Category: children

October 10, 2017

Halloween Friendly Frights with Raincoast Books!

Halloween is our favourite holiday in our home. We love decorating the house, baking themed culinary delights and reading stories of ghosts, witches, zombies and more! Not all children enjoy this fun holiday though. It is important to talk about monsters, witches and all the scary stuff so that children can get used to the idea of Halloween and aren’t afraid of the things that go bump in the night!

To help your little ones get into the spirit of Halloween, Raincoast Books has two great book selections for the young reader: Herbert’s First Halloween and How To Catch a Monster.

Herbert’s First Halloween

Herbert is deeply doubtful about his first Halloween-but with a little help from his dad and a special tiger costume, Herbert might just find confidence on Halloween night. Together, father and son practice roaring, carve a pumpkin, and venture out in search of candy. And by the end of the night, Herbert finds his doubts have melted away. A sweet introduction to Halloween and to being brave, this book is sure to delight the youngest of trick-or-treaters.

Herbert’s First Halloween is a sweet book all about a little boy who isn’t too sure about Halloween. I know many parents can relate to having this conversation with their child! Most young children aren’t too sure about this holiday, they may be scared of the costumes, going up to the houses and even the yells of “boo”. It really helps to open up the topic of Halloween, address the fears your child may have and talk about all the fun this holiday can be. I loved how the Dad showed his son a picture of himself when he was a child dressed up for Halloween. This is such a great idea for parents and one I never thought of. Kids love seeing old photos and it is a great conversation starter. This book is beautifully illustrated in seasonal colours (think lots of greens, oranges and browns). It is an excellent book for those little ones who are heading out for their very first Halloween.

You can purchase a copy of the book here.

How to Catch a Monster

“There’s a monster in my closet,
with claws, and teeth, and hair,
and tonight, I’m going to scare him!
He lives just right through there… “

Get ready to laugh as a young ninja heads into the closet to meet the monster that’s been so scary night after night! But what if things aren’t what they seem and our monster isn’t scary at all? What if our ninja hero is about to make a friend of strangest sort?

If you dare to travel beyond the closet door and into the land of the monsters… you might just find the very best reward of all. But with robots, lava pie, and a smattering of traps-catching monsters is no easy business!

How to Catch a Monster is an adorable, laugh out loud story of a young ninja that is prepared to face the monster that has been scaring him. The young boy comes home from school in his ninja costume full of confidence and ready to face the terrifying monster. He uses his ninja skills and captures the monster! To his surprise, he finds out that maybe the monster really wasn’t that scary and that maybe he might just make the best of friends.

This story was awesome – we had so many great laughs (how can you not with ninja skills, farts and monsters?!). It was very easy to read out loud with a great flow in the wording. It sets a great tone which helps to bring the story to life (we had a great time making scary and loud noises to help our youngest really get in the story). The illustrations are beautiful and really help to tell the story. The monster was so well done and looks so friendly! Perfect for those kids who are convinced that there is a monster hiding in their closet. How to Catch a Monster will be the perfect, laugh out loud addition to your family library that you will enjoy reading over and over again.

You can learn more about this book and purchase a copy of it here.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned books free of charge in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

September 6, 2017

Common Forgotten Back to School Preparation Items + Giveaway!

My boys had their first day of school yesterday. It was full of excitement and nerves – they were excited to see all of their friends again but nervous for the changes and the new expectations. We had a lot of must do items on our back to school list that we are still working on that extends well beyond shopping for school supplies, new clothes and shoes.

So, what are the most two important items that you should include on your back to school preparation list besides the obvious?

Book important medical and dental visits.

It is so important to book an appointment with your family doctor for a general check-up for your child. As they get older and are healthier, we tend to visit the doctor less frequently. Use back to school time as a chance to re-connect with your family doctor, make sure they are meeting developmental milestones as well as being up to date with vaccines. You should also book an appointment to have their eyes checked. This is a service that is covered by OHIP and if they are struggling seeing the boards in class, this could cause other health and behavioural problems.

One of the most overlooked visits is to the dentist. Good dental hygiene is so important for your child as they learn to develop good habits now for later on in life. Unfortunately, some children can develop a fear of the dentist early on which can stop them from visiting the dentist and could cause complications like cavities and plague build up. Ensuring you take them for their regular dental checkups will help to feel comfortable at the dentist’s office. Just like a visit to the doctor’s office, you want it to be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. Choose a dentist and hygienist that your child feels comfortable with. Our boys have long and hilarious conversations with ours – from talks about soccer, school all the way to their friends and what they like to eat.

Help your child return to their school routine at least a week in advance.

Trust me, the earlier you start the routine, the better it will be for you in the long run. During the summer we tend to relax on our rules, spend more time outside and stay up later. This is harder to do once school starts up again and your child needs all of the sleep that they can get.

Start getting them into the habit of waking up at a set time, making their bed and brushing their teeth in the morning. The same goes for bedtime – set a realistic bed time that will be the same during the school year and follow your routine of bath, brushing your teeth and reading a good book.

Children can easily become bored with routines, so keep it fun! Allow them to choose their own toothbrushes – from beloved characters like Spiderman to My Little Pony, from Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ and Orajel™ will make brushing more enjoyable!. I have always loved the battery-operated brushes, it helps to ensure that each tooth is properly cleaned even when your child is not in the mood to brush properly. While they are brushing, play music or dance – get silly! All kids love being silly, no matter what their age.

As we return back to school, the most important thing that you as a parent can do for your child is keep an open line of communication. This is a stressful time for everyone, when your child knows that they can confide in you about their emotions and fears they will be more confident.

Are you ready to help your child get back into the dental swing of things with a prize pack from Arm & Hammer™ and Orajel™?

My Canadian readers can enter now to win a Dental Prize pack including three Arm & Hammer™ Kids Spinbrush™ Battery Brush and Orajel™ Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste . Enter via the rafflecopter form below – good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What is the most important back to school preparation item that you do in your house?

Disclosure: I received Arm & Hammer dental products. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 31, 2017

Get Ready for Back to School with Raincoast Books

Back to school is always a nervous time for children. Children heading off to school for the first time are scared of the unknown, children returning are nervous about their new teacher, if their friends will be in their class and what will the new year be like. These fears are completely normal and okay – even as adults we have these feelings too when we start a new job or meet new people. One of the best ways we can prepare our children (besides sitting down with them and discussing their fears) is reading a book that helps bring humour and reassurance that we all go through the same fears, expectations and hopes.

Raincoast Books has several books that help children learn about others thoughts, fears and hopes for school all while giving you an excellent opportunity to get your child talking to you about the upcoming school year. Two of my favourite picks are: Kisses for Kindergarten and Zombelina School Days.

Kisses for Kindergarten

School is about to begin, and Stella Isabella Harden decides that kindergarten just isn’t for her. Instead, she decides to spend the day learning from her puppy named Buster. Together these two adventurers plan a day full of playtime, tea time, nap time, and story time. After every lesson,” Stella gets the best reward: a kiss from her best friend and favorite puppy. But will she change her mind about kindergarten before the first day of school? Join Stella and Buster in this lyrical read-aloud and heartwarming story about growing up.

“Stella Isabella Harden
contemplating kindergarten
declared she didn’t have to go…
because her puppy told her so.” – Kisses for Kindergarten

Kisses for Kindergarten is a 2017 Mom’s Choice Awards, Gold Award Recipient.

This was an adorable book to read to young children. Stella doesn’t want to go to school, she wants to stay at home with her puppy because her puppy really needs her to be there for him. And her puppy can teach her everything she needs to know right?

In a series of adorable and humorous moments, Buster tries to teach Stella but Stella comes to the realization all by herself that going to school may just be the best decision for her and Buster. The best part? It only makes their bond that much stronger!

We fell in love with the easy to read story with gorgeous illustrations. It is a great book for children entering Kindergarten so that they know they are not the only ones scared of the change and why it is important to go to school. Not to mention all of the fun things they will do, see and learn! I loved how the end of the book showcased that although Stella decided to go to school, everything else in her life remained the same. Buster was always there waiting for her to return and still loved her just as much as before she went to school.

You can purchase a copy of Kisses for Kindergarten on Raincoast Books.

Zombelina School Days

The only thing Zombelina loves as much as dancing is going to school! When it’s time for show and tell, her new friend, Morty, experiences a terrible case of stage fright . . . something Zombelina knows all about. Zombelina has an idea to help Morty work through his jitters-a big dance party!

After all, friends who dance together, stay together!

Starring in her third picture book, this adorable zombie ballerina tackles themes of family, friendship, and school day anxiety. The rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud, and the delightfully spooky illustrations are full of charm and heart.

I really enjoyed this book myself. Zombelina stands out from her classmates with her unique features and of course by being a Zombie in a class full of humans. She shows us that even though we may look different on the outside, we still love the same things, want to be accepted and have the same fears as each other. She shows us that it is important to step outside of our comfort zone, to try new things and to show compassion for others. It helps children to realize we are all the same on the inside and that is what matters the most. I loved that the book did this with adorable illustrations and humour. You can’t help but fall in love with Zombelina. She is a definite big hit in our home!

You can purchase a copy of Zombelina School Days on Raincoast Books.

Have an amazing few last days of summer before your child heads back to school. Happy Reading!

Disclosure: I received the above books in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 21, 2017

Be a Star with Kidizoom Action Cam 180

My youngest child LOVES YouTube – he will spend hours watching his favourite YouTubers talk about Fidget spinners, trying out new tricks, pretending to be superheroes and even puppy videos. For months he has been asking to create his own videos while he showcases his toys and doing tricks on his scooter. He has even practiced his own tag line and reminding his viewers to follow him on YouTube (it is so adorable!). While I love my boys, the thought of them using my camera or video camera to film their stunts puts my heart into a flutter – all I can picture is a smashed camera!

So how do you meet your child in the middle especially when you want to encourage their creativity and passions but you are nervous about them using your own electronics?

VTech has designed the Kidizoom Action Cam 180 to allow your child to capture those special moments in film and picture with a durable and child friendly designed camera. I have never seen my son so excited to try out a toy before. He couldn’t wait to open up the package and test it out (even though it was 8:30 at night and far too late for him to go outside with the camera to film himself on his scooter).

The camera is small, compact and probably about the size of the palm of your hand but built strong for those little hands. The case is a hard plastic but the siding where you hold the camera has soft plastic for easier grip.

The action cam features:

180 degree camera swivel (his favourite feature for selfies!)
water-resistant case for up to six feet depth
mounting pieces
charging cord
3 built-in games
filters for picture-taking

The first day with his camera saw him taking lots of selfies and candid pictures of his brother when he wasn’t ready. When he learned about the filters, his excitement went through the roof! Not only could he make our faces twist or expand, he could also add borders to the pictures as well. This was one of his favourite features in camera mode. He loved to make our faces look silly and couldn’t wait to share them with Grandma and Grandpa.

We have taken him out several times and added the camera with the included mounting pieces to his scooter and watched as he filmed his tricks all while explaining his moves to his audience. It was amazing to watch him become so animated as he created the videos. The camera was extremely easy to attach with the mounting device to his scooter, he was even able to help attach it. It never came loose even with a few jumps and falls off the scooter. At one point, the scooter had come out of his hands and fallen to the ground, he was quite worried that the camera would have broken. We checked it out and it was still working perfectly – crash and all!

The real test came when we placed the camera in the water proof case so that he could take pictures underwater. I can’t even begin to describe how nervous I was! The camera performed perfectly – he used it to record his jump into the water and his brother helped film him underwater while he did hand stands. When they brought the camera out of our pool and I removed it from the case, there was not a drop of water in the case. I am one of those parents that read water proof but don’t quite believe it.

The VTech Kidizoom Action Cam 180 was the perfect children’s toy for our son. He fell in love with all of its features and I loved that it was strong, great camera for a child’s product and lived up to what the camera said it would do. The camera has gone on scooters, in the pool and even to soccer. You can purchase the Kidizoom Action Cam 180 at Walmart, Toys R Us, Mastermind and Amazon.

Make sure to follow VTech on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product free of charge in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 21, 2017

Bring Creativity and Imagination to Life with Stikbots

Kids love to create and design, build new worlds and create new stories. As children, we would spend hours making up plays, dressing up in costumes, using dolls for puppets and forcing our parents to watch all of our performances.

Technology has changed a lot in the last fifteen years but the desire to create and design has not changed. Children now not only have the power to create unique, exciting and adventurous stories but they can bring them to life and keep these memories with Stikbots.

Stikbots are bendable figures that children can easily move and pose into whichever position they want. Each figure also has suction cups on their hands and feet to help hold them into place once your child has planned out their scene. Stikbots began with a simple figure (that comes in roughly fifteen different colours) and has expanded into the animal kingdom with dogs, cats, monkeys and even a panda! The array of figures that your child can use really helps them to bring their story to life, we have a huge animal fan in our home and he loves watching animal documentaries so for him being able to recreate animal videos is huge!

To help your child bring their story to life, Stikbots also has the Stikbot Studio Pro Animation Set. This set includes two Stikbots, a stage (that comes in blue and green colours that is easily interchanged), tripod and two prop boxes. When you use the green stage, you can easily add in animated backgrounds (think space, disco and more) while using the Stikbot App.

We loved the Stikbots and how easy they were to use and create images and videos. We downloaded the app first so that we could fully take advantage of the green stage features. The app was easy to download and even easier to use. The figures themselves are very easy to manipulate into different positions and the suction cups worked perfectly to hold them into place on the stage and props. Our youngest (6) had no problem figuring out how to place the figures and use the props to make them appear to float or jump in the air. Once they placed their Stikbots and chose their background in the app, they had the option to either take a picture or video of their creation. After they had taken the photo or video, they could edit the image by cropping, adding wording, images and more through the app.

The Giveaway!

My Canadian and American readers can now enter to win their Stikbots prize pack! Enter via the Rafflecopter form below – good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.