Dad of Divas' Reviews: August 2016

Monday, August 29, 2016

Book review - Shopkins: Grocery Games! Sticker Activity Book

Shopkins: Grocery Games! Sticker Activity Book
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About the Book
Join Apple Blossom, Kooky Cookie, Lippy Lips, and all your favorite Shopkins(TM) for some supermarket fun in this jam-packed activity book! Every page is filled with puzzles, games, doodles, and more. Plus there are 4 pages of colorful stickers to check out!


My Take on the Book
This is a great book for any fan of Shopkins. You can join some of your favorite shopkins in a book that has a ton of places where you can use the stickers to decorate the pages within the book. My daughters love stickers and even better they love love Shopkins too. This was a fun book that truly engaged my daughters!

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Book Review - Goosebumps: Most Wanted: Lizard of Oz

Goosebumps: Most Wanted: Lizard of Oz

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About the Book
Kate Orton loves animals, especially unusual ones. So when she sees a pop-up ad on her computer for an amazing lizard from Australia, she has to have it. The ad says the lizard is actually a kind of chameleon--it can change its color to blend in with its surroundings. But what makes this lizard really strange is that it's a copycat--the ad says it can even change its shape.

Kate's parents don't believe all the claims in the ad, but they tell her to go ahead and order it. They tell her not to be disappointed if it's just a plain old lizard. After anxiously checking the mail every day for two weeks, the package finally arrives. But when she finally opens it--there's no lizard inside. There's only an egg with a written warning. Is Katie ready for what's about to hatch?



My Take on the Book
R. L Stine has done it again and in this book you will get drawn in by the supernatural story. As my daughter and I read this together we were spellbound and did not know of the what would happen next which made the story that more compelling. You will want to keep reading to see what will come out of the egg!

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Book Review - Marvin and the Moths


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About the Book
Middle school is off to a rocky start for Marvin Watson. Doomed to misfit status, his only friends are a girl with major orthodontics, the smelliest boy in school, and the trio of sarcastic man-sized moths that live in his attic.

No one said middle school would be easy! Also, no one said that Marvin's town would be threatened by mutant bugs, including a very hungry, Shakespeare-quoting spider. But life in the suburbs is full of surprises. Will Marvin be the one to unravel the mystery behind the mutants and save the town? Or will he be too busy with the real threat: his first school dance?!

This hilarious send-up of middle school has the humor of James Patterson's I Funny, the underdog hero of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and the zany action of NERDS... and features illustrations by co-author Matthew Holm, New York Times bestselling illustrator of Babymouse, Squish, and Sunny Side Up.

Plus: talking moths.



My Take on the Book
This was a great story that any person that has survived middle school will enjoy. The book had a ton of great humor and along with the illustrations and characters that were memorable, you will find that this book is a quick read from beginning to end. On top of the humor that you get in the book you also get some strange happenings in the main characters' town with mutant bugs and even stranger happenings in the middle school itself. This shows coming of age in a whole new light!

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Book Review - The Scribble Squad in the Weird Wild West

The Scribble Squad in the Weird Wild West

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About the Book
The Scribble Squad is quick on the draw — drawing art, that is!

Best friends Rumpus, Tai, Phil, and Phlox are thrilled for the chance to make their first real mural, but when they fall into the world of their own epic painting, they suddenly have to face down the piranha-pistol-packing Wildhares, cattlefish stampedes, and buzzing battlebees of their own creation. Even if they survive, how will they ever find their way back home?

Giddyup with the Scribble Squad as they ride into a very weird, very wild Old West!

* With over a hundred full-color illustrations by nationally renowned street artist Donald "Scribe" Ross



My Take on the Book
This chapter book for a girl or boy tells the story of four best friends, Rumpus, Tai, and Phil and Phlox. They have an opportunity to paint a mural on Duncan's Plumbing Supply and Services. The animal friends love to paint. As they get ready to paint Rumpus's Grandfather who owns the store brings them a special paint they use to paint the mural.

This is where the fun and fantasy begin! They paint a mural of the wild west and in doing so use their creativity to create animals. As the mural comes alive the friends become engulfed in many adventures. Some seem dangerous.

The story illustrates how the friends cooperate while they are painting and then once they become part of the adventure in the wild west to help each other. Your child will find the story engaging and interesting. The illustrations are wonderful as they fit the unusual story perfectly.

At the back of the book, the author have included nonfiction facts about the wild west. The reader will learn about famous people like Wyatt Earp, Jessie James, Wild Bill and more. The authors include information about the animals who lived on the prairie and what the landscape was like.

I found the story enjoyable to read and it kept my attention. I really liked the nonfiction information too.
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Saturday, August 20, 2016

Book Review - Grimmtastic Girls: Gretel Pushes Back

Grimmtastic Girls: Gretel Pushes Back

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About the Book
Gretel joins the Grimmtastic quest for justice in a world where the E.V.I.L. Society must be stopped... and finds a candy cottage along the way.

The charming Grimmtastic Girls series continues!



My Take on the Book
We love the mind of this author and every new book allows you to explore some of the best examples of fairy tale characters coming to life. My daughters are always very excited when these books come out and reading this with them I can see why. The books have some amazing characters within the book itself. On top of this you will find that the book also has a ton of great mystery and suspense throughout. The story holds a great plot too and it is a story that definitely kept our interest from beginning to end.

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Book Review - The Treasure of the Sea: A Geronimo Stilton Adventure

The Treasure of the Sea: A Geronimo Stilton Adventure

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About the Book
Thea Stilton and the Thea Sisters are needed to help Aquamarina, the magical land of the ocean! The enchanted Music of the Sea has stopped playing, and no one knows why. If it doesn't return soon, the realm will perish!

The mouselets and their friend Will Mystery travel to the underwater world to find the magical music. On their mission, they swim through dangerous waters, encounter strange and fantastical creatures, and even reveal an ancient mystery. It's a mousetastic aquatic adventure!




My Take on the Book
Thea Stilton is back and in this great new story you not only get to get a bit wet with her, but you get brought into a great mystery that will bring together fantasy, adventure, suspense and more. On top of this you will get some great images throughout and even better, great characters too. This is a great addition to the Thea Stilton universe!

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Book Review - Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy: The Wizard's Wand

Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy: The Wizard's Wand
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About the Book
I, Geronimo Stilton, was called to the Kingdom of Fantasy for the ninth time! Blossom, Queen of the Fairies, had disappeared, along with three powerful magical objects: The Book of a Thousand Spells, the Crystal Sphere, and the Whispering Wand. If those objects ended up in the wrong hands, they could destroy the whole realm!

Accompanied by new, magical friends, I had to cross horrifying kingdoms full of spiders and snakes before facing a terrible evil wizard. Squeak! Could I make it in time to save Blossom -- and the entire Kingdom of Fantasy?




My Take on the Book
This was a great addition to the Geronimo Stilton universe of stories. The Kingdom of Fantasy is back. You are brought on a great adventure into the world of the fairies. While the Geronimo Stilton books are fiction, these stories really bring you into the world of fantasy and in this new addition to the Kingdom of Fantasy you are brought into a story with new characters and friends that by the end you will hope to meet again in future stories or at least we did! A great story!


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Book Review - I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980

I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980

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About the Book
It was one the most beautiful mountains in America, Mount St. Helens, in Washington State. But what many didn't know was that this peaceful mountain had an explosive past. For more than a century, it had been quiet. But below ground, pressure had been building, and soon, Kaboom! Mount St. Helens would erupt with terrifying fury.

Eleven-year-old Jessie Marlowe knew the mountain well, and like many, she never imagined that this serene wilderness could turn deadly. But on May 10th, 1980, Jessie finds herself in the middle of the deadliest volcanic eruption in U.S. history. Trapped on the mountain, she must escape clouds of poisonous gas, boiling rivers, and landslides of rock, glacial ice, and white-hot debris.

The newest book in the I Survived series will take readers into one of the most environmentally devastating events in recent U.S. history.




My Take on the Book
Another great adventure in the I survived series. My daughters have loved learning about disasters like this through the lens of this series and this book was well written and really allowed you to explore the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in a whole new way. The book is full of adventure, intrigue and more. It was a ton of fun to read with my daughters and you will love this book too!

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Book Review - Factastic: A LEGO Adventure in the Real World

Factastic: A LEGO Adventure in the Real World
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About the Book
The newest book in the LEGO Nonfiction line, The Book of Everything, takes on the biggest subject of all: our world and everything in it! There's a whole world of information inside on almost every subject under the sun, from science to technology, from history to geography to popular culture. Each spread contains a LEGO scene to facilitate the learning journey: a vignette, mini story, or icon featuring LEGO models, characters, and sensibility. Graphic design combines the LEGO illustration with real-world photography and facts for an immersive experience.

The Book of Everything arrives just in time for the holiday season, and makes a fantastic gift for boys and girls of all ages!




My Take on the Book
This is a great book and if you are a LEGO fan you will truly love this. The great thing about this book is that it shows the world through a whole new lens, a LEGO lens. We loved looking at the world in this way and so will you! Whether you like history, geography or more there was a bit of everything for everyone in this book!

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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Book Review - Beautiful Pictures to Color and Frame: Features 40 Stunning and Original Artworks!

Beautiful Pictures to Color and Frame: Features 40 Stunning and Original Artworks!
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About the Book
Unleash your inner artist with this one-of-a-kind book that is filled with drawings commissioned by skilled illustrators. There are hot air balloons soaring in the sky; mermaids with long, lush hair darting through the sea; cheetahs on the prowl in the dark, dense jungle; and more. This partially colored book features single-sided pages to color, so you won't have to worry about the ink bleeding through and ruining your work on the other side. Color them in with felt-tip pens, pencils, or paint and experiment with the medium that lets you best express yourself. You can use the finished illustrations to influence your color choices, or let inspiration be your guide as you allow your creativity to run wild! Each page features quality art paper with perforations for easy removal, and the book's built-in frame is the perfect place to display them. Exhibit your masterpieces on a coffee table at home or on your desk at work, or give them as gifts to the special people in your life.


My Take on the Book
I have seen many color books. They are popular today, but this one is different. The book's cover is a sturdy frame so after you color the printed pages you can actually place them inside the frame so you can see them as if they were framed and hung or displayed.

The pages are black and white . Many of the designs are quite intricate so my thoughts is this particular book is not for children. The topics vary. 

If you enjoy coloring, I think you may enjoy not only coloring in this book, but having the opportunity to "display" your finished product in the frame supplied by the author.


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Book Review - Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille

Book Review - Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille

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About the Book
An inspiring picture-book biography of Louis Braille—a blind boy so determined to read that he invented his own alphabet.

Louis Braille was just five years old when he lost his sight. He was a clever boy, determined to live like everyone else, and what he wanted more than anything was to be able to read.

Even at the school for the blind in Paris, there were no books for him.

And so he invented his own alphabet—a whole new system for writing that could be read by touch. A system so ingenious that it is still used by the blind community today.

Award-winning writer Jen Bryant tells Braille’s inspiring story with a lively and accessible text, filled with the sounds, the smells, and the touch of Louis’s world. Boris Kulikov’s inspired paintings help readers to understand what Louis lost, and what he was determined to gain back through books.

An author’s note and additional resources at the end of the book complement the simple story and offer more information for parents and teachers.




My Take on the Book
This nonfiction story is about the young Lois Braille. He decided at a young age to create an alphabet so the blind could read. He wanted to read and there were no books for the blind produced at that time.

The story shows the many challenges he faced as he began to plan and persevere until he invented braille. He was not from an affluent family but he took the opportunity and his creativity and created an alphabet that is used by millions of blind people today.

This is a wonderful story to share with your child. It shows how perseverance, one's hope, and faith can help you meet your dreams.
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Book Review - City Block


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About the Book
Cityblock explores city life in an exciting and unique way, from up in a high-rise building to down in the subway. Divided into three sections—things that go, things to see, and things to eat—it features 24 different aspects of city living. As with the other acclaimed books in the series, die-cut icons hint at the larger context on the next spread. Each section opens with a full city scene but gradually focuses in on the small, unique neighborhoods that make the city large and grand. This clever book will attract young readers living in a metropolis as well as those in the countryside with urban life that pops off each page.


My Take on the Book
This book is a sturdy board book for young children. The illustrations are colorful with many details that a child and adult will enjoy looking at and discussing. Some pages are fold out so the reader can see a panoramic view of a scene. Some pages have "look through" windows like on a subway.

The main characters are an older adult and two children. The reader walks, rides on a ferry boat, helicopter, subway and a taxi as they explore the big city. The characters visit a museum, gift shop, listen to a street performer's music, and much much more. They eat pizza, apples , and even sushi.

Reading this book will be an enjoyable journey for a young child.
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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Book Review - Modeling Clay with 3 Basic Shapes

Modeling Clay with 3 Basic Shapes

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About the Book
Teachers, parents, and kids will adore this book that's bursting with fun-filled projects. With three basic shapes (ball, worm, and teardrop), children will learn how to create personality-filled critters. All techniques described are easy for children to master, and kids will be delighted by the wonderful array of animals they can make with a little bit of clay and a whole lot of imagination.


A step-by-step guide to creating more than 40 clay animals


Cute photos, numbered steps, helpful illustrations, crystal-clear directions, and some funny text help kids unleash their creativity and artistic talents. Projects include everything from pandas, owls, rhinos, kittens, puppies, snakes, koala bears, raccoons, snails, turtles, fish, and more.


They'll look forward to rainy days!


A summary of projects and a helpful guide to techniques at the beginning of the book will help you create dozens of different, fun, and original clay figures. Perfect for a rainy day or art class project, or as a fun way to foster and encourage creativity. (Ages 4–8).



My Take on the Book
This was a great book that had a ton of ideas for making some very cool clay creations. The book had a lot more than I first thought would be here but I was impressed with the format with this book as well as all of the ideas that were shared too.

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Sunday, August 14, 2016

CD Review - Kidz Bop 32


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About the CD
A high energy CD from Kidz Bop that has the following songs:


  1. Cake By The Ocean
  2. No
  3. My House
  4. Love Yourself
  5. Don't Let Me Down
  6. Work
  7. Never Forget You
  8. Out of the Woods
  9. Hide Away
  10. One Call Away
  11. Just Like Fire
  12. Stressed Out
  13. 7 Years
  14. One Dance
  15. Life of the Party


My Take on the CD
Another great CD by the energetic kids of Kidz bop. My kids are big fans of Kidz Bop and have been for years. The great thing about this CD is that there are so many amazing songs that are popular and current. My daughters were excited to see that Lake by the Ocean, Stressed Out and 7 Years were on this CD. They also really liked the new song that was released on this CD - Life of the Party and they were even more excited to hear the song at the recent Kidz Bop Live concert that we attended.

If you have never heard Kidz Bop music before you should as the songs are very energetic and even with the new lyrics the songs are amazing and they make well known songs very kid friendly. The kids of Kidz Bop also have amazing voices and their energy and passion is contagious.

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Monday, August 8, 2016

Book Review - Berry Special Poster Book


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About the Book
Shopkins(TM) are the hottest new collectible toys! Each fun figurine is a miniature grocery store product: there are cute fruits, tasty treats, adorable beauty products, and more.

This full-color, pull-out poster book feautres all the latest Shopkins!




My Take on the Book
If you have a child who enjoys the Shopkins characters and books, this book may just be a great gift for that child. The book has 24 pullout posters . Each poster has a different character with its name and a clever saying /title for the poster and character. The posters are colorful. The perforation on the side of each poster makes it easy to remove the poster from the book. Included in the poster book are 24 stickers .


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Book Review - Ripley's Believe It Or Not: Wild and Wacky Edition 2017

Ripley's Believe It Or Not: Wild and Wacky Edition 2017
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About the Book
This brand new, updated edition features all the craziest facts, newest discoveries, and weirdest wonders of the world!



My Take on the Book
I found this book to be quite interesting. There were so many unusual entries. Some were bizarre as Ripley's is able to locate the unusual, but some were just informative facts too. The color photographs and descriptive passages on each page definitely provided a high interest level for any reader. The authors included a wide range of topics.

One entry I enjoyed was about a nine year old girl who invented suckers that were healthy for your teeth. The invention came about because her father kept telling her that candy was not good for her teeth, so she made an alternative.

The reader will become aware of ostrich racing, why laughing is good for you, how some individuals with a lost limb(s) become great fishermen and golfers, facts about bugs and natural disasters, and much much more. 

This is the kind of book you can pick up and read even if you only have a few minutes.
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Book Review - DC Comics Supergirl, Daughter of Krypton


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About the Book
Who is Supergirl? How did she become a powerful Super Hero? What powers does she use to fight for what is right? Who are her toughest allies and fiercest foes? In this biography--complete with black-and-white illustrations, timelines, and character profiles--young readers will delight in learning the complete history of the Girl of Steel.



My Take on the Book
Daniel Wallace has written a chapter book that introduced Supergirl to the readers. I thought it was interesting how she is the cousin of Superman and used to babysit him when they both lived on the planet of Krypton. Supergirl, like Superman , was sent to Earth because Krypton was destroyed. Their parents sent them. So as the story continues and Supergirl finds out she has powers, she must also find a way to live on Earth.

The story line is full of adventures as Supergirl meets some enemies and friends. She actually finds friends on Earth who have super powers like her.The story shows how she begins to adapt to life on Earth and her life with a super friend in an apartment in New York.

The illustrations are so detailed. Each new character is introduced with an illustration and explanation of who they are and if they are a friend or foe.

If you enjoy reading about super heroes and adventure stories, this a new book for you to look at for your library.


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Book Review - Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures

Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures

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About the Book
From bestselling authors Maggie Stiefvater and Jackson Pearce comes an exciting new series full of magical creatures, whimsical adventures, and quirky illustrations. Here’s a list of things Pip Bartlett can talk to: Unicorns Miniature Silky Griffins Bitterflunks Basically, all magical creatures Here’s a list of things she can’t talk to (at least, not very well):



My Take on the Book
This is another great book with some fun characters. My girls have loved the world of Pip Bartlett in the past and as they finished this book they told me how much they loved this as well. You have some amazing characters with very fun magical creatures. Over and over again my girls asked how the author came up with the creatures that they read about in this book.

The book is a fast read and even my youngest got through this book in no time. The book is full of very fun illustrations and you really get to get a good feel for the characters. There was a great mix of adventure as well as humor throughout the book which made the book even more fun!

Even though this book is written for kids, even as an adult I loved this book too and so will you!


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