Book Review and GIVEAWAY!

Pretty Please Press is a book company that publishes books with educational values while exploring important values of everyday life. They are for “Parents who love reading aloud and who are dedicated to raising great kids, educators who believe that a strong curriculum should help to build strong character, and kids who love to laugh and look at pictures while they learn new words and concepts.” These books are designed to be read aloud and discussed between parents/educators and children. Each book has online resources for parents and educators, including vocabulary building cards, concept building cards, and character lesson plans.

I received 4 books from Pretty Press to review: The Pynx, Bella the Basset Ballerina, Kick Block Punch and The Scritchy Little Twitchell Sisters.  These books are designed for elementary age children, but my children, ages 3 and 5, enjoyed having these books read to them and were able to follow the story lines.

Sometimes we just don’t understand people’s differences. Many times we see the bad in others without seeing the value they may offer us. The Pynx examines the issue of differences and encourages readers to look for the value in others and to reach out and try to understand them and accept their differences. It teaches the very valuable lesson of tolerance. These made up characters are fun and unusual looking and would be appealing to both girls and boys. My children loved the story, and asked questions throughout the story.

Bella the Basset Ballerina is a charming story about a dog who wants to be something that Bassets just can’t be—or so she is told. Bella holds steadfast to her dreams and accomplishes what everyone said she couldn’t. This is a wonderful story about listening to your heart and perseverance. A wonderful book for young people who often hear can’t too many times. My girls naturally loved this story—dogs that dance! How fun! Although geared for 1-3rd graders, my 3 and 5 year old were able to easily follow the story line.

Kick Block Punch is sure to engage not only young boys, but girls as well. Sam wants his black belt and learns that he cannot rush getting it, instilling the value of setting goals. Both my girls really were actively engaged in this story, even though it was solely about a boy.


Most parents with more than one child can relate to The Scritchy Little Twitchell Sisters. The story features two little girls who are in constant conflict with each other. One says black, the other screams white. The girls are 3 and 5 at the start of the story, the same ages as my daughters, so they immediately related. The storyline was funny and cleaver, however, I didn’t like that the girls used name-calling. My daughters do not do that, nor do I want them to learn it from a story. The message of the story was about learning to get along with others.

The stories provide excellent character building messages for children. I especially love the online supplemental educational materials. It is an excellent resource for homeschooling parents or any parent who wants to instill additional learning. My 5 year old is a gifted reader and she loves having all the new word flashcards from the stories. It reinforces her understanding of the words in context and out of context.

For my readers, Pretty Please Press will give you a discount of 20% off the list price for books as well as a buy 3 books, get 1 free offer. This offer expires 12/31/09. Simply l

Now, for the best part: Pretty Please Press has given me an additional set of ALL FOUR titles to give away to one of my readers.

To enter, please let me know what is one character trait you are trying to instill in your children in the comment form below. Make sure I know how to get in touch with you!!!

For additional entries:

1-Follow me on Blogger
2-Subscribe to my blog
3-Fave me on Technorati.
4-Follow me on twitter AnnCrabs0 and tweet about this giveaway leaving your tweet link in your comment. (You may tweet once daily)
5-Blog about this giveaway and leave a blog link in your comments.
6-Have a friend enter and let me know you referred them.

Contest ends November 18, 2009 at 11:59pm.  Winners will be chosen using random.org. 

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.  I received 4 books to review and 4 to giveaway.

50 Free Photo Cards from SeeHere by Fujifilm

Get 50 Free 5x7 or 4x8 Photo Cards from SeeHere by Fujifilm with free shipping!  They have a wide selection of cards, including holiday cards to add your photos.  You will need to use the coupon code freebies4mom-1109 when checking out.  Please Note: You must type in the code--do not copy and paste it.   Click here for SeeHere by Fujifilm.  This offer expires November 30, 2009.

Little Blends Thermos Giveaway

The winner of the Little Blends Thermos giveaway is Granmom!  Congratulations!  Keep your eyes out--I will be having 2 more giveaways coming up!

Freebie of the Day!

Surf Laundry Sample:
HERE

Dentex Triple Clean Floss Picks

Hate flossing with dental floss?  Try floss picks--they are much faster and easier and you will be more likely to floss.  You can get a free sample of the Dentex Triple Clean Floss Picks by clicking HERE.

Herbal Remedy for Cold, Flus and Coughs

The cold, cough and flu season has begun and seems to be hitting full force this year.  I recently read about an herbal remedy to combat colds and flus and tame coughs.  This remedy calls for the herb Thyme.   Pour a cup of boiling water over  3 teaspoons of fresh or 2 teaspoons dried thyme and steep for 10 minutes.  Drink 3 cups daily. 

Earn FREE Gift Cards

I know I have bloged about this before, but I am so excited about it!  In five months, I have earned $65 in gift cards for  i-tunes and Amazon by really doing nothing that I don't already do--just searching on the internet.  However, I changed my search engine to Swagbucks because they reward me for using their search engine!  Everytime I search for something, I have a chance to be rewarded with swagbucks that can be exchanged for gift cards or other prizes. 

Interested?  Sign up here:  Swagbucks.com

I have downloaded the toolbar without any problems, however, if you don't want to download the toolbar, you can search directly from the Swagbucks home page.  If you sign up, be sure to let me know so I can give you some tips.

Kodak $15 Gift Card is Still Going On!

I can't believe this is still going on, but it is.  If you haven't signed up for the Kodak $15 gift card giveaway, make sure you do.  I purchased a photo book and two greeting cards with it.  Shipping was cheap--about $3.  The cards already arrived and they are awesome--they have 9 photos and a xylophone fold!  Sign up here and make sure you check your spam box for the email confirmation.

I am so pleased with their quality and service, not to mention excellent prices and much lower shipping than Snapfish and Shutterfly, that I will be sending all my orders there in the future.  :)

Today's Freebies

Breathe Right Strips--instant relief from congestion or snoring
HERE

5 NESCAFÉ Taster's Choice gourmet coffee single-serve samples
HERE

Greenies for dogs plus $150 in coupons to Petsmart for signing up
HERE

Free Music Download from Amazon:  Lost Highway Sampler: T For Texas T From Tennessee
HERE

Free 2010 Unity Calendar
HERE

Book Review: One Hundred Butterflies

Through Product Review Place, I had the opportunity to review One Hundred Butterflies by Harold Feinstein.  This large (11.5"x13.5") coffee table book includes just that--one hundred butterflies.  Author Feinstein has photographed a wide range of butterfly species from all over the world and compiled them in this beautiful book.  The photographs are in large, breathtaking detail and many of the two-page spreads show both sides of the butterfly.  Through out the book are quotes from other writers expressing the magic of the butterfly.  Feinstein's own quote sums up this lovely book:  "The earth laughs with flowers, but it dances with butterflies." 

My entire family, including my two young daughters, enjoyed paging through this book.  I would think this book would make an beautiful gift for just about anyone you know, including hard-to-buy for people (except for my dear friend Tracy, who has a fear of butterflies that I can never understand).  The list price of this book is $50.00 but you can purchase it at Amazon.com for $33.75 with free shipping.

Warm Apple Cider Drink Recipe

I just made this delicious drink for Halloween, but it would be nice for any fall or winter celebration.  I had people ask for the recipe, so here it is:

1 gallon apple cider
6 oz frozen lemonade
6 oz frozen orange juice
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp ground nutmeg
3 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice

Combine the cider, lemonade, orange juice, and brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks in a large pot on the stove.  Wrap the cloves and allspice in cheese cloth and add.  Stir ingredients until warm and serve.  If you want, garnish with a cinnamon stick in the cup!  Delicious!

50% off anything at Payless

Get 50% off anything in the store at Payless.  Hurry--expires Friday, October 30th!  Click HERE for your coupon.

Save $5 at Rite Aid

There is a $5 off $25 coupon for Rite Aid in the coupon tool bar above.  What a deal!

Nature Valley Nut Clusters and Free Trail Mix Bar

I blogged about Nature Valley Nut Clusters a while back.  These are awesome--and now you can get your own free sample along with a sample trail mix bar !  Click HERE to sign up.

Smokey Bones--Free Appetizer Coupon

Click here for a coupon for a free appetizer for Smokey Bones, valued at up to $9!  Expires 11/17/09. 

Free E-book--Creative Ideas for the Holidays

Get some great ideas for crafts and decorating in this free book.  Click here for the PDF file.

Free Oil of Olay Body Wash

Get your free Oil of Olay Body Wash sample by signing up for P&G Everyday Solutions.  If you are already a member, just sign in.  Click HERE for all the details.

Giveaway--Little Blends and Snack Jar Thermos

Horizon Natural products recently sent me a gift for blogging about how I sneak fruits and veggies into my children's meals. In addition, they sent an extra one for me to giveaway.  So, up for grabs is a cute little snack thermos with a separate top storage section with a folding spoon that fits inside, another baby spoon and a coupon for a FREE 4-pack of Little Blends yogurt.  This is a perfect thermos for school lunches, but is also great for adult lunches.  Pack a fruit salad or a bowl of greens for a fresh, healthy lunch!

Little Blends yogurt brings together veggie and fruit purees in a delicious yogurt with a creamy texture that kids love. So your kids get the benefits of whole milk yogurt and an extra helping of vegetable goodness.  Visit their website for more information and great coupons!  http://littleblends.com/natural-goodness.html

To Enter:  Leave a comment below (by clicking on the "comments" link) telling me how you get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies.  Make sure I know how to contact you.

Additional Entries: 1 additional entry for each method. Please leave a comment for each entry.

1-Follow me on Blogger.
2-Fave me on Technorati.
3-Follow me on twitter AnnCrabs and tweet about this giveaway leaving your tweet link in your comment. (You may tweet once daily)
4-Blog about this giveaway and leave a blog link in your comments.

Contest ends on Saturday, November 7th.  Winner must reside in USA.
 
Note:  I recived no monetary compensation for this promotional giveaway.