National Geographic Kids Books "Dive Into Summer" #Giveaway

Between Shark Week and Finding Dory (which if you have not seen it was incredible and I can't wait to see it again) it's no wonder National Geographic Kids is sponsoring a book giveaway for the summer which also features one of our all time favorite fish Dory!

The books are exactly what you would expect from National Geographic. Full color photos, loads of interesting information and reader friendly tidbits and trivia that keeps the reader engrossed, interested and reading. 

Ocean Animals: Who's Who in the Deep Blue ($12.99, ages 8-12) is an oversized book and it needs to be!  Featuring huge, stunning underwater photographs this book covers it all -- from life in coral reefs to sharks and rays, to bizarre creatures of the deep and even sea birds -- and all the favorites from Finding Dory including, sea lions, octopus, beluga whales, whale sharks and of course clown fish and Dory herself -- blue tangs!   Check out a few pages from the visually amazing and totally engrossing Ocean Animals here:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m92n1oe9swhd2ca/AACG1Xg3U8iZtLAp1BEn9s5Na?dl=0.

Ocean Animals Sticker Activity Book (ages 4-8, $6.99) has over 1,000 cool stickers of the most popular, adorable, ferocious and weird ocean animals, like dolphins, coral, fish, sea turtles, seals and more. Also included are skill-building puzzles and mazes, spelling and pattern games, drawing, photos, facts, and other activities that will keep kids you entertained (and learning) for hours on end. Perfect for road trips and plane rides!

 If you are interested in purchasing

For More Information Follow:

National Geographic Kids on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/NationalGeographicKid * National Geographic Kids Books on twitter - @NGKidsBks

To Enter the Giveaway

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. My reviews are 100% honest and true based on my personal opinion not on a company’s description or request. No monetary compensation was received

Meet The Bobs and Tweets by Pepper Springfield

Meet The Bobs and Tweets by Pepper Springfield and Illustrated by Kristy Caldwell   
Age Range: 4 - 8 years 
Grade Level: Preschool - 3 
Lexile Measure: 550 
Hardcover: 80 pages 
Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (June 28, 2016)

...the Bobs, who are messy, and the Tweets, who are neat. How can these two strange families get along in the same neighborhood? And are all the Tweets really neat and all the Bobs slobs?

This is the first book in a brand-new series of full-color, illustrated high-interest rhyming stories that's just right for reluctant readers. It's Dr. Seuss meets Captain Underpants wrapped into one zany adventure. Get ready to read...and laugh!

The 411:

The entire time I was reading it I felt like I was reading a satire Dr. Seuss book so the description of Dr. Seuss meets Captain Underpants is perfect.

The Bobs are all messy except for one (Bob 7 named Dean) and The Tweets are all clean except for one (Tweet 7 named Lou). When they are tossed together there will surely be mayhem especially when the Bob's dog Chopper and The Tweets cat Pretty Kitty get in the mix.

The book kept my attention in the beginning but every once in a while it didn't read out loud well because the rhyme would drop off but it is a decent read and with a Lexile of 550, it isn't a bad summer book for kids within the range. 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion.  My reviews are 100% honest and true based on my personal opinion not on a company’s description or request. No monetary compensation was received

Sketchy Stories by Kerby Rosanes

Sketchy Stories

The Sketchbook Art of Kerby Rosanes

Illustrator: Kerby Rosanes

Format: Flexibound, 128 Pages

ISBN: 9781631061752

Publisher: Race Point Publishing

Published: May. 31, 2016

$16.99 / £10.99

World-renowned artist Kerby Rosanes specializes in black ink doodles and sketches, and at the age of 23, he quit his desk job as a graphic designer to pursue his art full time. With a legion of over a million followers, Kerby has been a source of inspiration to artists, designers, and art-lovers all over the world with his stunning art and inspirational messages like "Never Quit Drawing" and "Be Awesome Today." Now fans can glimpse the personal sketchbook of Kerby Rosanes with Sketchy Stories, a beautiful facsimile reproduction of his original sketchbook, loaded with secret doodles, elaborate sketches, and whimsical lines and detailed patterns. Interspersed with his artwork, Kerby also includes techniques, tips, inspirations, influences, and more. The ideal gift for fans of Kerby Rosanes or anyone who is ready to be creatively inspired.

The 411:

Kerby Rosanes doodles like Picasso paints. Most of us doodle faces, lines, circles or hearts. Kerby doodles incredibly detailed masterpieces. This book is a replica of some of his finest pieces. The book is made to look like a sketchbook which opens flat so you can see most of the drawings on their two page spread. 

My daughter loves to draw and found this book interesting and inspirational. His drawings are a touch of whimsical with tons of animals, faces and places. Using mostly black ink and the use of light and dark shading Kerby creates masterpieces that make you want to look at them over and over again because you always spot something new hidden that  you never noticed before. 

To Purchase:

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. My star ratings are exact based on Amazon's star descriptions. My reviews are 100% honest and true based on my personal opinion not on a company’s description or request. No monetary compensation was received

Children's Summer Read - Unidentified Surburban Object by Mike Jung

The next person who compares Chloe Cho with famous violinist Abigail Yang is going to HEAR it. Chloe has just about had it with people not knowing the difference between someone who's Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. She's had it with people thinking that everything she does well -- getting good grades, winning first chair in the orchestra, et CETera -- are because she's ASIAN.

Of course, her own parents don't want to have anything to DO with their Korean background. Any time Chloe asks them a question they change the subject. They seem perfectly happy to be the only Asian family in town. It's only when Chloe's with her best friend, Shelly, that she doesn't feel like a total alien.

Then a new teacher comes to town: Ms. Lee. She's Korean American, and for the first time Chloe has a person to talk to who seems to understand completely. For Ms. Lee's class, Chloe finally gets to explore her family history. But what she unearths is light-years away from what she expected.

The 411 by Maria:

Great read about middle schooler Chloe Cho who embraces her Korean heritage unlike her parents who refuse to talk with her about their past, family, or anything having to do with Korea.  Chloe is growing up in an white town in suburbia and where there is no one like her.

Mike writes the angst of a teen girl perfectly. She is full of vigor, moody, abrasive and so done with everyone who annoys her when they compare her to Abigail Yang because of their shared heritage. Everything changes when new teacher Ms. Lee comes to school. Finally someone Chloe wants to relate to.

The plot twist comes out of nowhere. I had no idea what her parents deal was but found it exciting.

Not to give anything away. This is great read for the summer.  A little young adult, a little science fiction, a little humor.

To Purchase:



Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. My star ratings are exact based on Amazon's star descriptions. My reviews are 100% honest and true based on my personal opinion not on a company’s description or request. No monetary compensation was received

Oh So Random

This weekend my daughter's classmate invited the entire grade to his house for an End Of School Year Splash. They live right on a lake and were told to bring sunblock, towels, a swimsuit, water shoes if they had them and a life vest if they had one. When we got there one of her besties was arriving at the same time which now that I have seen it should always happen. When friends arrive to a party together they don't feel uncomfortable when they first get there because they have each other. Mental note to set this up for my daughter for the next party.

My girl is in the middle, blue suit dragging her friend on a float

Goddess has matured so much over the past few years. It kills me sometimes.

She was having a blast

The kids had a blast. Even though it was a drop off, I hung out. I am not a drop of kind of parent unless I know you and really trust you. I can name three people like that right now where my kids would be dropped off without a second thought. Three is better than none.

The parents also set up a slip and slide. Which I hear was very cold.

She acted like she was about to go down but changed her mind last minute

Her friends are fearless

running through was apparently fine

Then before I knew it there was talk of  a boat ride.

Goddess without her glasses can see nothing. The squinting is not just from the sun

before I even had time to discuss, she was on the boat

And it was being lowered into the water

 

 

I watched them drive away and I thought...wait who is this guy? I don't really know him.

While the girls were gone I busied myself with watching the boys who were jumping from a 25 foot deck into the lake. UGH...

  

Even Goddess' friend took the plunge when she returned. Go FAITH!

It was a great day and while I was worried about my daughter who drove away in a boat with a bunch of other 5th grade girls and a stranger she informed me on her return she was having the best time.

Still going to hover but learning that my little girl is totally growing up and doesn't need me as much.

SOB!

My Lake Shadows

Thursday was the kids last day at school before summer break. Knowing my morning will be a little busier in the next few weeks I decided to head to the lake for some quiet and relaxation before getting them from school. It was glorious and there was one other person there. I just walked around and looked at the beautiful lake while taking some deep cleansing breaths.

Let Summer Fun begin now!

Come Home, Angus by Patrick Downs - Book Review

Come Home Angus by Patrick Downs with Illustrations by Boris Kilihov

Angus woke up mad and knew today was not his day. His dachshund, Clive, walked too slowly. His canary, Pennycake, was too loud. And to top it off, his breakfast pancakes were way too skinny.
Angus was in a bad mood, and he decided to run away. He walked two blocks, three blocks, five blocks, then suddenly everything seemed scary and dark. When his mother found Angus, he realized he was better off with her and at home.

The touching story by Patrick Downes and the bold illustrations by Boris Kulikov will comfort young children. It will show them that even when they are angry or frustrated or dealing with other emotions, everything is going to be all right.

The 411:

I loved this book because reminds me of the conversations I have with my kids now when they talk about how "BIG" they are and how they can be left alone or take care of themselves. "You live in a bubble that Mommy and Daddy allow  you to live in. You have no idea how hard things are out there and we want it that way. Stop rushing to grow up."  In this book Angus wakes in a bad mood and doesn't know why. He just knows everything is bothering him. The one person he could turn to is his mom even she isn't getting through to him.

Angus decides leaving the house is what he needs to do and does. Of course unbeknownst to him his loving mother follows and is there for the moment Angus realizes that he is going to be OK, Mommy is there and this too shall pass.

LOVED IT!

The graphics are great too! Big, angry Angus is all sketchy and looks upset. He feels massive with his anger. Everything else is drawn without all the lines but as he makes his way through the city Angus is small again and everything around him is drawn with all the lines.

 

GREAT BOOK!


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product from Scholastic for my honest opinion. My reviews are 100% honest and true based on my personal opinion not on a company’s description or request. No monetary compensation was received.

Fashion Adult Coloring Book Vintage Series: The Masters of Fashion Illustration by Wendy Piersall

The Masters of Fashion Illustration recreates some of the most iconic fashion magazine cover illustrations as a gorgeous new coloring book for adults. The book features 5 of the most prolific fashion artists of the art deco and art nouveau periods: Helen Dryden, Erté, George Wolfe Plank, Frank Leyendecker, and George Barbier. These artists appeared on the covers of the most popular fashion magazines of all time; magazines still being published today. Take a trip to the golden age of fashion illustration, before photography permanently took its place. Hand-drawn and lovingly reproduced by best-selling coloring book artist Wendy Piersall, these 30 highly detailed illustrations are true to the original works while being adapted specifically to be an absolute joy to color.

The 411:

This book is perfect for anyone who gets joy out of coloring but also for those who enjoy fashion.  The artist Wendy Piersall takes the works of 5 major players in the world of fashion and creates stunningly detailed coloring pages for marker, colored pencils, gel pens or whatever you decide to use on these creations.

The detail is incredible. I love coloring and while I have not had a chance to sit down and color in this book it calls to me every single day. Summer vacation is only a week away and I will be spending some of mine coloring in this book.

Each page is a fully detailed replicas such as this one from Helen Dryden that created for Vogue.

On the back of each page is the author's name and the month an year they drew it.

 

Aren't they fun? I can't wait to color this with my favorite gel pens.

Wendy also has a few boxes in the first two pages of the book so you can try out your markers, pencils and pens to make sure they don't bleed through the pages however she does suggest placing a piece of paper in between the pages when coloring.

Follow Wendy on her webpage, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

To Purchase:



Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. My star ratings are exact based on Amazon's star descriptions. My reviews are 100% honest and true based on my personal opinion not on a company’s description or request. No monetary compensation was received