Book Review - The Coolest Stuff on Earth: A Closer Look at the Weird, Wild, and Wonderful

About the Book
Uncover the secrets behind our planet's most magnificent marvels, epic extremes, and astonishing animals in this fact-packed series sequel!

Did you know that dogs can shake off a pound of water in less than a second? That some sand dunes whistle and sing? That the U.S. dollar bill is full of hidden symbols related to the number 13? Our world is filled with strange, bizarre, and weird happenings. But what do they mean? WHY are they important? And what secrets are behind them?

These secrets and MORE are revealed through cool stories, action-packed photos, fantastic infographics, and exciting Q&As with in-the-field experts. Discover the secrets of sharkskin, the mysteries behind incredible island animals, the power behind lightning, how a rare gemstone changes color, and more. Kids will be captivated by this fresh way of looking at our amazing planet. 

 

My Take on the Book
This is an amazing book that has so many cool, wacky, weird, wacky things. The book is full of amazing information with animals and more. Reading through this book my daughter and I were amazed at how much we didn't know. The pictures just jump off the page and the authors really outdid themselves with the research that went into the making of this book! You will love sharing this with your child!

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Book Review - Space Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond

About the Book
Blast off into space with the experts at National Geographic to discover everything we know about the universe, including exciting, recent discoveries and amazing brand-new NASA space photography.

The updated and expanded edition of the hit Space Encyclopedia presents the most up-to-date findings on space exploration and research and breathtaking views of the universe, as captured by the latest and greatest technology, including the recent first ever image of a black hole. This complete reference contains everything kids need to know about our sun and planets including the new dwarf planets, the formation of the universe, space travel, the possibility of life beyond Earth, and more. Authored by David A. Aguilar, an internationally recognized astronomer and former Director of Science Information and Public Outreach at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, it is an authoritative and beautifully illustrated must-have for every family, providing both accessible information for school reports and compelling reading on the mysteries beyond our planet.

 

My Take on the Book
This is a great book for anyone that loves the concept of outer space, someone that wants to learn more, or even someone that just wants to learn. The book is full of beautiful pictures and so many facts and figures that will allow you to better understand what is beyond the bounds of our Earth. This was an amazing book that my daughters and I learned so much from and you will too!

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Book Review - Pounce! A How To Speak Cat Training Guide

About the Book
From the experts who brought you How to Speak Cat, learn all about how to train your favorite feline friend in this fun, interactive guide. Whether you want to train your kitty to walk on a leash or are trying to teach your cat to scratch a scratching post instead of the couch, this comprehensive guide will take you through all the steps you need to know to get started. With the help of veterinarian Dr. Gary Weitzman, kids will learn basic training, corrective training, and tricks they can do with their cats. Fun special features introduce readers to famous trained cats, felines in ancient Egypt, and so much more. This easy-to-use guide is perfect for families who are bringing home a kitten for the first time or just want to teach their longtime feline family member some new tricks. 

 

My Take on the Book
This was an amazing book and I have to say that I wish I had this when my cats were kittens as it has so many great thoughts about you can actually train your cat like you would your dog. While you might not have thought this possible, the book actually gives you a ways that you can understand their body language but also other ways to care and train your cat too. This is truly a great guide that incorporates practical tips, popular cultural references, quizzes and more that you can use right away. If you are a cat or kitten parent, this is a book you will want to read!

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Book Review - Fetch! A How to Speak Dog Training Guide

About the Book
From the experts who brought you How to Speak Dog, learn tips and tricks to help train your best friend. Whether teaching a puppy the basics--such as "sit," "stand," and "stay"-- correcting behavioral problems, or training your pooch to perform more advanced tricks, this comprehensive guide will take you through all the steps to have your canine answering your call in no time. With the help of veterinarian Dr. Gary Weitzman, kids will bond with their pups through structured lessons that showcase easy-to-follow instructions and commands. Additional content introduces readers to Hollywood hounds, dogs on the job, and famous canines through history. This "paws-on" guide is perfect for families who are bringing home their very first puppy, or seasoned dog owners who want to teach their longtime four-legged family member a few new tricks. 

 

My Take on the Book
If you love your dog this guide is a must have as it will help you train your dog. Whether it is tricks, or just better understanding what your dog is trying to say, this book helps you make huge strides with your pet. The book even lets you know how to make toys and goodie bags for your dog too! This book will open your eyes to all of the things that you can do to better know and connect with your dog!

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Book Review - Brain Candy: 500 Sweet Facts to Satisfy Your Curiosity

About the Book
Unwrap 500 fascinating knowledge nuggets about all kinds of topics to boost your brainpower in this yummy little fact book.

Let's start with a million. A million days ago, the first Olympics took place in ancient Greece. If you live a million hours, you'll be 114 years old. And how many ants equal the weight of one average human? That's right, a million. Open the candy cover and take a deep and delicious dive into numbers, fun facts, and cool trivia on all kinds of topics. It's a novel approach to feeding kids tantalizing tidbits about the world, and is sure to be an addictive addition to the bookshelves of Weird But True! and Just Joking fans.

 

My Take on the Book
This book will make your eyes smile. There are so many colors that make this book jump off the page. The book is filled with so many facts that will answer your child's questions (some of which they never even asked). The book is short and sweet and full of so much information. By the end of the book I can say that I would have loved to have even more! Get ready to learn and enjoy this with your kids! 

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Book Review - Nerdlet: Animals

About the Book
Sometimes big nerdiness comes in a small package--and this little book is an animal nerd's dream! Meet animals of all kinds--from sharks and moles to orangutans and okapis-- in this quirky, jam-packed original from National Geographic Kids. If you thought you were brainy, take a look at the incredible critters in this book. Inside, you'll find a spider that spends its whole life in a bubble and birds that build nests so big, they're like avian apartment complexes! (And we're just getting started!) In this little animal "Nerdlet" you'll learn about the weirdest, coolest, most amazing creatures in the animal kingdom--and what makes them so complex. Plus, you'll have some of your most burning animal questions answered, such as What's the deal with crocodile tears? And you'll meet people who get to be around animals for a living and travel to animal destinations around the world. You'll also find personality quizzes, fun facts, animal superheroes, and even a Star Wars reference ... or two. 

 

My Take on the Book
This is an amazing book of very cool animals and animal facts! If you love animals and love learning about them in so many ways, then this book is for you. Not only do you get animals but you also get some fun quizzes, pop culture and more. This is a great book that you and your kids will love!

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Book Review - Where's Waldo? Spooky Spotlight Search

About the Book
It’s pitch dark on the way to Odlaw’s haunted castle — but Waldo-seekers have a cool wand to light the way in a book perfect for the spooky season.

Somewhere in the darkness, Waldo is venturing across a swamp toward a looming castle, sneaking down to the dungeon and through a creepy gallery to . . . Hey! We didn’t see that twist coming! In Waldo's second adventure featuring this innovative, all-paper design, readers can slide a spotlight searcher under a series of totally dark scenes, illuminating small sections and stealthily moving the light to seek out Waldo and his friends. Everyone’s favorite vagabond is in costume as himself in this Halloween-worthy challenge for eagle-eyed fans.



My Take on the Book
If you have loved Waldo in the past, you will love this book too. Waldo is back and ready for Halloween. My daughter loved the glow-in-the-dark slider that allows you to see hidden pictures. It is not always easy to see Waldo, but this will give you hours of fun, but you will want to keep looking for this little guy! This is such a fun book for the whole family! So get ready to search through some amazing images and some great times with your kids!

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Book Review - Ghostology: A True Revelation of Spirits, Ghouls, and Hauntings

About the Book
Just in time for Halloween! Find sundry novelties, flaps, facsimiles, and more in a haunting—or is it haunted?—volume that gives new meaning to the term ghost writer.

Have you been hearing strange footsteps and knocks, whispers and rattling chains? Perhaps the early-twentieth-century author of this newly discovered tome has some secrets to share. Within the book’s weathered pages you’ll hear of a headless French pirate in search of his missing noggin, a vanishing pair of young trickster twins, a ghostly woman who screams for attention, and other communications from the “fun side.” Readers who wish to plumb the mysteries of the paranormal will find some hands-on challenges to lift their spirits, along with tips on a range of spectral subjects, such as what to pack in a ghostologist’s field kit, how to distinguish the types of ghosts, the best ways to hunt them, and spotting the unfortunate fakes and frauds. Too bad the late author never got to see her guide find its way into the world! But wait—what are those strange and scratchy asides that appear in odd places throughout the book?

 

My Take on the Book
This was a great book that answers a lot of questions about ghosts that any kid would love. The book covers so many things like ghost types, haunted houses, hotels and forts, as well as how to hunt ghosts, psychics and mediums, fakes and frauds and a history of ghosts and ghost hunters. There is so much in one book with great information, inserts and more. You and your whole family will love this!

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Book Review - Gustavo, the Shy Ghost

About the Book
Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves? With fancifully detailed artwork and visual humor, debut picture-book creator Flavia Z. Drago’s vivid illustrations tell a sweet and gently offbeat story of loneliness, bravery, and friendship that is sure to be a treat for little ghouls and goblins everywhere.

My Take on the Book
This was a very sweet story that was filled with amazing illustrations as well as characters that you will love. What I loved about the book is that it looks at the idea of making friends from a very shy ghost that has to show courage to go outside of his comfort zone to make new friends. The story was a wonderful one to share with kids, especially this time of year, but even more than this, the story stands the test of time and really has a message that is good year-round. 

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Book Review - Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Mind Blown

About the Book
A Believe It or Not! is something incredibly hard to believe, but undeniably true—something that totally blows your mind! Mind Blown!, the 17th book in the bestselling series from Ripley's Believe It or Not!, is filled with unbelievable stories and images that will do just that. You'll be blown away by this all-true, all-new collection of incredible facts, unexpected stories, and stunning photography.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Mind Blown! is sure to amaze and astound children and adults alike with thousands of strange stories, unusual feats, and hair-raising oddities from around the world. Discover how one woman can crush apples with her biceps and read about the spider that lives underwater—yes, it’s all weird and it’s all true! Bursting with vibrant and eye-catching photos, as well as submissions from our dedicated readers, this book is a must-have for every curious mind.



My Take on the Book
My daughter is a HUGE Ripley's fan and this book brings you the most strange items in one place. As this book says, get ready to have our mind blown and the book does just that. This book was filled with shocking pictures that draw you further into the book. The information was also so complete and thoroughly researched. If you have loved Ripley's in the past, this book takes strange to the next level. Get ready to have a ton of fun reading this with your kids!

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Book Review - Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks

About the Book
This deluxe jacketed hardcover is visual storytelling at its best. Almost 1,900 photographs (two-thirds of them taken just for this book) showcase Disney's key locations filled with special holiday menu offerings, the biggest parade and stage productions and nighttime spectacles, the tiniest decorating details from amazing artists and designers, and, of course, the most significant historical holiday events.

A harmonic trio of researchers, writers, and photographers logged more than 180,000 miles visiting every Disney park and resort across the globe, personally documenting the holiday installations through eighty thousand photographs and, wherever possible, meeting the talented and endlessly passionate artisans behind it all.

With twelve theme parks and dozens of resort hotels, plus numerous cruise ships, dining and shopping districts, and more than six decades of holiday experiences, there are a lot of pumpkin treatments and ornate trees to reflect upon. (The smallest holiday tree at a Disney property is just four inches high, while the very tallest reaches up to seventy feet.) Every parade or show requires dozens (sometimes hundreds) of creative magicians both onstage and off. And each decoration is chosen carefully to fit within a story and is expertly placed on its tree or garland by craftspeople backstage. The decor is installed onstage, maintained, and, ultimately, disassembled by technicians before it is once again cleaned, prepared, and stored in vast warehouses . . . till next year's event. The stories and contributions from so many unsung Cast Members (often hard at work at hours of the night when others are asleep) fill these pages, along with the joys of Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year celebrations. Time to join the party!

 

My Take on the Book
If you love Disney then you know that at every holiday period Disney turns their parks into a truly magical place, even more so than it usually is. This book provides you an inside look into the holiday traditions at the parks and how they are able to turn the park into the places that they become. This is the perfect coffee table book with beautiful images that will capture your imagination and make you want to go and visit the parks during these times in the year or at least it made me want to visit! No matter what time of the year you read this book you will love reading and experiencing the magic that is Disney!

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Book Review - Disney Eats: More than 150 Recipes for Everyday Cooking and Inspired Fun

About the Book

The kitchen is a great place to make memories. And Disney Eats will inspire you to prepare food that's not just fun but also tasty!

From healthy snacks like a Minnie Mouse-inspired crudité platter and savory dinners such as Mulan's Blossom Stir-Fry to Disney-character-themed bento box lunches and easy-prep treats such as Frozen Banana Dalmatian Pops, author Joy Howard shows that the creative possibilities are endless.

With an introduction by beloved baker Joy Wilson and more than 150 dynamic full-color photographs, Disney Eats will not only spark more delight in the kitchen, it will also lead to more memorable and creative success in your cooking.

 

My Take on the Book
If you are a fan of Disney, you will love this cookbook. This book is filled with amazing recipes that are all tied to Disney characters and movies. The book offers recipes that are easy to follow and ones that your whole family will enjoy. The book is broken down into categories and has a wide array of recipes in each section. This is a book that is a must have for all Disney lovers!

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Book Review - The Art of Figure Drawing for Beginners

About the Book

Mastering the human form for portraiture is one of the most challenging subjects for a beginning artist to learn. Packed with practical instructions, helpful tips, and fundamental techniques, this comprehensive, 144-page drawing book is your essential resource for learning to draw the human form and poses with ease.

The Art of Figure Drawing for Beginners features instruction for learning how to render the head, body, and extremities using very basic shapes, as well as drawing mannequins placed in a variety of configurations. The book's informative, easy-to-follow content covers figure drawing essentials, including:

• An overview of basic anatomy
• Natural variations in shape, texture, and proportion
• Helpful techniques for rendering humans in single and group poses
• Information for working with the tools of the trade.

Whether you are a beginning artist, art enthusiast, or serious fine art student, The Art of Figure Drawing for Beginners is a must-have reference.

The Collector's Series offers approachable, step-by-step art instruction for a variety of mediums and subjects, such as drawing, oil, acrylic, watercolor, cartooning, calligraphy, and more. Perfect for beginning artists, each title features artist tips for drawing or painting anything and everything from people, animals, and still life to flowers, trees, and landscapes.

 

My Take on the Book
This was a great book for anyone that wants to learn more skills to draw the human figure. The book is filled with great steps that everyone can take and learn from no matter what your skill level. While the book is written as a beginners manual, it is still filled with an amazing amount of practical advice that is even a great refresher for the seasoned artist too. This is a great book for any artist!

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Book Review: The Queen's Council Rebel Rose

About the Book

Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue-and a touch of magic.

It's 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress's curse, restoring the Beast to his human form as Prince Adam, and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it's only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.

Belle has always dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her roots as a commoner, and her future as a royal. When she stumbles across a mysterious, ancient magic that brings with it a dire warning, she must question whether she is ready for the power being thrust on her, and if being Queen is more than just a title.

Rebel Rose is the first in the Queen's Council series, an empowering fairy tale reimagining of the Disney Princesses-and the real history behind their stories-like you've never seen before.

 

My Take on the Book
This was a great book! If you love Belle, this gives you a look at what happens after she frees the beast from his spell. The book is a great story that pushes you to see Belle in a new way, especially in regards to her new role as royalty and whether she is ready for this. The book is a great start to the Queen's Council series as it really does a great job at drawing you into the story and the world and you come to truly care about all of the characters throughout the book. This book made me even more excited for future books in the series and I am sure that you will feel the same!

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Book Review - Up from Nothing: The Untold Story of How We (All) Succeed

About the Book
American opportunity is not dead. Bestselling author and entrepreneur John Hope Bryant outlines the mindset and practices that will allow us to achieve the American Dream, no matter what our current circumstances are.

Facing a challenging economy, too many Americans despair of improving their lives. But John Hope Bryant insists that America is still the Land of Opportunity. Up from Nothing revives the forgotten story of the American Dream. It's about our beginnings as a nation of go-getters who believed they were winners before they won.

Using the inspiring story of his own rise from humble beginnings, and that of his parents and grandparents, Bryant shows how individually we can change our mindset from survivor to thriver to winner and move beyond just getting by or being financially independent to becoming wildly successful. Collectively, we need to become a nation of winners once again.

By ensuring that every stakeholder in America has access to the Five Pillars of Success--massive education, financial literacy, strong family structure, self-esteem, and supportive role models--Bryant shows how we can fulfill the promise of America's greatness. But to do so, we must turn away from distractions--such as political in-fighting or racial and class divisions--and focus on what we can control. This is not a book of tips on how to get a better job or make more money. It's about adopting a new way of thinking that will do all that for us and more. Up from Nothing is the new (old) business plan to keep us winning as a country.

 

My Take on the Book
This was a great book that really challenged me in many ways. One of the things that I loved about the book was that it was filled with stories that the author shared. The premise in the book is that anything is possible if the person believes in herself. The book promotes that everyone has to work hard to reach your dreams. The author is authentic and open with the reader offering great examples that you can put into action right away. This is an amazing book that I would recommend to all! 

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