Dad of Divas' Reviews

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Book Review - Can't and Able

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.
Can't and Able by Cynthia Fabian


About the Book
Author Cynthia Fabian announces the release of her third children’s book, Can't and Able. It’s a heart-warming tale based on the story of two stars, who as they grow older find tolerance and self-esteem.

Everyone is a star in this book, as Can't and Able uses star metaphors to find characters all children can relate to. The main character, Can’t, is a star who is bullied because of his difficulty to shine like the other stars. He needs to find a way to develop his own self-esteem by believing in himself.

Able is the star who had it all. Able helps Can't to realize that he can really shine. It wasn't until Can't realized he Can, that everything changed for him. Find out how Can't became a hero and ultimately became Can.

“Can’t is simply going through the growing pains of a star who is feeling very insecure in his circumstances,” Fabian says. But when he learns to believe in himself, life becomes happier and more beautiful for him.

Says the author, “I grew up with a disorder. I always felt like I could not shine, just like Can’t. When I became a teacher, I saw many children that were experiencing the same difficulties. They were teased and often felt smaller. This book is for all of you, struggling and not knowing how to change your circumstances. If you simply believe, you can change your own circumstances. Believe in yourself and you will see the wonders of change are in your power.”

About the Author
Originally from New York City, Cynthia Fabian now enjoys meditation and the quiet life in Somerset, New Jersey. She released her first book in 2009, Those Sweet Nothings, a collection of vignettes for adults depicting dates gone wrong. Since then, she turned to her first passion of children’s books, expressing the theme of overcoming obstacles. Her other books include Second Hand Art and Orchestra in Our Brain.

My Take on the Book
What I love about this story is that it tells us about a star that learns that by being himself he can shine the brightest of all. The book itself was great and the illustrations were such that completely drew you into the story itself and kept you engaged to the very end. 

As a parent I loved that the story has so much to teach the children who read this about  how to deal with things like bullying and negative thoughts of self-esteem. Too often I hear my kids saying things like I can't and I want to be able to help them to get to the point where they to can say I can. Through stories like this you can definitely start giving them ideas for how to get to this point!




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Book Review - Sometimes I'm a Monster!

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.


Sometimes I'm a Monster!


About the Book
This is a book that every child (and every parent) can relate to. The four children in Sometimes I'm a Monster! demonstrate the timeless lesson that no child is perfect. In these warmly illustrated pages, the children all have moments when they are little monsters who play wild games, push and shove, and simply drive the grown-ups mad. These same children are also the angels who are very kind to friends, sit and learn quietly, and say "please" and "thank you." The bottom line? Every child has moments when they may be a little monster. At the end of the day they are still the angels their families love so much. Color illustrations on every page.

My Take on the Book
Any parent can provide many examples of their children being both angel and monster - sometimes one more than another.  This book brings forth some great examples of both angels and monsters and gives all who read a fun story to share. In the end though I love that the book ends on a good note and shows that even though our children can be monsters in the end they still are our little angels!

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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Book Review - Runaway Emotions

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.

Runaway Emotions by Jeff Schreve


About the Book
If we pay attention to the alarms in our lives, they could save us.

Worry. Anger. Loneliness. Negative emotions are uncomfortable by design. Like any good fire alarm, they alert us to a greater danger. But they won’t help us if we try to cover them up, hide them behind excuses, or assume they will always plague us.

The only healthy way to manage negative emotions is to find their source and address the problem that set them off. As pastor Jeff Schreve in the book Runaway Emotions says, “A specific and compelling message can be found in each of your negative, painful emotions. God Himself is trying to speak to you through those emotions—right now.”

So what is God saying? How can we understand our emotions—even change them? Schreve shows how the truth of the Bible can make sense of our confusion. The power of the Holy Spirit can lead us to freedom, and Jesus Christ can give us true peace in the midst of any crisis.

You don’t have to let your emotions run away with you, your family, or your future.


About the Author
Jeff Schreve passionately communicates God's Word to connect people with Jesus Christ and experience His love and plan for their lives. He is pastor of First Baptist Texarkana and founder of From His Heart Ministries, a national and international radio and television ministry. Jeff holds a BA in Business Administration (UT-Austin) and M.Div from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeff and his wife, Debbie, have three daughters, one son-in-law, and one granddaughter.





My Take on the Book
This was a powerful book that truly made you explore your own emotions and how these emotions are tied into God and what he wants you to do with your life. I can honestly say that I would not have even thought about many of the points in this book prior to this simply due to the fact that my emotions are somewhat all over the place at times and it is hard to see past them and think on a broader scale for what God's plan has to do with them. However in this book the author does just that, and he does it in a way that makes you truly gain a much better understanding of how your emotions are a way in which God is speaking to you! This was a good book that will make you reconsider your own emotions and the emotions of the people around you, or at least it did me!

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Book Review - Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas

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.
Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas



About the Book
Captain No Beard and the crew of the Flying Dragon welcome a new crew member, when Cabin Girl Cayla joins the ship. Responsible for his little sister, Captain No Beard is not very happy because he finds his newest charge a distraction. When faced with danger, the captain must find a way to escape. While learning valuable lessons about strangers, the crew realized not to judge somebody because they are young or small. Strength comes in all sizes!

About the Author
Award winning author Carole P. Roman is happy to add "Strangers on the High Seas- A Captain No Beard Story vol 4" to her successful series. The first book of the series, "Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life" was named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012, as well as received the Star of Remarkable Merit. It was also named as one of the Best Indie Books of 2013 with the Pinnacle Award. Roman has two other series, "If You Were Me and Lived in...", a children's non fiction book on cultures around the world and an introduction to yoga for kids. She lives on Long Island with her husband and very close to her children and grandchildren.

My Take on the Book
This is another great book in the series! Filled with great illustrations and a great message, even the captain learns in this that having a small one on board may just be what he needs to be able to foil the plans of his enemies. What was great about the book was that the message of big things come in small packages definitely holds weight here and in reading it to my own girls, we had a great conversation about this afterward which presented some great father-daughter bonding time!


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Book Review - If You Were Me and Lived in France

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.


If You Were Me and Lived in France


About the Book
"If You Were Me and Lived in...France-A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World" is the second book in Carole P. Roman's remarkable series about countries all over the globe. With each book covering a different nation, Roman opens up a world of wonder while highlighting the fact that underneath it all we are far more alike than we might have imagined. Focusing on what life would be like from a child's viewpoint, she examines the diversity of the people who make up our planet.

About the Author
Award winning author Carole P. Roman's is happy to be launching five books in her new cultural series. Her first book "Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life" was named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012, as well as received a Star of Remarkable Merit. It has been gotten the Pinnacle Award for one of the Best Indi Children's Books of 2013. " Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience"- Vol 2 in the series has received 5 Stars from The ForeWord Review- The Clarion. She has added two more books to that series. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children and grandchildren.

My Take on the Book
This is another great book that helps children to gain a broader world perspective on life. My mother is currently in France visiting the country and this book opened my girls' eyes to the differences between our country and where there Nonna is currently. The author does a great job at drawing her reader in and through great graphics and content engages them on a journey of discovery which encourages them to learn even more! This was a great book for the whole family!


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Book Review - Hoopdance Revolution: Mindfulness in Motion

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.


Hoopdance Revolution: Mindfulness in Motion


About the Book
Hoopdance Revolution chronicles a cultural movement toward wellness. It combines the experiences of the exemplary people Jan Camp interviewed in her quest for the essence of Hoopdance at international events and through personal interaction. Having fun and being fully engaged with a challenging activity opens us to the possibility of entering a vivid, sensory world of healing and transformation. The hoop is a tool for play, physical focus, and spiritual meditation. Dancing with a hoop, spinning in spirals and drawing patterns in the space around the body intensifies the sharpens the intentions we hold in our hearts so that what we truly desire can come to pass.

About The Author:
Jan Camp is an artist and graphic designer with an active hoopdance practice. She has contributed to three books that inspired Hoopdance Revolution, A Door in the Swamp by Joell Jones and the Fish Arm Collective (Comix Press), and Cay Lang’s Taking the Leap (Chronicle Books). A resident of Berkeley, California, Jan studied art and writing at the College of Santa Fe, San Francisco State University, and University of Chicago. Her critically acclaimed work as a visual artist is represented in art galleries all over the States and gained her a residency at the MacDowell artist colony. Together with her husband, award-winning documentary filmmaker Tom Weidlinger, Jan Camp runs Arclight Books in the SF Bay Area, a grassroots publishing group dedicated bringing local artists and authors together to share resources and participate in events.

My Take on the Book
I did not know anything about Hoopdance before reading through this book. This book takes a newbie like myself and opens my eyes to the amazing array of health benefits of this. The book is full of images that show you how Hoopdance works and where it all started. The book was well organized and I have to say that I learned so much in the reading of this. I personally enjoyed reading some of the testimonials that were within this book which gave you a person view of what Hooping can do for you as a person. It was inspiring to see the physical and spiritual benefits that this can provide! 

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Monday, July 1, 2013

DVD Review - Monkey Monkey Music: Let’s All Make a Circle

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.




About the DVD
Award-winning children’s musician and public television star Meredith LeVandehas announced the July 1 release of her second children’s music DVD: Monkey Monkey Music: Let’s All Make a Circle (Monkey Monkey Music, $19.99, run time 45 minutes, for ages 2-5).




Let’s All Make A Circle is the highly anticipated follow-up to Meredith LeVande’s award-winning first DVD, and brings to life songs from her acclaimed CD collections through a uniquely creative set of dynamic, imaginative music videos. These 15 colorful, high-energy videos construct a series of playful worlds full of children and animated characters, popping bubbles, telling silly knock-knock jokes, springing up in gardens, spinning circles, and much more. It’s all made to get kids moving and learning as they dance, shake, and sing along.

On Let’s All Make A Circle, Meredith LeVande combines bright vocals, smart lyrics, and whimsical videos to offer a fresh take on children’s music – one that’s wholesome, fun, and designed entirely with the child in mind. That doesn’t mean parents won’t find themselves dancing and singing along! But with Meredith’s music, it’s truly all about the kids.Let’s All Make A Circle engages and entertains them at every turn, with kid-friendly, kid-appropriate themes and an emphasis on child growth and development. The inside album cover also includes recommended activities to help parents assist children in key areas of early learning as they experience each song.



Children everywhere already know and love Meredith LeVande as a public television star. She is one of the few children’s artists in the country who is regularly seen on TV, with an established presence on hundreds of PBS member stations airing across the country on broadcast, cable, and satellite TV. Viewers from coast to coast can catch Monkey Monkey Music – often multiple times per day – alongside such favorite shows as Thomas the Tank Engine, Curious George, Sesame Street, and others on stations like WETA Kids (Washington DC), Kids 13 (NY/NJ/PA), NJTV, Idaho Public Television, KCET (Los Angeles), and many more.

Find out more here - www.monkeymonkeymusic.com

My Take on the DVD
My girls have been a fan of this group for some time and they were excited to see that a DVD was now out as they had only listened to the music in the past. On this DVD you will definitely be seeing your kids get on their feet and start boogieing around the living room if my youngest is any indication (my oldest did watch and enjoyed it, but is almost 9 so a bit old for the dancing I guess). 

The music on this DVD is contagious and will get in your brain. I found myself humming one of the tunes from the DVD unconsciously during the day and my youngest was singing a few of the songs after the first time hearing them.

All-in-all mix in some silliness with great lyrics and music and you get a great DVD chock full of fun! I encourage all families to check this out today! 

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