Little Monster Fun & Learn Book

Fun Find-  Having kids gives you entry back into the world of children's literature, for which I am so glad.  Sometimes you can find an author and set of stories that takes you back to when you were a child and the book, "Little Monster Fun & Learn" by Mercer Mayer has done that for me. 

The "Little Monster Fun & Learn" book puts a big emphasis on children's early education. It gives them a chance to have fun with learning.  Through this book they encounter their ABC's, counting and how to enjoy things like bedtime and traveling through a neighborhood. Full of rhymes and funny monster characters both my three year-old and five year-old love reading this book before bedtime. The gorgeous illustrations provide many hours spent pouring over the pages to just to gaze at the various monsters and their habitats.  They adore this book and I do too. 

You can find "Little Monster Fun & Learn" online at Amazon.com and FastPencil Premiere in both print and digital format.  

Liquid Architecture 101 Mojitos and Other Muddled Drinks by Kim Hassarud

The warm heat of the Summer sun is still upon us. Sultry, humid nights spent on decks and patios are always present. We crave good conversation, time spent with friends and family and a cold drink.

Kim Hassarud has created a wonderful treasure trove of cocktail recipes that will satisfy your every drink craving with her book, 101 Mojitos & Other Muddled Drinks ($16.95). It's a wonderful reference guide, how-to and very easy to follow. For the Fourth of July we had a neighborhood block party and I mixed up a batch of Kim's classic Mojito. It was a smash hit! I've made pitchers and single dose drinks of it ever since. Everyone wants the recipe. This book is not just for summertime either. It is loaded with drink recipes for the cooler months too. There are recipes for margaritas, crushes and grappas too.

Haasarud іѕ a James whiskers-honored mixologist, author, аnd beverage consultant. Founder οf Liquid Architecture and its very cool blog, shе creates signature cocktails inspired by items that are high quality, market-fresh ingredients. She believes that cocktails should also be culinary experiences, full of flavors, aromas, garnishes and textures. Hassaraud will teach you how to make a drink come alive. They will be the hit of the afternoon, night, party or whatever the occasion.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.



*Image from givelovecreatehappiness.com

Sweet Valley Confidential- Ten Years Later

I was a big fan of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High and Middle School books when I was growing up.  I would drag my parents to the book store on a regular basis to get my Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield fix.  As a New England girl stuck in some seriously snowy and cold winters, the Wakefield twins sunny, So Cal life could not have been more different from mine.  My curiosity was peaked when I was asked to review Sweet Valley Confidential-Ten Years Later.  Would it still hold the same charm?  I've lived in So Cal now myself.  Would I still root for Jessica over Elizabeth or vice verse?

As soon as I started reading this latest S.V. book I was filled with nostalgia.  All the old characters are still there and I mean, still in Sweet Valley.  They have inter-married, Jessica is on marriage deux, and no one seems that happy.  Including Elizabeth who has moved to New York after being betrayed by her old flame Todd who is now with her twin sister, Jessica.  Ah, the same story lines still hold true.  The only difference?  Bruce Patman is now nice and (spoiler alert!) Steven Wakefield is gay.  With mentions of Facebook and other social media trends the characters have modernized a bit but the quiet life of Sweet Valley is still there.  The characters haven't evolved that much beyond high school and that was disappointing.  It is billed as a young-adult book and it is in that realm but fans of old might be looking for more than Pascal has offered in this simple look forward. 

If you are looking for a quick, nostalgic read or want to get acquainted with the Wakefield twins for the first time Sweet Valley Confidential-Ten Years Later will do that for you.  The character updates in the back of the book are fun too.

MPR Rating:  Three Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Products received are for review purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only. 

The Tao of Motherhood

Fun Find- The Tao of Motherhoodby Vimala McClure is for mothers who want to combine their spirituality with their parenting. In a collection of short essays that draw on the ancient teachings of The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching'>Lao Tzu you can find the deep down truths that shine through even in the most crazy moments of motherhood. Set for each stage of parenting, including adult children, it is a quick read too.

McClure writes,"There is nothing more receptive and flowing than water, yet there is nothing better for polishing the stone. A mother's nature is paradox. Your strength is in your gentleness. Your authority is in receptivity. Your power is in letting go."

Check it out today. The Tao of Motherhood is available at The Tao of Motherhood'>Amazon.com

Dream Big Little Pig

Olympic Medalist and mother Kristi Yamaguchi has created a sweet children's book called, Dream Big Little Pig ($16.99). Following her inspiring motto, "Always Dream!" Kristi wrote this adorable book about Poppy the Pig.

Geared for ages 4-8, kids can read about Poppy and her big dreams. Big dreams that don't always pan out or seem as easy to attain as Poppy would like. Throughout the book Poppy tries one thing after another trying to find out what she is good at and has her family by her side always saying, "Dream Big!"

I like reading this book to my girls because not only does it illustrate how important family and their support is for kids, but it also showcases different hobbies, including ice skating. It is the ice skating that Poppy finally finds makes her the most happy and thus succeeds at with a joyful heart.

Available at Dream Big, Little Pig!'>Amazon.com.

MPR Rating: Four Stars

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

Fun Find-Carol Roth- The Entrepreneur Equation

New York Times and USA Today best-seller Carol Roth has written a new book, The Entrepreneur Equation ($24.95).

"Business Strategist Carol Roth believes that indeed small business has the potential to create growth in jobs and GDP, but only if those small businesses succeed. In The Entrepreneur Equation, Carol Roth helps you learn how to stack the odds of success in your favor and ultimately decide if business ownership is the best possible path for you, now or ever."

Beyond the fact that this book is a great read, loaded with facts and information that will motivate and help you find some solid ground there is the doll. That's where the 'fun find' part comes into play. The doll is $250 and I'm sure the publicist who sent it to me would die if she knew that my five year-old went gaga over it when this mini-Carol Roth arrived at our door. While still in the box this replica comes with pink "leather" shoes, a black sheath dress and is 12 inches high. It's a fantastic press piece and I wish they made more and it wasn't so expensive because it is way better than a Barbie, if you ask me.

Buy the Entrepreneur Equation here. You won't be sorry.

Deep Down True by Juliette Fay

Juliette Fay's new book 'Deep Down True' has a back cover that reads like this-

"It's been more than a year since Dana Stellgarten's divorce, and things are getting tough. Her 7-year-old, Grady, is struggling with the absence of his father and becoming moody and morose. She discovers that her 12-year-old, Morgan, is bulimic and succumbing to pressure from her popular friends. Her 16-year-old niece, Alder, literally crashes into their lives and begs Dana to take her in for several months. Alder no longer seems to be the happy, well-rounded girl she used to be. To top it all off, Dana's well-to-do ex-husband is suddenly struggling with his child-care payments. This is a wonderful tale of family and growing up, whether as a child, a teenager, or a middle-aged mother. Dana gains unlikely friends at her dentist's office, loses longtime allies, and even begins to date again. Dana, who is at times nice to a fault, learns that single motherhood requires both love and a sharp edge of responsibility."

First off, this book is comforting.  Just as Dana brings meals to those in need that are loaded with comfort food that is what this book provides to the reader. It reminded me of rainy days and mugs of tea.  It is well written and holds the readers interest with its different plot points. However, I found myself annoyed with the main character, Dana when I first began reading.  That may have been the intention initially but her "nice to a fault" attitude made me want to close the book at times. 

I have read a lot of glowing reviews of this book.  Overall I think it is a good read if you want a book that has the theme of persistent hope throughout it.  Dana never gives up and confronts so much that she is almost battered like a sea wall.  Her intensity as a mother rings true.  I really related to that aspect of the book.  In the end I enjoyed the book as a whole and admired the way the author approached Dana's character when dealing with her daughter's bulimia.  It is a good, easy read that I think many people will enjoy.  It offers just enough bite to not be a throw away read as well.

'Deep Down True' is available at Amazon and bookstores nationwide.

MPR Rating: Three Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post.  Products received are for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only. 



*Image from Adrienneshouse.com

Half in Love- A Memoir by Linda Gray Sexton

Half in Love

Half in Love (Surviving the Legacy of Suicide) by Linda Gray Sexton is a gripping memoir.  I found myself pulled in to her story of depression, suicide attempts, her family history and recovery in an odd way.  It was deeply comforting for me to read.  The honesty and depth that Linda gives to the reader is a gift to anyone that has dealt with depression and/or suicide on their own or with a member of their family.  At times I felt myself biting my hand as I read, half crying and reading. I related to her descriptions of "going down the rabbit hole" that depression creates all too well. 

As a woman of three girls and a post partum depression survivor two times over I am hardly a novice to mood swings, dark moments in time and feelings of intense anxiety.  My own mother went through the same situation from the time I was six months old to when I was about five.  While I don't have a clear memory of those days as a child I do remember when she turned the corner towards recovery from her depression and how it lifted the fog off of everyone in our household.  I had a different mother and one that I took great joy in being with as did my father.  Gone was the grey, fuzziness that seemed to tinge our lives.  Enter sunlight and a mother with a presence. 

Now, five years after my first round of PPD, my husband and I have entered marriage counseling.  Our communication skills are not up to par and problems within ourselves have left gashes in our life together.  Reading Sexton's book about her own marital counseling was not just relatable but gave me a way into seeing how my anxiety issues, pregnancy and post partum depression times strained my own marriage.  Five years of all those ups and downs.  Five years of my husband pulling that added weight of taking care of all of us. Never wanting to burden me with any of his problems so as not stress me out or unravel me further takes such a toll on a relationship no matter how stable.  It was through Half in Love that I was able to turn around and see more clearly how it must have been for my spouse to live with me.  I could barely pull myself together on many days so how could I give the support that one needs to give when in a relationship?  I could not.  He had no one to lean on and my children have lived with a mother who often wept throughout the day as she roamed the inner dark spots of her mind.  It is not a life I want for me or for them.  Through therapy and medication I have found my way out once again and hope to be here in this brighter, clearer spot forever.

My mothers own honesty with me about her post partum depression was a huge relief for me.  Unlike Linda, I never felt that I had to be my mother's keeper as a child. It was never on that level.  Her discussions with me about her own experiences with PPD made it possible for me to know that if I needed her I could rely on her to talk about my own pervasive sadness.  Depression and suicide are an inherited trait to some degree. But like Linda talking with her sons, Nathaniel and Gabe about her own illness and suicide attempts she gives it a voice that offers not just a release but the ability to see the person and the trait more clearly.  At the end of her memoir Linda writes, "Love might not ensure that I would stay well, but love would help me through the darkness."  I am eternally grateful for the love my husband, family and friends have provided for me over the years and my rounds with depression.  I can never express my gratitude enough for helping to not just save me from the cocoon of darkness but my family as well. 


Thank you to award-winning author Linda Gray Sexton for sponsoring this series, which is inspired by her memoir Half in Love: Surviving the Legacy of Suicide.

I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective which endorses Blog With Integrity

To learn more about Linda Gray Sexton and her writing, please visit her website.

Goldilocks & the Three Bears- A Tale Moderne

"I've already heard this story! We have it at schooool." whined my preschool age daughter.  Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a classic.  A timeless story about a little girl who wanders into a bear family's home.  It's an easy to understand moral but sometimes things need a bit of re-working and that is exactly what you get with this new version of Goldilocks from Abrams Books ($18.95).

Retold and illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia (he did the Three Little Pigs as well) this book still teaches kids about the importance of privacy but with a new fangled twist.  This is one design-savvy, sophisticated take on the tale as it features a renovated house for the bears using designers such as, Eames, Noguchi and Alvar Alto.  The pictures in this book are colorful and lively.  Each bear has his own taste and musical style that they love and it is great fun as an adult to look over the book with new eyes on the form, function and style Guarnaccia's book offers.  Both my girls enjoyed the book and asked many questions about the illustrations.  The oldest, in particular, loved the three bears different chairs.  It kept them entertained and seemed like a new story to them as well.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears: A Tale Moderne is just as good as the original but with a great eye towards design that will delight young and old readers alike.

Available for purchase at Abrams Books online and Amazon.com.

MPR Rating:  Three Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Products received are for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only.

*Images from ohdeedoh.com and  abramsbooks.com

The Cook's Book of Intense Flavors

I received this 288 page cookbook recently and I must admit I found it a bit intimidating.  The Cook's Book of Intense Flavors- 101 Surprising Flavor Combinations and Extraordinary Recipes That Excite Your Palate and Pleasure Your Senses ($26) is a mouthful.  Created by husband and wife is about learning to cook intuitively.  If you are looking to broaden your cooking horizons, get creative and learn how food pairings really work then this is a cook book for you. 

Containing seven chapters, restaurateurs Robert and Molly Krause illustrate how three key ingredients can come together to create a unique, flavorful dish.  This book is for cooks of all skill levels and once I got into it I wasn't as intimidated.  There are over 100 recipes to sample including Tea-and-Lim Cured Salmon, Jack and Coke ice cream and Beyond Oysters Rockefeller.  Some dishes take time, are time-sensitive and others are fairly quick and easy.  I also liked the addition of some updated classics. 

This cook book is as unique as its ingredient pairings and makes a great addition to your cook book collection or as a gift to a newbie chef in the making or even a more experienced cook.  Available at Amazon online. 

MPR Rating:  Three stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review and testing purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only. 

*Image from goodlifeguy.com

Fury by Koren Zailckas

Koren Zailckas, author of the best-selling memoir Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood, has written another memoir, Fury.  This one is all about anger and family.  The ties that bind in some if not all families.  Here in this second book Zailckas starts off with the idea of writing a book on the history of anger, particularly Anglo-Saxon anger.  Over time she realizes that she cannot write a book about anger when she herself has such a hard time expressing this particular emotion. 

I read Zailckas first book, Smashed and loved it.  As a child of the same generation and a product of it as well I easily identified with the emotions, time frame and obstacles that she deals with throughout the book.  While I may not have abused alcohol to that extreme it was a very truthful, telling book for my generation.  Once again I find myself identifying with Zailckas in Fury.  An only child with anger issues myself I learned so much from her historical points on anger as well as the theories that surround this strong emotion.  She delves into Tonglen, yoga, homeopathy and the psychiatric field as she writes this book, which gives Fury its wide array of knowledge on the subject of anger.  As Koren worked through her issues with herself and her family I saw a lot of me being mirrored back and it was not always pleasant.  By reading Fury I became more aware of how I interact with my own children, particularly my eldest daughter and it was eye-opening.  Her personal insights are not just brave and smart but amazing as well.

"It occurs to me that, just as she's wanted to strap a muzzle on my feelings, I haven't really wanted to experience hers. Most of my life I've avoided being honest with my mother for fear that it would ignite her own explosive emotions. I'm guilty of the exact same crimes I've charged her with... If I was looking for proof that she cared, it was right there in her anxieties about me... Like so many people in the world, her way of loving focused on training. Her affection had been there every time she said 'don't.'"


As a mother, daughter and individual I saw a lot of myself in Koren and her book Fury.  I walked away from it with a lightening in my spirit and self that I hadn't anticipated from a book called, Fury.  It is a brilliant read just like Smashed that I highly recommend. 

MPR Rating: Four Stars. 

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post.  All products received are for review purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only. 

Mother Daze by Christine Carr

Author Christine Carr is a fellow Rhode Islander like myself and I will admit that it did sway me into initially saying yes and reviewing her book, 'Mother Daze- Tales from the Imperfect Playground.'  The mother of three and a P.E. teacher Carr has lots of experience with children.  She knows all about the juggle, the unconditional love and the support we mothers all need. That is precisely what this book is about too. 

For me, reading 'Mother Daze' could not have come at a better time.  Just two months shy from having my third child I am exhausted to the point of tears and wondering how in the world to go about each and every day.  This book helped me put things in perspective a bit and laugh while I read it.  As Carr states, "this book is a complete high five to women for all they miraculously manage to get done -- every day!!"  I think I needed help recognizing that at this point and that, I am not alone in the joys and struggles that make up motherhood each and every day. 

Chapters like, 'Equal Time', 'Just Ducky' and 'Cherish Your Mother' offer well-rounded views on everything from finding the balance once your child arrives to handling the daily juggle with a better but realistic mind-set and knowing just how much our mothers loved and sacrificed for us come shining through with this book.  I particularly enjoyed the personal details Carr added about her own childhood and family relationships that were sprinkled throughout the book. It is loaded with sound "girlfriend-like" advice and humor too.  I came away from reading various pages and even whole chapters feeling as if I had just spent time with a friend who was only there to listen and tell me it would all be OK and that I would get through this rough patch.

'Mother Daze' is a quick read that I highly recommend. It's not preachy or too light on the content. It's just good sound advice that doesn't feel come across as advice at all.  It's all about how we, as women, are all in this journey together.  This book makes a great gift for a friend who has one child or many.  After finishing this book, I can only add that I'm relieved and glad to know Carr is a fellow Rhode Islander that I can vouch for and that this book is honestly a good read.   'Mother Daze' is available at Amazon, Barnes&Noble.com and Borders.com.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All products were given for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's own. 

Kaleidopops: Bugs

The latest in the Kaleidopops series by Silver Dolphin books and by Ruth Martin, Bugs ($15.95) is one gorgeous book.  It came at just the right time too.  My four year old has developed a fear of bugs that cannot be described.  She screams and cries about the common housefly and if a bee or ant so much as flits or crawls past her she goes into hysterics.  The beauty of 'Bugs'* is that the pictures and pop-up pages are so beautiful and enchanting that a child cannot help but be fascinated by it.

Over ten pages of full color comes to life.  Creepy crawly bugs adorn the pages. The shimmering wings of a blue morpho butterfly grabbed my daughters attention and paved the way for her to settle in with me as we explored the world of the iridescent rainbow shield bug, Praying Mantis and more.  Five of the pages are in 3-D lenticular pop-up design making it seem that the bugs are flying or crawling off the pages.  By illustrating where the bugs live, attract mates, hide from predators and what they eat she began to understand how fascinating bugs can be instead of just plain scary.  Now when she sees ants crawling on our sidewalk she goes in closer to inspect them and to see where they are going. This is definitely a book that was educational for her and for me.  I think it will make going through this spring and summer a lot easier too. 

Kaleidopop books can be purchased at Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble and Indie Bound.  Any book in the Kaleidopops series (there are a wide range of titles) would make a great gift for any child over the age of five. 

MPR Rating:  Five Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Any products received are for review and testing purposes only.  

*Amazon Affliate tag.  Purchase the book on Amazon through me and I get maybe a cent. 

Summer Reading for Kids from Abrams Books

Abrams Books presents a wonderful way to celebrate Moms and Dads this spring and summer with these three engaging, sweet and wonderful books.

Just Like Mama by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Julia Gorton is a loving tribute to mothers with daughters.  In it the little girls models herself after her role model and mother in the most simple but heartfelt way.  I love reading it with both my girls and they love hearing it.  It always makes me smile.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Because I Am Your Daddy ($15.95) by Sherry North and illustrated by Marcellus Hall is a tribute to Fathers. Perfect for this coming Father's Day, which is right around the corner.  It's contemporary, warm and all about the unconditional love that father's have for their children.  I love how fun it is and how each time we read it my oldest daughter (4 1/2) lets her imagination soar with all the different Daddy professions.  It's inspiring.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Mama, Is It Summer Yet?  Written and Illustrated by Nikki McClure tells the delightful tale that could just be your child's first summer read.  It is all about the seasons changing and how children can find the ways that summer is coming with each passing day.  It's a gorgeous book that also deals with family togetherness and environmental matters.  My kids love hearing about the buds appearing on the trees and the bees getting ready for summer each time we read it.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.


Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All products received were for review purposes only. 

National Geographic's Green Guide Families

National Geographic books is once again the place that people and families can go to find answers to their questions, specifically their green living questions.  Green Guide Families: The Complete Reference for Eco-Friendly Parents really is that, a reference guide.

The book ($21.95) is great for families of young children.  It holds so much useful information regarding clothing, toys, home decor, food, health, toiletries travel and so much more.  It may seem like a dense book at first, but keep in mind that it is a reference guide and it covers a wide range of topics.  Having said that I have found myself referring to it frequently when I want to know the ins and outs of the cloth diaper argument, what organic foods are most important to purchase and more.  If I have a question regarding green living, I just open up this book.  The answer is usually there with a lot of background information to support it.  It is so useful to be able to browse through it and know that the information is arming me with enough information to make informed decisions regarding green living practices for me and my family. 

The key focus of this book is its knowledge on green parenting.  It offers a very strong foundation of scientific knowledge, which National Geographic is known for. You can be sure that the information in this book can be trusted with the N.G. name standing behind it.  Author Catherine Zandonella specializes in health and saftety concerns for the family and the environment.  Backed by a board of advisors this book offeres the very latest in accurate information and recommendations.  It's a great comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to begin or continue green living.

You can purchase the book here and at Amazon.  For more reviews visit the Silicon Valley Moms website.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

Book Review Time! Lil' Eddie Learns to Read & I'm a Tree

From Synergy Books comes "Lil' Eddie Learns to Read", Rima H. Corral.  In this book a little boy named Eddie receives a book for his third birthday.  It inspires him to learn to read.  His journey into the world of reading begins simply and soon his whole family has joined in to help him explore this whole new world.  By using books, games and a neighborhood reading club he finds his way. Corral includes a handy “Help for Parents” section scattered throughout the pages of the book as well. By the end of the book Eddie has entered kindergarten armed with his new skill.  Corral hopes that many other parents and children will heed this books message and start their kids on the reading path before kindergarten as well. 

Simply illustrated and sometimes a bit long-winded this book kept my four year-old's interests. She counted with Eddie, described the pictures in the book and tried to grasp the reading concept along with him.  The tips for parents are useful and serve as a good resource for parents too. 

MPR Rating: Three Stars.

Bridgeway Books presents “I’m Up in a Tree”, a lyrical rhyming book by Mark Alden Johnson’s. This book is about a boy who climbs a tree for fun, gets scared and realizes he must climb down.  Only he doesn't know how and is now afraid.  He decides to wait for his Dad but as he waits some neighborhood animals decide to try and help him out. They advise him on how best they would get out of the tree.  For example, the birds tell him to fly out of the tree, the bees suggest he jump and a cat proposes he climb down. Should he trust his instincts or wait for his Dad to come home? The basic premise of  “I’m Up in a Tree” is about teaching kids how to resist peer pressure and go with their gut. 

I liked the message that this book presents and it was a fun read for my kids as well.  It's illustrated nicely and it does not drag.  My daughter was pleased that at the end the little boy goes with his initial instincts and decides to wait for his Dad who isn't mad at all and helps him out of the tree.  That is what she would have done after all, she stated.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars. 

Disclaimer:  I was not paid for this post.  Opinions are my own. 

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Die Fat or Get Tough by Steve Siebold

According to Steve Siebold, author of 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class, there are 101 differences in the thinking between fat people and fit people. Siebold is brief in his book 'Die Fat or Get Tough' to the point and with no holds barred. As he states early on in the introduction and at the end of the book "it hits hard, never lets up and all efforts to be politically correct were abandoned early in this project." Consider that your warning.


This book is definitely a self-help book. If you have ever watched the DVD or read the book, The Secret, then you are well versed in this type of concept. When I started reading it I had to laugh, it is as if the book was written, not by Siebold, but by my husband and Henry Rollins. This is not going to be some handholding, full of love read. This is the end of the road. You want to lose weight and stay healthy? Read this book. Personally, I think the women from Skinny Bitch books are meaner than Siebold but read the book and you decide.

I did not find this book offensive like some might. Differences like, "Fat people believe there's a hidden secret to being healthy. Fit people know there is no secret." are just fact to me. I believe that moderation is key in all things in life and if you want to stay fit, be healthy so you can live a long life you need to know that it is going to take work, persistence and help from others. You cannot be surrounded by people who do not believe in an active, healthy lifestyle and still stay fit. It just doesn't work that way. Look at what the Shredheads have accomplished. I believe that as you get older you have to work harder and be strategic in your goals. So does Siebold.  I don't believe that just because I've had two kids and a third is on the way that I can no longer go back to my old clothes. Sure, my body shape changes but I don't have to hang on to the weight or lose muscle and tone just because I've aged and had babies. I want to be strong and good role model to my kids. I want to have energy and not get winded going up the stairs. I like running and working up a sweat. These are all keys to staying fit. Siebold lays them out in a blunt manner but it is the same thing. Putting off the gym or any type of exercise puts off a healthy, happy you. You want to eat a bunch of processed food that is made up of sugar, fat and carbs then you'll gain weight. It is that simple.

I enjoyed this book. I believe that it is not for everyone because, like Siebold, I think some people aren't mentally tough enough to face the facts. Getting fit, losing weight and keeping it off becomes harder as you age. You have to see the joy in exercise and not think of it as a chore. It has to be part of your life and not something you slog through daily. OK, some slogging is allowed, but it has to be a habit and a bit of a passion too. You literally have to get tough mentally to get fit. If not, then you die fat.


MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post.  Opinions are solely my own and no one elses.  Product was received for review purposes only. 

Maisy Goes to Preschool

Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins is just one of the great books in the Maisy First Experiences book collection. This book ($12.99) arrived in our house at just the right moment. We were a few weeks shy of my preschooler going back into her second year of school. The big jump from two days a week to three days was looming large on our calender. We read this book it right away and immediately fell in love.



"Preschool for Maisy means a day filled with friends and things to do, from the time she hangs her coat on a special peg to the time she says good-bye." I love the simple illustrations and how perfectly it depicts my child's typical day at her preschool. From snack time to the classic activities like painting, story time and art class Maisy does it all, just like my daughter. She identified with Maisy and all her friends as they went through their day. Reading this book refreshed her memory on what a school day is like and opened up the idea of the new school year as a topic for discussion.

Cousins has created a wonderful character with Maisy. The bright illustrations and easy reading are a great way to introduce new topics to your kids and help explain them.

Available at online at Amazon.com and other fine book stores.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Raising Girls- The Complete Idiot's Guide

When I realized I would be the mother to two girls I was excited about it but also a bit worried. The sense of responsibility weighed on me. How in this crazy, mixed up world would I raise two confident girls into women?

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Raising Girls ($14.95) by Dr. Gary J. Weisenberger, Kathy Sherwin and Deborah Romaine is full of real life advice for parents raising girls. It has a section for everything from birth to womanhood. While I'm a big believer in parenting on instinct I did find this book incredibly helpful.

The book is broken down into four sections. Each section deals with different aspects of a girls life from infant to adult. It's not just for mothers either but for both parents. I loved that as it put the weight of parenting on both parents and spoke to each in a different way. My husband has already admitted to needing to, "read this book." Punctuated throughout each chapter are anecdotes, bits of humor and good solid, common sense advice. Let's face it though, even the smartest of us sometimes forgets these things or is in a conundrum on how to face a parenting challenge. 'Raising Girls' deals with each problem with finesse and simple to understand answers. I found that I could easily flip through the book by section and find the problem I was dealing with and help me prepare for the future. From bully's in school to having the s-e-x talk it is all there with loads more.

Raising a girl in today's world is not an easy task. They are inundated from all sides with information from the good to the bad to the ugly. It's not the same world that we were raised in either. Their possibilities are endless and that can be terrifically overwhelming. 'Raising Girls' assists parents with these very same issues in a clear, insightful way. I highly recommend this book.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Baby Smarts by Jackie Silberg

From Gryphon House, Inc comes 'Baby Smarts' by Jackie Silberg. This book is filled with wonderful developmental games for you and your baby to play. Geared for ages infant to twelve months, 'Baby Smarts' is divided into four chapters, each representing a three month period.

What I loved most about this book is that it is compact and easy to leaf through. Having it broken down by three month periods and chart milestones for me was incredibly helpful too. I found that I could just pick up the book when I had a spare moment, thumb through it and find simple but interesting activities to share with my baby. Every activity helps your child build muscle coordination, develop language abilities or math skills. Even better is that there are no expensive toys required. It's you, a few household props and your baby.

Here's a great example: Floating Feathers (ages 3-6 mos.)

-Lay your baby on its back and on the floor next to you.

-Throw a brightly colored feather in the air and watch it gently float to the ground.

-This relaxing game also challenges your baby to follow (track) objects with their eyes.

Author Jackie Silberg has an M.S. in childhood development and used extensive brain development research to create 'Baby Smarts'. The book is filled with the latest in brain research and developmental games. It is more than simply increasing your baby's brain power it is about spending quality time with your child one activity at a time.