God Made You Nose to Toes by Leslie Parrott~A ZonderKidz Review

  God Made You Nose to Toes is a chunky board book written by Leslie Parrott and illustrated by Estelle Corke. As I was reading the book I was reminded of the Bible verse Jerimiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hop and a future.”
   This adorably illustrated board book reminds us of how God made our entire body as he wanted each of us to be.  He gave us our eyes to see the beautiful stars he created for us, a mouth to laugh at the funny animals he created for us and ears to hear the beautiful sound, for examples.  A great addition to any little ones library!

Thank you to the Z~squad for the opportunity to review this book!

You can check out this book or other great titles from the Zondervan here!

     Disclaimer: I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug! by Caroline B Cooney~A ZonderKidz Review

            I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug by Caroline B Cooney is an adorable hardback picture book written about hugs!  Who doesn’t love hugs!  Who doesn’t need a special hug?  This book is great to cuddle in bed with as part of your bedtime routine or give to that special little one in your life. 
      As you read thru the vividly illustrated pages the story talks about different types of silly hugs:  a creepy crawly hug like one of a caterpillar, a webbed feet feathered seat like a duck hug, or a wet and drippy-slimy slippy fish hug.  Who has ever heard of a fish hug? I am not quite sure what that would look like, but I love it in the story!  Being the mom to 4 blessings, I feel that this book is an excellent book to have some silly and fun bonding time with your child.

  About the author:  Caroline B Cooney was born in New York, grew up in Connecticut, and now lives in South Carolina.  Caroline is the author of 90 young adult novels in many genres, and her books have sold over fifteen million copies.  I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug is her first picture book.  It’s based on a verse she wrote for her own children, Louisa, Sayre and Harold, who are gown now.

About the Illustrator:  Tim Warnes has been illustrating children’s books for twenty years.  He lives in Dorset, England, with his wife, children’s illustrator Jane Chapman, and their two sons.  When he is not drawing little critters, Time loves to writer, watch birds, and play his banjo.  Visit him at www.ChapmanandWarnes.com

You can check out this book and many other great children’s books at Zondervon here.

Thank you to Zondervan and Zonderkids for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.    

The Essential Bodybuilding Cookbook:150 Healthy, Simple and Delicious Bodybuilding Recipes to Meet Your Every Need~A Tomoson Review

 You hear all the time that people want to get healthy/loose weight/build muscle and the food part of the equations is the hardest.  I used to think that body builders could eat just what ever they wanted.  It didn’t matter if they ate donuts for breakfast or what.  I knew they needed a lot of calories and didn’t think it mattered really where they came from.  I found out that this is not the case.  It doesn’t matter if you are trying to bulk up or slim down, for most people the key along with exercise is what they eat.  You need to keep an eye on the quality of food as well as the quantity, and it is just as important for those bulking up!

 With the Essential Bodybuilding Cookbook you are getting a great head start!  The book is filled with 150 recipes and would be a great addition to your cookbook library.  Not just a cookbook?   What else does it feature:
          Diet and Nutrition~Talking about calories, proteins, carbs and more
           Muscle Starts in the Kitchen~Grocery lists and cooking/meal prep
          Eating to Build Muscle~Why you can’t gain weight, caloric needs and more
         Eating to Burn Fat~why people can’t loose weight, calorie intake and fat burning
         Pre and post work out nutrition~why fuel your body before and after workouts
            and of course the 150 recipes!
  The recipes are divided into Shakes, drinks and desserts~Sides, salads and snacks~Soups~Seafood~Vegetarian and Vegan~Meat~Poultry~Breakfast.  Each recipe has the nutritional info at the bottom so you can easily keep track of your intake for the day.

   Overall I really like this book!  I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for quick and healthy recipes to help them on their building journey!

You can get your copy of the book by going to Amazon.  The kindle edition is only 99 cents!  If your prefer they have a book format that also is available for 13.38.     #carrillopress

So just because the recipes are healthy for your body, are they tasty?  I made a few of the recipes for my family. 
          This is the workout waffle
  It uses oats and protein powder in the ingredients.  I have to say that the recipe was very simple to make and surprisingly looked like a waffle!   I think that protein powder has a distinct taste.  When I first started to drink protein powder I had to get used to the taste.  These waffles you could definitely tell had the powder it them.   I loved how easy they were to make and I thought they had a great flavor.  The recipe said to bake for 10 minutes.  I always follow the recipes exactly as they are written the first time I make them. The next time I will cook this one for less time as it was a bit dry.  Overall, I will make again.
                                              Barbell Beef Curry          
   We do not eat a lot of beef in our menu.  We prefer chicken and fish (or no meat at all for me!)  I make chili, meatballs and tacos with beef but that is pretty much it.  There will be an occasional steak here and there but our monthly menu consists mainly of the chicken and beef.  SO I thought I would give this recipe a try with the cute name.  Barbell Beef Curry for the Barbell weightlifter!  This recipe gives you the option of placing it in the crock pot and well I jumped on that wagon you  bet!  I love my slow cooker!    The only complaint with this recipe was that the curry was a bit overpowering for my men.  They love spicy foods, however this wasn’t their favorite spice. It wasn’t overall a spicy dish either.  The meat was tender and the overall flavor was nice, just a bit over curried.  Next time I would try about half of the recipe.
                                                      Latin Rice                                                             
     You know the song, This One’s for the Girls? Well this recipe was for me!  Not eating meat makes finding new recipes difficult at times.  This Latin rice is super easy to make and very delicious.  I did have to use green peppers in stead of red that the recipe called for because I just used me last red one last night! I know it would be better appealing to the eye, had I used the red.  The recipe is brown rice, black beans, onions, peppers and cilantro.  That is it!  It is very tasty and would make a great addition to any meal!
                                                     Beef Chili Con Carne                              
     First off, let me apologize for this picture.  The picture doesn’t do justice to the dish!  As I said previously we don’t eat a lot of beef so I wanted to definitely give these a try.  This recipe was super easy and I wonder if you could make it with the meatless ground beef. I will try that in the near future!  I had to omit the mushrooms and onions as well as the  peppers from one dish at my house due to allergies.  It calls for beef, onion, kidney beans, carrot, bell pepper, mushroom, olive oil, water, chili powder, garlic, cilantro, lime and then rice or quinoa.  Overall, the verdict on this was that it needed a bit more seasoning.


Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned book for free, in exchange for a frank an honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

Sundown Naturals B-12 and Melatonin Gummies~A Smiley360 Review

           I was so excited when I was chosen to review these Sundown Naturals Supplements from Smiley360!!  When the Smiley box came I immediately opened it and found all the goodies they sent!  It included:

• A full-size bottle of Vitamin B12 1500 mcg Gummy – Chocolate and Coffee Flavor
• 7-day Melatonin Gummy Sample Pack with $1.00 off coupon
• 2 single-dose Vitamin B12 Sample Packs with $2.00 off coupon
• Sundown Naturals® Vitamin Brochure
• Sharing Guide

     I immediately tried the B-12.  Upon opening the chocolate and coffee

  flavored supplements, I was overwhelmed by the smell.  The claim is to have a  coffeehouse experience…  will I think they have mastered that!  These smell super delicious, and taste as great as they smell!  I have to say I was thinking they would be more of a mocha flavor then coffee, however I love them!  Each B-12 supplement serving contains 1500MCG of B-12 which is water soluble, meaning that if you body doesn’t need it it will get rid of it not store it.  

   That evening about 30 minutes before I went to bed, I tried the Melatonin as well.  I had never taken Melatonin before.  These were strawberry flavored (not my favorite flavor, but still good).  Each serving contains 5 mg of melatonin, a natural occurring hormone in your body that helps to regulate your sleep/wake rhythm. 

Both of these have No Gluten, No Wheat, No Milk, No Lactose, No Artificial Flavor, No
Artificial Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Soy, No Yeast, No Fish and are Sodium Free.  The B-12 also contains no starch.  As you can see these are suited for many people!

    I would totally recommend the B-12 to anyone looking for some more energy without caffeine.  They taste great and give your the boost you may need to get thru the day.  The Melatonin, I didn’t notice any difference.  They are said to help you sleep or sleep better.  I am not a person who has trouble sleeping.  I didn’t seem more sleepy in the mornings so I guess that is good.  I can’t say that it made me sleep better, I couldn’t tell.  From the site:Melatonin supports sound, quality sleep.* It is an exceptional choice for people experiencing occasional sleeplessness, those with jet lag, or those seeking to improve their quality of rest.*

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

   Please check with your Doctor or health care professional before you start any supplement routine.

  Thank you to Smiley360 for the opportunity to review this product!  You can check out Smiley360 for yourself here- http://h5.sml360.com/-/21xqg

    Check out Sundown Naturals:

          Website      Facebook    Twitter    Instagram

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of the above mentioned products in exchange for a frank an honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

Bing Rewards~A Smiley360 Review

  I’m all about rewards!  Everyone seems to have a punch or rewards program these days ranging from punch cards giving you a free item once so many are purchased, to accumulating points that you can use for purchasing items.  Who wouldn’t be crazy about free stuff?  The better rewards are those that you don’t have to do a lot for, am I right?  So, how do you choose which ones are worth your time and effort?  I think that is totally an individual preference.  We (my hubby and I), have decided that visa rewards are a plus, (as long as you pay your bill each month), next on our list is Bing Rewards!
  What are Bing Rewards?  It is a program by Microsoft.  Using the Bing search engine, you earn credits for searching the web! Yes, you read that correctly!  All you have to do is use Bing when you surf the internet and you will collect credits! 
  Are there other ways to earn credits?  Of course, there is a daily quiz that you can participate in where you can earn points.  Don’t worry if you don’t know the answers, just look them up on Bing!
     You can also earn points by searching on your phone.  Don’t these sound easy? 
  You have points, now what do you get with them?   
       Great gifts: Amazon gift cards, a month on Hulu, skype credits and Starbucks cards, just to name a few. Check out the other great rewards here.
Redeeming your points couldn’t be any easier.  You just go to the redemption tab on the dashboard and click on what you want.  It is then emailed to you just like that.  I already used/earned a 5.00 Amazon gift card!  Now I am going to save for a Hulu 1 month membership, I think!
     Some of the fine print:  This is open to residents of the United States only, you have to open up a Microsoft account (if you don’t already have one), and you must also be at least 13 years of age.  You can check out all the frequently asked questions here.
My opinion of this program? 
   I have only been using this for a few weeks.  I have liked it so far.  I think that Chrome and Firefox are a bit faster as far as searching, however I haven’t had any true problems using this and it isn’t a whole lot slower so it is worth the points, I think.  The only real problem that I had was that if for some reason my Microsoft account wasn’t signed in and I didn’t catch it, my counter tells me what I have accumulated but are not eligible for since I wasn’t singed in.  Totally my fault, not the program!   Overall, I think this is a great rewards program!
Want to try out free products?  Join the Smiley360 team!  Click the link below for details!
http://h5.sml360.com/-/1w1sc
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the above mentioned product, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.
Thank you to Smiley360 for the opportunity to review Bing Rewards!

God Bless Texas~Illustrated by Peter Francis~A Zonderkidz Review

       
      Henry is off exploring again!  In this, A Land that I Love Series book Henry stops in Texas, the Lone Star State!  God Bless Texas is a chunky board book design great for little hands.  Illustrated by Peter Francis the book takes you on an adventure exploring the great state of Texas, highlighting some of the great spots of the state.

 

     “Austin’s the place where the state flag flies high,

    From a beautiful dome reaching up to the sky.

    The Texas State Capitol stands for the law,

   And even the governor shakes Henry’s paw!” 

                 A cute, durable book that starts to teach about the awesome state of Texas!
 
This series is a great way to introduce some of the amazing history within our country, state by state.  It ends with a prayer of thankfulness for the wonderful state that God created for us.  I recommend this series to anyone with little ones either for pure enjoyment or to supplement your curriculum.

About the author:  Peter Francis lives and works in the U.K.  When he’s not following Henry’s travels, he can be found sketching frantically in his studio, investigating hidden landscapes, or growing his own vegetables.

Be sure to check this book and the others in the series:God Bless America, God Bless Florida here!

Thank you to ZonderKidz and Zondervan for the opportunity to review this book!

  Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

God Bless Florida~illustrated by Peter Francis~A ZonderKidz Review

   
    God Bless Florida, is part of the A Land That I Love Series, illustrated by Peter Francis.  This chunky little board book is colorful, sturdy and durable for those little fingers to explore.  Join Henry as he visits the Sunshine State, Florida!

     “When he gets to Daytona, he joins in a race,

     Speeding and weaving right into first place!

    He crosses the finish line-this bear can’t be beat.

   The whole crowd goes wild and jumps to their feet.”

 

  This series is a great way to introduce some of the amazing history within our country.  It ends with a prayer of thankfulness for the wonderful state that God created for us.  I recommend this series to anyone with little ones either for pure enjoyment or to supplement your curriculum

About the author:  Peter Francis lives and works in the U.K.  When he’s not following Henry’s travels, he can be found sketching frantically in his studio, investigating hidden landscapes, or growing his own vegetables.

Be sure to check out this book and the others: God Bless America and God Bless Texas in the A Land That I Love Series here!

Thank you to ZonderKidz and Zondervan for the opportunity to review this book.

    Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product or free in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

God Bless America~Illustrated by Peter Francis~A ZonderKidz Review

                           
          God Bless America, illustrated by Peter Francis, is a board book that talks about America!  It is made of chunky, study cardboard great for little hands.  The colorful illustrations will keep anyone intrigued as they are reading this book.  As you read thru the rhyming words you  discover with in these pages a few of the things that make our country so great, as Henry (the little bear) discovers our great country. 

      “Next to South Dakota, to see four famous men-

       One good with a sword, one good with a pen. 

       The third from the left is young Theodore,

       And last is Abe Lincoln, who led us through war.”

   
  This series is a great way to introduce some of the amazing history within our country.  It ends with a prayer of thankfulness for the wonderful state that God created for us.  I recommend this series to anyone with little ones either for pure enjoyment or to supplement your curriculum

About the author:  Peter Francis lives and works in the U.K.  When he’s not following Henry’s travels, he can be found sketching frantically in his studio, investigating hidden landscapes, or growing his own vegetables.

  Be sure to check out this book and the other titles in the series:  God Bless Texas and God Bless Florida here!

Thank you to ZonderKidz and Zondervan for the opportunity to review this book!

     Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may vary.

Counting Blessings by Eileen Spinelli~A ZonderKidz Review

       Counting Blessings was written by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Lee Holland. It has a soft, cardboard chunky book, great for little fingers to hold and turn pages as you are reading to them.  Snuggle up in bed or with a warm blanket and introduce your child to counting from 1-10 and some of the many blessings from God!  The pages are softly illustrated with adorable little animals that are interacting with each blessing.  Pets and puddles, grass and trees, ladybugs and honey bees, for example is one set of pages that is shown with animals with umbrellas splashing in puddles and playing with ladybugs as bees fly around.
     From the back of the book:  Count along from 1-10, remember your blessings again and again.  Cuddle up with you little ones and count numbers as well as the many blessings in their lives.
About the Author:  Eileen Spinelli  is a poet and picture book author with talent for lovable stories that tug at the heart. She is the author of more than forty books for children.
About the Illustrator:  Lee Holland is an artist and illustrator from Staffordshire, England.  He studied at the University of the Arts London and currently applies his talents to a variety of mediums including children’s books, magazines, logos, and clothing.
  You can check out the great titles from ZonderKidz here!
Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

Wonders of Creation Coloring Book~A Zondervan Review

Have you heard the news!  It has been found that parents have stressful lives.  Between our families, jobs, friends and whatever takes up our time either for work or pleasure our plates are full!  It has also been found that coloring reduces stress and anxiety!  Do you like to color?  I LOVE to color.  Every time I think or hear do you want to color, I hear the song “it’s a color, it’s a color and you know I love to color by Joe Wise.  It is a silly song about coloring certain colors when you are feeling a certain way, including puce /pa  use/.  Anyhow, I have lost count on how many crayons, colored pencils, markers (okay I despise markers for coloring so I don’t use them often) or what ever medium you want to use to create art, I have purchased as a parent.  I have also lost count of how many hours I have spent at the table, counter, laying on the floor or even sitting outside just coloring with the kiddos.  Now my daughter is the only one who wants to color outside of the required for school or 4-H.
     This Wonders of Creation book is a great book to take outside on that warm sunny day to decompress and color!  Highlighting the animals, plants and wonders of creation reminds us of the amazing world God created for us.
  Recommended for anyone who needs some downtime!  You know that it you!  You can check out this book and other great titles from ZonderKidz HERE!
Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!
I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may vary.

Swimming with Faith:The Missy Franklin Story~ ZonderKidz Review

Swimming with Faith The Missy Franklin Story was written by Natalie Davis Miller, and tells the story of the Olympic swimmer, Missy Franklin. 
     Summary from the book:  One of the most talented swimmers in the world today, Missy Franklin has been swimming since she was five year old and hasn’t stopped.  From local summer swim leagues all the way to the Olympics.  Missy has proven over and over that hard work and dedication can make dreams become reality.  But through all of the adventures and challenges that are a part of this determined athlete’s life, Missy has remained true to her heat and faith-making sure that God, family and friends stay top priorities even in the face of the fame and glory that come with achieving goals like Olympic Gold and world records in her beloved swimming.
My thoughts:
     This book doesn’t disappoint when talking about the determination and challenges faced by a teenager who is Olympic bound.  You see Missy on her journey, be introduced to God and the church and take the road that God had intended for her and running on it!  She tries to keep herself grounded by staying in her hometown, instead of moving for training, and doing things with her friends as any “normal” teenager would do.  When she is faced with a trying time it is her faith, her friends and family (fans included) that pull her through.  Missy is a great example of finding your path,  giving it your all (110 percent in her words) and being the best you can be.
You can check out this book and other great books from Zondervan!
Thank you to ZonderKidz and Zondervan for the opportunity to review this book!
I received a copy of the above mentioned book for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own. Your results and opinions may vary.

Adventure Bible~Great Stories of the Bible~A ZonderKidz Review

     The Adventure Bible Great Stories of the Bible is a reading level 2 book that includes 6 books in 1, providing a great bedtime story routine that will encourage them to read as well as learn their Bible stories!   A level 2 book is a reading with help book, making it a great way to interact with your child, making memories or reading with them as well as teaching them the stories of the Bible! The stories include: God’s Great Creation,  Ruth and Naomi, The Good Samaritan, Miracles of Jesus, A Father’s Love and Facing the Blazing Furnace. 
  
From the back of the book:
   Great Stories of the Bible is a six book treasury of level 2 Adventure Bible I can Read stories from both the Old and the New Testament.  Stories are based on the Adventure Bible-the #1 Bible for Kids!

You can check out this book or other great books from ZonderKidz here!

     Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!
I received a copy of the above mentioned book for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

NKJV Teen Study Bible~A ZonderKids Review

  There are several different types of Bibles out there!  Some of them have different features to help you either get into the word or understand the word better. This Teen study bible is a great choice!  Here are some facts about this bible, then I will share my thoughts.
     The New King James Version (NKJV) Teen Study Bible is listed as the best selling Bible for Teens.  From the back of the Bible:
    As an on-the-go teen, your moving fast.  God is moving faster!  The Teen Study Bible will help you keep in step with all He has done, Is doing, and will do in the world-and in your life.  This bestselling Bible will help you discover the eternal truths of God’s Word and apply them to the issues you face today.
               It’s features (still on the back of the book) include:
                  We Believe-Unpacks the Apostles’ Creed to reveal the biblical foundation of faith.
                  Panorama-Keeps the big picture of each book of the Bible in view.
                 4 Full color pages-Presentation page and information about the Apostles’ Creed
                 Key Indexes-Helps with in-depth Bible study
                 To the point-reveals what the Bible says about pressing issues
                 Dear Jordan-Offers biblical advice for teens
                 Instant Access-Tells what God says to you personally
                Q&A-Tests your knowledge of Bible Trivia
                Bible Promises-Highlights Bible verses worth remembering
                Book Introductions-Provides an overview for each book of the Bible
                8 page, full color map section
               Complete text of the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible
My Thoughts:
     This is a sturdy hard cover bible.  I love the explanations through out like the instant access and the to the point sections.  For example in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 the Instant Access is explaining that Solomon had so much money and power that he got everything that he wanted either by money or power.  The explanation is that they haven’t grown up spiritually and it isn’t the things you have but the kind of person you are that matters.
     I think this would make a great Bible for anyone, however I picture it more for our young men as the cover isn’t very girly (it is attractive though).  The Bible can be a bit overwhelming I think to figure out, especially for those who are just getting into it for the first time. I think that it has a lot of information in it for  helping the reader to understand what God really wants out of us and to understand the Bible.

Thank you to ZonerKidz for the opportunity to review this Bible! 

You can chechk out this Bible or other great titles at Zonderkidz!

  I received a copy of the above mentioned book for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may vary.

Read With Me Bible for Little Ones~A ZonderKidz Review

   How little is too little to teach your child(ren) about the Bible?  I don’t think that you are ever too young!  The Read With Me Bible for Little Ones is a great start!  Written by Doris Wynbeek Rikkers and Illustrated by Dennis G Jones, the chunky cardboard book has very sturdy pages and vibrant, colorful, easy to read pages.  This Bible starts at the beginning, with The Very Beginning Genesis 1-2:3 and ends with Jesus Goes to Heaven Acts 1.  A great introductory Bible for the little ones in your life!

From the back of the book:
  The Read with Me Bible for Little Ones is the perfect way to introduce the Bible to young children.  Featuring simple language and vibrant, full color illustrations by Dennis Jones, this action packed padded over board book is a great way to jump start literacy and a love of the Bible.
  
You can check out this book at ZonderKidz, as well as other great books like the Read With Me
Bible for Toddlers!

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

I received a free copy of the above mentioned product in exchange for a frank an honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed. All opinions are my own. Your results or opinions may vary!

Bear Country Fun Sticker & Activity Book~A ZonderKidz Review

Jan & Mike Berenstain are at it again creating fun and entertaining books that bring your little ones into Bear Country!  Who doesn’t love a sticker and activity book!  With summer quickly approaching this book will provide several hours or entertainment for those trips in the car, (as long as your kiddos don’t put the sticker over you windows as my children always wanted to do!) or anywhere!

From the publisher:  The Berenstain Bears come to life with this sticker and activity book fans are sure to love! In The Berenstain Bears Bear Country Fun Sticker and Activity Book join the whole Bear family through fun puzzles, mazes, coloring pages, and 50 reusable stickers.

You can check out this book and other great Berenstain Bears book from ZonderKidz!

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

I received a copy of the above mentioned product in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own!  Your results and opinions may differ.

**Giveaway Time** Baby Wren and the Great Gift

In conjunction with recent release of this adorable book about our uniqueness and our individual talents  ZonderKids has allowed me to offer a free copy to one lucky person!

What is the book about?  Baby Wren is discouraged (as we all get at times) when she sees what the others can do, that she can’t.  Follow her on her discovery of what great talent God have for her!  This beautifully written and illustrated story is a great reminder and example of our differences that God created us with.
    

Baby Wren and the Great Gift is ideal for:

• Children ages 4 to 8 years old and those who enjoy picture books
• Spring and Summer reading lists for beginner and emerging readers
  
• Curriculum with a focus on poetic and lyrical language for kids
  
• Back to School reading for children needing encouragement upon beginning school and fitting in
  
• Teaching resource supporting every child having a gift, strength or talent
  
• Bird lovers seeking books on Wrens and birds for children

You can check out my review of this great book here!

Give away ends on April 25th, 2016 at midnight.  Winner will be announced on Tues, April 26, by 12 noon EST.  Winner will be required to provide their physical mailing address, no PO Box addresses will be accepted.  Open to all US residents.
                        Thanks for stopping by and Good Luck!

Here is the important part!  HOW DO YOU ENTER?  Each task will give you one entry, once verified.  Comment below once you have completed the tasks.
       
      1 entry when you comment with the first name of the special person this book would be a great gift for.
    1 entry when you share this on Facebook, Google+ or Pinterest
 1 entry when you follow this blog either by email or network blogs
     (one entry for each following)

Don't forget to comment when you have shared so that they can be verified!

   Thank you to ZonderKidz and Zondervan for this opportunity!

Zonderkidz™, The children’s division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation.  As the leader in Christian children’s communications, it creates products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 14.  ZonderKidz is also publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) Bible translation, the third grade reading level edition of the NIV.  For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com! 

The Berenstain Bears Mother’s Day Blessings~A ZonderKidz Review

    Brother, Sister and Honey bear are on a mission!  They want to do something for Mama bear on her special day, Mother’s Day.  They cannot come up with anything special enough so they talk with Papa decide on something that fits perfectly!  They want to surprise Mama so they don’t say anything.  As they are driving to church Mama points out all the mother’s in the town who are working on their special day,  emphasizing to the bear cubs that a mom can be a homemaker, doctor, police officer and so on, something that the bear cubs didn’t know or realize.  So what is the speical surprise?  Did Mama like the surprise?  Did she have to spend the day cleaning up their messes? Check out this cute Berenstain Bears book to find out!

You can get this book or check out other great titles from ZonderKids by clicking here!

Thank you to ZonderKids for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund~A ZonderKids Review

A Daring Sacrifice is well written love story, by Jody Hedlund.  A story of sacrifice and loyalty.  Juliana was a nobleman born into that life.  When her uncle wrongs her and her father is killed she flees and lives with the poor peasants.  She takes care of these people by stealing from the noblemen.  Daily, she sacrifices her life for the peasants to make sure they have something to eat, knowing that if she were caught she would be harmed, or killed.
     Then she is captured by Collin, a childhood acquaintance.  He recognizes her for who she is brings her back to his castle and makes a bargin with her that he will give her a purse of money if she stays with him for a week.  She then makes the deal if he agrees to stay with her the week after and she where she lives and how the poor live. 
    Neither of them thought about what would happen when her uncle came to the castle as an invited guest.  If he found out who she was what would he do?  So Julianna flees the castle.  Collin realizes that he wants to marry her and goes after her.  Does she feel the same?  Did uncle capture her?  Will Collin win his bet and make Julianna realize where she came from and what she deserves?  Will Collin see the poor and want to join/help them? You just have to read it to find out.  What a great love story about sacrifices, the true meaning of love, where it will carry you and what it can make you do.
  
 I would recommend this book teens and up, anyone who loves a good fairy tale.

You can check out this book and other great books at Zondervan.

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results or opinions may vary.

God is Watching Over You by P.J. Lyons

  God is Watching Over You is a chunky soft cover board book with cardboard pages, great for little fingers to turn.  Through out the pages of the book you follow a little lamb as the reader is reminded that God is always watching over us.  “I’ll read you books, You’ll say a prayer, Then climb beside your treasured bed.  Bedtime Kisses, right on cue.  God is watching over you.” is one of the pages with gentle reminders that God is always there. 
     Illustrated by Tim Warnes, the characters all have charismatic demeanor, beautifully illustrated!  This book is a must have for anyone with a child under the age of 5.  Our children are never to  young to be taught about our Father.  This book would be a great gift for a baby shower book or new parents!

Thank you ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may vary. 

101 Ways To Have Fun from Faithgirlz and Girls’ Life Magazine~A ZonderKidz Review

     The editors of FaithGirlz and Girls’ Life magazine have put together this great book of fun things to do.  Whether you have a few hours with friends,  are planning an all day event or having a sleep over, this book is loaded with a lot of different activities.  Each of the 9 chapters takes a section: Just For You, Friend Zone, Get Active and Get Crafty are just some of the Chapter titles.  There is also a chapter on starting a business!
     Great ideas like: making up goofy predictions, building your own outdoor games, Becoming Fit Friends Forever is what you find with in the chapters.  Each topic or idea explains how to set them up and what you will need for each activity.  A must have book for any girl!

You can check out this book and other great books at Zondervan.

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free.  In exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.

PREVIEW: Baby Wren and the Great Gift by Sally Lloyd-Jones A Zonderkidz Review

    

   Each and every one of us has a special talent or gift from God.  Sometimes we know them early on in our lives and sometimes they take a few years to be discovered.  Baby Wren figures out quickly that she can't do the same things as the other animals. 
   Written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jen Corace, you follow Baby Wren as the other animals ask her to join them on their adventures, doing what THEY do best.  Kingfisher, for example, invites baby wren to go fishing..which she can't do.  Come swim with us, again she can't swim.  Each time Baby Wren sees another one of God’s beautiful animals she is amazed at what they are doing, yet realizes she can’t for various reason:  she is too small, she can’t swim.   
  Then Baby Wren finds what her special gift is!  She then shares it with the other animals, just as God wants us to share our talents/gifts with others.     A great message for little ones to hear, that we are all different and bring something with us so to speak.  It takes all of us with all our different gifts,  working together to make it all complete, just as God intended.

You can preorder this book from ZonderKidz by clicking here!  The book will be released April 5th, 2016.

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may vary.

Under the Sea Holy Bible ~ Zondervan Review

The Under the Sea Holy Bible is a hard cover, colorful and sparkly Bible.  It is written in the NIrV version so it is easy for young readers to understand.  A great way to get them into the word. 
     I have to say that I was disappointed that there are not more pictures.  To be themed under the sea, the cover fits perfect!  I felt that there could/should have been more marine life through out the book.  Other than the covers, there are 6 sides (3 pages) that have colorful marine pictures.  My daughter liked the colorful page that had things like: the 10 commandments on it, the A,B,C’s of becoming a Christian and love phrases for kids, for examples.
     I love the colorful and hard cover.  I love that it is written in the reader version so that our young ones can get in the to the word and understand what it is about.  I was just a bit disappointed that there were not more of the colorful pages.

You can check out this book and other great titles at ZonderKidz.

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may vary.

That’s Not Hay in my Hair! by Juliette Turner~A ZonderKidz Review

That’s Not Hay in my Hair, is a story written by Juliette Turner.  She is a 14 year old who was moved from the big New York City, to her mom’s ranch in Texas.  When the book opens it is the end of the school year in New York and Juliette is going to her end of year party and getting ready for the move,  goodbye’s are always tough.  Once she gets to Texas she has to adjust to living in a new place and a different setting,the ranch versus the city.  I would say the book covers a summer’s span of her life.
The book is an account, in my opinion, of her summer on the ranch:  cows in a ravine and road, stranger popping over in the wee hours to let you know your animals are out, sick animals and newbies just born are all a part of this new lifestyle Juliette has been moved into.  I enjoyed reading about her adventure, however, it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would have been with the creative title.  Let me explain…I live in a rural area and have experienced a lot of the agriculture mishaps and “adventures” that come with that lifestyle.  Every day on the farm is an adventure when you are raising animals.The experiences that Juliette and her mom experience are all part of the adventure of life on a ranch or farm. 
     A great story for those who have never experienced farm or ranch life.  I can attest that this is really what life is like when raising animals!

You can check out this title and other great titles at Zondervan!

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned book, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions my differ.

Angels in the Bible Storybook by Allia Zobel Nolan~A ZonderKidz Review

     Do you believe in Angels?  How about the ones you see on TV?  Do you think they look “real” or portray what a real angel is like?  I do believe in Angels!  I am not sure what they look like to know if what is portrayed in the media is accurate, however I think that God sends us angels at different times for different reasons to help us on our journey here on earth. 
     In Allia’s book, Angels in the Bible Story book, she uses concrete evidence from the bible that shows us angels do exist!  Allia pulls from the new and Old Testaments, (15 from each), to show the reader, in an easy to read format, the part angels play in helping us and serving God.  There are many stories in the Bible where Angels are shown as messengers and they are also shown as a "siren" used to warn of bad, like Herod. What a great book to help illustrate the important roles that God’s angles have serving him.  

About the author:  Allia Zobel Nolan is an internationally-published author of over 200 children’s titles and adult trade titles. Her books reflect her two main passions, God and cats. Zobel Nolan lives and writes in Connecticut with her husband, Desmond Nolan and their two feline children. 

You can check out this book or other great titles from Zonderkidz!

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned book for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions and results are my own. Your results and opinions may differ.

Inspiring Words~30 Verses From The Bible You Can Color

I do have to say, the first time I saw that adult coloring books were on the market I had mixed feelings.  It struck me as exciting and funny.  I thought why would we need "adult" coloring books.  It isn’t that I don’t like to color, I LOVE it (only not with markers) and I find it very relaxing.  I have always colored with my kids.  I just didn’t really see the need for an adult book.  We don't really have any coloring books any longer here.  When the kids want to color, I look for printable pages.  We go to different websites and look for their favorite characters, like Stawberry Shortcake or Lego Ninjago.  Of course my all time favorite has to be Snoopy, I also love Mickey and the gang, however the possibilities are really endless as to what you can get to color.  When I saw this was for review I was excited to see what they hype was.
     For this book, there are 30 bible verses that are decorated with outlines of different shapes and prints that you can color in any way.  Printed on thicker paper, it makes the end product nice and can be used with multiple mediums.  With the heavy pages I don't recommend tearing them out of the book.  They should be cut, I didn’t tear a couple of the pages out of the book straight!    The picture that you color outlines or frames the verses, making a nice piece of art that could be framed!  My 10 year old daughter was coloring a page with me.  What a great gift it would make especially to someone who may be in need of hearing the particular verse.
     Living in a tech absorbed world this book would make a great gift and a great way to spend some quality time together, with needed a plug!

You can check out this book, or other great books by Zondervan!

Thank you Zondervan for the opportunity to review this book!

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All results and opinions are mine, your results and opinions may differ. 

The Looney Experiment by Luke Reynolds ~A ZonderKidz Review

        The Looney Experiment, written by Luke Reynolds is recommended for ages 11-14 years old.  A heartwarming story about an awkward 8th grade boy.  His father has decided he needs to find himself and leaves the family.  Atticus is in middle school, a very pivoting time for children as they are growing up.  He lacks confidence in himself that he should have, he gets picked on, doesn’t stand up for himself and is afraid to speak out.  He even likes a girl, but is too afraid to talk to her!  Some of the same things middle school age children deal with every day.  For Atticus will things ever change?  Things are not looking much better when his teacher goes on maternity leave.  He then finds himself with a substitute teacher, Mr Looney, a 77 year old man who has unconventional ways of teaching. Thru Mr Looney’s teachings Atticus’s life is change forever!  A great story of courage and self empowerment.

     About the author:
Luke Reynolds currently teaches seventh-grade English in the public school system in Harvard, Massachusetts. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two young boys and a young dog who is intent on waking up those young boys as often as possible. Luke is a lover of writing, running, pancakes, hiking, and all things goofy. His website is www.lukereynolds.com, and he blogs at reynoldsluke.blogspot.com. His previous work includes nonfiction such as: Break These Rules: 35 YA Authors on Speaking Up, Standing Up, and Being Yourself; A Call to Creativity; and Imagine It Better: Visions of What School Might Be.
 
  You can check out this book and other great titles from ZonderKidz!

     Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions and results are my own.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Faith Builders Bible ~A ZonderKidz Review

The Faith Builders Bible NIrV, is recommended for ages 6-10 years old.  The colorful, brick, hard  cover  is very inviting for children, especially those who love to create with the blocks.  At the  beginning of the book, there are brick towers, if you will, that colorfully display the books in the Old Testament and the New Testaments. Sprinkled throughout the book are a couple of dozen pictures illustrated with block characters and scenes, like the Nativity or Jesus feeding the people, that your child could easily make for themselves.  What block builder wouldn't want to create the stories for themselves?

From the back of the book:
Building a strong foundation on God's Word Brick by Brick.
  Perfect for the brick builder in you, the Faith Builders Bible, NIrV contains the complete text of the east to read New International Reader's Version (NIrV) of the Bible with 24 full color pages of Bible stories.  Ideal for home, school, or church use, it is small enough to fit into almost amy backpack or bag.
Features:
   Colorful brick creations showing some of the best loves stories of the Bible
Complete Bible test of the easy to read New International Reader's Version (NIrV)-The NIV for kids
Presentation page

You can check out this Bible and other great books from Zonderkidz here!

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned book for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results or opinions may differ.   

Think, Act, Be Like Jesus~A 90 Day Devotional for kids~A ZonderKidz Review

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Think, Act, Be Like Jesus is a 90 day devotional for kids, written by Randy Frazee and illustrated by Steve Adams. It includes 3 different sections as the title says there is a set of devotions for thinking, acting and being like Jesus.  Each devotion has a topic, a bible verse, an explanation or discussion and a prayer.  Recommended for grades 4-8 this book is a great devotional to get your child into the word, reflecting on their thoughts and actions.

From the back of the book:  Follow the footsteps of Jesus    You know the story of the Bible, but do you know what it means?  This 90 day devotional will take you on a journey that brings you closer to the heart o f Jesus.  A Believe Devotional for kids:  Think Act Be like Jesus share the message that the more you believe, the more Jesus can change you from the inside out, to become the vest person you can be.  This is a great devotional on it’s own or paired with Believe:Kids Edition.

You can check out this book and other great books from Zonderkidz   here!

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may differ.                          

7 Days of Awesome~A Creation Tale by Shawn Byous~a Zonderkidz Review and give away

 
Written by Shawn Byous and Illustrated by Colin Jack, this book is a must have for your preschooler’s home library.  As the title says this book is about the seven days of creation and is recommended for ages 4-8.  It’s brightly colored, delightfully illustrated pages grab your attention as the rhymes that are planted throughout keep you engaged as you discover the 7 days of creation. 
  From the book: “If it wasn’t for dark, you’d sleep in the light!  So the light he called DAY and the dark he called NIGHT….with critters that HOP and creatures that crawl.  Some that are short, and some that are TALL!
  About the author:  Shawn Byous  has been developing ideas and drawing for as long as he can remember.  Since the 1990’s he has been creating thousands of t-shirt designs for major retailers.  He also creates fine art for galleries in Southern California and has written and illustrated several children’s books.  He currently lives in Southern California with his wonderful wife and three awesome kids.
   About the illustrator:  Colin Jack is the illustrator of several books for children including the Galaxy Jack series, Toads on Toast and 1Zany Zoo.  He also works as a story artist at Dreamworks Animation, and has been involved in such productions as Hotel Transylvania, Grossology, and Ed Edd n Eddy.
  
  You can check out this book and other great titles from Zonderkidz here.
 
  You can enter the give a way to win this book HERE!

Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results or opinions may differ.

**Giveaway time!! You could win a set of these 4 awesome books!

 
Thanks to ZonderKidz, I am able to offer a set of these 4 books to one lucky reader!!  YEAH!
       Feel free to check out these great books or others from ZonderKidz at Zondervan.  I will be posting reviews shortly for each of the books as well.  This set of books is recommended for Pre-K thru 4th grade or ages 4-10.  They would make great additions to your Easter baskets!
 
     The contest will run until March 9th.  A winner will be announced on the 10th!  This giveaway is open to all US residents.  Sorry we cannot ship to a PO Box.
                                               Good Luck!

           a Rafflecopter giveaway

Emergen C Immune +~A Smiley360 Review

      I am a vitamin/mineral taker.  I believe that vitamins help your body, by no means do they heal, but I believe that they help our bodies fight the every day bugs to keep the yuckies at bay.  Even though my family eats pretty balanced meals every day, we all still take a multivitamin/mineral.  I don’t think it can hurt.  Vitamin C, specifically is also a big one in our house, especially in the winter.  We do not get flu shots and do not miss out on a lot of things because of sickness. We also wash our hands before we eat and every time we come in the house.  With the practices, overall, we are healthy!
    So, when I received the chance to review these Emergen-C Chewable dietary supplement,  I was excited!  Chewable supplements make it super easy to take anywhere.  When you open the container you are hit with the Orange Burst flavor!  The chewables are larger than I expected, but don’t worry, their flavor is one of the best tasting supplements I have tried!  This particular supplement has a dosing of 2 a day.  Perfect for us as I like to split up our supplements and take with different meals so we are not taking a lot at one time.  I think this helps to keep a steady flow in your system.
    Emergen-C Immune + is a dietary supplement that helps to support your immune system (or your yuckies fighters).  The "plus" in this formula is there because they have added 600 IU of Vitamin D which will help keep your bones strong as it  helps your body absorb calcium.  It also has twice as much vitamin C as well as other key antioxidants.  I think of vitamin and mineral supplements as the extra “shields” and “assistants”  in keeping our body strong and healthy.  Why not have ones that have a lot of flavor and are so easy to take at home or on the go?

Facts about these chewables:
⚫ Contrary to popular belief, Emergen-C® does not in any way help prevent, treat or cure colds, flu or any other illnesses. Please don't mention anything related to cold or flu season when you share!
⚫ Emergen-C® does not "boost" or "enhance" your immune system, but it will help provide support for your immune system. Support is the key word!
⚫ Emergen-C® does not give you energy. Stick to coffee for your energy needs :)
⚫ Emergen-C® Chewables are suitable for people aged 14 and over... so have fun sharing!

   You can check out the whole line of Emergen-C products here!
 
  Everyone loves savings!  Click here, to receive a 1.00 off coupon!

   Thank you to Smiley360 for the opportunity to review this product.

  Keep in mind these are chewable, but are not for children under the age 14!

Disclaimer:  I received the above mentioned product for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may vary.
here,

The Sorcery Code by Dima Zales~A Thomoson Review (Kindle Edition)

 

I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.      
I love reading for the main purpose that it can take you so many places and you can learn so many things.  As a child I never really appreciated it.  I actually hated it and dreaded it every time I was asked to do it.  As an adult I really enjoy it and reading different genres.  So when I saw the opportunity to read The Sorcery Code, I thought this would be something that may be fun.  It isn’t the usual type of book that I would read, and it was an E-book with Kindle, which I am slowly learning to use and LOVE!
     The book is written in a magical physical realm where sorcerers, soldiers and commoners all live together.  There are ranks through out the land and they don't mingle well.  There are 4 main characters:  Blaise, Gala, Augusta and Baron.  Each chapter takes on a different main character as the main idea of that chapter, rotating thru each of the main characters.  The chapter name is person’s name so you know who the topic of the chapter is. 
Meet the characters:
      Blaise is a very powerful sorcerer outcast who was shunned when he didn’t agree with the counsel.  He is trying to find a way to make magic accessible to everyone in the land, including the peasants.  In creating an object to make this feasible, he creates Gala.   
Gala.  She is a women figure (that Blaise created for his task of making magic accessible to everyone)  he finds so beautiful he names her after his mom Galena (Gala for short).
   Augusta was the Fiancée of Blaise but they called it off a few years ago.  She is a sorceress who is now involved with Barson.   
  Barson, other than Augusta’s lover is a high ranking military leader.  He doesn’t have any magical powers, however he is an amazing fighter. 
This book is easy to read but a bit hard to follow.  With the chapters jumping between characters I felt that I didn’t get enough out of each chapter.  At one point I felt as if I was reading the second book and missed the first, event though I felt this book does introduce you to the characters as a first book would.  It is filled with magic and action.  This book wasn’t what I would typically jump to read.  I thought it was a good book, but not a great book.  Listed as a Fantasy book of Magic, Romance, Danger and Intrigue I would have to say for me it fell short on intrigue park. I would recommend it to someone who likes this genre, however not as an introduction to the genre.
#SorceryCode You can check out this book at http://www.amazon.com/Sorcery-Code-Fantasy-Romance-Intrigue-ebook/dp/B00HB8TGVS

Thanks to Tomoson for allowing me the opportunity to review this book.
Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned book for free, in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.   Your results or opinions may vary.