Quiet Bunny & Noisy Puppy...Review & Giveaway!

I have been reading the most delightful book to the kids over the past few weeks....Quiet Bunny & Noisy Puppy by Lisa McCue.  This charming book has been a hit with Little R as well as her "big" now 5 year old brothers.  Here is the scoop on what has been keeping them captivated at story time...

Quiet Bunny is back--with an adorable new friend!
Snow is falling, and Quiet Bunny's friends are settling in for winter. Bear Cub is hibernating in his den. Bullfrog is fast asleep under the ice. Who will play with Quiet Bunny? Along comes a very NOISY puppy, all ready to romp in the snow. Can Quiet Bunny be friends with someone so different?
A heartwarming tale of friendship for the coldest of winter nights.

This book is just so sweet.  First, a word about the illustrations...they are just darling.  The animals are roly-poly balls of fluff making you just want to hop onto the page and squeeze them.  McCue does a wonderful job of bringing the sweet characters to life with pictures of them playing and frolicking.  The story is a hit with A&W and even Little R.  Quiet Bunny is on the hunt for a playmate and his usual friends are otherwise busy (hibernating etc...).  Noisy Puppy is an unlikely candidate for a new friend because he is so noisy and different.  Quiet Bunny and Noisy Puppy quickly realize difference don't matter at all when it comes to friendships. 

Quiet Bunny and Noisy Puppy by Lisa McCue is a great read for the younger set (recommended age is 4-8 but Little R at almost 2 is a big fan of the illustrations) and packs an important message.  A friend is a friend no matter what the differences are.  Well done!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon....

I am so happy to tell you that the publisher, Sterling Publishing, will be giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of Quiet Bunny, Noisy Puppy by Lisa McCue. Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

The Giant Book of Giants by Saviour Pirotta...Review & Giveaway!

I have just shared the most GIANT hit of a book with A&W.  The Giant Book of Giants by Saviour Pirotta  is an absolute hit at our house for scary (but not too terribly scary!) fun and excitement.  Here is the scoop...

With an incredible, huge, interactive poster and six adventurous stories, The Giant Book of Giants is larger than life!


The pop-up, pull-out poster in this BIG tome measures over four feet tall--and offers plenty of playful extras, including flaps to lift and removable items such as a clock tower pocket watch, pipe organ harmonica, and even the giant's ear wax! The action-packed tales in the book include “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Sinbad's Third Voyage,” and “Coyote Tricks the Giant.” Monster fun for any child--tall or small!

This book is the ultimate in interesting for A&W.  The Giant Book of Giants is filled with great stories.  We have read through all six and the boys enjoyed them all and ask to hear them regularly.  The only one of the six included stories we had read before was "Jack and the Beanstalk" so the others were all new to us and the boys really enjoyed each (the other stories not mentioned above are "Momotaro, The Peach Boy", "The Curious Giantess" and "Finn and Buggane").  Each of the stories are 5-10 minute reads each which have made them perfect "snack time" stories for us.  My guys like scary things but these would be a little much for them right before bed.  For an older child they would be super bedtime stories!  The illustrations are very well done and depict each giant from the story in an original fashion which my boys liked a great deal.  They love those scary giants!

While the book alone would have been a hit in our home, the poster made it a real standout.  The included poster which is in a front pocket of the book is amazing.  It is almost as tall and as wide as I am and the giant is an actual pop-out.  It really is outstanding.  The poster is full of fun giant "facts" and lift the flaps which A&W just love.  They, naturally, think pulling out the earwax is great fun (ewwww!) and they also like how you can pull things from his pockets.  The poster is made of substantial paper and is of great quality.  We have not hung ours up yet because we like having it as a companion to the book which we now read daily.

The Giant Book of Giants is an absolute standout for creativity and is sure to be a hit with the 5 and up crowd.  Grab a copy today on Barnes & Noble by clicking HERE.  It is on sale now for just $12.21 which is a steal.

Sterling Publishing is giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of The Giant Book of Giants by Saviour Pirotta.  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Rockin' Babies...Review & Giveaway!

I just found out I am going to be an Auntie again and I am so excited.  I already have it in my mind to spoil this little one in a million ways!  I was recently sent this adorable new book by Dr. Jenn Berman (you may remember her from my review of Superbaby) and Cynthia Weil (a music legend who wrote "You've Lost That Loving Feeling") and it is just perfect for my little niece or nephew to be.  Here is the scoop...

Whether being hounded by the paparazzi (parents with cameras), getting mobbed by fans (cheek-pinching relatives) or going “on tour” (wheeling around in a stroller), baby is born to be wild! In ROCKIN' BABIES, Dr. Jenn Berman and Cynthia Weil playfully re-imagine the rock 'n' roll lifestyle in child-friendly fashion. Galia Bernstein's spectacular illustrations, combining unique textures and colors, complete this charming book-perfect for parents and babies who “dream big.”

This book is absolutely adorable.  It is just perfect for modern day babies and the people who adore them.  I loved the page with "Rockin' Babies Trash Their Rooms" which the illustrator depicted with a feisty toddler flinging his toys about.  So funny and so true!  I also loved how on another page the parents were referred to as "the roadies".  I actually DO feel like a roadie to my kids sometimes!  The illustrations really go along well with the "rockstar" words with tots sporting black and more "hip" clothes.  This one is sure to be a hit with any baby in your life and would make the coolest baby shower gift!   Pick up your copy today on Amazon... 

One lucky RBM reader will win a copy of Rockin' Babies thanks to the publisher, Sterling Publishing!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what little Rockstar you are trying to win this book for.  You must complete this entry for all others to count.

For Extra Entries:
1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry
2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry
3.  Like Dr. Jenn Berman on Facebook= 1 entry
4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry per giveaway entered.
5.  Follow Sterling Books on Twitter = 1 entry
6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry
7.  Follow Dr. Jenn Berman on Twitter = 1 entry
8.  Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it (each can be done twice daily) = 1 entry per each
9.  Put my button on your blog and let me know where to find it = 1 entry
10.  Blog about this giveaway and link back to Reviewed By Mom = 5 entries

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on July 3rd.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July 4th.  Winners will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is draw. Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with a copy of the above book for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize. 

Mini-Cakes: Tiny Treats to Surprise & Delight by Noga Hitron...Review & Giveaway!

I love to bake.  A cook I am not but I do love to get a little fancy when it comes to baked goods. For me, there is something so satisfying about giving a loved one something pretty, sweet and made with love.  I  probably won't be the gal to come knocking on your door with a casserole but if you want something for a bake sale or baby shower put me on speed dial!

I always love cookbooks that inspire me to create things that are yummy and pretty to look at.  I have a book to tell you about today that will blow most others of its' kind right out of the water....Mini-Cakes:  Tiny Treats to Surprise & Delight by Noga Hitron.  This book is amazing.  Here are the details...

Product Details

• Pub. Date: August 2010
• Publisher: Sterling Publishing
• Format: Hardcover , 111pp
• Sales Rank: 68,782

• ISBN-13: 9781402739989
• ISBN: 1402739982

Synopsis

The cakes in this book may be mini, but their impact is BIG! Every delectable treat here is as appealing to the eye as it is to the tongue. Start with one of the basic recipes-a Madeira Sponge or Chocolate Cake, for example. Then let the how-to photos and easy-to-follow directions be your guide as you decorate cakes for Mother's or Father's Day, for Valentine's Day, for the arrival of a new baby, and many more special occasions. Just a glimpse of one of these adorable designs will bring a sunny smile to anybody's face!

I am not new to the author, Noga Hitron.  In fact, I have had the pleasure of reviewing another one of her books, The Art of Cupcakes last August.  So, I was already a fan going into this and Hitron more than sealed the deal with her collection of Mini-Cakes.  The photographs of these little cakes of wonderful are stunning.  Even if you do not love to bake you will become inspired by the photos alone. 

The book is very user friendly and even a "newbie" to decorating would be able to follow along.  There are sections of tools of the trade and techniques as well as recipes for delicious cakes and frostings.  For each of the 17 cake designs there are detailed instructions as well as a full listing of all needed materials.  At the end of the book are templates for some of the more complicated designs.  


Mini-Cakes is a real treat....for the eyes AND the stomach!  If you are looking for a show stopper for a party look no further than the designs (art!!) in this book.  Bravo for Noga Hitron for showing her readers how to create confectionery masterpieces!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon...

I am excited to say Sterling Books is awarding FIVE  Reviewed By Mom readers their own copy of The Art of Cupcakes.  Thank you so much to the sponsor for this great giveaway! Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry:  Leave a comment telling me who you would like to make a mini-cake for.  This entry must be completed for any extra entries to be counted.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Enter one of my other giveaways &let me know you have done so = 1 entry per other giveaway entered

4.  Follow Sterling Books on Twitter= 1 entry

5.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

6.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it (each can be done once daily) = 1 entry per each

7.  Put my button on your blog or web page and leave a link so I can find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on May 13th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on May 14th and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with a copy of the above mentioned book for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.