Category Archives: Books

“Sunrise, Easter Surprise!” Board Book Blog Tour & #Giveaway

Sunrise, Easter Surprise! is the perfect Easter board book to tuck in the Easter basket of little ones. This lively Easter board book depicts the joy that was spread with the news of Jesus’ Resurrection.

All of creation is alive with the news: Jesus lives! From chirping birds to chattering rabbits to buzzing bees, the pages of this Easter board book spill over with joy. With cheerful verse and lighthearted-yet-reverent illustrations, Sunrise, Easter Surprise! imagines Jesus’ Resurrection from the perspectives of those who might have seen and heard of it first: the sun as it rose, a flower as it bloomed, and the first people at the empty tomb.

This exuberant Easter book offers even the littlest listener a better understanding of what the Resurrection means to all creation: new life through Jesus. Perfect for little ones ages 2-5.

I love this sweet, little board book, it has the most precious illustrations and is the perfect size for little hands. Read it to your little one before Easter or save it to read on Easter morning and tuck it in their Easter basket.

Giveaway:

Worthy Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of Sunrise, Easter Surprise! Thank you to Worthy Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this special giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Sunrise, Easter Surprise! Board Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Blog Tour, Books, Easter, Review, Spiritual

Personalized Books & Gifts are Perfect for Easter #ISEEME

Can you believe Easter is right around the corner? Where has the time gone, it seems like yesterday we were launching our Holiday Gift Guide and now we are looking forward to spring and Easter!

If you are looking for some special Easter Gifts for the little ones in your life, I See Me! has some great options. Shop their site for Personalized books and gifts for your SOMEBUNNY special.

Some of my favorite items are The My Snuggle Bunny gift set . This set features an adorable snuggle bunny who counts 10 ways that it loves your child, in this beautifully illustrated storybook. Gift set includes the book plus a cuddly plush bunny by Jellycat for your special child to snuggle with!

The God Loves You! book makes a cherished personalized Easter gift that will become a treasured keepsake. God Loves You! tells the child just how much God loves him or her… and that the child is God’s special creation! It comes personalized with a child’s name on the cover and throughout the text. God Loves You! features beautiful poetry by award-winning children’s author Jennifer Dewing and colorful, whimsical illustrations by award-winning artist Maria Carluccio.

The Eggcellent All-In-One Gift Set is a hand-picked coordinated gift set that includes: an adorable personalized Easter coloring and activity book, matching page of 18 stickers and a colorful placemat made special with your child’s name.

Inside the book, your child will complete fun and educational Easter activities such as coloring in the eggs, helping the Easter bunny find his way down the bunny trail maze, finding eggs in the hidden picture, and more! Your child’s name will be personalized on the cover of the coloring book and throughout the activity pages and illustrations.

I See Me! has personalized placemats including special ones for Easter like the Snuggle Bunny Placemat. A personalized placemat is the perfect way to make meal time and snack time more fun! Each one is made to order and makes a special Easter gift. The 12”x17” mats are made of high-quality durable plastic that can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. The placemats are printed in the USA. Theymeet CPSIA guidelines for food safety, and are BPA-free.

Check out all of their personalized Easter Gifts on their website. Let me know what you like best.


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Filed under Books, Easter, Gifts, Spiritual

Get Ready For “The Ambrose Deception” Available February 13th

If you are the parent or grandparent of a middle school age child, I want to tell you about the new release of a fast-paced, mind-boggling, middle grade mystery-adventure that is THE AMBROSE DECEPTION (On Sale February 13, 2018) by Emily Ecton,

Book Summary

Melissa is a nobody. Wilf is a slacker. Bondi is a show-off. At least that’s what their middle school teachers think. To everyone’s surprise, they are the three students chosen to compete for a ten thousand-dollar scholarship, solving clues that lead them to various locations around Chicago. At first the three contestants work independently, but it doesn’t take long before each begins to wonder whether the competition is a sham. It’s only by secretly joining forces and using their unique talents that the trio is able to uncover the truth behind the Ambrose Deception–a truth that involves a lot more than just a scholarship.
With a narrative style as varied and intriguing as the mystery itself, this adventure involving clever clues, plenty of perks, and abhorrent adults is pure wish fulfillment. This clue-based scavenger hunt is perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Booklist raves that THE AMBROSE DECEPTION is: “A rollicking adventure, a Westing Game–style mystery, and a heartwarming reminder that anyone can be greater than the sum of their parts.” Readers will be on the edge of their seats as an Amazing Race-style competition among three kids unfolds. With clever clues, a surprising twist, and quirky characters, this fast-paced adventure with, is sure to intrigue readers who enjoy solving puzzles.

Do you have a middle school child that would like this book? Let me know.


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Filed under Books, Disney

Very Veggie Bedtime Prayers Book – #Giveaway

If you are looking for a sturdy board book that will stand up to little children’s handling filled with bedtime prayers, look no further. The Very Veggie Bedtime Prayer Book is just what you are looking for. This new book perfectly eases the daily transition from playtime to sweet dreams.

The rhyming prayers will help teach little ones about the importance of talking to God every day. The familiar VeggieTales characters accompany the short, easy to understand prayers. This collection of prayers was designed to help young children reflect on their day and anticipate the day to come with requests and gratitude for God’s guidance.

The soft padded cover and convenient size make it easy for little hands to hold. This book makes a nice baby gift or Christening gift. We have a special gift for our readers, you can enter to win your own copy of Very Veggie Bedtime Prayers below.

Giveaway

Worthy Kids Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own cop of Very Veggie Bedtime Prayers! Thank you to Worthy Kids Publishing for the review Book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US residents.

Very Veggie Bedtime Prayers Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Books, Spiritual, Toddler

“Fairy Mom and Me” Review and #BlogTour

I love reading to my kids, it is special time we love to spend together. I also want to instill in my children our family’s love of books. Funny chapter books are a favorite to read aloud. When I received Fairy Mom and Me, I was hooked from the first page. I loved the way it read, and my kids loved the story. The book is written by Sophie Kinsella and illustrated by Marta Kissi. 

Ella Brook’s mother is not like most moms. Ella’s mom can turn into a fairy anytime she shuts her eyes and says “Marshmallow.”  Just like magic, Ella’s mom has shimmering wings, a silver crown, can fly, disappear and do all sorts of other magic.

Ella’s mom is more of a high-tech fairy,  she just bought a new wand called the Computawand V5 that has magic powers, a computer screen and an Extra-Fast Magic button. Ella cannot wait until she is old enough to be a fairy like her mom. Ella has a dad and a one year old brother named Ollie. Most days Ella’s mom works as a boss in her office.

There is one problem, Ella’s mom always forgets the magic codes she needs to press into her computawand to cast spells. Pushing in the wrong code, always ends up in a big mess. Like the time they needed more milk in a hurry. Mom turned into a fairy and pushed a code into her wand, but instead of more milk, a cow appeared in the middle of the kitchen. The cow broke mom’s favorite cups, knocked things to the ground, and pooped on the kitchen floor.

When mom tries to fix things, it does not go much better. Another code produces a chocolate milk rain shower right in the kitchen. Trying to fix that, Mom punches in code after code, each brings another crazy mess and shows Mom needs to watch more fairy lessons on fairy tube with her teacher Fenella.

Another time, Ella was excited because Mom was learning the cupcake spell. It was Saturday and her best friends Tom and Lenka were coming for dinner along with her not best friend Zoe. Zoe did mean things to Ella, like spilling water on her lunch and pretending it was an accident. Zoe looked mad even when she was smiling. Since they lived next door to each other, their moms wanted them to be best friends.  Ella was excited about the cupcakes for dessert. If only, things went smoothly, but as usual, Mom messed up the codes and mayhem happened instead.

Each chapter is a disaster of a different kind. All start with Mom’s good intentions, but end up being disastrous. The last chapter is about field day at school. Ella’s aunt, who is also a fairy, comes and casts a spell that causes Ella to win unfairly. It leads to a squabble between Ella’s mom and aunt, and in the end, they use one more spell to rewind the whole event to the beginning. This time they do not use any spells and Ella and her friend Tom win the race because they worked together as a team. That is the best way to win!

This book is funny with mishap after mishap but in the end, kids learn they can do whatever they want with their own power, they don’t have to cheat, use magic spells or anything else.

About the Author:

SOPHIE KINSELLA is the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, as well as the novels Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number, Wedding Night, and Finding Audrey. She lives in England. Visit her website at sophiekinsella.co.uk or find her on Instagram at @sophiekinsellawriter and Twitter at @KinsellaSophie.

About the Illustrator:

MARTA KISSI is a freelance illustrator living and working in London. She studied illustration and animation at Kingston University and completed her MA at the Royal College of Art. She now works on various children book projects as well as covers and editorial pieces for both children and adults.

Giveaway:

Delacorte Books is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of Fairy Mom and Me. Thank you to Delacorte Books for the review book and for sponsoring this magical giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US residents.

Fairy Mom and Me Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Make and Play Christmas Book – Hands-On Holiday Fun! #Giveaway

I just adore the Make and Play Christmas Book. It is so much fun for my kids to make the fun Christmas decorations and display them throughout the house.

This innovative new activity book includes ten press-out pieces to play and decorate with. The simple die-cut shapes, including Santa, a reindeer, and an angel, are easy to press out and slot together. The book also includes lots of activities, songs, and recipes to help celebrate Christmas!

This is a really nice book to give to any child and it gives them something to do throughout the season to prepare for Christmas Day.

We think this  book is so fun we have added it to Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide.

Giveaway:

Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of Make and Play Christmas Book! Thank you to Candlewick Press for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Where’s Waldo? Destination: Everywhere! Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Gifts, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, Review

Where’s Waldo is 30 Years Old! Anniversary Book #Giveaway

Waldo isn’t ready for his copy of AARP yet, but he is 30 years old! To celebrate this exciting milestone we are having a giveaway for the anniversary book, Where’s Waldo? Destination: Everywhere! by Martin Handford. Inside you will find 12 classic scenes as you’ve never seen them before.

Everyone’s favorite bespectacled explorer has been many places — the land of dragon flyers, a Jurassic arena of sports-loving dinosaurs, the set of black-and-white movies in Hollywood.

Join Waldo as he hand picks his favorite journeys of all time, revisiting twelve of his most fantastic travels in a new format that includes a surprise at the end of the book. New eye-boggling games await Waldo-watchers alongside every scene in this fresh tribute to Waldo’s many years wandering the world.

We think this anniversary book deserves a place on Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. Unlike Waldo, the book is very visible on our gift guide.

Giveaway:

Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of Where’s Waldo? Destination: Everywhere! Thank you to Candlewick Press for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Where’s Waldo? Destination: Everywhere! Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Gift, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide

Classic Children’s Books Make Great Gifts #Giveaway #TheVelveteenRabbit

I love sharing classic stories with my children. The Velveteen Rabbit is probably one of the most beloved children’s books of all time.

When the Velveteen Rabbit first arrives in the nursery, he is snubbed by the other toys. But the Rabbit soon makes friends with the Skin Horse, who explains how toys can become “real” if they are loved enough.

The Velveteen Rabbit longs for this to happen, and one day he finds that he has become the Boy’s very favorite toy. They play together through a long, golden summer, Rabbit becoming shabbier and shabbier as he becomes real to the boy who loves him. The rabbits in the garden think otherwise — how can Rabbit be real when he can’t leap and hop?

When Boy takes ill with scarlet fever and Rabbit must be discarded, a magical fairy appears to transform him into a real, wild rabbit, though her parting words remind him that he was always real to the Boy.

A perfect gift for delivering an old favorite to a new generation, this beautifully illustrated version of Margery Williams’s time-honored tale is the first in a series of Nosy Crow classics. We love this book so much, you will find it on Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide.

Giveaway:

Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real! Thank you to Candlewick Press for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Christmas, Gift, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide

Save 30% on Personalized Gifts for your Child, Pet, Family & More! #Giveaway


Unique gifts like personalized books, board games, placemats and more celebrate the recipient and can even include their family and pet in the fun. I See Me! makes it easy to give gifts that will make every child a star.

I love giving I See Me! products to my kids. The look on their faces, when they discover they are the main character of a special book, is truly priceless. This season, I created some really special gifts for my kids on the I See Me! website. It is so easy to add personalization and photos to create unique and treasured gifts.

I know my son Ethan is going to love the  personalized USA Road Trip Storybook I created for him. It is such a fun book, that will really spark his curiosity and imagination with a fun and factual geographic exploration of the United States. In the story, he receives a personalized driver’s license, hops into a magical car, and learns state names and key monuments during the journey across America. He will take a rest stop in our own state of New York to learn a few extra fun facts!

I was able to easily personalize this road trip adventure with my son’s name and the state we live in. I selected his skin tone and hair color, and uploaded a photo of  his face to be incorporated throughout the illustrations!

He is going to love it, and at the end of the book, he will see a personalized map of the United States. The book even includes a list of all 50 states with their capitals, so he can check off the names of the states that he has visited! We ordered the gift set which included a scratch off state map that he is going to just love! I cannot wait to see his face when he opens it.

For our son Luke, our dog lover, we choose the If My Dog Could Talk Storybook. I customized it for him and our American Bulldog, Delilah. I was able to choose from twelve illustrated dog styles and five colors to create a dog that really resembled our dog.

The book includes Delilah’s name and the names of four of our family members, this really makes it fun to read! This book is also a nice way to celebrate a new puppy or dog adoption or remember a lost pet. Your dog’s name and the names of up to four family member’s names (children or adults) are also included throughout the story and illustrations! Plus you can add a personal message and up to two photos on the dedication page.

For a really special gift, the book can be ordered with a personalized bandana, ornament or placemat for you pet. We ordered the book with the bandana and a personalized Christmas ornament that we already have on our Christmas Tree.

Another great gift idea on their site that is fun for the whole family is I See Me!’s new, Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. board game. This game makes family game night so much fun! It is a brand new addition to their extensive product line.

Take an adventure across America as you move your piece along the game board. Personalize up to six game pieces with photos of your family member’s faces so they can “travel” from space to space. Your family’s names will also be incorporated into the game board artwork! Create lasting family memories with this uniquely personalized keepsake.

Order Now and Save 30%!

If you order by December 17th and use code CELEBRATE when you checkout, you can save 30%! This is the perfect chance to get a special gift at an amazing price! Click HERE to get started.

We love I See Me! products so much, we have added them to Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. 

Giveaway

I See Me! is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own Personalized, Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. Board Game! Thank you to I See Me! for the review items and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US residents.

I See Me!  Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. Personalized Board Game Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Books, Christmas, Dogs, Family, Gifts, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide

Celebrate The Traditional Rituals of Decorating The Christmas Tree with “Pick A Pine Tree” #Giveaway

Pick A Pine Tree by Patricia Toht and illustrated by Jarvis, is a book all about picking and decorating the perfect Christmas tree. This book is a festive, read-aloud children’s picture book that will have you all brimming with the joy and excitement of Christmastime.

Part of the magic of the Christmas season comes from the holiday traditions we look forward to and take part in each year: hanging stockings, putting candles in the windows, stringing lights outside, and one of the most important of all, picking out and bringing home the Christmas tree.

With palpable warmth and style, debut author Patricial Toht reminds us of all the rituals we go through to decorate our tree. Follow along as one family digs out the boxes brimming with ornaments and trimmings.

To make it more fun, they call their family and friends and invite them to an impromptu, tree trimming party. With family and friends, they deck the tree out, and then, turn on the twinkling lights.

Pick A Pine Tree Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Christmas, Giveaway, Review