Archive for the ‘Children’s Books’ Category

Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project is both a timeless benefit effort and a uniquely compelling multimedia experience. The project—which incorporates a 2-CD, 26-song set; a lavishly illustrated hardcover book of 17 songs from the album; a corresponding e-book encompassing the entire collection; and a documentary film and web series —gathers many of contemporary musical theatre’s greatest composers and vocalists, as well as illustrators, all of whom have donated their talent to deliver an emotionally affecting set of new lullabies, some written specifically for this project. Proceeds from sales of the book and 2-CD set will benefit breast cancer research, support and education.

Here, for your viewing and posting pleasure, is a behind-the-scenes look at the recording session for “Lucky” (Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, from the opera Seance on a Wet Afternoon). Schwartz, who was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Broadway Hall of Fame in 2009, is the composer of the smash Broadway musicals Wicked, Godspell and Pippin.

The song is performed by Tony Award-winning actress & singer Donna Murphy, with Gil Goldstein (piano), and Jody Redhage (cello), produced by Matt Pierson. Illustration by three-time Caldecott Medal winner Marc Simont.

My two children have enjoyed both mommy and daddy reading the Over The Moon book to them before bedtime. And my daughter whom always goes to sleep listening to music has insisted on the accompanying CD many times. I highly recommend the CD to help calm your children into a more restful sleep and in help to calming the business of each day far away.

The book itself is quite a work of art. I enjoyed reading the lullabies and getting lost in the beautifully expressive heartfelt lyrics and illustrations. The lullaby It’s Time Little Man brought a whirlwind of emotion to me making me realize how fast my 16 month old baby boy is growing up and that before I know it he’ll be big and grown. There are many other titles in this book that really touched me as well but that one just really stood out.

I would highly recommend the Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project. You can purchase Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project on Amazon.com for $12.89 right now! I promise it’ll be a special collection that you’ll enjoy just as much as your children ( maybe even more too!)

Disclaimer: I was sent the above mentioned product to review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

UnBEElievables: Honeybee Poems and Paintings is a one of a kind book that teaches children all about the world of Honey Bees. In the beginning of the book you are introduced to the Hive with a poem titled “Welcome!” which also includes an educational fact about the home of the honey bees. There is also a fun crayon type illustrations of the honey bees in their hive spelling out the word welcome.

As children continue through the book, they’ll learn about the anatomy of bees, the different types in the hive, the bees life cycle, how they bees navigate, and much more! The short poems and the educational facts, open the door for many questions. My daughter for one that’s almost four years old, really enjoyed this book. And I know for a fact that she’s begun to see bees in whole new light!

Being fun, interesting and informative, this book would be wonderful for home or school use.  Hands down a great resource for scientific exploration and lesson plans. I recommend picking up a copy for yourself, especially with the Summer season right around the corner!

You can find UnBEElievables: Honeybee Poems and Paintings on Amazon $11.55 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.00.

Most if not all children grow up being told and taking to heart the story of the Three Little Pigs and that big bad wolf that would huff and puff and blow all those houses down. My children know this story well in and out with no surprise in-between. That is until just recently when I introduced a version of this tale called “Huff and Puff” by author Claudia Rueda that puts a fun unexpected twist on this classic story!

In this version of the Three Little Pigs, it allows for the children being read to as well as the reader, to play the part of the big bad wolf. Through this tale children can interact thanks to the unique three interior die-cut holes to blow the houses down created by the little pigs. My daughter got a real kick out being able to interact and giggled till the story ended!

The illustrations are done in watercolor style with a soft pale pen outline. And the story is written very simply and would be a great early reader book, in my opinion. Myself and my children loved the surprise ending we received as we huffed and puffed after the last little pigs home. We’ve read this book numerous time and would highly recommend it as an engaging book that any young child would enjoy.

You can purchase Huff & Puff: Can You Blow Down the Houses of the Three Little Pigs? for $10.36 and it’s also eligible for free shipping at Amazon.com.

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Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in exchange for my opinion of them. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.