay off but believing in yourself does." 5 Star Review, April S., Amazon
 

About the Author: Aldo Fynn

Aldo Fynn

Aldo Fynn enjoys writing wacky, fantastical stories. Prince Iggy and the Kingdom of Naysayer is his debut novel. It's the first book in the Adventures of Prince Iggy Series. He's also written two wacky, laugh-out-loud picture books. He lives under his desk and promises he won't come out until Book 3 in the series is complete. Which is a shame because his desk is based in Los Angeles, where it's sunny and 70 degrees most of the year.

Book Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

   

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway

Amazon $50 Gift Card
Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: July 4, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, Boa Press, LLC. and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble Blog Tour Book Review and Cash Giveaway

Noah Zarc Blog Tour Button FINAL

About the Book

Noah Zarc Mammoth Trouble by D. Robert Pease

Title: Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble (Book #1) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: July 22, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing (2nd Edition) Number of pages: 214 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: Noah lives for piloting spaceships through time, dodging killer robots and saving Earth’s animals from extinction. Life couldn’t be better. But the twelve-year-old time traveler learns it could be a whole lot worse. His mom is kidnapped and taken to Mars; his dad is stranded in the Ice Age; and Noah is attacked at every turn by a foe bent on destroying Earth… for the second time.

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (AudioBook) | Audible

   

MY REVIEW

I personally read the first book in the Noah Zarc trilogy and found it an adventurous read! Time travel, robots, spaceships and more! I became a huge fan of the main character, an amazingly courageous twelve year old 'paraplegic' boy named Noah whose disability never stopped him from doing anything he set his mind too. And as a mom with a daughter living with a disability (type 1 diabetes) all you want is help them achieve their potential and go after their dreams. Even though my daughters disease isn't physical, like Noah's, it does affect her physical ability to be able to play sports and reach her intellectual and physical potential. Noah encourages all kids to perservere!

Now about the author. Amazing! The Zarc family relationship reminded me a lot of mine. There was trust, worry, responsibility and lots of sibling sarcasm. His ability to connect multiple time periods and his creative ability in making you feel like you actually are part of the story will make this a fun read for any kid. As such, I give it a....

BIG THUMBS UP!
 

The Buzz About the Noah Zarc Books

Book 1: "Pease's strength as a storyteller lies in his ability to connect multiple time periods imaginatively, as well as Noah's excited, fast-paced narration." ~ Publishers Weekly
Book 1: "If I had read this book at age 10, I think it would have made me love SF just as much as reading Asimov did. If you like the non-stop action and humor of Rick Riordan's Olympians books, I think you'll also like Noah Zarc." ~ Sher A. Hart, book blogger and author
Book 2: "This is another great mind-bender. The wild time jump details are fabulously thought out and cause some unexpected results." ~ Michelle Isenhoff, Children's Author
Book 2: "A well-written, adventurous read for young readers and even adults, Noah Zarc blasts through space and into your imagination." ~ TKristufek, Amazon Reviewer
Book 3: "I was completely captured by the characters, the action and the issues and questions: set in fantasy but integrating concepts and engaging readers with a fun tale that teaches as it entertains." ~ Gaele, Amazon Reviewer
 

About the Author: D. Robert Pease

D. Robert Pease

D. Robert Pease has been interested in creating worlds since childhood. From building in the sandbox behind his house, to drawing fantastical worlds with paper and pencil, there has hardly been a time he hasn't been off on some adventure in his mind, to the dismay of parents and teachers alike. Also, since the moment he could read, books have consumed vast swaths of his life. From The Mouse and the Motorcycle, to The Lord of the Rings, worlds just beyond reality have called to him like Homer's Sirens. It's not surprising then he chose to write stories of his own. Each filled with worlds just beyond reach, but close enough we can all catch a glimpse of ourselves in the characters he brings to life.

Website | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

 

Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble Blog Tour Schedule (2014)

May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
 

* $25 Blog Tour Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: June 11, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, D. Robert Pease and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveawayMDBR Book Promotion Services

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

ENTER Your Sitter in Sittercity Searches for America's Top Sitter Contest

Sittercity Contest Searches for America’s Top Sitter

Is your sitter out-of-this-world amazing? Sittercity wants to hear about her! Starting, April 21, Sittercity is hosting their second annual America’s Top Sitter contest, where you can nominate your caregiver to win the title of America’s Top Sitter and a $5,000 cash prize. Yes, you read that right, a $5,000 cash prize!

Here’s how it works. Visit Sittercity on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sittercity. Click on the “America’s Top Sitter,” icon, then the “Enter Contest” tab (if you have any questions before you start, check out the “Contest Details” tab). Then, fill out all the required information and agree to the official rules.

Now here comes the fun part. Sittercity wants you to brag like crazy about you sitter by answering a series of questions that will highlight his/her experience and knowledge, dependability, creativity, and commitment and flexibility.

You have from April 21, 2014 to May 2, 2014 to submit an entry: Sittercity's America's Top Sitter 2014 Contest: Sittercity’s America’s Top Sitter: Nominate Your Sitter Today, deadline: May 2, 2014

Once the entry period has ended, a panel of expert judges will select 10 finalists from the nominations. The judges are Jill Smokler, New York Times bestselling author of Confessions of A Scary Mommy(April 2012) and Motherhood Comes Naturally (And Other Vicious Lies) (April 2013) as well as the owner all things Scary Mommy; Lyss Stern, founder and CEO of divamoms.com, a luxury lifestyle company catering to influential and trendsetting moms; Jeremy Hilton, 2012 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year and co-founder of the #KeepYourPromise Alliance; Jessica DiVanno, last year’s winner of America’s Top Sitter; Cindy Mattioli, working mom who nominated last year’s winner.

After 10 finalists have been selected, it’s up to Sittercity’s Facebook community to vote for the winner. From May 12-19, their Facebook fans can vote for their favorite sitter once a day, everyday.

On May 20 Sittercity will announce the winner of America’s Top Sitter 2014!

If your sitter has what it takes to be the next America’s Top Sitter, then nominate them today! Sittercity’s America’s Top Sitter: Nominate Your Sitter Today, deadline: May 2, 2014

**FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Sale Alert: Tea Collection's Friends and Family Sale: 20% Off Everything

Tea Collection's Friends & Family Sale: 20% Off Everything
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Nothing better than spreading love to friends and family, and that is just what
Tea Collection is doing! For just two days only (4/22 and 4/23) you can receive 20% off everything on Tea Collection during their Friends & Family Sale. Take advantage of the sale and pick up twirly dresses, colorful Tees and sweet baby items for summer. Also check out Tea's new sporty selection of swimsuits for your little water bug. Feel free to tell your friends and family, because there is always enough Tea Collection love to go around.


Monday, April 21, 2014

$25 Giveaway and Book Blast: Noah Zarc Children's Book by D. Robert Pease

 

About the Noah Zarc Books

I personally read the first book in the Noah Zarc trilogy and found it an adventurous read! Time travel, robots, spaceships and more! I became a huge fan of the main character, an amazingly courageous twelve year old 'paraplegic' boy named Noah whose disability never stopped him from doing anything he set his mind too. The author's ability to connect multiple time periods and his amazing ability in making you feel like you actually are part of the story will make this a fun read for any kid.

Book 1

Noah Zarc Mammoth Trouble by D. Robert Pease

Title: Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble (Book #1) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: July 22, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing (2nd Edition) Number of pages: 214 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: Noah lives for piloting spaceships through time, dodging killer robots and saving Earth’s animals from extinction. Life couldn’t be better. But the twelve-year-old time traveler learns it could be a whole lot worse. His mom is kidnapped and taken to Mars; his dad is stranded in the Ice Age; and Noah is attacked at every turn by a foe bent on destroying Earth… for the second time.

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (AudioBook) | Audible

 

Book 2

Noah Zarc - Cataclysm by D. Robert Pease

Title: Noah Zarc: Cataclysm (Book #2) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: July 22, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing (2nd Edition) Number of pages: 234 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: Noah becomes embroiled in a mission that could cause the greatest cataclysm in the history of the solar system. Will his name, Noah Zarc, be forever linked to the most devastating crime in humanity’s existence, all because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (AudioBook) | Audible

   

Book 3

Noah Zarc - Declaration by D. Robert Pease

Title: Noah Zarc: Declaration (Book #3) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: November 1, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing Number of pages: 226 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: As battles rage across the solar system, Noah must work to join together a rag-tag bunch of miners, farmers, and scientists who would rather just live in peace. With only a time-traveling ship full of animals and a general from the history books, the Zarc family has to stand against the full might of the Poligarchy. Will the truth about what really happened a thousand years in the past be enough to stop total war, or will Noah and his friends need to find another way to bring down a dictator?

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

   

Special Omnibus Edition

Noah Zarc - Omnibus by D. Robert Pease

Title: Noah Zarc: Omnibus (Special Edition) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: November 2, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing Number of pages: 630 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: FEATURES ALL 3 BOOKS IN 1 SPECIAL EDITION & INCLUDES 22 PENCIL ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR In a future where Earth has been wiped clean of all life, and humanity has moved on to other worlds, twelve-year-old Noah Zarc and his family have embarked on a quest, in a time-traveling spaceship called the ARC, to retrieve two of every animal and repopulate a dead world.

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

 

The Buzz About the Noah Zarc Books

Book 1: "Pease's strength as a storyteller lies in his ability to connect multiple time periods imaginatively, as well as Noah's excited, fast-paced narration." ~ Publishers Weekly
Book 1: "If I had read this book at age 10, I think it would have made me love SF just as much as reading Asimov did. If you like the non-stop action and humor of Rick Riordan's Olympians books, I think you'll also like Noah Zarc." ~ Sher A. Hart, book blogger and author
Book 2: "This is another great mind-bender. The wild time jump details are fabulously thought out and cause some unexpected results." ~ Michelle Isenhoff, Children's Author
Book 2: "A well-written, adventurous read for young readers and even adults, Noah Zarc blasts through space and into your imagination." ~ TKristufek, Amazon Reviewer
Book 3: "I was completely captured by the characters, the action and the issues and questions: set in fantasy but integrating concepts and engaging readers with a fun tale that teaches as it entertains." ~ Gaele, Amazon Reviewer
 

About the Author: D. Robert Pease

D. Robert Pease

D. Robert Pease has been interested in creating worlds since childhood. From building in the sandbox behind his house, to drawing fantastical worlds with paper and pencil, there has hardly been a time he hasn't been off on some adventure in his mind, to the dismay of parents and teachers alike. Also, since the moment he could read, books have consumed vast swaths of his life. From The Mouse and the Motorcycle, to The Lord of the Rings, worlds just beyond reality have called to him like Homer's Sirens. It's not surprising then he chose to write stories of his own. Each filled with worlds just beyond reach, but close enough we can all catch a glimpse of ourselves in the characters he brings to life.

Website | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

 

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 20, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, D. Robert Pease and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway 

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