Read. Write. Mom!

NIV Boys Bible

Posted on April 13, 2012April 13, 2012 by Mandy

Back when I worked in my aunt and uncle’s Christian bookstore, I used to think a Bible was a Bible was a Bible. I quickly learned there are many things that make each Bible different, such as translations, print size, and “extras” such as study notes, whether reference materials are included, and even its target audience. I particularly paid close attention to the children’s Bibles because we sold so many and I also have a son and was always interested in finding what would help him get deeper into the Word someday. The most popular children’s Bible we sold was the NIV Bible. Published by Zondervan, these Bibles were always colorful and eye-catching and a big hit with the kids and parents.

I was so excited to be offered the chance to get a peek at the new NIV Boys Bible released last month by Zondervan. What makes this Bible so special for boys? It’s jam-packed with so much extra information geared towards the 9-12 pre-teen set.

Introductions to each book of the Bible
Hundreds of highlighted verses worth memorizing
What’s the Big Deal?—Need-to-know biblical stories and people
Check It Out—Interesting and fun facts about Bible times and characters
Grossology—Gross and gory stuff they never knew was in the Bible
Makin’ It Real—Help for applying Bible stories to their everyday lives

I love all of these “extras”, and let’s face it, your child is more apt to read their Bible when they can actually relate to and take away interesting information that is sometimes difficult to pull out of scripture alone. While the New International Version is a more reader-friendly translation, having these Bible stories explained in simplistic terms is extremely helpful to kids and adults alike. If I have to be completely honest, I’m also learning so much from this Bible. My son is just learning to read, but I can see that this Bible is going to be an excellent conversation-starter for us when he is old enough to read it independently.

I love that the print is easy to read and has a nice font. I was also pleased to see that in the back of the Bible there are several interesting reference materials, including a plan for reading the Bible in a year, a table of weights and measures, the ABC’s of becoming a Christian, and a list of topical Bible promises and where they can be found.

Available in hardback and Italian Duo-Tone, this is the perfect Bible for boys to help them with their spiritual growth and can assure you this is one Bible a boy would love to read.

NIV Boys Bible- Zondervan
March 2012
Hardcover- $27.99
ISBN: 9780310723080
Ages 9-12

Pimpin’ Aint Easy

Posted on April 10, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

Last week I found this fabulous book in our library at school that was a compilation of Easter stories called Hop To It!: A Scholastic Treasury of Easter Tales. I had pretty much hit the jackpot because I wasn’t left to scramble for Easter books. So I gathered my sweet little Kindergarten class around me on the rug and read them The Easter Ribbit. All was well until we came to a page with this picture:

“Look Mrs. Z.!!!!" It’s a pimp in a can!!!!”

Well. Indeed it is.

I’m sure you can imagine the giggles when I read my first graders The Tale of Peter Rabbit and it mentioned the hoe in Mr. McGregor’s garden.

Guardsman Furniture Care

Posted on April 9, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

This big coffee table is the heart and soul of our living room.

Everything happens at this table when we are in this room. It holds our laptops, books, drinks, snacks, and my son has claimed it for Lego building on almost a daily basis. We’ve had this table for almost 10 years and it’s had its fair share of knicks, bumps, and scratches.

I dust this table weekly and use an oil-based furniture cleaner on it. However, I was recently given the opportunity to try out Guardsman Purifying Wood Cleaner.

Product Specs:

Purifying Wood Cleaner – The perfect furniture facial – a cleanser that quickly cuts through grime, oily films and food and beverage residues, leaving a streak-free clean with no dust attracting residue. Retail price: $5.49-$6.99.

Our Results:

Do you see this dirt??! I promise you, I dust on a weekly basis, but this is what the Guardsman Purifying Wood Cleaner took up from our coffee table. I’m in shock. You think just because you dust that you’re really getting your furniture clean, but apparently not clean enough. I just assumed before using this product that it would be like any other wood furniture cleaning product, but I was so wrong. The Guardsman Purifying Wood Cleaner really does clean deep down. I honestly never gave much thought to this before. I’m disgusted with the dirt and cleaner residue it took up from my furniture, but elated to know the difference now.

Final Thoughts:

I can assure you that every couple of weeks I will be using this before I polish my wood furniture from now on. It’s not enough for me to know that my furniture is dust-free and shiney. I am a firm believer in cleanliness for health reasons above all others and now that I see what was on our wood furniture, this is definitely a product I will be using from here on out.

Doing Good:

Guardsman is donating $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity to kick off the “Stop Cleaning, Start Caring” campaign which will help educate furniture owners on techniques that will bring out their furniture’s inner beauty. Guardsman will show a new generation of furniture and home enthusiasts how to love and protect their furniture by demonstrating that furniture has its own beauty routine.

~You nurture, protect and care for the things you love. And your furniture should be no exception. New or old, we all have furniture we love.

~Furniture should be cared for in the same way we take care of ourselves. It’s more than dusting and polishing, it’s about nourishing, revitalizing and bringing out furniture’s inner beauty.

~Guardsman wants to unlock the secret experts and homeowners have shared for more than a century. The simple furniture beauty routine includes: cleansing, polishing and, of course, covering those tiny imperfections.

~The secret to beautiful furniture is simple… “Stop Cleaning. Start Caring™”

WIN IT!

How would YOU like to win a fabulous home design session in your own home? You can share your favorite furniture story on Guardsman.com and Tracy Hutson will select one lucky winner to receive a personal design session in their home! This includes a $1500 room re-accessorizing and shopping experience, plus a suite of Guardsman products! Click here to enter!

*Guardsman products are available at furniture retailers, as well as hardware, home improvement and specialty stores nationwide. Visit Guardsman.com to locate a retailer near you or for in-depth product information, furniture care advice and seasonal tips.

*I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Guardsman and received a Guardsman product and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Peepsqueak!- Leslie Ann Clark

Posted on April 9, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

Trying new things and coming up with creative solutions is the heart of this children’s book entitled Peepsqueak! by Leslie Ann Clark. I have to say, I fell in love with Peepsqueak at first sight. Isn’t he just the cutest little chick?

The story focuses on Peepsqueak’s deep desire to learn to fly high. However, the other farm animals only offer him discouragement. Peepsqueak repeatedly tries and fails. When another animal offers an alternative possibility, will it work? You’ll just have to read it yourself to find out!

Besides the beautiful illustrations, your children will love Peepsqueak’s determination and heart. My son laughed at Peepsqueak’s repeated attempts to fly and cheered him on.

As a librarian, I can see that this book is a great tool for teaching children about predicting outcomes. I know my students are going to enjoy this book just as much as my son and I did.

*I received a copy of this book to review. No other compensation was received.

Plant A Kiss- Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Posted on April 9, 2012April 9, 2012 by Mandy

Wouldn’t the world be a wonderful place if we could plant a kiss, watch it grow, and share it with the whole world? That’s exactly what Little Miss does in Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s new children’s picture book Plant a Kiss. With simple words and whimsical pictures by Peter H. Reynolds, this story succinctly tells the tale of how love and kindness grows and spreads. This is actually one of those children’s books that grown-ups will appreciate, too. Plant a Kiss covers three of the greatest lessons I think we can teach our children: love, kindness, and being generous.

I personally loved this book and can’t wait to take it to my school to read to my students. My son also thought it was sweet, too. I loved the textures used in the illustrations, a happy little surprise in the book that you won’t be disappointed with. This is definitely one you will want for your child’s home library.

Plant A Kiss
Hardcover
ISBN 0061986755
AGES 4 to 8
MSRP: $14.99

* I was sent a review copy of this book. No other compensation was received.

Blog Name Change

Posted on April 8, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

If you come here often, you’re at the right place, I promise.

After agonizing (seriously) for the better part of a year or more, I finally decided to change my blog’s name from Mommy Cracked to Read. Write. Mom!. Besides the occasional weird looks I would get when telling people about my blog’s former name, I just feel like this name fits me better. I love to read and write, but my greatest joy is being a mom. I’ve also found myself slowing down a little here in the blog world. While school is in, I just can’t keep up the blogging pace like I would like to sometimes. I’m learning I have to become a little more intentional with my spare time. I’ve found myself reading more and having a real craving to write. Not blog, but to just let thoughts flow freely on paper. It may never lead to anything serious, but it’s an amazing outlet that is really therapeutic for me right now. I’ve also realized that I have been too caught up into turning this blog into something it’s not. I started with no intentions other than sharing my life, and I’m finally ready to get back to basics.

I’m sure going to miss my little shoe and egg, though. Change is hard for me. I’m really trying to be open to the possibilities here.

I don’t plan any major changes to this blog other than the name. I am going to try to share more posts about books I’ve read and a little more about my job as a children’s librarian.

So, I hope you will still stick with me. And also? Greg at Engine 1 Media designed my new blog header and he is amazing. I highly recommend him if you need a fresh, new look for your blog.

Unplugged Parenting

Posted on April 7, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

I think I’ve discovered this week why it’s so much easier to not punish a child. It’s because when favorite toys or things are taken away from a child, they become bored and the responsibility to direct that energy towards something more creative and beneficial falls on the parent. Let’s face it, it would be much easier to look the other way and let life resume as normal. However, I’m intentional about raising my son to accept consequences for poor choices and pray that he will learn from those mistakes. Am I always 100% on my game? Absolutely not. I’ll admit I’ve had my lazy moments with small offenses and let it slide. However, this past week E.B. had to be punished for a poor choice he made. In the grand scheme of things, it isn’t a really big deal. However, he was warned several times to stop before he broke something and he chose not to.

There are many different theories about punishments for children. Spank…don’t spank. Ground….don’t ground. What we’ve personally found to be most effective with our son is to take away something he really, really loves. That something just happened to be the thing he broke, a small netbook I had passed down to him when I got my laptop this Christmas. Each night he is allowed to play games for a certain amount of time. However, now that the hard drive is wiped on his netbook, he has nothing to play games on, and so that is his punishment. He also isn’t allowed to play on any other computer in our home or at his grandparent’s house for a week.

This first “grounding” has been tough for him. We’ve been reading lots of books, building with Legos, and watching movies. This hardly sounds like a grounding at all, I know, but he really, really misses his computer time and a certain game he played. He’s tried all of the “old tricks”. Buttering me up with how I’m such a great mom, how we could at least “talk” about this, and ohmygoshcanIpleasegetonthecomputerNOW???!?!. I’m proud to say we haven’t caved. Sure, it was easy to get a bit of blogging and Facebook time while he was gaming each night, but his grounding has helped me unplug a little, too. I’ve been too busy redirecting him to other things to get much of either done, and frankly, the extra time spent with him has been good for my soul. It’s so easy to tune out the things around us that we don’t usually notice because we have our noses to the screen on a daily basis. It’s allowed me to step back and take stock of myself and what I focus on. It’s been a gentle nudge that some things need changing for me.

E.B. has three more days until he is finished with his “groundage”, as he calls it. I think it has been good for him, too. He is calmer and I think he has really learned from this experience. I hope.

One Special Day- A Story For Big Brothers & Sisters

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Mandy

Welcoming a new baby into the family is such a special time for everyone. I never had a brother or sister, so I can only imagine how much fun being a big brother or sister could be. If you know a child who is about to become a new big brother or sister, One Special Day by Lola Schaeffer is the perfect book to give them to mark this special occasion.

About the book:

Most children seem to be experts at adapting to any situation. Spencer is usually wild and loud and messy, but when the occasion calls for a new set of behavior skills, he’s ready. No matter how much a child might complain at first when a new brother or sister appears in the home, that older sibling only wants to be a part of the celebration, part of the joy. ONE SPECIAL DAY allows its reader to join with Spencer to appreciate and accept the new sibling. It’s the beginning of a friendship that, hopefully, will last a lifetime.

Illustrated by Jessica Meserve, the pictures in One Special Day are so sweet and inviting!

The story is simple enough for even the smallest children to grasp and models great big brother behavior. My son and I (and our cat Pearl) enjoyed reading this book and talking about Spencer and how his life has changed in a special way.

I passed this sweet book along to a student of mine at school who just became a big brother himself this week. He was so excited to receive the book and I hope he enjoys reading it as much as we did and can identify with Spencer, the main character.

GIVEAWAY:

I have been given three signed copies of One Special Day to pass along to three lucky readers! To enter, just leave a comment in this post. I would love to hear any special big brother/big sister comments you might have. Deadline to enter is Sunday, March 25, 2011 at 11 PM Central. U.S. only. Void where prohibited.

ONE SPECIAL DAY: A Story for Big Brothers & Sisters
By Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrated by Jessica Meserve
Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: March 20, 2011
ISBN: 1423137604 ∙ ages: 2-5 ∙ $16.99