Smithsonian Exploration Station: World Atlas, Human Body, and the Solar System (Silver Dolphin Books) [Review & Giveaway]

Read on and be sure you enter-to-win the 3-set giveaway. These are choice items to seek out for Christmas or special time gifts!

Kids can enjoy being educated if you present the material to them in an enticing manner. The tools and toys geared toward presenting the text with hands-on equipment grab and hold their attention. 

Presenting.......

The Smithsonian Exploration Station: Space (ISBN: 978-1626867222, $21.99)!

My thoughts:  From the moment I picked up the Exploration Station Solar System box I was enchanted. Not in a sweet or cutesy way but by the amount of material this set presents to the child. While slated for the age 6 to 8 year old, I see where this information and set can also fascinate up through the 12 year age bracket.

As I began to look through the box and seeing  the little figures (men and rockets), the glow-in-the-dark stars, and the sheets of stickers, I felt confident these items would make for fun time activities. The solar chart poster is nice. The book is filled with a variety of information that enables the child to peruse, delve into aspects of the solar system, and perhaps whet the appetite for further research.

An educationally sound and entertaining gift.


About the book and set: Take a trip through the stratosphere with the Smithsonian!

Take a trip into the stratosphere with Smithsonian Exploration Station: Space! With informative text and full-color photographs, young astronomers will learn about the intricate makeup of our solar system as well as distant galaxies and constellations. The 56-page fact book combined with the sticker sheet, space figurines to play with, and the glow-in-the-dark stars make this space experience interactive and engaging.

Includes:

• 56-page fact book
• 30 stickers
• 22 glow-in-the-dark stars
• 2 figurines (astronaut and rocket)

I highly recommend this set so the young child, or one a bit older, and explore the vastness that is our solar system.

Smithsonian Exploration Station: Human Body (978-1626867215, $21.99)

My thoughts:  When my children were growing up they constructed from kits various parts of the human body - eye, organs, skeleton. They were kids that enjoyed putting together kits and painting them. They especially liked to learn about the human body and how it works.

As "The Mom" I was always looking for ways to enrich my children's play time with constructive play. These kits provided that. The kits of those days didn't come with informative books - just instructions on how it went together and maybe a little about how that part worked.

This set, though geared toward the younger elementary child can easily span a few more years for educational entertainment. It might surprise you to see how fascinated your child is with the pursuit of knowledge when it is presented so entertainingly.

I highly recommend.

About the book and set: Discover the amazing systems in the human body with the Smithsonian!

Discover what makes your blood pump and your muscles stretch in this hands-on learning experience! With fascinating facts, full-color photographs, a plastic model skeleton, and 25 fact cards, Smithsonian Exploration Station: Human Body is a fun, engaging way to learn about the inner workings of the complex systems that make the human body.Discover what makes your blood pump and your muscles stretch in this hands-on learning experience! With fascinating facts, full-color photographs, a plastic model skeleton, and 25 fact cards, Smithsonian Exploration Station: Human Body is a fun, engaging way to learn about the inner workings of the complex systems that make the human body.

Includes:

• 56-page fact book
• 30 stickers
• 1 plastic model skeleton (13 pieces)
• 25 fact cards

Smithsonian Exploration Station: World Atlas (ISBN: 978-1626867208, $21.99)

My thoughts:  So many children travel extensively so they are already familiar with the World and what is in the different parts of our globe. This dynamic set that includes a book that will enrich one's knowledge of the Atlas facts of the World but also has the entertaining and fun cardstock models that can be constructed.

Stickers provide opportunities for more hands-on and fun activities to implant information in the mind. Facilitating learning via the entertainment mode is absolutely a highly desired method to education.

I recommend this set for the expansion of one's knowledge of our World.

About the book and set: Go on a globetrotting adventure with the Smithsonian! Head off on a globetrotting adventure in this interactive atlas! Learn about the diverse cultures, customs, wildlife, and natural beauty that form our world through informative text and full-color photograph. Children will love the hands-on aspect to learning as they blow up their inflatable globe and build the cardstock models of some of the wonders of the world. Smithsonian Exploration Station: World Atlas is the perfect way to engage kids in the amazing world around them!

Includes:

• 56-page fact book
• 30 stickers
• 1 inflatable globe
• 3 cardstock models to assemble: the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and a Mayan pyramid

Prize is a set of all 3 of the Smithsonian book/kits.
Total value Approx. $65.00

Giveaway
1 Winner will receive all 3 sets

Begins November 1

Ends November 22 at 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA

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DISCLOSURE: I received all 3 sets from MMPublicity on behalf of Siver Dolphin Books to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. Prize is provided and sent directly to the winner by either MMPublicity or the publisher, Silver Dolphin Books.

Adventures in Science: The Human Body [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Silver Dolphin publishing has a real talent for producing quality books and project items or kits that are absolutely wonderful, providing inspiration to pursue further research and study into the subject. I find that the Adventures in Science: The Human Body ($21.99; ISBN:978-1684121298; Ages 5+; 40 pages) book and kit to be just such a product. Be sure to enter the giveaway offered below and open to USA/CANADA entries.

ISBN:978-1684121298
$21.99 Ages 5+; 40 pages

My thoughts: When my children were growing up I purchased a variety of kits for them so they could increase their knowledge of the human body, the skeleton, the eye, etc. They loved these kits. In Adentures in Science: The Human Body the child has an opportunity for a different experience.  

The boxed kit contains a variety of materials of which the two main items (in my opinion) are the 40-page paperback book and the plastic skeleton that they can put together.  I am quite impressed with this entire package of informative materials that can be of such enjoyment to the precocious child and provide hours of exploration into the workings of the human body. This will provide an opportunity to begin conquest of the study of human biology and physiology.

The 40-page paperback book is colorful and offers much information and opportunities to learn.

The kit contains a book, 2 pages of stickers, a two-sided poster to which the stickers can  be afixed, and the plastic skeleton.

About this book and kit: Which part of the brain is in charge of creativity? What is the smallest human muscle? Take a trip inside the human body and discover the amazing systems that allow us to move, breathe, and speak. After reading about everything from the digestive tract to the cornea, kids can assemble their own plastic skeleton and view the systems of the body in a layered cardstock model. With 20 fact cards, 2 sticker sheets, and a double-sided poster, this interactive kit is a perfect primer for learning about how the human body works.

About the Author: Courtney Acampora holds a B.A. in art history from San Diego State University and a M.A. from the University of Arizona. Currently working in publishing, Courtney's lifelong love for both art and books fused together and gave her the opportunity to write and create engaging books for kids. Courtney lives in San Diego, California.

• Age Range: 6 and up, Grade Level: 1 - 2
• Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books; Box Pck St edition (December 12, 2017)
• Language: English: ISBN-10: 1684121299; ISBN-13: 978-1684121298

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 7

Ends March 29 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA and CANADA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary product via MMPublicity on behalf of Silver Dolphin Publishing and the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Prize is provided by publisher or publicist and sent by them directly to the winner.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2017 [Review & Giveaway]

• ISBN-13: 978-1426324178

Ages 8-12 - Grades 3-7

Pages 352

My children grew up devouring time and time again issues of National Geographic Magazines. We didn't discard them, but had a special space in the closet for them. Well, eventually they were passed on along to the goodwill store. But my five children learned so very much from them.

•  

Now newer generations of readers have not only the traditional National Geographic Magazines, but children's magazines and also a plethora of wonderful publications. One of these is the annual National Geographic Kids Almanac.

In many places "summer" began with the last school day in May and the excitement of free-from-study, sleep in late, and trips and swimming are filling the minds of young people. But parents should be cautious that their children don't experience the "summer slide" or "summer slump" where their mind basically goes on hold. With National Geographic's Children's Books they can be pleasantly stimulated mentally and find wonders that are absolutely fascinating.

The Almanac 2017 it is filled with new content and features and an interactive Almanac Newsmaker Challenge activity that encourages kids to make their own time capsule. Featuring not only the latest discoveries in the worlds of technology, conservation and nature, but grabs the kid's attention with great weird-but-true facts and activities that will keep 'em busy all summer long.

Any home with kids ages 8-12 needs this book! I am so very impressed with the quantity and quality of material in it. It is simply fascinating. It will provide hours (actually weeks!) of "edutainment." It will educate, entertain, and enthrall.

The fun and games section is simply packed with activities for kids. Well, that is if the kids can get it out of the hands of Mom and Dad.

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 28

ENDS June 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to US addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Media Masters Publicity on behalf of National Geographic Kids to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated. Winner's copy is also provided by National Geographic and will be shipped directly to the winner by them.

Special Ed teacher recognized as Employee of the Month

Forgive this Mama for exercising "bragging rights," but I just want to share a bit about my middle child. Well, she isn't a child anymore, she is a wonderful daughter, mother, and teacher. She teachers Special Ed students in Georgia.

Ms. Vera Andrews is in center.

Telfair County Middle School proudly announces the February Employee of the Month, Ms. Vera Andrews.  Ms. Andrews was nominated by her peers for “her willingness to help out in any area. Her students require patience beyond the norm and she exhibits that trait in and out of the classroom.” She is an advocate for our students and parents.  Her selflessness is displayed each day. She is an asset to our TCMS team.  Thanks Ms. Andrews for everything you do!

Cynthia P. Marshall, EdS., Assistant Principal

Telfair County Middle School. McRae, Georgia