Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Holiday Gift Ideas -- Give the Gift of Reading and Time Together This Holiday with Books from Scholastic and Klutz










If it wasn't for the my mother and Scholastic book fairs at school when I was little, I don't think I would have a love for books and reading as I do.  Growing up, my mother would read to my brothers and I right before bed each night, as well as during the day when we were having one-on-one time with her.  And, during the school year, she would volunteer at the Scholastic book fairs, as well as let my brothers and I choose a handful of new books each month from the Scholastic flyer that we brought home.  I loved the assortment of books then, and am happy to one again be buying from Scholastic for my daughters.  So, while planning my holiday gift guide, I thought it only fitting to include a handful of Scholastic books for your consideration as you do your holiday shopping.  Yes, toys are fun for kids, but the joy of reading will last a lifetime. :-)

The folks at Scholastic sent along the following books and Klutz kits for me to review with my daughters.



Disney Lightning McQueen Build & Race
READY: Punch out 12 sturdy board-stock cars, including familiar faces like Mater, Francesco, Sally, and, of course, Lightning McQueen.

SET: Customize them with the included reusable vinyl stickers.

GO: Snap on wheels and race your cars on the giant fold-out racetracks. Comes with: 12 punch-out cars, 16 interchangeable snap-on wheels, reusable stickers, giant foldout racetracks, pop-up storage garage

For ages 4 and up, UPC: 7-30767-45047-2

Buy now for only $16.99.



Disney® Buzz Lightyear Foam Gliders Disney® Buzz Lightyear Foam Gliders

Disney®Buzz Lightyear Foam Gliders comes with easy-to-punchout pieces for five different flyers. The Klutz-clear steps are so simple that even preschool-age Toy Story fans can assemble the gliders themselves. The final step is sliding one of the included Zoomers™ on your glider's nose. These colorful plastic caps provide perfect counterbalance for maximum flight time. And, when they do eventually touch down, the sturdy foam construction ensures that these gliders will have happy landings - whether in the living room or backyard. 

Comes with: 5-punch-out foam gliders, 5 Zoomers™ nosecaps, more than 50 Toy Story stickers, 5 punch-out display stands, a table Zurg target game. 

For ages 4 and up, UPC: 7-30767-39656-5 


Buy now for only $16.99.



Make Your Own Disney Princess Paper Purses Make Your Own Disney Princess Paper Purses

Make three themed purses inspired by fairy tales’ most fashionable heroines: Belle, Ariel, and Cinderella. Customize with glittery jewels, enchanting Disney Princess cameo stickers, and more, then fill with the included ready-to-cut-out royal accessories. It’s everything young princesses need for endless imaginative play.

Comes with: : 3 sturdy cardstock purses, Disney Princess cameo stickers, jewels, sequins, pom-poms, satin cord, glue, 2 sheets of cut-out accessories

For ages 4 and up
UPC: 7-30767-43150-1 


Buy now for only $16.99.

Make Your Own Disney® Princess Tiaras Make Your Own Disney® Princess Tiaras

With Make Your Own Disney® Princess Tiaras, even preschool-age girls can create one-of-a-kind crowns in their own regal style. The tiaras themselves have adjustable Velcro closures for a custom fit and come in sparkling Belle Yellow, Cinderella Blue, and Ariel Pink. To decorate them, select from the array of jewels, sequins, pom-poms, and stickers, including only-from-Klutz Disney® Princess portrait cameos. Enchanting!

Comes with: 3 adjustable tiaras, sequins, stick-on jewels, pom-poms, Disney® Princess cameo stickers, glue, punch-outs for bracelets, rings, and magic wands, mini tiaras, tiara-stencil


For ages 4 and up
UPC: 7-30767-39657-2 


Buy now for only $16.99.


How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?

Buy now for only $11.89.


Synopsis:

"From decorating the tree to wrapping presents, little dinosaurs love to celebrate Christmas-and everything about it. With ornaments on the branches and carolers singing at the door, the spirit of Christmas is finally here and filling the hearts of families everywhere. But when the stockings are hung on the chimney, and the cookies are left out for Santa, how can little dinosaurs go to sleep? It's so exciting! How can they possibly calm down and behave?

Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs secretly lick candy canes, take sneaky peeks at gifts, and disrupt the traditional family feast.

With holiday surprises around every corner, the award-winning team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague create an engaging, fun gift sure to be read again and again, year after year. How do dinosaurs say Merry Christmas? The same way they say Happy Chanukah: With an abundance of love, joy, memory, and gratitude."




Buy now for only $11.89.

Synopsis:

"From the warm glow of holiday candles in the menorah to the fun of family gatherings, little dinosaurs love to celebrate the Festival of Lights. But sometimes the excitement of Chanukah, its treasured rituals, and the tradition of gifts can tempt a youngster to misbehave. . .

Come along on a joyful romp filled with tumbling dreidels and melting gelt as America's favorite prehistoric pals spread a little mischief this season. Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs fidget, fuss, and stomp through every occasion, while their human parents shift from shock to weary patience.

Filled with warmth and cheer, this new book by the bestselling team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague makes a perfect gift to be read again and again, year after year. How do dinosaurs say Happy Chanukah? The same way they say Merry Christmas: With an abundance of love, joy, memory, and gratitude."



Clifford Collection

 
Synopsis:
 
"Celebrate Clifford's 50th anniversary with this collection of six classic stories that were originally published beginning in 1963!

This book includes:
  • Clifford the Big Red Dog
  • Clifford at the Circus
  • Clifford Gets a Job
  • Clifford Takes a Trip
  • Clifford's Good Deeds
  • Clifford's Tricks
  •  
    Also included in the book is an original letter from Norman Bridwell to the reader, information about the creation of Clifford - including an image of Norman's 1962 painting that inspired the Clifford series, the story behind the real Emily Elizabeth, and more!"

    ----





    When I received the box of books above, I felt like a kid again coming back from the Scholastic book fair at school with new books and activity kits to enjoy.  But, this time, I was not the only one excited to read these book, and try out the Klutz book products -- my oldest daughter, Savannah, was right by my side, eyeing the selection of Scholastic and Klutz books sent my way.  These books came at a great time, as my daughters were both suffering from a nasty head for the past few weeks, and were grounded indoors.  I was running out of arts and crafts products, books and movies to share with them.  


    Being huge Toy Story fan, the Buzz  Lightyear Foam Gliders Klutz book caught her eye first.  This past July, her birthday theme was Toy Story, and I had included similar foam gliders in the kids' loot bags.  But, after putting together these foam gliders, I can say that the Klutz book quality was much better, as they withstood crashing into walls and toddler play.

    As for the other Klutz kits, Savannah had a great time making Disney Princess paper purses and tiaras for her and Arabella.  These kits not only kept Savannah busy and her mind off of her stuffy nose, but she was enjoying creating arts and crafts products from scratch.  You could tell she was proud of herself when she was done embellishing her purses and crowns.  As a parent, what I loved best about these Klutz books was that all the supplies were included in the set.  So, I didn't have to worry about running out to the craft store to buy glue or supplies, or have to pull the drawers apart in the house looking for supplies.


    This was the first time I had seen or heard about Klutz books, which was acquired by Scholastic back in 2002.  But, now that I have seen their books firsthand, and saw how much fun my daughter had in making things, I will definitely be buying more of these all-in-one arts and craft kits.  

    As for the three storybooks from Scholastic, they made for great bedtime reading these past few weeks.  I ended up letting a friend read the Chanukah book with her children.  She couldn't stop raving about this book, and how she found it hard to find good Chanukah themed books to share with her children.  A plus was the dinosaurs, which both her son and daughter are into right now.  Savannah, on the other hand, enjoyed having me read classic Clifford the Big Red Dog stories to her and Arabella after lunch.  I timed it just right that after I was done reading, the animated series on PBS kids would be on for them to enjoy.  Not only were they able to enjoy a good story and see Clifford on television, but I was able to get in a little extra snuggle time with them on the couch. :-)

    Don't worry if your children are not in school and bringing home Scholastic book flyers each month to order books from.  Instead, you can go online to Scholastic's online book store and order directly from their website.  They are offering books for a fraction of what you would pay if you shopped at local bookstore (that is, if you can find one still in business).  Click here now to begin browsing the book selection from Scholastic-- http://store.scholastic.com. And, to view Klutz products, you will have to visit the Klutz website here: http://www.klutz.com/


    With the holidays fast approaching, why not consider surprising your children with books from Scholastic and Klutz?  Your children will enjoy reading with you, as well as one-on-time completing fun Klutz projects with you.



    Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. The views above are mine and mine alone.

    2 comments :

    1. Klutz are the best gifts to give! I can always find something for everyone in each age group. When the kids have the Scholastic book fairs at school, that is the first section they head to.

      ReplyDelete
    2. I especially like Scholastic. Such a wonderful selection of books for children.

      ReplyDelete