Category Archives: Books

Book & CD review: A Duck in New York City

Age 3-5, Bedtime, Books, ,

DuckinnewyorkcityThis is one book that I have to read to Madelyn every night lately.   We even b
ring it on trips because it's such a part of her bedtime routine. 
A Duck in New York City is about a little prairie duck who follows his dream to dance on Broadway.  His prairie duck friends think he's being unrealistic but he takes off for New York anyway.  He flies and flies all the while saying "Yes, you can" to motivate himself to get to N.Y.C. 
Luckily, a truck-driver
named Big Betty comes along, offers him a ride , and gives him that
extra little boost he needs to fulfill his dream!  The little prairie
duck takes advantage of his time at rest stops to practice and show off
his dancing skills which pays off in the end.  You'll have to read the
book to learn what happens!

"Yes, you can" is repeated throughout the book and is a catchy line making it easy for preschoolers to remember and recite with you while reading the book.  Madelyn has become very good at saying this line right when we get to it every time.

A Duck in New York City comes with a CD and the second part of the book includes the lyrics for the songs on the CD.  Songs include Slug Opera, Alligator Waltz, and Seed in the Ground.  My kids love listening to this CD in the car.  There is also a PDF file on the CD with the lyrics in French and English.

Learn more and buy A Duck in New York City here.
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Danika’s Totally Terrible Toss: The Legend of the Purple Flurp

Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Books, , ,

Purple-flurpThis book is part of the Secret Keeper Girl book series.  If you have a tween girl or know one, this is the perfect book to add to her collection.  The Legend of the Purple Flurp is a book about a 12 year old girl, Danika who gets in trouble for accidentally tossing ‘purple flurp’ at the lunch lady.  Consequently Danika gets into trouble which puts a major kink in her plans of winning the title of Miss Teeny Pop at Marion, Ohio’s Annual Popcorn Festival. 
Although the incident is an unfortunate accident Danika is given detention and meets three girls who help her gain new insight into what life is about.  Before accidentally throwing purple flurp (you have to read the book to learn what it is!) at a lunch lady Danika had the mindset that life was about what she had rather than who she is.  You know… fancy clothes, a big house, nice cars, all that stuff.

Danika’s Totally Terrible Toss: The Legend of the Purple Flurp is full of humor, real life situations, and activities for moms and daughters to do together. 
The book is addictive.  I read it with my nine year old the first day I got it for review and he actually read it in bed that night!  Don’t tell!!  We made sure to read the book in such a way that it didn’t seem so girly and he wouldn’t feel like he was reading a girly book.  I told him not to mind the pink cover. 

The Secret Keeper Girl series of books opens a door for moms and daughters to communicate about situations that tween girls go through.  There are currently three books in the Secret Keeper Girl series and are available individually or in bundles.

You will find Danika’s Totally Terrible Toss (Secret Keeper Girl) at Amazon.com for about $10.

Precious Girls Club: Review and Giveaway

Books, , , ,
Looking for the giveaway?
Enter to win a Precious Girls’ Club goodie bag here!

Created by Precious Moments, the Precious Girls’ A Little Bit of Faith (Precious Girls’ Club) book and and club is for girls from about ages 9-12 and are fun stories and learning tools for young girls.

Precious-girls-screenA Little Bit of Faith is a book about a girl who tries to start a club after she moves to a new town and a new school.  She has a hard time because she is the new girl in school and the kids don’t know her yet.  Katie discovers that a little bit of faith can help her overcome big challenges.

A few things I really enjoyed about the book are:

  • The short chapters make it easy to break into realistic segments whether daily, or before and then again after dinner.
  • The many pictures which keep young reader’s interest.
  • The questions asked in the story are those that reader’s want to answer.
  • The fact that young girls that relate to the story.

About the Precious Girls’ Club:

  • The website is a safe, wholesome environment created for young girls.
  • Precious Girls Club members create their own characters, decorate their rooms, explore the town, socialize, play games and even shop “virtually” using the points they earn on the site.
  • The games reinforce virtues such as helpfulness, kindness, responsibility, loving and caring. In addition to points, many activities award “virtual” virtue charms.

We have two Precious Girls Club goodie bag sacks to give away! Each goodie bag sack includes bracelets, books, stickers and some other stuff, great for girls 6-12 years old.

Leave a comment below having something to do with the book, club website or a girls’ club you or your daughter were/are a part of.

Nana Star books and poseable doll

Bedtime, Books, Toys, ,

Nana-star-book-cd

Nana Star is a beautifully illustrated book for kids ages 3+. 
Madelyn, 2 years old, loves to read this book at bedtime and must have her Nana Star doll with her when we read the book.  I'm sorry to say that there have been times when I couldn't read the book because Nana Star was enjoying a  'hiding spot' somewhere else in the house and didn't want to come out.  Anyway..

Nana Star comes with a CD containing an enchantinNanastar-doll_6
g audio version of the
story and the sing-a-long Nana Star Song.   The CD is great for long car rides.  It doesn't seem to get old no matter how many times it loops during a trip.

The poseable Nana Star doll is intricately crafted and comes with her own baby star to take care of.   Nana Star is not too tiny and not to big.  Just right for snuggling with and taking in the car.

Cost: Prices vary depending on book or doll purchased.

You can buy the Nana Star books and poseable doll at NanaStar.com.

First LEGO League book

Books,

LegoleagueI was into LEGO's when I was a kid.. big time.   My sister and I had the LEGO space station, lots of house making LEGO's, flowers, and tons of LEGO people.  When I saw the book FIRST LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide I was quickly drawn in.  I wanted to find out all about the first LEGO League competition, who started it, how to start a league and who participates.  I learned that are more.  Though it's a bit on the technical side, both parents and older kids will learn a lot and walk away inspired to build the best LEGO contraption ever.

This book is the go-to source for
coaches, teachers, parents, and students participating in the FIRST
LEGO League (FLL) competition. Written for both rookie and experienced
teams, the book covers a variety of topics, including team formation
and organization, robot building and programming, and the basics of
getting involved with FLL. Filled with practical advice and real
building and programming examples, as well as candid commentary from
veteran teams, this is the book that your team needs whether you're
just starting out or have been competing (and winning) for years.

Price: $20

FIRST LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide
is available to buy at Amazon.