Usborne Books Astronaut Academy Review and Giveaway

*I received books for free to review for this post.

Books are a very important part of my life! I was raised with a love a books and the library. I now encourage my own son to love reading and I am always buying him new books. As a homeschooling family we try to find educational books that make learning about a topic more fun. My friend Waiyee has introduced me to Usborne Books as a resource for schooling and fun reading.

We recently reviewed Astronaut Academy as a part of learning about space and the planets for school. My son and I both loved the interactive aspects of the book with being able to write in the book and some parts being punch out to make things with. With each page there is a new task that your little astronaut in training learns. As you make your way through the tasks you add an official sticker to the page, once you complete all the tasks you earn a certificate.

Here is some information about the book from Usborne Books website:

"An activity book like no other! Through a series of fun and challenging tasks, kids will begin to understand the skills and training required to become an astronaut on a mission to Mars. There are “classes” for kids to attend as part of their training. These include Space Pilot, Space Living, Space Engineer, Space Scientist, and Space Gym. Each topic is explored in detail and accompanied by astronaut missions, including physical and mental challenges, as well as drawing and craft activities designed to mimic the skills involved in real-life training. Kids will tackle hand-eye coordination exercises and obstacle courses and learn how to build a balloon rocket, as well as first aid skills. There are also stickers, a poster, and a model space shuttle."

My son really loved this book and wanted to keep going with the tasks. Our favorite one was making the Balloon Rocket! We still have it up in his room for times when we want to launch it. There is a board game style game that you can take out of the book to play called "Mission to Mars". We enjoyed playing it and my son made a box for the game to add to his other board games he owns.

Waiyee hosts Online Book Parties to share the love of reading and books with your friends. We are offering a special of free and half priced books when you use the code "Frugal Family Tree" when you contact her  to host an online party at waiyee.usbornebooks@gmail.com


GIVEAWAY

We are hosting a giveaway for one of the Academy series books. The winner can select from Architect, Engineer, Vet, Coder, Doctor, Pilot or Scientist. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts April 6, 2018 and ends on April 20, 2018 at 12:01 am PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Usborne Passport to Adventure Summer Reading Club for Local Sacramento & Roseville Moms

My whole family has a love for books and reading. My son and I love to spend time reading books and making up stories of our own. With school out for summer vacation it is always nice to find creative ways to encourage summer reading. I was talking to a local Mom about summer reading and found out she is working with a few local Sacramento Charities and Usborne Books to promote not only summer reading but kids helping out other kids in need. I am not affiliated with Usborne Books but thought I would love to share what another local Mom is doing in our community.

It started June 6th but anyone who joins now can do it for a 10 day period up until June 29th and read for a minimum 200 minutes.

Here is some info on her Reading Club:

Join the Usborne Summer Reading Club!

During the summer it’s easy to let literacy and education fall to the side. Almost, all kids fall behind on their reading skills every summer, which can put them farther behind when the new school year starts.

The Passport to Adventure Summer Reading Club is designed to not only give the child rewards for their reading, but provides them an opportunity to give back to their community. It is open to children of all ages, including non-readers who are being read to.

This free program is being run by Waiyee Poon Jones and Ranin Zubi, Educational Consultants with Usborne Books & More. Local to Folsom and Sacramento we are working with charitable organizations in our area to provide books to children in need.

Readers will gather pledges for their reading. One part of the pledge goes back to the child in the form of books (of their choosing) and the other part will be donated to the selected charities. Once they sign up we provide the printables including pledge tracker and reading log.

People can ask for pledges how they like but we try to keep it simple with just a total pledge for completing the minimum (which is 300 mins over the 3 week period). The kids get 50% of the pledges and the other 50% is donated books.

The charities we are working with are 1) The Mustard Seed School 2) The Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento and 3) Love, Talk, Read 4) A charity of their choice which we can contact on their behalf.

Sign Up ASAP on this form below to get involved in this great reading event.

http://goo.gl/forms/dQNaMmJvrGhvCvif2 

Want to know more? Email us at UsborneReadingClub@gmail.com and we will tell you

Inspiration For Creating A Yoga Practice With Yoga At Home Book

I started doing yoga about eight years ago, around the time I turned fifty. I had thought about trying it for many years but had always felt too intimidated to walk into a yoga studio, where I was sure everyone was young and skinny, and able to do all the poses with ease.

My first class was truly amazing and most of my preconceived notions turned out to not be true. Sure, mainstream media shows us the gorgeous yoga models and movie stars coming out of yoga studios with their mats, but yoga really is for everyone who makes the commitment to practice it.

Last year when I had a physical I was very surprised to learn how healthy I was. I was totally grateful in every way, but surprised none the less. My blood pressure was normal, my cholesterol just fine, and all my tests came back normal. Now for someone who is my age, has some extra weight I'm carrying, doesn't eat healthy all the time, and feels stressed out every single day, this was downright amazing!! And when I talk about being stressed out, I mean really stressed, about money, how am I going to find my own place to live, how my kids are doing, and so much more that I don't even talk about.

So you can see why I was so surprised to learn how healthy I am. It's a great blessing to have your health, and one I don't take for granted, especially when I know of so many people who are sick. So I had to ask myself, why am I in good health, when my circumstances wouldn't indicate that that should be the case?

And then I thought about my yoga practice, something that I do usually three times a week, for about forty minutes. I truly do believe this is the answer.

Now don't for a minute think I'm some super yogi who can twist myself into a pretzel and does headstands all day long. Not at all. It's not about how far I can stretch, or what poses I can do. What yoga does for me is that I am more flexible, more balanced, more in tune with my body and my mind.  And that's a lot, that's everything.

I don't have the money or the time to go to yoga classes, so from the very beginning, I started a home yoga practice. At the time I was still married and had two kids at home, and was busy running a household. But I made it a point to take my yoga mat in the bedroom when no one was home, lit a candle, and just started doing poses. It took awhile to make it a routine, but I stuck with it, and eventually it became something I needed, and something that brought me great emotional comfort, especially after I separated from my husband. Those were very dark days, and I cried a lot on my mat, and yoga was one of the things that helped pull me out of that hole.

Both physically and emotionally, I believe yoga has the power to make us stronger, happier, and healthier people. But like anything worthwhile in life, it takes effort and commitment to make it happen. If I can do it, I know anyone can.

I know a lot of people struggle to practice yoga at home. It's great to go to a yoga studio and be surrounded with other students and a caring teacher to guide you during class. But in reality, very few people can go to classes a few times a week, so an at practice becomes essential if you want yoga to become a real part of your life. It's hard to find the motivation sometimes, this is so very true about a home practice, but the reward is so worth it.

Last week I picked up this very inspirational book about starting and maintaining a home practice called Yoga At Home by Linda Sparrowe. It's filled with great stories and photographs from students and internationally recognized yoga teachers. It gives an intimate look at well-known teachers practice spaces and what motivates them to share their love of yoga with others.

I found the book to be very motivating and insightful, and made me grateful for this look into other people's yoga practices and lives. It reinforces my belief that yoga is for everyone, that yoga can bring something special and sacred into our lives if we let it.

Namaste.

Easter Book Review: Lollipop Seeds That Sprout for Kind Deeds and Giveaway #sponsored

We have many traditions in my home when it comes to holidays throughout the year. We are very loyal to our traditions but do allow for new traditions to be added to make the holiday even more special. This year we learned about a book that tells a cute little story about how the Easter Bunny learns of a tradition long forgotten where the Easter Bunny brings special lollipop seeds that sprout when your child does kind deeds.

The book is colorfully illustrated and a fun way to teach children about doing good for others. My son enjoyed the story. He loved that the Easter Bunny had brothers, sisters and a Grandma in this story. I thought it was cute that they live on the East Pole where it is always Spring.

The last page of the book has room to write the year and the kind deed that was done by your family.

According to legend, the tradition of Lollipop Seeds goes back hundreds of years.  But, it was only recently re-discovered by the Easter Bunny when he asked his Grandma about the meaning behind other Easter traditions like eggs and candy.

Once the Easter Bunny learned of the Lollipop Seeds tradition, he couldn’t wait to hop on it and start delivering them to kids everywhere.

The magic of the seeds lies in the heart of the child who plants them.  They sprout into lollipops on Easter morning, not by water or sun, but by kindness instead.

After reading the book I talked to my 4 year old about what we could do as a kind deed to make our lollipop seeds grow. He had a few ideas, mainly ones about animals but he did say we could grow strawberries and share with Grammy ( his grandma that lives in CA). I thought that counted as a kind deed, to grow a plant with fruit to help feed someone he loves. We made a wish of happy thoughts and tossed our lollipop seeds into the dirt in the yard. The seeds are not for eating, they will grown into flowers, my son and I bought a strawberry plant to plant for the kind deed.

We had fun reading the book, planning a kind deed and sprinkling our lollipop seeds. I know next year we will do the same. I love to encourage my son to do kind deeds for others and this book is a great tool to start the conversation of helping others.

The book includes two Lollipop Seed packs and plant markers.

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate Easter and to encourage others to do kind deeds we will be hosting a giveaway for a copy of the book Lollipop Seeds That Sprout for Kind Deeds by Cherri Prince and illustrated by Marco Bester.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts April 10, 2014 and ends on April 17, 2014 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent a product to review for this post.

Put Me In The Story Valentine Elmo Book Sale

Put Me In The Story  makes personalized children’s book in two platforms (iPad app, and website – for personalized print books)!

Beginning Sunday, February 3, in celebration of Elmo’s birthday (he’s turning 3 ½, again!), they are offering 30% off Elmo Loves You and any Put Me In The Story print books (offer ends 2/15 – more info below).

Elmo is turning 3½ and your child is invited to the party with Put Me In The Story! Give them their very own personalized message from Elmo in a book they will treasure all year long.

Put your child in the story now
with this special sneak peek of Elmo Loves You!

For the first time in personalized form, this bestselling children’s book from Sesame Workshop will captivate your child and have them telling you all the things they love.

Enter promo code LOVE30 and save 30% on your order,
offer valid through February 15, 2013.

Reading to Mickey

My son has started to read his books to his stuffed animals. It is normally a mix of words of what he sees in pictures and what he remembers I have read to him. Its very sweet. He has books that are for the car only and he loves to read them as we drive. I am thrilled my son loves books!

We plan to get him a few Mickey Mouse books from Santa this year too.

What books are your kids reading right now or you reading to them? Do you read the classic tales or find new authors?

Sylvan Dell Publishing: Thank You for the Donation

My family has been Sylvan Dell Publishing fans since we first read The Giraffe Who was Afraid of Heights by David Ufer over a year ago. Since then we have enjoyed reading the cute titles about animals, the solar system, eco-system and more. The illustrations are always colorful.

This month I participated in the Champions for Kids Nickelodeon Big Help Book Drive to donate books to the Roseville Home Start Program. Since I knew my son enjoyed the books by Sylvan Dell I knew the kids in the transitional housing program would too. Sylvan Dell gladly gave us books to donate for our book drive. I know the kids that received the books will treasure them!

My son was so excited to see all the books we were sent to add to our book drive donation. He held up the two he thought were the coolest, he said "Wow Cool". It made me smile a little to myself since the two he liked were the ones that to me seemed California related, earthquakes and oceans!

Sylvan Dell Publishing sent 4 great titles:

Water Beds: Sleeping in the Ocean - "Tuck your little ones into bed with this soothing, restful story. How do marine mammals - animals that breathe air - sleep in the deep waters of the ocean? Water Beds: Sleeping in the Ocean answers this question. Youngsters meet ten marine mammals, including sea otters and bottlenose dolphins, manatees and harbor seals, humpback whales and walruses, and learn about each animal's unique habits. Although the brief portraits are based on up-to-date scientific research, author Gail Langer Karwoski weaves the facts into simple, poetic language. Connie McLennan's rich oil paintings capture the ocean's habitats and its appealing creatures. The story invites children to drift into a peaceful sleep on the gentle waves of imagination."

Panda's Earthquake Escape -  "Pandas' Earthquake Escape is a fictional story based on a real-life event. In real life, XiXi, a Giant panda did escape from the destroyed Wolong Panda Reserve when the 7.9 earthquake rocked Northern China on May 12, 2008. Author Phyllis Perry uses the adventures of a mother panda, LiLing, and her one year old cub, Tengfei, to teach children about earthquakes, animal survival, and to reinforce a mother's instinct to protect her child. After the quake, mother and cub run from the wreckage. Confused and afraid, they get lost! How will they survive outside their reserve? Will they find food? Will they find shelter? And will they safely endure the earthquake after-shocks? There is something to be learned from every natural disaster, and LiLing and Tengfei give children an opportunity to see it through their eyes. With the help of Susan Detwiler's vivid illustrations, author Phyllis Perry uses a factual event to teach children about earthquakes and animal survival."

The Rainforest Grew All Around -  "Imaginations will soar from the forest floor, up through the canopy and back down again, following the circle of life. The jungle comes alive as children learn about the wide variety of creatures lurking in the lush Amazon rainforest in this clever adaptation of the song "The Green Grass Grew All Around." Search each page to find unique rainforest bugs and butterflies hiding in the illustrations. Delve even deeper into the jungle using sidebars and the "For Creative Minds" educational section, both filled with fun facts about the plants and animals, how they live in the rainforest and the products we use that come from the rainforest."

The Glaciers Are Melting! - "Chicken Little may have thought the sky was falling but Peter Pika is sure the glaciers are melting and is off to talk to the Mountain Monarch about it. Joined along the way by friends Tammy Ptarmigan, Sally Squirrel, Mandy Marmot, and Harry Hare, they all wonder what will happen to them if the glaciers melt. Where will they live, how will they survive? When Wiley Wolverine tries to trick them, can the Mountain Monarch save them? More importantly, can the Mountain Monarch stop the glaciers from melting?"

The donation pile of books for the kids at Roseville Home Start

THANK YOU Sylvan Dell Publishing for your contribution to the Champions for Kids Nickelodeon Book Drive. The kids at Roseville Home Start are thankful for the books they received. You can purchase the Sylvan Dell books mentioned in this post and see the other great books they carry online at Sylvan Dell Publishing.

You can connect with Sylvan Dell Publishing on Facebook and Twitter.

Give A Little To Help A Lot

I know that most of us don't have wads of money to donate to good causes, and our hearts would like to help more than our pocketbooks will allow. That is very true for myself.
 
I live in the Seattle area, and we are fortunate that it is here that we have people like Bill and Melinda Gates who have donated a staggering amount of their wealth to charity through The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

I used to think that it was so great that this money was being donated from right here in my own backyard, and it was enough so that I somehow felt relieved a little from having to donate anywhere myself. I also felt that my tiny donations of money or goods were so small in comparison to others, would mine even matter?

It turns out that the answer is yes, every donation has the possibility of helping to make someone else's life better, and that every act of giving can have meaning.

I was so happy to come across this great book called How To Be An Everyday Philanthropist. There are hundreds of ways to help others both locally and globally. The ideas and examples in this book will inspire you to make our world a better place. There is a chapter that shows you how to give back and help out by using your computer, without even leaving home.

Big or small, our daily actions can truly make a difference in this world. Reading this book gave me clear guidance on using what I have to offer, and that the size of my bank account does not determine what I can do to help. Find out how easy it is to make a difference, and how good you will feel when you do.

Wild Wednesday At The Library

I've said this before and I'll say it again, I'm a huge fan of the library. What's not to love where everything is free? I use my library all the time and I really appreciate all the services they provide.

My two grandsons are now old enough to go to the library and enjoy it. Story hour is a new favorite. Books to read, toys to play with and Dragons to slay. Yeah, they love the library too.

It's a Big World Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi Book Review

My sweet girl snuggling up to Poppy the Pig!

I love to read to my children and until now it has been mostly classics and "boy" themed books. Well now that I have a daughter a whole new world of books has opened up to me! We were lucky enough to review It's a Big World Little Pig! by Kristi Yamaguchi. You know the Kristi Yamaguchi we all grew up watching on the ice skating rink? I loved watching her on the ice, wishing I too could be so graceful. Kristi has accomplished so much on and off the ice, what a beautiful person inside and out.

Kristi has written two children's books so far. Her latest book, It's a Big World Little Pig is about Poppy, a pig who dreams of being an ice skater. Poppy is so good at ice skating she receives an invitation in the mail to fly to Paris, France to compete in the World Games. At first Poppy is nervous to travel so far from home but with the encouragement from friends and family and a reminder that everyone smiles in the same language, Poppy is off on her adventure. She meets different athletes from all over the world, even a snowboarder from China! What I love about this story is it's modern but it has the classic ending that we all love. Poppy has a wonderful time meeting all of her new friends from around the world and spends the rest of the week with her family sight seeing in Paris. This is a great story written by a great women. I loved the illustrations by Tim Bowers, the cover even has glitter on it :)




 * I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was sent a free copy of this book for my review by the publisher/PR company. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

Support Your Local Bookstore (and have fun doing it!)

Today was a great day to take my two grandsons to a place they really love visiting, our local bookstore. I really believe in spending my dollars here because I don't want to see all of the small, independent bookstores go out of business. Amazon and the other giants have their places, but my heart belongs to all the little bookshops that sometimes struggle to stay in business.

There is so much more than just books to read. Trains, games, puzzles and more!

Our local bookstore offers a great selection of children's books of all kinds and for all ages, from babies to teenagers. We bought all of our Harry Potter books here and they even had Harry Potter parties here at midnight, when the books were released. The staff is very patient and helpful, too. Don't worry, that's not a real skunk! It's one of the many cute puppets they have for sale.

I love encouraging the boys to look at books, even at this young age.

I very much appreciate this bookstore in my community. It's a gathering site for local book lovers. We have author readings, book club meetings, guest lectures and much more. This is the entrance to the children's section. I love how everything is so bright and cheerful. Please support your local bookstore. They need our business to stay in business. And reading is fun!!