Bible Stories Painting Book 2

 

Bible Stories Painting Book 2

By Juliet David

Illustrated by Simon Abbott

24 pages

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Price $7.99

Are you looking for a simple way to teach/ immerse your young child in the bible? 

For my little one, keeping him busy is hard enough.  Actually sitting down and discussing the bible stories with him can be down right complicated.  For me, it is best to keep it simple, as well as have a child friendly activity that holds his interest.

Bible Stories Painting Books have all that!

They include 6 separate watercolor paint palettes.  Three are at the front of the book and three at the back. 

The simple pictures and stories- which are really just a few sentences make it easy and fun for kids to paint. 

I loved this book so much that we actual took it traveling with us.  All I needed was the book and a paintbrush.  I could find water and a container practically anywhere.

Overall this book has 16 different pictures and bible stories from the Old Testament to the New Testament.  The stories go in order from Adam and Eve to Jonah and The Whale to Jesus’ Birth to Jesus’ Resurrection, and many in between.

Each page is extra thick as to not rip or be worn down as the page gets wet with the paints.  The paints show up bright and beautiful.

Buy it today!

I have loved many books published by Kregel Publishing.  They even have a Bible Stories 1 watercolor painting book.

  

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Chicken Games Activity Book

 

Katey has been having so much fun lately starting her day with a few brain teasers just right for her age. 

Chicken Games & Puzzles has 100 Activities for kids. Written by Helene Hovanec, Patrick Merrell.

I know it sounds funny, a whole book of Chicken Games.  That is what it is.  It is funny. 

Not only is it fun, it is educational.  It starts off simple and works it’s way up to more difficult. 

 

The activities are simple enough for her to be able to do but they get her brain going in the morning.

There are even fun riddles in it.

There are all kinds of fun puzzle books written by Helene Hovanec, and Patrick Merrell.

Check them out from Storey Publishing.

Simply Fun -GIVEAWAY

As you know if you are a regular blog reader of mine, WE LOVE GAMES!  There is so much to be learned from games:

• Teamwork
• Patience
• You learn and connect through the play of games
• Quality family bonding time
• Stress relievers.
• FUN!!!

Simply Fun is a company that makes QUALITY board games.   I am talking Quality.  Everything about these games is sturdy, from the pieces to the game itself to the box.  Even the instructions are printed on quality heavyweight paper.

We were sent two games to play and review. 

Let’s Drive $40.00
This game you race around the USA and try to collect 3 city cards of the same color.  When you do you get a bonus card.  Bonus cards can often throw an unpredictable twist in the game.  This keeps you on your toes.  Each city you go to or postcard you receive, from someone visiting one of your cities is worth one point. 
You really learn the cities and states playing this game, since you have to travel through cities to get to the goal city you have set, in order to get the city point. 
My description actually sounds a lot harder than the game is.
The first time we played it, we called it a practice game.  We took our time, and had patience with each other, while helping one another too.  The second time we played was much easier and we all understood it well.  It would now be easy for a new person to catch on a few at a time.  Since we were all new to it at once that first game had some kinks.  We are all very glad we took the time to get through that first game.  Now we have a blast playing it.
This game has proven to be fun for my older kid and I.  It is just to advanced for the littler ones. Which is to be expected of a game of this level.


Dreaming Dragon $36.00
This game is geared toward preschoolers with that being said it is super simple to learn to play.  The younger kids enjoy setting this game up to play as much as they love playing it.  With this game you take the dragon, lay the lizards and golden eggs on it’s back and then using the tweezers carefully lift the lizards off without knocking the golden eggs off and waking the dragon.  For every lizard you get one point and for every golden egg you knock off you take away a point.  This is great for math skills, critical thinking skills, patience, and fun. 

Simply Fun games are created with an educational purpose in mind, while still remaining fun!  Many of the games are award winners.  In fact both of these games are. 

You can be a Simply Fun consultant and get paid to play and show these games to people. 
With the holidays right around the corner, think about a Simply Fun game for the ones you love. 

Would you like to win these games?  Yes, both of the games. .  2 lucky winners will each win both of these games.  Each prize pack is valued at $76.00.   Check out the Rafflecopter for how to win. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Show Me A Story ~ A Giveaway!

 

Storytelling is often an overlooked fine art.  It is a PRIME part of childhood.  Storytelling opens up many imaginative worlds for children.  It is such a wonderful way to get kids out from in front of the “tube” and using their own imagination.  Storytelling is also a great way to get an insight into your child’s brain. 

I absolutely love seeing my children using their imagination.  However I am not usually able to keep ahead or even keep up with their imaginations.  That is where Show Me A Story comes in. This book comes with 40 craft projects and activities to spark children’s storytelling.

This book has 4 main sections.

Story Starters

This part shows you how to start stories.  Eleven of the ideas are in this section.   These are great ways to give your imagination a little push.  Often times finding the beginning of a story can elude you.  These ideas give you ways to generate fresh stories each time.  The crafts in this section range from extremely easy and inexpensive to fairly easy with minimal cost.  This section also goes over the parts of a story as well as group storytelling.

Story Evolution

This section includes ten of the ideas.  Most if not all of the ideas in this section are portable.  Which makes them easy to use almost anywhere.  This section really inspires your child’s imagination.  You are able to easily customize these activities to your child’s existing interests. We made our Story Telling Jar with the directions from this section.  Since making this one, Katey has loved it so much that we have now upgraded to a larger plastic jar.  It is so much fun for her.

Story Activities

This section which has fourteen of the great ideas.  While creating and using the ideas from this section you will need to put on your “story goggles”.  These activities focus on the process of storytelling.  This section helps you to jump start your child’s imagination and shows them how to create stories out of anything, anywhere!

Story Play

Story Play holds six of the activities.  Each of them inspire children to express themselves through fantasy play as well as dramatic play.   This section gives you enough inspiration to create props that are customized to your child’s interest(s ).  While some of the ideas in this section are quite extravagant, like making a set for a play, to quite simple, like the magic pebbles.  All of these ideas will get your child’s imagination roaring with ideas!  They will have a blast. We made our magic pebbles from one of the ideas in this section. 

This book uses many inexpensive ideas, in fact many of them use recycled items, scrap fabric, a found stick, a cut up cracker box, and more.  In fact, I didn’t spend any money in creating the projects we have already created.  In the back of the book are templates for badges, an envelope and puppets.  There are also puppet theater backgrounds.  With the amazing full color photography and step by step directions, most of these projects can be completed by you child.

My family has had such fun using and creating the ideas in this book.  It really has came to us just in time.  With winter knocking at our door, I am always scrambling for ideas to keep my kids entertained while the weather is bad.  This book is full of great ideas.  None of which use any screen time. 

You can get a sneak peak into the book on their website. 

Buy it:  This book retails for $16.95.   Check out the Storey Publishing Website to see where you can purchase it. 

Win it:

Check out the rafflecopter for how to win my giveaway.

Also Storey Publishing is offering their own giveaway!  Plus be sure and check out their website for a list of other bloggers hosting giveaways for this book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

* I received a free copy of this book in hopes that I would share my honest opinion on my blog.  The publisher has also provided a free copy for a giveaway.  As always, this blog is mine and I only share my true and honest opinion.

Jumpstart.com- Mathblaster.com and more!

The world today is becoming more technology advanced that I ever imagined. Kids today need a safe place to be able learn computer skills.

JumpStart is an educational website geared toward teaching children over 100 essential skills. From basic computer skills such as keyboard and mouse operations to math, reading, art and more.

Jumpstart offers many “zones” which the child works through and passes off different skills in a game like atmosphere. In one particular zone, Katey had to find as much gold as she could. Some were worth more than others. Another Challenge was to fill in a calendar, as in the days of the week as well as the missing dates.

Jumpstart is more than just computer skills. There are worksheets, craft and other holiday/ theme ideas. The worksheet/ holiday area is well organized by multiple categories, either by age, by grade, by theme, and more.

JumpStart teaches kids the skills needed to succeed in school and in life...the fun way! With membership, your kids will master even more reading, math, art and critical thinking skills through fun-filled learning games.

• Download 4 full-length retail games
• Discover 1000s of learning activities
• Practice over 100 essential skills

Jumpstart is a great way to use a safe online environment to keep kids’ skills fresh over the Summer as well as throughout the school year.

Jumpstart is priced at $8.99 per month

$74.99 for yearly or $149.99 for a lifetime membership.

Each membership includes access to Jumpstart.com as well as MathBlaster.com and even 4 downloadable games for up to 6 children to play.

Each website also has free versions.

I have the opportunity to give one of my blog readers a 3 month membership, which includes access to Jumpstart.com, MathBlaster.com as well as the 4 downloadable games. See the Giveaway HERE.

Copy Work for Future Heroes.

 

Ami over at Walking by the Way has created a great new resource.  She has a great reputation of creating amazing FREE resources over at Homeschool Share.  Yep, she’s the owner.  While Homeschool Share is an amazing resource, everything over there is free. 

She has created yet another great resource.  Copy Work for Future Heroes.  She is charging for this, just $5.

Tommy has been working on copy work lately.  He has really enjoyed it.  I have never had Tommy do copy work before.  I always felt, maybe he was too old for it, or that is appealed more to girls.  Copy Work for Future Heroes has solved all those problems.  It appeals specifically to boys and it also did not seem to young for him. 

Copy work has so many benefits:

• Handwriting
• Memorization
• Grammar
• Spelling

And in Copy Work for Future Heroes add in:

• Values
• True, Noble and Excellent things to think about
• Scriptures (NIV) and Quotes

This has been a great resource for my son.  He has been doing it first thing in the morning to help start his day.  It has helped him start the day with a fresh thought.  It also enabled him to take time and pay close attention to the way he formed letters, and to the grammar in the piece.   There are some quite long passages, those are broken up into multiple days. 

I highly recommend Copy Work for Future Heroes for your boys.

 

God Helps Me Bible. Bible Stories for Children.

 

 

The Author Juliet David has written many children’s stories and Bible activity books. Her other interests include painting, music, and travel to Israel and other Bible lands. This experienced author lives in London with her family.

The Illustrator is Clare Caddy

The Bible is an amazing account of our history.  We want our children to know how important it is from such a young age.  The Bible can be long and overwhelming for a child.  Sometimes they just need to hear Bible stories.  Colorful Pictures and short sentences keep your child’s attention while you are reading it to them.  This book goes over many of the ways God and Jesus have helped people throughout history.  My 2 year old son loves to be read this book.  It is simple enough that my 7 year old can read it to him or to herself. 

This book is spiral bound so it can lay flat which makes it extra easy for children to hold and read.  Each page is also made out of sturdy laminated paper which makes this book and each page easy to wipe clean.  I have found this book to be very durable and stand up to my 2 year old.  The art work is just right for children.  The colors and details are not overwhelming.

We have really enjoyed this book and I know we will continue to enjoy it for years to come.  It is a great quiet book to look at while at church also.

$12.99 Hardcover

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Pick and Draw Review and Giveaway.

Giveaway closed!  Congratulations to Kimberly, Comment #22.

 

I have a few questions for you. 

Was one of your New Year’s Resolutions to spend more quality time with your family?
If so I have found a great way to make it fun for all.
It is a game.  It is called Pick and Draw. Rich Davis created this game. He has illustrated many children’s books, greeting cards, he has even drawn coloring books.  He also has free art lessons here!  Check those out for sure!


What makes a game user friendly?
Is it quick to set up, quick to learn, and fun to play? Does it get you interacting with those playing it too?
Pick and Draw does all those things.


What makes a game family friendly?
Is it that it can be played by a wide variety of ages and any number of people?
Pick and Draw is that.


What if no one can play with you?
Pick and Draw can be played alone or with any number of players.

Is the price reasonable?
Pick and Draw is just $10 for hours of endless fun.

Now you ask me, What is Pick and Draw?
It is a simple game made from sturdy plastic cards,  (my 2 year old got ahold of them and they are still fine). There are 5 categories.  Face, Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Hair.  (You add your own ears if you would like.)  Each feature is simple to draw.  Don’t worry, we are not going for perfection here anyways, just fun!  Each card category has 8 different types.  That makes for 60,000 different designs! 
How does you play?
You divide the cards into their categories and choose one card from each category, without looking.  You then flip each card over one at a time. drawing that feature.  After you have drawn all the features, you can then name your character and write a story about them, or you can just go on creating more. 
The drawings above were all drawn using the same features, they look different due to placement of the items.
PRETTY NEAT!


How did we play?
We began by playing the same way as stated above.  We then decided to switch it up a bit.  Each person was assigned a feature.  They would draw their feature and then pass the paper to the next person for them to draw their feature.  
Another way we played was to have someone else name and tell the story about the creation done by person who was next to them. 
Emily even played it using all the cards.  She created 9 faces this way. Never using the same feature twice. Then she went through and named them all.


You will need some supplies to play Pick and Draw, you can be as plain or as creative as you want.  Any drawing device and canvas will do.  We started out with just paper and pencil.  Then we went on to Dry Erase. Then onto paper and Crayons.  Markers and construction paper.  Chalk and chalkboards or sidewalk.  Window markers and windows.  The possibilities are endless.


 
The Nitty Gritty
Pick and Draw is a fun family game that can be played as a group or individually.  It was created by an actual artist! You do not have to be “artistic” in order to play it and enjoy playing it.  Open the door to creative fun for the whole family by ordering Pick and Draw here for just $10.

I am so excited to be hosting a giveaway for you to win your very own Pick and Draw game! Entering is easy!!!  Leave each entry in a separate comment.  The winner will be drawn by Random.org on Feb 6th.  There are 4 ways to enter
1. Leave a comment on this post to be entered.
2. Follow Family Style School on Google Friend Connect.
3. Check out one of Rich Davis’ websites.  Pick and Draw website, The Draw with Rich blog, or his Art Website.  Tell me which one you went to.
4. Like Family Style School on Facebook and/or Twitter.

GOOD LUCK!!!! 
Also one last thing I wanted to mention:  I love giving unique gifts for Birthdays or Christmas.  It seems to me that people are always more surprised about something they have never seen.  It may not provide the same shock value for the child as the trendy toys, but this game will provide long time creative fun.  All their friends will want to play it with them.  Or think about a friends and family game night with this game.  Even a baby shower game (This is what your baby will look like.)  SO MUCH FUN!!!







I was generously provided this game for free in order to be able to write an honest review.  All opinions are my own. He also generously provided a free copy for the giveaway.   Thank you, Rich Davis.

*Affiliate links are used,  I became an affiliate after I saw how great this game really was. If you prefer not to use the affiliate links you can purchase Pick and Draw here.

Calling all bloggers!!!

 

 

How would you like to do a review and giveaway of  Diamond Soy Candles?

If so read on.

Have you experienced a soy candle with amazing aroma that inspires and makes your holidays go smooth and relaxed? Have you seen anything like waiting with anticipation what's going to be peaking out of the hot soy liquid while the candle is still burning?

If not, then Diamond Candles Company would like to invite you to Review and Giveaway their Precious soy candles. Why "precious" you'll ask? Well, each candle harbors a ring valued anywhere from $10-$100-$500-$5000 each. It's anticipation that really gets you going! What kind of a ring am I going to unveil from the glittery pouch hidden inside the soy wax?

The candles sound so exciting.  To find out how you can participate and host your own review and giveaway check out this post. 

 

What are your plans tomorrow night?

How about making it a special family night at the movie theater.  My family and I were able to preview a wonderful family movie.



The Snowmen is a very touching story that opens in theaters Friday October 21st. 



This movie will be “The Family Movie Event of the Year”.

Check out the movie trailer here!


 



You will laugh and you will cry.  You will leave with the feeling of always wanting to do your best!

Raising Real Men…. are you doing it?

If you have one boy or six (or even more) then this book can prove to be an invaluable resource.   

Raising Real Men

By Hal and Melanie Young

Price $12.75 at Timberdoodle.

A book to help you get through raising boys while raising them with real values. 

Read a sample chapter here.

I myself only have two boys.  One is 12 and one is 2.  That is quite the spread. 

Boys are just different than girls.  It is often the mothers who are the main caregivers.  I for one never realized how many things play an important role in a boys life.  We want our boys to grow up to be leaders, right?  What about a hero? How about a provider for his family? 

The authors of this book, Hal and Melanie Young, share with you many ways to be sure you are raising these boys into the types of men we want them to be, with the qualities we want them to have, all while sharing their experiences with their 6 boys. 

Can you imagine how many things play a role in raising a real man? 

I often try to allow my older one to do things he considers manly, he mow our lawn, he works on bikes, he enjoys changing light bulbs, that kind of things.  But what about letting your boys play in the mud? What about climbing a tree?  Even being able to do something special, such as being responsible for getting the mail to changing the light bulbs in the house (with supervision, of course). 

This book explains the importance of letting boys be boys with some examples that will keep Mom happy as well! 

I really enjoyed the humor that this book provided along with knowing that my boys are normal and that I should cherish that, all while keeping it real about how difficult it can be at times. 

Timberdoodle has many parenting helps, check those out here.

Timberdoodle is also on Facebook, and so am I.   Like us, if you please.

As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of Raising Real Men in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

 

My Memories Review and GIVEAWAY!

I have been given the most amazing digital scrapbooking program to review, and stay tuned through the end of the review for a chance to win one of your very own!!

Let me start off by telling you the truth….  I have been in the market for a while for a digital scrapbooking program. I have tried free trials of a few out there, I have borrowed one from a relative.  They were all more expensive than this one.  The free trial was, well, hard to figure out.  The ones I borrowed were, well, slow to load and outdated.

My Memories Photo Suite is what I am talking about. This fun amazing software is only $39.97.  Use coupon code STMMMS64578  to save $10.00 on the My Memories Photo Suite, Version 2.  PLUS receive a $10 coupon to use in the store!  

 

I made this page in under 5 minutes for Emily’s birthday.   I am sure it could be way better with more experience, however, I am pretty proud of it, and I had fun doing it. 

Ok, so now to tell you a few things about My Memories Photo Suite.

Of course it is a digital scrapbooking software, in which you can create pages, create albums, YOU CAN EVEN MAKE INTERACTIVE PAGES, and scrapvideos.  You can add narration and/or music to a page.  They even make it easy to share; you can print it, put it in an album, import it to .jpeg, calendar, a card, an interactive cd, a streaming movie, ready for an iPod, or even a DVD video, all with the touch of a button. SO EASY!!  

What is an interactive page? 

Well, I wondered that too.  It is a page that can have an embeded file.  For example you can click on a picture of your child baking Grandma’s famous cookies and it will pull up the recipe.  HOW COOL IS THAT? 

All pages in this post are created with My Memories, some I just used templates and drag and dropped pictures in and some I started with a blank canvas and created it all on my own.  I love that I got to choose, based on my mood, or creativity at the time, or even my time, I chose how long to work on a page. 

PLUS THERE WAS NO CLEAN UP.  Another benefit with digital scrapbooking is once you buy one of something you can use it as many times as you want. 

I am working on my own custom blog design using this software.  I have already created my header and button.   My goal is to have it all done by the end of October. 

Oh, and did I mention they have some amazing prices on digital kits at there store if you just can’t find what you want in their free kits.

I am also in the process of making some brag books of my kids for the Grandma’s in our life for Christmas gifts. 

They are so much more than software and kits though, they are a community. 

They have a blog and a forum with tutorials and more.  They are very active on Facebook and Twitter (Always offering freebies and discounts). 

Join their Facebook Page on Sunday’s for a Speed Scrap.  A very fun way to digital scrap with others.

I get to giveaway this amazing program to one of my lucky readers! 

How To Enter: Leave me one comment for each entry, and make sure I have a way to contact you. Prizes that aren’t claimed within 3 days will be forfeited and I will redraw.

 

Mandatory: 

Check out My Memories and tell me what your favorite kit is.

Optional: (can do any or all)

                Follow Family Style School via GFC.

                Like Family Style School on Facebook.

                Like My Memories on Facebook.  Get a freebie just for

                liking them.

               

                

I will use Random.org to draw a winner on Oct 9th, winner TBA on Oct 10, 2011.

GOOD LUCK!!

With My Memories Suite you simply don't look at a scrapbook-you experience it!

If you don’t win, don’t forget to use the coupon code at the top to purchase yours. 

 

 

{Disclaimer:  I received My Memories Photo Suite Version 2 for free for review purposes. A positive review was not guaranteed.  I love it so much I decided to become an affiliate and therefor I will make a small percentage on all sales using my discount code.}

A Young Scholars Guide to Composers.

I was recently given the amazing opportunity to review A Young Scholars Guide to Composers through Timberdoodle.  This book is published by Bright Ideas Press. 

A Young Scholars Guide to Composers

The list price is $34.95

Timberdoodle Price $31.50

Recommended ages 9-13 or Grade levels 4th-8th, as written. However this is easily adaptable for a wider a age range. 

Authors: Melissa E. Craig and Maggie S. Hogan

You get a paperback book which you are able to reproduce for use within your family.

I always thought, “How am I  going to teach my children about classical music and it’s composers when I don’t know anything about it myself?” 

I now have the answer.  I am going to use The Young Scholars Guide to Composers. 

 

They take you through ~

• Ancient Music to the Middle Ages
• Music in the Renaissance
• The Baroque Period
• The Classical Period
• The Romantic Period
• The Contemporary Period

 

You will the music of the period and some composers that go along with that period. study

This book has 32 lessons to be done one each week over the course of a school year.  They give you a sample schedule that is very easy to use over 3 days. 

 

Day 1

• Listen to the music selections
• Read the lesson
• Answer the student questions, fill in the note taking pages. 

 

Day 2

• Listen to the music the selections
• Fill out the Composer Info Card
• Color in the timeline
• Match the composer to their place a birth on the provided map.

 

Day 3

• Listen to and enjoy the music selections

 

 

There are even fun games to play, such as

• Composer Memory
• Go Fish
• Composer Bingo
• Composer Jeopardy

Also there are some intricate coloring pages, which may be enjoyable for children to just color while listening to some of the musical pieces.

I have to tell you that  I have enjoyed this study just as much as my children have.  For me, as the educator, I really appreciated how they ease you into the study, there is very little to no teacher prep time, other than printing off the worksheets and getting the book out.  They tell you right from the beginning about why they included certain things and left certain things/composers out.  They have made this very family friendly. 

It is recommended for grades 4-8.  However, my 1st grader enjoyed listening to the music and sitting in on the lessons.  There is also many useful websites and resources listed if you were to want to extend this study further. 

 

Most of the links are you tube.  Just copy them into your browser for quick songs.  You can even check out some of the music from the library for a more extensive experience.  

I feel this study was very well though out with both the parent/teacher and student(s) in mind.  The writers of this curriculum are plenty knowledgeable, but they don’t overwhelm you with to much information, while leaving you with additional resources if you would like more. 

 

Did you know that Timberdoodle offers a wide selection of music curriculum. You can also check out all they have to offer by requesting a free catalog from them. (I highly recommend doing this!)

 

 

{As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of A Young Scholar's Guide to Composers in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.}