Value Bookshop's Reading Notes

BookCloseouts March 2010 book sale promotion is on “House and Home” (30% off) and “Gardening” (20% off).

If you’re interested in making your house more beautiful and comfortable, then check out BookCloseouts’ comprehensive list of books. You’ll find stuff on house repairs, design, construction, decorating, painting etc…. Buy now and you’ll get an additional 30% off the already low prices.

Spring and summer is coming up. Time to work on your garden? Books on gardening is on sale until midnight 20th March 2010.

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p.s. Want to know a little bit more about BookCloseouts, read my review here: Cheap Books Shop

I borrowed this book from the library and it has some excellent ideas on teaching children to create stories. I’ve been doing some of the exercises with my kids because I want them to use their creativity and imagination. Also, it will definitely help them in the future when they have to write essays and composition.

Let me share with you one fun exercise we did. It’s called “Fortunately-Unfortunately”. You and your children take turns to make up a story. First you start by describing a situation such as Mary wants to watch the latest Alvin and the Chipmunk movie. The next person than continues the story beginning with the word “fortunately”. So, referring back to the example, you could say “Fortunately she doesn’t have to go to school tomorrow because it is the weekend’. The next person then must add to the story with “unfortunately”. So the story could continue with “Unfortunately she doesn’t have enough money to buy the tickets.” The story keeps going on as you and your children add sentences that use “fortunately” and “unfortunately” alternately.

This was really fun to do. You may need to guide the kids in the beginning. But once they get the idea, they can be really crazy. You could even play this game in the car. It’s a great way to have fun, work the brain and develop language skills all at the same time.

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.

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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.

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Or read my review of this merchant by clicking here: CHEAP CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Do you have kids hooked on video games? So much so they have lost interest in reading? Well, Scholastic has a plan on how to get those books back in their hand. They’ve combined video games and books. How? It’s called “39 Clues” and children have to get clues from the books to advance in the video game. They also have to collect cards too, a hobby many kids like to do. This book series is targeted for children aged 8-12. To make things more interesting, they are allowing readers to play a part in the story and compete for $100,000 in prizes.

There are already 2 books out. The first book, The Maze of Bones, is written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Rick Riordan. Riordan also outlined the program’s 10-book story arc. The first book, The Maze of Bones, is written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Rick Riordan. Riordan also outlined the program’s 10-book story arc. Read the first two chapters.

The second book, One False Note, is by Gordon Korman. Read the first chapter.

Is this really a good idea? There are 2 sides to the story. Some are worried that it still reinforces the idea that video games are needed for fun. And reading should trigger the child’s imagination but in this case, there is no need to imagine as the video game already supplies the visuals. On the other hand, if children are already hooked on video games, might as well use it as a tool to reintroduce books.

Personally, I think it’s a good idea. We all know that children in this day and age are somehow inclined towards video games. If you somehow managed to keep your children away from that kind of entertainment, then maybe these books are not for you. You certainly don’t want to get them started on it. BUT if you have children already hooked on that stuff, then this is an excellent way to make sure they are getting their fair share of reading done.

What is your opinion on this book series? Is it something that you would introduce to your children?
Come to think of it, this might make a wonderful Christmas gift for your children.

p.s. Click here to discover more great Christmas gifts ideas for kids.

The 39 Clues (The Maze of Bones, Book 1)

39 Clues: One False Note

The 39 Clues: Card Pack (v. 1)

Have a new baby at home and need help to stop the crying? This book may be the answer to your prayers. Dr. Harvey Karp advocates a method he calls the 5 “S’s” to calm fussy, crying babies especially during the first 3 months. This book has had both good and bad reviews, mainly good ones. Some parents may not agree with his method especially the part about giving baby a pacifier to suck. However, if you are desperate enough, this book may be what you are looking for.

Content:
Introduction: How I Rediscovered the Ancient Secrets for Calming Crying Babies
Part One –

• Look Who’s Squawking: Why Babies Cry — And Why Some Cry So Much At Last There’s Hope: An Easy Way to Calm Crying Babies
• Crying: Our Babies’ Ancient Survival Tool
• The Dreaded Colic: A “CRYsis” for the Whole Family
• The Top Five Theories of Colic and Why They Aren’t Right
• The True Cause of Colic: The Missing Fourth Trimester

Part Two -

• Learning the Ancient Art of Soothing a Baby The Woman Who Mistook Her Baby for a Horse: Modern Parents Who Forgot About the Fourth Trimester
• Your Baby’s Off Switch for Crying: The Calming Reflex and the 5 “S’s”
• The 1st “S”: Swaddling — A Feeling of Pure “Wrap”ture
• The 2nd “S”: Side (or Stomach) — Your Baby’s Feel-Good Position
• The 3rd “S”: Shhhh — Your Baby’s Favorite Soothing Sound
• The 4th “S”: Swinging — Moving in Rhythm with Your Baby’s Needs
• The 5th “S”: Sucking — The Icing on the Cake
• The Cuddle Cure: Combining the 5 “S’s” into a Perfect Recipe for Your Baby’s Bliss
• Other Colic Remedies: From Massage and Feeing Problem Cures to Old Wives’ Tales
• The Magical 6th “S”: Sweet Dreams!

Conclusion: The Rainbow at the End of the Tunnel

The book is easy to read with many subheadings, diagrams, bullet points, and parents sharing their experiences. If you want to get the book, click the picture at the beginning of this post. For a DVD & CD combo, click the link below (yes, they are all affiliate links):
The Happiest Baby on the Block Combo (The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Baby Sleep Longer DVD + “Super-Soothing” Sleep Sounds CD) by Dr. Harvey Karp