Category: books

December 19, 2019

The Katie Clemons Journals Review

Looking to celebrate life and those special moments? Create deeper bonds with your children and those around? Look no further – Katie Clemons will help you celebrate those special moments.

We Are So Thankful: A Shared Gratitude Journal

This journal is a thoughtful, creative way for families to connect with one another. Some days, you may be overflowing with reasons to give thanks―capture them so you can always remember, and look back to when you need a pick-me-up. Other days, being thankful isn’t always easy, and you may need to stretch yourself to “choose gratitude.” Through the engaging prompts, kids and parents can discover and celebrate all the things they are grateful for together. Keep record of the little things that brighten up your family’s life―in good times and bad―and foster an attitude of gratitude that will last for ages.

You can purchase a copy of this on Amazon.

Between Dad and Me: A Father Son Keepsake Journal

This engaging prompt journal is the perfect tool to build father-son relationships. Kids can record memories, swap stories, compare perspectives, and explore common and unique interests with their dads! Interactive lists and letters back and forth invite both dad and son to reflect, write, and doodle about topics timely to their lives as kids, build self-confidence, and improve their penmanship.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Between Mom and Me: A Mother Son Keepsake Journal

This engaging prompt journal is the perfect tool to build mother-son relationships. Kids can record memories, swap stories, compare perspectives, and explore common and unique interests with their moms! Interactive lists and letters back and forth invite both mom and son to reflect, write, and doodle about topics timely to their lives as kids, build self-confidence, and improve their penmanship.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Love, Dad and Me: A Father Daughter Keepsake Journal

This engaging prompt journal is the perfect tool to build father-daughter relationships. Kids can record memories, swap stories, compare perspectives, and explore common and unique interests with their dads! Interactive lists and letters back and forth invite both dad and daughter to reflect, write, and doodle about topics timely to their lives as kids, build self-confidence, and improve their penmanship.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Love, Mom and Me: A Mother Daughter Keepsake Journal

This engaging prompt journal is the perfect tool to build mother-daughter relationships. Kids can record memories, swap stories, compare perspectives, and explore common and unique interests with their moms! Interactive lists and letters back and forth invite both mom and daughter to reflect, write, and doodle about topics timely to their lives as kids, build self-confidence, and improve their penmanship.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Awaiting You: A Pregnancy Journal

Lower the volume of your busy life and savor the heartbeats thumping inside of you with this lovely pregnancy journal. Thoughtful prompts guide you to capture memorable moments and milestones, beautiful and complex feelings, and future dreams. You’ll feel your emerging mother-baby bond strengthen as you collect memorabilia and compose a series of love letters to your child.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

My Thoughts

These stunning keepsake journals are a beautiful memory and moments for you to share with the ones that mean the most to you – your children. I love my children more then words can begin to describe and I am always looking for ways to connect with them. These books give parents a great way to connect with their child, share their past and things that make them happy in an easy, stress free, fun manner.

Each book comes with conversation starters, plenty of blank space to write, draw and get creative. You can use the journals any way you want – front to back, skipping pages, complete it together or maybe separate. The most important part is that it gets you two talking and sharing about the things that mean a lot to you. You engage and truly listen to each other and share things that may be hard to share vocally and face to face.

These books make a great gift to new parents, young families and families with older children (especially older children who sometimes stop sharing how they feel). They are a truly beautiful collection of journals that will get you talking, sharing and connecting on a deeper level.

About the Author

Katie Clemons is an avid storycatcher, mom, and fifth generation Montanan whose super power is asking questions. Her mission-Let’s celebrate your story!-began in elementary school when Katie craved a consistent, fun way to capture and write her stories. Today, she’s a No. 1 bestselling author who’s shared her story on HGTV’s “You Live in What?,” given a TEDxTalk, created a storycatching community, and received numerous awards and press for her innovative approach to journaling. Katie and her journals have been featured by media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping and Pregnancy and Newborn.

Katie’s work helps both children and adults celebrate their life stories and nurture deeper bonds with their families while finding greater joy and gratitude. Find Katie and share her storycatching discoveries at www.katieclemons.com or @katierclemons on social media.

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

December 19, 2019

Cookies for Santa: The Story of How Santa’s Favourite Cookie Saved Christmas

The Kringle family cookbook has gone missing, and Santa can’t remember the recipe for the special cookies he makes every year. But where can he turn for help? From the experts at America’s Test Kitchen comes a new twist on a holiday tradition.

About Cookies for Santa: The Story of How Santa’s Favourite Cookie Saved Christmas

Millions of people bake special Christmas cookies during the holidays―including Santa! In fact, every year he bakes his family’s favorite cookie and gives them to the elves and reindeer to show them how much he cares, just like his father and grandfather did. But it’s just days before Christmas, and the Kringle family cookbook is nowhere to be found! If he has no recipe, he can’t bake his cookies. And if he can’t bake his cookies, Christmas might as well be canceled! Luckily, a little girl finds the cookbook and, with the help of America’s Test Kitchen, inspires families from all over the world to work together to make sure that Santa and his family have a happy holiday.

This book also includes the delicious cookie recipe.

Our Thoughts

Cookies for Santa is a beautiful book about the true meaning of Christmas, people working together for a greater cause and the warmth of family and friends.

In Cookies for Santa, Santa can’t find his cookbook which holds all of the recipes handed down from generation to generation. Santa loves to bake and he loves to share this love with the people, elves and animals that mean the world to him. When he loses the book, he feels all is lost and doesn’t know if he can go on with Christmas. A young girl finds his cookbook and comes up with the brilliant idea to bake cookies for Santa with the help of America’s Test Kitchen! Soon, kids all around the world are showing their love for Santa by helping bake his favourite cookies.

I love to bake for others, there is something so satisfying when you can share the time and energy you put into baking with someone you love. I can only imagine how Santa would have felt losing his cookbook – I love the recipes that my Dad cooks, they hold so many memories. I would be devastated losing something like that.

What was so beautiful about this book, was the way the community came together to support and show their love for Santa. People all over the world made his favourite cookies as a symbol of their love and support. This was a beautiful gesture and so very touching.

We loved the illustrations and the ease of reading this book aloud. It was a beautiful story that showcases the true meaning of Christmas. A huge bonus was the delicious Santa’s Chocolate Krinkle Cookies at the back of the book, that your child and you can bake together!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN is the most authoritative resource for reliable, kitchen-tested recipes and cooking information. They value process, curiosity, practicality, and honesty. They believe everyone can learn to be a successful cook and their mission is to test recipes over and over until they understand how and why they work, and arrive at the best version.

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

December 19, 2019

Dear Santa Book Review

A beautiful story of honesty and the spirit of Christmas.

About Dear Santa

When Ms. Holly asks the class to write their letters to Santa, Parker gets nervous. He has done some things this year that might put him on the naughty list. Like feeding Brussels sprouts to his dog and staying up past his bedtime. Should he gloss over his mistakes like his classmates do, or take responsibility for his actions? Deciding that honesty is the best policy, and hoping that Santa understands, Parker hands in his letter and hopes for the best.

Christmas morning arrives and Parker finds a big surprise under the tree ― PLUS a letter from Santa!

BONUS: Kids can write a letter to Santa using the festive holiday-themed stationery included in every book. Parents can also visit putmeinthestory.com/dearsanta for a FREE downloadable personalized letter from the desk of Santa Claus, or get a letter and official ‘Nice List’ certificate sent in a magical envelope all the way from the North Pole! It’s never been easier to make your child’s Christmas wishes come true.

Our Thoughts

Dear Santa is the perfect Christmas book that will make you laugh, smile and start all of those important conversations with your child around their actions and being the best person that they can be.

Writing a letter to Santa is a tradition that we have all done every year as a child. It is so important to children and for the magic of Christmas. It can also cause a bit of anxiety, as children tend to worry if they have been good enough for gifts, if they should be showing off all of their good deeds and if Santa will put them on the good or bad list. It can be quite a stressful time for a child!

This beautiful book follows Parker, a young boy who is tasked with writing a letter to Santa at school. He listens to his classmates writing their letters and is shocked when they write about how good they are. Because to be fair – no one is perfect 100% of the time. Parker knows he is not perfect and he doesn’t want to lie to Santa, even if it means he may not get any presents on Christmas. So Parker explains to Santa how he tried to be good and why he wasn’t.

This was an adorable, sweet and funny book that we loved from start to finish. Parker’s fears are something that every child can relate to and it is such an important lesson for children to learn. It is okay to make mistakes and to not be perfect – it is when we own those mistakes that we grow as a person and become better individuals. I loved how this book explained this concept in a way that children can understand – we don’t want our kids to be perfect, just the best version of themselves.

This will become a favourite holiday read in your home and is perfect for children of all ages. We also loved that the book came with beautiful paper in the back for your child to write a letter to Santa to, as well as with a free Santa letter download.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Susanna Leonard Hill is the New York Times bestselling author of Moon’s First Friends, as well as many other award-winning books for children. She does frequent school and library visits, teaches picture book writing, and offers picture book critiques. She lives in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley with her children and two rescue dogs.

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

November 13, 2019

Bread Bags & Bullies: Surviving the ’80s

This hysterical coming-of-age tale is jam-packed with enough nostalgia to satisfy anyone who grew up in the ‘80s or at least had the good fortune to travel through them.

About Bread Bags & Bullies: Surviving the ’80s

It’s the winter of 1984. Twelve-year-old Herbie and his two brothers—Wally and Cockroach—are enjoying the mayhem of winter break when a late Nor’easter blows through New England, trapping their quirky family in the house. The power goes out and playing Space Invaders to AC DC’s Back in Black album is suddenly silenced—forcing them to use their twisted imaginations in beating back the boredom. At a time when the brothers must overcome one fear after the next, they learn that courage is the one character trait that guarantees all others.

Our Thoughts

Bread Bags & Bullies: Surviving the ’80s was a fantastic, heart felt, laugh out loud read. Steven has a personal way of writing that is honest, fresh and down to earth. You feel as though you are right there experiencing every moment with the family. It reminded me of all the good laughs you have with friends over the good old days.

The ’80s were definitely a simpler time (I was a very young child growing up but I still remember the endless days of being outside until it was dark and those bread bags (or any bag in general!). We used to spend hours riding up and down the street on bikes with no care in the world. This book brings back some great memories and makes you wish you could take a trip back in time. I loved the emphasis on family and spending time together – this is sometimes lacking now in society, where everyone is so busy all the time. Families may not have been perfect but they put family first.

This book starts off with Herbie breaking up a fight between his own two boys and then he begins to tell the tale of a week long adventure in his childhood home during the middle of winter and one bad storm.

I fell in love with this family, they were quirky but they were real. I am pretty sure you will be able to find similarities in some of the characters to your own family. They absolutely love each other but have a very unique way of showing it – a result of the times that they grew up in (a perfect example, the brothers could tease poor Cockroach but definitely not their friends!). The brothers learned how to handle situations themselves, they did have their parents but they were independent for the most part which ensured that they had the life skills they needed. We witness the struggles of having little money and doing everything you can to keep the family afloat. It was his childhood and the lessons he learned that guided him in his own journey of fatherhood – we grow from all the good and bad things that happen to us.

This is a fantastic book from start to finish, you will laugh, get anxious and take a trip down memory lane. It is so well written that you will not be able to put it down.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; and the multi-award winning novels, Goodnight Brian and The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival and the 2018 New York Book Festival. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.

You can connect with him on his website, Facebook and Twitter.

The Giveaway

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Providence Book Promotions for Steven Manchester. There will be seven (7) winners. Two (2) winners will each win one (1) Amazon GC and five (5) winners will each win a copy of Bread Bags & Bullies: Surviving the ’80s by Steven Manchester (eBook). The giveaway begins on November 1, 2019 and runs through January 2, 2020. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

November 5, 2019

How To Travel With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind): Real World Tips and Practical Solutions for Traveling with Children

Do you feel that you have to suppress your sense of wanderlust now that you’re a parent? It is time to think again!

About How To Travel With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)

In How to Travel With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind), passionate world travelers and parents Natasha Sandhir and AJ Ratani share their travel philosophy, Be F.L.E.X.I.B.L.E. which turns conventional thinking on its head and presents parents with real-world solutions to the most common kid-related travel concerns.

After spending several years climbing the corporate ladder, Natasha and AJ decided to pursue their dreams of traveling the world and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime with their almost two-year-old son. They have traveled to 44 countries, taken 79 flights, and visited 115 unique destinations as a family. Along the way, they have discovered innovative tips and tricks that make traveling with kids no only doable, but enjoyable!

In this book you will discover:

Why you shouldn’t wait until your children are older to travel.
8 potty secrets that will save your trip.
AJ and Natasha’s Exclusive Plane Seat Hacking Strategy, designed to give you extra space on a plane for FREE!
5 steps to handle travel tantrums LIKE A BOSS.
Their top 12 tips to making any flight fuss-free.
Guidelines for choosing kid-friendly accommodations.
The Mary Poppins Packing Method.
How to help your child sleep anywhere and instantly adjust to a new schedule.
9 things you wouldn’t believe that you could do with your kids while traveling.
How to travel stress-free and happy with 1, 2, or even 3 kids (special guest chapter!).
And so much more!

Complete with comprehensive packing lists, suggested travel destinations for every occasion, and anecdotes from AJ and Natasha’s travels, How to Travel With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind) will leave you feeling empowered, inspired and excited to indulge your love of travel and make memories with your loved ones that will last forever.

My Thoughts

One of the scariest things you can mentally prepare for as a parent? Travel. When you think of the unpredictability, the unknown, the change of routine and everything in between – it can be terrifying!

AJ and Natasha have done an amazing job in this book to break down those mental barriers that we as parents have when it comes to thoughts around travel. They make you realize that travel is possible and it is very important to raising well rounded children. They help you open up the doors to the possible and make you comfortable with the unknown. For me personally, loss of control has always been my worst fear – I like to feel that I am in control at all times and travel sometimes stops you from having this control. This book helped me re-frame this way of thinking to be equip me for travel with my kids (which is one of the most rewarding experiences you can do together as a family unit).

This book follows their own principle of Be F.L.E.X.I.B.L.E – one of the most important lessons and skills that we can learn as parents. Each letter is broken down into helpful, real world advice. I appreciated this the most as a parent – I did not feel like I was being lectured or made to feel bad. Instead, it was a conversation with a fantastic friend giving the best possible solutions to a non-perfect situation.

Kids can make any situations impossible to completely plan for (tantrums, illness, diaper disasters) but AJ and Natasha are there to help you. They share their own mistakes and the how and why their solutions work. I loved their solutions for flying on airplanes (which to be honest I wish I had seen before we travel to South Africa three years ago!). There are so many practical tips that you can implement when traveling.

This book covers all types of traveling – from air to train to bus to car to cruise. You can apply their tips to short and long travel itineraries, the possibilities really are endless. This is a well written, fun and personal book that parents of children all ages will love. It will help you reclaim that sense of adventure, stashing away your fear of travel.

You can purchase a copy of this book here and on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Authors

The world can be your oyster—even if you have kids! And we should know because we have firsthand knowledge of traveling it, all while keeping our toddler close at hand. We are so happy that you have taken the time to visit our blog—so let us take a moment to introduce ourselves to you.

We are AJ Ratani and Natasha Sandhir—and our son, Aarav. Beginning in the summer of 2017, we embarked upon a journey together—a big one that spanned 31 countries, comprised of 39 flights, 3 cruises, and almost a 100 destinations. But we are getting ahead of ourselves—let us tell you how this all got started!.

You can connect with them on their website.

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