Treat Yourself to Bookworm Bliss with the Sweet Reads Box Subscription Service-Giveaway

October 17, 2017 by Kathryn 113 Comments

Like many writers, I absolutely love to read. And when I start a book, I will devour it as energetically as I do a piece of cheesecake. In fact, devouring a book AND a piece of cheesecake is pretty close to paradise in my opinion.

So, when I heard that my friend Kerri had started a subscription box service especially for those that love a good book, I couldn’t wait to learn more. And when I found out that every box also came with a tasty treat and a hot drink to savour, I was in heaven.

The Sweet Reads Box is a reader’s dream come true, featuring a carefully curated novel, a specialty coffee or tea, a sweet treat and an item or two specially chosen to fit the theme of the book. I received the September box to review and I couldn’t wait to dig into everything inside. [Read more…]

Entertain Kids as they Learn this Summer With Activity Books from The Quarto Group-Giveaway

July 11, 2017 by Kathryn 59 Comments

With summer break underway, I’ve already had a few days of dealing with restless children desperately looking for something to do. While we’re lucky enough to be in a neighbourhood with plenty of kids to play with, there are still hours in the day where both my boys are roaming the house restlessly, getting in my way as they look for something to occupy them. Of course, the fact I limit their screen time during the summer months doesn’t make things any easier!

So this year, I found a new way to help keep my boys entertained: activity books! Recently The Quarto Group sent me three of its newest titles to review and as soon as I saw them, I knew that my boys would be spending plenty of summer hours trying out the crafts and activities in every one.

Stick Sketch School: An Animal Artventure

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McDonald’s Happy Meals Just Got Happier with New Choices Between Toys and Books!

May 17, 2017 by Kathryn 21 Comments

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, but my opinions are my own.

When I was a child, having a Happy Meal at McDonald’s was one of my favourite special treats for dinner. Choosing my meal item, having cookies for dessert, the surprise of the toy, every bit of it was something to be savoured. And while McDonald’s Happy Meals have changed a lot over the years, one thing hasn’t changed…how much they’re loved by children across Canada!

But now, McDonald’s Canada has found a way to make Happy Meals even happier, and it’s one I couldn’t be more excited about. Thanks to a great new partnership with Kids Can Press and First Book Canada, children will have one more way to personalize their Happy Meal by choosing between a toy and a book, starting today! [Read more…]

Kids Love Getting Creative with Klutz Jr. Craft Kits-Giveaway

January 31, 2017 by Kathryn 122 Comments

When I was in my early twenties, I decided I wanted to learn to knit. I found a Klutz craft book, a series I’d loved as a teen, with step-by-step instructions, a set of knitting needles and even a yarn needle for sewing. A few weeks later, I’d made a scarf, a purse and even a little knitted rabbit toy! I’ve always thought Klutz books are a great choice for bringing out creativity for kids, teens and even adults in all kinds of ways and recently, the collection of craft books expanded to include a brand-new line for younger children four and up.

Klutz Jr. books and craft kits are perfect for smaller children that want to unleash their inner creativity and contain everything needed to create fun and unique crafts. So far, the Klutz Jr. collection consists of four fun-filled kits: My Sparkly Tiaras, My Clay Critters, My Egg Carton Animals and My Hand Art. I received a set of the four new titles to review for myself and with my boys home last Friday for a teacher’s development day, the timing was perfect to sit down and get creative with them!

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The Epic Big Nate Hardcover Collector’s Book is Epic Fun for the Holidays-Giveaway

November 2, 2016 by Kathryn 66 Comments

If you’ve got an older school-aged boy in the house, you may have already heard of Big Nate. The loveable sixth-grade hero of the Big Nate cartoon strip and book series may be a bit of a self-absorbed underachiever, but his goofy demeanour and love of pranks have made him a favourite of kids across North America. Now, just in time for the holidays, Big Nate is coming to bookshelves in a big way with the release of the hardcover collector’s book Epic Big Nate!

This beautiful book celebrates 25 years of the Big Nate comic strip with hundreds of cartoons specially selected by cartoonist Lincoln Peirce, information on the history and evolution of the comic over the years and an extensive Q&A with Peirce and his equally popular counterpart Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. While some of the book might be a little heavy for school-aged readers, the many cartoons will keep them entertained regardless and the book is sure to become a treasured heirloom in years to come. [Read more…]

Get Kids Excited About Reading with the Marmalade Books Subscription Box-Giveaway

October 18, 2016 by Kathryn 70 Comments

If there’s one thing that almost every one of my friends and family members know about me, it’s that I love to read. And because of that, I’m a big believer in the importance of literacy. I’ve been reading to my boys every night since they were babies and both of them love to read on their own as well. That’s why I love the concept behind Marmalade Books.

This brand new Canadian-based company offers a monthly subscription box of age-appropriate books chosen for their quality and entertainment value to help build a generation of readers. Available in customized boxes for three different reading levels, there’s a Marmalade Books box for kids of all ages! Recently I received one of the Middle Grade Novel boxes to review and I couldn’t wait to see what it was like.

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The M is for Money Book Series Helps Teach Kids Basic Money Management-Giveaway

March 28, 2016 by Kathryn 37 Comments

With tax season in full swing, money is something on the minds of a lot of adults right now. Good money management is one of those essential life skills that helps create future success but sadly, it’s a skill that most people never learn. Ideally, I think that money management should be taught in schools. But since that’s not currently done, I do want to make sure that my boys understand money so that they can be responsible with their finances both now and in the future.

That’s why I love the M is for Money book series and website! I had the chance to review the first three books in the series when they debuted last year, and I loved the way that these books used simple, kid-friendly concepts to explain money and its uses to kids. Now, the series has a total of nine books available and I couldn’t wait to see what my boys thought of the newer titles. I received books four, five and six to review and sat down to read them with my boys.

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Help Your Child Develop Crucial Financial Literacy Skills with M is for Money Books and Resources-Giveaway #MisforMoney

October 27, 2015 by Kathryn 40 Comments

Sometimes it amazes me to think about just how much there is for me to teach my children. From basic, everyday skills like tying shoes to more complex concepts like social responsibility, the school system just scratches the surface. And one of the things that I’m most determined to teach my boys is financial literacy. With approximately three-quarters of Canadians living in debt, I know just how important money management skills are for my boys to learn. But how do I start teaching them, at just nine and six, the basics of finances?

A new book series has the answer, and for any Canadian parent that wants to teach their child financial literacy, it’s a great kid-friendly way to introduce the topic. M is for Money has one simple goal…to teach the basics of money management in a fun, kid-friendly way. The book series’ two main characters, Tessa and Benji, share their own experience making and saving money. As they get their first payment for helping with chores, learn about saving for special things and open their first bank accounts, kids can follow along with the journey to learn about money!

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