This is 40 Coming to Blu-ray Combo Pack with Unrated Version on March 22

From The Director Of Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Comes The Newest, Laugh-out-Loud Comedy

Starring Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Melissa McCarthy, Jason Segel, Megan Fox, Albert Brooks and John Lithgow

THIS IS 40

“High-spirited and hilarious” – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Coming to Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with Unrated Version, DVD, Digital Copy & UltraViolet™, on March 22, 2013

A midlife milestone sends a long-married couple into an uproarious tailspin in This is 40, coming to Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on March 22, 2013, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Audiences fell in love with contentiously loving couple Pete and Debbie in Judd Apatow’s comedy sensation Knocked Up. Five years later Apatow reunites with his hilarious creations as Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprise their roles as husband and wife balancing the challenges and rewards of marriage and parenthood with the milestone of turning 40. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes a hilarious unrated edition along with more than an hour of extended and additional scenes, backstage documentaries andcommentary by the cast and of the raucous and raunchy comedy that Entertainment Weekly’s Owen Gleiberman says is “laugh-out-loud funny.”

The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack allows consumers to view This Is 40 anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice. It includes a Blu-ray™ disc, a DVD, a Digital Copy and UltraViolet™ for the ultimate, complete viewing experience. · Blu-ray™ disc unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring perfect hi-def picture and hi-def sound.

• DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
• Digital Copy provides consumers with a choice of formats from a variety of partners, including options to watch on iPhone®, Android™, computers and more.
• UltraViolet™ is a revolutionary new way for consumers to collect their movies and TV shows in the cloud. UltraViolet™ lets consumers instantly stream and download to tablets, smartphones, computers and TVs. Now available in both the United States and Canada.

Paul Rudd (I Love You Man, Role Models) and Leslie Mann (The Change-Up, Funny People) head up a stellar comedy cast that includes Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Megan Fox (Transformers), John Lithgow (Rise of the Planet of the Ape, Terms of Endearment) and Albert Brooks (Broadcast News, Drive), with Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Iris Apatow (Funny People), Maude Apatow (Knocked Up), Annie Mumolo, (Bridesmaids), Robert Smigel (You Don’t Mess With the Zohan), Charlyne Yi (Knocked Up) and Lena Dunham (“Girls”).

Bonus Features Exclusive to the Blu-rayTM

• Unrated Edition
• The Making Of This Is 40
• This Is Albert Brooks (At Work)
• Graham Parker & The Rumour: Long Emotional Ride
• Brooks-O-Rama
• Biking With Barry
• Triumph The Insult Comic Dog
• Kids On The Loose 3
• Bodies By Jason Commercial
• Fresh Air With Terry Gross
• Deleted, Extended & Alternate Scenes
• Over A Half Hour of Music with Graham Parker and the Rumour, and Ryan Adams

Bonus Features on Both the Blu-rayTM and DVD

• Gag Reel
• Line-O-Rama
• More Deleted Scenes
• More Music from Graham Parker and the Rumour, and Ryan Adams
• Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Judd Apatow

SYNOPSIS
From the director of Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin comes an unfiltered, comedic look inside the life of an American family. After years of marriage, Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) are approaching a milestone meltdown. As they try to balance romance, careers, parents and children in their own hilarious ways, they must also figure out how to enjoy the rest of their lives. Featuring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Segel, Megan Fox, John Lithgow and Albert Brooks, This is 40 is a candid and heartwarming comedy about the challenges and rewards of marriage and parenthood in the modern age.

www.thisis40movie.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 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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DVD Review - Peter Pan Diamond Edition

About the DVD
On February 5, 2013, The Walt Disney Studios celebrates the 60th Anniversary release of Walt Disney’s classic, “Peter Pan,” as it soars to all-new heights – with a new digital restoration and high definition picture and sound - for the first time on Blu-ray™. The classic tale that taught us all “to believe” and first introduced us to the Darling children – Wendy, John and Michael - as they flew with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell past the second star to the right and straight on ‘till morning to the enchanted world of Never Land. Rediscover the magical adventure and relive childhood memories of this great bedtime story.

The “Peter Pan” Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy & Storybook App) is a “must-own” addition to everyone’s home entertainment collection, filled with high-flying bonus features for all ages that includes - the groundbreaking feature Disney Intermission, Growing up with Nine Old Men short film, never-before-seen Deleted Scenes and a never-before-heard Deleted Song.

“Peter Pan” is a timeless classic from Disney’s Golden Age of animation. The film is one of three to boast all nine ofWalt’s famous “Nine Old Men” as Directing Animators, and is a revered audience favorite. “Peter Pan” Diamond Edition 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack will be available for a limited time only for the suggested retail price of $44.99 (US) and $51.99 (Canada) fromWalt Disney Studios.

About “Peter Pan” Filmmakers Cast:
“Peter Pan” was executive produced by Walt Disney (Sleeping Beauty, SnowWhite, Alice in Wonderland) and directed by Clyde Geronimi (101 Dalmatians, Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp), Wilfred Jackson (Lady and the Tramp, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella) and Hamilton Luske (101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp). The character were voiced by Bobby Driscoll (Treasure Island, Song of the South) as Peter Pan, Kathryn Beaumont (Alice in Wonderland, TV’s “The Walt Disney Christmas Show”) as Wendy Darling, Paul Collins (Evan Almighty, Mother) as John Darling, Tommy Luske (TV’s “The Walt Disney Christmas Show”) as Michael Darling, Hans Conried (TV’s “The Hobbit,” TV’s “Horton Hears A Who!”) as Captain Hook/Mr. Darling, Bill Thompson (Lady and the Tramp, Alice in Wonderland) Mr. Smee/Other Pirates, Heather Angel (Alice in Wonderland, Suspicion), Tom Conway (101 Dalmatians, Cat People) as the narrator.

To learn more and keep informed on this release:
· “Like” the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/PeterPan
· Follow us on Twitter at @DisneyPictures
· View videos at www.YouTube.com/DisneyMovies


Peter's Shadow


Tink in Drawer


First Sight of Never Land



My Take on the DVD
For anyone that is been following me for some time you know how much of a fan and my family is when it comes to Disney and their movies. As you can probably guess, we were very excited when we heard that they were re-releasing Peter Pan from their vault. You see, my kids have never seen this movie as of yet, they have heard of the movie, but they have never seen it yet. With that in mind, when we received it, we went about making some family popcorn and sitting down for a great film (IMHO). My kids were spellbound. They loved the movie. They particularly love the fact that the kids were able to fly, and they actually hope themselves to be able to fly one day as well. They also loved Tinkerbell (as they had seen her before in her own movies). All-in-all and my kids  love the movie and wanted to see it again the next day. The movie itself was very well made and I love that the fact that there was a previously never released a song within this version.

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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Book Review - All The Colors of Busytown

About the Book
Huckle Cat paints all the colors of Busytown--a red fire engine, a purple plum, an orange pumpkin, and many others. Oversized, cleverly designed page tabs encourage kids to go directly to the pages that show their favorite colors. This title is one of a two-book series of Richard Scarry's Concept Books. The companion title, Let's Count with Lowly, is also available from Barron's. Toddlers who are introduced to colors and counting with Richard Scarry's Concept Books. are in for a very special visual treat! The pictures in both of these books are bubbling with humor, packed with busy and interesting details, and vibrant with all the bright colors that have made Richard Scarry one of the most beloved names in children's illustration. The books are constructed of sturdy board pages that can take punishment from tiny hands and still remain in good condition.

My Take on the Book
My daughter loves Busytown! She has been a fan of it for some time and now even for her 5th my daughter loves Birthday Party she wants a Busytown Party...the challenge, materials and activities are not the easiest to find! But I digress. This was a great book. I loved all of the different tabs that indicated all of the different colors that the book goes through. Each of the tabs were large and well constructed, making it easy for young hands to manipulate them. I was impressed with how colorful each of the pages were and how easy it made the color to be recognized by the young child themselves. I was also impressed with the imagery within the book. The characters represented were those you know and love within the Busytown series, and my daughter loved paging through the book and reading it to her mother and I. If you are already a fan of the Busytown series, or if you are just looking for a fun color recognition book, this is definitely the book for your family!

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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Book Review - Richard Scarry's Let's Count with Lowly

About the Book
Lowly Worm starts out alone to make one, and then he joins Huckle Cat to make two. They're soon joined by Wolfgang Wolf, Harry Hyena, and other animals who teach boys and girls to count to ten. Each page has a large numbered tab visible from the front cover that designates a number from 1 to 10, indicating the number of animals kids can count. This title is one of a two-book series of Richard Scarry's Concept Books. The companion title, All the Colors of Busytown, is also available from Barron's. Toddlers who are introduced to colors and counting with Richard Scarry's Concept Books. are in for a very special visual treat! The pictures in both of these books are bubbling with humor, packed with busy and interesting details, and vibrant with all the bright colors that have made Richard Scarry one of the most beloved names in children's illustration. The books are constructed of sturdy board pages that can take punishment from tiny hands and still remain in good condition.

My Take on the Book
My daughter loves Busytown! She has been a fan of it for some time and now even for her 5th my daughter loves Birthday Party she wants a Busytown Party...the challenge, materials and activities are not the easiest to find! But I digress. This was a great book. I loved that the tabs that separated the different numbers and the images on each page which related back to the characters that you come to know and love in Busytown. What was most fun was that the images on the page are very interactive and my daughter simply love to going back and forth through the book working on her number recognition. If you have a child that is in kindergarten or younger this book would be perfect for them.

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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Book Review - Raise Him Up

About the Book
There is no greater hope for single mothers than to watch their sons succeed, and African-American single mothers face more adversity than most. Raise Him Up delves into the challenges faced by African-American single moms and offers advice, scriptural support, and helpful prayers. Each chapter relates a spiritual point taken from the book of Acts, a mother's story, and draws parallels to the struggles of the modern day African-American mother. Chapters also offer stories of African-American athletes who were raised by single moms, and against all odds, succeeded.

Moms will learn to give encouragement, push their boys to try new things, and keep them out of trouble. Raise Him Up is essential reading for single African-American moms who want nothing more than to see their sons grow into happy, successful men.

Features include:

• Helpful tips and tools for raising successful men
• Hopeful stories of success in the face of adversity
• Scripture from the book of Acts

My Take on the Book
While I am the father of two girls, I have plenty of friends who are raising boys, and I know that the experience that they have is much different than my own. Also, while this book speaks of raising successful black men, I found that reading it, many of the ideas that were shared were transferable to the raising of boys in general. I cannot say that all of the ideas were, but I did see the transferability. The book itself was well written, and I loved the fact that the author used popular and well-known athletes to show persistence and the ability to overcome adversity. One of the strong points of the book though was the tie to spirituality as each chapter connected to back to the book of Acts, which I found to be an interesting parallel. I have read this book of the Bible numerous times and it's taken away from it many different things, but I love the way in which the author makes this book of the Bible even more relatable and practical in a society that is constantly changing.

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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Book Review - Targets of Revenge

About the Book
COUNTRY FIRST.

All the bureaucratic scolding in Washington cannot stop resourceful CIA Agent Jordan Sandor when he’s hungry for revenge. This time he’s on the hunt for the cold-blooded sociopath known as Adina, whose indiscriminate slaughter of innocent people, including Sandor’s close friend, represents man at his worst.

Mobilizing a team of skilled and dedicated agents to carry out his secret operation, Sandor flies in the face of his superiors’ stern warnings—ultimately crash-landing in the heart of the Venezuelan jungle. Armed with little more than a combat knife and a deadly automatic weapon, he infiltrates Adina’s camp and discovers that the ruthless terrorist is smuggling not only cocaine into the United States, but also a deadly substance that could cost tens of thousands of lives.

Sandor develops intel that leads him to Egypt and then Moscow as he fights to prevent this disaster, but after he lands on Interpol’s list of international fugitives, the truth becomes clear: Adina’s evil web extends to the far corners of the globe. Meanwhile, someone Sandor trusts could very well be feeding the agent dangerous lies as he struggles to stay on Adina’s trail.

More focused than ever, Sandor refuses to end his perilous mission, even after he has been taken captive. In the end, when he uncovers the realities of Adina’s deranged plan for a catastrophic assault on New York City, Sandor has no choice but to risk his life to protect his country’s safety and freedom.

About the Author
Jeffrey S. Stephens is a native New Yorker who now lives in Greenwich, Connecticut with his wife Nancy, where they raised their two sons, Graham and Trevor. Stephens is the author of the Jordan Sandor thrillers Targets of Deception and Targets of Opportunity.

My Take on the Book
I have had the opportunity to read the other books in this series and have loved them! So you can guess that I probably had high expectations of this book is well. In reading this book I found myself, as in the other books, being drawn in very quickly to the plot. What a enjoyed most about the book was its high action, adventure, intrigue, and how the author brings together a cast of characters that on the surface are very different and turn these characters into ones in which you hope to see again in the future. The plot of the story is intense and it keeps you at the edge of your seat. As someone who is a fan of high adventure stories this book is one that will definitely keep you coming back for more. All-in-all this book was an amazing read and is one that I would highly recommend all fans of adventure, mystery, and intrigue to pick up at your local store or online today!

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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Listerine Ultraclean Provides Amazing Results

Did you know your mouth contains more germs than there are number of people on earth?

That’s right – and believe it or not, even if you brush twice a day, you’re likely missing millions of them! In fact, brushing alone misses 75% of your mouth, which is why it’s critical to floss regularly and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash twice a day, like LISTERINE® that that penetrates all over for that whole mouth clean!

Currently, more than 75% of American adults suffer from some form of periodontal (gum) disease and may not even know it. It’s time for everyone to make a change. I hope you’ll consider a resolution for yourself and readers to take the first step towards a healthier mouth in 2013.

LISTERINE® has several NEW products that can help!

NEW LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN™

The only leading mouthwash with an anti-tartar ingredient, and new EVERFRESH Technology for a dentist clean feeling that lasts up to 3x longer vs. brushing alone. Plus, it provides the superior plaque and gingivitis germ-killing benefits you’ve come to expect from original LISTERINE® Antiseptic.

LISTERINE® WHITENING® ORIGINAL GEL 
Whitens teeth by removing surface stains and controls tartar to help prevent stains and provide a healthy looking white smile. It restores enamel and strengthens teeth, while also killing bad breath germs to freshen breath and provides fluoride to protect teeth from cavities.

LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN™

• Features unique EVERFRESH™ technology that provides a powerful “dentist clean” feeling up to 3X longer vs. brushing alone
• The only leading mouthwash that includes an anti-tartar ingredient proven to control tartar build-up
• Reaches 75 percent of the mouth that brushing alone misses and provides 24-hour protection against germs that cause plaque and gingivitis when used twice daily for 30 seconds during morning and nighttime oral care routines.
• Available in Cool Mint, Artic Mint, Fresh Citrus.
• LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN™ can be purchased at all food, drug and mass merchandise outlets starting at $3.89 for a 250 ml bottle

LISTERINE® WHITENING® ORIGINAL GEL

• Whitens teeth by removing surface stains and controls tartar to help prevent stains and provide a healthy looking white smile
• Restores enamel and strengthens teeth
• Kills bad breath germs to freshen breath
• Provides fluoride to protect teeth from cavities
• For maximum benefits, it should be used twice daily for 30 seconds during morning and nighttime oral care routines
• Available in Power Mint
• LISTERINE® WHITENING® Original Gel can be purchased at all food, drug and mass merchandise outlets starting at $4.49 for a 4.2 oz. tube

My Take on the Products

As someone who has continually fought to get rid of the bad breath that I have, I have tried numerous things to try and beat this in the past, but alas, it does not always work. I was able to try the new products listed above, and while doing this, I was quite impressed. I noticed using the mouthwash as well as the toothpaste that the results were achieved by using them more long-lasting and the halitosis problem that sometimes plagues me was kept at bay for at least the time being. I brought with me to work the new Listerine strips just in case, and found that they were a nice way to freshen the breath throughout the day. If you are looking for a product that will help you to be able to keep control of bad breath, I would encourage you to also try these Listerine products for yourself and see if they work as well for you as the day for me.

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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Book Review - Branding Pays

About the Book
Globalization and social media have made the world smaller, more connected and infinitely more competitive. The world has changed. Have you? If you don’t have the package that will take you to the next level of your career, you need to reinvent your personal brand.

BrandingPays™, a practical guide to strategic personal branding, will help you refocus your skills and experience so you are the best candidate for the job, career and business opportunities that you desire. Perfect for professionals, entrepreneurs and college students, the step-by-step BrandingPays methodology has been proven in Fortune 500 companies and leading business schools. Former Regis McKenna Inc. Partner Karen Kang builds upon concepts and techniques from the legendary marketing firm that created and launched the Apple brand.

In this breakthrough book, author Karen Kang shows you how to:

· Position yourself for the best opportunities
· Clearly communicate your unique value
· Put your “cake” and “icing” together for a strong brand
· Leverage the influencers who can accelerate your reputation
· Build your Brand Action Plan for online and offline success

Overflowing with templates, charts and action lists that enable you to “Bake the Cake, then Ice It,” the book includes inspiring real-life examples, many from groups that are under-represented in top business leadership. No matter what challenges you face, Branding Pays will help you develop your recipe for successful branding.

My Take on the Book
Branding is something that I have been trying to work on for as long as I have had a blog, and it is not always easy. I love the idea in this book that the author shares, that Branding is not just about a product, but instead, you have to have your own personal brand to offer to others that you interact with them daily basis. This concept was a bit novel to me as I would not have thought about branding in such a way in the past. Through reading this book I can honestly say that my worldview was changed and it made me reassess what my own personal brand was. I'm actually in the process of reading this for a second time because there was much in the book that I resonated with that I want to be able to reflect on again. Especially in a world dominated by social media, his hand reading the book a second time, I am reminded that the brand that you share with others, especially on social media platforms becomes the brand that will follow you no matter where you go in today's society, and this is very important to understand and to realize as you examine the quality of conversations and interactions that you are having in these networks.

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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Book Review - My Spanish Sticker Dictionary

About the Book
Younger boys and girls will have fun attaching colorful stickers to the themed illustrations in this book while they also begin learning words in Spanish. Starting at one of the sticker pages, they lift the sticker illustration that is labeled with its Spanish word and attach it to the space on the themed illustration that shows the word in English. After they've attached all sticker illustrations in the correct places, they will have an attractive bilingual sticker dictionary. The books' large themed illustrations on two-page spreads are surrounded by spaces where the stickers are to be attached. The picture themes are--

• At the Zoo
• In the Street
• In the Forest
• In the Classroom
• At the Supermarket
• In the Vegetable Garden
• At the Fruit Stand

A simple pronunciation guide is supplied for each Spanish word, and kids will find an alphabetical bilingual word list at the back of the book. Also available from Barron's is a companion volume,: My French Sticker Dictionary, which uses the same format to teach children French vocabulary.

My Take on the Book
My wife was a Spanish teacher in two different elementary schools over the years and she was always working on trying to help students to learn the Spanish language at an early age. She also used many of the same techniques with their own children. Studies show that encouraging a second language early in a child's life will assist them in retaining a second language and will help with their overall comprehension of not only the second language but also their primary language. With that in mind this book was a fun book to read and to share with my own girls. Especially with my youngest, the idea of using stickers with learning a second language was genius. The book was easy to understand and interactive enough to keep my five-year-old entertained throughout the entire book. The book also though goes further into the Spanish language then I thought it would at the beginning, which was a nice surprise. Overall, this was a great book and one that I would highly recommend to any parent that is striving to incorporate a second language into the education of their own child.

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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Book Review - The Power of Magnetic Leadership: It's Time to Get R.E.A.L.

What do the leaders of top companies do to create an inviting workplace filled with fully engaged and enthusiastic employees?

Dianne Durkin, author of the book The Power of Magnetic Leadership, uses the lessons learned from dozens of successful company leaders to explain how the best leaders engage employees, set the example by showing how to play well with others, and inspire people by demonstrating that every action they take is relevant to them.

“The best leaders,” she says, “are people who know how to listen, can make a promise and deliver on that promise, and have stepped up to the plate and made the necessary investment to successfully engage their employees”.

The best leaders motivate, inspire and energize people by connecting the vision, values, purpose and business goals of the organization to individual values and needs. Here are some of the top actions she recommends to people seeking to improve their success as a leader.

1. Develop Your Vision. Make sure you have a vision with the purpose and values to make it real. State where you are going clearly. State your purpose simply. Express your values – the things that you use to guide every action people take at work – directly.
   
2. Identify Your Leader Type. Knowing who you and what type of leader you are helps you and others identify where, when and how to best behave and act to focus their energy to achieve the goals and objectives you set out for them.
   
3. Track Your Leadership Development Progress. Keep a leadership log to document what you do and what happens. Review what happens regularly. Reflect on what you are learning and how you are changing.
   
4. Recruit and Retain the Right People. Identify what makes individuals successful in your culture, and recruit for those skills. The culture will keep them loyal and happy, and exceed all expectations. Improve your interview and listening skills so you can hear what your employees are saying. Document and take immediate action when you identify something that needs to be improved.
   
5. Engage, Empower and Enrich Your Employees. Invite employees to become part of your vision. Empower them to be a force of change and be enriched by your culture. Make your employees part of the solutions, by giving them a role and the responsibility for implementing solutions to major business issues.
   
6. Create a Work Environment that Fosters Creativity and Innovation. Go beyond simply improving the physical environment. Focus on how people feel to work there. Evaluate the energy when you walk the floors. How connected to their teams do virtual or remote workers feel? Make changes to ensure that the work environment fuels your objectives and helps to achieve your goals.
   
7. Appreciate and Reward Your Employees. Develop and deploy a schedule that regularly and meaningfully rewards employees to create a culture of appreciation. Assess and improve the way you reward people so that you are sensitive and responsive to the differences in age, education, maturity, and demographics
   
8. Focus On the Things That Inspire Your People. Identify what inspires you and your employees. Do they need more education and training, more creative time and cross-training opportunities, wellness programs to promote less stress and better health, or even a sabbatical? Develop and improve the key programs that your people need to stay engaged and loyal
   
9. Improve The Most Important Things First. Identify the most significant of your short comings head-on. Identify what is impacting your own progress and what is holding you back. Are you a poor listener, a technophobe, or do you yell and rave? Admit it. Then take action to get help, fix your problem, and improve your own performance, skills and abilities.
   
10. Visualize the Future. Identify where you see yourself in 10 years, 20 or even 30 years? Define the characteristics of the leader you want to be and what the future looks like for you. Describe the way you will balance your personal life and that of your organization and its people. Document how you will build loyalty and trust with your leadership.

The Power of Magnetic Leadership is a vault of valuable business strategies based on Durkin’s decades of experience changing the leadership course of major corporations. It provides insight on how leaders can lead magnetically by fully engaging and empowering employees, transforming them into innovative thinkers and major contributors to the organization’s success. Appreciating effort and rewarding results are underscored as the means to generate loyalty and impact profitability.

For more information www.LoyaltyFactor.com

About the Author
Dianne Durkin heads up Loyalty Factor, a consulting and training company located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She has more than 25 years of experience in training and development, finance, direct sales and international marketing.

She has been Interviewed ABC News, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, USA Today, Investor’s Business Daily and the Boston Globe, on several occasions. A graduate of Rivier College, Ms. Durkin holds a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Duquesne University. She has also completed advanced management programs at the University of Santa Clara and Babson College. She is an adjunct professor at Plymouth State University and the University of Massachusetts in Lowell.

Carey Earle is a serial entrepreneur and marketer who began her career on Madison Avenue,Carey has worked with some of the world’s most respected brands and high-growth companies crafting adaptive marketing and brand strategies. She has interviewed on CNNfn, CNBC, Bloomberg and PBS, was featured in a documentary about women business owners called “Alpha Female,” and also was quoted in The New York Times, Fortune Small Business, Business Week, Working Woman, Adweek and American Demographics.

Carey is an adjunct instructor of marketing at New York University. She also lectures at her alma mater, American University, where she serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Communication.

My Take on the Book
I have read a lot of leadership books over the years, most of the time because I try to incorporate this into not only my own everyday work practice that also in the interactions that I have with the students that I work with I tried to infuse the idea of leadership into those conversations. When I look for books on leadership I am looking for books that are easily implemented and have practical tips on how to not only be a better leader but also on how to encourage and motivate others to find their own leadership potential. This book is both. The book was an easy read and provides valuable tips on how to be a better leader. I love the fact that it is written for world that has generation Y and X individuals working in it. The book also go shares many tips on how to make your own organization stronger, which is something I always looking for as well. In tough economic times it takes a strong leader to be able to pull their company through, and with books like this a leader can know that they have the strength and the skills to be able to leave their organization into the future.


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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DVD Review - Madly Madagascar

About the DVD
Your favorite Madagascar pals are back in an all-new adventure! Alex’s favorite holiday, Valentine’s Day, brings hilarious surprises and excitement for the entire gang. Melman plans a big surprise for Gloria, Marty tries to impress a new friend and everyone wants to get their hands on King Julien’s love potion. You'll fall in LOVE with Madly Madagascar!

Special Features:

First Play Trailers

• Rise of the Guardians Trailer
• Dragon Trailer Tuesdays

Episode

• Madly Madagascar (22 minutes)

Extras

• Hammy’s Boomerang Adventure
• First Flight

My Take on the DVD
If you love the Madagascar characters you will love this DVD, as it brings them back together for some brand new fun. My kids are big fans of the movies and thus they were excited to see this as well. In watching this you will definitely laugh and have a great time as a family spending time together. My favorite character by far is King Julien... but that's just me! The movie was enjoyable and you will be engrossed in it from beginning to end! It is short, and not as long as the movies, but in my perspective still a lot of fun for the fan!

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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Chuao Chocolatier "For The Love of Chocolate" Sweepstakes

Chuao Chocolatier is giving away a year’s supply of gourmet chocolate treats to one lucky winner and many other crave-worthy prizes every week. We’re calling it “For the Love of Chocolate” because, at Chuao, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy handcrafted, all-natural decadence. Don’t settle for boring, waxy chocolate. They deserve the very best, and we want to give it to them!

We’ve attached a couple images you can use in your post. You’ll be automatically entered into our blogger giveaway to win a $250 Target gift card by sending us the link to your blog post that shares the “For the Love of Chocolate” Sweepstakes with your fans.

To enter, your readers need to simply like Chuao’s Facebook page where they can then enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win the year of free chocolate. Entries will be accepted from January 21 to February 28.

One winner will be selected each week during the Sweepstakes to receive a set of three of Chuao’s favorite chocolate bars, and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a year’s supply of Chuao chocolates (sent in four shipments- one for each season of 2013).

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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Book Review - Suffering Well

About the Book
If you had to explain to a friend what the Bible says about suffering, what would you say?

Paul Grimmond writes:

"As I began to write this book, I thought I knew pretty much what I was going to say. But the more I read the Bible, trying to find the right passages to make the points I thought I needed to make, the more uneasy I felt."

Come with Paul and discover the surprises he uncovers as he asks some of the most basic questions of the Christian life: Why do we suffer? And what does it mean to suffer—and even die—well?

This book is part of our Guidebooks for Life series. Like other titles in the series, it covers an important issue of the Christian life in an accessible and straightforward way.

About the Author
Paul Grimmond is a gifted and well-known Bible teacher, currently serving on the campus of the University of New South Wales. He is the author of Right Side Up, a book about the Christian life, and co-author with Phillip Jensen of The Archer and the Arrow, a book about preaching. Paul lives with his wife, Cathy, and their three children in Sydney’s east.

My Take on the Book
This was a powerful book that makes you think had and long about how and why we choose to suffer the way we do. This book does a great job at opening your eyes to what the Bible saying that we should be doing, and examining what the Bible feels is appropriate in regards to suffering. The book asked some great questions about why we make decisions that we do and enables the reader to be able to not only better understand what the Bible teaches but also better understand themselves. This was a well-written book that will help anyone with better understanding what they are reading in teachings of the Bible in regards to suffering.

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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DVD Review - Ghost Trap

About the DVD
It’s up to this team of science-savvy teens to tidy up the neighborhood in Ghost Trap, coming to DVD Jan. 8 from Inception Media Group.

When a school project goes terribly wrong in this family friendly mystery, Cynthia Carter finds herself doing community service at mean, old Mrs. Gotham’s house, rumored to be haunted. But it takes more than gossip to scare this scientist-in-training.

Soon, however, Cynthia realizes that doing chores for the grumpy woman may not be her biggest problem after all. Strange happenings defy logic … and things are quickly getting worse.

Enlisting the help of her two best friends and their quirky teacher, she is determined to get to the bottom of the eerie events from a purely scientific viewpoint. But while they may have it down to a science, the resident ghosts seem to have other plans!

My Take on the DVD
This was a fun movie for the whole family! Though I had never seen any of these actors in the past, my kids are always open for a fun film, especially when it comes to spooky places and things. The movie itself was enjoyable and the acting was pretty good for new actors. This reminds me some of the movies I have been watching with my girls on the Disney Channel, but really, overall, it was simply a fun family film that all will enjoy!

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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My Sunshine Shoppe's new line of Chunky Jewelry The Perfect Gift For Your Little Valentine!!

About the Jewelry
Your little princess will sparkle when wearing My Sunshine Shoppe's new line of Chunky Jewelry!

Add sparkle and spice to your little princess's life with My Sunshine Shoppe's Chunky Jewelry.

My Sunshine Shoppe specializes in all things adorable for women ages one to ninety-nine. Over the past few years they've been expanding their repertoire from baby clips and bobby pins to include bloomers, shoes, jewelry, and more!

Their line of chunky jewelry features vibrant colors and durable designs that will put a gleam in any little girl's eye. Each necklace is composed of premium acrylic beads, resins, and stainless steel hardware in order to hold up for the long run. Whether it's intended for a family get together, dress up time, or as a special gift, each necklace has been created to enhance and delight its wearer.

For the beautiful dancer that loves to twirl and prance, they've created the Ballerina Girl necklace. Pale pinks and silver add a sweet note to her favorite costumes and set the stage for a brilliant performance. If adventure and a love of the great outdoors is what calls to her, then the Butterfly Garden necklace with its grass green and aqua beads is sure to please.

My Sunshine Shoppe was launched in 2009 by pharmacist turned mom-preneur Lisa Hustad. The company has partnered with headbandsofhope.org--a company that donates headbands to girls with cancer, with a portion of their sales also going to St. Baldrick's Foundation to fund life-saving childhood cancer research. A headband may seem like a small gift, but to a girl or woman who has lost all her hair it can go a long way towards making them feel feminine and beautiful again. My Sunshine Shoppe is proud to be the sole headband manufacturer of the company and a part of such worthwhile cause.

My Take on the Jewelry
If you are a Dad of Divas, you know how Jewelry is a commodity within your home, and this jewelry is just stunning and made my daughter's jaw drop when I gave it to her. I was very impressed with the quality as well as the color in the necklace that I was able to get for my daughter. The beads are set for smaller hands (larger), but this being said, my 5 year old though that they were very cool, and a necklace that they could wear anywhere that they wanted to go (She likes to accessorize). If you are looking for a fun, colorful gift that your child will simply love, look no further than this gift. I highly encourage you to check it out today!

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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Book Review - Under the Sea (My First Creativity Activity Books)

About the Book
This title in Barron's growing series of My First Creativity Activity Books is filled with things to make and do, and has special appeal to boys and girls in pre-K through second grade. Its theme is the animals that live in or near the sea, and its appealing illustrations show fish, starfish, seals, and other animals children will recognize. Designed much like Barron's popular Creativity Activity Books for older children, books come in a slightly smaller size and present children with easier activities to accomplish. Every title in this series features--

Clever coloring exercises
Easy connect-the-dot drawing projects
Spot-the-difference illustrations
Mazes, puzzles, and simple construction activities
Four pages filled with 200 brightly illustrated color stickers
Fold-out double-page illustrations for decorating with stickers

Illustrations include 28 pages in color. Developed by educational experts to stimulate the imaginations of younger children, this attractive book will give boys and girls many hours of entertainment.

My Take on the Book
First, this book is not suited for children under the age of three years old. However it is a book for young children.

The activities include counting, matching, dot to dot, mazes, and stickers to complete unfinished activity pages. There are opportunities for the child to draw and use their own creative ideas. Making masks and finger puppets are two more activities in the book. This book definitely contains many opportunities for creative thinking and expression.

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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Book Review - The Wildlife Adventure Creativity Book

About the Book
This activity book introduces kids to the wonders of nature and the great outdoors, with flowers and animals of the forest, fish of lakes and rivers, sites for camping, and much more. Boys and girls will enjoy themed puzzles, games, pictures to color, and animal stickers to decorate an outdoor scene. This title in Barron's growing list of Creativity Books is filled with fun projects to keep kids cheerfully occupied on rainy days, on lengthy car trips, or during quiet time at home. Its features include--

• Games, puzzles, stencils, sticker sheets, and an illustrated gatefold page for sticker decorating
• Special pull-out art paper and art projects to complete
• Pages for coloring
• Fun-to-answer quizzes

Each Creativity Book has a distinctive theme to capture specific interests of boys and girls. Illustrations on virtually every page include 40 pages in color.

My Take on the Book
Do you have a child in your life who loves animals and the environment? I encourage you to peruse this book full of activities and information.

The book has a wide range of activities from map making, to specific information pages, suggestions concerning saving the rain forest and the animals who inhabit the rain forest, and creative pages like designing your own butterfly. There are puzzles, games , paper craft activities, step by step drawing instructions for making animals, and recycling information.

There are so many activities included in this book. It will actively engage your child in learning.

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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Book Review - Science and Inventions Creativity Book

About the Book
This is the ultimate activity book for science-crazy young inventors! Packed with stickers, stencils, pull-out craft paper, make-and-do activities, games, puzzles, drawing, doodling, colouring and more! Build a robot, make the perfect paper aeroplane or draw up a blueprint for a spaceship. Fun activities based on science and inventions are accompanied by bite-size facts about famous inventors and inventions, all guaranteed to inspire budding geniuses.

My Take on the Book
If you know a child who loves science, this would be a wonderful gift. There is factual information about plants, scientists, inventions, and how to build things. A child using the book will use their creativity, motor skills, visual perception, and knowledge to complete the activity pages.

Two of the activities are : making a whirling helicopter and memory games.

The book will provide hours of entertainment, learning, and discussion of science related topics.

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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Book Review - The Vacation Creativity Book: Games, Cut-Outs, Art Paper, Stickers, and Stencils

About the Book
Vacations mean travel, and kids can travel in their imaginations to the seashore, the country, or to faraway cities like Paris. This activity book gives them pictures to color, vacation scenes to create with stickers, puzzles to solve, and lots more! This title in Barron's growing list of Creativity Books is filled with fun projects to keep kids cheerfully occupied on rainy days, on lengthy car trips, or during quiet time at home. Its features include--

• Games, puzzles, stencils, sticker sheets, and an illustrated gatefold page for sticker decorating
• Special pull-out art paper and art projects to complete
• Pages for coloring
• Fun-to-answer quizzes

Each Creativity Book has a distinctive theme to capture specific interests of boys and girls. Illustrations on virtually every page include 40 pages in color.

My Take on the Book
The book by Mandy Archer contains so many different activities for children. It has games, puzzles, introduces them to new information about animals and famous landmarks,and gives the child many opportunities for creative expression.

This would be a valuable resource for a child who is taking a vacation with their family. It would provide hours of entertainment. I think my oldest granddaughter would enjoy the activities in this book .

There is an interesting recipe for making ice cream using zip lock bags. Buy the book discover some family fun.

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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Book Review - Penguins Can't Fly!

About the Book
A tender look at friendships and how being different can have its rewards from Kate Greenaway nominee, Richard Byrne.

Gregory the gull and Hudson the penguin are the best of friends. When Gregory learns to fly, Hudson feels left out. But when Gregory gets into trouble, it's Hudson who comes to his rescue, discovering he also has a wonderful skill.

My Take on the Book
I loved this book~ both the text and the illustrations are from a talented Richard Byrne.

Two unlikely birds, a seagull and a penguin, become friends from the time they hatch. Unfortunately Gregory, the seagull , learns to fly and joins his friends. Hudson, the penguin, tries to fly too but cannot and is the subject of ridicule by the other seagulls until one day Hudson saves his friend Gregory.

This story can easily become a learning situation. Children can learn and understand with the help from their parents, that although they may be very different from their friends, they each have special talents to share and to appreciate.

What are your child's talents and gifts? Make sure he or she knows how special they are and that there is no one else exactly like them in the world.

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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Book Review - Spring (My First Seasons)

About the Book
Spring is one in Barron's series of four My First Seasons board books that awaken preschool children to an awareness of nature's changing seasons. Each attractively illustrated board book depicts a child enjoying outdoor play with emphasis on the colors and activities that are special to the season. Books have layered board covers that give their delightful seasonal illustrations a 3D look.

My Take on the Book
This beautifully illustrated study board book by Roberta Pagnoni, is one of four books depicting the four seasons of the year. The text helps a young child understand and enjoy the season of spring.

My suggestion after reading the book to your toddler would be to walk outdoors and find "spring" in your yard and community. Maybe you will see trees with budding leaves, daffodils or tulips rising from the ground, or even birds building nests. It is a beautiful time of year- enjoy it and see how this book can become a springboard for a "spring" adventure.

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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Olive Garden Kicks off 17th-Annual Pasta Tales Essay Writing Contest

According to Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, hunger is a reality for one in six people in the United States. To bring awareness to the issue and help find solutions, Olive Garden is asking students “How would you help end hunger in your community?” as part of the 17th-Annual Pasta Tales national essay writing contest.

Now through Friday, March 22, students in first through 12th-grade in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) are invited to submit an essay of 50 to 250 words with their ideas for ending hunger in their local communities.

The grand-prize winner of the contest will receive a three-day family trip to New York City that includes dinner at the Olive Garden in Times Square and a $2,500 savings bond. In addition, Olive Garden will provide a $5,000 grant to bring the winner’s essay to life by supporting hunger initiatives in his or her local community. The winners in each of the 12 grade categories will be awarded a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at their local Olive Garden restaurant.

This year’s Pasta Tales question reflects a long-term commitment to helping fight the battle against hunger in North America by Olive Garden and its parent company, Darden Restaurants. Olive Garden restaurants participate in the Darden Harvest program, which over the last nine years has donated more than 60 million pounds of food to local community food banks across the country, more than 25 million pounds of it from Olive Garden alone. At the end of each day, every Darden restaurant freezes and safely stores surplus food items like fresh fish and other meats that can be used in soups, stews or on a plate with other donated items, for local food banks to pick up and deliver to those in need.

Pasta Tales entry forms and complete rules are available on Olive Garden’s website at http://www.olivegarden.com/About-Us/News-and-Media/Pasta-Tales/. All entries must include the writer’s first and last name, complete address, phone number with area code, grade, date of birth including year and a statement that the work is his or her own. Entries must be postmarked by March 22, 2013 and sent to Pasta Tales, PMB 2000, 6278 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308-1916.

Submissions will be judged based on creativity, adherence to theme, organization, grammar, punctuation and spelling by the Quill and Scroll Society of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Iowa, with winners selected by Olive Garden.

Olive Garden’s Pasta Tales essay contest provides students in local communities an outlet to creatively express the influences, experiences and stories that have shaped their lives.

Olive Garden is the leading restaurant in the Italian dining segment with more than 800 restaurants, more than 90,000 employees and more than $3.5 billion in annual sales. Olive Garden is a member of the Darden family of restaurants (NYSE:DRI), the world’s largest full-service restaurant operating company. For more information, visit Olive Garden’s website at OliveGarden.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 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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The Great Wolf Lodge 48 Hour Sale has begun!

It’s 48 Hour Sale Time – and the sale for our Traverse City resort has begun! With overnight rates as low as $129.99, this is the way to book the best deals of the season for your favorite indoor waterpark resort!

Here is the link to the sale page with a complete listing of all start and ends times for Great Wolf Lodge – Traverse City: http://www.greatwolf.com/48hour.

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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Book Review - Olive and the Big Secret

About the Book
Olive learns the hard way that keeping secrets is tough, and telling them can make for a whole lot of trouble!

When Molly shares a secret with Olive, the urge to tell is just too great! Olive tells Joe who tells Matt who tells Lola. But Lola is best friends with Molly. Uh-oh, the secret is out, and Olive is in for it!

My Take on the Book
This story by Tor Freeman is worth reading to your child. Although it is short , it presents the important concept of keeping a secret. You child will learn that a recipient of a secret is supposed to not divulge the content. The story shows what happens as Olive shares the secret that her friend entrusted her with at the beginning of the story.

The story represents a good opportunity to discuss the concept of a secret. What does it mean to keep a secret? What are the ramifications of sharing a secret? How would you feel if someone told a secret you told them? The questions are endless.

The illustrations and facial expressions clearly show the characters' feelings. It is book I feel you and your child will enjoy together.

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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