Summer’s here, which for us means outings to beaches, parks, county fairs, and the many festivals and events that take place here in Minnesota! But it also means time spent hanging out at home, hoping not to hear “I’m bored” from my kids, though it usually comes way too early in the season! That’s why […]
Locally-Authored “Shelly Bean the Sports Queen” Children’s Book Giveaway
A couple years ago I shared with you my review of a new book series written by a local author called “Shelly Bean the Sports Queen.” Shelly Boyum-Breen is a native of Brainerd, Minnesota who grew up with aspirations of playing professional sports. She spent countless hours playing basketball, hockey and golf, then pursued a […]
Puppa-na-wuppana Children’s Book Giveaway!
Two local moms have created a fun new book series for kids called Puppa-na-wuppana, based on a real-life beagle who has provided countless hours of entertainment (and exasperation!) for his “human” family! Puppa-na-wuppana is the entertaining story of “Puppa-na-wuppana, the Beagle with the Magical Nose.” I met one of the authors, Lori Weaver, at the […]
Twin Cities-based author launches Shelly Bean the Sports Queen, an Inspiring Series for Young Kids
There’s a new, inspiring book series for young kids that I’m excited to share with you – and it was created by a local Twin Cities author! Minnesota-based first-time author Shelly Boyum-Breen has launched a series of beginning reader picture books entitled, “Shelly Bean The Sports Queen,” aimed at aspiring girls and boys to […]
Santa’s (Zany, Wacky, Just Not Right!) Night Before Christmas (Children’s Book Review)
We all know the story “The Night Before Christmas.” What if the night before Christmas didn’t exactly go as planned for Santa? A new book called Santa’s (Zany, Wacky, Just Not Right!) Night Before Christmas is the story of Santa’s Christmas Eve that doesn’t turn out how he expects. One little thing leads to another […]
Maddi’s Fridge Children’s Book Review & 4 Ways You Can Help Alleviate Childhood Hunger
I was given the opportunity to review Maddi’s Fridge, a children’s book that’s actually the first picture book to address childhood hunger in the United States. My kids and I have read Maddi’s Fridge together several times. I was hesitant about reading the book to my kids, worrying that it might be a downer of […]
No Cell Phone Day Children’s Book Review and Five Tips for Improving Quality Family Time
Do you or does someone in your family seem to spend too much time on their cell phone? Kids often see their older siblings and grown-ups using technology around the clock – sometimes out of necessity (for work), sometimes just because that’s how many people are communicating nowadays. While technology including cell phones has connected […]
Snuggle the Baby Children’s Book Review
Snuggle the Baby is a unique, interactive how-to board book that teaches young children how to tickle, feed, shush and swaddle a baby by actually being able to do those things with the book! It’s the first of its kind and I was given the fun opportunity to review a copy with my kids. Snuggle […]
Book Review & GIVEAWAY: Starting from Scratch
There’s a fun and unique new book about food and cooking for kids. It’s called Starting from Scratch : What You Should Know about Food and Cooking, written by food journalist Sarah Elton & illustrated by Jeff Kulak. It’s an upbeat exploration of food that addresses a wide variety of information including cooking as a […]
Ninja, Ninja, Never Stop! Children’s Book Review
Ninja small, Ninja large Ninja duck, Ninja charge. Ninja run, Ninja chop Ninja, Ninja never stop! Ninja, Ninja, Never Stop is a fun children’s book for preschoolers ages 2-5, published by Abrams Books. We received a copy for review recently and it’s been a favorite at bedtime, especially for our 3-year-old Thor. Ninja, Ninja, Never […]