Back to School with Learning Resources

Learning Resources is one of my favorite places to get educational toys for my son. I wanted to let you know about a some of our favorites toys just in time for Back to School. You can order any of the items below at their website www.learningresources.com. They have a great clearance section for parents and teacher and $5.75 shipping on all orders over $75! Enter code FS109WT at checkout. Not valid with any other offers.

Funny Phone™ Early Listening Game

Ages 4-12

Calling all jokesters! Laughter’s always on the line in this group game that gets players of all ages giggling. This game is a great resource to teach memory and listening skills. It was a bit difficult for our 5 year old, so you need to play the games with younger ones.

Invites players to dial in, hear their challenge…and prepare to be silly!

• Offers over 300 individual and group questions; you never know what Funny Phone™ will ask you to do, and it’s never the same game twice

• Provides 9 hilarious kinds of challenges, including tongue twisters, rhyming, singing, drawing, acting and more

• Features automatic shut-off, adjustable volume for both speaker and handset, and break-away safety cord

• Includes Activity Guide and 50 tokens that store in the built-in drawer

• For 2+ players

• Measures 8.7″ in diameter x 7.6″H

• Requires 3 AA batteries, not included, or AC Adapter (LER 6989), available separately

• Ages 4+

Let’s Tackle Kindergarten™

Ages 3-6

$44.99

Our tackle box is packed with fun activities that help prepare your child for early success in school. I love the organization of keeping everything in the tackle box and Nolan loves playing school. There are a ton of learning tools to utilize with you child in this kit.

• Engages kids in practicing 10 key kindergarten readiness skills: social skills, personal well-being, listening and speaking, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, reading, handwriting, math, thinking and problem solving, and creativity

• Features appealing hands-on activities, that ease the transition to learning different skills and subjects in school

• Allows you to track and reward progress using the checklist included in the 24-page Activity Book

• Includes 10 double-sided photo cards, 4 stacking cups, 60 plastic links, bean bag, 2 foam dot dice, 8 attribute blocks, 26 uppercase letters, 26 lowercase letters, 20 numbers, 16 pet counters, write & wipe board and 2 sticker sheets

• Plastic tackle box with sorting tray and carrying handle measures 13″L x 7″W x 6″H

• Ages 3+

Snap ‘n’ Learn Color Caterpillars

Ages 2-5

Colors and creepy-crawlies come together! Your little one build on fine motor skills, learn shapes, and colors. Plus they are so cute!

• Features chunky, snap-together pieces that are easy for little hands to manage as they build adorable caterpillar friends and fine motor skills simultaneously

• Includes resealable plastic storage bucket with carrying handle for easy clean up and play on the go

• Encourages kids to make patterns and create with mix-and-match pieces in different colors and small, medium and large sizes

• Includes 15 pieces that make 3 caterpillars (head, tail and 3 body pieces each)

• Sturdy plastic pieces wipe clean

• Each caterpillar measures 7.75″L x 3.75″W x 3.75″H when assembled

• Ages 2+

Pretend & Play® Bakery Set

Ages 3-6

Stir up a good time! Perfect for involving kids in baking for special occasions, holidays and more. We have had tons of fun pretending to bake and Nolan especially loves to crack open the eggs.

• Invites kids to imagine holding a pretend bake-off, making special treats for company, running their own bakery or entering the school bake sale

• Offers a realistic, hands-on play experience with egg that cracks open to release the yolk, cookies in 4 shapes to cut out and more

• Introduces parts of a whole with sliceable 3-piece loaf of bread and pie with three 2-piece slices kids can fill with fruit

• Provides a measuring cup and spoon so kids can be sure they’ve added all the right ingredients

• Set of 31 durable plastic pieces includes favorite baked goods and all the utensils a baker needs

• Largest piece (rolling pin) measures 8.5″L

• Ages 3+

Got It!™ Reading & Math Game

This is our favorite! The reading and math games are fun and Nolan hasn’t been frustrated that it is too difficult for him (he is five). I like the unique design for the game too.

Ages 5-8

Gobble up answers before the hungry monster—or your opponent!

• Features a 2-faced monster character who pits players against each other for head-to-head play with twice the speed and skill challenge

• Offers solo game play option if desired

• Includes reading and math games with bonus rounds for high scores, motivating kids to succeed

• Provides immediate feedback through fun graphics and sound effects

• Allows for quiet play with adjustable volume control and 2 headphone jacks

• Prolongs battery life with automatic shut-off

• Includes Activity Guide

• Monster unit with 2 display screen mouths and 2 joysticks measures approximately 6″L x 9″H

• Requires 3 AA batteries, not included, or AC Adapter, sold separately

• Ages 5-8

Scholastic Storybook DVD Giveaway

I wanted to share with you a fun activity that I have been enjoying with my five year old this summer.  Scholastic provided me with some of their new DVD s which are based on their best selling books.  I love their books and have been reading them for years with my children, before I even begin reviewing.  I didn’t even realize they made DVD s.  I thought it would be fun to go and check out the books from the library that were on the DVD and then view the movie of the book.  We had a fun time picking out the books and then took them home, read them, and watched the movies.  He loved the fact he could watch the movie of the book.  I loved that they still scrolled the words of the book across the screen as they told the story on the DVD.  His favorite so far is Pete’s A Pizza.  It’s a must read and you MUST act it out too!  You will have so much fun!  The DVD’s are available at most stores including Amazon and www.newkideo.com. They are educational and great for rainy days or the fun activity that I described above.  The two I received come in sets and are described below:

The TREASURY OF 25 STORYBOOK CLASSICS: DINOSAURS, TRUCKS, MONSTERS… AND MORE is an action-packed collection, filled with rousing tales of prehistoric creatures, roaring vehicles and daredevil rodents. The 4 DVDs include How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?…and more great dino tales; I Stink!…and more great stories on wheels; Pete’s a Pizza…and more great kids stories; and The Mouse and the Motorcycle. With nearly five hours of entertainment, this adventure-filled collection will fuel kids with excitement and put imaginations into overdrive!
Certain to become a fast viewing favorite with young girls, the TREASURY OF 25 STORYBOOK CLASSICS: FAIRYTALES, MAGIC…AND MORE offers an imaginative and magical collection of stories, from new adaptations of classic tales like James Marshall’s hilarious version of “Cinderella” and “Red Riding Hood” to beloved Hans Christian Anderson stories “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” This set also includes 4 DVDs: The James Marshall Collection, The Hans Christian Anderson Collection, Rapunzel…and more classic fairytales and Strega Nona… and more magical stories.

GIVEAWAY
Scholastic has generously offered a giveaway of the sets I described above to give to TWO winners!  Each person will win one of the sets!  Cool Beans!

TO ENTER: Leave me a comment telling me a children’s book you recommend us to read this summer. (My son is five)

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN SEPARATE COMMENTS TO COUNT)
FOLLOW @bookroomreviews on twitter and tweet this giveaway
SUBSCRIBE to Bookroom Reviews by Newsletter or Feed
STUMBLE this giveaway
This contest will end on July 23rd and I will e-mail the winner. You will have 48 hours to respond. Make sure and check back for more giveaways all this month! Scholastic provided the review and giveaway products to Bookroomreviews but that was not an influence in the honesty of this review.

Happy Earth Day Giveaway

Check out these TWO great toy companies that produce eco friendly toys.   The first one is the line of Sprig Toys.  All of their toys are not only eco-friendly, they are so cute.  Made from bio-composite material derived from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic, they are kid-powered and imaginative. They have a great line of trucks to encourage your child to have fun playing construction and dig in the dirt. The only criticism I have is the Hollow sets have to be assembled and are a bit challenging, but the cute design and earth friendly factors more than make up for it. You can purchase the brand new Sprig Hollow line(pictured below) and their other great toys at retail stores listed on their website, www.sprigtoys.com.

Our friends Bee and Butterfly, the architects of Sprig Hollow, specifically designed all the farm vehicles for maximum utility in water, sand and garden environments. All of the vehicles at Sprig Hollow come equipped with detachable tools and water-resistant materials in order to sustain play and expand possibilities. The playful, cartoon-like designs of our chunky vehicles, characters and play sets make them irresistible to preschoolers, and parents love the eco-friendly, kid-powered construction. So jump into a place where imaginations blossom as preschoolers and their grown-ups play and learn in the fresh air! Dunebug’s Sand Truck is a double feature of a vehicle. It has a built in bucket, shovel, and rake transform this truck to instant sand tools to keep your farm looking the best on the block. When the wings of Bee and Butterfly need a rest for the day, they rely on the help of their very own air vehicle. Dragonfly’s HeliScoopter is the first of its kind that can scoop on up just about anything from sand to friends of the farm. When the HeliScoopter is not in action, it relaxes on our unique landing pad that also lends a helpful hand as a sand sifter. Sprig vehicles and characters are designed to be interchangeable, creating endless combinations of adventures. Different characters offer unique voices and personalities, introducing children to diverse friends and animals from around the world. Future products will be compatible with existing lines, expanding play potential and the life of each toy. Ages 3+

What makes Green Toys absolutely amazing in my opinion is that fact that they are made 100% recycled milk jugs right in the USA! They are also BPA, Phthalates, and Lead Paint Free! The other thing that draws me to Green Toys is that these are true imagination toys. No bells and whistles, flashing lights, cool sound effects. These toys encourage our children to think for themselves. To entertain themselves, rather than be entertained. I love that! Whether you’re lucky enough to pick up the Tool Kit, the Recycling Truck, the tea party set, or the indoor gardening set you’ll be right in there with your kids having a blast.

Green Toys would like to celebrate Earth Day and give one of you the Recycling Truck! Yeah!

TO ENTER: VISIT GREENTOYS.COM AND LET ME KNOW WHICH OTHER TOY YOU LIKE AND WHY

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND TWEET THIS GIVEAWAY, SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG, OR STUMBLE THIS CONTEST.

Contest will end MAY 1ST. U.S. and Canada only please. Good Luck! Please respond within 48 hours.

Wow Wow Wubbzy on DVD

Do your children watch Wow! Wow! Wubbzy? I can’t say enough good things about Nick Jr. shows and this show has even won an Emmy. More important than that is the positive modeling of social skills, such as honesty, cooperation and fairness, in a fun and engaging way.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! airs nearly 40 times a week on Nick Jr. and Noggin and on February 3, will be releasing its newest DVD, A Little Help From My Friends. The DVD features six great episodes, all focused on the important values of friendship. This theme takes center stage as Wubbzy, a fun, lovable, curious little guy and his Wuzzleburg pals search for a lost Wiggle Wrench, escape a runaway Doodleberry Cake, build a Super Robot, teach Walden to boogie, and work hard for Wuzzleburg trophies. Together they discover the importance of positive values like confidence, cooperation, teamwork and above all, the meaning of friendship. The DVD extras also include two bonus episodes, music video, Kooky Kostume game, activities and sneak peeks.

Parents can get involved by visiting www.wubbzy.com where they can join the “Wubb Club,” sign up for the newsletter, read the Wubbzy Blog, and listen to Wubbzy podcasts. The site also provides fun activities, recipes, printable coloring pages, and much more! Thanks to Mom.Central for the great information!

New Year, New You Book Giveaway!

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU GIVEAWAY!

The New Year is a time to reflect and resolve, rebuild and renew from the inside out. Win a selection of titles for all tastes and opportunities to grow in areas important to you:

Love in 90 Days by Diana Kirschner
Walking in Your Own Shoes by Robert Anthony Schuller
The Power of Who by Bob Beaudine
God is My Coach by Larry Julian
Do-It-Yourself Hedge Funds by Wayne Weddington
8 Steps to Create The Life You Want by Creflo Dollar
Going Gray by Anne Kreamer
This is the Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley

Hachette Book Group wants to give FIVE of you a set of these EIGHT terrific books listed above!  HORRAY!

TO ENTER: LEAVE ME A COMMENT TELLING ME WHICH BOOK LISTED ABOVE IS THE ONE YOU WOULD BE MOST EXCITED TO READ AND WHY. YOU CAN CLICK ON THE BOOK TITLES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND CHAPTER SAMPLES.

FOR SECOND ENTRY: STUMBLE, TWITTER, OR SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE A LINK IN A SEPARATE ENTRY

THIS CONTEST WILL END AT MIDNIGHT JANUARY 25TH AND RANDOM.ORG WILL CHOOSE THE FIVE WINNERS.  I WILL E-MAIL YOU AND YOU NEED TO RESPOND WITHIN 48 HOURS.  U.S. AND CANADA ONLY. THANKS FOR VISITING!  I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU!

Win a Cool Pet Camera, Five Winners!

I just watched Marley and Me last night and have the adorable dog from the movie on my mind.  I would have loved to watched the pictures from his PET CAM!  By the way, I loved Owen Wilson in this movie, normally I hadn’t noticed much about him in his past movies, but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth he brought to his character and relationship with Marley. Jennifer Aniston, not so much.   Owen Wilson had a truly heartbreaking scene at the end.  It was good and of course I sobbed like a baby, but the book is better! Isn’t it always?  And on to the very cool PET CAM…

Have you ever wondered what your pet was up to while you weren’t around?   Are you curious what life looks like to them?  Uncle Milton Explore It!  Pet’s Eye View Camera is a small digital camera that you clip to your pet’s collar.  It takes still photos that you upload onto your computer in order to see what your pet has been doing.

Some of the cool features include an automatic timer that can be switched to 1, 5 and 15 minute intervals, flashing red light to let you know when the battery is low and also a rechargeable battery that charges when you plus your camera into any USB port on your computer.

This camera is small and very easy to operate so would be great for children (8 and over) who are interested in photography or technology.  It is also great for people who love their pets and would like a great idea for scrapbook projects or photo additions to their pet devoted websites.

From an idea standpoint, this is very cute and innovative.  I also think it would be neat to clip it on your baby’s clothes.  It is also extremely easy to use and set up.  You purchase The Pet Cam here for $39.99, on Amazon, Target and the other stores listed on the the Uncle Milton website.

UNCLE MILTON has very generously told me they want to give FIVE of my readers your own PET CAM to have and try out on your pet!  HOW COOL IS THAT!

TO ENTER: LEAVE ME A COMMENT ABOUT YOUR LOVABLE PET(do you have a Marley?)  AND WHY YOU WANT TO WIN.

FOR SECOND ENTRY: STUMBLE, TWITTER OR SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE THE LINK IN A SEPARATE ENTRY.

THIS CONTEST WILL END JANUARY 22ND AT MIDNIGHT AND RANDOM.ORG WILL PICK THE FIVE LUCKY WINNERS. I WILL E-MAIL THE WINNERS.  GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR VISITING!  I HAVE OTHER GIVEAWAYS EVERY WEEK, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP CHECKING IN. U.S. AND CANADA ONLY PLEASE.

Happy New Year from Florida Vacation!

Hi everyone! We are still in lovely Florida with my husbands family and having a wonderful vacation, so I’m not posting much, but I have some great giveaways and plans coming for the New Year hopefully!  The pictures above were taken at Sea World. Our favorite was petting the Stingrays and of course the Dolphins. I have video that I will post when we get back. Miss you all, and I am behind on reading your blogs, but I will get to you all when we get back. I am not missing the snow and the ice from Iowa!  Have a safe and blessed New Year!  Hugs!

Holiday Guide For Kids

Kiddesign is a fantastic company that makes interactive educational toys for children.  KIDdesigns is a leading manufacturer of cutting edge, interactive electronic toys, learning aids, and real electronics for kids of all ages. We understand and respect the importance that toys play in kids’ lives. With that responsibility in mind, we combine state-of-the-art technology with old-fashioned fun to create innovative, exciting, and enjoyable products that kids will love and parents can trust.  KIDdesigns is dedicated to creating products that help boys and girls grow, learn, and have fun.

KIDdesigns has received some of the most prestigious awards and honors in the industry, including Family Fun’s “Toy of the Year” award, “Top Toy” recognition from the Great American Toy Test, and the “Best New Product Innovation” award from Toy Wishes Magazine. Our most-treasured honors, however, have always been the smiles and laughter from millions of boys and girls when they play with our toys and use our products.

They are must have on your Christmas list.  We loved playing with the following toys and highly recommend them!  You can buy them at www.kiddesigns.com and Toys R Us.   Free shipping for orders over $30.
Growing Smart Laugh With Me Botley (Isn’t he adorable!)
An Interactive Learning Friend

Botley is loaded with fun and games and he’s eager to help kids learn words, numbers, logic, and more! Watch as Botley comes to life with moving head and mouth. Join this lovable laughing robot for hours of teaching entertainment.

Logic Circuits
Logic and Reasoning skills keep young minds sharp and focused

Letter Circuits
Letter Identification and recognition is fundamental to language and reading skills

Word Circuits
Recognizing and understanding words is an important component to reading comprehension

Math Circuits
Teaches basic math skills

Game Circuits
A variety of challenging games help sharpen strategic thinking

Custom Game and Data Circuits
Customization of content creates a personalized challenge

Growing Smart Learning Laptop (Spiderman Design)
Your child will want to look just like you with his or her own laptop!  This one is the perfect size and teaches them e-mail even!  So cute and educational.  There is a Barbie laptop just for girls.

* 8 learning zones with 48 different activities, including great games like hangman, snake, word jumble, word matching, letter matching and more
* Spider-Man® speech and exciting sound effects
* S.M.A.R.T. Chip™ Technology will automatically adjust quiz levels that are appropriate for each child
* Translate button translates select words into Spanish instantly
* “My Zone” feature allows custom spelling lists, instant messages to Spider-Man, Email and more
* Backlit display

Barbie™ Pet Doctor

We have so much fun being a doctor to this adorable dog.  He makes sounds and lights up to show your child where he is hurt and where they can treat him.  A great toy to teach empathy and inspire your child to help animals.

* Interactive pet with pressure sensitive pads in head, back, and all paws to activate different exciting doggie sounds
* Dog responds to bottle and bone
* Realistic dog sounds such as barking, panting, yelping, chewing–even a heartbeat
* Includes a carrying bag to store doggie and accessories
* In store “Try Me” plays sound effects from paw
* Accessories include carrying bag, stethoscope, thermometer, milk bottle, syringe, bone, certificate, and a prescription pad

Holiday Gifts of Childrens Books

Rutherford B. Hayes Middle School will never be the same. Danika is in deep trouble for hitting Mrs. Hefty’s right temple with her brown bag lunch. Toni is trying out for the boy’s football league…against her dad’s wishes and the school rules. Kaitlyn is completely boy-crazy and will stop at nothing to express her love for her older brother’s best friend. Yuzi is the new kid at school whose name nobody can pronounce, and in a valiant effort to fit in she is traumatized by being invited to dress up like a stalk of corn at the town’s annual Popcorn Festival. Their worlds collide one afternoon when they all end up in after-school detention and the Secret Keeper Girl Club is formed to save the day. Full of comedy, action, emotion, and life-transforming lessons, each book includes a mother/daughter Girl Gab assignment in an appendix.

I love the fact that girls can read about such a wonderful character as Danika and the other girls to identify with.  Told with Christian values about how to be a true friend and make wise choices, the Secret Keeper books are much more valuable for young tweens then those other books that stress looks and boyfriends.   Packed with quotes about friendship, the girls’ insights into what true friends are, and “secret” keywords you can plug into the Secret Keeper Girl website www.for recipes and fun tips, this is a book that will be a blast for girls to sit down with. Secret Keeper Books are available at book stores everywhere and Amazon.

I LOVE Barefoot Books!  They have such a terrific selection of unique and beautiful books for children.  The drawings and imagary in them is incredible.  They would make great gifts for any occasion.  And they have made it easy for Christmas, they have many wonderful gift collections available right now.  You can purchase their books at BAREFOOT BOOKS WEBSITE. Below are some of my favorites.

Alligator Alphabet - Hardcover
“A is for Alligator! B is for bear! C is for Camel!
Chase us if you dare!”

Can you think of an animal for every letter of the alphabet? In this delightful ABC book, young children will learn the upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet as they meet a parade of exotic and familiar creatures – from alligators to zebras, and impalas to quails.

Colorful drawings and cute words will make your little one giggle and love reading about all the animals.

Counting Cockatoos - Hardcover
Count all kinds of creatures as they tumble, rumble, slink and flap across the pages of this playful book!  Count to twelve with help from tumbling tigers, winking owls and more, while you search for the two cockatoos hidden on every page.  This clever counting adventure makes the perfect gift when paired with Alligator Alphabet.

My four year old loves to count and learn about numbers and Counting Cockatoos makes it even more enjoyable.  I love the illustrations too!

Little Leap Forward - Hardcover
As featured in the New York Times Sunday Book Review!

The first in Barefoot Books’ Young Fiction line, this sensitively written, real-life story focuses on growing up in Beijing in the 1960s, at the time of the Cultural Revolution. Little Leap Forward offers children an intimate and immediate account of a child’s experiences as Mao Tse Tung’s Great Leap Forward policy tightens its grip on China.

Yoga Pretzels

50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids & Grownups

What a fun and healthy activity to do with your kids!  We love the cards and feel great after we practice them.  Our four year old is so good at the poses!

Practice bending, twisting, breathing, relaxing and more with Yoga Pretzels, a vibrant and colorful set of illustrated cards that provide a healthy dose of fun and education while teaching all the basics of yoga to help your head and heart.

My Daddy is a Pretzel – Hardcover
Yoga for Parents and Kids

Daddy actually did this with our four year old, and they had so much fun.  It is great to read a book and have it be so interactive and educational at the same time. The pictures are fabulous!

Limber up with this unique, child-friendly yoga book! Created for parents and children to share together, but also suitable for adults and older children to use alone, My Daddy is a Pretzel not only introduces a range of postures, it also connects the practices to everyday life, showing how families can integrate their yoga with their activities in the world. A light-hearted look at yoga, yet one with a lasting message, My Daddy is a Pretzel is a wonderful introduction to yoga for readers of all shapes and sizes.

Whole World – Hardcover & CD
Featured in Oprah’s “O List”!

“Printed on forest-friendly paper, this sweet children’s book includes a sing-along CD and eco-tips for preserving the planet”—The O List
I would agree with Oprah!  This was our four year olds favorite!  The music and song was so fun to sing along to and read the book as we sang.  We sang over and over!
Share the message, hear the song, and see Whole World come to life! We are donating ten percent of sales from Whole World to benefit global conservation. To learn more about our environmental partners, please click here.
Sing around the planet, from high in the mountains to low in the valleys, in every town and every city, and with all the fish and birds, trees and flowers! Includes eco-tips on how to live green and a catchy singalong CD, sung by Fred Penner.

Learning a new language used to require tedious  translation, mindles memorization and grueling grammar drills. But learners want faster, easier and more effective language programs as they increasingly intermingle with other cultures both at home and abroad. Rosetta Stone Inc., creator of the world’s No.1 language-learning software, has introduced Rosetta Stone® Version 3 Personal Edition, the next generation of an interactive software program that uses technology to create an environment of complete immersion in the language — the fastest, most effective way to learn a new language. Rosetta Stone Version 3 is now available for U.S. consumers in the 10 most popular languages offered by Rosetta Stone. An additional 20 languages are available in Rosetta Stone Version 2. The Rosetta Stone product is backed by an unconditional six-month money-back guarantee for all purchases made directly from the company.  The website is www.rosettastone.com

This complete software package, enhanced with Audio Companion™ CDs, includes everything you need to learn Spanish at home and on the go.

Begin by building a foundation of essential language skills. Gain confidence and learn to share your ideas, opinions and feelings when you immerse yourself in Spanish with Rosetta Stone.    *  Version 3 Personal Edition CD-ROM software for Levels 1, 2 & 3 (Windows/Mac)
* Headset microphone
* User’s guide
* Audio Companion, a multiple-CD set to play or download to your MP3 player

This set will help you:

* Build your vocabulary and language abilities.
* Spell and write accurately.
* Speak without a script.
* Retain what you’ve learned.
* Read and understand your new language.
* Share ideas and opinions, express feelings and talk about everyday life.

Sample topics include:

* The basics, such as age and family relations
* Questions, greetings, introductions
* Times of day, calendar terms, the weather
* Directions, locations, telling time
* Present, past and future tense
* Apologies and polite requests
* How to order at a restaurant and give and receive directions
* Emotions, opinions and ideas
* Political, media, business and religious terms

Children’s DVD Gifts and Giveaway

Great Children’s DVDs for Christmas!

In the midst of watching all the traditional Holiday classics, make sure you take the time to watch  The Child King this Christmas.  It is a beautiful and heartwarming story for kids and adults of all ages.  It is also inspirational and best of all 100 percent of the profits are donated to the Child King Foundation.   This feature-length family film, featuring comedian Lenny Clark, tells the inspirational story of a Jeremy, a teenager with Down syndrome, who takes his younger brother on a life-changing quest to find Santa Claus at the North Pole.  This heart-warming tale stands to become a new holiday classic – and one that allows families to give back during the holiday season.  All proceeds from DVD sales are donated to individuals and organizations that assist those with intellectual disabilities. In a year when doing good is especially important, The Child King is an award-winning choice that will teach everyone about the importance of going after your dreams while helping support an excellent cause. Please note that the film has been endorsed by KIDS FIRST! and the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media; it was also an official selection at the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival.  You can buy The Child King at CHILDKING.COM

As for profits, 100% of the profits from the movie are channeled to the Child King Foundation for disbursement as grants to organizations, charities and individuals that assist those with intellectual disabilities. Foundation grants are offered to eligible applicants after review by The Foundation’s awards committee. Any organization, charity or individual that advocates for those with intellectual disabilities is encouraged to apply for a CKF grant.

The Child King Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by the movie’s producer, Jeff Kerr. Jeff is an active long-time supporter of Down syndrome causes, including The Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Animal Wow would make a great gift for any child with pets!  I love the messages and lessons they teach children about safety and treatment of your pets, and my son loves the songs and the puppets.  They are adorable and the songs are catchy and fun!  They are shown in an engaging and easy to understand way so children will not only learn but be entertained at the same time. You can buy the DVD set that comes with the puppets, DVD, music C.D. and booklet at the ANIMALWOW website.

First, a few statistics:

More than 2 million children bitten by dogs this year
75% of all families with kids have pets
The $40 billion pet industry continues to grow at 15% even during this recession, (possibly because during recession families tend to stick closer to home and make the most of their home-oriented recreation and entertainment experiences).

Now the benefits of kids learning about pets:

Good habits include: safety, responsibility, age-appropriate helping
Positive values include: caring, self-esteem, how to be a best friend
Life skills: when kids discover pets, they discover themselves

How Animal Wow helps kids and families benefit:

Award-winning DVD, “Dogs Wow Dogs” for preschoolers includes the above benefits (good habits, positive values, life skills), plus family fun, great songs, laughs, and dozens of kids and dogs.
Free “Dog Party Fun Book” download at www.animalwow.com .
Blog “When Kids Discover Pets” also at animalwow.com/blog

We don’t let our four year old watch too much television.  When I heard about The Global Wonders DVD s, I was excited to let him watch these videos because they celebrate diversity and cultural awareness. The Global Wonders series currently features four DVD s that are aimed at children. They currently have “Around the World,” “Mexico,” “India,” and “African-American.” Created by the former Executive Producer for Disney’s “Baby Einstein”, the videos opens children s eyes and ears to the worlds of various cultures through food, playing games, vocabulary and traditions.

Global Wonders discs provide preschoolers with continuous music and colorful images, along with plenty of kid laughter and giggles. If you are looking for a fun and different Christmas gift for your children, Global Wonders will not only teach them about the beauty of different cultures in our world, but will engage them with the colorful animation and songs. They also include “real” footage of various places and things from each culture. My four year old was truly engaged throughout the thirty minute videos. I highly recommend them! You can find the videos at major retailers like Target, Toys ‘R’ Us and on Amazon.com. The videos cost around $18 each. You can view a preview of the videos here. They will have more DVD’s coming in 2009, so make sure you sign up for their newsletter for special promotions.   You can receive discounts on the videos by registering at www.GlobalWonders.com.

Global Wonders has generously offered to send one of my readers a the Global Wonders All Around The World DVD!  Happy Holidays!

TO ENTER:  VISIT THE GLOBAL WONDERS WEBSITE AND WATCH THE DVD TRAILER OR MUSIC VIDEO AND TELL ME WHAT YOU LIKED ABOUT IT.

FOR SECOND ENTRY:  STUMBLE, TWITTER OR SUBSCRIBE ( NEW ONLY) AND LINK IT BACK HERE IN A SEPARATE ENTRY

THIS CONTEST WILL END AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 18TH AND I WILL E-MAIL THE LUCKY RANDOM WINNER!  COME BACK TOMORROW FOR ANOTHER GREAT CHILDREN’S DVD PACK GIVEAWAY!

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