Show me How! Contest

I was recently sent a book called “Show me How! : Build Your Child’s SelfEsteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking written by author Vivian Kirkfield ” which I really liked. I think most of you know that I spend pretty much every waking moment surrounded by the “little people”, LOL. The development of children is supremely important to me, as I believe it is for most of you. As a mommy and as a teacher, I enjoy spending time with them, and learning how to improve that time and help them get he most out of it is great.
I absolutely love the ideas and examples. The author draws from so many great children’s books, that even if you work at a Pre-K and have a massive home library like yours truly, you will still need to utilize your local library. (And there is another great way to spend dome quality time with your kiddos!)
For example, there is a reading activity in which the adult reads “Alexander, Who is Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move” by Judith Viorst. The child is anxious about moving, and so the parental notes on the bottom suggest activities that can help make the child feel more confident and even excited about the move. Change is scary! You can overcome the fears together.
There is a fun activity in the crafting area, about how to make a sundial A sundial! How fun and how creative is that!? I love it!

This newly published book for parents, grandparents and teachers of preschoolers, SHOW MEHOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING“, pinpoints 100 picture books every young child should hear and provides a story summary, parenting tip, eco-friendly craft project and child-friendly healthful cooking activity for each recommended title. This great resource helps parents and teachers build self-esteem, develop pre-literacy skills and create a life-long parent-child bond. The fun-filled, self-esteem building activities give parents a newfound sense of confidence and competence in their own parenting abilities as well.
The reviews, from picture book authors, self-esteem experts, educators and parents, have been wonderful.
“What a lovely book! A delightful guide with storybook recommendations, imaginative recipes and creative projects that will keep little ones busy and happy…and grown ups too.” -Katharine Holabird, Angelina Ballerina author
SHOW ME HOW! is a wonderful resource for people who care for their children and hope to better their reading and learning experience. Kirkfield is to be commended for this book!” -Norman Bridwell, Clifford the Big Red Dog author.
“Library Journal says, “Former kindergarten teacher Kirkfield offers the 1st in a new “Positive Parental Participation” series. Organized by chapters such as mastering tasks and skills, valuing strengths and qualities and feeling appreciated and loved, the chapters contain 15-20 theme-oriented picture books with plot summaries, craft suggestions and recipes for healthy and child-friendly foods. This guide’s format and trifold approach of reading, crafting and [Read more…]

Tales From the Yoga Studio

Tales from the Yoga Studio: A Novel by Rain Mitchell

I was recently sent this book to read, the first of a series. It was a light, fast read, and a pleasant one as well. Most of you know I am a lover of both books and yoga, so this one of course seemed like a natural fit for me! It was a fun read about a group of friends who meet and bond over yoga. Their lives are different, but they all find solace in each other and in the experience that is yoga. The story meets some of the characters as they already know each other, and more as they are introduced, and is told in turns of each of their viewpoints, which was also fun. It is for sure “chick lit“, which is not my favorite genre, but it was not sloppy-dramatic or too over the top. I am not saying you will relate to all the details, but you will like the characters and the book [Read more…]

Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas- a fun review!

Best gift for movie buffs ever!
I seem to be in the mood for books lately, LOL. Well, anyone who knows me will tell you I am a big reader! (And I know quite a few of you are my “Goodreads” Friends, and we all know what we read, LOL)
I got to read this fun and festive book- Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas, by Alonso Duralde. I am not the world’s biggest movie buff- that title goes to a friend of mine, LOL. However, there are some HUGE movie fans in my circle- an uncle, my good friend, and my husband are all SUPER into movie facts and trivia. (I don’t even watch that many, LOL)
Regardless, this was a “Good Read”. It was a really fun book, full of fun facts, interesting tidbits, and information on all your favorites, past and present. I do love the “oldies”, and I am very into the “Old [Read more…]

Book Review- America, Love It or Leave It- So I Left

America- Love it or Leave it- So I Left
A book written by a young man who renounced his American citizenship and left. The hows, wheres, and whys. Or sort of. Partly. But it was mostly spewing hatred of those who were not born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

I thought this book would be less about hate. The author’s hatred for anyone who is not just like him- or perhaps anyone who is not him or directly related to him, is palpable. Such a “turn-off”. Author comes off as obnoxious, classist, egotistical. You can dislike a character in a book, but an egomaniacal author makes for a rough read when the book is a memoir. Even with interesting and unique material, which this has. The words “I”, “Me”, and “Money” were used so often in this book, that that alone should explain this author’s views on the world and humanity in general. He has a clear dislike [Read more…]

Party In My Tummy!

Quick book review! Little Man just got this Book- It’s from his favorite show- Yo Gabba Gabba!!!
It’s called “Party In My Tummy”.
Do you, like me, have a Yo Gabba Gabba Fan in your house? This new board-book is adorable. It is a fun “lift the flap” book, where the characters invite their favorite foods to the “party” in their tummies. They are reminded to eat their veggies, [Read more…]

PROFESSOR BARRISTER’S DINOSAUR MYSTERIES

Hey guys! PROFESSOR BARRISTER’S DINOSAUR MYSTERIES are soon to release book number 3!
Mystery #3: The Case of the Enormous Eoraptor

Join Prof. Barrister, Nate and Emily on another exciting dinosaur adventure, this time to the Dawn of the Dinosaurs!

Not only that, but you can purchace signed copies of Stephen Penner’s first two books of the [Read more…]