Book Review - The Beauty of Believing

About the Book
Are you ready to blossom?

Faith is like a flower. In order to grow, it needs soil, water, and sun—food for the spirit. That’s just what this devotional is. Spiritual food to help your faith grow strong and beautiful.

Featuring 365 days of wisdom from your favorite Faithgirlz! authors, as well as quotes and questions from real girls like you, this devotional offers pages of inspiration on everything from navigating friendships, to taming the tongue, to trusting God in everything, big and small. Growing up can be tough, but Jesus is guiding you every step of the way.

Beauty of Believing combines the talents of Faithgirlz! authors Tasha K. Douglas, Mona Hodgson, Kristi Holl, Lois Walfred Johnson, Allia Zobel Nolan, and Nancy Rue, and their words of wisdom will help your faith bloom and flourish as you grow into the girl God wants you to be.

About the Authors

Mona Hodgson is the author of nearly 30 children's books and also writes 19th century historical fiction. In addition to writing and speaking, Mona likes to read mysteries and love stories, hike Arizona, travel to Africa, play table games, and play Wii Tennis. She lives in central Arizona where she spies roadrunners, quail, cottontail rabbits, and even an occasional skunk in her yard.

Friend of families Lois Walfrid Johnson is a speaker, teacher of writing, and former instructor for Writer's Digest School. She is the author of the Gold Medallion Book Award winning series Let’s-Talk-About-It; Stories for Kids, the best-selling Adventures in Northwoods novels, the Riverboat Adventures series and the Viking Quest series. Readers from more than 40 countries have written to say, "I love your books. I can't put them down." Lois and her husband are the parents of three married children.

Former senior editor at Readers' Digest, Allia Zobel Nolan is the bestselling author of over 160 books for children and adults. Now a full-time author, she lives in Connecticut with her husband, Desmond, and their three cats.

Kristi Holl is an award-winning author of dozens of middle-grade novels and six devotionals for girls. As a writing instructor with a background in elementary education, Kristi's books are on many recommended reading lists and have been nominated for numerous Children's Choice Awards. Kristi is married and has three grown daughters. She lives in San Antonio, TX. Visit www.kristiholl.com to learn more.

Tasha K. Douglas is a daughter of the Father, a wife, and a mother of four. A believer in the transformative power of stories, Tasha communicates the message of the Father’s love to women and girls, whom she calls sisterfriends. A native Texan, Tasha and her family live near Dallas.

Nancy Rue has written over 100 books for girls, is the editor of the Faithgirlz Bible, and is a popular speaker and radio guest with her expertise in tween and teen issues. She and husband, Jim, have raised a daughter of their own and now live in Tennessee.




My Take on the Book
Being a young girl today is not easy, and holding on and building your faith as a young girl can be even more difficult. This book takes girls on an annual journey with daily devotions that are down-to-Earth and allow for girls to really get to know themselves and God in a new way. What I enjoyed was seeing how each day the devotions were things that my daughter (who is 10) could relate to and understand. The book was no so dense that she got lost in it, but instead allowed her to reflect and actually have conversations with her mom and I about what she was reading which was even more powerful to me as a parent. All-in-all this was a well written book that really allows your daughters to get to know God in a fun and engaging way. Well done!


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DVD Review - Littlest Pet Shop: Passport to Fashion

About the Book
Join Blythe and her very best friends (Zoe the spaniel, Pepper the skunk, Sunil the mongoose, Russell the hedgehog, Penny the panda and Minka the monkey) for more fun and adventure! This time, they take their friendship on the road to exotic locations like Paris, Shanghai, and Rio! And you’re invited! So pack up your most fashionable attire because it’s time to take a vacation with The Littlest Pet Shop!

Episodes Include:

• To Paris With Zoe
• Shanghai Hi-Jinks
• Plane It On Rio!
• The Expo Factor, Part 1
• The Expo Factor, Part 2

My Take on the DVD
Get ready to get your fashion on with these great new episodes to Littlest Pet Shop. My girls have been a fan of Littlest Pet Shop since it first came out as a toy, so when the cartoon series came out, they were definitely enamored and loved it. You get a great mix of characters and writing that will bring you, and your kids, back for more every time. On this DVD you get to continue having some great interactions with the characters and you will laugh and have fun engaging with the characters in these new ways. All-in-all these were great episodes. I only wish there were more than the five that were here as my girls will always enjoy more of these!


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DVD Review - Hot Wheels Battle Force 5: Season 2 - Vol 4

About the DVD
Grab a seat for episodes 16-20 of HOT WHEELS BATTLE FORCE 5: FUSED SEASON 2!

The Battle Force 5 team, armed with their futuristic arsenal on wheels, is led by Vert Wheeler and their Blue Sentient mentor, Sage, who have both sworn to protect Earth and the multiverse from alien domination.

When the call to action comes, Vert and the BF5 crew rush into their secret underground hub, don their shock suits, blast out through launch tubes in super cool vehicles, and race fearlessly into battlezones to stop their enemies – the Red Sentients – from achieving their nefarious goals.

EPISODES:
16. Hunt for The Magmatrox
17. Sol Survivor
18. The Blue Tide
19. Legacy
20. Shadow Runners



My Take on the DVD
This was a continuation of the season two episodes I earlier reviewed. Even though I watched this series for the first time in season two I quickly was able to catch on and get into the action. I for one, had a blast watching this. I enjoyed the action (of course) but also the animation was strong and the characters are memorable. I was surprised to as little people that knew of this series, but alas, that is their loss and now I have been encouraging more and more to watch this as it is a ton of fun. These five episodes continue to adventure and you truly get pulled into the action. I enjoyed these episodes and the overall series and think you will too!


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DVD Review - Hot Wheels Battle Force 5: Season 2, Volume 3

About the DVD
Racing against the clock, Vert Wheeler and the Battle Force 5 crew – along with their allies Zen and Master T – wage a war against the evil Red Sentients to prevent them from taking over the multiverse.

Traversing treacherous battle zones, Vert, Zoom and the rest of BF5 use high-tech gadgets to complete their missions including vehicles with incredible amounts of speed and torque and scanners with interdimensional sonar capabilities. There’s a lot riding on BF5 as they work tirelessly to protect Earth, their mentor, Sage, and focus on the race against time to save the totality of civilization.

EPISODES:
11. Fusion Confusion
12. Mouth of the Dragon
13. Full Throttle
14. Stone Cold Warrior
15. The Shadow Zone



My Take on the DVD
In this DVD you get five action packed episodes of the Hot Wheels series. Get ready to sit on the edge of your seat for battles, high speed action and even some evil-doers trying to take control. This is a series that not a lot of people seem to have any idea about, but it was engaging and fun and definitely action-packed. After watching this I wish that there had been more episodes on one DVD, but that is just my own bias. All-in-all though this was a fun series and great episodes and I highly recommend them all to you!


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DVD Review - Slugterra: Return of the Elementals

About the DVD

In Slugterra: Return of the Elementals, a new member joins the Shane Gang. Junjie is a master of the mysterious slugslinging art of Slug Fu. But even with the power of five slugslingers working together, the Shane Gang find themselves in over their heads as they race to protect the ancient Elemental Slugs from an evil alliance set on using them to destroy the 99 caverns.

Run Time: 70 minutes, Not Rated.

The Elementals

New Dark Slinger


He Is Here








My Take on the Book
This was an action packed adventure that I enjoyed! On top of this, there was a ton more humor than I would have expected too. Even my daughters were laughing along, so it was not just humor aimed at adults, but it was for kids too. I now have to say that even as an adult I find that I too can get hooked to a series like this!  While the DVD is not long, it is still engaging and by the end you will be wondering when you can see more, or at least I was. This was a great DVD and is a fun series. If you have never seen it, you should!


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Book Review - The Cat's Pajamas

About the Book From the Authors' Perspective
The Cat’s Pajamas is an illustrated exploration of the etymology of a very common expression, or lingo, which is a great word in and of itself: He thinks he’s the cat’s pajamas! Or (you might say to that special someone), Baby, you’re the cat’s pajamas.

Seriously? The cat’s pajamas? That’s a good thing? Why? Is that something you’re sure you want to be? Who coined this expression? What was his or her intent? These are some of the things I think about when I hear words, especially words like these, words like the cat’s pajamas. And, as a lifelong fan of myth, of folk tales, of inventive storytelling, I assume that behind every crazy, unbelievable fiction there’s something that’s actually real, something that happened, someone who a long time ago and in a land far, far away, did something a lot like that something we imagine today as being purely fantastic, incredible, ridiculous.

I’ll just come right out and say it: I believe there was a time when cats wore pajamas.

How could there not have been? No one says, You’re the dog’s underpants,because dogs never wore underpants. But cats obviously wore pajamas. It’s as clear as day.

I have pictures that prove it. Prove may be too strong a word because, yes, I’ve drawn these pictures. And I continue to draw them. They’reinterpretive. They’re authentic reproductions from the imaginary historical record. Does that make them less true than, say, a fossil? Perhaps. Still, I am not an archeological paleontologist. I’m a novelist, one who likes to draw.

My Take on the Book
This was a fun book that really takes on a word/saying that gets thrown around that people really do not understand. I love how the author weaves this into a story and on top of this you get illustrations that are engaging and so much fun! My daughters really enjoyed reading this together and on top of a fun engaging story, you also get a story with a message about being different and making a difference, and it is these type of messages that are so important for all of us as parents to see and share with our kids. All-in-all this was a great book that is so much fun. I highly encourage all to share this with your own kids!


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DVD Review - Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return

About the Movie
Kids of all ages will love this musical, animated journey back to the magical world of Oz that features a legendary cast, including Lea Michele from TV’s “Glee,” Dan Akroyd, Martin Short, Jim Belushi, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammar and more. A devious new villain, the Jester, rules over Oz and Dorothy must return from Kansas to rescue her old friends: the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man. Set to irresistible new songs from Academy Award®-nominated singer/songwriter Bryan Adams and featuring a host of delightful new characters, this animated return to Oz is sure to be a family-favorite filled with fun and laughs for generations to come!

Special Features

• Legends of Oz: The Music of Oz 
• Legends of Oz: The Legacy of Oz 
• Sing Along the Yellow Brick Road 
• Legends of Oz: Activity Sheet 
• Theatrical Trailer

My Take on the Movie
For anyone that loves the Wizards of Oz, you will also enjoy this new tale, bringing Dorothy back to Oz when they most need her. Made for kids, we watched this with my girls and they really enjoyed it. That being said, I too enjoyed the film. I found it to be fun and enjoyable, with fun characters that were memorable. That being said the animation is not the same as you would see in some animated films, but never-the-less, the movie is still engaging and moves along quickly. One of the things that I liked was that the movie was very targeted at kids and is not written for adults to understand while leaving kids confused. Definitely a family film and one that you can enjoy over and over again!


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DVD Review - Fight for Fallujah

About the DVD
The Fight for Fallujah chronicles the intense 2004 insurgent attacks and military operations in Fallujah, which defined a new era of military engagement in Iraq.



My Take on the DVD
This was a DVD that really made me think about what was happening overseas in a completely different way. I thought I understood the conflict, but I quickly found out that this was not the case, and I left after watching this with my eyes opened, and my perspectives changed. While I know there was more that could have been shared, it still was a powerful DVD that really explained a lot, while leaving things for me to continue learning about after watching this movie too!


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DVD Review - Through the Wormhole Season 4

About the Book
The vastness of our universe lends itself to an equally vast number of mysteries, both within our everyday world and far beyond. This fourth season of Through the Wormhole continues to gather the greatest scientific minds in an attempt to answer some of the most fascinating questions of our existence. Is there really a God particle? Can our minds be hacked? And is reality even real? Researchers, biologists, computer scientists, engineers, and other experts will lend their decades of discoveries toward shedding light on these phenomena and more. With over seven hours of mind-bending information, these ten episodes take a huge scientific step toward replacing philosophical theories with cold, hard facts and real-life applications. Yet in the end, minds are enlightened, and even more questions are raised, which can only lead to another journey Through the Wormhole.




My Take on the Book
WOW, this series is one that I have never seen before, but now that I have watched this I can say that I now want to see the other seasons! This series will make you think deeply and see the cosmos in a whole new way. The series brings up many concepts and ideas that I would have not thought of, and if you are like me, always looking for something to push you further, this series will do just that! This is a well done series that will open your eyes and your mind!


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DVD Review - Here Comes Honey Boo Boo: A Very Boo Halloween

About the Book
What could be more entertaining than celebrating fall with Honey Boo Boo and the whole family? First there’s the fright-filled Halloween, with Uncle Poodle getting stuck in a pumpkin and the family getting hopelessly lost in a corn maze. And there’s the shocking reveal of Mama June’s new look and facing her fear of mayonnaise. But when a freak accident leaves Pumpkin unable to trick-or-treat, will Honey Boo Boo save Halloween and get the most candy ever? Then comes Thanksgiving and the biggest meal of the year. The girls make a scarecrow and Alana gets to see live turkeys on the farm, but Mama June is still determined to keep the family feast cheap. Still through all the laughs and mayhem, the bountiful candy and food, you’ll come to realize that family is the truly the greatest gift of fall.

My Take on the Book
This was different than many other episodes of Honey Boo Boo that you may have seen in the past. This takes on more of a movie per se with many different things happening all tied together by a common thread. That being said there is some fun as well as drama, and all-in-all in the end you get to see people that you have com to know in a new light. A fun DVD for any Honey Boo Boo fan.


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Book Review - Roaming Reindeer

About the Book
For parents who forget to hide their Elf daily or whose children have spotted the Christmas toy in stores to only have the tradition spoiled, there is a fresh and exciting Christmas keepsake making its debut this holiday season.

Angela Meju’s Christmas keepsake and children’s book, Roaming Reindeer™, is a touching tale celebrating teamwork, good manners and the holiday season, and will serve as a fresh, new Christmas tradition for families and classrooms around the country.

Roaming Reindeer™ is centered on Gus and Sam, two of Santa’s reindeer, who decide to help Santa by visiting little girls and boys to report back on who is naughty and who is nice.

When the pair realize there isn’t enough time to visit all of the children, they call on their friends for help. The reindeers are sent off in pairs of two and are assigned a home to visit. Reindeer 1 is in charge of going back to Santa to report naughty children while Reindeer 2 stays to keep watch.

The book comes in a keepsake box which includes a Reindeer 1 and Reindeer 2. Children and siblings will keep a close eye to make sure their reindeer stay together until Christmas Eve, when they leave to help Santa deliver presents—until returning next year to keep watch!

About the Author

Author Angela Meju is a nurse who currently lives in Austin, TX with her husband and two children. She was inspired to write Roaming Reindeer™ to create her own Christmas tradition with her children, whose excitement and anticipation of Santa’s arrival grows every year.

My Take on the Book
If you are familiar with ELF ON THE SHELF, which brings one of Santa's mischievous elves into your home to keep an eye out for good children and report back to Santa, then this ROAMING REINDEER will sound familiar. 

ROAMING REINDEER brings two reindeer to your home. Reindeer #1 and Reindeer #2 are in charge of moving around the house and watching your children. They report back to Santa and hopefully all reports will be positive and presents will be delivered on Christmas morning. However if Reindeer #1 sees an misbehavior , he immediately returns to the North Pole to let Santa know of the problem. Reindeer #2 will stay in your home to keep watch. Of course Reindeer #1 returns again .

So if you have not begun the tradition and fun activity of ELF ON THE SHELF, ROAMING REINDEER, may be something you would like to take a look at for your children during the holiday season.

I am sure , like ELF ON THE SHELF, the reindeer sights will be fun for your child and may encourage good behavior too.

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DVD Review - Thunder And The House Of Magic

About the Movie
This fall, venture inside an intriguing mansion full of endearing animals and a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos, and spellbound by the exciting animated adventure of THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC. Already a great box-office success in much of the world, this highly entertaining family movie is directed by renowned 3D filmmakers Ben Stassen (Fly Me to the Moon, Sammy's Adventures: Escape from Paradise) and Jeremie Degruson (A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventure), with original music by Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones). The film also features the music by Selena Gomez.

On September 30, 2014, Shout! Factory is proud to present THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC on DVD and on two-disc Blu-ray™ 3D Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and digital), available exclusively at Walmart stores everywhere. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack allows viewers to enjoy THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC on the platform of their choice and includes spectacular movie presentation on Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and a digital copy of the movie. This highly anticipated movie can also be seen in select U.S theaters and on VOD September 5.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6VKG3lZEIg

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC is a whimsical animated family adventure, bringing to life a unique story with a great sense of humor, positive values and universal appeal. Brimming with spectacular animation and endearing characters, this internationally acclaimed motion picture delivers a fun and captivating movie experience for the entire family.

The film tells the story of Thunder, an abandoned young cat who stumbles into a magical old mansion operated by a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos. Owned by a retired magician, the house is occupied by an assortment of his wacky assistants who don't all welcome the new houseguest. But when the magician lands in the hospital and his scheming nephew puts the mansion up for sale, our young hero and his new friends join forces to save their magicalhome.

Filled with laughter and adventure, THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC is a wonderful tale that you and your little ones will love.

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC is written by James Flynn, Domonic Paris and Ben Stassen, based on an original story idea from Ben Stassen. The film is produced by Caroline Van Iseghem and Ben Stassen, executive produced by Olivier Courson and Eric Dillens, and features original music by Ramin Djawadi. The 85-minute film is produced by nWave Pictures in association with Studiocanal and Anton Capital Entertainment.

Visit www.thunderandthehouseofmagic.com for more information about the movie.

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC Two-Disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack contains the following special features: Movie presentation on Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and a Digital Copy of the film

• Origins
• Character Animation
• The making of the soundtrack
• Teaser
• Trailer

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC DVD contains the following special features:

• Origins
• Character Animation
• The making of the soundtrack
• Teaser
• Trailer

Magician – Thunder and the House of Magic:



Thunder and the House of Magic



My Take on the Movie
THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC


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Book Review - Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family Friendly Experiments from Around the House

About the Book
At-home science provides an environment for freedom, creativity and invention that is not always possible in a school setting. In your own kitchen, it's simple, inexpensive, and fun to whip up a number of amazing science experiments using everyday ingredients. Science can be as easy as baking. Hands-On Family: Kitchen Science Lab for Kids offers 52 fun science activities for families to do together. The experiments can be used as individual projects, for parties, or as educational activities groups. Kitchen Science Lab for Kids will tempt families to cook up some physics, chemistry and biology in their own kitchens and back yards. Many of the experiments are safe enough for toddlers and exciting enough for older kids, so families can discover the joy of science together.


My Take on the Book
The author is a mother of three children . She used her knowledge and creativity to write a book full of wonderful experiments using household items or items easy to locate. Even her youngest child was able to participate in the experiments. Her oldest child used the experiments to think more critically and analytically. Some of the experiments can be performed inside and some need to be done outside.
Liz Lee Heinecke made sure every "lab" listed the materials needed, safety tips and hints, protocol or steps, the science behind the experiment, and a creative enrichment question or activity.

One of my favorite "labs" was called FRANKENWORMS. I can see my girls loving this one. You and your child will use baking soda and vinegar to bring to "life" the gummy worms candy. 

So many easy family friendly experiments. Maybe you will consider putting aside a day in which the entire family participates in one of the experiments together. Sounds like fun to me!

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Book Review - Captain Joe's Gift

About the Book
The Captain Joe Series was designed as a tool for adults to teach children about constructive imagination. The four books are a fun and interactive way to introduce the concept of "Thoughts Turn into Things" (so choose the ones that make you happy) to young children, ages five to nine years. Joe and his thought-zapping superpower will invite children to use their imaginations to constructively choose thoughts that promote healthy self-esteem and self-awareness. Each picture story is designed to teach a key concept. Captain Joe's Gift is the third book in the series and teaches children about the importance of being authentic and believing in themselves. Children will discover what happens when Joe uses his 'thought zapping superpower' to reveal his special gift. Readers are encouraged to recognize and embrace their own unique traits. This story will leave children feeling confident and proud to share their own special gifts and abilities with the world. It's a great way to introduce discussions with children around anti-bullying and celebrating our differences.

My Take on the Book
How is your child special? What talents or gifts does your child have already? Does your child know how special they are and that there is no one else on Earth like them? Emily Madill's story will help you and your child to answer these questions in a discussion you can initiate after reading this story.

Your child,even a young child, displays talents. Maybe they are kind and compassionate. Maybe they are funny. Maybe they can build structures with blocks. Maybe they can ride their bike well or set the table.Look for those gifts no matter how small they may seem.

Make sure your child knows he/she has special qualities that make them unique.


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