Delightful Mini Cupcake Natural Lip Balms for girls from Good Earth Beauty [Review and Giveaway - USA]

It is almost time for frenzied shopping as folks get ready for the big gift giving season - Christmas. I hate that folks get so tense and frenzied or up-tight, but it seems to be a way of life.

If you have a girl on your list to shop for, even for something small or a stocking stuffer, I know just the spot for you to do some "arm-chair shopping." You can go to https://GoodEarthBeauty.com and access the kid's tab. There you will find an assortment of all natural and mostly organic products that are safe for that kid on your list. Kid's shop link - click here

Today, we're looking at a trio of the Mini Cup Cake Lip Balms for girls. These are just the cutest little containers to hold a favorite - lip balm. All girls need to keep their lips soft and all of them want a handy lip balm tucked in their backpack, purse, or school locker.

At only $3.50 each you can get several flavors or designs. Find them at..... Mini Cup Cake Lip Balm page  

Aren't these just adorable? 

Good Earth Beauty just sells natural and organic products that won't harm you or the environment. They sell their own brand, "Good Earth Beauty," but also carry a large assortment of other brands with which you are most likely quite familiar. And another great feature of shopping with them is that they SHIP FREE IN THE USA. And they also ship World Wide at a small charge.

Great little item for Christmas Gifting 

GIVEAWAY

3 Mini Cupcake Lip Balms

No winner's choice in "flavors"
Begins September 12

Ends November 30 at 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only.

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Disclosure: I received 3 mini lip balms to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review. Giveaway is provided by the good folks at Good Earth Beauty (GEB chooses "flavors") and they will ship the winner's prize directly to the winner.

100 Extraordinary Stories for Courageous Girls (Unforgetable Tales of Women of Faith) by Jean Fischer - published by Shilo Kidz

ISBN: 9781683227489
Hardcover | $16.99
Biography/Autobiography

My thoughts: The short, one page biographies about these 100 girls or women spans the centuries. Published by a Christian publishing group, Shilo Kidz/Barbour, would have expectations that these would all be Biblical characters. Not so. This book draws from girls and women of faith throughout history - Biblical and secular.

The connection is their faith. They are courageous in the face of what their experience presents to them and their life is one of faith.  Faith in a God that is there for them in life's circumstances.

Since the stories are all short, these will not bore the young reader as a much longer biographic book or essay might. And yet, the stories give a glimpse into the life of individuals that the young reader might wish to learn more about and thus pursue further reading.

The writing is very good and the illustrations quite colorful and appropriate to the time period in which the ladies lived. I highly recommend this for libraries and homes where girls are growing up. Excellent!

About the Book: Girls are world-changers! And this deeply inspiring storybook proves it! Just for the girls in your life, ages 8 and up, this collection of 100 extraordinary stories of women of faith--from the Bible, history, and today--will empower them to know and understand how women have made a difference in the world and how much smaller our faith (and the biblical record) would be without them.

I received a complimentary copy from Shilo Kidz/Barbout Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.

In Too Deep (Dive Team Investigations) by Lynn H. Blackburn

My thoughts:  This is one of those books that "wows" right from the start. Characters fully developed and great interaction between characters enable them to move flawlessly through the story line.

The chemistry between the male and female protagonists is strong and sweet. This is a clean, squeaky clean, read but it still has those moments of heart enveloping romance. Again, squeaky clean.

The mystery or suspense that is discovered by the team of investigators becomes more and more convoluted as they discover bits and pieces in their trail leading to a solution to why the lady in the submerged van was murdered.

Living in North Carolina this story hits home as we see many people from other lands serving in hotels, spas, nail parlors and working the farms and restaurants. The investigative team delves into the computers and other evidence using forensic skills uncovering layer upon layer of information that leads to a solution of not just the murder but other criminal activity.

A story that keeps the reader mentally and emotionally engaged; turning the pages discovering more and more in this deep dive into a shady side of life in North Carolina.

About the book: When the dive team is called in to recover a body from a submerged car, they aren't prepared to find an encrypted laptop--or an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the dead accountant.

Adam turns to his friend Dr. Sabrina Fleming--a professor at the local university with unparalleled computer security and forensics skills--to recover the files from the laptop. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the investigation becomes. When evidence uncovers a human trafficking ring and implicates members of Adam's own family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case.

The truth could set hundreds free--but someone is willing to do whatever it takes to silence anyone who threatens to reveal their secrets. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn invites readers back to Carrington, North Carolina, where everything is not as it seems and sinister elements lurk behind the idyllic façad.

I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.

MEIGO Preschool Toys – Wooden Dominoes and Shape Matching Educational Building Blocks (32PCS) #sponsored #review

My thoughts:  Building blocks have long been a go-to choice for very young children to play with. First comes picking them up, handling them, mouthing them, and eventually learning to "build" with them. A variety of shapes makes for better play and learning.

The big issue when choosing a child's toy and in this case building blocks is safety. Older versions of wooden blocks have been known to have toxic paints on them. The MEIGO building blocks are very nice and smooth and are all non-toxi, BPA, Lead, and Phthalate free.

There are 4 square blocks in this set and the rest are domino shaped and have designs for matching. Lots of fun for little ones; and as they grow from just being able to hold the pieces to intricately arranging them, the blocks will afford lots of play time.

A grandmama recommended toy. 

A Christmas gift perfect choice

Product information (from Amazon http://www.amzn.com/meigo/B07GN5BP88) 

• Shape Puzzle: Build early color and shape recognition! There are two incomplete figures on the one-side of domino. Match them one by one to form a complete figure chain
• Matching Game: Improve hand-eye coordination and imagination! Every domino has a geometric shape, build the corresponding shape on domino with the blocks
• Dominoes Racing Game: Super fun for your kids to play! Set them up all in a row, and then push one and watch the chain effect of the dominoes tumbling over like a race
• NON-TOXIC Wooden Blocks: They are all non-toxic, BPA Free, Lead Free, Phthalate Free. The wood is smooth, round edged and very durable to use
• MEIGO Warranty: 90 days unconditional refund and 12 months guarantee for a new replacement if there is any product quality problem

DISCLOSURE: This is a #sponsored #review in that I received the product either at no cost or highly discounted in order to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. I was not compensated for this review. I only recommend products that I or a member of my family would use.

Builders and Breakers by Steve Light [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

My thoughts:  The illustrations are fun and grasp the rawness of construction sites in the city. Background sketches show completed buildings of varying types and skeleton buildings in the midst of being built.

The main theme of the book is that it takes "breakers" to prepare the area, ground, site for the "builders" to actually build the building. Both are important and do important work.

The action in the story also revolves around a family situation where Dad leaves in the morning without his lunch. So the kids take off, with mother's blessing, to take the lunch to Dad.

They run across town past a lot of city activity. They have quite a distance to go. They are young children (or so they appear in the pictures) and are in the middle of a big city. Past busy city streets and construction sites. They do make it safely to their destination and their love of their father is obvious.

A thought of mine..... if giving this book to a child, why not give a set of construction trucks, etc. Perhaps a young child's tool set. You might even be able to find a "hard hat."


About the book: Experience the bustling energy of an urban construction site with Steve Light's colorful celebration of builders, breakers, and the machines they use.

When their dad forgets his lunch box on his way to the construction site, a young brother and sister set out to take it to him, and along their way witness all the noisy, exciting action of a build site in the city. With builders building, breakers breaking, and a whole host of impressive machines and vehicles hard at work, this book bursts with color and offers children plenty to enjoy. In his trademark intricate style, Steve Light captures the satisfaction of working hard to create something new -- and, of course, taking a well-deserved break.

GIVEAWAY

2 Winners Each Receive 1 Copy of Book

Begins November 9

Ends November 28 at 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA and CANADA addresses

(No P.O. Boxes, please)

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. Giveaway prize is provided and sent direct to the winner by the publisher.

Can You Believe It? kid's songs DVD from Hillsong [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: The songs of this children's DVD, "Can You Believe It? Songs of Truth" from Hillsong, are lively contemporary songs that are a far cry from the songs we taught our children years ago - think "This Little Light of Mine," "Only A Boy Named David." The Can You Believe It? songs capture the essence of modern churches that predominately use contemporary worship leader music sung and the instrumentation that's used.

My preference is the older style. Today's youth benefit from this more lively style.

Viewing and listening to the DVD and trying to determine the Biblical truths to be, in fact, true to Scripture, I can only say that I am very impressed with the Biblical truths taught. The scenes with the hosts in the DVD where they discuss and teach the meaning behind the songs are spot on true to the Bible. They specifically discuss: The Bible, God, Separation & a Savior, Living for God, the Church, and The Best is Yet To Come (hint.... Heaven).

The words of "My Best Friend" and "What A Beautiful Name" are heartfelt and will lead children to understand Jesus for who He is.

While I'm not a "contemporary music" fan, this is a good set of lyrics and as such should be appreciated by the Christian community.

About the DVD: “Can You Believe It!? - Songs of Truth” is both a question and a challenge... a statement of gratitude to a loving God and an invitation to explore the very foundations of faith. Classic songs like “My Best Friend”, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” and “What A Beautiful Name” join brand new declarations of faith such as “As The World Shakes” & “Heaven Is Our Home”. We pray that this collection of fun and vibrant songs, help children around the world to declare biblical truths about God’s love and grace for them.

Bio: Hillsong believes that teaching children to love God and others takes place in both the home and in the church. For this reason they seek to partner with parents (the greatest teachers of all!) and with church pastors and leaders, equipping them with great resources. Through fun experiences, meaningful music and ministry that encourages kids to participate, Hillsong Kids presents Jesus Christ and His Church in a relevant way, creating moments which children will never forget.

GIVEAWAY

Begins November 9

Ends November 17 at 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to Continental USA only.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Anthill For Sale by Johnny Ray Moore and illustrated by Zuzana Svobodova

Publisher: Big Belly Book Co.

ISBN: 978-1-7325541-1-5
Ages: 3-8 Price: $10.95*

My thoughts: Mr. and Mrs. Ant, Alvin and his wife, are now empty nesters (or ant-hillers) and look about their home where the raised their little ants and decide it is time to move on because they don't need such a home any longer. So they embark on the "sell-the-homeplace" endeavor.

A parade of potential buyers stroll through their home. They critique it, enthuse over it, voice their plans to change it.

Alvin's welcome mat wears thin on some of these encounters; and then in avid frustration he shoos some out of his home. Finally, it is sold and then.......

But that would be telling.

This is a delightful children's book hinting into what it would be like for parents to sell the family home. Told from the perspective of a little ant, it tells a grand story of love of place and love of memories that parents hold in their hearts once their beloved family moves on. Families of young children can impress on them as they read that they are shaping memories for the future and can also relate the theme of the story to loving grandparents who are perhaps currently experiencing the heart breaking task of selling a beloved family home.

A joy to read and the illustrations are charming.

About the book: Alvin shows his home to potential homeowners. The buyers can't see the beauty in the anthill and want to change everything about Alvin's precious home. Alvin is disappointed the buyers don't see what he sees. The home reminds him of the memories of  him and his family. Alvin has a change of heart and must convince his wife the anthill is their only place to call home.

*Discounted 10% through end of November through Big Belly Book Co. only $9.80, plus shipping, http://www.bigbellybookco.com

Available: Amazon - click here, Barnes & Noble, Indie Bound, Big Belly Book Co and request at your local book store.