Monday, April 27, 2015

New April Children's Releases from Sourcebooks For Little Ones (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.


Sourcebooks, Inc.

I am not sure who gets more excited when new children's books arrive in the mail -- the girls or myself.  Being a lover of books and instilling a love of books with my girls, we all get excited when a new book lands at our door. But, this time, I think I was more excited to receive these new Sourcebooks as I knew they would make for a great bedtime read or anytime read, especially the "Just One You!" from the Sesame Workshop.  

Now that my girls are getting older and starting to understand things, I find that they have started to ask why they are different than their friends, with skin color, intelligence, etc.  Scary how a 3.5 and 4.5 year old pick up on these things so earlier on.  Just the other day Savannah came home from preschool a little disappointed as two of her good friends at school had just learned how to read, and another was rhyming without a problem.  Savannah has been struggling with rhyming and is not yet ready to read, as she still is working on letter sounds, etc.  She wondered why she was different from her friends, and if this was bad.  I was so happy to have these books arrive when they did, as I quickly reached for them and sit down with her and Bella to read them. 

These are the two books I shared with the girls, that would make a wonderful addition to your child's growing library, and ones that definitely come in handy when talking about how each child is unique and special...



Just One You! from the Sesame Workshop
There is nobody else in the whole world just like you! Elmo, Big Bird, and all the rest of the Sesame Street friends are here to tell you just how special you truly are!

 

You! by Sandra Magsamen
A life full of adventure first requires big dreams. And big dreams need big encouragement. From world-renowned author and artist Sandra Magsamen comes YOU!, offering inspiration and hope to readers from 1 to 100. Includes colorful, lively illustrations along with whimsical rhyming text that can be cherished in almost any setting.

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My girls loved the new release, Just One You! from the Sesame Workshop, as the pages were filled with all their favorite Sesame Street friends.  The story itself was short and easy to understand follow along to.  As a mom, I loved the message this book had, "you are truly special."  I made a point to reiterate this with Savannah and let her know that everyone is different, and that we all learn at different rates.  She may be better at something that her friends may not be and vise versa...but, this is what makes us all special and unique.  I was happy to see her understanding this and feeling proud of her uniqueness and abilities.

As far the other book, You! by Sandra Magsamen, this was also a wonderful follow up to the Sesame Workshop book, to share with the girls.  This book dealt with dreaming big and offered up inspiration to kids all ages to not give up on their dreams, big or small.  I have been a fan of author and artist, Sandra Magsamen, and own a few of her other children's books which I love to share with the girls.  So, seeing that this world-renowned author had released another book, I was excited to get my hands on it and share with the girls.  

Like Sandra Magsamen's other children's books, this book had large print and was full of colorful and playful illustrations that kept even the youngest of readers engaged and entertained.  My girls kept asking me to turn back so that they could look at the beautiful illustrations, or they would pull the book from the shelf just to admire the illustrations that Sandra did.

Both of these books have become instant hits with the girls and myself, and I will continue to share the stories and talking about the messages of dreaming big and cherishing your own uniqueness.  If you are looking for new books to share with your child(ren) that you can enjoy for years to come, you will definitely want to check these two new books from Sourcebooks out.

Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Sunday, April 26, 2015

GeoSafari Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier from Educational Insights Will Make Exploring the Outdoors, Both Day and Night, Much for Fun for Kids -- Review and #Giveaway #‎KidScience‬ ‪#‎Discovery‬

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.



Educational Insights - Educational Toys


Now that the nice weather is finally here (minus the past few days of cold temps), my girls are so excited to be able to spend more time outdoors.  Not only do they love playing on the swing set or climbing on their playscapes, they have also enjoyed playing exploring. :-)  

With all the fun things that Savannah is learning in school, she is quick to come home and talk to Bella about it.  Just last week she was schooling Bella on Earth Day, the importance of not being a litter bug and recycling.  And, before that she talked about gardening, how caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies and other fun outdoor stuff.  These talks between sisters got them both excited to explore high and low in and around our backyard looking for all sorts of things, including buried treasure, worms and other insects/bugs, flowers sprouting from the ground, or simply trash that needed to be picked up for a greener Earth.

During their treks outdoors, one thing has become a staple that they reach for and bring along their GeoSafari Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier.  


GeoSafari® Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier™

We received this cool magnifier, which can be used during the day and at night, right before Easter when we still had snow on the ground.  But, with so many things going on, including the girls being sick, I had to postpone this review. Here were a few photos I took of the girls as they braved the cold temps and snow still on the ground, as they set out to find critters...







While this owl magnifier would have made a great Easter basket gift idea, it is also perfect for spring and summer, as kids are outdoors more.  


GeoSafari® Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier™

And, with family hikes, camping and other fun outdoor activities being planned by families, this is one must have for kids to bring along and make exploring nature and world around them much more enjoyable and fun!


GeoSafari® Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier™

In addition to being able to be used during the day and night, this bright eyes magnifier also features the following:


GeoSafari® Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier™

  • 2 magnifiers (2x and 8x)
  • 2 Red LEDs to preserve night vision (Requires two AAA batteries)
  • Easy-grip handle for little hands
My girls thought this was the coolest when they used it at night-time the other day.  They stumbled across a few beetles and even worms after a rain storm, and used their bright eyes magnifier to get a peek at nocturnal wildlife.  When they weren't trying to find night critters, they had a blast using this cute owl magnifier to light the way and lead them back to the back door.

If you have a child who loves exploring --both during the day or at night, or you want to pick up a fun surprise gift to give them for summer fun, this would make the perfect gift.  At only $12.99, you can't go wrong for this bright eyes magnifier with built in LED lights, as it is one toy that your child will be using for years to come.  My girls can't get enough of their GeoSafari Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier, and I know your kids will love it, too!

To learn more about this and other fun educationl toys available from Educational Insights, visit their website  today -- http://www.educationalinsights.com/.


I hope you and kids have fun exploring and taking this magnifier on upcoming family hikes and camping trips. 


Stay up-to-date on new product additions, special offers and giveaways and more from Educational Insights by following them on their social media channels...





--GIVEAWAY--

GeoSafari® Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier™

Thanks to the kind folks at Educational Insights, one lucky reader will win a GeoSafari Jr. Bright Eyes Magnifier for them to share with that special explorer in their life.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone. 
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Friday, April 24, 2015

Hurry...The Annual P&G Stock Up and Save Event at Walmart Ends Next Thursday + Enter to #Win a $25 Walmart Gift Card #Giveaway

Disclosure:  The Walmart gift cards and information shared have been provided by P&G.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.


Shop the Annual P&G Stock Up and Save Event at Walmart today and SAVE!!!



PG logo dark blue


Any plans for this upcoming weekend?  Now that the nice weather is finally here and the snow is gone, we plan to get out in the backyard and do some cleaning up to get the yard ready for fun summertime gatherings, camping, etc.  Heck, maybe I will even get to start on my planting and transplant seedlings I have been growing during the winter months in the bay windows into the ground finally.  Oh, how I can't wait for the warmer temps to get here so that we can spend more time outdoors, instead of being couped up in the house.  With little ones especially, you can run out of games to play and movies to watch, trying to keep them entertained. :-)

In preparing to tend to the yard and maybe even do some spring cleaning in the house, I will be heading to Walmart this afternoon, after the girls get up from their nap, to grab some essentials.  Why, Walmart?  Right now, until next Thursday, April 30th, Walmart is having their annual Stock Up and Save event, where customers can take advantage of limited time rollbacks and guaranteed low prices on P&G products.  You may recall last year I shared about this Stock Up & Save event and how I was able to buy bulky items like toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, etc. off the Walmart.com site and have them delivered right to my door for FREE (spend $50 or more and get Free shipping every day; or choose site to store pick (on select items) and save on shipping costs -- either way, you save each and every time you shop at your favorite local Walmart store or their their online store.

I don't know about you, but I love seeing the savings on the receipts and with the Savings Catcher app from Walmart, I love having the prices I paid for items cross checked with other stores.  And, if a lower price is found, Walmart will credit me -- so, if on the few occasions an item I purchase is cheaper elsewhere, I end up paying the same with the credit Walmart gives. Try saying that about other stores.  I can't think of any that offer this, or, if they do, stand behind it.

But, back to the Walmart Stock Up and Save event.  If you were to look at items you purchase on a regular basis for your family, you will find yourself seeing the P&G logo on most products.  I shared how I did this last year after a big shopping trip and how I was surprised to find most of the items, which included like toiletries, baby care and personal hygiene are made by P&G.  Don't believe me?  Go check out a few items in your house and see for yourself?





Now that you know that you buy P&G frequently, why not save on your next purchase.  This is why I am heading to Walmart later this afternoon and you should plan a trip between now and next Thursday, when the sale ends, so that you, too, can save on P&G rollbacks and guaranteed low prices on popular items including:

  • Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent
  • Tide Simply Clean and Fresh Liquid Laundry Detergent
  • Charmin Ultra Soft or Ultra Strong Toilet Paper
  • Bounty Mega Roll Select-A-Size Paper Towels
  • Luvs Super Absorbent Diapers
  • Pampers Swaddlers Huge Pack
  • Tampax Pearl Plastic Super Absorbency
  • Always Ultra Thin Long Super Unscented Pads
  • Always Discreet Maximum Underwear
  • Always Discreet Moderate Regular Length Pads


See items from the above P&G sampling that you buy on a regular basis? Well, these and so many more P&G products are on sale now at your local Walmart store.  Just the other day I ran into Walmart to grab a few items with Bella, while Savannah was in school, as it is much easier to shop with just one child instead of two, as the shopping cart fills up fast on bulky items, and loading the kids and shopping bags is easier with less people in tow.  I was able to buy my monthly supply of Tampax Pearl Plastic Super Absorbency for only $3.97, Puffs Basics (loving these new non-box tissues) for only $4.47, Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent (as I seem to always be cooking, cleaning the house or doing laundry) for only $11.97, and Charmin Ultra Soft Toilet Paper for just $6.97.  




I couldn't believe how much I was saving on these monthly home essentials.  Shh, don't tell my husband, but I used the money I saved to buy a few new spring/summer tops. :-)  It is nice to treat yourself every once in awhile, especially when you are saving on must-buy items for the family/house.


Baby

So, if you have plans to go grocery shopping this weekend to stock up on paper products, toiletries, diapers (how I don't miss buying these anymore), or other P&G products you find yourself running low on, head to your local Walmart store.  Save time in checking sales flyers to see who has the best sales/deals, as Walmart usually wins, especially during their limited time annual P& G Stock Up and Save event (ends on Thursday, April 30th).  And, be ready to smile when you see how much you save at checkout! :-)


--GIVEAWAY--



Thanks to the folks at P&G, one lucky reader is going to win a $25 Walmart Gift Card to use on a future in-store on online purchase.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The Walmart gift cards and information shared have been provided by P&G.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.
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The Complete Classic TV Series "My Little Pony: My Little Pony Tales" Arrives on DVD from Shout! Factory Next Tuesday (4/28) -- Review and #Giveaway

Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.




My girls are huge MLP fans.  Whether it be the classic TV series, which I grew up watching, or the new animated series, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, which airs daily on Discovery Family Channel, they can't go a day without the ponies.  And, when they are not watching these shows on television or by DVD, they are playing with their collection of ponies or switching up their outfits for the 2nd or 3rd time in a day, just so they can wear a few MLP shirts. To say that they are fans of MLP is an understatement!  :-)

So, you can only imagine how excited they were when they saw me taking this upcoming DVD release out of the mail.  As soon as Savannah caught sight of it, she made a mad dash around the house pulling together the other classic My Little Pony DVDs we own, thanks to Shout! Factory.  She wanted to compare them, as well as hint to a marathon of sorts. :-)  

I showed the girls this DVD and told them that it contained all 13 full-length episodes (26 adventures in total) from the original series, plus fun sing along bonus features.  They were so happy and couldn't wait for me to put the first of the two DVDs on to watch. :-)  And, so, over the course of the past two weeks, we have managed to watch all 13 episodes, with some being watched a couple times as they were just that good!

My girls are so happy to have this complete series in one place, and will definitely be watching each and every episode again and again. :-)  If you have a MLP fan in your life, or you simply want to relive your childhood with this complete classic television series, you'll want to make a point to pick up this 2-DVD collection when it arrives in stores next Tuesday, April 28th.

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More about this upcoming DVD release from Shout! Factory:


"Attention My Little Pony fans of yore, My Little Pony Tales: The Complete Classic TV Series is coming to DVD on April 28th, in the U.S. and Canada from Shout! Kids in collaboration with Hasbro Studios! The 2-DVD set includes all 13 episodes of the show, originally airing on television in 1992, as well as sing-alongs.

Ponyland is full of excitement, if you know where to find it, and now all of your favorite My Little PonyTales are finally collected in one amazing set!  Join sweet young ponies Starlight, Sweetheart, Melody, Bright Eyes, Patch, Clover and Bon Bon on their adventures in Ponyland. Together, these pony friends navigate school, hang out at the local ice cream shop, enter a talent contest, roller skate and even fall in love! Whether they are getting together for a slumber party, planning a tea party or acting in the school play, the girl ponies of Ponyland always have fun with their best friends!"


Episodes include:

Disc 1                                                                                             Disc 2
Slumber Party / Too Sick To Notice                                       Princess Problems / An Apple For Starlight
Battle Of The Bands / And The Winner Is…                          Up, Up And Away / Sister Of The Bride
Stand By Me / The Tea Party                                                   Birds Of A Feather / Send In The Clown
The Masquerade / Out Of Luck                                               Happy Birthday, Sweetheart / Gribet
The Play’s The Thing / Shop Talk                                            Bon Bon’s Diary / Just For Kicks
Impractical Joker/ The Great Lemonade Stand Wars       Ponies In Paradise / Who’s Responsible
Blue Ribbon Blues / Roll Around The Clock

Bonus Features:
Sing-Alongs

--GIVEAWAY--


Thanks to the kind folks at Shout! Factory, one lucky reader will win a copy of this upcoming complete series DVD collection to add to their growing My Little Pony collection, or to share with that special MLP fan in their life.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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About Hasbro Studios:
Hasbro Studios is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling for Hasbro across television, film, commercial productions and short-form content. It develops, produces and distributes TV shows based on Hasbro's world class brands, including TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and FAMILY GAME NIGHT. Many of these shows air on Discovery Family Channel and on networks in more than 180 territories globally.  Since its formation in 2009, the studio has received nine Daytime Emmy wins. 

On the film side, the studio has developed and produced a number of features based on Hasbro's brands.  In addition to partnering with leading studios, the Company intends to make movies based on new and existing Hasbro brands for audiences globally through the Allspark Pictures film label.  Films in development or planned for release, include OUIJA (Universal), CANDY LAND (Sony), G.I. JOE 3 (Paramount), JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS (Universal & Allspark Pictures), MAGIC: THE GATHERING (21st Century Fox) and an animated featured based on MY LITTLE PONY (Allspark Pictures). 

About Shout! Factory:

Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD and Blu-Ray™ offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials in lavish packages crammed with extras.  Shout’s audio division boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations.  In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast digital distribution network which delivers video and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America.  Shout! Factory also owns and operates Timeless Media Group, Biograph Records, Majordomo Records, HighTone Records and Video Time Machine. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention.  Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com

Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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Digimon Tamers Volume 2 -- Arrives in Stores on May 12th -- Pre-Order Your Copy of The Official 3rd Season Now!




More about this upcoming release from Cinedigm:

"In DIGIMON TAMERS VOLUME 2, the adventures continue with episodes 18-34 of Digimon Season 3! Takato, Henry and Rika, three normal kids who are mega fans of the Digimon card game, quest through the Digital World, which is plagued by wicked Digimon Gods. In an effort to defeat those who seek to annihilate the World’s barriers and networks, they pair up with good Digimon and together battle the heinous forces. But in an epic battle with Meramon the group is split in two, each cast off in a different direction. As they traverse strange and sometimes dangerous dimensions in order to reunite, the fate of the Digital World hangs in the balance."

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"Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Season 1" Arrives on DVD on May 5th from Cinedigm -- Pre-order the 6-DVD Complete Season 1 Now!


The complete first season, available all together on DVD for the first time!


About this upcoming 6-DVD set....

"When aspiring duelist Yuma meets Astral, a mysterious visitor from another universe, it seems like destiny. Yuma needs Astral to teach him how to duel, and Astral needs Yuma to help him regain his memories!

They would be dueling’s greatest tag team…except they don’t get along!
Go With the Flow, Part 1
This dueling duo better get their act together quickly because ZEXAL is a whole new duel with greater challenges than ever before! Fantastic new monsters! Powerful new cards! Augmented reality-powered duel technology!
Together, it takes dueling to the next level!
But don’t worry if you’ve never dueled before: As Astral walks Yuma through the basics, new viewers can follow along and learn how to duel. And for seasoned pros, there are plenty of never-before-seen strategies that they can use in real life!
Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL – New Rules, New Duels!"
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Arriving on DVD on May 12th from Cinedigm -- Slam Dunk, Season 1, Vol. 1




About this upcoming DVD release...

"Hanamichi Sakuragi is a high school punk who hates basketball, mostly because the girls he likes always prefer basketball players to him. Things change, however, when he meets the cute and available Haruko Akagi. She loves basketball and thinks Hanamichi has the height and prowess to play. Hanamichi, quite willing to settle for collateral affection, immediately takes up the sport, never mind the fact that he doesn’t know the rules, cannot dribble and is constitutionally unsuited to teamwork and sportsmanship. If playing basketball will get Haruko to look at him then he’ll be a basketball star! However, a weird thing happens to Hanamichi while struggling to make the team and play the game: he kind of starts to like it! And what’s more, he’s getting good."
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Coming Soon to DVD For the First Time -- The Magic School Bus: Season 2 (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent a screener copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Arrives on DVD on May 12th from Cinedigm and Scholastic


Do you remember watching The Magic School Bus as a kid?  My brothers and I used to love this show and would set the VCR to record the shows every Saturday AM, so that we could watch them over and over again.  Flash forward 20+ years and I am back to watching this popular Emmy Award winning educational series, which features Ms. Frizzle and her class going on fun field trips with the magic school bus -- but, this time with my own children by my side.  :-)

I was so excited when I saw Savannah starting to get into this series a few months ago.  She stumbled across my collection of The Magic School Bus DVDs, which I planned to share with them when they started school.  She asked to watch one, and from that point on, she became a fan of Ms. Frizzle and couldn't wait to watch all the fun adventures that this crazy teacher and her students go on. 

And, if having my girls as fans of the series wasn't enough, Savannah also recently introduced her preschool class to Ms. Frizzle when she brought in the DVD about the Earth for her class to watch for Earth Day.  The teachers were surprised to see the DVD and they had no idea the series was on DVD. 

The Magic School Bus: All About Earth

Having been fans as a child, they knew how good the show was and couldn't wait to share the Earth themed episodes with the class. And, just like Savannah did, her classmates fell in love with the series and asked for more. :-)

We have been busy watching all the different episodes that make up the various The Magic School Bus DVD collection we have, and that is growing.  Recently, I was sent the upcoming Season 2 DVD, which releases in stores on May 12th.  This upcoming release contains 13 full length episodes on 2-DVDs.  Fans of the series will get to relieve their favorite The Magic School Bus moments, as they watch again as Ms. Frizzle and her students explore the inside of a volcano, take flight high into the air and go back in time to visit the dinosaurs.  These are just a few of the many fun field trips Ms. Frizzle's class goes one and that you can enjoy again, when you pick up the upcoming The Magic School Bus: Season 2, when it arrives in stores on May 12th.

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More about this upcoming release...

"Seatbelts everyone! Take a wild ride on The Magic School Bus with the Complete Second Season! All 13 episodes of THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS SEASON 2 are available for the first time in this 2-DVD set. Ms. Frizzle and her class journey inside a volcano, take flight high in the sky and go back in time to visit the Dinosaurs in these super fun classics! Where will the Magic Bus take you?"

DISC 1:
•BLOWS ITS TOP
•FLEXES ITS MUSCLES
•THE BUSASAURUS
•GOING BATTY
•BUTTERFLY AND THE BOG BEAST
•WET ALL OVER
•IN A PICKLE
DISC 2:
•REVVING UP
•TAKING FLIGHT
•GETTING ENERGIZED
•OUT OF THIS WORLD
•COLD FEET
•UPS AND DOWNS

Disclosure:  I was sent a screener copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.


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