Category Archives: BOOKS

May 8 2012

Who Loves Me? Personalized Book

[ABOUT] It is often said that there is no better gift that you can give a child than love. Who Loves Me? features the names of family members and friends who love the child, and encourages the child to reach to the sky when asked “how much” each of one of them loves him or her. This beautifully illustrated book reassures the child that he or she is loved “so much” by each person, with melodious rhymes describing the depth of each individual’s love. Written by Jennifer Dewing, with colorful, whimsical illustrations by Maria Carluccio, this hardcover book is a perfect gift for a new baby or young child!

[REVIEW] This is the sweetest book and you can include all the extended family member names in it when you personalize it. The story is sweet and on each page, your child is reminded of someone else they know that loves them. It makes a wonderful gift and one we will order again.

May 8 2012

If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home Now

[ABOUT] Rickie left home a long time ago-so how is it that at the age of twenty-five, she’s living with her parents again, and sleeping in the bedroom of her childhood home? At least one thing has changed since high school: She now has a very sweet but frequently challenging son named Noah, who attends the same tony private LA school she herself attended. Rickie fit in fine when she was a student, but now her age and tattoos make her stand out from all the blond Stepford moms, who are desperate to know why someone so young-and so unmarried-has a kid in first grade.

Already on the defensive, Rickie goes into full mother-tigress mode when her small and unathletic son tells her that the gym teacher is out to get him. She storms the principal’s office, only to discover that Andrew Fulton, the coach, is no dumb jock. As her friendship with Andrew develops, Rickie finds herself questioning her assumptions-about motherhood, being a grown-up, and falling in love.

[REVIEW] This was a quick read. I was not prepared to enjoy this book as much as I did. As a mom of 3 tween and teen daughters, it was affirming. It was interesting to watch the dynamics between this self-centered and young mother dealing with her child but also still dealing with being a daughter herself and working on her issues with her own mother.

Toward the end of the book, there was a section that really hit home… The young mom says to her own mother, “My son takes everything out on me.”
Her mother’s response was, “That is kind of how it works with mothers. Kids get scared or they make mistakes and get angry at themselves, and you’re there, you’re always there, so they take it out on you because you’re the only one it’s safe to take it out on. Kids need to know that there’s someone there who won’t ever go away or leave them, no matter how horribly they behave. So you give that to your child.”

This is not always the answer we want yet as a mom when you are feeling beaten down, it is a good reminder that although our kids do not always show their appreciation, we are still the center of their lives.

Dec 7 2011

I See Me – Personalized Children’s Books

[ABOUT] My Very Own Name is a beautifully illustrated personalized children’s book that helps children to learn to recognize letters and spell their names. In this hardcover, professionally bound book, animals bring letters one by one to create the child’s first and last names in rhyme. A jackal brings a J, an ostrich brings an O, and so on. At the end, the animals celebrate because they’ve created the perfect name.

MY VERY OWN PRIVATE TALE – In My Very Own Pirate Tale, entertaining sea creatures bring letters one by one to spell out your child’s name, and they describe why he or she is the perfect candidate to be the captain’s first mate. The sawshark brings the S, the octopus brings the O, and so on. At the end of this adventurous pirate story, your child’s name is revealed as the secret to opening the treasure. Includes an illustrated encyclopedia of 62 sea creatures with fun facts about each. Filled with beautiful, hand-painted illustrations, this hardcover book is a unique keepsake that will be cherished for a lifetime.

[REVIEW] These are beautiful books and the perfect gift for a child. They will truly delight the way ours did in discovering that the book is all about them. We love that the book encourages the child to learn to spell their name. We would make this a baby gift for every new parent.

Nov 24 2011

Book: Miracles Are Made – A Real-Life Guide to Autism

[ABOUT] Miracles Are Made is a real-life guide written from the happenings of real life. It is a How To on living with and healing autism. Lynette Louise began life’s journey first as an individual, then as a mother, and eventually as a grandmother reaching into the heart of this disorder and helping first herself and then her children to become independent. Lynette’s journey, challenging as it was, taught her many lessons on the very real possibilities and limitations buried within the diagnosis.In Miracles Are Made Lynette not only shares stories from her personal and professional life but also illuminates the whys and the wherefores of the social climate parents find themselves in when coping with autism. She does this by educating us on the history of science and social awareness in relation to this disorder. She then teaches us how to make the best of what is possible and recreate the healings she has been fortunate enough to facilitate. You will come away understanding how to understand autism.You will come away knowing what to do.  WEBSITE

[REVIEW] The surprisingly honest book was written by global autism expert and mother Lynette Louise. This book could not have been written so beautifully by any other.  As a global autism expert she is invited eagerly into homes around the world-from Beirut to India to Kansas and more- as she shares her unique blend of play therapy, family dynamics counseling and neurofeedback (biofeedback for the brain), effectively guiding parents comfortably into the role of expert in their family’s healing.

As a single mom (although often married, rarely co-parenting or co-bill paying) of eight now grown kids-six adopted, four of whom were on the spectrum of autism- she is non-judgmental, informed and quite hilarious.  She is also my mother. Because of this I hesitated in writing this review.  I figured people would read it as biased and maybe even self-serving.  Perhaps some people will read it that way.

The reality is, this review is quite possibly more valuable because of my relationship with the author.

Let’s all remember that our parents’ endeavors generally make us nervous.  Our fear regarding how it reflects on us (although not the gargantuan proportion it was as teenagers) is always present.  I was always nervous when my mom stepped on stage to sing or preform stand-up comedy.  My palms sweat when she was about to make a radio show appearance or otherwise share her vision with the world.  I suppose it didn’t help that until neurofeedback my mom herself was still struggling with social skills and face blindness.  So whenever she was in the spotlight I was scared.  I wanted her to succeed.  I wanted her to be ‘right’ or ‘smart’ or funny.  Sometimes, admittedly, I wanted her to shut up.

But with MIRACLES ARE MADE, she has shared with passion, humor and intelligence our lifetime of learning.  The therapies, struggles and mistakes made along the road to independence for three of my four autistic brothers have become a gift for other moms.  Other sisters.  Other families.   I don’t know if it is ‘smart’ or ‘right’, but I do know that it is beautiful and helpful.  And downright funny!

I have four sons of my own, my two youngest being almost autistic themselves and my highlighter was put to the test during my first, second and third reading of mom’s new book.  The overall attitude and narrative make the concrete parenting answers easily grasped, understood and remembered.

The sharing of miracles made and recognized by some of her clients from all over the world, invite a feeling of global understanding regarding autism and parenting in general.   They also remind us to see the miracles when they are made.  So many examples leave few readers and their unique situations feeling left out.  We are all represented in this book, and given concrete tools and understanding.

I love this book and sing its praise loudly.  I share with friends, teachers and strangers.  I carry a copy with me at all times and have given it proudly as a gift to struggling parents.  I am working as hard as I can to introduce my mom and her message to the world, proudly learning as she steps on stage, talks on the radio and appears on television. I love this book and recommend it to parents (not just of autism) everywhere. I love my mom and recommend her, too!

~Tsara Shelton

Nov 24 2011

Book: Kate Kate The Fashion Plate

[ABOUT]Kate’s adventures are educational, inspirational and encourage girls to follow their dreams.  WEBSITE

[OVERVIEW] Kate has been busy designing dresses for Marie and Antoinette, her two little dogs.But now she has a chance to shine as a famous fashion designer, or so she thinks.   When Kate’s mom, a fashion icon and head of The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, arranges for Kate to help dress the mannequins at Bergs, New York’s fanciest department store, Kate is jumping for joy.  Kate has to promise her mother that she will dress in the latest style, “plain and simple” when she goes to Bergs, and not  in one of her own designs. But it seems Kate has a problem. Although she tries, she just can’t  look like everyone else. Even worse, the dresses she is given to put on the mannequins are so “booring” they make Kate feel sad. Bursting with ideas on how to give the dresses more sparkle and pizzazz, Kate gets carried away …. until Mrs. Blinker, the owner of Bergs walks in and sees what Kate is doing.  Now that Kate is in big trouble, what will happen to her dreams of being a fashion designer? Does Kate learn that she has to look like everyone else to be accepted?

[REVIEW] This is a wonderful new book series for young tweens [ages 6-10]. This will be our next mother-daughter Book Club pick. It was a fun, charming, and an easy read that kept my daughter engaged and entertained.

Oct 29 2011

Mommy Brings Home the Bacon

[ABOUT] “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” is a heartwarming children’s book that explores the touching relationship between a young boy and his working mom.

Told from the young boy’s perspective, the whimsical narrative reflects a child’s imaginative interpretation of why mommy goes to work, and the beautiful bond that develops as a result.

Bringing simplicity and lightheartedness to an emotional topic, “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” fosters a child’s appreciation for a working mother, while simultaneously easing the minds of moms who balance the difficult responsibilities of financially supporting their household and raising the children they so dearly love.

[AUTHOR] Nikki Mark

[REVIEW] Years ago this reviewer babysat for a spritely little girl who delighted in playing the parent role in a reenactment of “preschool drop off”. She would solemnly charge me, “Don’t be sad. I’ll be back soon,” give a cheery wave, and scoot off in her plastic convertible. Many years later, I have good-bye rituals with my own kids, special formulas meant to impart security for the time apart. “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” captures the importance of how we explain these times of separation to our children.

A parent’s explanation is vital, helping children make sense of their world and understand the connection between love and the practical elements of care-taking. The book gently works through the thought life of a child processing his working mother’s words about the need, and enjoyment, of her work. There is tenderness written into every page, and a dash of humor as the young boy imagines his mother’s day at the office, and muses over the incredible quantities of unseen “bacon” being secured by working moms everywhere.

Any mom who has felt her heart contract when saying good-bye to her little one will read the short book with a lump in her throat. This would make a thoughtful gift for a working mom, or a great read for a child who needs to identify and explore their feelings on the subject. If “The Kissing Hand” is perfect for preschool age children, “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” is a great companion read for slightly older children who are able to compare experiences, reflect on the meaning of words, and are learning to empathize.

Oct 29 2011

Active Baby, Healthy Brain

[ABOUT] Active Baby, Healthy Brain by Margaret Sasse contains 135 infant-to-toddler exercises designed to build connections between your child’s physical and mental development. The activities are charmingly illustrated and organized by age group and area of brain development (vestibular, gross motor, etc). Sasse includes simple explanations of why and how these physical activities stimulate brain development, but they don’t get in the way of the most important part– the activities themselves.

[AUTHOR] Margaret Sasse

[REVIEW] When I was pregnant, my husband (the personal trainer) liked to joke about the baby exercises he would be putting our new son through. I would roll my eyes, picturing tiny foam dumbbells and babies in “downward dog” yoga positions. Little did I realize how important baby exercise could actually be!

The activities in Healthy Baby, Active Brain are simple enough to mix into our normal playtime. As a mom, it helps me to be more intentional about how I play with my baby, and it is easy to see progress when an originally challenging activity becomes easy. My son has particularly loved going through an obstacle course (for visual tracking and focusing), crawling on a raised surface (for visual depth perception), and playing “wheelbarrow” (for shoulder, arms, and hand strength).

This book would be a great gift for any new parent, parent with young children, preschool teacher or childcare provider, as well as anyone in the sensory development field.

Oct 29 2011

Potter the Otter

[ABOUT] Potter the Otter is made available for free by FIRST 5 of Santa Barbara County with funding from FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, Kaiser Permanente, and the Department of Health and Human Services. FIRST 5 wants kids to grow up healthy and strong, and knows that habits form early. They developed Potter the Otter: A Tale about Water to assist parents and childcare providers in talking with young children about making healthier drink choices.Visit potterloveswater.com to learn more, play games, meet Potter, order the book and much, much more.

[REVIEW] A Tale About Water is popping up all over Santa Barbara County this year! Throughout the book, Potter the Otter, in charmingly simple illustrations, takes children on a walk through the park, talking to friends about the benefits of drinking water (did you know that the average 4-5 year old child drinks 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day? Hand over the juice box, stat!). The rhyming story is simple and repetitive, which will help Potter’s message stick long after the last page is turned. The words are in English and Spanish.

Oct 29 2011

Start Something that Matters

[ABOUT] In Start Something That Matters, Blake Mycoskie tells the story of TOMS, one of the fastest-growing shoe companies in the world, and combines it with lessons learned from such other innovative organizations as method, charity: water, FEED Projects, and TerraCycle. Blake presents the six simple keys for creating or transforming your own life and business, from discovering your core story to being resourceful without resources; from overcoming fear and doubt to incorporating giving into every aspect of your life. No matter what kind of change you’re considering, Start Something That Matters gives you the stories, ideas, and practical tips that can help you get started.

[AUTHOR] Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS Shoes

[REVIEW] If you’ve not yet heard the story of TOMS shoes, well, first, where have you been? Second, it’s a story worth learning, sharing, and replicating. In Start Something that Matters,TOMS Founder & Chief Shoe Giver, Blake Mycoskie, opens the hood of his company to explain how and why his company works so well, and gives practical advice and encouragement on how to harness the passion that fuels you as a sustainable career.

Blake Mycoskie was experienced in successful for-profit start-ups when he made a fateful trip to Argentina. On an unplanned detour among the poor in Argentina, Blake befriended children in an impoverished village and witnessed first-hand the heartbreaking difficulties that stem from not having shoes. Barefoot children are often prevented from attending school and are vulnerable to disease and injury. His brain whirling, he set to work concocting a business that would bring the popular Argentine espadrilles to the US market, and individually match children in need to a pair of new shoes – for free.

Blake quickly realized he had something more than a business plan – it had the qualities of a crusade. His story caught fire among consumers eager to transform a routine purchase into an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the world. For every pair you purchase, TOMSwill give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. As audacious as this might sound, TOMS is part of a growing and influential movement, sometimes known as Conscious (or Compassionate) Capitalism. The people behind it promote the idea that one can make a living while making a difference. TOMS’ success is proof positive of the power of a story-driven business to secure customer loyalty.

Blake relates the story behind TOMS in the introduction. The meat of the book is a step-by-step plan for how to channel your passion for good into a business. This is an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand business primer, explaining basic management principles and strategies (from hiring well, to inspiring your staff, to dealing with mistakes). Blake recommends incorporating giving into any business, and offers up reasons that are both altruistic and practical.

This book is not reserved to those in a mid-life career crisis; it should be required reading for teens and college students wrestling with the age-old question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” In a TOMS world, there is no conflict between making a living and making the world better. And in practical terms, Blake demonstrates how helping the world can be profitable, with examples from business leaders and entrepreneurs doing both. From his own solid business experience Blake offers advice on how to start a story-based organization.

Whatever your life stage Start Something that Matters will get you thinking about what “story” you want to be about. It’s a great read for you and your teen, and hopefully will kick start family conversations about what really matters in life.

As you would expect, with every book you purchase, a new book will be provided for a child in need.

Start Something that Matters. Blake Mycoskie. Spiegel & Grau. 2011.
Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Books-A-Million. 

Video trailer for book: www.startsomethingthatmatters.com/2011/08/start-something-that-matters-official-video-trailer/

Oct 29 2011

Good-To-Go Cafe

[ABOUT] High school student Enrique is fascinated by the food industry and sees himself as an entrepreneur, thanks to the adults around him and the classes he takes in school. What originally starts as a way to earn money for college becomes a passion for him. Good-To-Go-Cafe follows Enrique as he tries out several food businesses: catering, cupcakes, hot dogs and one fateful attempt at being a clown at a kid birthday party. All the while, Enrique wrestles with his identity as a half-Jewish, half-Hispanic kid. The book includes discussion questions at the end.

[AUTHOR] Barbara Greenleaf has written extensively for publications such as The New York Times. She has authored six books and well as run several businesses. Barbara encourages teen entrepreneurship through her work.

[REVIEW]  A perfect gift for young teens and business-minded high school students. It would be a great pick for a business class at school or community service group. While the book is a novel, it clearly demonstrates the steps and effort needed for starting a business. Teens are full of great ideas and reading Good-To-Go Café could certainly be a jumping off point for many business-minded teens. I found this book to be interesting and motivating, even as an adult! It refreshingly presented high school students as caring and hardworking. I got really attached to Enrique, the main character, and cheered for his success throughout the book. This is a fast, fun read.

We have SEVERAL for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

If It Was Easy They’d Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon

[ABOUT] If It Was Easy They’d Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon:
Living With and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married… When you said “I do,” you promised you’d stick it out no matter how sick, poor or miserable you got. But after a while you realize till death do us part is a really long time. Happily ever after? Perhaps a slight exaggeration. From managing a man-cold and negotiating control of the remote to staying true to the peskiest of all vows (forsaking all others), HONEYMOON is a must-read manifesto on not just surviving marriage but thriving in it, in an age when people live forever and getting a divorce is as easy as ordering a latte.

Kirkus Reviews describes HONEYMOON as a “candid account of how the grass is not always greener in someone else’s marriage.” (The same review claims “The author delivers a raw, postfeminist take on the domestic fate of women,” to which the author responds, “I do? That is so totally awesome!”) Publisher’s Weekly says “Readers who are, or have been, coupled will laugh (or cringe) as they recognize themselves in these pages” and adds, “While the author refers to statistics or studies here and there, her in-the-trenches tales are the real guts. Readers will likely find it very funny.”

You can check out the (hilarious) book trailer on Jenna’s website.

HONEYMOON is available on Amazon, in Target and Costco, and of course in whatever bookstores are left out there.

[AUTHOR] Jenna McCarthy is the author of If It Was Easy They’d Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon: Living with and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married

We have SEVERAL for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

Bonding Over Beauty

[ABOUT] In this down to earth guide for moms of tweens, Bonding Over Beauty offers practical advice for building self-esteem, confidence, and trust. Moms of tween girls know what’s coming: puberty. As a young girl heads toward the teen years and exerts her independence, mom suddenly seems out of touch. She just doesn’t understand.

That’s the shift Erika Katz—former actress and model and now mother of a tween girl—hopes to prevent by teaching moms how to open up a dialogue during the often awkward preteen and early teen years. Her approach: give moms all the information they need to guide their daughters through the trials of womanhood while providing fun bonding activities they can do with their daughters.

The tween years present a golden opportunity for moms to gain their daughters’ confidence. A mother’s approach to sticky issues such as shaving legs, using tampons, or wearing makeup to school will help determine the nature of the relationship she has with her daughter. Erika’s practical, comprehensive tips on hair, skin, makeup, hair removal, nails, healthy eating, and puberty, as well as the great bonding activities presented in each chapter, will give moms the knowledge and tools they need to create bonds that will last a lifetime.

[AUTHOR] Erika Katz

[REVIEW] As a mother of three girls who are entering the stage of make-up and now obsessed with fashion, I was happy to learn about this book. The book covers everything from beauty to exercise to eating healthy. Bonding Over Beauty is a great all around reference with tips that are practical and applicable.

We have one for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

The Cult of Lego

[ABOUT] In The Cult of Lego,  Wired’s GeekDad blogger John Baichtal and BrickJournal founder Joe Meno take you on a magnificent, illustrated tour of the LEGO® community, its people, and their creations. The Cult of LEGO introduces us to fans and builders from all walks of life. People like professional LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya; enigmatic Dutch painter Ego Leonard (who maintains that he is, in fact, a LEGO minifig); Angus MacLane, a Pixar animator who builds CubeDudes, instantly recognizable likenesses of fictional characters; Brick Testament creator Brendan Powell Smith, who uses LEGO to illustrate biblical stories; and Henry Lim, whose work includes a series of models recreating M.C. Escher lithographs and a full-scale, functioning LEGO harpsichord.

[AUTHOR] John Baichtal

[REVIEW] For any child or adult that had a passion for Lego, this book is for you. The illustrations will inspire you to pull out the Lego and start building again.

We have one book for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

Beast Friends Forever: The Super Swap-O Surprise!

[ABOUT] Beast Friends Forever: The Super Swap-O Surprise!  Nine-year-old Zeke and his seven-year-old sister Hannah have a furry, two-foot-tall beast named Otto living under Zeke’s bed. In the second installment of this wacky series, the siblings experiment with Otto’s magical “Swap-O” ability to exchange everyday item for interesting objects. Like a music box for a golden egg; a small robot for a tiny green man; and a tree for a…huge dinosaur! How will Hannah and Zeke get out of this scrape?

[AUTHOR] Vince Evans

[REVIEW] My nine year old daughter loved this book. It was an easy read with silly illustrations that had her laughing. It was not especially challenging but rather a fun change of pace.  This author knows the words to use to keep even the kids who do not like to read wanting more.

We have one for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

The Noodle series

[ABOUT] Say hi to Noodle, a brand-new character for babies and toddlers! Busy, inquisitive, and cute as a button, Noodle just loves to have fun. This series of bright, robust touch-and-feel board books with simple rhyming texts provides plenty of details for parent and child to talk about and explore. Nosy Crow is a new, independent company, publishing children’s books and apps.

  • Noodle Loves Bedtime -  Noodle loves getting ready for bed and then snuggling down under the covers, in this book full of gentle touch and feel fun.
  • Noodle Loves to Cuddle – Noodle loves to play with lots of things – a fluffy duck, a cosy blanket, a bumpy ball – but most of all Noodle loves to cuddle with mummy! A cute, colourful and utterly irresistible touch and feel book to share with babies and toddlers.

[AUTHOR] By Marion Billet

[REVIEW] These are sweet board books that toddlers will enjoy reading.

We have one for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.