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Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Beautiful Books - The Gardener

Every Sunday, we will be featuring a book that received 5 stars at Beautiful Books for Children.

This week's book is:



The Gardener


The Gardener - by Sarah Stewart 


If you are like me, you love gardening almost as much as reading. And things I love are things I love to share with my children too. This book captures both, along with a story of love, hope, and brightening the world around you that will be as much (or more) of an inspiration to you as it is to your children.

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Rivka Kawano is mom to three boys and an avid reader who loves finding beautiful books to share with her kids. You can read all of her book reviews and suggestions at: BeautifulBooksForChildren.com

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Barnes and Nobles Kids Club = Free stuff and special offers!

Sign your kids up for the Barnes and Nobles Kids' Club for all kinds of great offers including:
  • 30% off list price on any one kids' book or toy for your children when you join
  • $5 reward for every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff online and in stores
  • Free cupcake from our cafĂ© for all your children's birthdays
  • Free digital book created by your child on Tikatok.com
  • Monthly email newsletter featuring even more savings
  • 25% off every day on books created by your child on Tikatok.com 
Join today!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Beautiful Books - Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy

 Every Sunday, we will be featuring a book that received 5 stars at Beautiful Books for Children.

This week's book is:



Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy

Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy - By Denise Fleming


Bedtime can be one of the sweetest parts of the day - and a good book is a great place to start. Reading “Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy” was a joy, as the well-written prose was like a lullaby putting my little ones to sleep. It is hard to put a finger on just why, but somehow this book even makes me feel oh, so, sleepy reading it. Not in a boring kind of way, but in a calm, peaceful, and happy, just-drank-a-glass-of-warm-milk kind of way. A must-have book in your bedtime collection. 

Read the full book review, including activities to do together after you read this book.


Rivka Kawano is mom to three boys and an avid reader who loves finding beautiful books to share with her kids. You can read all of her book reviews and suggestions at: BeautifulBooksForChildren.com

Today's Plum District Deal: 2 month subscription to BookPig 50% off!

Today's Plum District Daily Deal is half off a 2 month subscription to BookPig (only $13!)

What is BookPig?  Book Pig offers a convenient, easy way to keep kids steeped in books. This Plum Deal gives you a two-month subscription plan for four weeks per month. The rest is easy! Kids can browse online from among thousands of titles, create their own request queue, and then enjoy books delivered right to your door! You'll save 50–70% over the cost of buying, and there are no library waiting lists, due dates, or late fees. You can choose to keep books (at a reduced price). BookPig even lets you donate books of your own for credit. There are no commitments needed, and you can cancel anytime.
Introduce your child to a lifetime of adventure, knowledge, and fun with BookPig! Or grab this deal for a far-away friend — it makes a great gift!

Grab your deal while you can!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Beautiful Books Review: Dave the Potter

Every Sunday, we will be featuring a book that received 5 stars at Beautiful Books for Children.

This week's book is:




Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill

As those of us in the United States celebrate Independence Day this weekend, I can’t help but think about how far we have come as a nation, and how far we have yet to go.


It is never too early to start teaching your children that all people have potential, to encourage others, and that everyone is equally human. That is why I love books like “Dave the Potter,” a picture book that brings all these lofty concepts down to a simple book that a young child can enjoy. This book for children is full of such depth, that you may find you are reading it to them again and again long past the toddler phase.

Read the full book review including activities to do together after reading this book.
Rivka Kawano is mom to three boys and an avid reader who loves finding beautiful books to share with her kids. You can read all of her book reviews and suggestions at: BeautifulBooksForChildren.com

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Beautiful Books Review: Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake

Every Sunday, we will be featuring a book that received 5 stars at Beautiful Books for Children.

This week's book is:




In a culture that teaches our children primarily about grabbing for themselves as much as possible, “Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake” was a refreshing change. Not only does the little mouse share his cupcake, but when there is a small piece left for himself, he sees it as the perfect size for him, rather than moaning about how much is gone. Every child loves cupcakes, and ever parent will love reading their child a book that reinforces important values and is fun too.

Read the full book review including activities to do together after reading the book.

Rivka Kawano is mom to three boys and an avid reader who loves finding beautiful books to share with her kids. You can read all of her book reviews and suggestions at: BeautifulBooksForChildren.com

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Chicken Soup for the Soul - My Dog's Life. Win one here!

While I consider myself more of a "cat person", I have had many beloved dogs in my lifetime. The two that were the biggest part of my life were Buster and Buffy. Buster was out of the litter of puppies our dog, Pepper, had when I was eight. All the dogs I ever had growing up were mutts, and Buster was no exception. Except his daddy must've been a lab because Buster had the sleekest, prettiest black fur you've ever seen and the sweet, inquisitive face and expressive eyes of a lab. But boxer must've been in his bloodline somewhere because he was huge. I had a boyfriend in high school that joked that Buster's chest width and shoulder span was more than his. He said it jokingly, but honestly, he was right. Now, Buster wouldn't have harmed a fly but grown men were scared of him. And if my dad wasn't home, he wouldn't let ANYONE on the porch. He was that protective of Mom and me. He never attacked anyone (and probably never would have unless someone was posing real harm to us), but he was big enough that all he had to do was stand at the top of the porch steps and growl. It was enough to make the UPS man leave the packages at the foot of the stairs. :) Buster died when I was 16. We had a good eight years. And eight years was just about the longest we ever had a dog. We had eight acres and our pets were always allowed to roam. Which means, sometimes, one day they just didn't come home. Buster was such a great dog that my parents never got another one. No dog would've filled his (huge) paws.

Buffy was a puppy that my husband got before we got married. She was "our" first pet. She's been gone for a year and half now. We miss her. She was a golden lab. I just love labs. If I ever have another dog, that's what it will be.



If you've ever loved a dog, you'll love Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog's Life: 101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Canine Companions.

If you want a good laugh you can read story #12 Memo to Oreo. And #14 Hanger, shows you just how much of an impact pets can have on our lives. When the write decided to rescue a wounded stray, she met someone that changed the course of her life.

Then, when you're ready to cry, flip to the back and read #96 I Just Knew or #100 Too Happy to Die.

You can purchase Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog's Life: 101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Canine Companions at Amazon or you can WIN one right here!


Giveaway will end 6/30/11 at 10pm CST. Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Please complete mandatory entry first. Your comments are your entries so leave a separate comment for each entry you complete. Leave your e-mail address with your comments so you can be reached if you win!

(Mandatory Entry) View Chicken Soup's Fall 2011 Catalog and tell me what other Chicken Soup title you would like to read!


(Additional Entries) Remember, your comment is your entry so leave separate comments for each entry!
  • Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (button is on the sidebar and it opens in a new window)
  • Like This Mama Loves Her Bargains and leave a comment on her page saying "@Saving Toward A Better Life sent me!" (then comment here telling me you've done that!)