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Monday, November 30, 2015

Book Review - Cinderella: An Interactive Fairy Tale Adventure

Cinderella: An Interactive Fairy Tale Adventure

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About the Book
Pumpkin? Check. Terrible sisters? Check. Prince Charming? Maybe but not like you've ever seen before! Get ready for a Cinderella surprise as You Choose the path through three new versions of the classic fairy tale.


My Take on the Book
My daughters loved this book and how they could choose their on path to creating an adventure that was different every time they read the book. On top of that, you get a very fun story that you will not want to miss and you will see Cinderella in some very fun situations! All-in-all this was a very fun read that you and your young reader should share together!


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Book Review - Rebel with a Cause: The Daring Adventure of Dicey Langston, Girl Spy of the American Revolution

Rebel with a Cause: The Daring Adventure of Dicey Langston, Girl Spy of the American Revolution

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About the Book
Bloody Bill is coming! Fourteen-year-old Dicey Langston overhears that the fierce Loyalist leader is heading for the Patriot camp where her brothers are secretly based. None of their Loyalist neighbors can find out that Dicey's family are Patriots, but she must warn her brothers. Discover the gripping true story of how brave Dicey saves many lives ... and who risked her own life for independence.

My Take on the Book
This was a great graphic novel that opened my eye to a American hero that I never knew anything about. What a great book that helped my kids to understand what they people were going through in those days. The fears as well as the struggle for freedom was well documented and explained in this quick read. You will love the story, but even more, the illustrations!


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Book Review - Snow White: The Graphic Novel

Snow White: The Graphic Novel

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About the Book
Once upon a time, an evil queen possessed a powerful mirror. It spoke only the truth, which often pleased the queen. But when the mirror reveals that the queen is no longer the fairest lady in the land, her heart grows cold. She seeks revenge against the beautiful maiden, vowing to destroy the lovely Snow White.


My Take on the Book
I have been reading stories with twists for years and this one was a fun one that makes you re-imagine the snow white story. It was a very fast read and one that while made for upper elementary or middle school could be read by adults too. The book also opens you up to a whole new list of great books in the series too!



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Book Review - Ruby Lee and Me

Ruby Lee and Me
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About the Book
Everything's changing for Sarah Beth Willis. After Robin's tragic accident, everyone seems different somehow. Days on the farm aren't the same, and the simple fun of riding a bike or playing outside can be scary. And there's talk in town about the new sixth-grade teacher at Shady Creek. Word is spreading quickly--Mrs. Smyre is like no other teacher anyone has ever seen around these parts. She's the first African American teacher. It's 1969, and while black folks and white folks are cordial, having a black teacher at an all-white school is a strange new happening. For Sarah Beth, there are so many unanswered questions. What is all this talk about Freedom Riders and school integration? Why can't she and Ruby become best friends? And who says school isn't for anybody who wants to learn--or teach? In a world filled with uncertainty, one very special teacher shows her young students and the adults in their lives that change invites unexpected possibilities.




My Take on the Book
This was a well written book with characters that you will simply be drawn to. I particularly loved the bond between teacher and student and how this one teacher changes the world view of the kids in this book.  The author really brings you on a journey that you will love going on. Get ready for a ride you will not forget!

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Book Review - Creating Really Awesome Free Things: 100 Seriously Fun, Super Easy Projects for Kids


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About the Book
100 kid-friendly projects from the creator of C.R.A.F.T.!

Get ready for some serious family fun! Filled with 100 fun crafts, Creating Really Awesome Free Things helps you develop your child's creativity, imagination, and fine motor skills--all while using common household items. Each budget-friendly project features step-by-step instructions and keeps kids entertained, engaged, and learning all day long. You and your children will love recreating one-of-a-kind crafts like:
  • Memory Game
  • Egg Carton Flowers
  • Key Wind Chime
  • Ring Toss
  • Lion Mask

Complete with photographs for every project, Creating Really Awesome Free Things promotes hours of playtime fun with the entire family!

My Take on the Book
This is a great book that has some amazing craft projects the incorporate household items. We loved taking on some of these projects because they were so easy to follow and with the amazing full-color images step-by-step instructions we found that they were so easy to create quickly with the kids.

One of the ones that my youngest daughter loved was the toilet paper roll monkey. Talk about cute and easy! My daughter is a HUGE monkey fan and this project was one that we had everything for and she could easily make this with her friend. They both had a blast creating their monkeys and as a dad I loved how inexpensive this and all of the projects were.

All-in-all this was a great book that had so much in it! Get ready to create some fun with your kids!


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Book Review - Secrets of Bearhaven

Secrets of Bearhaven

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About the Book
It starts with a chase. When Spencer Plain is pulled out of school in the middle of the day, he never expects to be speeding down the highway with his uncle, trying to outpace the car that's tailing them. And he certainly never thought he'd find himself fleeing from a bear through the woods.

And when he hears the bear say "We've been expecting you," Spencer knows he's just uncovered a whole world he'd never imagined. He's brought to Bearhaven, a secret oasis his parents created for bears.

But there are depths to Bearhaven that Spencer and his new bear cub friend, Kate, start to uncover. Spencer finds out he's been there before, even if he can't remember. He also stumbles into a rescue mission being planned, to save a bear in danger. He knows he can help, and he's desperate to find clues to his parents' whereabouts, so he and Kate decide to take matters into their own hands - even if they discover a secret that could threaten Bearhaven's future!

My Take on the Book
This is a great book that lets you open your mind to a world unlike our own. It is written for middle age young readers. The idea looks at a special sanctuary where bears can truly speak to humans. While you may be thinking, this is Sci-Fi and I am not a fan, wait...don't discount this yet. The book also shows a great society of bears that truly will draw you in.

The book is imaginative with great characters and storyline. You will be drawn into the world, whether you like it or not and in the end you will find yourself getting through this book very quickly and be wishing for more to read too!

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Make Christmas magic With Portable North Pole! #iBelievePNP @PNPSanta .@usfg


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Portable North Pole is a magical console used by Santa and his elves to send personalized video messages to the folks you care most about. In just a few simple clicks, you can provide Santa with all the information he needs to create a unique, tailor-made video message that would even bring a smile to Scrooge's face! Portable North Pole videos come in 2 main types: Christmas and Birthday greetings. And they're free!

Or you can upgrade to a Premium version, with more Santa facetime, extra personalization options, the ability to include more photos and truly incredible scenes from his village in the North Pole PLUS the long anticipated Santa's Verdict, that lets your loved one know if they are one Santa's Naughty or Nice list. My Readers Save 20% USE PROMO CODE: BLG20PNP

To redeem the voucher codes, go to: https://www.portablenorthpole.com/vouchers


 

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Monday, November 23, 2015

Book Review - The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
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About the Book
L. Frank Baum’s The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus was first published in 1902, two years after his Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Drawing on the attributes of Santa Claus from Clement Moore’s 1822 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (“The Night Before Christmas”), Baum chronicles Santa’s life from his childhood in an enchanted forest—the same forest that is the source of all magic in the land of Oz—to his destiny of sharing gifts and spreading love to his fellow man. Along the way we witness him making his first toys, learn the origins of the Christmas tree and Christmas stockings, and discover the stories behind many Christmas secrets, like why Santa slides down chimneys, how he picks his reindeer, and how he delivers all his toys in one night. Later adapted into multiple animated films, and published here with the original illustrations from the first edition, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus evinces the charm, warmth, and fantasy that made L. Frank Baum’s Oz stories American classics.


My Take on the Book


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Sunday, November 22, 2015

Book Review - I'd Rather Die! Public Speaking Survival Skills

I'd Rather Die! Public Speaking Survival Skills

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About the Book
Terrified Of Public Speaking? Banish The Butterflies With This Expert's System.

The fact is, if you want to be massively successful, you need to learn to be successful with the masses. That means being confident and powerful, persuasive and smart in front of any audience, any time.

Maybe that's been your dream, or maybe it's been out of reach, but what if you could completely master the art of public speaking in a ridiculously short timeframe?

Whether you need to talk to one or two people, or a cast of thousands; whether you're a total beginner, or whether you're an experienced pro looking for ways to improve, Robert Scanlon promises to be your secret weapon.

Scared Shy Guy Pulls Back The Curtains On A Twenty-Year Career In Public Speaking And Says: "If I can do it, so can you!"

Robert has taught public speaking to thousands of people worldwide, and he's often called "the trainer's trainer." But it didn't come naturally in the beginning. He used to experience crippling performance anxiety and would be more likely to throw up in the bathroom than wow a crowd.

But this twenty-year veteran overcame it all, and now Robert has downloaded all his methods, systems and magic into one comprehensive volume.

I'd Rather Die! Public Speaking Survival Skills is a complete resource that takes a unique approach to presenting. It is packed with real-world techniques, tools and tricks of the trade that will turn you from a "nervous Nellie" to a powerful presenter. With this book you'll shortcut years of trial and error, and apply methods that will shock your colleagues.

In this book, you'll learn:

  • How to calm your nerves in seconds
  • The magic technique to memorize and simplify your speech
  • A four-step model to persuade, inform, educate and entertain
  • How to handle controversial topics and difficult audiences
  • How to be fantastically funny, and much, much more!


Through dozens of examples and plenty of step-by-step techniques, Robert's book is your go-to guide for transforming your public speaking skills. If you want to be an expert speaker (or just an excellent communicator!) then I'd Rather Die! Public Speaking Survival Skills is the no-nonsense book you need.

Take your public speaking prowess to new heights. Scroll up and click to buy now!



My Take on the Book
As someone that speaks publicly a lot I am always working to find new texts about speaking in front of groups and how to get better with this. Public speaking can be scary and one of the things that can be one of the most nerve-wracking things within one's life.

This book was a great text that truly had a great amount of tangible strategies that will help anyone to get in front of a group to speak for any reason.

The book was short but had a ton of great content. The author covers everything that you would need to tackle a speech including issues regarding your voice and body, nerves, and even the speech itself.

The book offers solid advice that you will really learn from!

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Friday, November 20, 2015

Kinivo BTH260 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones Give You Great Sound!




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About the Headphones
The Kinivo BTH260 Premium Bluetooth Sport Headphones are designed for active lifestyles. Its water resistant material repels sweat and moisture during the most intense workouts. Discover a one-of-a-kind audio experience that provides rich, clear tones and reliable clarity along with a noise-cancelling microphone for hands-free calling.



These headphones had some great features that included:
  • Sweatproof : Built to perform for sports or active lifestyles with reliable water resistant technology, a sleek design and secure fit
  • Enjoy latest Bluetooth 4.0 wireless music and hands-free calling capabilities with noise-cancelling microphone
  • Incredibly long-lasting (25 hours) rechargeable battery which can be quickly charged up in 2-3 hrs
  • Unleash powerful and rich CD-quality sound with amazing clarity and deep bass- supports AptX high bit rate codec
  • Includes protective carrying case, charging cable and comes with 1 year limited warranty and lifetime US based customer support

My Take on the Headphones
I have been trying out these headphones now for about a week and I have to say that I am very impressed with the clarity and how well they work in regards to the overall bluetooth connection holds too.

Upon receiving these my first question always is how easy it is to pair them with my phone. Sometimes bluetooth devices are not very easy to use. This was not the case with these headphones. I was able to easily connect this with my phone and once connected, as mentioned earlier, this held the connection well.

Once connected I tried out a number of different types of music and I was impressed with the overall sound quality. There was a little die off on the low bass end, but overall I was very impressed, especially for what you pay for these (as they are very cost-effective). .

I loved the new feature that this version had, which was the wireless charging capability.

I also love how easy it was to use these as a wireless microphone when taking calls. This also worked well and the people that I was talking to said that I sounded very clear too. 

The headphones were also very comfortable and I found that they fit well around my ears and on my head overall too.

All-in-all I am very impressed with these and they are working great!


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Book Review - The Big Dark

The Big Dark


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About the Book
What would you do if every spark of electricity suddenly vanished, as if somebody had flipped a switch on the entire planet? Cars won't start, the heat shuts off, there's no water in your faucet, and your radio, TV, and flashlight go dark. Everyone in Charlie's small town is baffled.

But as time passes, lawlessness erupts and takes an ugly turn. When the market and pharmacy are torched by an anti-Semitic arsonist, Charlie realizes his mother will die without her medicine. So he dons skis and heads off alone, seeking the nearest hospital. After traveling 50 miles through brutal ice and snow, Charlie encounters a burned-out, looted city of terrified citizens. Will he be able to save his mom?

Heroic, eloquent, and unforgettable, The Big Dark raises timely questions about responsibility, tolerance, and love.



My Take on the Book
This was a great book that really grabbed your attention from the very beginning. The book was filled with great action as well as characters that truly draw you in. While some of the action portrays some vigilantism, you also see kindness as well. This sense of multiple perspectives was nice to see as well. All-in-all, the writing style, look, feel and overall tone of this story made it a compelling one that made you really want to read more and more!



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Book Review - Dead Possums Are Fair Game

Dead Possums Are Fair Game

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About the Book
The world would be a better place without math or messy roommates. At least, that’s what Ella Hunter believes. Life is about keeping order and avoiding long division, fractions, or really anything with an equal sign.

As the end of the school year approaches, the fifth-grade teachers at Victor Waldo Elementary conclude there’s not enough time to complete a new math unit before summer break. Great news for math-phobic Ella, right?

Wrong! The teachers decide instead to have their students host the first-ever Math Fair. And the fair project is worth two major math grades.

Add in one dead possum plus two horrible roommates who come to stay while their house is being renovated, and you have an equation for disaster. Ella is headed for summer school and math tutoring for sure. Can she stop her troubles from multiplying before it’s too late?





My Take on the Book
This was a great book for middle readers! What I loved about the book was that not only did it entertain but it also was educational too. Beyond this though I was impressed with the characters within the book too. The main character reminded me a lot of my oldest daughter, especially in regards to her perfection-driven life.

The book itself was well-written and as a reader you really relate to Ella as well as the other characters in the book. The book is full of life lessons that are shared in a way that educates, but it does not feel forced. The book also was a fast read and in the end you will find that you will get through this book very quickly because of how well-written this was!



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CD Review - O's Little Guide to Finding Your True Purpose

O's Little Guide to Finding Your True Purpose

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About the CD
An engaging mix of inspiring advice and real-life stories of self-discovery, O's Little Guide to Finding Your True Purpose will captivate anyone who's ever been beckoned by a dream.

Featuring some of the best work to have appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine, this rousing collection is all about helping readers to hear and heed their calling. From the beginning, O has been a catalyst for women seeking to become who they're meant to be. O's Little Guide to Finding Your True Purpose continues this tradition by combining practical wisdom and relatable tales of trial, error, and triumph. Contributors include Edwidge Danticat on getting past the need to please; Martha Beck on charting your own course; Patti Smith on staying true to yourself; Elizabeth Gilbert on getting unstuck; Robin Black on thriving as a late bloomer; and many more. Whether you're still searching for your passion or summoning the courage to pursue it, this one-of-a-kind collection will set you on your way.



My Take on the Book
This was a great CD that really brought out some great stories for any women. While I am a man, I am still happy to have listened to this. You see, as a father of two girls, hearing the stories on this that are truly inspirational is motivational for me as a father to help build ways in which I can try and set up ways to help my own girls find their own passions throughout the years to come. This is an amazing collection of stories that you will not want to miss!

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Movie Review - Ice Sculpture Christmas

Ice Sculpture Christmas

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About the Movie
As a little girl, Callie Shaw always knew she wanted to be an amazing chef. Now, after spending years trying to get her foot in the door, she's losing faith that she has what it takes to succeed. Is it time to give up? Working as the entry-level new hire in her hometown's country club kitchen, Callie finally gets the opportunity to make a name for herself through a culinary Christmas ice-sculpture contest! The only problem is that she's paired with David Manning, a handsome, wealthy entrepreneur who believes whole-heartedly in Callie's talents but knows nothing about ice sculpture. If David can learn the ropes in time and help Callie believe she has all the right stuff, Callie just might enjoy a Christmas to remember, bringing her closer to a man who truly loves her and achieving her lifelong dream.


My Take on the Movie
This was an enjoyable and interesting movie to watch. Our two main characters Callie and David meet as children but the story's content deals with their adult life and meeting once again.

David has had a life of wealth and following in his father's footsteps even though his heart was not in it. Callie wants to become a chef but the job she takes is one of a dishwasher until she proves herself to the main chef of the country club.

It is a story showing life's challenges, dreams , and believing in oneself. It shows the viewer how your dreams can come true with perseverance and faith in yourself and your abilities. The movie also shows how family love and friendship is more important than one's job.

This is a nice new holiday movie to add to your Christmas movie collection.



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Movie Review - 'Tis the Season for Love

'TIS THE SEASON FOR LOVE

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About the Movie
Beth Baker is an out-of-work actress stuck in New York City without her friends at Christmas time. She decides to return home to the quaint small town she escaped 10 years before and finds a place far different than the hamlet she left. She suddenly finds performing possibilities and even romance that kind of blow her away. Will the holidays prove to be as magical for Beth as they appear, or is it doomed to disappear as quickly as it arrived for a lady who is ready to take chances she could never have imagined a decade before. Then again, this is the kind of thing that seems to happen during the Christmas season all the time.
My Take on the Movie
Beth lived her life in the town of Kern until she graduated and moved to New York City hoping to acquire a position in a Broadway play. Her plan did not work out as she hoped. She returned to Kern to spend Christmas with her mother and then all kinds of wonderful unexpected events happened to her.


Beth learns she has other talents besides acting on Broadway. She uses her love of children, her singing abilities, and her talents in acting to bring the children's Christmas pageant to the town. Beth becomes a problem solver when challenges arise. She allows herself to trust her instincts and take on new challenges . Beth overcomes some obstacles in her past to allow herself to dream and hope for a life she did not imagine.


Of course there is friendship, a love interest, and good old fashioned holiday joy in this movie. I enjoyed this new Hallmark movie.
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Monday, November 16, 2015

Book Review - Tough Cookie

Tough Cookie

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About the Book
Sam Spade, move over! In his years on the force, Tough Cookie Busted the Ginger Snaps and broke up the Macaroons. Now living as a private eye at the bottom of the cookie jar, he learns that Fingers has gotten his old partner, Chips. With his best girl, Pecan Sandy, at his side, Tough Cookie sets out to put Fingers away, for keeps! This hilarious spoof will have readers rolling in the aisles.



My Take on the Book
When you first begin to read this story, you may wonder what will be the outcome for the gingerbread man who does not have ginger in him and he is angry . He causes many problems in the bakery until the baker finally helps him realize he can change and become helpful.

Thus the story continues with a transformation. To me it shows how someone can change when someone takes the time to be kind to them and show them a different path in their behavior. You will see in the story how the gingerbread man becomes more helpful and as a result becomes happier too.

A good story to discuss the issues of change in behavior with kindness.


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