I'm a huge fan of audiobooks. From the days when I had to drive from Chicago to Indianapolis (yawn! it is the most boring drive, evah!), I've used audiobooks turn a difficult time into an interesting one. Now I use them to make the time pass quickly when I'm running. Whether it's because of a fascinating story, or a talented reader, audiobooks can be very entertaining. Sometimes, you are lucky enough to have both. That's what happens with … [Read more...]
Do you have someone with young children on your Holiday Shopping List this year? I have a great suggestion! I was first introduced to Laurie Berkner when my cousin gave me the CD, Whaddaya Think of That?“ with the song We Are The Dinosaurs” and a note that said, “Children love this music and it doesn't drive adults crazy.” And she was right, I love listening to Laurie Berkner as much as my daughter does. We have spent many happy hours, not … [Read more...]
My daughter loves KIDZ BOP products. We have several of the CDs and they always hit all the right notes. Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun. The CDs seem to hit on every one of the songs she is wanting! KIDZ BOP records kid-friendly versions of today’s biggest pop music hits sung by kids, for kids. Over the past 12 years, KIDZ BOP has created the #1 music brand for kids, selling more than 14,000,000 albums. Since 2001, families … [Read more...]
I'm preparing for the movie release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. I can't wait for November 21st, the release date. I will be one of the many to see it that first day. Because I'm a huge fan of the book series, the movies have been on my must-must-must-see list. They are incredible! I was absolutely blown away by the first movie, Hunger Games, and how true to the book it was. The movie, Hunger Games, truly portrayed … [Read more...]
It's getting chilly here in Chicago... things are settling down from back-to-school craziness and now we're into a routine... I'm hoping that means that I'll have some time to read soon. It's been too long since I've been able to pick up a book. Return to Chelsey Falls After the death of his mother, fourteen year old, Wyatt Barnes was sent to live with his grandparents in Chelsey Falls, Washington. That summer was filled with new friends … [Read more...]
It's back-to-school! My daughter's school has a program called Character Counts. I love hearing about what they learn. One of the things they talk about is "filling someone's bucket". When you say something good or nice to someone you add to their bucket. When you say something hurtful or mean, you remove. It so important to learn kindness and it's just as important as math and science! As you know, we are huge Netflix fans and this … [Read more...]
The Secret Bliss of Calliope Ipswich by Marcia Lynn McClure “Oh! Do link arms with me, Calliope,” Blanche whispered, her brown eyes widening with apprehension. She took Calliope’s arm, tightly linking it with her own. “The old Mulholland house still gives me the willies every time I walk past it. I hate to think on what might have gone on inside. It’s truly terrifyin’!” “Oh, don’t be silly, Blanche,” Calliope said, feigning calm. “Poor … [Read more...]
We have been lax this summer with doing school work. I've read about the Summer Brain Drain and in the past have tried to keep my daughter reading and doing math. Something about this summer though, it's been a lazy, relaxed, "chill" kind of vibe. Now that school is starting in just over two weeks (yikes!), I'm regretting that. Time to get back in the swing of spelling, reading and math! Rosie love, love, loves Netflix. So I'm going to … [Read more...]
Have your kids been to a play? We went to the Chicago Kids Company, "Chicken Little", last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. An appreciation for live theater can be difficult to encourage in your little ones unless you find the right play for them. I took my daughter to one a few year's ago that just didn't capture her attention. Not so with "Chicken Little"! She was spellbound. It features professional actors, and the performances include … [Read more...]
Contact by Laurisa White Reyes Mira wants to die. She’s attempted suicide twice already and failed. Every time she comes in contact with another person, skin to skin, that person’s psyche uploads into hers. While her psychologist considers this a gift, for Mira it’s a curse from which she cannot escape. To make matters worse, Mira’s father is being investigated for the deaths of several volunteer test subjects of the miracle drug Gaudium. … [Read more...]
Start your engines for the most action-packed, never-before-seen adventures on the Island of Sodor with Thomas and his engine friends in the all-new Thomas & Friends®: Trouble on the Tracks available exclusively at Walmart on DVD and available on Digital HD and Video on Demand April 8, 2014 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. These five, high-speed episodes challenge Thomas and his friends to be Really Useful Engines in every situation. … [Read more...]
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION It’s time to travel down the tracks with Thomas and his engine friends for mischievous adventures on the Island of Sodor in the all-new Thomas & Friends®: Railway Mischief arriving on DVD, Digital HD and Video On Demand April 15, 2014 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Featuring five brand new episodes, this DVD will be available for a suggested retail price of $14.98. Grab your train whistles, put on your engineer’s … [Read more...]
About the Book "Every life is the story of a single mistake," begins Andrew Gross's newest thriller EVERYTHING TO LOSE “…And then what happens after.” When Hilary Cantor, a desperate mother who is at the end of her rope, finds $500,000 at her feet in an unbelievable twist of fate, she is faced with the choice to steal the money and get her life back on track or report the cash and risk losing the life she’s worked so hard to build. That money … [Read more...]
Leo, Donnie, Raph and Mikey are mutant turtles who have been trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Master Splinter. Emerging from their sewer lair, the reptile brothers confront the wondrous world of New York City, facing villains more dangerous and pizza more delicious than anything they could have imagined. Through battles with Shredder, the Kraang and loads of super-powerful mutants, the Turtles learn to rely on themselves and … [Read more...]
Two weeks ago, I posted about an event I attended where I heard William C. Moyers talk about his lifelong struggle with addiction. I'm very happy to be able to share his book with one lucky reader! From the back cover: "One evening in 1994, William Cope Moyers was lying flat on his back on the floor of an Atlanta crack house at the end of a four-day cocaine binge while his father, veteran journalist Bill Moyers, frantically searched for … [Read more...]
The HTC One Harman Kardon Edition looks amazing, doesn't it? I love the brushed metal design, the curves, the champagne gold accents... the feel of the phone. But what makes the HTC One Harman Kardon Edition different isn't what you see or feel. What makes the HTC One Harman Kardon Edition phone different, is what you hear. Music is woven all through my life. It can change my mood in a second. Many of my best memories are tied to specific … [Read more...]
