Food: Vegetarian Home Cooking is mostly dedicated to vegetarian home cooking, but don't let that description derail you from this lovely cookbook.  My family is definitely not vegetarians.  Meat is an essential aspect of most of our meals.  But having a vegetarian based cookbook, especially one that is well written, is essential for any home. For me the most important aspect of a cookbook is the pictures.  If it doesn't have compelling, eye-catching photos I'm not usually included to use the cookbook or make any recipes.  I'm a highly visual person, but I imagine I am not alone in … [Read more...]

We are big fans of picture books in our home and this new release from Ahmet Zappa (son of musician Frank Zappa) looks like a touching, cute, and fun book.  I can't wait to check it out! Because I'm Your Dad is a tribute to Zappa’s happy childhood and a promise to his daughter, Halo, for a one-of-a-kind relationship. Watch the musical trailer for Because I’m Your Dad on Entertainment Weekly.  Here is the official scoop- In Ahmet Zappa’s first picture book for children, Because I’m Your Dad, a dad like no other promises to give his kid a childhood like no other. … [Read more...]

Carson-Dellosa Publishing has recently released a new series of non-fiction books.  Spectrum Readers includes 24 fact-based books to inspire your kids to learn about the world around them.  I had the opportunity to sample three of these visually awesome books and they were an immediate hit with my boys.  My five year old son is especially fond of science based books.  I refer to him as my little scientist in the making and these books are a great way for him to sample many topics. That being said, as you can tell my other two boys were also delighted with their book.  I can see … [Read more...]

If you are looking to add a few love inspired books to your children's snugly reading time, here are a number of great options via Candlewick Press.  With a wide selection suitable for different ages groups, check out these titles.   Huggy Kissy By Leslie Patricelli   $6.99  1 yr - 3 yrs  When you’re an adorable bald baby, your family finds lots of ways to show you how much they love you: Mommy lifts you uppy, Daddy kisses you on the tummy, and everyone wants to snuggle. What’s not to love? With comedy and warmth, Leslie Patricelli offers a universal tribute to love and … [Read more...]

If you own a business or even serve on a board at your local preschool- you'll want to read the new book "Return on Relationship".   Co-authors Ted Rubin and Kathryn Rose showcase how the old method of doing business is being updated via social media.  Yes, as always relationships are important.  How you interact with people is essential to your success, but integrating social media into this process is also pivotal. Many companies are reluctant to embrace social media for various reasons.  But social media is a reality.  By taking the age old method of building relationships … [Read more...]

Children are by nature curious about the world around them.   I should know, I have three little fellas who are constantly riddling me with a wide selection of questions.  The simple things that grown-ups understand and probably don't even think about are new and exciting to little children.   My two year old is constantly asking me, "What was that noise?".  His world is a series of sounds that need to be deciphered. Soon I will be carting my children off to school again, but my husband and I believe that learning at home is vital.  We like to have a multitude of ways that they can … [Read more...]

We like to read in our house. It's a fact. We all like to be transported to a different world through the power of books, especially during these hot summer months. My husband is a huge fan of science fiction novels as well as historical novels. As a teacher, he also likes to read books that his students might be reading to facilitate a conversation with his students or tie into one of his lesson plans. I prefer to read 'fluff' books. The ones with the happy endings, but have a good story along the way. I like the ones that bring the characters to life where I empathize with the main … [Read more...]

My husband and I both love baseball.  We are trying to impart that love on our children.  Our 5 year old watches baseball with us and is playing T-Ball this summer.   I was delighted to receive a selection of books about baseball that can help us share our love of the game with our son and eventually our daughter.  We received 4 books from Candlewick Press that have a baseball theme: Just as Good (How Larry Doby Changed America's Game) by Chris Crowe, Zachary's Ball by Matt Tavares, Randy Riley's Really Big Hit by Chris Van Dusen, and There Goes Ted Williams (The Greatest Hitter Who Ever … [Read more...]