The Wildlife Adventure Creativity Book by Moira Butterfield from Barron's Educational [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN13: 9781438002415
Ages 6-11, Grades 1-6
$12.99

My thoughts: This is a fun activity book that teaches appreciation for our World, learning about the rain forests and seas and the critters therein, and how one can help take care of them. No, it is not primarily a Save-the-Earth book. It is simply a fun way to learn while being creative in a number of venues.

The stickers are really pretty but not "grown up, fancy" pretty. Just colorful and nice. There is a page of stencils that kids can use to initiate their own drawings of the various objects and animals. The puzzles, pictures to color, paper craft activities, and questions (answers in back) make for fun time and engaged education.

I heartily recommend this colorful, 80 page book of activities for summer fun (well, anytime you want a great book of fun activities). It is sturdy with heavy duty pages and a wonderful fold out back page/cover of the seas and forests.

About the book: This activity book introduces kids to the wonders of nature and the great outdoors, with flowers and animals of the forest, fish of lakes and rivers, sites for camping, and much more. Boys and girls will enjoy themed puzzles, games, pictures to color, and animal stickers to decorate an outdoor scene. This title in Barron's growing list of "Creativity Books" is filled with fun projects to keep kids cheerfully occupied on rainy days, on lengthy car trips, or during quiet time at home. Its features include--

• Games, puzzles, stencils, sticker sheets, and an illustrated gatefold page for sticker decorating Special pull-out art paper and art projects to complete Pages for coloring. 
• Fun-to-answer quizzes 
• Each " Creativity Book" has a distinctive theme to capture specific interests of boys and girls.
  Illustrations on virtually every page include 40 pages in color.
  

GIVEAWAY *** FLASH***

1 Copy of Wildlife Adventure Creativity from Barron's Educational
Begins July 4

ENDS July 14 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Barron's Educational to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated.

Vacation: Creative Play, Fold-out Pages, Puzzles and Games, Over 200 Stickers! (My First Creativity Books) by Fiona Munro from Barron's Educational [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781438004440
Ages 4-8, PK4 to Grade 2
$9.99

My thoughts: Summer time or, quite frankly, anytime is a wondrous time to have quality activity books that educate and entertain the kiddies readily available for them to have the pleasure of engaging in hours of fun. Barron's Educational has produced some really quality materials that parents can count on.

When I saw the "Vacation" sticker (over 200 stickers) and creative play books at barronseduc.com I was amazed at the detail and quality. There is so much to entertain the young ones. I like that the book has a sturdy metal spiral binding, but that it is "enclosed." The cover is kind of a soft-stiff paper that ensures longer life.

The pictures depict joyous, fun-loving children engaged - actively engaged in a variety of summer pursuits. There are pages to color and those spots to stick those wonderful stickers. (Don't the kiddies love 'em!) Things to make by cutting out the patterns, coloring them, etc. Lots of matching, counting, "spot the differences," and just a super variety of activities.

I highly recommend this $10 book for lots and lots of engaging educational fun.

About the fun book: Camping, hitting the beach, and having lots of vacation fun is the theme of this new addition to Barron's My First Creativity Books series. Based on the popular Creativity activity books for older children, these titles are made smaller to suit little hands and are filled with activities that appeal to boys and girls in pre-K through second grade. Every title in the My First Creativity Books series features:

•  Clever coloring exercises
• Easy connect-the-dot drawing projects
• Spot-the-difference illustrations
• Mazes, puzzles, and simple construction activities
• 200 full-color stickers
• Fold-out scenes for sticker play

Developed by educational experts to stimulate younger kids' imaginations, My First Creativity Books offer hours of learning fun. Illustrations include 28 pages in color.

GIVEAWAY *** FLASH***

One copy of Vacation: Creative Play activity book
Begins July 3

ENDS July 13 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Barron's Educational to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated.

A look a puzzle books: Train Your Brain: Brain-Scrambling Challenges & Mind-Melting Conundrums from Barron's Educational

Train Your Brain: Mind-Melting Conundrums (Train Your Brain Puzzle Books) Authors: Robert Allen, Harold Gale, Carolyn Skitt

Designed by three puzzle-book pros and Mensa members, Mind-Melting Conundrums is brimming with almost 100 pages of number stumpers, logic problems, and verbal tests. Split into three levels of difficulty--called Super Brain, Mega Mind, and Ultra Genius--it gets more challenging as the pages progress. Kids, adults, and anyone else who enjoys a good dose of mental calisthenics will find themselves hooked by each marvelous, mind-melting puzzle.

2 pages from Mind-Melting Coundrums

Train Your Brain: Brain-Scrambling

Challenges (Train Your Brain Puzzle Books) Authors: Robert Allen, Harold Gale, Carolyn Skitt

Throw down the gauntlet to kids and send them on a series of exciting problem-solving quests that will get their brains buzzing. Designed by three puzzle-book pros and Mensa members, Brain-Scrambling Challenges is packed with questions that test kids' brains to the limit...and show them that problem solving = a lot of fun!

• Endlessly engaging (and shhh…ultimately educational), this book is packed with hours of stimulating entertainment. It includes:
• Almost 100 pages of challenging riddles, conundrums, and problems such as anagrams, diagrams, word problems, number searches, and more that will put puzzle lovers right in their element
• Three levels of difficulty--called Super Brain, Mega Mind, and Ultra Genius--so the book gets more challenging as it progresses
• Loads of quirky, fun illustrations of spaceships, big cats, wooly mammoths, and more
• Winning text that encourages and challenges puzzle fanatics to keep going

Kids, adults, and anyone else who enjoys a good dose of mental calisthenics will find themselves hooked by each puzzle-solving challenge. It's really a "no-brainer" for parents, grandparents, and friends everywhere who want to give a gift that children will love now--and remember fondly for years to come.

2 pages Brain-Scrambling Challenges

My review: Facing reality, I'll just say that I am simply not a "puzzle" person. True life is full of puzzles and these must be solved using common sense, learned problem solving, and critical thinking. Just because I'm not a puzzle person - especially a puzzle-in-a-book person, doesn't mean that others don't thoroughly enjoy and love the challenge.

The series of "Train Your Brain" puzzle books all feature the quirky "brain figure" on the cover showing off his muscle power. The books span a beginners level and proceed through tricky to more difficult. All are considered appropriate for children typically in grades 2-6. Personally, I found some of the puzzles in the two books featured in this review were not too difficult. Some were much too much of a puzzle for this non-puzzle-loving lady.

I thoroughly believe that mental calisthenics can keep the brain active and well-functioning into the later years just as physical exercise can help maintain a strong body. Whether it is crossword puzzles or mind-scramblers that utilize math concepts and rationale, using these tools is good for the mind. So I can recommend these for everyone to see if you're up to the challenge. Hey--- these aren't just for kids.

DISCLOSURE: I received the two books mentioned to facilitate this review. I was not required to give a positive review and I was not compensated.

I Can Play It: Music games and activities to help your child learn by Patricia Shehan Campbell & Maja Pitamic [Review & Giveaway]

About the book:

Paperback $17.99 

ISBN-13: 978-1438007076

• Explore the rhythm of speech and song accompanied by instruments as well as easy-to-find objects at home
• Make suggestions for integrating music in everyday activities:

This enjoy able guide to musical exploration is packed with kid-pleasing, skill-building activities that will keep them laughing, singing, and moving all day long. Open up the world of music to children and watch them learn how to express themselves in entertaining, educational, and enriching ways.

My thoughts: This is not a children's book. This is a book for parents and/or teachers to utilize in guiding children to engage in a world of sounds - specifically making musical sounds in and around the world they inhabit. Older elementary children will have fun with a few of the activities that they can do on their own. This activity book takes the child from banging the spoon on the pot to constructing a rubber band banjo. It will help the child to identify and learn about counting rhythm and beats.

This is a HAPPY book full of joyful experiences and radiant faces. That alone would make it a pleasure to own. However, I relish in the fact that mommy will now have a guide to help her even if she, herself, is somewhat musically "challenged." Little tots already have an innate desire and ability to bang pots, plunk piano keys, sway, prance, and jiggle whenever they hear music. They have that innate ability to create joyful sounds with their voices when happy.

Taking everyday objects and creating sounds and learning rhythms is one of the steps in this guidebook. Guides to nap music and a listing of a variety of compositions and composers helps in selection. There are activities in each section. Singing rhymes is covered with several well-known nursery rhyme/songs.... Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Itsy Bitsy Spider, etc...... though the music itself does not accompany the words. Basically, the book is about the sounds that are all around us and turning them into an appreciation for sounds, rhythms, and music.

It is up to the parent and teacher to guide, encourage, and provide tools and resources that will fully develop a world of wonderful sounds and delightful music in the child. I Can Play It is certainly a step in the right direction and a march to the right drum.

GIVEAWAY
Begins January 29

ENDS February 18 @ 12:00 a.m. ET. 

 Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a copy by Barron's Educational Services to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review. Giveaway prize is provided directly to the winner by Barron's.

Tell Me Why? (Tell Me Books) by Isabelle Fougere, Barron's Educational [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN-13: 978-0764167942
Ages 7-12
Barron's Educational

About the book: This fun-filled Q&A book is packed with answers to questions that curious children want to know--and parents are only too happy to give them the means to discover on their own. It contains more than 180 answers to questions about history, nature, the human body, animals, plants, the Earth, and more. In Tell Me Why?, kids can find the answers to questions such as: "Why were some pirates abandoned on a desert island?", "Why are there mummies?", and "Why do we go to school?" Organized according to different topics and tabbed for easy reference, this book also features a hidden spiral binding that makes it easy to flip back and forth. Entertaining illustrations, cool stickers, and activity sections make learning more fun than ever.

My thoughts: Children have inquisitive minds and often want to know those little tidbits of information such as "Why does it rain?", "Why is the grass green?", "Why don't chickens fly, even though they have wings?". And while many of their questions can be accurately answered by a "grown up," children enjoy and need a way they can discover answers for themselves. The very act of discovery is an important part of the learning process.

Barron's Educational has published two books in the "Tell Me" series that are treasures and packed with a plethora of information and engaging illustrations that will capture the age 7-12 year old child on their own quest for discovery.

I absolutely love these books. They are spiral bound, yet the spiral is encased. Each question and answer has its own illustration that will capture the attention of the child. Tell Me Why? is simply packed with information that children (and parents) will find intriguing and informative. There are two questions and answers on each page. Short. Simple. Informative. The Tell Me Why? book encompasses six subject areas: history, nature, the human body, animals, daily life, and the Universe. There are stickers included providing an activity to further engage the child.

I heartily recommend these books for the home or classroom library. They are sure to be well used as children grown and discover this wonderful world and life around them.

GIVEAWAY 

2 books for 1 winner
Begins January 2, 2016
ENDS January 23, 2016 @ 12:00 a.m. ET. 

 Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
DISCLOSURE: I was provided  a complimentary copy by Barron's to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for the review.

Tell Me What Is That? (Tell Me Books) by Elisabeth Marrou [Review & Giveaway]

Barron's Educational Series

ISBN-13: 978-0764167959

Ages 7-12

About the book: This fun-filled Q&A book is packed with answers to questions that curious children want to know--and parents are only too happy to give them the means to discover on their own. It contains more than 180 answers to questions about history, nature, the human body, animals, plants, the Earth, and more. In Tell Me What Is That?, kids can find the answers to questions such as: "What's a cramp?", "What is the belly button for?", and "What do the rings on a tree mean?" Organized according to different topics and tabbed for easy reference, this book also features a hidden spiral binding that makes it easy to flip back and forth. Entertaining illustrations, cool stickers, and activity sections make learning more fun than ever.

My thoughts: Children have inquisitive minds and often ask so many questions that adults get a bit peeved, but children's minds are simply discovering and inquiring as they learn all about the world around them. So when they ask, "What is that?" we should always endeavor to answer the question because this questioning is part of the very act of discovery and is an important part of the learning process.

Barron's Educational has published two books in the "Tell Me" series that are treasures and packed with a plethora of information and engaging illustrations that will capture the age 7-12 year old child on their own quest for discovery.

I absolutely love these books. They are spiral bound, yet the spiral is encased. Each question and answer has its own illustration that will capture the attention of the child. There are two questions and answers on each page. Short. Simple. Informative. The What Is That? book encompasses four subject areas: The Human Body, Animals, Plants, The Earth, and has lots of stickers. Children (and parents, too) will love this book that is simply packed with a vast amount of simply stated information that is illustrated in a manner that will capture their attention.

I heartily recommend these books for the home or classroom library. They are sure to be well used as children grown and discover this wonderful world and life around them.

GIVEAWAY 

2 books for 1 winner
Begins January 2, 2016
ENDS January 23, 2016 @ 12:00 a.m. ET. 

 Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I was provided  a complimentary copy by Barron's to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for the review.

Ella Bella Ballerina and the Midsummer Night's Dream by James Mayhew [Release date October 2015] Review & Giveaway (US & Canada)

ISBN: 9780764167973Hardcover $14.99
Ages 4-8

About the book: When Ella learns the story of A Midsummer Night's Dream, she's transported into a magical fairyland. Can Ella help Puck win back Queen Titania's love for King Oberon? Includes beautiful illustrations, a brief passage about Shakespeare's comedy, and facts about Felix Mendelssohn's music.

My thoughts: I believe children should be introduced to classical music at an early age. Appreciation for beautiful music will afford them many moments of delight, enchantment, imagination, relaxation, and joy through the years. The younger they are exposed to beautiful music the more their minds, emotions, and bodies will embrace the beauty. Also being introduced gently to the works of Shakespeare nudges them toward the classics in literature.

Little Ella Bella is a wee little ballerina and this time she meets Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and learns to let her imagination soar as her feet prance and her body twirls. She learns the story. She delights in the music. She is a lovely little girl embracing beauty with her heart, mind, and body. And she is being allowed to be a child and a lovely little girl.

Ella, Puck, and little fairies fly across the night sky.

The illustrations are beautifully done in whimsical light strokes feathering through the pages in lovely soft pastels giving the whole a dreamy feel to the reader. The story, while introducing the young to a classic, is done beautifully using little Ella Bella who dreams of becoming a famous ballerina. Little Ella truly floats through the story immersed with Puck and the other fairies and elves.

After her dream dance, Ella is alone on the stage
 and her lovely flowers are beside her.

 I suggest that parents (or teachers in a classroom or library setting) read the story, share the pictures, and listen to the music. (Note: Music is not provided with the book, but do provide it for your little ones.) Let your young audience experience A Midsummer Night's Dream for themselves and see little Ella Bella in their mind's eye as she whirls and twirls.

GIVEAWAY - 2 Winners
#1: Entire 5-book Series Ella Bella Ballerina
#2: 1 Copy  Midsummer Night's Dream

Begins August 29 & ENDS September 21 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 

 Open to USA & CANADA addresses only. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author/illustrator, James Mayhew exquisitely illustrated A Midsummer Night's Dream with keen imagination and colorful art. He is an award-winning author and illustrator of many children's books, including the popular Ella Bella Ballerina series. His special love for opera and ballet is reflected in many of his stories and illustrations. He lives with his wife and son in Letchworth Garden City, England. A brief passage at the back of the book tells the story of William Shakespeare's beloved comedy and includes some interesting facts about Felix Mendelssohn's enthralling music.

Take a peek at Ella Bella

Browse Barron's Children's Catalog

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Barron's Educational to facilitate this review. Opinions are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review. Winner/s will be notified via the email they have registered with their entry. They will have 48 hrs. to respond. Failure to respond will result in a different winner being randomly chosen. 1st place is to first chosen and 2nd place is to 2nd chosen - both randomly by Rafflecopter.