2009 MBR Books Gift Guide

✔= Personally reviewed   ♥= Mom Owned Business

Mrs. P Presents Heavenly Holiday Heartwarmers – Classic stories by O’Henry and Hans Christian Andersen

36:36 minutes. You can almost feel the warmth of Mrs. P’s crackling fireplace as you listen to her recount these holiday favorites. Love, sacrifice, and wishing upon a star are themes in the special collection that includes: “The Gift of the Magi”, “The Little Match Girl”, and “The Snowman”. Mrs. P brings her own experiences to each of the magical stories. Bonus material written by Clay Graham

http://kids.audible.com

Although I haven’t checked out Heavenly Holiday Heartwarmers, I have seen and use very often, MrsP.com! Mrs. P has a great way of engaging my girls in her stories. They love to sit and listen to her read stories to them. I highly recommend checking out http://www.mrsp.com and Heavenly Holiday Heartwarmers.

The Lollipop Book Club. Each book is delivered to the child’s doorstep in a bright red package. Inside the child will find a children’s book with a Christmas or Hanukkah theme, a matching holiday lollipop, and a gift not on a sticker for a permanent place inside the book. Prices range from $10-$300 depending on the number of books and format.

Check out their paperback Christmas packages

Here is a link to our paperback Hanukkah packages.

Visit our site to further explore all of the wonderful packages we offer.

www.lollipopbookclub.com

“The First Adventures of Incredible You” is one of the most highly personalized children’s books on the market today. Customers are able to “build” a one-of-a kind book at the Custom Made For Kids website by inserting over 20 personal facts about a child and the people and places that are most important to that child. From tasting a favorite food to cheering on a beloved sports team to visiting a special vacation spot or park, this rhyme-based book celebrates the first adventures of every young child that “stars” in it. By personalizing these experiences, “The First Adventures of Incredible You” highlights the connection between children and the people and places that are special to them in their young lives. There is also a dedication page in the full-color, hardcover book where you may provide a personal message so that the child will always remember that this thoughtful gift came from you… The delightful illustrations are cleverly executed so that the book is perfect for any child — no matter what their sex, race or family structure. “The First Adventures of Incredible You” makes a memorable keepsake that both children and parents alike will cherish for a lifetime. Available at http://www.potterybarnkids.com and our site for $32.95 at http://www.custommadeforkids.com

The Itchy Kids Club focuses on various, related health issues (food and environmental allergies, asthma, eczema) – an important element that no other children’s book has done.  Kids with these ailments enjoy the lighthearted tone and colorful illustrations of the book and website, and

feel empowered to share the silly poems with others in an attempt to gain understanding and empathy.  The book can be purchased on amazon.com for $19.95 or on my website at www.ItchyKidsClub.com.  “Spread the word like an itchy rash” and HIVE a nice day! ♥

H.K. Gilbert’s Reporting for Duty: A Day at the White House, provides children with an inside look at America’s most famous house – the White House. Led by Barkley the Secret Service Dog, Reporting for Duty is a fun and educational activity book. Together, parents and children can read about the various rooms in the white house, what transpires in each room, and learn other fun historical White House facts.

“Everyone knows that parents taking an extra 5 to 10 minutes a day to sit down with their child and read to them not only teaches them valuable skills but creates a strong bond between the parent and child,” says Gilbert.  “I wanted to expand the benefits even further by incorporating what amounts to a valuable civics or political lesson in a fun book.”

Helping to encourage children’s curiosity about government and foster a love of reading, Gilbert’s Reporting for Duty:

• Takes an inside look at the various rooms of the White House and the activities that transpire in each room
• Offers unique ways to inspire creativity with drawing and coloring activities
• Provides important historical facts given by Barkley, the secret service dog.
• Promotes  basic skill development with the use of shapes, colors, and counting

“The historic election of President Obama represents the perfect time to introduce government and history to young children,” adds Gilbert.  “Reporting for Duty does what all good children’s books do — it makes learning fun!”

$9.95 Available at www.grandmasshoppe.com Barnes & Noble and amazon.com ✔

We were sent two copies of this book (one for each of my girls) and they have loved it! They love to color, so this book is perfect! It’s great when you can combine something fun with learning. They don’t even realize they’re gaining knowledge! It’s such a cute book too!

Why Don’t Your Eyelashes Grow? Curious Questions Kids Ask About the Human Body is  co-authored by my two daughters, Andrea and Julia (ages 12 and 14 years, who provided all of the questions) with expert explanations provided by me (mom/physician/author). Is it OK to eat food that accidentally fell on the floor as long as you pick it up within five seconds? Do you need to wait 30 minutes after eating before going swimming? Can you really catch a cold on a winter day if you don’t wear your jacket? Is a dog’s mouth cleaner than a human mouth? Is it bad to crack your knuckles? Can eating chicken soup really cure a cold? Does it take seven years for your body to digest gum if you accidentally swallow it? Why Don’t Your Eyelashes Grow? is an entertaining potpourri of fun factoids packed with real information, designed to appeal to kids, adults and families. Available at Amazon.com for $14.95 ♥

The newly-released book Momnesia (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2009) is perfect for new moms whose hearts are filled with joy, but whose brains are running on empty. A humorous look at the foggy first year of mommyhood, Momnesia is written by the authors who also penned If These Boobs Could Talk: A Little Humor to Pump Up the Breastfeeding Mom, which just won the 2009 Mom’s Choice Award.

Both are available at Barnes & Noble and amazon.com for $12.99 ♥

BECAUSE I LOVE HER is the perfect holiday gift for mothers and daughters.

This profound and poignant collection highlights some of the best literary writers of our time in an era when the roles of mothers and daughters are constantly being questioned and redefined. Because I Love Her explores the deepest bonds and truths of motherhood by sharing stories and secrets of becoming a mother and grandmother. Ranging from established and bestselling authors to exciting new voices, these women reveal what their mothers taught them, what they in turn hope to impart to their daughters and, finally, what they’ve learned as a bridge between the two.

I was sent a copy of this book for review.

Available on Amazon and bookstores everywhere $13.95

I was sent a copy of this book, and although I haven’t had a chance to read all of it, I am loving it so far. I can totally relate to all of these moms! There is truly nothing like the mother-daughter bond… especially with twins! I can’t wait to snuggle up and finish reading it! ✔♥

The Joy of Green Cleaning combined with a bottle of vinegar and a box of baking soda is the best way to say I love you and show them you care all year long. The Joy of Green Cleaning is a collection of green cleaning recipes compiled and tested by Leslie Reichert- The Cleaning Coach. Her book takes those old solutions and combines them with the newest technology to help the ones you love green their homes, one spray bottle at a time.

The book is available on Amazon.com ($15.95) and an e-book is available at www.thejoyofgreencleaning.com (10.00)

Stop Aging, Start Training illustrates how to eat, exercise and live life in a way that will energize their bodies and help them to be more creative and productive. This book covers a variety of health-related topics such as nutrition, mindset, flexibility aerobic, and strength conditioning. It is written in a fun, easy-to-understand, personal manner that helps motivate and educate readers.

Available on Amazon.com for $18.99

This 224 page photo book features photographs of the National Parks and takes a modern look on a classic American subject.  With the heightened awareness of the National Parks from the likes of President Obama and Martha Stewart’s recent visits, Shive’s book is released at the just the right time to reinvigorate the appreciation of the parks and the importance of protecting it’s beauty for generations come.

The affordable book is now available worldwide and can be found at major bookstores (including Barnes & Noble, Borders) and online at Amazon.com.  A portion of the sales go to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA).

Golf Naked:  the Bare Essentials Revealed

Hit the course running or at least look like you can!  PGA golf pro, Greg Rowley strips the layers of mystery away to reveal golf’s true core. This humorous, helpful guide is about learning the language and culture of golf – the 99% that no one talks about. Discover the tips, tricks, and tales of the complete game. With humor and candor, Rowley shares stories to build your confidence, comfort, and grace on the course and in the clubhouse. A refresher-course for experienced golfers and a cheat sheet for everyone else.

Available from www.PickItUpPublishing.com for $24.95. Special discount and autographed copy if you go direct to the website. Or can be purchase nationally at golf shops, bookstores or online bookstores.

From the award winning author of Fantasy Football Guidebook (and three other fantasy football books) comes the ultimate step by step guide to success; including methods of drafting, ranking players, creating cheat sheets and drafting like an expert. Finally, an easy to use and understand book, with tips on how to win your fantasy football league every year, is available at a great price. With over 200 winning ways, from how to pick a fantasy league to roster management tools, Fantasy Football Tips provides the key techniques to make you a consistent fantasy football owner. Written for all fantasy football players (whether a beginner or expert), Fantasy Football Tips is your ticket to this years League Championship.

Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble & Borders $9.95

“Is This Thing On?” A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming is the perfect holiday gift. This present for your parents or grandparents is really a present for you because Mom and Dad will stop calling with computer questions. What could be merrier than that?!

The book is like no other out there for the computer fearful. It starts at the very beginning assuming the reader knows nothing about computers. It takes you sequentially through why you might want a computer, how to buy it, set it up, and then walks you through step-by-step to get online and send your first e-mail. Later chapters get into online shopping, digital photography, and file management. There’s even a chapter on iPods and Blackberries. The flavor of the book is friendly, personal, and reassuring. Available at most retailers $15.95

As a clinical psychologist and mom, I wrote a book entitled, “A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness.”  It is a non-pharmacological to truly having greater joy and less stress, regardless what is going on in life.  Who couldn’t use more of that?

Based on research, it uses real-life stories to inspire readers to get more out of life. The result is more happiness, less stress, enhanced physical health, improved relationships, better health and a more prosperous life.  See why Shaquille O’Neal calls me his “head coach for happiness.”

It can be purchased on-line (e.g., Amazon) and most major bookstores.  The cost is $16.95 (although Amazon has already discounted it).♥

Greg Giesen’s New Years Resolutions That Stick! is the annual goal-setting solution you’ve been waiting for. This 4-step process will help you turn your resolutions into commitments that stick for the entire year. The card game and workbook make a unique gift for older teens and adults that they can use on a personal level. Or they can bring their whole family and friends in on the fun with the card game! With this product, you get a deck of cards getting you to reflect on this past year and think ahead to next year, a workbook that walks you through the 4-step process, and access to www.newyearsresolutionsthatstick.com, where you can post your resolutions, share resources, create accountability groups, receive coaching and interact with fellow community members to ensure your success at keeping your commitments. One of the best things about it? It’s less than $20! Available online at www.newyearsresolutionsthatstick.com for $19.95

Today’s families are incredibly busy. Everyone has a hectic schedule – mom, dad, even the kids. Staying connected takes effort, but with everyone running in different directions, it’s hard to make sure special moments occur. Now there is a fantastic resource to help make childhood years magical and secure.

• A user-friendly resource great for parents, grandparents, teachers, nannies and babysitters.
• 67 colorful pages filled with creative ideas for keeping children occupied written by a former schoolteacher and mother of three.
• Ideas cover all ages, from 3 to 16.
• Newly updated version of 201 Things to Do When Children Say I’M BORED! is not just a list of ideas. It’s also a shared family journal!
• You add photos, drawings, and comments as you go along so that the book becomes a precious keepsake, a treasured heirloom that generations to come will appreciate.
• Easy to use and simple on purpose.
• Great for when you’re at home or on vacation.

Available at www.201thingstodo.com.  $14.95 plus shipping for soft cover; $12.95 for downloadable e-book.

Disney Digital Books (disneydigitalbooks.com) is the perfect holiday gift and only a few mouse clicks away!

DDB lets kids experience the joy of reading in a safe and robust online community.  This is a fully interactive experience featuring:

• More than 500 books, offering children of all ages, reading levels & interests a broad selection of books.
• Look & Listen titles that allow children to hear the story read aloud.
• A Story Builder feature so kids can create & share their own memorable stories.
• A “My Place” area that children can personalize
• An age appropriate dictionary that lets children click on any word to hear it read aloud, select unfamiliar works, and read simple definitions
• Reading certificates to encourage budding readers.

Perfect for every level of reader and every type of reader, Disney Digital Books makes reading a fun, rewarding and personalized experience.

Disney Digital Books is available for an annual subscription of $79.95, or a monthly subscription of $8.95. Each subscription covers up to three children in the same household. The browser-based service is PC and Mac compatible and does not require a download.

To purchase a gift subscription your readers can visit disneydigitalbooks.com and click “Subscribe Now.” There is an icon on the lower left hand side that says “Buy a Gift Subscription.” Gift subscriptions are also available at select retailers.

Teacher Kinsy McVay needed help with his budding art students at De Zavala Elementary. After perusing through books and coming up empty handed, McVay enlisted the help of Stew, an ordinary horizontal line, to help create a book that shows his students just how fun, ingenious and spectacular a simple black line can be!

Within this book Stew discovers there is more to life than just lying flat.  Striving to be different, Stew jumps, swirls, and hops his way toward becoming a masterpiece – but will this new discovery make him happy?

Just Line Around is a one-of-a-kind book that helps introduce young, creative minds to one of the most basic yet important elements of art and design. A wonderful aid for teachers, parents and children, this book also emphasizes positive motivation and self-esteem. Available at Amazon.com & Barnes & Noble $13

Merck & Co. worked with over three-hundred doctors in order to produce this manual which should serve as a staple in any family’s home.  It contains the most up-to-date health information available, including a new chapter on swine flu, and it addresses health issues faced at each stage in the lifecycle.  In addition, the Merck Manual Home Health Handbook explains disorders, their symptoms, how they are diagnosed, how they might be prevented, and their treatment in everyday language, making them understandable. Simply put, the Merck Manual Home Health Handbook makes trusted medical information available at one’s fingertips.

Available at bookstores such as Borders and Barnes & Noble, and online at Amazon.com. $39.95

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**Coming soon: Games gift Guide!