Badge of Honor by Susan Marlow

A quick search for “Susan Marlow” on my blog will yield you the links to many past posts, sharing my thoughts on her great fiction books for children.  My girls and I have much enjoyed reading about Andrea (Andi) Carter in the Circle C Adventure series.  Susan’s series for young readers, about a young Andi, were also very much enjoyed. 

Now, I’m pleased to announce that Susan has a brand new series out – this one a little more geared toward boys.  This new series is called Goldtown Adventures and the first book is AVAILABLE NOW! 

In Badge of Honor, twelve-year-old Jem Coulter knows that the gold rush is over since the last of it was panned. But when an old prospector named Strike finds flecks of gold in their claim on Cripple Creek, Jem hopes that maybe they can strike it rich.

When Jem's father accepts the job of sheriff for their lawless town, it's up to Jem to keep their broken-down ranch running. But Strike suddenly goes missing and the Creek mysteriously dries up, and Jem is determined to find out why. Will Jem be able to manage the responsibility of the ranch and discover the mystery of what is going on at the Creek?

The goal was to read this book aloud to Ian, but he was not paying any attention.  Truth be told, I’m kinda glad it worked out that way, because it allowed me the opportunity to curl up in bed with this book and finish it more quickly, on my own. 

And I confess – I don’t care if this book is geared toward 8-12 year olds.  I loved it!  It held my interest the entire time, and the plot twists had me guessing ‘til the end.

If you have a young boy (or girl - the main character in this series is a boy, but his younger sister has a recurring role and the story is definitely interesting enough for girls too), I’d highly recommend getting him started on this new series!

You can read some sample chapters here. If you decide to buy the book, you’ll also benefit from downloading the free study guide.

The Sparkle Box Review & Giveaway

For the past several years, I have really been convicted by how commercialized we have made Christmas.  It makes me sad to think of Jesus’s very humble beginnings – being born in a stable – and how we have turned that into a time when we shower our kids with gifts that they definitely don’t need.  I mean, where did the whole gift-giving aspect of Christmas come from anyway? I’ve tried to cut back on the amount of money that we spend; but then I still feel stupid for buying cheaper things that we don’t need – and likely didn’t even want – just for the sake of having wrapped gifts under the tree.

So, when the opportunity to review a book with a tagline that reads “a gift with the power to change Christmas” came my way, I jumped at the chance.  Because, quite frankly, I’m ready for a real change! And I was curious to see what such a book would suggest.

Here is a bit about the book from inside the book jacket:

Sam can’t wait for Christmas! He’s excited about the parties, the food, and, of course, the presents. One gift has him especially curious – a sparkling silver box on the mantel. Sam’s parents will only tell him that the Sparkle Box is a special gift they will open together, but that they need to fill it first. Meanwhile, as Sam and his family give to people in need throughout the season, he starts to see how fortunate he really is.  And on Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the mysterious Sparkle Box, what he finds inside sheds light on the true meaning of Christmas.

Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday.  The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt a profound joy and peace.  Jill hopes that The Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives.

At a very early age, Christine Kornacki developed a love for painting and bringing stories to life.  After receiving a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford, her dreams of illustrating children's books began to take shape.  She spends her days painting in her studio, which adjoins a charming cafe in New Haven, Connecticut. 

So, what did I think?  I loved it!  This book, with it’s simple story of a family doing random acts of kindness for those in need, filled me with ideas of what my family can do during the holiday season (and beyond).  Sam’s mom tells him that “the Sparkle Box is our gift to Jesus on Christmas Day, His birthday”.  Jesus should be the one receiving the gifts – not us – right? 

As I was reading the book to Ian, I was reminded of the words of Jesus, from Matthew 25:44-46:

⁴⁴ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ ⁴⁶ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)

Since the book came with an included Sparkle Box, my family is ready to get started filling ours with presents for Jesus!

THE SPARKLE BOX - Official Book Trailer from Ideals Books on Vimeo.

How about you?  Would you like to win a copy of The Sparkle Box?  I have one copy to give away to one of my readers.  If you’d like to win, please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

NOTE: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

Bindi Wildlife Adventures Giveaway!

Recently, I had opportunity to review a book called Bindi Wildlife Adventures – Croc Capers.  This book is the 7th in a series of Juvenile Fiction books (recommended for ages 7 & up).  This series of books was inspired and co-created by Bindi Irwin, daughter of the iconic wildlife expert, Steve Irwin. Publishers Weekly applauds the series,  “young wildlife conservationist and media darling Bindi Irwin…is as exuberant on the pages of this peppy early reader as she is on-screen… briskly paced and delivers its message with Bindi-worthy verve.”

I started reading the book to Ian, but he seemed to lose interest pretty quickly.  He’s only 6, and some of the talk seemed a bit beyond him.  The books are definitely written from the perspective of a young person; which I think would be very appealing to kids in the 8-10 year old range.  The covers are bright and colorful and each one features a picture of Bindi (who is just too cute!) with an animal.  In addition the the actual story, there are several pages of “Animal Fact Files” in the back.  The book I read contained information about Crocodiles (obviously), the Palm Cockatoo, and the Goanna. 

The story I read was focused on Bindi and her brother Robert.  While preparing to help a team of researchers hunt down some crocs for tagging, they encounter a father and daughter who are camping in the area.  The father – Doug – is there to do some research into the possibility of mining in the area.  Bindi and her brother – and Doug’s daughter, Alice – are all opposed to this.  When one of the researchers gets hurt and can’t help with the mission, Doug is called in to help and soon discovers the real value of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.  Everyone is relieved when he announces that there will be no mining taking place there! 

Here’s a bit more about Bindi and the books:

About the Author:
Bindi Sue Irwin is only 14 years old and is already an international award-winning celebrity. Born to wildlife conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin, Bindi was just 3 years old when she made her television debut on The Crocodile Hunter. She and her brother Robert continue their dad's legacy at Australia Zoo in Queensland.
About the Series:
A unique blend of action, travel, and global conservation, the Bindi Wildlife Adventures series will charm and engage new readers as well as encourage budding young naturalists. Each book is a new adventure for Wildlife Warrior Bindi Irwin and a chance for children to experience new places and new ideas and to learn more about how to help animals all over the world.

Teachers and homeschool parents will be especially excited by the accompanying study guide that goes along with these books. 

Now is your chance to win this entire series!
(7 books total)

		Bindi Wildlife Adventures VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

If you would like to win, simply follow the directions on the Rafflecopter widget below.  Entry is simple!  (Sorry, this giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.)

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NOTE: I received the book mentioned above for free in exchange for my posting about it on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review.  I only share items that I think will be of interest and benefit to my readers.

Swipe by Evan Angler

Last week, I shared a review on a Juvenile Fiction book published by Thomas Nelson.  I received two books from them for review; so after Gracie and I finished the first one, we started in one the second.  The goal was to finish it before our vacation so that I could get the review posted on my blog.  So, here goes . . .

“Apocalyptic dystopian fiction at its best. Angler’s sharp wit and dexterity with political themes are matched only by the thrilling suspense on every page.” —Lis Wiehl, New York Times bestselling author and FOX News correspondent

Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong?

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship. 

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.

Heidi Says . . . To me, the best thing about this book was the quality time that if afforded with my daughter. 

That being said, I really have to say that I was not the least bit impressed with this book.  The characters didn’t seem to be very deep.  Of the  two main characters – Logan and Erin – the female character took the lead role in the relationship and treated Logan in a condescending and often downright rude manner.  (Quite frankly, I’ve been seeing this same type of situation portrayed in so many children’s books these days and it’s getting old.)

The book held my interest simply because I kept hoping that eventually we would “get to the point” or I’d find some imagery used that I hadn’t been able to pick up on throughout the story.  We never got there. 

The back of the book lists the book at Juvenile Fiction, with the subheadings of Religious, Christian, and Action & Adventure.  While Swipe contained a good bit of action and adventure, quite frankly I saw nothing in it that was the least bit Christian or Religious in nature (with the exception of God’s name being used 7 pages from the end, and not necessarily even in a reverent manner.

I’m glad that I read through this book with Gracie before just handing it over to her.  Not only was I not thrilled with the attitude of the lead female character, but the use of the word “suck” (and it’s variations) was used several times throughout the book as well. 

Overall, I just did not feel that there was anything positive or uplifting in this book.

While Gracie liked it enough to want to keep reading through it with me, she was surprised near the end when I said it was a “Christian book”.  She said she hadn’t been looking for the imagery throughout because it just didn’t “sound” like the author was a Christian to her.  (These are the words of my 11 year old, not mine.) 

The second book in this series – Sneak – is set to release later this fall.  I wonder if it might be better than the first. 

Spirit Fighter by Jerel Law

Recently, I was contacted by Tommy Nelson and given the opportunity to review some new books that they were releasing just in time for summer reading.  I was excited because the main gist of the e-mail was that they were targeting readers in the 9-13 year old age range. I’ve been on the search for some books that would appeal to Gracie (almost 12).  Unlike her older sister and me, she’s much more into books in the fantasy genre (preferably Christian fantasy or allegory – where she has to search for the hidden meanings or representations) and I am just not the least familiar with what’s available (and decent) in this area.  I saw two books on the list that looked like they would appeal to Gracie, so I offered to read them.  However, rather than just turn them over to Gracie, we decided it would be good for us to read them together.  This evening, we finished the first of the two books and I wanted to share with you . . .

What if you woke up one day and discovered a family secret that gave you special powers beyond your wildest imagination—and those powers had to be put to use immediately to help save your family?

Thirteen-year-old Jonah Stone thinks his life is boringly average. Of course, that’s before he begins to develop incredible physical abilities. Apparently, he’s one-fourth angel and the Evil One, Abaddon, has kidnapped his half-angel mom as part of a plot to rule humankind. Nothing boring about that!

Jonah, his sister Eliza, and their guardian angel Henry are about to begin the most incredible—and dangerous—journey of their lives. Pursuing Abaddon’s fallen angels into the Hidden Realm—where the battle between good and evil takes place—they face a host of spiritual enemies all determined to stop them from rescuing their mother. Can they harness their powers and fight for all that is Good? Like Jonah and Eliza, you have to believe it can happen…

Jerel Law is a gifted communicator and pastor with seventeen years of full-time ministry experience. He holds his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Tarheels!), and a master of divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Jerel began writing fiction as a way to encourage his children’s faith to come alive. He lives in North Carolina with his family. Spirit Fighter is his first novel.

Heidi Says . . . As stated above, the fantasy genre is not my favorite.  It took me ‘til very recently to even pick up with Narnia Chronicles (I’m proud to say I’ve read almost the entire series now!)  But, I’ve been making a concentrated effort to spend more time reading to (and with) my children (more on that in an upcoming post); and I want to read a variety of books with them.  Spirit Fighter was a great place to start.

Through about the first half of the book, I kept looking at Gracie and saying that I hoped we’d soon get to “the point” of the  book.  Once we hit about the half-way point, I could barely put the book down and found myself constantly asking if she wanted me to read more. 

While I was not all that intrigued by the whole “nephilim” thing, I did find the whole good vs. evil thing to be interesting and I appreciated the way that Mr. Law tied in the Scriptures – such as “putting on the whole armor of God” – which was quoted various times throughout the book and tied in with the kids’ “adventures”.  In the end, of course, Good conquered, the family was reunited, and we’re left wondering what might  be next for the Stone family.  I’m sure that Gracie will be interested in the second book in this series and I will be confident to hand it over to her (even if it’s not one that we’ll use as a read-aloud together).

Gracie’s Thoughts . . . I thought this book was good.  Even though Mom doesn’t like fantasy, I think it is cool and I liked that fantasy part of this book.  The book wasn’t scary.  It was exciting, but could have been even more so.  I kinda liked the angels that were in the  book; but I really like action and it seemed like, when the characters were with the angels, it was more conversation and less action. 

While my mom was reading it to me, I could tell that the author was a Christian. But, even though there were angels in the book and verses were included, I wasn’t always able to tell what the meanings were.

I would like to read the next book in this series when it comes out. 

If you would like to learn more about this book, you can visit the Tommy Nelson website.  To learn more about the author and his reason for writing this book (which I found quite interesting!), be sure to check out his personal website. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on our website.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. This review may also contain some affiliate links.  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."

Big World, Little Pig! by Kristi Yamaguchi

Have you ever had a “brush with fame”?  We have – several times.  We’ve actually met several recording artists over the years.  And I even consider it exciting when I brush elbows with some of the top names in the homeschool community.  One time, while taking a relative to tour the Hershey Chocolate Factory, we were waiting in line for the 3-D show, and met up with some of Kristi Yamaguchi’s family (mother, husband, daughter, and I think sister).  It just so happened to be the same weekend that Stars on Ice was performing at the Giant Center.  We chatted with them for awhile – and thought it was pretty cool! 

Recently, I had the opportunity to review Kristi’s newest book, entitled It’s a Big World, Little Pig!  Unlike her previous two titles (Figure Skating for Dummies and Kristi Yamaguchi, Always Dream), this book is for children.  It was neat for me to be able to picture that little girl that we saw in Hershey years ago and imagine that Kristi probably wrote this book for her (and her younger sister). 

Poppy, the adorable, persistent, dreaming-big pig, has a new adventure in store for her: the World Games ice-skating championship in Paris! Poppy is nervous about meeting so many new people, in a new place. But, ever courageous and supported by her family (Emma, too!), Poppy embarks upon this exciting adventure head-on! Poppy begins to realize that although these animals look different, act different, and are from different places, they are all the same at heart. We all smile in the same language! Krist Yamaguchi is a household name: New York Times bestseller, Gold Medalist, correspondent for the Today Show during the 2010 Olympics, 2008 Dancing with the Stars winner, etc. Dream Big, Little Pig has garnered rave reviews, tremendous media attention, sold more than 15,000 copies through bookscan and debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestsellers list Kristi's modern content coupled with positive message makes this more than just another celebrity picture book.

Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic gold medalist and world champion whose motto, “Always Dream,” serves as her personal inspiration, as well as the name of her charitable foundation for children. This philosophy has contributed to Kristi’s success on and off the ice, and she aspires to instill it in the hearts of children.

Following her figure skating victories in the 1992 Winter Olympics and World Championships, Kristi embarked on a successful professional career and went nonstop for more than a decade. In 2008, Kristi became the first woman since the debut season to claim the trophy on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. For more information, visit www.KristiYamaguchi.com.

In so many ways, I felt myself relating to little Poppy the Pig – and cheering her on as she followed her dreams.  I look forward to seeing other books in this series.

It’s a Big World, Little Pig! has made the New York Times Bestseller List for Children’s Hardcover Picture Book 8 times! It’s also been the recipient of various other children’s literature awards.  It’s a Big World, Little Pig! is illustrated by Tim Bowers and published by Sourcebooks.  It is available direct from the publisher and in stores nationwide for a cover price of $16.99.  It’s also available from Amazon.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I do not share items on my blog that I do not personally use and appreciate.

A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Rick Osborne & Gary Chapman

Back in the mid-90’s, Brian and I were involved in a Sunday School class for young married couples. One of the books that we studied in that class was The 5 Love Language by Gary Chapman.  That book made a huge impression on many of the members of that class; and I’m sure that I’m not the only one who often thinks back on that class and contemplates both my own love language, and that of my husband. I’d highly recommend the book to any couple! 

But, that’s not what this post is about!  I was recently asked to review The 5 Love Languages of Children (that review will be coming soon!) along with a new resource in the Love Language Collection – this one specifically FOR kids – called A Perfect Pet for Peyton.  Not 100% sure what the love languages of my 3 kids might be, I was anxious to check both of these books out. 

This wonderfully imaginative children’s hardcover book by bestselling authors Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne, featuring four-color illustrations (with hidden details!) by Wilson Williams, Jr., will help children learn the importance of love. Based on Gary’s highly successful The 5 Love Languages®, A Perfect Pet for Peyton tells an entertaining and playful story of five children who each, with the help of Mr. Chapman and the unique pets at his special emporium, discover their own personal love language. Children and parents alike will experience firsthand the power of the love languages as they cuddle up and spend precious time together reading this book over and over again.

I read this book through once on my own, then shared it with my two younger children, ages 5 and 11.  Not only is the story fun and interesting, but it’s a great way to introduce your children to the concept of the love languages, and to get them thinking about what their main love language may be and why. 

While my 5 year old doesn’t really seem to grasp the concept, this book really got my 11 year old thinking.  While she’s older and more into chapter books, I think she really enjoyed following along as I read this picture book to both of them.  And, now she’s trying to figure out what might be her dominant love language.

I’d definitely recommend this book for any child.  I love kids’ books, and this one is hardcover with full-color illustrations that will definitely hold your child’s attention, even during the long story.  It’s never too early to teach your kids about the love languages and encourage them to be aware of both their own personal language and the language of their siblings. 

And guess what?
I have a copy to give away!

If you would like to win a copy of A Perfect Pet for Peyton, please follow the Rafflecopter directions . . .

Grow! Bible

As a parent and a former Sunday School teacher, I’m pretty particular about how I present the Bible to children – both my own and others.  Much like regular educational materials, many Sunday School curriculums have become rather dumbed-down.  Children don’t need snack and crafts nearly as much as they need to hear the real Word of God. 

Because of that, I’m also rather picky about the Bibles that I present to my kids.  There are so many versions available these days and it’s hard to know which ones are quality and which ones are a simplistic way of presenting Scripture.  Neither my kids nor I want those versions. 

This month, I received a new children’s Bible from Crossway – the ESV Grow! Bible.  This Bible is an English Standard Version Bible (one of my favorite translations!)  Here’s what Crossway has to say about this Bible:

The ESV Grow! Bible is designed specifically to reach children ages 8–12 for the time between when they use a children’s Bible and a more advanced Bible. Coupling the full ESV text with many helpful features, this is a Bible that young students can call their own.

The ESV Grow! Bible comes with all-new features to help children learn and understand God’s Word. Nearly every other page features a “W Question”, boxes answering the who, what, where, when, or why of a text—basic questions a child might have while reading. Introductions to each Bible book, charts, and maps help young readers understand the themes, characters, and context of Scripture. 45 “Cross Connections” explain how certain Bible passages point to Christ and 90 “4U” sections explain and apply texts to the child’s life. In addition, articles about Jesus and the teachings of the Christian faith help children understand important theological concepts.

Children will find the ESV Grow! Bible full of interesting features and parents will appreciate that their kids can explore the full Bible text themselves. A perfect Bible to transition from the Seek and Find Bible to the Student Study Bible, the ESV Grow! Bible connects young readers with the beauty and majesty of God’s Word. 

I’m really pleased with this Bible and plan to present it to my 11-year-old daughter, who is always searching for “more information”.  I think she’ll find this Bible to be just what she needs at this point in her life.

This Bible is available in hardback (with book jacket).  The pages are set up in a typical 2-column style.  Some important additional features are introductions to each book, maps, and illustrations.

I would recommend this Bible for any 8-12 year old child.  You can find it – and many other Bibles and books – at Crossway.org.

Isabella: Girl on the Go by Jennifer Fosberry

As has been proclaimed on my blog many, many times over the years, I’m a sucker for a good children’s book!  I had tons of books growing up (and many of them are books that I still have and read to my kids today).  Some of the things that I consider qualifiers of a good children’s book are:

• hardbound (I want my books to stand the test of time, and I’ve never met a paperback children’s book that I’ve wanted to keep – even if it’s a really great story)
• endearing storyline (my favorites are generally set to rhyme, but not always – it just needs to be a story that I feel we can relate to in some way or one that we want to hear/read over and over again)
• great illustrations (they don’t necessarily have to be colorful, but they have to be good!)

Isabella: Girl on the Go meets those criteria. Here’s a bit about this book:

Jennifer Fosberry has created an inspiring follow-up to her New York Times bestselling series featuring everyone’s favorite purple-haired little girl. Previously, Isabella discovered her favorite heroes in My Name Is Not Isabella. Now she travels around the world experiencing its greatest wonders without ever leaving her own backyard.

Isabella, as precocious as ever, spends the day playing with her dad as she discovers that the far corners of the world are closer than you may think. She pretends everyday things (like the sandbox) are

extraordinary places (like the desert and pyramids of Egypt).

Travel around the world to places like:

• Pyramids of Giza
• Eiffel Tower
• Great Wall of China
• Chichén Itza
• Big Ben
• Statue of Liberty

Isabella ends the day in her own home-sweet-home, the most wonderful place to be. A back-of-the-book “Places That Changed the World” section features descriptions of all the places Isabella visits.

This is definitely a fun book and one I think we’ll read again and again.  I love Isabella’s imagination.  And, as a homeschool mom who is always looking for books with educational content, this book fits that criteria as well.  It’s a great introduction to some popular places in the world that kids will certainly learn about later in life.  The back of the book even includes more detailed information about the places Isabella mentions and the occupations she aspires to.  We found it very interesting!

If you would like to learn more about Isabella: Girl on the Go – such as where you can purchase the book or where you can meet the author on her book tour – check out this website.  While there, be sure to download the free Activity Kit, complete with passport!  This is so cute!

NOTE: I received a free copy of the above-mentioned book from Sourcebooks, in exchange for my posting about it on my blog. I was not compensated in any other way, and I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Lots To Do In Line – Disneyland by Meredith Lyn Pierce

I was recently introduced to a new book from The Intrepid Traveler (think Hidden Mickey books) and I wanted to share it with you . . .

It’s called Lots To Do In Line – Disneyland.  I love the tagline --- “don’t miss the magic before the ride!”  Here’s a bit of information about this book:

No More Cranky Kids in Disneyland Lines

Like the famous slogan says, Disneyland is the “Happiest Place on Earth.” But when waiting in line for rides, especially with kids, people tend to forget that.

Few visitors realize that Disney has gone to a lot of trouble to make its lines interesting by packing the queue areas with delightful visual details. Trouble is, most kids and adults are so hyped for the rides that they miss the eye-catching magic on the way to them.

“The rides are scripted; you know just where to look and you love every moment of them,” says mega-Disney fan Meredith Pierce, who grew up in Orange County, California and spent much of her childhood and teen years in Disneyland. “In contrast, the lines are like an activity book with no instructions. They are packed with wonderful details, but kids especially need some direction to focus on them.”

Meredith came to that conclusion when she took her young daughter to the Disneyland parks for the first time, and watched the seven-year-old morph from happy-excited kid to bored-whiney kid every time she stepped off a ride and into another line. Says Pierce, “She hung from the railing, spun in a circle, hopped, fidgeted, wanted a drink, wanted a snack—all the while inching ever closer to fun. As soon as we hit the ride, happy-excited kid was back.”

A quick glance around told Meredith that her daughter was far from alone. Countless other children were also at less than their best in line.

When a search of the park shops failed to uncover any kind of guide to the queue-line visuals, Meredith decided to write it herself. The result is Lots To Do In Line: Disneyland, a step-by-step guide that turns every ride line in the two Disneyland theme parks into a series of games.

Using only the visuals Disney and other guests provide, Lots To Do In Line poses challenging questions and visual and audio treasure hunts that keep kids and their grown-ups happily immersed in the Disney magic as they move toward the ride.

To add to the fun, players earn one point for every correct answer they pick (they’re multiple choice) and a point for every treasure they spot.

Meredith tested the games on her family and the families of many friends. They worked, she says; “When you’re busy having fun, you can’t be bored.” Or unhappy. “Smiling kids make happy parents.”

Meredith Lyn Pierce was born in England but grew up in Disneyland’s vast backyard, Orange County, California. Like millions of people, Meredith loved Disneyland from the moment she first laid eyes on it as a young child. The creativity, attention to detail, and positive environment drew her back time and again even after she graduated from The College of Communications at California State University Fullerton and moved across the country to work to improve the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness. Her jobs varied from helping people find and keep meaningful employment to finding ways for them to live independently with appropriate assistance. She was also responsible for creating a large portion of the staff training curriculum used by North Carolina’s biggest provider of services for individuals with these challenges.

Meredith currently lives in Lacey, Washington, near Olympia, the state capital, with her husband Ken and daughter Camille. The inspiration for Lots To Do In Line: Disneyland came to her during her first trip to the Disneyland parks with Camille. Looking at the park through a mother’s eyes made her notice things she had failed to register before. The lines were a wonderland of things to see and do, and they were going unnoticed and underappreciated. One year later, Lots To Do In Line: Disneyland was born.

I love this book!  My only “issue” with it is that it’s not about my Disney park of choice – Walt Disney World.  I know that my kids (and, yes, me too) would love doing the quizzes and treasure hunts while we find ourselves standing in line – and waiting – for some of our favorite attractions. 

If your family goes to Disneyland, I would highly recommend this book.  It’s size makes it very convenient for carrying along into the park (if you’ve already got Steven Barrett’s Hidden Mickey book, this book is the same size).

NOTE: I received this book from The Intrepid Traveler in exchange for my sharing my honest thoughts about it on my blog. 

Hermie and Friends books by Max Lucado

Many years ago, we bought our first Hermie book by Max Lucado; and, like all books by Max (whether for kids or adults), I loved it! So, I was excited to receive an e-mail a few weeks ago, telling me that some of the Hermie books have been re-released in a new format.

For the babies and toddlers in your life, you may love these new Hermie board books:

Little Hermie and the baby bug garden friends teach little ones about God’s love for them.
God loves all of His creatures. Little Hermie explores all of the ways God loves him and his friends in this sweet board book with glitter on the cover.

Meet Little Hermie—the cutest baby caterpillar in the garden! Little Hermie’s thankful heart shows toddlers how to be thankful for God’s blessings.
Little Hermie is thankful for everything God has given him. He goes through his day thanking God for his many blessings in this adorable board book with flocking on the cover!

These books are absolutely adorable! In true Hermie fashion, each book is written as  a prayer, in poem format. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and fun. The board book style makes these books durable enough to share with the tiniest members of the family. I’m pretty sure your little ones will ask for these books over and over again.  My youngest is 5, and even he enjoyed them.

But more to his liking was the re-release of Hermie a Common Caterpillar, which is now a leveled reader.  I know we’re  going to get lots of use out of that book!

Here’s a bit more about these new books from Max Lucado himself, and Tommy Nelson books:

NOTE: I received the books mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I only recommend products or services that I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

My First Hands-On Bible by Tyndale

A few weeks ago, we received a great children’s Bible from Tyndale House Publishers – it’s called My First Hands-On Bible.  Here’s a bit about this Bible, directly from the publisher’s website:

My First Hands-On Bible is the preschooler version of the popular Hands-On Bible, which has sold over a half million copies. Jesus taught with hands-on lessons and illustrations; My First Hands-On Bible uses the same experience-based learning to communicate God’s Word in an active, understandable way. My First Hands-On Bible is a fun and simple yet meaningful way to engage preschool, pre-K, and K children (ages 3-6) with the Bible while helping them build a solid faith foundation. Each lesson focuses on a specific Bible point through a variety of activities in order to reinforce and help young children remember the stories and lessons. Using common household items, you can help your children have a “hands-on” learning experience while engaging them in 85 key stories from the Bible. My First Hands-On Bible doesn’t just retell the Bible stories; it also includes actual Scripture from the easy-to-understand and easy-to-read Holy Bible, New Living Translation. In addition to the stories and activities, there are fun illustrations, prayers, and a special Jesus Connection feature.

Ian (5) and I have been enjoying reading through this Bible  together.  The illustrations are fun to look at and the text is easy for him to understand.  Rather than being a “Bible story book” this Bible actually uses Scripture (from the NLT, which isn’t my favorite, but it IS simple); and the verses are identified with numbers. Through the text are multi-colored handprints, which refer you to other things – little extra notes, questions, activities, and information that kids will enjoy.

After each chapters main text, you’ll find extras like The Jesus Connection (which is essentially a one-line summary of the text), Sing-Along Time, Dos and Don’ts, Let’s talk (with some great conversation starters), activity ideas, and a prayer.

This Bible would definitely make a great gift for the preschooler in your life. It retails for $16.99 and can be purchased directly from the publisher, or from Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, and various other retailers. 

NOTE: This is a MamaBuzz Media review. The product was provided byTyndale for this review.

Big Book of History from Master Books®

Several weeks ago, I received something really cool in my mailbox.  It looks like this ===>

It’s called Big Book of History and it comes to us from one of my very favorite Christian publishers of educational materials – Master Books.

At first glance, you’ll think this large hard-bound item is just a book – but it’s so much more!  While you are certainly welcome to turn the pages and look at this like you would a regular book, you are also able to open up the entire thing and spread it out like a timeline (a 15 foot timeline, to be exact)!

Now, I need to insert a little homeschooling confession here ---
My kids do not like creating timelines.  And while the thought of them really appeals to me, I have to admit that I’ve not been too fond of the timelines we’ve done.  We’ve tried 3x5 card timelines and notebooking timelines.  The next format I was going to try was an online timeline.  I could just see my girls looking at me and rolling their eyes though. 

So, when the Big Book of History arrived at my door, I was excited!  This book/timeline covers 6,000 years of history, starting with the days of creation and working up to the year 2,010 (when “President Barack Obama declares the U.S. is no longer a Christian Nation”).  The pages are in full-color, making this timeline very visually appealing.  It is divided into color-coded lines, representing four different areas of history – Biblical/Christian, World Events, Inventions/Technology, and Civilizations/Empires – yet tying them all together in one great resource.

Since we have started back with ancient history again this year, this book will be a must-have resource for us for many years to come!  I’m excited about it because we can pull it out and refer to it whenever we want to (daily, even!) and I don’t have to listen to my kids complain!

While the Big Book of History is geared toward ages 7 – 13, I’d venture to guess that your older kids (and you) will get just as much enjoyment out of this book.  It sells for $19.99 and is well worth the price, as it’ll make a great addition to any homeschool bookshelf or church library.

If I didn’t describe it well enough, maybe this video will help:

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from Master Books and New Leaf Publishing Group.  I was under no obligation to write a review. I only share products that I feel are of good quality and worthy of my reader’s attention.

A Kid’s Guide to Drawing the Presidents of the United States of America

Several weeks ago, I was asked to review one of the books in this amazing series.  Unfortunately, the book came while we were vacationing and working in Florida, and our lives have not been our own ever since.  So, while I’m a little late at introducing you to this awesome set of books (for sale at an incredibly reduced price), it’s never too late to tell you about great products, right?!

A Kid’s Guide to Drawing the Presidents of the United States of America is a set of 42 awesome, hard-bound books.  Each book focuses on a different president of  the United States.  (It should be noted that the set only includes up to George W. Bush.)

As the title suggests, these books contain great step-by-step drawing instructions.  But, they are much more than just a drawing book.  In addition to the drawing guides, these books also include interesting biographical information about the president – key  events, people, and places in each president’s life are covered. 

The print is large and easy to read, making these books ideal for elementary aged students.  In a homeschool setting, they will enhance any American history curriculum and can be used with all ages.  They would make a great starting point for further study for older kids (think research papers) and would also be ideal for creating mini-books for lapbooks and notebooking projects. 

In the  back of each book, there is a timeline of events for the president being featured (starting with the president’s birth and ending with his death).  Another great feature is a glossary of terms – these range from simple to difficult and would be super words for spelling and vocabulary (especially if you’re a unit-study family).

The book that we received is the one focused on John Tyler.  I found the text to be very informative – I definitely learned things about President Tyler that I had not known before.  The illustrations included in this book include the College of William & Mary (President Tyler attended here when he was 12 years old!), boats on a canal (as governor of VA, Tyler supported the building of roads and canals), the National Bank (which Tyler thought was unconstitutional), a log cabin (from the Harrison and Tyler campaign poster), and six other things.

The step-by-step illustrations, though somewhat small, are fairly easy to follow.  My 11-year-old avid drawer would be great at these; but they would be much too difficult for my 5 year old (and my 17 year old! LOL)

This set originally sold for $1,060.50.  But, guess what?  You can get the ENTIRE COLLECTION for only $195!  If you’ve got a child who loves to draw, or one who is a U.S. history buff,  or if you’re simply looking for a great supplement to your current studies, I’d definitely recommend grabbing this collection.

Since we’ve been away, I haven’t had the opportunity to put this book to practice enough to get pictures or video to share.  I can guarantee, though, that it will be  getting much use over the years to come!  I appreciated this video, which really describes this series well:

I just got my Timberdoodle catalog the other week (also while I was away) and it’s filled with tons of great homeschool supplies and curriculum. You can get a free catalog here.

NOTE: As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

ESV Seek & Find Bible

Several weeks ago, we received a copy of the ESV Seek & Find Bible in the mail for review.  The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as this Bible is recommended for ages 5-9 and Ian just happened to have his 5th birthday coming up.  So, I was anxious to share this new Bible with him.  Here’s a bit about this Bible, as taken from the Crossway’s website:

Published in partnership with Concordia Publishing House, this new full-color children’s Bible combines the complete ESV Bible text with more than 120 new, vibrant illustrations of major Bible stories. Accompanying each full-page illustration is the Bible story itself, clearly and accurately retold for young readers—and for the parents, grandparents, and teachers who read to them. Each story includes a Key Bible Verse to memorize, Additional Readings for discovering more of the story throughout the Bible, and simple Reflection Questions to help children begin to understand and apply God’s Word. Colorful icons make it easy for young readers to see where each story is found in the Bible text and to locate the illustration that goes with it.

In addition, dozens of Bible characters are profiled throughout the pages, and color call-out sections provide illustrated facts about important Bible objects, structures, and places. Each Bible book begins with a child-friendly introduction, highlighting the important characters and themes found in it.

The ESV Seek and Find Bible is the ideal first “real” Bible for pre-readers and young readers, ages 5 to 9, to grow up with. It is also a wonderful resource for parents to use in family Bible reading and for teachers who teach the Bible to young children.

• More than 130 full-page, full-color illustrations
• Simple Bible story retellings for each illustration
• Age-appropriate introductions to each Bible book
• Key Verses to memorize
• Illustrated profiles of more than 50 major Bible characters
• Illustrated facts about Bible objects, structures, and places
• Reflections Questions for children, parents and teachers

Ian and I have been reading this Bible together each evening.  We are really enjoying the simple Bible stories that are within the pages of this Bible.  I appreciate that it also contains the full Bible, and isn’t just a kid’s story Bible.  Even better is the fact that it’s a translation that I enjoy and that I trust. 

I might actually up the suggested age range on this Bible to more along the lines of ages 7-12 or so.  While Ian is just fine with following along as I read the stories, the Bible is rather large for his little hands, and I can’t quite see him carrying it along to church each Sunday.  Maybe in a few years. . .

In any case, I’d definitely recommend this Bible.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this Bible from Crossway in order to complete this review.  I was not compensated in any other way.

Walt Disney World ADVENTURE – A Field Guide & Activity Book for Explorers by Tracie A. Cook

A few weeks ago, I reviewed Kids Tips for Walt Disney World by Tracie A. Cook.  This week, I’m reviewing another of her great books for kids - - -

Turn a trip to Walt Disney World into a learning adventure!

The mystery and magic of Walt Disney World is captured in this fun-filled adventure field guide. Jam-packed with curriculum-based activities and challenges, Walt Disney World Adventure encourages Explorers to follow cryptic clues, decode concealed messages, and solve challenging puzzles as they uncover hidden details and unlock Disney secrets around the four theme parks.

“Helpful hints”—tools provided to help the reader navigate the Challenges—ensures motivated young learners through adventurous middle schoolers will find the fun facts, games, and activities interesting and entertaining.

Walt Disney World Adventure: A Field Guide and Activity Book for Explorers is perfect for building anticipation before a trip, a useful and accessible guide to the parks, and a learning resource after the trip with the use of “Next Step” learning activities. There are also “Kid Tips” offering recommendations from other Explorers.

Now your Walt Disney World vacation will have the educational content of a school field trip, the self-guided fun of a quest, and the lasting documentation of a personal journal. Plus, kids can earn their “Explorer Certificates,” share their own recommendations, and find out how to become a “Featured Kid Explorer.”

Here’s what Tracie has to say:

“There is nothing educational about Walt Disney World.”

As a teacher, I’ve heard this many times.  What if a family vacation could have the educational content of a school field trip, the self-guided fun of a quest, and the lasting documentation of a journal?

Welcome to Vacation Field Guides, a learning adventure for the young and young at heart.

With a master’s degree in education and over eleven years’ experience as a teacher, I know that there are many valuable learning opportunities that happen outside of the classroom. I hope that as we explore this wonderful place together, you’ll come to appreciate the many things that make this vacation destination so special.

Happy Explorations!
Tracie

Here’s what I have to say:

As a homeschooling mom, I am always looking for additional resources for my kids that are both educational and fun.  This ADVENTURE guide is both. 

As we prepare for an upcoming trip to Walt Disney World, this book made a great addition to Gracie’s homeschool days.  She worked through it – doing a few pages a day – for several weeks.  Some of the activities were too easy; others were right on target for her age.  Some things will need to be saved to do later – either during or after our trip.  She had fun working through this book, and I liked knowing that she was learning while she was working!

Tracie’s website – Vacation Field Guides – contains even more  fun to add to this book.  There are Next Step ideas for fun things to do after your trip to continue the learning.  There is a certificate that can be printed once the Adventure Guide has been completed (this is another homeschool mom favorite, as these look great in homeschool portfolios!).  And there are fun, seasonal project ideas as well.

I’ll definitely be adding this book to my list of Suggested Disney Resources for Kids! 

How To Be God’s Little Princess by Sheila Walsh

How to Be God's Little Princess: Royal Tips of Manners and Etiquette for Girls

A fun guide book for God's little princesses. What does it take to be a princess? Sheila Walsh has some important answers to share for every little girl. This trendy design features black & white line art and a two-color pink and black interior. The art will tie to each how-to topic in the book-how to make the best pink cookies, how to wear a tiara, how to earn money at home, how to care for a royal dog, how to be respectful, how to use good manners, how to help Mom, how to follow Jesus, how to act like a princess when things go terribly wrong, and many more.

Sheila Walsh is the creator of the award-winning Gigi, God's Little Princess® brand which has sold over 1.5 million units. Sheila is also a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. As a featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.

Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States. Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology.

Heidi Says . . . What an absolutely sweet book for young ladies! This book contains chapters on how to dress and how to accessorize, how to be well-mannered, how to be a good friend, and lots of other things.  I like that it’s not just a book to sit down and read – instead it contains little quizzes, checklists, and activities. 

It’s a simple book to read through, yet would be a wonderful resource for moms to share with their little (and even not-so-little) princesses. I even think this would be a nice book to use with a group of girls and their moms – I can definitely see it being a great conversation (and activity) starter. 

I appreciate Sheila’s vision of training girls when they are young, so that they might grow up to be women of TRUE beauty. 

This book can be purchased, online, at Amazon.com. You  can read what others thought of this book by visiting the Litfuse website.

I was gifted an extra copy of this book – rather than do a blog giveaway, I am going to donate it to my church library.  That way, rather than just one little girl benefiting from it, many can!  Thanks, Sheila, for your willingness to share!

YOU can win too, though - - -

Sheila Walsh is celebrating the release of How to Be God’s Little Princess with a KINDLE giveaway and Facebook Princess Tea Party! “In How to Be God’s Little Princess, it’s my prayer that young girls will learn important life skills and discover for themselves how to navigate the do’s and don’ts of life. I want them to see that making wise decisions about clothes, friends, family, make-up, and more can be FUN! – Sheila Walsh Read what people are saying here. Sheila has put together a Princess prize package worth over $200!

One lucky winner will receive:    
* A brand new KINDLE with Wi-Fi & New Pearl Screen    
* How to Be God’s Little Princess (autographed copy)    
* A Princess Tea Kit (includes princess backpack, tiara, book, jewelry making kit, & mug)

To enter click on entry ports below, then tell your friends! Hurry, giveaway ends 4/30!

But wait! There’s more … On May 4th join Sheila at her Author Page on Facebook for the Princess Tea Party! She will announce the winner of the KINDLE, connect with readers and give away a ton of fun products from the Gigi and God’s Little Princess line! Tweens invited! Don’t miss the fun! She is looking forward to connecting and learning more about you – so be sure to stop by on May 4th at 5:00 PM PST (6 PM MST, 7 PM CST, & 8 PM EST).

Enter Via:

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book as part of the Litfuse Blog Tour. My thoughts are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Kid Tips for Walt Disney World by Tracie A. Cook

This week’s Disney review is for the kids - - -

Now kids can help plan their family’s Walt Disney World vacation!

This informative and charming book is filled with useful tips written by experienced kid-travelers. With a kid’s-eye view on everything from the best rides to the restaurants with the tastiest foods, you’ll get ideas on how to make the most of your Walt Disney World vacation. Included is an interactive opportunity for children to share their tips and experiences with the author.

Well written and easy to read, this helpful book will provide enjoyment for the whole family.

Tracie Cook is a teacher and travel writer. She has been visiting Walt Disney World since her childhood. She lives in Michigan with her family.

Tracie says “When I decided to write “Kid Tips for Walt Disney World” . . .I combined my two passions–Disney & education–and dared to write.  I still can’t believe how successful the books have been.”

If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Walt Disney World, and you have kids (I’ll say ages 7-13), then I’d highly recommend this book!  This book is basically “by kids, for kids”.  Here’s a snippet from the “Meet the Kid Tipsters” page in the book:

Kid Tipsters from across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Mexico shared their tips about visiting Walt Disney World.  So, what is a tip? A tip is really just a piece of advice.

So, there you have the jist of this book.  Author/compiler, Tracie Cook has divided the book into various chapters/sections:

• A Magical Vacation – basically the introductory materials and a “Disney Speak” dictionary
• Know Before You Go – Tips on planning your  trip.  What can you do ahead to prepare? 
• Magic Kingdom
• Epcot
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Water Parks
• Downtown Disney
• Disney Resorts
• Character Meals
• Holiday and Special Events
• Kid Tipster Resources – information on becoming a Kid Tipster, and printable resources kids can use during their trip
• Final Thoughts

The park chapters are divided up further into sections, relating to the various sections of the park.  The contain a Kids’ Vote page (top attraction in that park, park rating, etc.), an Attraction Rating page (what kids voted as OK, Good, and Awesome!), and various black and white pictures. They also contain a Best Places to Eat section. 

I love that all the tips in this book are by kids.  Gracie very much enjoyed reading through this ENTIRE book.  Various times, during her reading, she would stop and say “hey, Mom, guess what?” or “hey, Mom, did you know . . .” or “Mom, we need to remember to do (or see) . . .”

Each Kid Tipster is listed by first name and age, as well as the town and state where they reside.  This makes the book more personal.  Several times, Gracie would ask if I knew where a town was in PA (our home state) and tell me that so-and-so lived there. 

This book, used along a more traditional Disney planning guide for kids, would make for some great before-travel reading.  Get your kids involved in the planning!

Stay tuned --- in a few weeks, I’ll be reviewing another of Tracie’s books – Walt Disney Word ADVENTURE – A Field Guide & Activity Book for Explorers.

In the meantime, you can learn more about Tracie and her resources by visiting her website – just click on this button ===>

You can also follow Tracie on Facebook and Twitter. 

Kid Tips for Walt Disney World can be purchased from Amazon for only $8.05.  This  book is also available for the Kindle.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I was not obligated to write a positive review.  All books recommended on my blog and on my Suggested Disney Resources page are ones that I have read and/or used in my home and have enjoyed!

Guide to the Magic For Kids by Tim Foster

Last Thursday, I started my series of weekly reviews of Disney-related products, books, etc.  I’m going to have a hard time limiting these reviews to Thursdays because I have so many fun things to share! 

This week, I’d like to introduce you to Guide to the Magic For Kids by Tim Foster.  I’d like to preface my review by reminding you that when it comes to Walt Disney World EVERYONE is a kid!  So, though this book says it’s “for kids” on the front cover, don’t let that turn you off – I’m 40, and I love it!

Here’s a snippet of what the Guide to the Magic website has to say about this book:

This full color book is a guide book, activity book, sticker book, journal and autograph book all rolled up into one! You'll also find scavenger hunts, Hidden Mickeys, little known facts, and lots and lots of full color photos of every attraction in every park at Walt Disney World!

Guess what?  It really is all that!  I chose to take my own pictures of this book to share in this review because, though the images on the website are very clear, it’s hard to see some of the features that I’d like to promote.  To start off, this book is 200 pages!  It’s spiral-bound, so it will lay open nice and flat.  Here’s a picture of the inside front:

Right away, upon opening this book, your child will know it’s HIS/HER own treasure!  I love that this book has so many features rolled into one.  Sure, you can buy guidebooks, autograph books, photo albums, and journals – but with Guide to the Magic, you can have all that in one handy resource!  By allowing your child to actually fill out and use the book, you are gifting them with a keepsake they will treasure forever. 

The book starts out with a “how to use” page, followed by lots of great tips for making your vacation more memorable and fun.  There are monorail and character scavenger hunts (checklists) and information on Hidden Mickeys and where to find them.  Next is the attraction index.  Then, it jumps right into the parks, starting with the Magic Kingdom, and moving right through EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.  Each park’s section includes a park map. 

I love the full-color illustrations that are throughout this book!  While planning, kids will be able to get a great idea of what they want to see and do by looking at the pictures and all the handy-dandy information for each attraction.  After your trip, they’ll be easily able to reminisce with the pictures and records that they have kept during their vacation. 

The image above is of one of our favorite Disney attractions – Toy Story Mania.  You can see the cool, full-color pictures on the page, but I wanted to take some  close-up shots of the informational section that’s included:

Here you can read a bit about the attraction itself, see an insider tip, get a heads up on any Hidden Mickeys to be on the look-out for, and see even more secrets! 

For other attractions, this section could also include interesting facts about the attraction. 

Directly above this section (I didn’t capture it on this picture but you can see it above), there’s a symbol to indicate if the attraction has a Fast Pass option, and will also denote if the attraction is dark, wet, loud, or fast (some things that may effect whether or not your child will be interested in participating). 

There’s a place to check off when you’ve completed an attraction, and even a rating system (thumbs down, just ok, or thumbs up). 

The Things I Liked section is a great place for a child to record his/her personal thoughts. These will be great fun to look back on over the years, as preferences change! 

The  bottom of the page indicates if the ride is scary – and, if so, how scary!  Very handy indeed, especially if you have really little ones.

The back of the book contains stickers that can can be placed on each attraction as you do it – another way to record what’s done and what’s not done, as you travel throughout your vacation.

I love the World Showcase section of this book – for each country, there’s a place to get a passport stamp, an autograph, and a blank flag for the child to decorate like that country’s flag (I would recommend doing these before traveling).  Each page also tells how to say “hello” in that country’s native language, and includes lots of extras to watch for in each country. 

Another really neat feature in this book is the Where Am I? sections.  These are at the beginning of each different park section and are random pictures of segments of attractions.  Older kids will especially enjoy trying to locate these in the parks. 

The back of the book contains a vacation journal with enough pages to record a 2-week long trip.  On the left-hand side of each day’s 2-page spread, you’ll find a place for the date (underneath you can circle the day of the week), weather and temperature, and checkboxes for which park you visited and how you got there.  There’s a box to record any souvenirs purchased, and a large box to journal about attractions visited.  This page also includes a “tip of the day”.

The right-hand side of the journal includes boxes to record “what I ate” for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack, with a line under each to list “where I ate”.  This might not seem important on a typical vacation, but at Disney the dining is an experience in and of itself!  On this page, your child can record his/her favorite thing from the day, any Hidden Mickeys found, and other things.  Small pictures could be pasted on these pages as well – especially for younger/non-writers. 

While I’d say this book is probably most appropriate for the pre-teen age  group (8-13), I’d recommend it for all ages.  My 4 year old absolutely adores this book – he doesn’t care that he can’t read it or write in it.  So, for a younger child, I’d recommend having the child dictate his answers while the parent records them in the book.  They can definitely do the stickers and rating system on their own, and will surely feel very proud doing so!

So, while this particular copy will most likely be Gracie’s on our next trip to ‘the World, I’m sure she’ll allow Ian to help with the stickers.  And, I have a feeling Ashley will like participating in the scavenger hunts and other things too.  Like I said at the beginning of this post, EVERYONE is a kid once you enter the gates of Walt Disney World.  With that being said, I’d even recommend this book for a young couple, visiting the Disney theme parks for the first time – maybe a honeymoon trip. 

As you can probably tell, I’m pretty impressed with this book!  If you hurry over to the website, you can snatch up a copy of this keepsake book for only $19.95.  If you have more than one child, multiple copies can be purchased for a discount as well.  While you’re there, be sure to check out the other resources that are available, such as The Lost Journals (I’ve not seen this one, but it looks neat!)

If you have looked at my Recommended Disney Resources list, then you’ve probably noticed that I have Guide to the Magic listed under recommended websites also.  That’s because the website is about so much more than just the book!  There’s a whole page devoted to trip planning, or you can click on the links for each individual park to get a park description, touring tips, history, little known facts, and a photo gallery.  I could spend hours on this site alone! 

Stay tuned – I have lots more to share over the weeks to come!  Get busy planning your Disney trip TODAY – and get the kids involved, using Guide to the Magic for Kids!

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book, courtesy of the author, in order that I might share my thoughts here on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. I do not recommend products on my blog that I do not, personally, use and enjoy.