#MMBBR #ReviewRoundUp #GiftGuide #ExplorationStation #Children @smithsonian @The_BookishType

The holidays are right around the corner, so it is time to start thinking about gifts for the kiddos. Here are some of the things I love that will make great gifts and the holidays joyful for everyone. Gifts that encourage interaction and exploration are great. My kids are going to go nuts when they get these exploration kits for Christmas!

Review:

My sons will love creating this human skeleton and exploring the solar system. It will be a great way for us to spent time together and to learn about the human body and space. These are those creative projects that are both super fun and very educational. With Christmas coming I am always looking for things to keep my kids engaged and learning over those long winter months in Wisconsin. These project based educational projects that can be used multiple times in multiple ways. I love that there are so many components to these exploration stations. This is a must have learning experience for kids of all ages!

Take a trip into the stratosphere with Smithsonian Exploration Station: Space (ISBN: 978-1626867222)! With informative text and full-color photographs, young astronomers will learn about the intricate makeup of our solar system as well as distant galaxies and constellations. The 56-page fact book combined with the sticker sheet, space figurines to play with, and the glow-in-the-dark stars make this space experience interactive and engaging.

Includes:

56-page fact book

30 stickers

22 glow-in-the-dark stars

2 figurines (astronaut and rocket)

Discover what makes your blood pump and your muscles stretch in this hands-on learning experience! With fascinating facts, full-color photographs, a plastic model skeleton, and 25 fact cards, Smithsonian Exploration Station: Human Body (978-1626867215) is a fun, engaging way to learn about the inner workings of the complex systems that make the human body. 

Includes:

56-page fact book

30 stickers

1 plastic model skeleton (13 pieces)

25 fact cards

Head off on a globetrotting adventure in this interactive atlas! Learn about the diverse cultures, customs, wildlife, and natural beauty that form our world through informative text and full-color photograph. Children will love the hands-on aspect to learning as they blow up their inflatable globe and build the cardstock models of some of the wonders of the world. Smithsonian Exploration Station: World Atlas (ISBN: 978-1626867208) is the perfect way to engage kids in the amazing world around them!

Includes:

56-page fact book

30 stickers

1 inflatable globe

3 cardstock models to assemble: the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and a Mayan pyramid

#MMBBR #ReviewRoundUp #GiftGuide #Childrens #PictureBooks #ChapterBooks #GreatReads Thanks to: #ArielleBerg @bcrfegan #RobertMoses #RalphHardy #DarielleMac who provided #free #reviewcopies

The holidays are right around the corner, so it is time to start thinking about gifts for the kiddos. Here are some of the things I love that will make great gifts and the holidays joyful for everyone. Books are always great. In our house we do the 12 books of Christmas. It is always a hit.

All these books are awesome. They teach, entertain and engage the minds of kids. You and your kids will love getting lost within the pages of these amazingly original and beautiful illustrated titles.

Aiden the Astronaut is back in "Poof 123: Touch & Learn Numbers." This time, upon heading to Planet 123, the numbers had a big fight and split apart. Help Aiden join them back together in a book designed to help your child learn how to count numbers.

In this counting book of the "Touch and Feel" series designed for 2 year olds, toddlers, preschool and up, introduce your child to first concepts including numbers and colors. Through touch and simple words, toddlers can enjoy their first counting book and learn the alphabet with ease. Help your baby Einstein learn the power of numbers as well as the power of our words as human beings through interaction. First count to ten in a fun way which will make it easier in counting later to 100. Numbers, Colors and Shapes make this numbers book great as an early learning activity book for your bright baby. As a my first colors books, my first counting book and my first letters book, this book introduces kids to first concepts in a way that is meaningul and fun. Perfect for parents wanting a simple sensory baby book that is bright and happy that they can have fun reading as well.

This book is part of touch & learn series including: Poof ABC: Touch & Learn Alphabet, Swoosh Shape: Touch & Learn Shapes.

Titch is an itch who just wants to be wanted.

When Titch discovers that no one in his family wants him, he sets off on a journey to find someone – anyone – who would be willing to live with an itch. With every step he grows less hopeful. That is, until he meets an old friend.

The magical Hotel of Hoo is a mysterious place with some very unusual occupants. As our guests explore the strange hotel, they are invited to experience everything it has to offer with just one warning… don’t ever look behind door 32.

This imaginative picture book aims to take children beyond the first ten cardinal numbers, and introduces them to the patterns of counting in a fun and accessible way. With rooms to explore and unique objects to count, children will enjoy lingering on each page as they make their way closer to the forbidden door.

Based on a true story, Ruby at the Gate tells the story of Ruby, a lamb born weak and cared for by Robert Moses, a sheep farmer in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Ruby developed a deep bond with her shepherd. Once she became strong enough to join the other sheep, she waited at the gate to greet him every day at feeding time. 

Based on a true story, Ruby at the Gate tells the story of Ruby, a lamb born weak and cared for by Robert Moses, a sheep farmer in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Ruby developed a deep bond with her shepherd. Once she became strong enough to join the other sheep, she waited at the gate to greet him every day at feeding time.

This second edition of Ruby at the Gate is updated with delightful illustrations by Erika Cummings. 

From a compelling new voice in middle grade comes a reimagination of The Odyssey told from the point of view of Odysseus’s loyal dog—a thrilling tale of loyalty, determination, and adventure.

For twenty years, the great hero Odysseus struggles to return to Ithaka. After ten years beneath the walls of Troy, he begins the long journey back home. He defeats monsters. He outsmarts the Cyclops. He battles the gods. He struggles to survive and do whatever it takes to reunite with his family.

And what of that family—his devoted wife, Penelope; his young son, Telemachos; his dog, Argos? For those twenty years, they wait, unsure if they will ever see Odysseus again. But Argos has found a way to track his master. Any animal who sets foot or wing on Ithaka brings him news of Odysseus’s voyage—and hope that one day his master will return. Meanwhile, Argos watches over his master’s family and protects them from the dangers that surround a throne without its king.

Skooter Girl by Darielle Mac

Amber lives on a remote, mystical island known as Tir Na nor’, nestled in a chain of islands in the Northern Sea. She is mischievous, bright, gifted, and always digging herself out of trouble. She is finally turning 16, and in her world this means she is now accepted as a grown member of her village. Her foundation schooling is done and she is expected to choose her calling. Her father is a gifted teacher and musician who has trained her in music and other skills, and has charted a course for her future. Amidst the celebrations on her birthday, Amber learns of buried secrets about her family. These unveiled secrets thrust Amber’s life into a tumultuous new direction and force her on an adventure that will change who she is, if she is to survive …

#MMBBR #Reviews #HistoryMysteriesFreakyPhenomena #AnimalZombies thanks to @NGKids and #MediaMastersPublicity who provided #free #reviewcopies

History's Mysteries: Freaky Phenomena: Curious Clues, Cold Cases, and Puzzles from the Past by Kitson Jazynka

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This may be one of my son's (11 years old) new favorite book. He devoured this book. He was rattling off facts and showing me pictures nonstop since this book arrived. I cannot ever begin to find the right words to capture how completely AWESOME this book really is. I love how it is set up. Each page is filled with vibrant photos and facts, of awesome things in each category. There lots of topics that are picture packed with various sub topics that will capture the attention and interest of children and adults alike. From Creepy Creatures, to Unusual Objects to so much more. This 160 page book is one that will be a hit for a long time in this house. With an extensive table of contents to an index that is also very detailed, you can either read straight though or look up and then look over the topics that interest you the most. This book is sheer perfection and my kids and I LOVE it. I also love this book because it will aid in our love of the history and mysteries. Amazing, wonderful and fantastic...5 HUGE stars.

Animal Zombies!: And Other Bloodsucking Beasts, Creepy Creatures, and Real-Life Monsters by Chana Stiefel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so excited to work through this book with my kiddos. What makes this book so cool is that it is a bit different than other books. You will find the pictures, but there is more...lots more. There is information on the living dead, bloodsuckers, creeps from the deep, animal aliens and so much more. This book is filled with pictures, facts and stats. I am always looking for ways to keep the learning going over the fall months and winter months to supplement what they learn at school. This book is going to be a HUGE hit! It is a super book and has bright and colorful photos. I cannot get over how jam packed with facts, pictures and other tidbits this book is filled with. You will get to explore so much. This book also includes a detailed glossary and index. I love that the facts are written in a way that is easy to understand. Adults and kids alike will get lost looking at the pictures and learning so much cool and interesting information. So awesome!!! 5 HUGE stars

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#MMBBR #Review #ZombieCrossStitch by #EricaKern via #partner @The_BookishType who provided a #free #reviewcopy

Everything you need to stitch your brains out! Every undead heart will be warmed by these gruesome and hilarious cross-stitch projects. Zombie Cross-stitch (August 2018; ISBN: 978-1684124121; $19.99) includes a 64-page book with an overview of basic techniques and instructions for creating a dozen cross-stitch patterns, plus all the materials needed to complete two projects. From baby bibs and pillow covers to office signs and door hangers, this light-hearted kit will inspire crafters to bring their favorite zombies into the land of the living.

Zombie Cross-stitch by Erica Kern

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A funny and zany way to cross stitch your way through the fall. It is such a cool and fun for zombie lovers. I love all things crafts and this really is spectacular!

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#MMBBR #Review #SeaPrayer by @khaledhosseini via #partner @riverheadbooks who provided a #free #reviewcopy

Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is beautiful, meaningful and inspiring. It is the perfect reflection of the love from a father to a son written in a way that moves a person to their core. So beautiful, both the words and the illustrations. It has an important message and one that all need to read!!!

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#MMBBR #Showcase #Review @USGPO #books #government #NASA #TheNationalParks #EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

All these books are AMAZING. I love that they are informative, entertaining and written in a way that will engage children. There is something for everyone in the U.S. Government Publishing Office bookstore. I love that the books range from educational, games & activities to interactive, plus kids can earn badges along the way. These books are perfect for home, classroom or library. Kids will love learning, playing and getting out into nature and the national parks. A must for parents and teachers alike!

ABOUT THE BOOKS: It’s important to make reading a positive experience that will follow our children into adulthood. That’s where The United States Government Publishing Office (GPO) comes in. The GPO Bookstore offers lots of fun and interactive children’s books that have been published by various government agencies. For example, Junior Ranger Activity Books, published by the National Park Service and printed by GPO, are interactive booklets that encourage children to complete fun activities – from solving constellation riddles to finding buried treasure to recording wildlife sightings – while visiting National Parks. When complete, children can take their booklet to a National Park Service ranger or mail it to the National Park to receive cool badges for their hard work!   

Check out more books: HERE

#Giveaway #FirstLine #MortificationofFoveaMunson thanks to my partner @disneyhyperion / @DisneyBooks for providing #prizing and #reviewcopy

The Mortification of Fovea Munson

By Mary Hinn Heider

In Stores Now! 

Released June 5, 2018

Recommended for ages 8 -12

Published by Disney-Hyperion

 About the Book

Fovea Munson is nobody's Igor.

True, her parents own a cadaver lab where they perform surgeries on dead bodies. And yes, that makes her gross by association, at least according to everyone in seventh grade. And sure, Fovea's stuck working at the lab now that her summer camp plans have fallen through. But she is by no means Dr. Frankenstein's snuffling assistant! That is, until three disembodied heads, left to thaw in the wet lab, start talking. To her. Out loud. What seems like a nightmare, or bizarre hallucination, is not. Fovea is somebody's Igor, all right. Three somebodies, actually. And they need a favor.

With a madcap sense of humor and a lot of heart (not to mention other body parts), this is a story about finding oneself, finding one's friends, and embracing the moment.

Mini Review: I have just started this book and I already love it!  I can see that both kids and adults will really get into this book!

#FirstLine ~ Dead bodies are the worst.

GIVEAWAY:

Spooky Reads!

A prize pack so good, it’s scary! One (1) winner receives

The Mortification of Fovea Munsonand three other Halloween reads from Disney Books.

TO ENTER: 

Leave a comment telling me which book you would read first. Please leave your email address, so I can contact you if you win!

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Disney Book Group.

NOTE:

 Disney Book Group sent me a copy to check out and is partnering with me for a giveaway!