Value Bookshop's Reading Notes

What is commonly included on most people’s New Year’s resolution list? I would say losing weight, dieting, getting more fit and exercising. Basically, anything that will lead to a healthier lifestyle. Do you have one of these on your New Year’s resolution list?

BooksCloseouts is having a Health and Fitness sale. Selected titles on this topic has been slashed down to a mere 99cents. Here are some books that caught my eye:

• 6 Minute Morning: Flat Stomach. After 4 kids, I definitely could use some help in this area.
• Banish Your Belly, Butt and Thighs Forever. I’m sure this appeals to almost all women. We are the worst critics when it comes to our own belly, butt and thighs.
• The Cellulite Solution: A Doctor’s Program for Losing Lumps, Bumps, Dimples, and Stretch Marks. I have stretch marks I want to lose.
• Conquering Your Migraine. I really, really hate migraines.
• Coping With Diabetes.Yeah, it’s important to get this condition under control.
• Energy for Everything. Boy, don’t I need that these days.

Well, if you’re into diets, beauty and health, go check this current book sale. I don’t know how long this sale will last. So, act fast before it ends.

Click this affiliate link to visit the merchant’s site. BUY BOOKS FOR CHEAP

I know children love toys and that is what we tend to buy for them as Christmas gifts. However, one way to encourage children to read is to get them books as gifts. So, don’t miss out on getting books when doing your Christmas shopping.

If you want to save money, you can buy bargain children’s books. BookCloseouts is having a Christmas Book Sale until 11th Dec 2009. Christmas titles are discounted an ADDITIONAL 50%. There’s also their holiday offer of FREE SHIPPING.

Get more details by clicking the affiliate banner below.
Or read my review of this merchant by clicking here: CHEAP CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Looking to do an activity with your children? Well, why not have them help you create your Christmas cards. This is the perfect time to do it. If you get it done now, you’ll definitely get them to your friends and family by Christmas. But instead of the traditional boring Christmas cards, add some uniqueness with a Christmas Photo Greeting Card. I’m sure old friends and family members would love to see pictures of the family.

Tiny Prints is having a Thanksgiving sale now. It ends very soon… 28 November 2009. They have many lovely card designs that you can choose from. It is very easy to personalize the card. Make it a project for your children to do. Have them decide what pictures they want on their Christmas cards this year. Have them choose the card design and write the messages.

For a Tiny Prints review, click here: Christmas Photo Greeting Cards review
To view some of Tiny Prints Holiday Best Sellers, click here: Unique Holiday Photo Cards On Sale

Teaching a child with ADHD to read as any parent or teacher will tell you can be frustrating as their hyperactivity and inattentiveness makes focusing on any one task difficult. The ADHD child has no trouble paying attention, the problem is they pay attention to everything and have difficulty ‘tuning out’ distractions.

Therefore specific strategies need to be implemented while reading to your child. Not every approach will work so try different methods until you discover which ones works for you. Only then will the process of reading be easier for everyone.

1. If you are wanting to improve your child’s reading then read. Read as much as possible and let your child see you reading. We don’t just read books, throughout our daily lives we read things such as adverts, labels, timetables, newspapers warning signs, leaflets. Read them to your child and talk about what you have read.

2. Visit the library and choose books suitable for your child’s reading age. If you are unsure ask the teacher for suggestions. If books appear too daunting at this stage, try looking at children’s magazines or comics. One type of book which proves to be very useful are cook books. They are excellent for incorporating the following elements:-
a. Reading – by reading the recipes.
b. Math – working out the measurements and quantities.
c. Cooking – which allows the ADHD child to be creative and kinesthetic as well as answering his need to do something.

3. A calm environment is necessary while helping your child to read. Pick a quiet spot away from distractions. Read together and take it in turn to read pages or paragraphs depending on reading level and ability to focus. If you are homeschooling see if you can enlist a family member to help with the reading. You can even pair readers of different abilities together to enhance your child reading ability.

4. ADHD children fidget constantly so allow them to fidget even while reading. Giving them something to squeeze, tap or play with will help to keep their attention. Remember ADHD children can focus on multiple things at once, so by giving them something to do there is no longer the need to look for anything else.

5. Break down reading into small chunks. Read for a short time then allow your child to play or do something else, before turning back to the task in hand. Read another paragraph or so again then allow another break. Continue this process until you have finished the chapter or story. This method works very well because your child’s brain is wired to focus on more that one thing at a time. After the reading ask for the child’s account of what he or she has read, jot down his or her words and review the next day.

6. Have your child listen to stories or reading matter on tapes whilst following along in the text. Use pods and mp3 players to record reading material the child can listen to. By seeing and hearing the words being read the child will be better able to focus.

7. Use a computer to aid your child’s reading. They are many ‘learning to read’ CDs and DVDs that can benefit your offspring and as most children love computers you can use this tool to your advantage.

8. Finally be liberal in your praise and encourage. Most children want it, particularly those that suffer from low self-esteem which is true for most ADHD children. Give rewards and positive feedback. Whichever way you choose to say ‘well done’ to your child, do it! They need it and it will certainly go a long way in helping them master the art of reading.

Are you looking to teach your children about the environment? Well, here’s a feature length documentary to help aid you in educating your children (and yourself) about the state of our planet. Topics such as global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and the depletion of the oceans’ habitats are addressed in this documentary. With the help of over fifty of the world’s most prominent thinkers and activists, including reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, physicist Stephen Hawking, and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai, The 11th Hour documents the grave problems facing the planet’s life systems.

The most prominent aspect of this documentary is not how bad things have become and will become, but the hope and solutions offered by scientists and environmental advocates. Learn how we need to redesign our modern living so we can bring about a positive change.

“The 11th Hour” is opening on August 17th in New York and Los Angeles. On the 24th it opens in more cities, and in the following weeks across the country. It would be great if you could go see it and bring a friend. You can go to 11thhouraction.com to sign up.

As for people like me who don’t live in US, we just have to wait for it to reach us. I have been told that overseas showings are scheduled to start in October 2007. Woo hoo! Can’t wait to see this. It sounds like a film with a crucial message that needs to be heeded by all. Plus, I’m sure it will make a great lesson on the environment.

Not only is Malaysia celebrating 62 years of independence (MERDEKA!), but my children are also celebrating their birthdays. It seems to be an exciting month. To add to the spirit of celebration, here is an easy and fun contest. How to enter?

1. Come up with an interesting / funny / witty caption for the picture above.
2. Leave your answer as a comment on this post.
3. Closing date is 31 August 2007.
4. One entry per person.
5. My children will decide which aunty/uncle has the best imagination.
6. We will post the winners name at VALUE BOOKSHOP’s homepage and will contact the person through email. So, please make sure I have your email when you enter.
7. Winner gets a gift voucher worth RM30.00.