Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Review: Heroes of the City Youtube Channel
You may remember that last year I reviewed some great apps, books, and products for children by the Swedish company Heroes of the City. They also sponsored a gift pack giveaway here last spring. (You'll find previous posts about Heroes of the City: product review and baby app.)
I'm happy to share the news that Heroes of the City has a great Youtube channel. Heroes of the City is now a highlighted TV show in the new YouTube Kids app. Fun! Their videos for children are wonderful - educational, smartly written, and charmingly illustrated. They are ideal for toddlers and preschool age children.
About: Heroes of the City - a YouTube channel for Toddlers and Pre-schoolers.
· Full of fun episodes · Sketch & Guess with Calamity Crow
· Calamity Crow Kids Crafting Show Heroes of the City are an animated
TV-series about rescue vehicles in a small town where everybody gets to be a
hero! You will find over 6 hours of full episodes with great stories for the
little ones. The TV-series contains a lot of warmth and teaches the importance
of friendship and what we can achieve by helping each other.
Book Spotlight and Giveaway: The Bella Chronicles
By Erica Leigh Austin
Genre: Fiction/Children/YA
Publication Date & Publisher: 11/2014/ Chadwick
Publishing
Book Description:
Bella the Shih Tzu is in the throes of her great escape,
searching for the loving home she’s always wanted. She hears someone cry out that there’s a dog
in the street! Bella immediately puts
her escape on hold and springs into action as she frantically tries to save the
dog…but she can’t find him. What will Bella do???
The Bella Chronicles: The Adventure Begins brings to life the journey of an extraordinarily smart, wonderful, and special dog named Bella as she wills her way to find a home full of love and warmth – and food! Told from Bella’s perspective, The Bella Chronicles is a warm and loving piece of literature that pet lovers’ and children alike have been awaiting…
The Bella Chronicles: The Adventure Begins is the first in a heartwarming, humorous, insightful and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who have always wondered just what it is that their little pets are thinking.
The Bella Chronicles: The Adventure Begins brings to life the journey of an extraordinarily smart, wonderful, and special dog named Bella as she wills her way to find a home full of love and warmth – and food! Told from Bella’s perspective, The Bella Chronicles is a warm and loving piece of literature that pet lovers’ and children alike have been awaiting…
The Bella Chronicles: The Adventure Begins is the first in a heartwarming, humorous, insightful and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who have always wondered just what it is that their little pets are thinking.
Author Bio:
Erica Leigh Austin was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the
Pacific Palisades. Both of her parents –
all three of them, actually – were teachers and Erica was blessed to have grown
up in an artistic, intellectual home.
Her summers were filled with club volleyball and serving as big sister
and role model for her younger sister, Jenny.
Erica attended the University of Michigan, where she studied
English and starred on the Wolverines’ Women’s Volleyball team. After college, she returned home to obtain
her MBA from Loyola Marymount University.
While studying at Loyola, Erica worked at the iconic Gladstone’s Seafood
Restaurant “where Sunset meets the PCH.” Erica’s studies then took her abroad to
France. There she immersed herself in
the art and culture of one of the world’s most cosmopolitan locales.
Currently a highly accomplished professional in healthcare IT, Erica lives happily in the Venice Beach area. She enjoys yoga, spending time with family and friends, and pushing Bella the Shih Tzu around in her stroller (Bella is too lazy to walk more than 20 feet).
She is pleased to introduce you to her dog, Bella the Shih Tzu, in this first installment of The Bella Chronicles. Learn more about Erica at www.ericaleighaustin.com.
Currently a highly accomplished professional in healthcare IT, Erica lives happily in the Venice Beach area. She enjoys yoga, spending time with family and friends, and pushing Bella the Shih Tzu around in her stroller (Bella is too lazy to walk more than 20 feet).
She is pleased to introduce you to her dog, Bella the Shih Tzu, in this first installment of The Bella Chronicles. Learn more about Erica at www.ericaleighaustin.com.
Author Website: ericaleighaustin.com/bellachronicles.com
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ericalaustin
@Ericalaustin
Barnesandnoble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bella-chronicles-the-adventure-begins-erica-leigh-austin/1120906961?ean=9780990970118
a Rafflecopter
giveaway
The author is giving away 5 print copies of The Bella Chronicles – signed
by both the author & Bella!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Downton Abbey, Season 5: Christmas Special Finale
This was a two hour special episode, so lots happened! High points included:
- Lord and Lady Sinderby hosted a shooting party at their estate. I am not a great fan of hunting or guns, but I found much to focus on with the family drama, including Sinderby's mistress and small child showing up at a big gathering. Rose saved the day by pretending to be friends with the mistress and then seeing her off.
- Mary met a handsome new man, Henry Talbot, at the gathering and flirted with him. Edith also met a man at the gathering, Mr. Pelham; he seems like a nice chap.
- After a health scare, Lord Grantham made peace with Edith and welcomed Marigold into the family.
- Lord Kuragin reunited with his princess, a gloomy and unpleasant woman, and went off to Paris with her.
- Isobel received a nastygram from Lord Merton's son, Larry, and broke things off with Merton.
- Tom and Sybbie prepared to move to Boston. (Insert several 1920's theme sad emojis here.)
- Carson proposed to Mrs. Hughes and she accepted. I am restraining myself from typing this in all caps, but it is very big news!
- Bates "confessed" to Green's murder to get Anna out of jail. Molesley and Baxter played detective to get him off the hook ... and reunited with Anna.
Character of the Week
Tom had a lovely farewell to Downton Abbey, both in the children's nursery, remembering Sybil with Mary and Edith, and at the Christmas gathering downstairs. He is by far my favorite DA character, and as Mrs. Hughes said, a bridge between upstairs and downstairs. I think he also has served as a bridge between viewers and the the very privileged Crawley family.
Line of the Week
“Why do you always talk of me as if I were a salmon who laid my eggs in the gravel, then swam back to the sea?” (the Dowager Countess - perhaps my favorite Countess-ism of the season)
Most Striking Visual
Christmas at Downton Abbey was so beautiful! I especially loved seeing the tree, and the children's wonder looking at it.
"Oh My" Moment
Carson's proposal to Mrs. Hughes and her acceptance was sheer perfection. Finally! I think this was my favorite scene of the entire 5th season.
What I Hope Will Happen Next Season (All Speculation - No Spoilers!)
- A Carson/Hughes wedding!
- A Baxter/Molesley romance.
- Drama-free Anna/Bates.
- Romance for Mary, perhaps with the new suitor introduced in this episode?
- Happiness for Edith.
- A new puppy at the Abbey (although Isis will still be fondly remembered).
- More great Dowager Countess quotes!
Friday, February 27, 2015
Book Blast and Giveaway: Stellarcadia
Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be hosting a Book Blast for the third and final book in the "Adventures of Caramel Cardamom" middle grade science fiction trilogy by Julie Anne Grasso: "Stellarcadia".
About the Book
Title: Stellarcadia (Adventures of Caramel Cardamom, Book 3) | Author: Julie Anne Grasso | Publication Date: December 24, 2014 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 128 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 Book Description: Caramel Cinnamon is one lucky elf. She can hardly believe she’s invited to attend the first Intergalactic Youth Summit, on-board the Stellarcadia. Her friends can’t wait to go “hyper,” but even the thought of it chills Caramel to the bone. However, nothing could compare to the icy reception she receives upon her arrival. Keen to get to the bottom of it, Caramel stumbles on a dangerous conspiracy, but no one will believe her. In the exciting conclusion to The Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy, Caramel will have to do more than outwit her enemies, she will have to convince her friends to take her seriously. For ages 8-12.Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
The Early Buzz
"The book is also a perfect mix of magic, science, and technology. Don’t be surprised if readers get to use their imaginations and learn something. Julie Anne Grasso has proven herself to be an original and versatile author..." ~ 5 Stars, Ilana W., Amazon
"Couldn't put it down." ~ Jemima P., Goodreads
About the Author: Julie Anne Grasso
With a background in paediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to encourage and entertain them.
She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband Danny and their little girl, Giselle.
Website | Blog | Facebook
Twitter | Goodreads
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *
Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)
Contest ends: March 25, 11:59 pm, 2015
Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Julie Anne Grasso and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway
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