Dad of Divas' Reviews: animals
Showing posts with label animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animals. Show all posts

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Book Review - How to Draw Amazing Animals

How to Draw Amazing Animals
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About the Book
Talons, teeth, trunks, and tails. From African elephants to Arabian horses, animals have some amazing features. Discover how you can capture them on paper in just a few steps. Awesome drawings made easy!



My Take on the Book
Do you have someone in your home that loves to draw? If so, this book will give them a ton of tools that will help them to draw some very cool animals. The book makes drawing these very cool animals. I was really impressed with how easy the book makes it, and my daughters and I had no problems drawing these animals together!

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Monday, December 29, 2014

Book Review - Scholastic Discover More: Animal Faces

Scholastic Discover More: Animal Faces
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About the Book
Come face-to-face with enormous eyes, huge noses, poisonous fangs, fluffy cheeks, and colorful beaks in ANIMAL FACES.

Most animals have many features in common with one another--eyes, noses, ears, mouths--so it's amazing that there are so many different-looking faces in the world! ANIMAL FACES is a completely original way to look at all the animal groups on Earth.

By looking at some familiar animal faces--and some that are very rarely seen--young readers will learn about the main animal groups: hairy mammals, scaly reptiles, feathered birds, goggle-eyed amphibians, creepy bugs, and extraordinary fish! Why do birds have differently shaped beaks? Why do some spiders have eight eyes? How do some animals use their faces to scare off other animals? How well can an elephant smell? All these questions, and many more, are answered in a simple, fun way, accompanied by amazing photographs.




My Take on the Book
This book had so many great things in it about some of my kids' favorite animals. The images were amazing and really got to see these animals in a whole new way. Each animal was examined in fun ways and allowed you to read and learn throug the many questions that were shared and answered. This was a very interesting book that any animal lover will truly enjoy!


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Thursday, May 22, 2014

Book Review - Scholastic Discover More: Birds

Scholastic Discover More: Birds

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About the Book
A visual guide for the very youngest birders.

Discover all about birds! The first pages describe birds' amazing variety and adaptations, with sequences that show exactly how they fly. Life cycle spreads include a fantastic display of bird eggs. Find out about backyard birds and their dramatic lives, and also about birds in the most extreme habitats on Earth. And learn how to do simple, fun projects, like creating a bird-watching journal or a bird feeder. The digital companion book, BE A BIRDER, features audio calls from both backyard birds and more exotic species.



My Take on the Book
Our family loves birds and we do whatever we can to entice birds to frequent our home. While we do not have a HUGE variety of species of birds around us, the ones that we do have bring wonderful music in their voices to our neighborhood and smiles on our faces every Spring as all of them return (though some are with us year round). This being said, we also enjoy learning about birds and this book really informs the reader about so much. If you have any interest in bird whatsoever, this book will open your eyes to many new things that you may not have known or considered in the past. It also shares some great projects that my family has already started trying for ourselves. One of the other great things is that this book really provides you with a 2 for 1 deal as you get the free digital book which also was very interesting and one that any bird lover will love!


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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Book Review - Scholastic Discover More: Dolphins

Scholastic Discover More: Dolphins

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About the Book
An up-to-date introduction to these highly intelligent creatures.

DOLPHINS focuses on the latest dolphin information, as well as including essential facts. The book introduces anatomy, distribution, life cycle, and feeding habits appropriately for the newest science readers. There are amazing new stories about dolphins' behavior, from their use of language to rescuing stranded friends and sharing tools! Exclusive images engage children with these famous and fascinating animals.



My Take on the Book
This was a great book that really went in depth about everything dolphins. Whether you just love dolphins and don't know a lot or if you are already well versed this book will give you even more to digest. Filled with great images and facts my daughters and I loved reading and learning more and more. The book is definitely something that we will be coming back to over and over again in the future!


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Friday, May 25, 2012

Game Review - Spot It Jr.! Animals

About the Game 
Just like the original and popular Spot it!, but simplified for younger children, Spot it! Jr. Animals is a wonderful new addition to every family’s game closet. This captivating card game is an ideal break from video games and toys that rely on batteries to keep them running. With over 200 five-star reviews and ranked as the top selling card game for a year on Amazon, Spot it! has proved to be a best seller. After 12 years in the game business, Blue Orange has done it again by creating a version of its popular Spot it! game just for the little ones. Let the animal safari begin!

Spot it! Jr. Animals features 31 brightly colored cards with six different animal images on each card. With only one matching animal between any two cards, this delightful visual perception game is really fun for all kinds of kids, even with various ability levels. Included are 5 different party games to keep everyone entertained.

Spot it! Jr. Animal’s laminated, durable and eco-friendly cards are packaged in a sturdy tin canister, the perfect size for playing at home, stuffing into a backpack, and ideal for the family on the go. We know that video games, laser guns, remote-controlled cars and plastic ponies are also in the mix, but the more time away from these, the better!

“We love making back-to-basic games,” says Julian Mayot, co-founder and CEO of Blue Orange Games. “I think everyone finds that summer is the perfect time to simplify life— and because our games can be played almost anywhere, Spot it! Jr. Animals is a terrific and welcome escape from electronic games and gadgets.”

Children are natural learners and will love spotting the animals and matching them in this fast-paced game. Designed for children 4 and up, and for 2 to 6 players. Spot it! Jr. Animals can be bought online for $9.99 through Amazon.com, www.games.blueorangegames.com, or in stores across the country that carry Blue Orange products.

Spot it! is already a category leader —frequently #1 in the card game space, and #5 in general games on Amazon.com, in addition to winning over 10 influential industry awards since it hit the shelves in 2010. Spot it! has collected over 200 five-star reviews from happy customers on Amazon.com.

Spot it! Jr. Animals, a new edition “collectible” game is part of the Blue Orange Games Pocket Collection that will keep parents and their “wild things” discovering their inner animal for years to come—no binoculars required!

My Take on the Game
My kids love the original Spot It Game, so they were excited when they heard of a few new Spot It Games that were now on the market. This Spot it, is made specifically for younger players and their families. I appreciated this because my youngest has had to work harder to keep up when it comes to the original and travel Spot It! games that we have had in the past. The game is easy enough and encourages all to stay alert and encourages quick thinking. I love this game as a father because the game itself is interactive and engaging. I also love how easy this game is to transport, so no matter where you are going, this game simply slips into your bag for easy transport! The pictures on the cards are so colorful and vivid I could tell at once that my youngest was drawn to them and she truly enjoyed playing this game with me. Overall this is a great addition to the Spot It! line of games and as a dad I have to saw thank you for making a version of the game for younger audiences, my daughter and I completely appreciate it!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Book Review - Scholastic Reader Level 2: Hibernation

About the Book
Learn all about these animals and where they go during winter!

During the cold winter months, some animals go into a deep sleep called hibernation. You'd be surprised to learn about all of the other animals that hibernate besides bears, like squirrels, skunks, chipmunks and bats. Children will learn how an animal prepares for hibernation by stuffing itself with food so that it can survive in its dormant months and how animals prepare "safe spots," like dens and burrows, so that they will be protected from predators as they sleep.

My Take on the Book
Scholastic books has published another excellent nonfiction book for young readers. All children love animals and are curious about them. This specific book about animal hibernation will fascinate you and your child.

Each set of pages includes a beautiful photograph of the warm or cold blooded animal that hibernates. The text explains what kind of hibernation the animal prepares for and how it prepares. I found this especially interesting as I did not know there were so many different forms of hibernation.

I see this book as a resource for a classroom and family library. I know you will enjoy this book along with your child. It may be a good springboard to locating other animals besides the ones in the book that hibernate.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Friday, February 4, 2011

Book Review: Gift of the Magpie

About the Book
When Max falls in love with Regina—a magpie with a fetish for shoes—he thinks of the many ways to make her smile. The two spend the summer together, searching for food and footwear, while laughing until their feathers shake.

From cowboy boots to penny loafers and pearly pumps, Max hopes to find the perfect shoe for building a nest. But after he surprises Regina with an old sneaker, she takes flight. Brokenhearted, he joins a new flock, and Regina wonders if he will return. Will these two lonely love birds ever reunite.

Janeen Mason’s vibrant illustrations, set to warm backgrounds of blushing pinks and reds, are the perfect complement to this sweet love story.


About the Author
Besides serving on the board of directors of the Friends of the Blake Library, Janeen Mason is the secretary of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. She is also a member of the Children’s Book Council and is the past illustrator coordinator for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in the state of Florida. Mason has received such honors as a Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award, the U.S. Maritime Literature Award, and the National Award for Excellence in Communities. In addition to illustrating Pirate Pink and Treasures of the Reef; The Pirate, Pink; Kissimmee Pete, Cracker Cow Hunter; Kissimmee Pete and the Hurricane; and The World’s Greatest Explorer, she is the author and illustrator of Ocean Commotion: Sea Turtles and Ocean Commotion: Life on the Reef, all published by Pelican.

My Take on the Book
This book is beautiful both in story and in artistic display. The author does an amazong job of sharing a story of love and friendship. My girls also loved the fact that though Magpie Max was completely enamored with Magpie Regina, she was (like many women) in love of other things, namely shoes! The color and beauty within this book drew my girls in and they simply loved the storyline as well as the illustrations.

I was so impressed with this book, I went to our local library to find other books that had been written by the author, as I knew my girls would love these other books as they loved this one.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Build-a-Bear Makes for Great Holiday Gifts!

Build-A-Bear Workshop® is the place for holiday gifting.  With gifts that give back, classic friends and holiday traditions, personalized gifts with sound, stocking stuffers and more - there’s something for everyone on the list and for every budget.  Fulfill gift requests with one-stop shopping at any of the more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores globally or online at buildabear.com®


Survey Says: Moms Prefer Items That Help Charities
A new survey conducted by Build-A-Bear Workshop has found more than 60 percent of moms polled said when selecting holiday gifts they prefer products that benefit charities. And nearly 89 percent said it was important that Build-A-Bear Workshop offers special animals and other items that donate to charity and promote awareness of the importance of giving back to your community, particularly during the holidays.
Gifts that Give Back:  Build-A-Bear Workshop offers a variety of options for charitable giving.  For instance, when you purchase the new Turner Owl™, Build-A-Bear Workshop donates 50 cents to First Book to provide new books to children from low-income families and 50 cents to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to support other literacy and education programs.  This makes a great gift for teachers or any other cause-focused folks on the gift list.
Awesome in Argyle Turner Owl™ Jack Russell
Terrier
Snowflake Style Champ – A Champion
Fur Kids
WWF
Gray Wolf
Turner Owl is just one example of animals from Build-A-Bear Workshop that supports special causes through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation.  Other furry friends benefit domestic pet programs (Jack Russell Terrier is a favorite in the Bearemy's Kennel Pals® series), children’s health and wellness causes such as juvenile diabetes, autism and children’s cancer research (Champ – A Champion Fur Kids), and endangered animals and their habitats (WWF® Gray Wolf).

Classic Friends
Have a classic holiday with the entire Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer® Collection A make-your-own Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with light up nose is sure to brighten the holidays. Clarice®, the beary special friend of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, has a light up heart and the two “talk” to one another when you press their ears in sequence.  Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster® completes the trio. The entire collection is available starting Nov. 1 (while quantities last).  All of these classic characters also are available ready-made in “Gifts to Go” packaging.  In addition, all furry friends, including the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Collection, can be brought to life online at buildabearville.com®, where Guests can celebrate the holiday season with fun activities and exclusive free virtual gifts.
Rudolph the
Red-Nosed Reindeer®
Clarice®
Bumble™
Other cool, classic holiday gifts that are sure to bring smiles include:  Casually clad Frosty the Snowman, Santa Bearemy®, dressed head to paw in a Santa style outfit, Fairisle Style Snow Hugs Teddy and Beary Merry Teddy 2010 (available beginning Nov. 29).
Frosty the Snowman™
Santa
Bearemy®
Fairisle Style
Snow Hugs Teddy
Beary Merry Teddy 2010
In addition, Build-A-Bear Workshop is excited to announce that after its success in 2009, “Holly & Hal Moose™: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure,” will air for its second holiday season on ABC Family as part of its Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas programming.  The holiday television special is an extension of Build-A-Bear Workshop initiatives in entertainment.  Check local listings for show times.  Make-your-own Holly Moose™ and Hal Moose™ with light-up antlers also will be available beginning Nov. 19, while quantities last.
Hal Moose Holly Moose
Personalized Gifts
One of the best things about Build-A-Bear Workshop is the opportunity to make or buy a unique gift, add a personalized Build-A-Sound® message and give it to someone special.  From best friend to new baby, soldier to sports fan, foodie to music lover, Star Wars fan to snowboarder, Build-A-Bear Workshop has personalized options for everyone.

For Star Wars fans and collectors:  Check out the exclusive STAR WARS™ products designed to turn furry friends into the coolest characters to ever hit the galaxy. Start an out-of-this-world friendship with the Star Wars Bear with navy fur and Star Wars logo on its paw. Or, personalize out-of-this-world gifts with bear-sized Star Wars character costumes and accessories including Darth Vader, Jedi Knight, and the original trilogy: C-3P0, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.
Dimples
Darth Vader
Star Wars Bear
C-3PO Champ –
A Champion Fur Kids
Happy Hugs Princess Leia
Dimples Han Solo
For music lovers:  Speaker Starz Bear is a rockin’ new friend from
Build-A-Bear Workshop that serves as a speaker for MP3 players.  A Velcro opening in the bear’s side hides a wire that plugs into the MP3 device of choice.  The speaker is in the bear’s left paw.  Available in pink or black beginning Dec. 10, the pink version features stars and musical notes and the black version has guitar picks on the fur and sports a Mohawk.
Speaker Starz Bear in Pink
Speaker Starz Bear in Black
For girls and Sanrio® collectors:  This make-your-own Furshionable in Fuchsia Hello Kitty® in fuchsia polka dot dress and black bow kitten heels will wow all Hello Kitty fans.  Beary stylish!  Cool & Casual Peace & Friendship Bear is another fashionable option.  Dressed in sweet style from head to paw, this new friend is sure to be a hit. 
Furshionable in Fuchsia Hello Kitty® Cool & Casual Peace & Friendship Bear
For soldiers:  Camo Bear with camouflage fur and a Build-A-Sound® 10-second personal message – a touching gift for servicemen and women and their families.  Green camouflage jacket, matching pants, black hat, black boots, dog tag and American flag each sold separately.
For babies:  Happy Hugs Teddy with Baby's First Christmas Bib & Diaper Set – a sweet gift to celebrate the newest arrival.
American Soldier Camo Bear
Baby Bear Happy Hugs Teddy
For those with allergies:  Snuggle up with the loveable stuffed Velvet Pup with ultra-soft brown fur and a furry nose.  This stuffed animal meets asthma friendly® standards according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.  Dress this furry friend in fuchsia dream PJ’s and slippers to make this pup pawsitively cuddly.

For sports fans:  Dress a furry friend in the uniform of a favorite sports team.  From football to basketball, hockey to baseball, there are official licensed sports uniforms, tees, caps and bandanas available from professional and university teams around the country. 
Sweet Dreams Velvet Pup
Furbulous Football Bearemy®
Stocking Stuffers
Options abound for stocking stuffer ideas from Build-A-Bear Workshop:
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mini Collectifriends®, including Misfit Doll™, Charlie-In-the-Box™ and Misfit Spotted Elephant™ ($8.50 each or three for $15) are perfect for popping in stockings.  Plus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Tiny Clips, featuring Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Clarice and Bumble, are fun to use as ornaments or gift toppers (available as a gift with the purchase of a full-sized Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Clarice or Bumble from Nov. 1 - 11, or for $5 at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores).
Misfit Doll™
Charlie-In-the-Box™
Misfit Spotted Elephant™
Santa
Tiny Clip
Rudolph the Red Nosed
Reindeer Tiny Clip
Clarice
Tiny Clip
Bumble
Tiny Clip
  • Give the Build-A-Bear Workshop experience with Bear Buck$® Gift Cards.  If purchased online, Guests can customize an e-gift card with a message, character and special background.  Sized just right for stuffing in stockings. 
Bear Buck$ Gift Card
  • Virtual gifts also are popular stocking stuffers.  Anyone who receives a furry friend from Build-A-Bear Workshop can register that friend free at buildabearville.com, a  virtual world where friends hang out, play games and shop for cool virtual stuff. 

    Purchase three-month, six-month and one year “V.I.B.” Subscription Cards with monthly credits and bonus Bear Bills® and/or Bearville Outfitters® Virtual Stuff Game Cards with credits for virtual rides, clothes, homes and furniture for furry friends at the Bearville Outfitters store and become the coolest gift giver ever.
V.I.B. Subscription Card
Bearville Outfitters
Virtual Stuff Game Card
Quick, Great Value Gifts
Shoppers strapped for time can choose from an assortment of customized furry friends that are stuffed, dressed and conveniently packaged in “Gifts to Go” gift sets.  This option makes it fun and easy to find the perfect present for anyone – family member, teacher, babysitter, boss, co-worker, college student and others.  The sets are modestly priced starting at $15 and ranging to $40, with an array of price points in between. 
Gifts to Go
About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. The company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Mexico. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball® mascot in-stadium locations, and Build-A-Dino® stores. Build-A-Bear Workshop extends its in-store interactive experience online with its award winning virtual world Web site at www.buildabearville.com.  Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $394.4 million in fiscal 2009. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company's award-winning Web site at www.buildabear.com


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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