Razzle-Dazzle Ruby is a cute story about a little girl who takes us on a pretend journey through a winter wonderland to find her her knight in shining armor.  The artwork on the pages of the book is whimsical and interactive; perfect for the budding imagination of the  preschooler/gradeschooler.

This book would make an excellent gift for that little school-aged girl.  Razzle-Dazzle Ruby is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and various other online and retail stores.

We’re giving away a copy of the book, Razzle-Dazzle Ruby to one (1) winner.  Here are the prize details:

Sparkle, spin and whirly-twirl with Masha D’yans first children’s book: RAZZLE-DAZZLE RUBY!

One winner will receive:

• A copy of Razzle Dazzle Ruby
• A pair of red & white striped tights!

To enter, leave a comment on this post.  Let us know what kinds of things you did when you were outside, playing in the snow.

Chances to enter this giveaway end on Wednesday, October 26th at midnight, PST.  Giveaway is open to those within the continental US.

Good luck!

As of day two, she loves school.  She loves the bus ride to and from school, which is a big relief for me.  It’s not that I didn’t think she’d love school, because we’re talking about a kid who loves just about everything (not including most foods or loud noises).  It’s more about me, letting her go.  Gone for the entire day, five days per week.  Letting someone else teach and nurture her.  Letting her grow up and become even more independent.

Alright, enough about my anxiety.  Here are some books that are fun reads for you and the new kindergartener.

Sea Monster’s First Day

By Kate Messner MSRP $16.99

This book was sent to me for review.  It’s a book about Ernest, who is a sea monster and his first day of school.  It’s a cute story about Ernest trying to fit in and helps kids realize everyone is unique and that’s not a bad thing.

Panda Kindergarten

By Joanne Ryder MSRP $17.99 (much lower on Amazon)

My mother-in-law gifted this book to our new kindergartener.  Tons of adorable photos of giant panda cubs at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at the Wolong Nature Reserve.  It’s a super cute book that gives you a peek at a day in the life of these young black and white fur balls.  FYI: I choose to believe that pandas would not hurt a fly.  ;)

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

By Joseph Slate MSRP $6.99

We haven’t read this book but it was recommended to the parents on kindergarten round-up day.

The Kissing Hand

By Audrey Penn MSRP $17.95 (much lower on Amazon)

The Kissing Hand is another one we haven’t read but was recommended to us on kindergarten round-up day.  I hear that it’s a tear-jerker for even those who have a tough exterior.  I will definitely check it out.

Do you have any book recommendations for the new kindergartener?  If so, please leave them in the comment section.  I would love to check them out!

Enchanted Tales – Snow White has just been released in the iOS and Android markets by omBooks (Oceanhouse Media Digital Books).  This fairy tale is the first in a series to be released by Oceanhouse, one of our very favorite digital book publishers.  As you know, with two young daughters, anything “fairy tale” is tops in our book.  So, of course, Enchanted Tales: Snow White was an instaHIT in the Mueller household.

Next on the list…an app for the infamous Once Upon a Potty, y’all.

I will never forget the first time I watched this introduction to learning how to use the loo.  I watched it on a VHS tape and I thought it was the silliest thing ever.  However, my then two year old daughter was intrigued.  The countdown to potty training has begun again for us.  I sat down on the couch with my toddler the other night and we watched Once Upon a Potty (for girls), together.  It’s still as goofy as I remember and my second daughter was just as intrigued at my first.

We will watch the lovable Prudence in Once Upon a Potty: Girl until we are blue in the face or until she finally uses the toilet, whichever comes first.

There is also a boy version of this omBook – Once Upon a Potty: Boy, starring Joshua.  I am willing to bet this version is just as delightful as the girl version.

Make sure to check out Oceanhouse Media, as they have plenty of educational apps available.

“The hardest part of going to work is being apart from you.”

I remember once upon a time when I went back to work and left my then 2-1/2 year old at a daycare.  She was my only child at the time and I can remember feeling an emptiness in my heart as I drove away without her.  It wasn’t long until I found myself working from home, so I could be the one teaching and nurturing her.  However, my husband has been working outside of the home since before our two daughters were born.  Each evening when we hear the garage door open, the girls exclaim, “Daddy’s home!  Daddy’s home!” and then they run in circles near the top of the stairs, waiting for him to appear around the corner.  After being without them all day, I’m know that makes his heart swell with happiness.

Monday Is One Day is a sweet and simple book that keeps in mind those of us who are away from our little humans for any length of time. The book focuses on the idea of doing something special each day to help each other pass the time that is spent apart.  Families of all shapes and sizes can relate to this story.

We are giving away three (3) hardcover copies of Monday Is One Day (MSRP $16.99) to three (3) of our readers.  To enter, please leave a comment on this post.  If you have a special routine with your little one when you leave for the day, feel free to let us know in your entry comment.  Otherwise, any comment will do.  Three winners will be chosen at random and the giveaway ends on Friday, 4/22.

*Prizing and book review copy provided courtesy of Scholastic

This giveaway opportunity fits in very nicely with my involvement in the Child Hunger Ends Here program. Secondly, I adore The Very Hungry Caterpillar and it’s message.

*Congratulations to our winners, commenter #11, Sarah and #33, Linsey!  Thanks to all who entered!

We have recently introduced the story to our toddler, as well as a very cute plush version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and a DVD version of the 40 year old story.  Can you say, “Can’t get enough“?

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the American Academy of Pediatrics and The Very Hungry Caterpillar book have joined forces in an effort to raise awareness about kid’s healthy eating habits.

Here are 4 tips about eating healthy, shared with us by The Alliance for a Healthier Generation:

1. Eat Fruits and Vegetables at Every Meal
2. Give Kids a Say in What They Eat and Get Them Excited About Healthy Food
3. Eat Breakfast Every Day
4. Eat Together As a Family

You can view these helpful tips in their entirety HERE.

We have two copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar up for grabs (MSRP $21.99 each).

Now, this is where I get personal.  My toddler is going through a very picky eating phase right now.  So, indulge me, won’t you?

Leave your entry comment on this post and please share with me what you feed your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc.  Share with me what you feed yourself, for all that matters!  I just need ideas.  If you have links to recipes that you love, I’ll take those too!  If you have some “trick” to incorporate healthy food into their meals, please do tell!  (*Also, don’t be shy to enter if you don’t think you have anything spectacular to share.  Any entry comment will be accepted.)

Two winners will be chosen randomly on Friday, March 25th.  Entries will be accepted up until 2:00 am CST on the 25th.  This giveaway is available for those who live in the continental U.S. only.

Thank goodness there’s an app for the Dr. Seuss’ book, Fox in Socks.  It’s a tongue twister and of course, the story happens to be one of my preschooler’s favorites.  I don’t mind having someone else read it to her at all.  Have you read it?

This is just another great family app offered by Oceanhouse Media and available for $3.99 through iTunes.

(They’re not kidding!)

Shoe-la-la! is a brand new children’s book written by Karen Beaumont.  It’s a fun story all about dressing up and being glamorous and best of all…shopping for SHOES!  If your child enjoys the Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious children’s books, she’ll love this story.  I am looking forward to checking out more of Karen’s children’s books.

Our review copy of  Shoe-la-la! couldn’t have arrived at a more perfect time, as I *just* re-arranged my preschooler’s closet and turned it into a “rock star dressing room”.  She’s totally eating up all things glitz and glam these days.  It’s fun for her to flip through the pages of Shoe-la-la! and join Emily, Ashley, Kaitlyn and Claire on their sing-song rhyming, shoe-shopping adventure.  The story encourages individuality and creativity and you will see why as the girls’ adventure comes to a close.  No spoilers here!  Pick up a copy of the book and you’ll see what “perfect party shoes” the girls decide to wear.

We are giving away three (3) copies of Shoe-La-La!

We make it pretty easy to enter – just leave a comment on this post.  Tell us about your “perfect party shoes”.  Maybe they’re flats.  Maybe they’re stiletto’s.  Either way – it’s your own style and we want to know!

This giveaway will end on Wednesday, January 19th at midnight PST and three (3) winners will be chosen at random.  Anyone within the continental US can enter.

Good luck!

1/21/11 Update: Congratulations to our three winners: Summer, Melissa T and Alice H!

*We were provided with a copy of Shoe-la-la to read and talk about.  The opinions expressed about this book are our very own!

I was contacted about the Franklin Anybook Reader this past fall and I didn’t have to think twice about trying it out.  As soon as I found out that this electronic reader records YOUR voice, reading YOUR books, I was sold.  I thought to myself, how cool would it be for families who have loved ones overseas or across the country, record themselves reading stories to their kids, nieces, nephews, grandkids, etc.?  I’m talking excellent gift idea, here.  It’s sentimental, it’s personable and it’s unique.  We’re taking our Anybook Reader on a 600 mile trip to visit Grandma, so she can record herself reading some of our girl’s favorite stories.  For them to curl up on the couch with their favorite books and hear Grandma’s voice anytime they want just makes me smile.

The Anybook Reader is fairly easy to set up.  It comes with a pack of stickers; some are blank and some are pre-printed with different objects.  The pre-printed stickers have pre-recorded sound effects.  They are really fun to place on any page in your book for “extra” effect.  The blank stickers are placed on each page that has text.  You use these stickers to record the page.  It still amazes me how this technology works.  After you have recorded your story-telling, just touch the blank sticker on the page to hear your voice narrating the story.   Seriously cool product, Franklin.

We’re teaming up with Franklin to offer a Franklin Anybook Reader (60 hour edition) to one of our readers.  As always, you have several chances to enter and here they are:

To enter, leave a comment on this post.  Tell us who will record the first book if you win.

2nd (optional) entry: Follow @anybookreader on Twitter and give them a nice little shout out.  Come back here and leave another comment including the link to your Tweet about @anybookreader – just include the #giveaway hashtag somewhere in your Tweet.

3rd (optional) entry:  Become a fan of  Anybook Reader on Facebook. Come back to this post and leave a comment letting us know you’re a fan.

*Make sure each of your entry comments on this post are separate or they will only count as one.  Good luck!

Your chances to enter end on Thursday, November 18th at midnight PST, when a winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email.  We will post the winner’s name here, on our Facebook Fan Page and on Twitter.

This past summer, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting world renowned pop artist, Romero Britto.  Romero made an appearance at Kidzapalooza (the family area at the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago) to promote his artwork and recently released children’s book, “My Alphabet Playbook” published by Simon & Schuster.

The kids hanging around the family stage had the opportunity to sit down and get creative with Romero.

Romero’s modern pop artwork has been featured all over the world.  He has been expressing his brilliant talent through his sculptures, artwork and most recently, his interactive books for kids.

“My Alphabet Playbook” just came out this summer, followed by “Where Is Friendship Bear?”, which was released just days ago.  I was able to sit down with Romero for a few minutes at Kidzapalooza to talk about My Alphabet Playbook.  Please take a moment to watch our video interview:

Believe me when I say that this interactive book is a must-have.  For one thing, the pages just pop with brilliant color.  Then, the fact that any letter can be taken out of any page, to reveal snazzy images of the object underneath, makes this an essential, educational book for your child.  When your child masters his/her ABCs, he or she can create “sculptures” with the letters, like my preschooler has done here:

Another activity suggestion from our video interview is to trace around the letters on paper and have your child decorate their own alphabet.  Many possibilities and I wouldn’t expect any less from Romero, as he really seems to have a knack for this art thing.

You would expect this book to cost around $25 or $30 bucks, but it doesn’t.  Surprisingly, the book can be purchased for around US$13.  There’s pretty much no excuse not to add this book to your holiday gift list this season.  I’m willing to bet that you will hear things like, “coolest gift ever“.  I’m just sayin’.

Romero Britto’s art is phenomenal to say the least.  He has a pretty impressive resume, so, check it out sometime.

I’m super thrilled to have been given the opportunity by Simon and Schuster Kids to offer TWO of Romero’s books for a giveaway.  You can enter now for your chance to win “My Alphabet Playbook” and Romero’s brand-spankin’-new book, “Where is Friendship Bear?” (also US$13).   You know, just a ‘lil somethin’ to jump start your holiday shopping.  You’re welcome!

So here are the rules.  We’re giving you multiple chances to enter, because things are just more fun that way.  Check it out.

1. Comment entry.  At the bottom of this post you will find the comment section.  Visit Romero’s online pop art store, come back and leave a comment here letting us know what strikes your fancy (I’m fixin’ to get me one of those adorable ceramic travel mugs!).

2. (Optional) “Like” Romero on Facebook.  I know, you see me offer this extra entry option quite often.  It’s because I think that “Liking” things on Facebook is a great way to stay current on your favies.  After you go and “Like” Romero, come back and leave ANOTHER comment to let us know that you “Like” Romero on Facebook.  Got it?  Good.

This giveaway will end at midnight, PST on Monday, October 25th and is open to residents of the continental US.  A winner will be randomly chosen and notified via email and announced on this post, Facebook and Twitter.  Good luck!

*Congratulations to our winner, #23, Teresa!

Are you heading out to the theater tomorrow to see Shrek Forever After?  We’re going to wait for a nice, quiet afternoon matinee…during the week, so we can really enjoy the movie.

Since we’re not going to opening night, in an effort to satiate our excitement over the last flick in the Shrek series, we’re checking out the Shrek Forever After iStoryTime kid’s book app from FrogDog Media.  The app (for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) is $1.99 and can be purchased and downloaded through iTunes.  You can click on Shrek to get there.

FrogDog has got more great iStoryTime app kid’s books, so, stop by and check them out.