Category: book review

August 7, 2014

Eyewitness Dinosaur @DKCanada #review

The iconic Eyewitness book series has been the most trusted non-fiction series in classrooms and in homes for 25 years! DK Canada has updated this popular series to paperback (a first in North America!) as well as adding new covers, improved layouts and a better ratio of text to photo. You can check out the full twelve updated Eyewitness Series books here on the DK Canada website.

My kids are huge dinosaur fans (as if you couldn’t tell from my other post here!). To be able to combine that love with learning is my number one goal as a parent. Eyewitness books are perfect for this! With clear and bold heading they highlight for our son what the page will be about. In Eyewitness Dinosaurs the images on each page are striking and in full colour making you feel as if they are really bringing the dinosaurs to life. With over 150 images this book kept him (and me) engaged for hours!

I read the book before giving it my son (I have to be honest with you, I love learning new things and this book was incredible for this). I spent an hour going through each page reading all the tidbit information and looking at the beautiful photographs. I learned so much (who knew they can classify dinosaurs into two groups and many had feathers?!). If we stumbled on anything we were not sure of there was a fantastic glossary at the end of the book. Together we were able to follow their evolution straight to extinction.

Right now DK Canada is offering 30% off the Eyewitness series (making the books only $7.69 CDN!). Make sure to check them out here.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 4, 2014

The Big Book of Things To Make from @DKCanada #review

Are your kids hitting the mid summer slump yet? You know the point where the idea of school being out has worn off and now they just want to do be doing more (anything more – science, physical activity and learning to name a few!) – mine are.

The Big Book of Things To Make from DK Canada has over 200 activities ranging from simple to a little bit more complicated to keep your child learning and having fun at the same time. Activites include simple science experiemnts, learning to juggle, building castles as well as outdoor activities. There is the perfect combination of physical activities and more sedentary activities to keep your child engaged.

We did several of the experiemnts already including making solar systems and soap monsters. We cooked, we were outside playing our favourite games (those ones that they always say they hate but now somehow they are super cool because they are in the book – yup those ones!), they practiced juggling (ouch!) and so much more. We have so much more to get through in this last month of the summer and can’t wait!

Feeling like you need some more summer time fun to keep the kids active and learning? Don’t forget to check out the Summer Fun Boutique running now over at DK Canada with 30% discounts!

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product free of charge. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 4, 2014

Doodlepedia Dinosaurs with @DKCanada

It’s summer time and you want your kids to have fun but don’t want them to stop learning. Why not mix learning with fun? Try out Doodlepedia from DK Canada.

The newest edition to the Doodlepedia series features everyone’s favourite topic – Dinosaurs! Doodlepedia Dinosaur edition features 96 pages of fun including loads of different dinosaurs, plenty of activities with facts and as well as many opportunities to colour and create your own dinosaurs. The coolest part about this series? You colour right in the book. Pretty awesome right? How many times has your child wanted to colour (or gone ahead and coloured in) in a book – well now they can! Kids can jump in anywhere to colour as there is no real start to finish approach which is great for young children. Both of our boys loved the activities and the pictures that were featured.

The book is a great size (300x251mm) and the paper is thick enough that it wont rip but still easy to colour on. It was easy to bring to the pool, soccer field, car rides and so much more.

Check out Doodlepedia and more in the Summer Fun Boutique where you can currently receive 30% off!

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned book free of charge. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 3, 2014

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron #review

In The Butterfly and the Violin a mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest areas of Auschwitz and in the lonely hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer, Sera James, watched her whole world fall apart at the altar two years ago and is still suffering from the event. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait that she first saw as a child – a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera’s pat crosses with William Hanover, the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul who may be the key to uncovering the hidden artwork. Together they slowly unravel the story behind the painting’s subject – Australian violinist Adele Von Bron.

Considered a darling of the Austrian aristocracy, a talented violinist and the daughter of a high ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins to smuggle Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat her life of privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places, in the grim camps of Auschwitz and in the recesses of her own battered heart.

From the moment I laid eyes on the cover of this novel and read the story line I knew it would be a gem and I was not disappointed. I fell in love with the characters of Sera and Adele – two strong young females both naive in many ways who struggle throughout the novel but grow in many ways as well. Adele’s story is humbling, saddening and hard to read through at times. It was hard to see her life change drastically especially as she believe those around her would protect her when she was doing something that was right and for the good of human kind. The friendships she forms while in the camps is strong but heartbreaking as well as she could lose them at any time. The way Sera and Adele’s lives cross is fascinating and will keep you guessing throughout the novel.

This is a rare book that you can love for years! I definitely 100% recommend picking up a copy of this book – you will cry, laugh and grow along with the characters.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse site here. You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Rating: 5/5 (if I could give it more I would – it was that good!).

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 21, 2014

Peas and Hambone versus Flesh Eating Zombie Gorillas

Peas, a ten year old boy, and Hambone, a dog who can also talk and walk, sneak into a zoo one morning only to witness a terrifying sight. A mad scientist had turned all of the gorillas into flesh eating zombies! Peas and Hambone know that they need to save the world before it is too late – but how do they do that?

A fun and entertaining read for young readers. My son who is nine had no problem reading this novel. It has roughly 120 pages and well spaced with a large enough font for young readers. It has a fun tone throughout the book that relates to younger readers well. It was fun, full of action and the perfect amount of yuck in it that kept my son turning the pages. While the title may seem like it would be a bit scary (flesh eating zombie gorillas) it is the exact opposite and focuses on the silly actions of Peas and Hambone.

Todd Nichols earned his Bachelor’s degree in cardiopulmonary science (wow!) in 1993 and went on to receive a Master’s in Education. He teaches elementary school students which you can completely see throughout the book as he has the ability to relate to young readers so well!

Peas and Hambone versus Flesh Eating Zombie Gorillas will be the perfect read for your young reader – boys and girls alike!

Rating: 5/5

You can find this book on Amazon here.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.