Literary Book Gifts Review #holiday #gifts #read #books

There is one child in our house that's always been a reader. Any guesses who that might be? It's Mica! Even when he was itty bitty we would read to him. That's the only time he sat still. Now when books aren't around he'll read junk mail on the table. He reads though his textbooks at school. One teacher thought he didn't like a book he borrowed because he got it back to her in one day. Nope he read it all! He's volunteered at the library for a few years now, and was selected to do Quiz Bowl in school because of his literary knowledge.

I'm happy to introduce to you Literary Book Gifts.

They have high quality gifts for book lovers! Mica fits into their target market. I'm sure you have someone that you know that would as well.

All design work is done in house. I have to say that I'm jealous. I'd love to work there!

Each product is printed professionally with care.

Products:

Women

Each shirt is $28. Remember they are designed in house. They have about 73 shirts with 14 color options. The sizes run from S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL. They are fitting shirts. I find I have to buy up in sizing for women's shirts. They have a chart on their site to help with sizing.

I picked out my top 3 to go over. They all have great typography and illustrations.

The first I picked out is Edgar Allan Poe. I like this one because when we went to Mesa Verde a crow perched up on an ancient window. It sat there just long enough for me to get some great photos.

The second I picked out is The Wizard of Oz. Travis read The Wizard of Oz to the boys, we all enjoy the movie, and a big pop-up book we have.

The third I picked out is Huckleberry Finn. I made Mica read Huckleberry Finn because I find it's a classic - must read. Then at conferences we asked if they have to read any classics, and mentioned this book. His teacher said, "That's a book I had to read when I was in school. Nope the kids don't have to read that." Well Mica has. ;)

Men | Unisex

Each shirt is $28. Remember they are designed in house. They have about 73 shirts with 9 color options. The sizes run from S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL.

I picked out my top 3 to go over. They all have great typography and illustrations.

The first I picked out is Walden. Travis visited Walden Pond when he was up in Boston. I'd like to get this shirt for him.

The second I picked out is Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland. I just always liked the story. Alice was quite the day dreamer, and had a crazy imagination. I think many artist types like this adventure.

The third I picked out is Dracula. I like anything spooky, so Dracula fits the ticket.

Tote Bags

I'm a big fan of bags. I use cloth bags all the time.

Small Cost: $24 Size: 13x13
Medium Cost: $28 Size: 17x15
Large Cost: $32 Size: 18x18

I picked out my top 3 to go over. They all have great typography and illustrations.

The first I picked out is Peter Pan. We loved the live show at The Rose Theater. I like the illustration on this so much!

The second I picked out is Huckleberry Finn. I just like that Travis, Mica and I have all read it. The movie industry loves to remake things, why don't they remake Huckleberry Finn? Bring it back!

The third I picked out is Frankenstein. It's just creepy cool. I had both boys be Little Frankie for Halloween when they were itty bitty.

What book would you like to see turned into a shirt or bag? 

Still working on your holiday shopping? Buy something for your reader at Literary Book Gifts. Take 20% off with this code: AnApelaDay20

Disclaimer: I did not receive anything for writing this post. Please use the code AnApelaDay20 to get something from their site.

Library Volunteer

Mica's continuing to volunteer at the library a few hours a week. He collects zip codes for their Read to a Dog Program.

The teacher in me already had to get after him. We went to pick him up, and he was on his cell phone checking something. I said, "Mica you're at work. No cell phone!" He said, "Mom they don't care." I said, "I do. Get off it!"

Otherwise I think volunteering is good for him!

The boy has already read his Summer Reading hours. I'm making him wait to cash in for prizes until Isaak gets there. 

I signed the boys up for a few things through the library. 

Babysitting Class:

Mica took a 2nd Babysitting Class. He wasn't too excited about joining in because he took it last year. I said, "You may learn something new. A refresher is good for anyone." 

He came out of the class thanking me. He said he did learn a lot. I guess the girl that headed it up was a different person than his other class. 

• He learned different games to play with different ages of kids. 
• They talked about how a lesson is more important than discipline. Example: Instead of taking something away, explain why what a kid did was bad. Then they know not to do it again. That's not to say that they shouldn't be disciplined, but have a lesson first.
• He learned more First Aid. He's not certified with it, but knows how to deal with certain situations. 

Cupcake Decorating Class:

I kind of thought Mica may not want anything to do with cupcake decorating, but Isaak wanted to take the class when I brought it up. They could choose between just frosting and sprinkles, making a rainbow with an Airhead Strip of Candy, or a Sunflower with the center being a small Oreo. 

Isaak picked the Sunflower. He was happy to eat it afterwards.

We have a few more classes underway:

• Didgeridoo for Isaak
• Teen Movie Night (Possibly)
• Chess (Possibly)
• Ukulele Lessons

I say possibly because some we didn't have to sign up for all the classes. It's more like you just show up. 

Are you active with your public library?

Sharkee and the Teddy Bear, Bremner and the Party Books @Ripleys Review

Reading to small kids is so important. It helps them develop a love for reading and art.

Recently Ripley's Believe It or Not! introduced two new beginner reader books to the market. My kids are past the age for these books, but they are still fun to look at. They are best for ages 3 to about 6. These books are a quick read.

I like Ripley's Believe It or Not! is adding this new line of books.

Both books use the illustrations of Ripley cartoonist John Graziano. They are written by Carrie Bolin and Jessica Firpi.

About Both Books:

• They should be in the stores now. The release date was April 10, and on sale May 1
• There are 40 pages in each book
• They are 8.2"x11.3", almost the size of typical printer paper, which is 8.5"x11"
• Text is simple, easy to read, and there's a good amount of contrast from the pages to the text. That's what I found difficult when my kids were little - some text is hard to read at night because there's little to no contrast from the text to the background. These books are easy to read! Part of me wished that there wasn't a band on the Sharkee and the Teddy Bear book, and they would have just bled the background to put type over.

The first one is Ripley's Believe It or Not! Sharkee and the Teddy Bear

About the Book:

• If you are looking to buy it the ISBN: 978-1-60991-208-6
• Cute images. 
• It's about a shark that loses his teddy bear. A fish tries to help Sharkee find his teddy bear, but it's a challenge because they are not that helpful.  

The second book is Ripley's Believe it or Not! Bremner and the Party

About the Book:

• If you are looking to buy it the ISBN: 978-1-60991-209-3
• Cute images
• This book is about a fish that is worried to go to a party because it feels like it will become a blowfish, and won't fit in. When he finally gets up the courage to go in he realizes that all the fish are blowfish. They can all have a good time. 

These books do have fun messages and illustrations. 

Disclaimer: I received two board books from Ripley's Believe It or Not! to assist with this review. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers or family. 

Zoobooks Magazine Review

I typically like to give different gifts to my nephews. Something that I know they don't have. Once I gave them all face plates, I've gven lots of money gifts, but fold the money up different ways, one nephew got a scratch board map, and there's more unusual things I've given them.

The latest unusual thing I got to review is Zoobooks Magazine. It really should have an (s) on the end of Magazine because there is more than one of them. One of my nephews is getting the set: https://shop.zoobooks.com/LandingPage.aspx?tid=262&aid=I1701A29

What the Set Included:

Zoobooks really gives a lot of insight into different animals. 

What You Get:

• Free Poster
• Free Stickers
• Free Digital Subscription
• Zoobies Free Animal Songs and Learning Games!
• Lots of Stories

Some of the Inside Pages:

I love that they have so many different stories, illustrations, pictures, and games inside the magazines. 

Ages:

• I had my nephew Edison in mind to give these to. The age range is 6 and up for Zoobooks! There are 9 issues in all. I let Isaak look them over, and draw from them. I think I'll hand them down to Edison soon enough. He's 3 1/2 now, and time seems to go faster the older I get. When I signed up for the review I had him in mind though. In the meantime Isaak (age 9) can use them to draw from. 

• They have another magazine called Zootles for ages 3-6. There are 6 issues in all. This is what I should have gotten Edison, but that's alright I have plenty for him. I'm never lacking in gifts for this age. 

• They have another magazine called Zoobies for ages 0-3. There are 6 issues in all.

Lots of different choices for different ages. 

Cost:

$19.95 + Shipping and Handling $7.95. I don't think the cost is bad considering all that you get. They do have a great return policy. Kids lot getting things in the mail! 

Did you get a magazine in the mail when you were a kid? I got Cricket and Highlights. 

Disclaimer: I received this set of magazines for the purpose of this review. Zoobooks did not influence me to write a positive review. The opinions in this post are my own. 

Just One More Chapter

When I saw the t-shirt that said, "just one more chapter" I knew I had to get it for Mica. He's a bookworm for sure!

He's rereading 3 books for Read to Succeed at school. His team members will also read 3 books each. Together they will go later this month to answer questions about what they've read. They already won the first match! Go team go!

At home Mica's into reading about ghosts, aliens, and space ships right now. 

What are your favorite topics to read about? 

Nephew Time

Last week was hectic for sure. My 5 year old nephew Emerson went to the hospital again. I can't even count how many times he's been in this year. He's the nephew I have that has Trisomy 18, which is too much of the 18th chromosome.

It started with him going in awhile back because he wasn't able to breathe very well. He went in and out of the hospital about 3 times for that. My sister wondered the whole time if it was from a hernia he had - possibly it grew. Instead of checking that, they were looking into small seizures he was having. That wasn't his main problem. The hernia was. The hernia was finally fixed. It was pressing on his lungs, and colon. The surgeon doctor decided to put in a tube that would help flush him out when he needed to go to the bathroom. Before the hernia grew he had no problem going to the bathroom.

Since then the flush tube has been a huge problem. We all wish it was never put in. His little body doesn't want to accept this foreign object inside him. He's fine while he's on antibiotics, starts to go off them, then he's a mess. Recently the antibiotics were making him sick. He starts draining through the tube, he gets a fever, his white blood cell count goes up, and he's not himself.

After a few days in the hospital he's fine again. The IV fluids help!

It's a back and forth affair.

Last week at the end of the day I went over to watch my other 3 nephews, and my 2 sons to help out. I was supposed to pay my sister back with a date night. Instead it was a hospital trip night. One nephew was closed into his room because they thought he had Strep Throat. He ended up testing positive to that. Yuck! That's like the 2nd or 3rd time he got that this year. When it rains, it rains hard! He's the one that's Mica's age.

I really only had to watch 1 kid with all 5 I had to be responsible for. Mica, Isaak and my nephew Elijah played and played. No fights! I love watching Elijah and Isaak play together. They are such great buddies. They are only 2 months apart.

They played basketball, on the trampoline, and some video games. They included Mica too. I wanted to get a good photo of just them though.

The one I had to watch like a hawk was Edison - the almost 3 year old. He usually wants nothing to do with me. We became friends after a little time. We made faces at each other. He's really into Back to the Future, so we watched that.

Edison looks like his brother Elijah above!

Edison and I finished the evening out by reading lots of books! He kept handing me Sandra Boynton books, which I've made up my own songs to them. Edison enjoyed me singing to him. He kept say, "Again!" But his favorite word is, "What?" 

Elijah had his big friend birthday on Friday. The only thing he asked for was Orange Fluff for dessert. His Dad was too busy cleaning, and preparing for his party to get the fluff. We checked 3 store's deli sections. No Orange Fluff. I call it "Orange Crap" because I don't like the stuff. Ha! 

Emerson's (the one in the hospital) old Occupational Therapist came in to see him when my sister was feeling really low. My sister told her about the many hospital visits, some doctor's not making time to see him, and missing Elijah's birthday, and him not getting the one thing he asked for. That sweet girl went home to make Orange Fluff. She brought it to Elijah the next morning for breakfast. It's so crazy how something so simple can bring tears to your eyes. Things can be so dang frustrating, and turn your emotions around like a snap of a finger. Then you feel blessed. Orange Crap turned into Orange Fluff Gold in my mind.

What has made you feel blessed this week?

Random Tid Bits

1. Isaak and I got our first head cold in the school year. My head feels fuzzy - like bees are flying around in it, and I'm stuffy. Isaak has been snotty big time, has no appetite, and feels feverish at night.
   
   I can tell fall is on it's way, plus school started, which is all breeding ground for sickness.


2. I figured out what I want to do for the big blow up project this year. Every year I find an image, or shoot my own image. My boss prints it out on the large format printer. I cut it up in squares, or rectangles. Then each student gets a square from each poster to recreate larger. I don't tell them what it is. They don't get to see it until the end when it's hung up. This year I had a hard time deciding. This year I didn't use my own photos. I found images that were so great by the Illustrator Tom Whalen. I love his work. The images below belong to Tom Whalen. When my students do a little piece they are not recreating the whole thing, nor are they selling the work.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. I got the book Wonder By R.J. Palacio for Mica to read. Normally he reads the books I pick out with kind of an annoyed look. Like he's thinking, Geez Mom! Let me pick out my own books! This one I kept seeing displayed at Barnes and Noble, and the library. He can't put the book down. Travis once said, "Ok you're not doing the tasks you ask us to do! Stop reading!" I know...every parent wishes that they had this problem. If you're looking for a good book to read...Wonder might be it.
   
   
    
4. Isaak watched The Boxcar Children movie at school. He came home, and was super excited to read the 1 The Boxcar Children book that he has. Maybe I'll have to check out more of those. Typically he's not one that likes to read.


5. I printed out a coupon for Michael's. It's a 50% off one. I feel the need to use it. What would you buy at a craft store?

Rock N Learn Early Childhood Book Collection #Giveaway #BackToSchool

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I received the books mentioned in exchange for this review. All opinions are mine.

I love books and movies that are educational. Rock N Learn has a great collection for kids all through elementary. Mica likes their multiplication DVD, and Isaak learned so much from their DVD on sight words. The company focuses on learning.

Rock N Learn sent me 2 board books to review. I love board books for kids because they last so much longer. Both books are 30 pages, which I think is a perfect length. They are for ages 1 and up. They are going to be gifts for my nephews for Christmas, but in the meantime Isaak has read them. I even spotted Mica picking them up for a quick read. 

Animals - Point & Name With 44 Rhymes

This book brings the reader in with its pretty pictures of animals. There are 44 creatures from the forest, farm, and other animals around the world.

There are fun rhymes throughout the book.

Isaak read this a few times because he loves the pictures.

Letter Sounds Silly Sentences - Early Phonics Skills

This book helps with learning how to read in a fun way. It builds pre-literacy skills. There are 26 letters in the book, and silly sentences that help with learning to read.

Isaak said, "Hey I know these characters!" He saw the characters in the videos that we have. He was intrigued with the book right away.

The Polly Porcupine page cracked the boys up!

Giveaway

I have both of these books to giveaway to 1 US reader. The giveaway ends 8/28. The winner chosen will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

If you'd like to get 25% off your order use the coupon code: KR8822.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Question of the Month

This is the question of the month: What was the first book (or book series) you fell in love with?

That's a hard one. I always fell in love with books for their illustrations, and not the writing. Illustration was my major throughout college.

My first book that I can remember having my mom read to me repeatedly is Bembelman's Bakery.

Source

I remember I loved the illustrations, and the stories was similar to Cloudy With the Chance of Meatballs; in the fact that food took over the town. In this story it was bread dough that took over.

As I aged I didn't want to read thicker books. Mainly because they didn't have pictures. In third or fourth grade my mom got me into The American Girls series of books. Kirsten was my first doll, and series read. This was before they became super commercialized. Back when they only had history stories and dolls. I liked Kirsten because my Great Grandma on my Mom's side had a similar story to her. She came to America from Sweden to. Her name was Britta. I was sad when The American Girls Collection started making dolls that looked like modern girls. It was more about the dolls and commercialization than it was about history, good craftsmanship, and the love for reading.

Source

A librarian said some pretty mean things to me that made me rebel to read bigger books. Maybe it was the way she said, "You're too old to read books like this!" holding up a picture book. I was in 5th grade when I was still checking out books with pictures. My teacher in 5th grade changed all that by saying, "Alissa you can make pictures in your imagination." She was super nice. After that I was reading 500 page novels. I read all the time!

To this day I still go to the children's book section at the library to look at the illustrations. Yes I read bigger books now, but I love to see the pictures in children's books.

What book got you into reading?