Legend of the Seeker

Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season (2008)

Actors: Craig Horner, Bruce Spence, Craig Parker
Number of discs: 5
Studio: ABC Studios
DVD Release Date: October 13, 2009
Suggested retail price: $45.99 U.S.
Feature run time: Approx. 950 minutes
Rated: ‘TV-14 LSV’
Languages: English, with French and Spanish subtitles

Epic Fantasy Action Adventure Series Based on the Bestselling SWORD OF TRUTH Novels

Plot Summary written by Terry Goodkind for imdbcom: Millions of readers the world over have been held spellbound by this valiant tale vividly told. Now, enter Terry Goodkind's world, the world of The Sword of Truth. In the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher's forest sanctuary seeking help...and more. His world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence. In their darkest hour, hunted relentlessly, tormented by treachery and loss, Kahlan calls upon Richard to reach beyond his sword-to invoke within himself something more noble. Neither knows that the rules of battle have just changed...or that their time has run out. This is the beginning. One story. One Rule. Witness the birth of a legend.

From the studio: Based on the internationally best-selling “Sword of Truth” novels and executive produced by Sam Raimi, Legend of the Seeker is a weekly television series that follows the epic journey of a young woods guide named Richard Cypher, a mysterious woman named Kahlan Amnell and a wizard named Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander who come together to stop the evil Darken Rahl from unleashing an ancient and terrifying power.

Storytelling magic comes alive with the adaptation of the internationally best-selling “Sword of Truth” novels, in Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season, coming to DVD on Oct. 13, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The 5-disc set containing all 22 one-hour episodes of Season One reveals even more of the fantasy, magic and romance with exclusive-to-DVD bonus features. Behind the scenes interviews with the cast offer intriguing insight into the Legend just in time for Halloween and the November 2009 Season Two premiere.

Shot with state-of-the-art visual effects and with the exotic and rugged New Zealand landscape as its backdrop, Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season chronicles the extraordinary transformation of woodsman Richard Cypher into The Seeker, a magical leader who joins with a beautiful and mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, on an epic journey to stop the bloodthirsty, sinister tyrant Darken Rahl from conquering all mankind. In the province known as Westland, a wizard reveals to ordinary woodsman Richard Cypher the truth: that he is a child of prophecy, the first true Seeker the world has known in a thousand years, destined to wield the powerful Sword of Truth and defeat the evil tyrant Darken Rahlan.

Joining Executive Producer Sam Raimi (“Spiderman,” “Evil Dead”) are Rob Tapert ("The Grudge," "Xena: Warrior Princess," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys"), Joshua Donen ("The Quick and the Dead"), Ned Nalle ("Xena: Warrior Princess," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys") and Ken Biller ("Star Trek: Voyager," "Six Degrees").

The ABC Studios production includes Craig Horner (“Blue Water High,” “H2O: Just Add Water) as Richard Cypher/The Seeker, Craig Parker (“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”) as Darken Rahl, Bridget Regan (“The Best and the Brightest”) as Kahlan Amnell and Bruce Spence (“The Matrix Revolutions”) as Zedd.

More than 25 million copies of Terry Goodkind’s popular books in his series “The Sword of Truth” have been sold worldwide and translated into more than 20 languages. The original “Legend of the Seeker” novel was a New York Times number-one bestseller.

The series recently won the 2009 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series.

Bonus Features
• Forging the Sword: Crafting a Legend
• Words of Truth: A Conversation with Terry Goodkind
• Deleted Scenes
• Audio Commentaries

My take: In all honesty, I started watching this series before I read any of the press release - I don't like to be influenced by anyone else's opinion when I'm watching something brand new to me. So as I was watching Legend of the Seeker, much of it struck me as familiar. I turned to my husband who was making his famous spaghetti sauce in the kitchen, and said "This show reminds me a lot of (my all time favorite, really I'm obsessed) Xena: Warrior Princess/Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Look, there is even Ted Raimi with a small part as a map maker (Ted is best known, to me at least, for his role as Joxer the Mighty in Xena and Hercules). The only thing missing is the campy humor - this is a serious fantasy story more like Lord of the Rings."

Lo and behold, I find out Legend of the Seeker is produced by the same producers for Xena and Hercules, Sam Raimi (Ted's brother) and Rob Tapert (who is married to Lucy Lawless/Xena incidentally)! AND, it is filmed in New Zealand just like the other two series were so no wonder it all looks familiar.

And let me tell you, with the exception of the character of Zeddicus "Zedd" Zu'l Zorander (as played by Bruce Spence - who annoys the heck out of me), I have become enthralled by this series and the characters. If you are worried that you never read the books the series is based on, don't be. I never read them and neither did two of the main actors (Richard Cypher as played by Craig Horner and Kahlan Amnell as played by Bridget Regan). The action is fast paced, the story compelling and the characters expertly cast. I'm so hooked I was thrilled to read that the show has been renewed for a second season, which will begin airing November 7 2009 - so I guess you know where I'll be on November 7th!

Check out these clips and see for yourself:

TRUE LOVE



TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

Bonus: Be sure the check out the official website to find your local time and channel, more information and pictures, episode guides and so much more!

About the studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc™ and electronic distribution. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is a division of The Walt Disney Studios. © Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Inc.

This post was written for Click Communications who provided the DVD for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary DVD.

FeltTales® from Babalu (review & giveaway)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS ANGELA G. (non-blogger)!!

From the PR Firm: Can you remember a time when toys were powered by imagination and problem solving, instead of batteries and computers? Babalu, Inc. does. That’s why they’re bringing back classic toys that evoke feelings of nostalgia for parents, and provide hours of enjoyment for children.

Babalu’s cornerstone product is FeltTales®, felt story boards made from safe, soft and colorful felt. Story boards, which have been around for generations, inspire open-ended play as children use their imaginations to make up endless stories and situations for the characters on the board.

“This is playtime at its best,” said Babalu founder Blair Everett. “The reason our FeltTales are bestsellers year after year is because children truly love playing with them, and parents love to have their children to play with them.”

Each FeltTales story board has at least 19 moveable felt pieces and a different theme, varying from princesses to dinosaurs. For children who need a little extra help getting started, Babalu includes a story starter on the back of every FeltTales story board, which provides a starting point for the story.

Felt makes a perfect travel activity too, since it is mess-free and quiet. Children can entertain themselves silently, all while honing their creativity and storytelling skills. Plus, FeltTales story boards have a convenient travel handle and storage pouch for storing felt pieces when not in use.

Since its introduction in 2006, FeltTales have been praised by award agencies. Honors include two iParenting Media Awards, Canadian Toy Testing Council 3 Stars, Creative Child Seal of Excellence and Preferred Choice Awards, Dr. Toy Best Vacation Toy Award and a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.

FeltTales are great for ages 3+, and each has a MSRP of $19.95. Here’s a look at the latest FeltTales story board, and a selection of Babalu’s best sellers:

*NEW* Pups in the Park
There’s a runway show at the dog park at 3pm, what will your dog wear? Pick out a crazy outfit, and don’t forget to accessorize your pooch!

Dinosaur Days
Take a step back in time to the Jurassic period! Help the Brachiosaurus reach the leaves of a tall tree, or swim in ocean with the Plesiosaurus at sunset.

Pretty Princess
Get ready for an enchanting night at the castle. Dress your princess in her favorite ball gown, and add a cloak as the evening approaches. Gather her handmaidens and travel by horse-drawn carriage.

Busy Day at the Farm
Have you done all of your chores? It’s a busy day at the farm. Watch the pigs roll in the mud. Milk the cow. Feed the bunny some carrots. Gather eggs from the hen. You can even drive the tractor through the corn fields.

Pirates at Shipwreck Cove
Can you find the buried treasure? Use the map to find the location. Don’t forget to bring a shovel! Is anyone following you? Bring your sword just in case, these pirates mean business.

Let’s Go to the Ballet
Perform at your very own dance recital. You can dress your ballerina in a variety of brightly colored tutus and dresses. There is even a felt rose bouquet to present to your prima ballerina for her outstanding performance.

Also joining the Babalu lineup are classic toys from WJ Fantasy, a company that Babalu recently acquired. WJ Fantasy has been specializing in nesting blocks, building blocks, advent calendars and books for more than 25 years. Here are some highlights for Holiday 2009:

Shadow Books • Ages 3+ • $14.95
These books each feature a 8” x 8” inch fold-out backdrop for the story, a 26-page book and flashlight. In each story, the flashlight is used to cast shadows on the die-cut pages with images of ordinary objects, the resulting shadow looks a little scary! Through storytelling and fun examples, the child learns that the shadows need not be feared. Comes in “Camping Out,” “Forest Fairies” and “Time for Bed.”

Do-Re-Mi Musical Building Blocks • Ages 4+ • $24.95
Stacking blocks and a musical instrument all in one...what fun! The top of each of these 8 musical blocks is fitted with a metal bar that, when struck with the mallet provided, plays as a xylophone. Each block top also depicts a graphic of the note positioned on the staff, representing the full "C" scale. And, with the accompanying songbook, children can learn to play simple songs all by themselves! One side of the block teaches children about the instruments that comprise an orchestra, another side shows children practicing their instruments at home, the third side features children playing homemade instruments, and the fourth side teaches counting through rhymes and visuals. A medley of fun for everyone! Largest block is 6.5" x 6 .5" x 9.5"; 8 blocks. Includes a carrying case.

ABC Building Blocks • Ages 3+ • $17.95
These imaginative blocks will help children learn the alphabet with the bright and colorful illustrations of artist Sarah Buell Dowling. Children can identify the letter by the picture, "M" is for "Moon" or "C" is for "Clown." Makes learning fun! Largest block is 6" x 6" x 6"; 10 blocks.

My Busy Day— Touch & Feel Building Blocks • Ages 3+ • $19.95
Each of the 10 blocks in this set highlights a different part of a toddler's very busy day, from their morning routine, to play time, preschool, nap time, dinner, bath time and finally as they are lulled to sleep by a bedtime story. Included on one side of each block is a familiar object to touch and feel. Soft pajamas, a smooth mirror, a fuzzy teddy bear, and more. Largest block is 6" x 6" x 6"; 10 blocks.

My Tool Box with Four Board Books • Ages 3+ • $19.95
Children will love pretending to help out on the job with their very own tool box. They can strap on the denim tool belt/apron with adjustable waist, and carry the plastic hammer, saw, screwdriver and pliers around in the two deep pockets. Or, children can lug the tools around in one of the two compartments of the brightly-colored tool box. The tool box comes with 4 board books, shaped like each of the four included tools; a hammer, saw, screwdriver and pliers. Amusing illustrations and rich text depict each tool as a character, describing what it does and how it works. Box measures 8.5" x 6.5" x 6.5"

WJ Fantasy’s products are available at http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.kazootoys.com/. Babalu’s FeltTales can be found at specialty stores nationwide and online at http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.roundtabletoys.com/. For more information visit http://www.babaluinc.com/ or http://www.wjfantasy.com/.

My take: I'm starting to wonder if my kids are spoiled - after all, they get to try out great toys and movies all year long. So it's really hard to find toys and such that I can get them for Christmas. Especially if I'm looking for more classic ones - you know, no batteries, no tie-ins with popular TV shows, ones that would require them to think and learn. It might be easier to look for the Holy Grail, yes? Well, maybe not. Babalu Inc., is bringing back felt storyboards, building blocks, and other classic toys that children have loved for generations! And as a bonus? Most of the company's toys are under $25, and a large number are priced under $20!

Babalu, Inc. sent us the Let’s Go to the Ballet Felt Board you read about above. I wasn't sure how my daughter would like it - she loves ballet, but would she like a toy that didn't move or make noise? A toy that is not a Barbie, Littlest Pet or Little Pony? You bet she did! Check it out:

She played with this for about an hour and has come back to it again and again. A few things we noticed that could use improvement - the ballerina's come with a what looks like a bikini bathing suit painted on and your child dresses them up with felt dresses or skirts. Unfortunately, there are no tops to go with the skirts and my daughter didn't like just seeing a bikini top on the dolls so she used the skirts below the board as audience members (see top photo). And the little carrying bag for the pieces needs to be bigger - it's a tight squeeze to get everything in there. Other than that, this is an awesome toy for little imaginations - my daughter designed many recital poses and had me take pictures of each one. Awesome toy - I'm looking forward to going back to Babalu and WJ Fantasy to find some Christmas toys this year - I recommend you do too!

About Babalu, Inc.: Babalu was launched in 2006 to better a classic toy tradition with the introduction of the FeltTales brand. Its founder, Blair Everett, has an exceptional 30-year career in the toy business and he brings that knowledge and commitment to the growing classic toy product with improving play and quality. In June 2009, Babalu acquired WJ Fantasy, a 25-year-old toy company specializing in a distinctive selection of nesting blocks, toys, advent calendars and children’s books. WJ Fantasy and Babalu will operate under two separate divisions until 2010, when they will be joined.

This post was written for Babalu and KidStuff PR who provided the item for review and giveaway. The author was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

The giveaway: One lucky winner (US address only please) gets to choose one item from the toys listed above (from either the FeltTales or the WJ Fantasy line)!

To win: Visit Babalu or WJ Fantasy and come back here and leave me a comment telling me the name of which item you would choose if you won! Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Friday, November 6, 2009. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 6 extra entries for a total of 7 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my blog to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
• On Technorati - click on this link, then on Fan or Fav (or use the green link on the top left sidebar)
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This review was sponsored by:

KidStuff Public Relations

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas

by: Philip Yates, illustrated by Sebastiá Serra
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sterling (October 7, 2008)
Language: English
$14.95 US / $19.50 Canadian
11 X 10

From the publisher: Young mateys will find plenty of holiday joy in this humorous, colorful, and thoroughly piratical version of the beloved Clement C. Moore classic. On this ship of mischievous brigands—who have visions of treasure chests, not sugarplums, dancing in their heads—you wouldn’t expect a visit from nice St. Nick. Instead, here comes Sir Peggedy, with his peg leg and hook arm, cracking his whip and driving eight giant seahorses: Salty, Scurvy, Sinbad, Mollie, Cutthroat, Cross-Eyes, Roger, and Jolly. Philip Yates’ rollicking rhymes and Sebastià Serra’s sprightly, fun-filled pictures—featuring whimsically multicolored seahorses, stockings hung on the ship’s bowsprit with tar, child-friendly pirates, and a complete treasure map—turn this Christmas perennial into a jubilant celebration!

My take: When I was a child, my dad read "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" to me every.single.Christmas Eve. I've continued the tradition with my two children but to be honest, they are not terribly interested in the story - the old fashioned language just confuses them I think. I think now I may have found the perfect alternative in A Pirate's Night Before Christmas, especially considering how much my kiddos are into pirates. The story follows the familiar rhyme and cadences of the original Christmas tale, but uses all pirate expressions and vocabulary (a list of what each word means is handily provided as an appendix). The illustrations are perfect - bright and detailed and matched to the narration. Substituting seahorses for reindeer and a Pirate for Jolly Old Saint Nick may be just up your alley this Christmas too. We loved this book and plan on reading it many more times, up to and including Christmas Eve!

About the author: Philip Yates is the co-author of several popular joke and riddle books for Sterling, as well as a playwright who has won a Council of the Arts grant for his work. His first children’s picture book, Ten Little Mummies, received widespread critical praise.

About the illustrator: Sebastiá Serra studied Fine Arts at the Universitat de Barcelona, and is the illustrator of Dog Who Loved the Moon (Simon & Schuster, 2008), as well as numerous picture books in his native Spain. His awards include: a First Award at the International Festival Videomedic ‘94; the Junceda Prize from the Professional Association of Illustrators of Catalonia; and many others. He was selected for the Illustrators of Children’s Books Exhibition of Bologna (Italy), 2000, 2003, and 2004.

This post was written for Sterling Publishing who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

Gotta Catch Santa Clause

Gotta Catch Santa Clause DVD

List Price: $19.98
Actors: William Shatner, Nathan Stephenson, David Berni, Lisa Lennox, Cory Doran
Directors: Peter Lepeniotis, Jamie Waese, Jin Choi
Format: AC-3, Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
Language: English
Subtitles: Spanish
Number of discs: 1
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Release Date: October 13, 2009
Run Time: 66 minutes

Amazon.com product description: Funky music, holiday magic and a supersonic sleigh are all wrapped up in this CGI-animated family adventure starring William Shatner as the voice of Santa!

Trevor is a true believer in the holiday spirit, so his skeptical best friend, Veronica, challenges him to show the world actual proof that Santa is real! Trevor and his friends embark on the adventure of a lifetime to catch Santa in action and reveal the true magic of Christmas. But they've got to find Santa before LeFreeze - a dim-witted monster who's carrying a serious 100-year-old grudge - and his snowman minions put Christmas on ice forever! Join the race to save Christmas in GOTTA CATCH SANTA CLAUS, the jolly, jammin', modern-day holiday classic destined to become a family tradition!

My take: Looking for a new Christmas movie this year? Tired of the same old ones? Then Gotta Catch Santa Clause is for you. We've watched it a few times already and it's a hoot! The story line is simple - a young boy Trevor needs to convince his friend Veronica that Santa Clause is real so he hatches a plan with a pair of super smart twins to catch Santa for her. At the same time, Santa Claus' enemy LeFreeze is also after him (who knew Jolly Old Saint Nick had an enemy?!). Inevitably, the two pursuers collide. William Shatner does a fine job as Santa and at a length of 66 minutes, it's tolerable for us adults too (besides, the kiddos won't get the inside joke that Santa's (as played by our "Captain Kirk") Chief Engineer in this movie has a Scottish accent (hint - "beam me up Scotty!") - clever! The songs are catchy and the CGI is fairly good too - all in all, Gotta Catch Santa Clause would be a nice solid addition to your Christmas movie line up.

This post was written for Lions Gate Entertainment who provided the item for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

The review was sponsored by An Island Life; I am proud to be part of Kailani's review team:

THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE: World History in the Making

THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE: World History in the Making
by Against All Odds Productions
Price: $64.95 (for a limited time: Sale: $34.95)

From the Back Cover: THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE showcases one of the most important presidential races in American history through the eyes of the world's top photographers. Spanning a two-year period, the book provides behind-the-scenes images encompassing President Barack Obama's road to the White House, Election Day, the Inauguration and his first 100 days in office. Including essays from TIME magazine's Joe Klein, The Huffington Post's Arianna Huffington, General Colin Powell and President Obama's sister, Auma Obama. The book also includes fascinating infographics from world-renowned graphic artist Nigel Holmes, the human stories featured in this fascinating book capture the challenges and opportunities facing America's 44th president as he takes his place on the world stage.

THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE also offers a groundbreaking new feature: After you answer a few simple questions and upload your own photos to the publisher's website, a personalized copy of the book will be created just for you, seamlessly weaving President Obama's extraordinary journey together with your name, your photos and your thoughts.

3 Easy Steps to Create Your Own Personalized Book

1. Purchase a copy of THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE on Amazon.com: an authorization link will be sent to the email address on your Amazon.com account so you can personalize your book. (Please note: The link may take up to 3 hours to arrive in your inbox.)

2. Personalize your book: a custom website will guide you through a simple 10-minute process to add your name and photos. See below for all the fascinating ways you can personalize your book.

3. Receive your personalized copy of THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE in 2-3 weeks.

6 Fun Ways to Personalize Your Book
Personalizing your book enables you to weave President Obama's journey with yours in numerous locations throughout the book. A step-by-step guide walks you through the fun and easy steps.

1. Your Name on the Front Cover
You can add your name on the front cover of the book and on the title page as one of the authors. Of course, you also have the option of creating a personalized book as a gift for family members and friends.

2. Your Photo on the Back Cover
Preserve this moment in history forever by adding a photo of yourself, your family, a group of friends, or an event (Go Obama!) on the back cover of this extraordinary book. Upload a favorite digital photo, and in seconds the publisher’s website will show you what your image will look like on the back cover.

3. Personalized Dedication
THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE includes a Dedication page, which allows you to inscribe the book to someone special. You can also add a personal Dedication message. For example, you might want to write about what the election meant to you or why you've made a personalized edition of the book in someone's honor.

4. Your Name on the Inaugural Invitation Page
Whether you were invited to the Inauguration or watched it from afar, you can enjoy seeing your name engraved on the book's Inaugural Invitation page.

5. Your Photo on the Celebrity Supporters Page
Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen, and many other celebrities helped get the word out to support the Obama campaign. Your photo and name can be right next to them on the Celebrity Supporters page.

6. Your Child's Artwork on the Kids for Obama Page
Did your child draw pictures of Obama for a school project? Even if not, it's not too late. Get out the crayons and have him or her draw a picture of the First Family, then scan and upload the drawing. Your child's artwork will be preserved forever when you add it to this heartwarming page.

Non-Personalized, Standard Books Available
If you are not interested in personalizing a book, you can order a standard edition. THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE is filled with fascinating photographs and thoughtful essays about President Obama's historic journey to the White House.

Please note that once you enter in your information, you have 10 days in which to customize your book. If you don't do anything in that time frame, a "standard" (non -customized) book will be sent to you. You can watch this quick video tutorial to learn more about how to customize: http://www.theobamatimecapsule.com/video

My take: In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a huge fan of Obama (see the picture collage here under November 08's Cutie(s)-of-the-Month - I'm in there) so I was very excited for the opportunity to review this book. And since my kiddos are also fans, I decided to personalize the book with their names. The personalization part is super easy - I simply chose a picture of the two kids together and followed the simple steps outlined above. In 10 minutes I was done and in just about a week, I had the book in hand.

As for the book itself, let me tell you, I was completely blown away by it! How cool it was to see my kids' names on the cover as the "co-authors" and to see their name and picture inside on a few pages. They even appear on the back cover of the book. The book itself is an awesome account of Obama's road to and winning of the White House - just a wonderful keepsake of this important part of our history. Glossy picture after picture, detail by detail. If you are a history buff of any kind, you are going to want this book. Know a student of history or politics? Imagine their face if you present this to them for a holiday gift!

Thanks so much to All Odds Productions and Kailani at An Island Life for this opportunity - this is a book we will treasure for years to come.

About the Author: Rick Smolan is a former Time, Life, and National Geographic photographer best known as the co-creator of the Day in the Life and America 24/7 series. He and his partner, Jennifer Erwitt, are the principals of Against All Odds Productions, which specializes in the design and execution of large-scale global projects that combine compelling storytelling with state-of-the-art technology. Their projects have been featured on the covers of Time, Newsweek, Fortune and U.S. News & World Report, and more than five million of their books adorn coffee tables around the world. Their books include America at Home, Blue Planet Run, America 24/7, and A Day in the Life of America. Smolan and Erwitt live with their two children in northern California.

This post was written for Against All Odds Productions who provided the item for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

The review was sponsored by An Island Life;

I am proud to be part of Kailani's review team:

The Young Scientists Club (review & giveaway)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS "MOM2ANUTBALL!"

THE NEXT GENERATION OF GREEN EXPERTS GET THEIR START WITH THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

From the PR Firm: How can today’s child get ready for the anticipated high demand of an environmentally-savvy workforce 10 years from now? They can get their start and their smarts by playing with The Young Scientists Club’s newest kits.

Parents can choose from seven Magic School Bus kits, distributed by The Young Scientists Club, with the launch of two brand new titles in 2009:

Magic School Bus Going Green • $19.99
Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride by going green with experiments and activities that can save our Earth! Young Scientists recreate the water cycle, build a compost tube, shrink plastic, magically make packing peanuts disappear, decompose food with fungus, form pulp, create new paper, design recycled paper shapes, learn about the 3 R’s, and much, much more! Buckle those seatbelts, kids! Get ready to explore and go green!

Magic School Bus Diving into Slime, Gel, and Goop • $19.99
Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists diving into slime, gel, and goop with fun and fabulous experiments. Young Scientists discover oobleck, produce glue from milk, grow jiggly marbles, make snow from super-absorbent crystals, form a bouncy ball, create slime, expand super-absorbent gel crystals, melt fake snow, learn about polymers, and much, much more! This polymer kit includes extra gels, super-absorbent crystals, and marbles to repeat the fun! Seatbelts everyone! Get ready to dive into slime, gel, and goop!

The Young Scientists Club continuously wins the top toy industry awards, year after year, for their novel approach to science education. Two new science kits being introduced in 2009 take kids to the backyard and around the neighborhood for everyday exploration. Who knew the garden was such a fascinating world a few inches below the ground?

Science on a Gardening Adventure • $29.99
Young Scientists will learn about the fun of gardening through exciting hands-on science experiments. In this handy carry-all kit, kids create a terrarium, learn about underground habitats, explore the different parts of plants, test the soil, design a mini-garden, grow all kinds of seeds, perform plant experiments, identify bugs and their habitats, make a working sun dial, and much more. The enclosed mini-garden tools and watering can will certainly become an instant hit and will encourage all junior scientists to become young botanists!

My take: We were sent the Magic School Bus Diving into Slime, Gel, and Goop kit to try out. The book of experiments starts small, explaining atoms, molecules and polymers with stickers. Both kids liked putting the stickers down though they are a bit young to understand the science they were supposed to be learning (I found it fascinating though!) We then moved on to making goop (a kind of glue), slime, and snow.

And apparently? I have a budding scientist on my hands. While both of my kiddos enjoyed working on the first couple of experiments in this awesome kit, my daughter was enthralled. I'm not kidding you when I tell you she asked me all weekend long when we were going to do more of the "science game" and when we were going to check on her "snow" in the freezer! One caveat - the kit is not entirely self - contained - you need to add some household products like vinegar, cornstarch and water but all are clearly marked and all should be handy already. And if you have impatient scientists, some of the experiments have to be left for a few hours or overnight.

About The Young Scientists Club: Esther Novis, a mother of five and a former Harvard-trained biologist, started The Young Scientists Club a decade ago as a summer science camp for her then 5-year-old son. Friends from other parts of the country told Novis they felt cheated that their kids couldn’t go, so she naturally packaged the experiments and sent them off. The idea for a science subscription service was born! The subscription kits are now mailed monthly to thousands of children around the world and the company’s retail kits are sold in hundreds of specialty stores. Visit the award-winning The Young Scientists Club for more information.

The giveaway: One lucky winner (US address only please) gets to pick one free kit - choose from Magic School Bus Going Green, Magic School Bus Diving into Slime, or Science on a Gardening Adventure!

To win: Visit The Young Scientists Club and come back here and leave me a comment telling me the name of another of their kits you think is cool! Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Monday, November 2, 2009. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 6 extra entries for a total of 7 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
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• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
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This review was sponsored by

KidStuff Public Relations

This post was written for The Young Scientists Club and KidStuff PR who provided the item for review and giveaway. The author was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

This is what 7 looks like

Happy 7th birthday to my forever baby boy! You made me a mom with your arrival and I'll be forever grateful for that. I just wish you'd stop growing up so fast!

Alienated (review and giveaway)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

Alienated

by Andrew Auseon (Author) and
David O. Russell (Creator)

List Price: $16.99

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Aladdin (October 6, 2009)
Language: English

From the publisher: Best friends Gene Brennick and Vince Haskell come across freaky aliens like Mold Man, Calamari Girl, and Crumble Bun all the time as reporters for their homemade weekly tabloid, the Globe, a newsletter featuring stories on the aliens living quietly among humans in Santa Rosa, California. Gene and Vince's classmates don't take their articles too seriously -- no one does, really. Gene's determined to find a way to end his outsider status for good, and when he and Vince discover a local teacher's deep, dark secret, Gene's convinced he's found the answer. But after taking it one step too far, Gene and Vince are suddenly at the center of an intergalactic conflict, one that could be the death of the boys' friendship, or of the boys themselves -- whichever comes first. Acclaimed screenwriter and director David O. Russell teams up for his first novel with Andrew Auseon to deliver a hilarious, surprising adventure that will keep readers glued to every page. Read an excerpt from chapter one here.

My take: When I was asked to review Alienated, I jumped right at the chance because I'm always on the look out for good Young Adult (Y.A.) fiction - I'm stockpiling them for my kiddos' middle school years. I'm wishing and hoping they are going to be avid readers like I was - I literally never went anywhere without a good book in hand (still don't!). I have to say, I have really been enjoying reading these books myself though. And Alienated is definitely one of the better ones I have read - the story line moves quickly and the dialogue is realistic and witty. I can really see how this would appeal to middle school children, especially boys.

The title, Alienated, refers to both the aliens the boys are reporting on, as well as how they both feel at school - alienated from their peers who consider them dorks, and nerds. I felt the same way growing up and I'm sure things haven't changed much in middle school in the years since. The story follows the boys as they suffer through fitting in, discovering girls (and kissing!) and realizing what true friendship is really about. So it's not just an entertaining story about aliens - there are lessons to be learned as well (including the very important lesson about respecting people's differences). All and all, an excellent book that I can't wait to introduce to my kiddos in the years to come.

About the Author: David O. Russell is a writer and director of films including We Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees, and Flirting with Disaster, among others. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Andrew Auseon is a video game designer and the author of Jo-Jo And the Fiendish Lot and Funny Little Monkey, a finalist for the Borders Original Voices Award which received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

This review was sponsored by the Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing who provided the books for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

The giveaway: FIVE lucky winners will win their own copy of Alienated, courtesy of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing!

To win: Leave a comment here telling me the name another Simon and Schuster book that looks like a good read to you. Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Thursday, October 29, 2009. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 6 extra entries for a total of 7 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my blog to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
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Encyclopedia of Haunted Places, Revised Edition

Encyclopedia of Haunted Places: Ghostly Locales from Around the World

compiled and edited by Jeff Belanger
List Price:$19.99
Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: New Page Books; Revised edition (September 20, 2009)
Language: English

World’s Leading Ghost Hunters Return to Chronicle the Globe’s Top Haunts.

Encyclopedia of Haunted Places, Revised Edition is the first book to document hundreds of haunts written by the dozens of paranormal investigators who know them best.

From the publisher – The belief in ghosts may be one of the few beliefs citizens the world over have in common. Ghosts are everywhere. Every town has its haunted houses and cemeteries -- the kinds of places locals whisper about and children run past. Ghost legends are powerful.

Authored by dozens of the world’s leading paranormal investigators, the Encyclopedia of Haunted Places: Revised Edition is filled with research notes, location backgrounds, firsthand accounts, interviews, and many anomalous photographs featuring ghostly manifestations of the haunted listings in this directory.

Now expanded, the Encyclopedia of Haunted Places: Revised Edition offers dozens of new locations from all over the globe. From the gravesite of James Dean in East Fairmount, Indiana, to Bran Castle in Bran Romania (commonly referred to as “Dracula’s Castle”), ghost investigators tell their sometime harrowing experiences and give readers an overview of haunted locals. From private residences to inns and restaurants, from battlefields to museums and libraries, and from graveyards to churches, this directory offers supernatural tourists a guide to haunted points of interests the world over.

“To truly understand a haunted location, you need to get local,” said Jeff Belanger, editor and compiler for the Encyclopedia of Haunted Places. “What makes this book unique is that the entries are written by people who have done the haunted field work to back up each ghostly claim -- hearsay and urban legends weren’t enough. Each entry combines the history, the tragedies, and the eyewitness accounts of each haunted locale.”

Now in its second edition, the Encyclopedia of Haunted Places has been updated with dozens of new listings, new information on existing haunts, and a comprehensive directory of paranormal investigators.

My take: I requested a copy of this book because of my husband's fascination with the t.v. show Ghost Hunters on the SyFy channel. And I must confess, I've been known to stop and watch the show with him - some of that stuff is just too creepy not to be real (I try and keep an open mind). That said, if you are a believer, then this book is a must read for you. Not only for the ghost stories but as a tour guide for you to take your own trips to seek out the supernatural, ala Ghost Hunters (truly, reading this book felt like a written version of the t.v. show). This Encyclopedia of Haunted Places has a myriad of place to choose from, from around the world - what a great excuse to visit Ireland I'm thinking...Each haunted/mysterious locale is featured complete with first person accounts and there are photos throughout (what I thought of as white dots are actually ghosts - who knew?!) This book offers a great look into the subject and even my non-reader husband spent time perusing it's pages. It's fascinating stuff - if you believe in the paranormal or not!

The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon.com, and many other booksellers. For more information about Encyclopedia of Haunted Places: Revised Edition and other new releases, visit the website of publisher New Page Books at http://www.newpagebooks.com/.

About the Editor: Jeff Belanger has been studying and writing about the supernatural for regional and national publications since 1997. He’s the founder of ghostvillage.com, the largest supernatural community on the Web, and the author of more than 10 books, including The World’s Most Haunted Places, Our Haunted Lives, and The Ghost Files. Belanger lectures throughout the United States and has appeared on more than 100 radio and television programs worldwide, including The History Channel, The Travel Channel, Living TV (UK), The Maury Show, The CBS News Early Show, National Public Radio, The BBC, Australian Radio Network, Coast to Coast AM, and The ‘X’ Zone. He currently haunts Massachusetts with his family.

This post was written for New Page Books who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

The review was sponsored by An Island Life;

I am proud to be part of Kailani's review team:

The Great Reindeer Rebellion

The Great Reindeer Rebellion (Hardcover)

by Lisa Trumbauer (Author), Jannie Ho (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: Sterling (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
List Price: $14.95 US; $19.50 Canadian
all in color
10 X 10

From the publisher: A new holiday classic is born! Lisa Trumbauer and Jannie Ho have whipped up a fresh, fabulous, and very funny companion to The Haunted Ghoul Bus. In a playful take on “The Night before Christmas,” the talented pair provides kids with a one-of-kind, behind-the-scenes peek into Santa’s workshop. And it seems that all’s not well at the North Pole: the reindeer have gone on strike and Santa’s auditioning a menagerie of other animals to take their place. But when the cats abandon station to chase some mice and the elephants fall through the roof, what’s Santa to do? Will his eight trusty reindeer ever fly again?

My take: What an adorable book! I've never read The Haunted Ghoul Bus (the author and illustrator's companion book) but now I'm think I'll need to get it too. In The Great Reindeer Rebellion , Santa's reindeer go on strike after he refuses to meet their demands (entirely unreasonably! why not give these hardworking animals spa time and massages?), so he has to search for replacements. It's only after Santa tries out just about the entire ark of animals before realizing the perfect ones to pull his sleigh are right in front of him. Will he make the right decision in time? If your kids are wild about animals like mine are, they will love this book. We had great fun reading about each one and why they wouldn't work to pull the sleigh. And a great feature to this book is that the illustrations are raised off the thick pages, providing a tactile surface for younger readers to enjoy (kind of like a 3-D version of a movie). This would make the perfect book for Santa to bring to your house this year!

About the Author: Lisa Trumbauer has written more than 50 children’s books, including the New York Times bestseller A Practical Guide to Dragons (Mirrorstone, 2006) and The Haunted Ghoul Bus (Sterling, 2008).

About the illustrator: Jannie Ho studied illustration at Parsons School of Design in New York. Her books include The Mixed-Up Alphabet (Scholastic, 2007), written by Steve Metzger; Wild Critters: Build and Imagine Your Own 3-D Adventure Kit (Foster, Walter, 2007), written by Dottie Wang; The Penguins’ Perfect Picnic (Innovative Kids, 2007), written by Trish Rabe; and The Haunted Ghoul Bus (Sterling, 2008).

This post was written for Sterling Publishing who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

The Twelve Days of Christmas in Virginia

The Twelve Days of Christmas in Virginia

(Twelve Days of Christmas, State By State) (Hardcover)

by Sue Corbett
List Price: $12.95 US $16.95 Canadian
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sterling (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
Hardcover with Jacket
all in color
8 1/2 X 8 1/2

From the publisher: Welcome to the 12 days of Christmas in Virginia! Ready to greet you are 4 cannon blasts, 3 tall ships, 2 guiding lights... and much more from the Old Dominion State. William loves visiting his cousin Madison in Virginia, but he's sorry that his sister, Eleanor, can't join them that he sends her a lively letter and one of these VERY unusual gifts on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Lucky readers are in for a wild holiday countdown!

My take: "On the first day of Christmas, my brother sent to me...a cardinal in a dogwood tree." And thus begins this delightful little book, The Twelve Days of Christmas in Virginia. Using the familiar Christmas story line, the author takes us on a journey throughout Virginia, from the shore to the mountains, and throughout our rich history. In the form of letters from William to his sister Eleanor, you learn all about our beginnings at Jamestown, civil war history and a myriad of activities available across the state. Mrs. Corbett really captured the essence of what it means to be a Virginian - and no wonder, according to the jacket, she lives right here in Newport News, VA (I can't believe she is so close to me!). The illustrations are just perfect too - Mr. Cole is a gifted artist whose paintings dovetail nicely with Mrs. Corbett's prose. I highly recommend this book for your holiday shopping list - the series includes 11 states in all - Virginia, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Jersey, NYC, North Carolina, Louisiana, Virginia, Florida, Texas).

About the author: Sue Corbett grew up in New York, the daughter of Irish immigrants. After attending Fairfield University and the University of Missouri Graduate School of Journalism, she began a career as a reporter, first at television stations in Missouri, South Carolina, and Florida; then as a writer at the Miami Herald. Since 1996, she’s been the Herald’s children’s book reviewer. She is also a regular contributor to Publishers Weekly and People magazines. Her first novel for young readers, 12 Again, was an International Reading Association Honor book and won the 2006 California Young Readers Medal. Her second novel, Free Baseball, is a 2006 Junior Library Guild selection and is a finalist for the Virginia Reader’s Choice award, Maryland’s Black-Eyed Susan Award, and the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award.

This post was written for Sterling Publishing who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

Once in A Blue Moon

Once in a Blue Moon

by Eileen Goudge

List Price: $24.95

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Vanguard Press; 1 edition (October 6, 2009)
Language: English

From One2One Network: Do you love Jodi Picoult and LuAnn Rice? Have you heard of Eileen Goudge? Oh girl. With more than four million copies of her books in print worldwide, you’re going to want to check her out now if you’re not already hip to her talent.

Eileen Goudge is the New York City-based author of The Diary, Domestic Affairs, Woman in Red, One Last Dance, Garden of Lies and Thorns of Truth. With four-time New York Times bestsellers in her bag, Eileen’s newest project Once In A Blue Moon is sure to be worth a look, trust us on this one.

What’s Once In A Blue Moon about? Oh, we’re so glad you asked. Check it:

Sisters Lindsay and Kerrie Ann have known hardship from an early age. Without guidance from their neglectful mother, their only aid came from an unlikely source, a retired exotic dancer by the name of Miss Honi Love. When the girls’ mother was sent to prison, Miss Honi tried unsuccessfully to save them from being separated and sent into foster care.

Thirty years later, Lindsay is still trying to reconnect with her sister. The owner of a bookstore in the sleepy California seaside town of Blue Moon Bay, she was lucky enough to have been adopted by a loving couple. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrie Ann has suffered a very different life. Bounced from one foster home to the next, she ran away as a teenager before becoming a drug-addicted single mother. Now, newly sober, Kerrie Ann is fighting to regain custody of the little girl who was taken from her.

Neither sister’s expectations are met when they’re finally reunited. But as the two sisters engage in the fiercest battles of their lives, they are at last drawn together despite their differences, restoring belief in the unshakable bond of family.


My Take: Oil and water - that's how I saw Kerrie Ann and Lindsay. Not only did they live their lives miles apart in circumstances and distance, they appear to be so disparate in personality there was no way they could be related, let alone sisters. Yet, sisters they were, and despite their differences, they managed a way to come together. To be honest, they reminded me of my younger sister and me. I can be as unbending and inflexible as Lindsay (and afraid to show my true self) while my younger sister J is much more a free spirit like Kerrie Ann (without the addictions thank goodness). We took years to see each other's finest points and now you could not find two sisters more devoted to each other. It was with that spirit that I read "Once in a Blue Moon" - cheering the two sisters on to find their own way to each other. The side stories of finding love for both, bringing Kerrie Ann's daughter home, and saving the bookstore from the nasty developer just added more color to this rainbow of a story. It was just a really lovely book - well written (of course - it IS Eileen Goudge) and with a easy flow to it. You'll find it hard to put down and sad to see the story end. To me, that is the mark of a really good book - now that summer is over, just the book to curl up in front of the fireplace with and get lost in another world.

About the author: In her own words: I was born on the Fourth of July, and it's been fireworks ever since. I began writing at age eight, with short stories and poems, and I haven't looked back since. From the early days of mostly collecting rejection slips, I went on to publish thirty-two novels for young adults, thirteen (and still counting) of women's fiction, as well as numerous short stories and magazine articles, and one cookbook.

Eileen on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eileen-Goudge/132678273034?ref=search&
Eileen on Twitter: http://twitter.com/eileengoudge

This review was sponsored by the:

Joshua Bell: At Home With Friends

At Home With Friends

Artist: Joshua Bell

List Price:$13.98
Audio CD (September 29, 2009)
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Sony

From the One2One Network: Serende Your Soul: A laid-back dinner party with your closest friends. Scented candles, soft lights and a hot bath. A long hike meditating and soaking in nature. A quiet house with a good book. How do you unwind and rejuvenate your soul?

We all have our go-to methods for renewal… and now we all have the perfect musical accompaniment.

Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell has been in the spotlight since he was 14 years old. Fourteen! Now, 20 years and 30 original albums later, Joshua has the public’s attention like no other classical violinist of his time, captivating audiences worldwide. He’s a soloist, chamber musician, orchestra leader and he’s earned countless awards and honors for his work as a concert stage performer and recording artist, including “Classical Artist of the Year” and “Classical CD of the Year” by Billboard Magazine. He’s the first musician to have a classical music video played on VH1, and he’s appeared on Sesame Street. And you know he’s big if he’s been on Sesame Street.

Joshua's new album, At Home With Friends, will be in stores September 29 and it’s AMAZING! You see, he’s well known for holding ‘musical soirées’ at his Manhattan residence – parties with musicians, actors, comics and authors who get together just for the sheer joy of sharing their art. So with this new album, Joshua fulfilled a life-long career dream of recording a CD of instrumental and vocal duets with an amazing roster of musicians and friends.

We’re talking Regina Spektor, Josh Groban, Sting, Kristin Chenoweth, Chris Botti, and more… Click here for a sneak peak.

You can also check out Joshua's Facebook page

At Home With Friends covers all of the genres, from classical to pop, bluegrass to Broadway, jazz and ethnic World Music. There are even a couple of seasonal tracks in there, just in time to celebrate the holidays.

Check out the track list:


I Loves You Porgy featuring Chris Botti, trumpet
Come Again featuring Sting, vocals
Oblivion featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Cinema Paradiso featuring Josh Groban, vocals
Para Tí featuring Tiempo Libre, various
My Funny Valentine featuring Kristin Chenoweth, vocals
Maybe So featuring Edgar Meyer Sam Bush and Mike Marshall, strings
Grieg: Sonata No. 3 featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff (Zenph re-performance)
Eleanor Rigby featuring Frankie Moreno, piano & vocals
O, Cease Thy Maiden Fair featuring Nathan Gunn, baritone
Il Postino featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Left Hand Song featuring Regina Spektor, piano & vocals
Chovendo Na Roseira featuring Dave Grusin, piano
Look Away featuring Edgar Meyer, bass and Chris Thile, mandolin
Variant Moods: Duet for Sitar & Violin featuring Anoushka Shankar, sitar
I'll Take Manhattan featuring Marvin Hamlisch, piano
Left Hand featuring Regina Spektor, vocals

Oh yeah, that’s right. Left Hand Song featuring Regina Spektor. This fan-favorite has never been recorded before… At Home With Friends is your only chance to own this song. You don’t want to miss this opportunity.

My take: If you are like I was, you might be saying "Joshua Bell? Who is that?" If you are, I encourage you to find out. I was amazed by this CD and by the talents of violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, not to mention a few of his favorite friends (Sting, Josh Groban, Chris Botti....) True, my musical tastes are eclectic and run the gamete from classical to classic rock to country. Josh Groban CDs share space on my wall with Garth Brooks, Andrea Bochelli and CCR CDs. So I was familiar with the genre. The beauty of these particular pieces of music though...they will move you, inspire and yes, relax you. Just as the sponsor of this tour said, this CD will "Serende Your Soul." My favorite? Cinema Paradiso featuring Josh Groban. The haunting beauty of Bell's violin with the soaring notes of Josh Groban voice? Just lovely. I highly recommend Joshua Bell: At Home with Friends.

_________________________________________________________________

This review was sponsored by the One2One Network who provided the CD for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary CD.

My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure

My Little Pony is Back in An All New Adventure!

Join Pinkie Pie and Her Pony Friends in This Brand New Animated Feature

My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure

Format: Animated, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Language: English
Number of discs: 1
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Release Date: October 13, 2009
Run Time: 81 minutes
Pricing: $14.99 U.S.

From the studio: Wishes do come true as those lovable colorful MY LITTLE PONY ponies are back in the all new animated feature length movie MY LITTLE PONY: TWINKLE WISH ADVENTURE, arriving on DVD on October 13, 2009 from Shout! Factory in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc.

MY LITTLE PONY: TWINKLE WISH ADVENTURE follows Pinkie Pie and all her pony friends on a fun-filled adventure as they discover that friendship can make wishes come true. All the ponies can’t wait for the Winter Wishes festival where the Wishing Star grants each pony one special wish. But when the Wishing Star disappears, they go on a journey to find it. Will they make it back in time for the festival? Find out by joining Pinkie Pie and all her pony friends on this magical journey of discovery.

My take: My daughter received a "My Little Pony" from a friend at her 4th birthday party last year. Prior to that, she had not heard of the brand. But I had! A quick peek at Wikipedia confirmed my memory that I had played with these little toys in my own childhood - "the original toy line ran from 1983 to 1995 (1992 in the U.S.)." I remember my little sisters in particular being enamoured of them. And in the toy industry these days, all that was old is new again as nostalgia is ramping up toy sales among our generation - and no wonder since we seem to be buying pieces of our childhoods to give to our children. If that's so with you, then you'll enjoy watching My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure with your kids. My daughter really enjoyed watching the DVD - immediately recognizing the pony on the screen as the same one she had in her toy box. And the coloring sheets and cut-out pony ornaments were a big hit with both kids as they love to do art of any kind. The sing-alongs were fun too - easy to follow along and not (too) annoying :-)

Be sure to click on the link for this clip - a preview of My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure.

Bonus: The DVD is jam-packed with fun extras including a new animated short “Elefun and Friends,” the “Waiting for the Winter Wishes Festival” prequel, six sing-along songs, downloadable coloring sheets, cut-out pony ornaments and four fun activities. Bonus Features Include:

Six Sing-Alongs:
“MY LITTLE PONY” Theme Song
“The Thing-A-Ma-Do Song”
“Dreams Do Come True”
“Somewhere Super New”
“That’s What Makes A Friend”
“A Wonderful Winter Song”

Waiting For The Winter Wishes Festival” – A Prequel

“Elefun and Friends” – A New Animated Short

Four Downloadable Activities:
Coloring Sheet
Pony Note to Santa
How to Make a Snowman
Cut-out Pony Ornaments

About HASBRO: Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Shout! Factory: Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit http://www.shoutfactory.com/.

Bed Bouquet

From the company: Many moms currently use fabric softener, dryer sheets, linen sprays and powders, trying to obtain and maintain that freshly scented bed. The fabric softener and dryer sheets may last a day or two, and then begins the daily application of linen sprays that can stain your good linen, or powders that you then are rolling around in as you sleep.

Bed Bouquet is different. It is the first of its kind bed linen freshener that you simply peel away two strips, then place the unit on your mattress and put your bed linen in place. For up to 30 days after, your bed will be freshly scented in one of our four incredible fragrances – Lavender & Vanilla, Jasmine & White Rose, Citrus or Linen Fresh.

My take: I wanted to like this product. Unfortunately, while the conception is awesome, the implementation is only so-so. It had promise - my allergies were not bothered in any way by using it, unlike some linen/air fresheners I've used. And true, it's easy to use - peel away the strip and place it on your mattress under your fitted sheet - it does stay in place and you never even notice it is there. Therein lies the problem - I never even noticed it was there, not by scent either. When I took the sample out of their box, they smelled heavenly (one sample each of Lavender & Vanilla and Citrus). And if you leaned down to smell them while on your bed you could still catch the scent. But the whole bed? Not so much. Just that one little area, which was so weak by the end of the week I couldn't even smell it. I think I'll stick with Febreeze but feel free to try it out for yourself:

Bonus: Until the end of October, they have a pre-launch promotion that gives Bed Bouquet away free to those who register and pay the small shipping costs.

This post was written for Bed Bouquet who provided the item for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

The review was sponsored by An Island Life; I am proud to be part of Kailani's review team:

Spooky, Spooky, Spooky

Spooky Spooky Spooky!
by Cathy MacLennan

List Price: $16.95
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Boxer Books (September 1, 2009)
Language: English

Product Description Cathy MacLennan’s latest title is a wonderfully spine-tingling (but never scary) journey through the darkest hours of Halloween night. Spooky Spooky Spooky! features a cast of fantastically creepy characters, from velvety bats and horribly howling cats to slithering slugs and slippery snails. A weird and wonderful tale with rhythmic, rhyming text; fun, colorful illustrations; and a real “treat” of an ending!

My take: This book couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Not only is it time for Halloween, it's book report time at school. So my almost-7 year old choose this book for his very first book report. He and I sat down to read the book together - it's a great book for a beginning reader like him - we sounded out the simple words. I'm not a teacher but I've found that rhyming books like this one help tremendously with his phonics. The story is really cute too - a simple rendition of "spooky, spooky, spooky" animals and trick-or-treaters along side charming illustrations. If your kids like Halloween books as much as mine do this time of year, I highly recommend picking up a copy of "Spooky, Spooky, Spooky!"

About the Author Cathy MacLennan was born in Zimbabwe, and inspired by African art and culture, she painted her first picture at the age of six on the outside wall of her home. She has been painting murals ever since. Her commissions include corporate foyers and private homes, with children's bedrooms a speciality. Bold colours, movement and unusual surfaces are Cathy's hallmark. Cathy lives in England with her husband and two sons.

This post was written for Sterling Publishing who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.