My Grandfather's Masbaha

Though Elinor isn't at the stage yet where things "aren't fair" and not appreciating what she has, I have been around plenty of children who say these things. I have worked with children for years and also have 6 nieces and nephews. This is such a common phase for kids to go through but now more than ever I seem to be seeing it. Maybe it is technology, maybe I'm just noticing it more.

My Grandfather's Masbaha is about a little boy, Adam, who is sooooo bored and has nothing to do even though he just spent the day playing with friends (sounds familiar anyone?). Adam's Grandfather helps him see everything he has in his life. When Adam's Grandfather introduces his Masbaha to Adam, he explains it as something a person uses for prayer, passing time or even just for decoration. They begin remembering everything Adam has in his life. His toys, his family, his friends, counting everything on the beads and remembering how everything is a blessing. It is a sweet story. I think a lot of children could benefit from "counting their blessings" and going over how much they have in their lives.

The last page of the book is all about the Masbaha. It was good for us since we didn't know much about it. I love to be able to expose Elinor to other cultures. It was nice having any questions we had about the masbaha right on hand.

You can find My Grandfather's Masbaha on Amazon or Barnes and Nobles in paperback and ebook.

Bosley Builds a Tree House and a giveaway

Does anyone remember about 2 months ago when I reviewed a children's book for dual language families from The Language Bear? Well Tim Johnson has written a new book called Bosley Builds a Tree House. 

Read more about Tim Johnson here

Again, I do not speak another language at all but Dave is pretty good at French so Tim sent us a PDF version of the french copy. I really liked the way this book was laid out. On the text page there are two columns. One for English and one for French (or Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Russian or Japanese). I also liked the cute illustrations in this book, they are improvement from the last one.  

How cute are these guys all working together?!

Elinor thought it was really funny when Dave read his part. When we finished it the first time she looked at us and said "more book please!"

I also really like how in this book there are illustrated break downs of simple words prior to them being used in the story. Like a picture of a fox with the text Fox and Le Renard next to it with that word introduced into the story on the next page.  It makes it easier for people like me or Elinor that are new to a second language. 

Bosley Builds a Tree House was released yesterday! It is available in print and ebook on amazon. This would be a perfect gift for the holidays. 

Even better Tim Johnson has offered a paperback copy to one of my readers (international readers too) in any language offered (Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Russian or Japanese)! and if you don't win he is offering 5 copies for 50% off...but stay tuned for that until after the giveaway. 

This giveaway will end 11/22. Good Luck!

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The Language Bear

I was contacted recently to review a dual language children's book. Although I wish we do, we do not speak another language in our house. Dave knows some French(3 yrs worth of high school classes) and a little Dutch and I know...English. In a subscription box we receive for Elinor, there was a French DVD that she has been obsessed with so we decided to try out the French book for her.

Bosley Goes To The Beach is an adorable story about a bear's first trip to the beach. He is impressed and wants to be like all the incredible and unique creatures he meets along the way but realizes he is just as special as they are. It reminded me of one of my favorite books when I was little. I was surprised how well Elinor sat while I read it mostly in English while I tried a few French words. I had Dave read it to her all in French too. It was nice that there were options in English and in French for both of us to read. I'm sure the book will help me with learning new French words and phrases too.

There are a lot of options if you are interested in this book. It is available in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. You also have the choice of a kindle version or paperback. After browsing through The Language Bear site, I realized there are more Bosley books. Bosley's First Words looks like a book Elinor would really like.

we won!

I always enter giveaways on blogs and I finally won one! I really wanted this book and almost bought it for Elinor a couple of weeks ago. Veggie Kids had a giveaway for That's why we don't eat animals. It is a children's book by Ruby Roth for vegans and vegetarians. She explains the difference of free animals and animals raised on factory farms. Also the effects eating animals has on the planet.

As soon as I got the package I opened it and read it to Elinor. She sat quietly for the whole story and looked around at every page. The pictures are so pretty but also sad on the factory farm pages. Nothing graphic, just darker and animals cramped in cages.

I'm glad there are books like this so I can explain to Elinor at an early age why we eat the way we do. Ruby Roth has a new book coming out April 24th called Vegan is love. I will have to get that one too!

Also check out Veggie Kids. Sarah wrote a book called The boy who loved broccoli that I also need to order for the little one. She posts about vegan products and also cooks with her 3 little adorable guys. She just posted about a protein packed pasta recipe that I might make tonight!