Monster Jam World Finals - Las Vegas Discount!

Disclosure - free sample provided.

I absolutely love Monster Jam.  My family and I went to the world finals in Vegas last year.  I am now a fan for life.  These trucks are truly amazing!    This is a really fun family friendly event.  This is something that you, and your children will always remember.  

Monster Jam World Finals XVI, MARCH 26-28, 2015 Monster Jam World Finals XVI presented by NGK Spark Plugs returns to Sam Boyd Stadium on March 26th through 28th featuring top 32 Monster Jam trucks and drivers competing for the coveted titles of Racing World Champion and Freestyle World Champion. 

Get $15 off two-day tickets - Use code: MJMOM. Not valid on Double Down Packages.

Disclosure - I received a free sample to facilitate my review.  No monetary compensation was provided.  All opinions are completely my own.  My participation is voluntary.   I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255.  

60% Off Robotics Science Summer Camps!

Disclosure - sponsored post

Are you looking for something for your child to do this Summer?  Do they have an interest in science?  My 8 and 10 year old love learning about science.  ROBOTS-4-U Summer Camp is a great way for your child to have fun this Summer, but also learn about something new!  This sounds like so much fun!  This sounds like a great way to keep your child learning over the long Summer break.

60% Off Robotics Science Summer Camps! Code: USF1550r www.ROBOTS-4-U.com @usfg #robots4u

S.T.E.A.M. education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math!

ROBOTS-4-U Summer Camps Now Enrolling - Where Fun, Thinking & Learning comes to Life! 

www.ROBOTS-4-U.com @Robots4U - Facebook.com/Robots4Usummercamp

DYNAMIC ART & DESIGN Summer Camps Now Enrolling - Where Technology Meets Creativity! 

www.dynamic-art-design.com @Robots4U #DynamicArt - Facebook.com/DynamicArtClass

Campers having a BLAST, while learning and playing in a dynamic environment. Learning about Robotics and Science, in an independent and exciting way!

Visit our WEB Sites www.ROBOTS-4-U.com and www.dynamic-art-design.com to see dates and locations for these day camps.

- Robot / Science / Engineering / Day Camp / Challenges

- Camps Girls and Boys - Aged 7 to 14

- Robot Camps and Dynamic Art Camps offered during June, July and August

- Hands on Learning, Self-Paced. Beginners to Expert!

KEY INFORMATION

- 1 week (5 days) long

- Days: Monday to Friday Times: 9:00-11:30a.m. and 12:30-3:00 p.m.

- CAMPERS RATIO: 1 Instructor to 16 participants

-Register early as camps do fill up quickly!

- Each Camper Individually uses a ROBOTICS or DYNAMIC ART Kit. Robot kits do not go home with campers but are available for purchase!

60% Off Robotics Science Summer Camps! Code: USF1550r www.ROBOTS-4-U.com @usfg #robots4u

Disclosure - I will be compensated for this post.  

Spring Break Reading and Easter Basket Ideas from Scholastic Books

Disclosure - free sample provided.

My kids will be on Spring Break soon.  We love to enjoy the outdoors, but I also like to relax and do other quiet activities indoors.  I always make sure we have plenty of great reading options in the house for my 8 and 10 year old.  Scholastic Books offers a great selection of book for children of all ages.  Their books are great for Spring Break, but their are so many that would make great options for an Easter basket.  I don't like to fill my 8 and 10 year old's Easter baskets with just traditional candy and toys.  Books are a great way to go!

Branches Books

I was introduced to Scholastic's line of books called Branches last Summer.  My daughter was really wanting to read chapter books at the time.  Some of them she was just not that interested in, or they were a little too challenging for her.  Branches books are a great option for children that are done reading leveled readers, but not exactly ready for a full length chapter book.  How are Branches books different than your typical chapter book?  These books include simple text, but more in the format of a chapter book.  I really like that they incorporate great pictures throughout the books.  This makes reading fun for children.  It also helps to hold their interest.  My daughter has fallen in love with so many of the Branches books.  They not only hold her interest, but she is able to read them without frustration.  I really am happy that we have found these for her!  

Owl Diaries - Eva's Treetop Festival is an adorable chapter book from the Branches line of books.  My daughter picked up this book immediately.  She just got done doing a school project on owls.  I knew she would enjoy this.  The book is nicely illustrated.  The book is written to appeal to 1st and 2nd graders, and it is written at a 2nd grade reading level.  The story is about Eva Wingdale.  The book is written in diary form.  It starts out by introducing Eva.  She is going to organize a Bloomtastic Festival.  This festival will include a fashion show, talent show, bake-off, and art show. 

The Amazing Stardust Friends - Step into the Spotlight is another great book from the Branches line.  This one is also written in a similar manner as many of the others.  The level on this book seems a little bit more challenging than the Owl Diaries.  However, the text is still fairly simple.  It also includes pictures throughout the book.  This book is about the Stardust Circus.  The book is a fun read about the girls in the circus that the main character,Marlo, meets.  The book also touches on a topic that many children are faced with.  Marlo feels like she doesn't fit in.  

Dragon Masters - Secret of the Water Dragon is also in the Branches line of books from Scholastic.  This is an illustrated early chapter book.  This book is great if you have a child that is into fantasy type books.  The book is about training and flying dragons.  There is a twist on the story though.  There is someone that is trying to steal the stone.

Whatever After

Whatever After - Cold as Ice is a book by Sarah Mlynowski.  This is a New York Times Bestselling series too.  My daughter was excited to read this because she said some of the girls at school are reading them.  This book takes your average fairy tale, and puts a fun twist on it.  This is what I would call a modern fairy tale.  The author has done an excellent job making this book fun for children.  It even incorporates elements of silliness.  This book is about ending up in a winter wonderland.  There is also a mean Snow Queen that causes some problems.  Some of these include trying to defrost the frozen dog, and much more!

The Zero Degree Zombie Zone

My 10 year old saw the title of this, and he knew he had to read it right away because it was about Zombies.  This book is written by Patrick Henry Bass, and illustrated by Jerry Craft.  We loved that this chapter book had illustrations throughout the book.  Once again, this really helps make reading fun for children.  The book is about a child that deals with everyday issues at home and school.  He is someone that most children can relate to.  He finds a ring and then has to ward of intruders.

Scare Scape

This book also really appealed to my 10 year old son.  Scare Scape is a mysterious book about monsters.  It is about creepy beasts, but Morton isn't scared by this.  He isn't afraid of much.  Morton, his brother, and sister find a statue in their yard.  They now have plenty to be frightened of.  This book is a fun mystery, but it also incorporates humor into it too.  I really like that it is a creepy tale, but it is written for children.  It isn't overly frightening for them to read.  

#Prehistoric Follow the Dinosaurs

#Prehistoric Follow the Dinosaurs is really an interesting way to teach your child about dinosaurs.  The format that this book is written in is done in a social medial style manner.  The book includes fun facts, but they are presented in social media style post format.  The book includes photos that make the facts even more interesting.  This is a neat twist on your typical non-fiction style book.  

Tombquest - Book1

Tombquest Book 1 - Book of the Dead is written by Michael Northrop.  This comes from the publisher of The 39 Clues and Spirit Animals books.  This book is for middle aged readers.  It is for a child that can handle deeper topics.  This book is about Alex, and how his mom tries to save his life.  She needs the Egyptian Book of the Dead and a special spell from it to help her son.  This book is exciting and keeps you wanting to read more.  Alex's mom uses the spell, but it brings Death Walkers back to life.  It really is a creepy read.  The neat part is that you can also play the game that goes along with this on Scholastic's website.

Bone #1:  Out From Boneville Tribute Edition

Comics are a great way to get your child to learn to enjoy reading.  I have always encouraged my children to read whatever they have an interest in.  Bone #1 is a re-release that is a tribute edition.  This is the 10 year anniversary of the first book that Jeff Smith wrote in the series.  This is an award winning and best selling graphic novel.  This book is loaded with comics and art.  The art in this book really is impressive.  There are artists from Darth Vader and Son, Celopatra In Smace, The lost Boy, Smile, and many more that have contributed to the art in this.  Pretty impressive!

These are just some of the great books that Scholastic has to offer that would be perfect for some fun Spring Break reading, our your child's Easter basket.  You can visit the Scholastic website to learn more about all of their books.  They offer an extensive collection of books for children of all ages, and all reading levels.

Disclosure - I received a free sample to facilitate my review.  No monetary compensation was provided.  All opinions are completely my own.  My participation is voluntary.   I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255.  

Great Springtime Reads from Albert Whitman and Co.

Disclosure - free sample provided.

I am always on the hunt for great books for my 8 and 10 year old.  Albert Whitman always has a great selection of books for children of all ages.  They offer picture books, chapter books, and so much more.  I always know I will find my children hiding somewhere reading a book for hours when we receive a box of books to review from Albert Whitman and Co.  We are getting ready for Spring Break here in Vegas.  I love for my kids to have fun, but we also like to relax with a good book.

The Buddy Files

I am always looking for great chapter books for my 8 year old.  The Buddy Files is a chapter book series that truly entertains my 8 year old.  This is a great simple chapter book for those just starting out on this kind of book.  The books are written with simple text that doesn't frustrate my daughter while she is reading.  The Buddy Files Series is written by Dori Hillestad Butter and Illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau.  These are all mystery books.  My daughter enjoyed all 5 of the Buddy Files books that we received.  

The Case of the Lost Boy is all about the dog named King. The dog detective wants to know why he has been left in the pound.  He is confused and doesn't know why his owner doesn't come to get him.  He is eventually adopted by another family.  The new family gives him the name Buddy.  

The Case of the Mixed - Up Mutts is a Buddy Files book about King who is a dog detective.  The book is about Buddy who has been adopted by the pound.  He is set on searching for his original family.  He also comes into the problem of Muffin and Jazzy being switched.  He has to get them back to their right homes.

The Case of the Missing Family is one of the Buddy Files book.  This book is about a dog named King that is a detective.  King is determined to find out what has happened to his old family that adopted him.  

The Case of the Library Monster is a book that is also about Buddy the dog.  Buddy's job is to read books with the kids in the library.  He hears noises in the bookshelves in the library.  Buddy realizes that there is something odd going on in the school library.  

The Case of the School Ghost features Buddy.  He is a dog.  The book is about how buddy works at the school as a therapy dog.  He is a detective too.  Yes, a dog that is a detective.  The book is about humans that think there is a ghost at the elementary school.  

Bermooda

Bermooda is another great chapter book series.  This series is written by Mike Litwin.  He is a New York Times Bestseller!  Both my 8 and 10 year old enjoyed this series of books.  This is also a series that includes simple to read text that is not frustrating for young readers.  My children also adored the great illustrations they found on the pages of these books.  

Lost in Bermooda is the first book in this series.  This book is about Chick Porter.  Chick Porter is adventurous.  He sneaks into a boneyard.  He comes into contact with a human.  He finds that the human isn't that frightening as he has heard.  Chick tries to help Dakota get home.  Dakota is lost though.

The second book in this series is Crown of the Cowibbean.  This is another really cute book.  Chuck an Dakota are off to set sail on a ship.  They sneak on though.  They set out on an adventure to seek out treasure.  They on a quest with Marco.  They even encounter an evil bully Kingfish on their adventure.  

The thrid book in the series is The Big Cowhuna.  Chuck and Dakota are ready for the surf contest to start.  They are excited.  They find a seashell that is mysterious though.  They end up in an adventure.  This book really promotes a child's imagination.  Did you know that there is a tornado living in the shell.  It is named Zephyr.  They seem to think that the genie in the shell can make their wishes come alive.

The Curious Cats Spy Club

This is a really great book for young girls.  This is a more advanced book, so my 8 year old did need a little assistance reading some of the more challenging words.  She absolutely loved the story though.  She is a huge kitty fan, so this was perfect for her.  This book is about a club of girls.  There is a spy specialist, an animal expert, and a covert technology strategist.  The book introduces you to Kelsey, Becca, and Leo.  This book is full of fun and adventure.  The story is about the girls finding a bunch of kitties that have been left.  The girls set out to solve the mystery.

The Boxcar Children - Guide to Adventure

My son has been reading the Boxcar Children series for some time now.  Did you know that there is a Boxcar Children - Guide to Adventure?  This is a great book for any child that is a fan of this fabulous series.  This book is a how to for mystery solving, make it yourself, projects, and more.  This book consists of great tips from the 4 Alden kids.  It gives your child tips and tricks that they can use in their daily adventures.  It includes things like how to build a sofa fort, pack a suitcase, solve a mystery, and so much more.

Around the World

This is a colorful atlas just for children.  It is illustrated by Christopher Corr and written by Anita Ganeri.  This is a great book to have in your collection.  My kids are always asking questions about different parts of the world.  This is a great reference to pull out for things like that.  The book is nicely illustrated too.  The book tells you about different places around the world.  It does this with words, but also pictures.  This is a fun way to teach your child about different countries.

These are just some of the great books that Albert Whitman has to offer.  They have so many great reading choices for children of all ages.  You can also connect with Albert Whitman on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure - I received a free sample to facilitate my review.  No monetary compensation was provided.  All opinions are completely my own.  My participation is voluntary.   I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255.  

Great Preschool Disney Reads

Disclosure - free sample provided.

Disney is always a great place to go for books for children.  Their books feature great Disney characters.  This really helps get my children excited about reading. They offer so many options too. They have books featuring all different characters, but they offer books for children at all different reading levels.  We received a great selection of books that are perfect for children that are preschool age.  Does your preschooler have a favorite Disney Jr. character?

Board Book Sets

Disney Jr. offers a great selection of board books.  Their board book sets that feature Disney Jr. characters are perfect for preschoolers.  These books are durable and great if you have a child that is rough on books.  Jake and the Neverland Pirates - Pirate Tales is a set of 4 board books.  They are great for little hands.  The books are all about Jake and his pirate adventures.  They are colorfully illustrated and really make reading fun.  This set retails for $10.99.  The Doc McStuffins Doc on Call board book set is another great set from Disney Jr.  This set also contains 4 board books.  They are also beautifully illustrated.  This is a great set for the Doc McStuffins fan.  The books feature fun stories about Doc McStuffins and her clinic.  This set also retails for $10.99.

Sofia the First

Me and Our Mom is a great picture book featuring Sofia the First.  This book is colorful, and also full of great illustrations.  The book includes over 40 stickers too.  This makes is even more fun.  This book is a great story for Mother's Day.  The story is about how Sofia is exited to spend the day with her mom alone.  This book retails for $4.99.

Sheriff Callie's Wild West

Toby Braves the Bully is another Disney Junior book.  This is a book that features foldout pages.  The book is full of great pictures.  This book is really a good way to teach younger children about bullies.  I personally love the story because it discusses things that children will most likely encounter sometime in life.  The story is about Toby being pushed around by Bradley.  This book retails for $6.99.

These are just a few of the great books that Disney has to offer.  You can learn more about all of their books by visiting their website.  

Disclosure - I received a free sample to facilitate my review.  No monetary compensation was provided.  All opinions are completely my own.  My participation is voluntary.   I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255.  

You Have a Brain A Teen's Guide to T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. - By Ben Carson, M.D., with Gregg Lewis and Deborah Shaw Lewis

Disclosure - free sample provided.

You Have a Brain A Teen's Guide to T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G is a book by Ben Carson, M.D., with Gregg Lewis and Deborah Shaw Lewis.  This is a book written by the well known neurosurgeon, along with the help of others.  The book is written just for teens.  The book starts out giving some interesting facts about the brain.  This was interesting because I didn't even know some of these things.  It includes facts about things like your brain doesn't feel pain.  Did you know this?  I also learned from this book that your brain actually starts to develop shortly after conception.  Very neat!  

This book is not just facts about the brain though.  This books talks about how Ben Carson had a hard time growing up.  Did you know that this world renowned neurosurgeon had a hard time growing up?  He was picked on in school.  Many children put him down and thought he was dumb.  However, he always had one big supporter on his side.  He talks about how his mother always believed in him.  The book also talks about how he could use his smarts to make a better life for himself.  This book is about how Ben Carson pushed to become something great!  

This book is great for teens.  However, my 10 year old is already dealing with influence at school.  This can include things like pressure from kids, kids being mean, or trying to get him to make bad choices.  We work hard to teach him what is wrong and right.  We work hard to teach him that he needs to believe in himself because he is super smart, and a great kid.  This book reinforces just that.  This book teaches children and teens a message that they can do whatever they want if they set their mind to it.  I would recommend this book for children age 10 and up.  It is a great read.  It is even great to read as a family.  The positive vibe that I got from this book is amazing.  It really is the way that we should be teaching our children and teens to think.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Duck Commander Devotions for Kids by Korie Robertson & Chrys Howard, Illustrated by Holli Conger

Disclosure - free sample provided.

Duck Commander Devotions for Kids is a book written by Korie Robertson and Chris Howard.  It is Illustrated by Holli Conger.  It is written by a mother and daughter.  The book is a series of stories.  The stories are not about their show, but about things that have happened to them throughout life.  Their idea is to teach children through storytelling.  This is a devotional book written just for children.  This book contains stories that are written in a simple manner because they are for kids.  Each story is about 1 -2 pages long.  Each little story references a part of the bible that the story relates to.  

Some of the stories in the book include The Good Book, Fishing for Men, Making Good Choices, and many more.  Making Good Choices is one of my favorites.  This story features John Luke.  He wants to buy a sailboat.  The story talks about some of the complications of going out sailing.  He had been warned of possible dangers by his mom and dad.  The complications were a signal to him that going out sailing was not a good idea.  The idea behind this was that he listened to his mom and dad and was able to avoid danger.  This is just one of the great lessons that you can find in the stories found in Duck Commander Devotions for Kids.

I found this book to be a great devotional for my 8 and 10 year old children.  We think that teaching our children what is right and wrong is very important.  This book really helps children understand that in a fun and entertaining way.  The fact that my children are big Duck Commander fans also really helped them want to get into this book.  The book is beautifully illustrated.  Every 1-2 page story in the Duck Commander Devotions for Kids is also illustrated with fun pictures.  The pictures make reading more fun for children.  It helps them get into the book more.  The book definitely presented a clear message to my children.  It did a great job helping my children understand how parts of the bible can be explained by everyday life stories.  This is a great book that I would suggest for children ages 6 years and up.  This would even be great for younger children, and you could read it to them.  This would make a really nice gift for a child too!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”