Author: Dionna Ford
Item Reviewed: For My Children

Open up and share your memories, dreams, and wisdom with your family in this keepsake journal they will treasure forever.

For My Children: A Mother’s Journal of Memories, Wishes, and Wisdom is a beautifully designed and illustrated book with creative prompts that will spark Mom’s recollections of fun family vacations, favorite games, and special holiday traditions.

This collection of fill-in-the-blank lists, questions and queries is the easiest way for any mother to record on paper answers to the questions her children never thought to ask but will love to discover, such as:

• What is some of the craziest parenting advice you ever received?
• What have been your favorite parts of being a mother?
• What (or were) your favorite family recipes?
• In what ways are your children like you?
• If life had a rewind button, what moments would you like to relive?

My Thoughts

I have been recording my thoughts, dreams and wishes for my children for awhile now, sadly they are in about 20 different spiral notebooks, which makes it harder for my kids to find a specific topic. The For My Children journal is the perfect book to record specifics and have them all in one place. If I want to direct a reply to a specific child I just place their name at the top of the comment with hearts around their name. I love this journal because it has got me thinking about things that I didn’t think of and has opened my heart more, so I can express myself better and create a memory for my kids to look back on.

For My Children is the perfect Mother’s Day gift for any mom in your life, she will not only love the book but she will love the memories it brings out!

Company: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Item Reviewed: Because Your Mommy Loves You Book
Item Given Away: Because Your Mommy Loves You Book – 3 Winners
Start Date: April 30
End Date: May 15

About the Book: In this sweet companion book to Because Your Daddy Loves You, a little boy and his mom go on a hiking trip and camp out under the stars. Mommy is as calm and reassuring, but also goes far to foster her son’s independence in an encouraging and loving way. As heartwarming as its predecessor, this read-aloud book is sure to become a family favorite. Check out Because Your Mommy Loves You today!

About the author: Andrew Clements is the author of many best-selling books, among them the middle grade novel Frindle. He lives in Westborough, Massachusetts, and can be found at www.andrewclements.com.

About the illustrator: R. W. Alley is the illustrator of many beloved picture books, including the Paddington Bear series. He lives in Barrington, Rhode Island. Visit him at www.rwalley.com.

My daughter loves books and she really loves this one. When I asked her why she liked it so much she said, “Because it is a book about how much a mommy loves her children.” After she said that I had tears in my eyes as I continued to read the book to her. She then shared the book with her sister and as she had it read to her she made sure to tell her big sis that mommy loves us Made me cry! I love how much this book touched her heart.

Which is why I am also excited to be able to share it with you all. I have been given the opportunity to host a giveaway where three lucky Dirty t Shirt readers can win a copy of the book. Please see rules below to enter to win today!

Prizing courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Rules

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don’t like sex talk, or you are reading the books and don’t want spoilers, please skip this post…

A few weeks ago while watching the Today Show they had a segment on women flipping out over a book called Fifty Shades of Grey. I watched the segment, finding it funny that the women were saying that their men were benefiting from the new sexy novel. I filed the information away for future reference. Within the two weeks following that segment I started seeing other bloggers saying they were reading it, some saying that it was awesome and you just had to read it. Friends back home were oohing and ahhing over the first book, so it prompted me to finally agree to read it.

Below I am going to share a few of my thoughts and opinions, please keep in mind that they are just that, mine. I know some people will not agree with me and some people will. It is just my way of viewing the book. So with that said…

• The writing sucks! I say that because the book did not grab my attention with the first chapter, which it should if I am going to read it, however I decided to push past it because I wanted to see what all the hoopla was about. In doing so I found that the author continually used the phrases “Down there” and “Holy F@#&” in every other sentence it seems. Wait a minute, if you are going to write a sex book, and it is chock full of sex, you can’t use correct terminology or even slang? Down there sounds so childish for an adult erotic novel!
• You have a dominate character here but he allows her to talk back, correct him and say no. Now I know absolutely zilch about that world so I am not making these statements based on knowledge, but it doesn’t seem to mesh well in the story to me.
• Speaking of the dominant character, I feel for him. He is a tortured soul and all the story makes me want to do is fix him.
• Now Anastasia, the female lead character, was a virgin, and she lost that virginity in a way that I was happy to see, I would have been mortified if being exposed to the dominants world was her first experience. BUT she knew how he was and allowed that to happen knowing she was being prepped for his world. Hot or not I would not allow myself to be used that way. And when he hurts her, and he does hurt her, she freaks out and runs. My thought is “what the hell did you expect?”
• Ana calls him Fifty all the time. That is just plain stupid. He has a name, use it! If she is worried about how he is Fifty Shades of F’d Up she shouldn’t be with him!
• Ana is also continuously worried that she has made Christian mad and how he will punish her. Again I have no experience whatsoever in this field but shouldn’t a submissive want to be punished? Why is she worried about pissing him off when what she says would piss anyone off?
• Going back to the writing sucking, I am shocked this book was published. I am not saying that I can do better by any means, but it is riddled with typos and more. But the thing that bothered me was the use of the same words and descriptions. I read in the beginning that Christian Grey is gorgeous and has beautiful grey eyes, I do not need to be reminded every other page. And I could totally do without the inner goddess always running and hiding behind the couch. To me there is nothing new happening or being introduced as I read on.

HOWEVER…

With that all being said (and there are more annoyances they just escape me at the moment) the author did make me care about the characters. I want to see Christian fixed and Ana get what she wants. So I have purchase the second book and have started that and will finish the trilogy to see what happens. That will be $20 I don’t really want to spend on such bad writing but I do want to see how it all plays out. Maybe by paying that I can help fix Christian…perhaps?

As a side note too, I like to think of myself as a fairly sexual being (cover your eyes dad) but what I am reading in no way makes me want to take that to my husband. I get getting all worked up reading about sex but why take that to your husband? He should be the one getting you all worked up, not a book about a sad, tortured soul.

Oh yeah, if I have to read “Come Ana” one more time I will scream! Be prepared to hear me scream from where ever you are in the world

Are you reading this trilogy? What are your thoughts?

This year, from all the books that I have received to read with my daughter she has picked out The Snowman’s Revenge as her favorite and wants me to tell everyone that they should get it for their child this Christmas and wrap it up all pretty with a bow. I will have to agree with her, it is a fun little story!

Buy The Snowman’s Revenge today!

Author: Jill Zabkar Martin
Item Reviewed: Froggy Boots Go With Everything book

A boy’s love for his most cherished rainboots is the endearing theme of JZM Media’s inaugural children’s book.  Beautiful illustrations and simple phrases capture the essence of a young child’s imaginative play.

Inspired by the beloved pink poncho of her youth — cozy sweater, long luxurious hair and beautiful ballet skirt — Jill Zabkar Martin turns a boy’s favorite fashion accessory into the prop that fuels his imagination.

Froggy Boots Go With Everything conjures nostalgic memories for kids of all ages.

My Thoughts

My youngest daughter loved this book and as she pointed out to me, “Her favorite boots do go with everything”. That sticks out in her mind because I am forever telling her that her boots do not go with the pants and shirt she is wearing, and this book proves me wrong, but in a good way. She carries Froggy Boots Go With Everything in her backpack that goes everywhere with her, and has quickly become her favorite book. And she said that she can’t wait to share it with her cousins the next time she sees them. That is a sign that she loves the book.

Author: Mark Smythe
Item Reviewed: Snowman’s Revenge

The snow’s piled up high and school’s cancelled, so let’s play outside and, of course, build a snowman!

Now, what if you were left out in the cold snow all by yourself, like that poor snowman?

Would you be mad? Of course you would!

Well, this snowman is out for revenge, especially after he sees those kids in the nice warm house, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate!

So, let’s see what happens in this delightful story, nicely flowing with rhymed verse, very beautifully illustrated and quite humorous indeed.

So lovable, it’s sure to be an instant favorite and a timeless classic with “kids” of all ages.

My Thoughts

The Snowman’s Revenge is a cute book based on the fact that a snowman doesn’t want to be left out in the cold and the revenge he plots on the children who leave him outside. Both my daughter’s liked this book, with my youngest asking me to read it over and over again. My oldest enjoyed it as well and laughed at the ways the snowman went about taking out his revenge. Ended kind of sadly too. Fun book for the holiday season.

Author: Anna Dewdney
Item Reviewed: Llama Llama Home With Mama book
Item Given Away: Llama Llama Home With Mama book and Stuffed Llama
Start Date: October 14
End Date: October 28

Ahhh…CHOO! Llama Llama wakes up feeling under the weather. His head is feeling hot and his throat is sore. No
school for little Llama today. What is there to do all day? Being sick is such a bore. But when Mama begins to feel
sick, Llama knows just what to do. He gets her tissues, fluffs her pillow, and finds a book to read together. Spending time with each other may be just the thing to help Llama and Mama feel better!

Play games, watch videos and learn more here.

My Thoughts

My daughter loves this book and asks me to read it on a daily basis. She says she likes saying the word “Llama” says it sounds funny. She also enjoys reading this story to me. She says it is her favoritist new book I saw that they had Llama Llama Holiday Drama that I would like to get her for this holiday season.

I am excited I can share this fun new book with my readers. One lucky Dirty t Shirt can win a Llama Llama Home With Mama book and a Stuffed Llama. Please see rules below to enter today!

Rules

• MAIN RULE – Tell me in comments what your child’s favorite book is. (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
• 1 Extra Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed or by email (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
• 1 Extra Entry – Follow me on Twitter (button in header) and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment.
• 1 Extra Entry – Tweet this giveaway. Copy and paste – @Jentifa is giving away a Llama Llama Home With Mama Prize Pack! Check it out here http://bit.ly/pLEtk7. Then come back and leave the direct link to your tweet (go to your twitter account, click on the words when your tweet was sent (ie. 5 seconds ago) and copy and paste that link in comments.
• 1 Extra Entry – Friend me on Google Friend Connect on sidebar and leave a separate comment that you did.
• 2 Extra Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog.

This giveaway will run through midnight on October 28, with winner being announced the morning of October 29. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Author: Kelly Hancock
Item Reviewed: Saving Savvy Book

I am constantly trying to save money, especially with groceries. But following up on coupon cutting and sale papers and everything else in between is just too much to keep track of with me and my hectic life.

That’s why Kelly Hancock, founder of the wildly popular blog FaithfulProvisions.com, started employing easy money-saving strategies of her own.  After slashing her family’s grocery and eat-out budget by 80%, she started blogging her secrets.  Soon, legions were following her simple steps and daily deals, and her wisdom is now collected in Saving Savvy: Smart and Easy Ways to Cut Your Spending In Half and Raise Your Standard of Living…and Giving! A book that I have read cover to cover in less than a day to see just how I could implement the lessons taught in my daily life to save me money.

In the book, Kelly outlines a plan to reduce spending budgets, while raising the reader’s standard of living.  The goal isn’t to take extreme measures, but rather, to shop smarter while saving money and time. A theme that works well with my family.

Inside Saving Savvy, readers learn how to:

• Learn their saving style, via a special spending-style quiz
• Eat/cook organic foods on a budget
• Create a money-saving freezer template
• Cook ingredient-based meals based on sale + seasonal items
• Teach children about money and budgeting

Download a sample chapter here.

If you are anything like me and could use a little help in the saving department I recommend you read Saving Savvy by Kelly Hancock today! You will be happy that you did! It has done wonders for me!

Company: Scholastic
Item Reviewed: none at this time
Item Given Away: Copy of Bailey by Harry Bliss – 3 Winners
Start Date: September 12
End Date: September 26

Meet Bailey, a dog who surprises and charms his fellow human classmates with his irrepressible antics. In this funny new book from the bestselling children’s illustrator Harry Bliss, school proves to be an unexpected place for Bailey to do all sorts of things he loves: reading, fetching, painting, digging, singing — and making friends!

I have been given the chance to share Bailey with The Dirty t Shirt readers, 3 readers will win a copy of Bailey by Harry Bliss. Please see rules below to enter to win.

Prizing & sample courtesy of Scholastic valued at $16.99 each

Rules

• MAIN RULE – Tell me in comments who your child’s favorite book character is. (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
• 1 Extra Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed or by email (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
• 1 Extra Entry – Follow me on Twitter (button in header) and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment.
• 1 Extra Entry – Tweet this giveaway. Copy and paste – @Jentifa is giving away 3 copies of the children’s book Bailey by Harry Bliss! Check it out here http://bit.ly/oepOEh. Then come back and leave the direct link to your tweet (go to your twitter account, click on the words when your tweet was sent (ie. 5 seconds ago) and copy and paste that link in comments.
• 1 Extra Entry – Friend me on Google Friend Connect on sidebar and leave a separate comment that you did.
• 2 Extra Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog.

This giveaway will run through midnight on September 26, with winner being announced the morning of September 27. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Author: Judy Palaferro
Item Reviewed:Horace’s Big Hat Book

What did you want to be when you grew up? Horace’s imagination takes off, bringing the young reader along on an adventure around the theme of his big hat. Each big hat Horace dons tells a colorful tale of lifestyles and livelihoods. From berets to helmets to turbans, Horace’s hats journey through vivid images and wonderful details, whisking the audience into his boldly-colored adventures. Each individual story is created with patterned text and has been educator approved, perfect for the emerging reader.

My Thoughts

Any book that gets my daughter to start using her imagination is a good book to me. My daughter has asked me to read this to her continuously and she loves coming up with new things she can be wearing a hat. The story is good and the graphics are fun and even have an added bonus of being a kind of “What Do You See” story whee my daughter points out all the other fun things in the pictures. She loves doing that and making up new stories to go along with the pictures. I loved being able to share Horace’s Big Hat with my daughter.