I'm a 27 year old stay-at-home mom from Oregon. I have two wonderful children ages 3 and 1 years old. I have been married for five years to my wonderful husband whom I met online!
I enjoy sharing my faith in God, designing graphics, blogging, knitting photography, getting lost in a book, crafting, teaching my children at home, and more.
Archive for the ‘Product Reviews’ Category
Review: Scholastic Storybook Treasures| Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears…and more African Folk Tales
February 10th, 2012 | 
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The latest offering from Scholastic Storybook Treasures that we’ve been enjoying this month is called “Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears…and more African Folk Tales”. This collection has five great stories which totally embrace African culture in fun way, and two which have never been before released: ”Not So Fast Songololo” and “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters”. My children enjoyed all the stories in this collection but their favorite was “Who’s in Rabbit’s House” (Written by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, narrated by James Earl Jones). My daughter paid attention to this tale 100% of the time and wouldn’t stop talking about it long after we had finished watching it.
If you know nothing of “Who’s in Rabbit’s House” you should know that it’s adapted from a Masai folktale, about a rabbit that can’t get into her house because a creature is hiding inside. The animated illustrations are of people wearing different animals masks and acting out the tale. My daughter also has been asking to watch it again and again!
Other stories that you’ll be able to enjoy feature African Jungle animals, a very hot hippo, a sweet story of a boy from south Africa spending a day with his Grandmother, a tale of how a West African village came to be, and so much more! This award winning DVD (CHILD Magzine’s Top 10 “Don’t Miss” DVDs (2004)) supports Cooperation; Friendship, and Problem Solving!
I highly recommend Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears…and more African Folk Tales! You can pick up a copy on Amazon.com for 12.99!
Posted in DVD, Product Reviews | 
Tags: Children, DVD, Education, homeschool, Scholastics | 
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Review: Scholastic Storybook Treasures | The Valentines Collection Featuring One Zillion Valentines
Can you believe next Tuesday is Valentines Day? I honestly can’t believe how quickly it has come up. I’ve been teaching my daughter about various Calendar Holidays this year and am excited that I can incorporate The Valentines Collection Featuring One Zillion Valentines DVD by Scholastic Storybook Treasures into our curriculum.
There five featured stories are “Goggles”, “A Letter to Amy”, “Will I Have a Friend”, “Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge” and our current favorite One Zillion Valentines by author and illustrator Frank Modell. These stories are all wonderful and are sure to delight! Each story focuses on teaching children attributes and model things such as friendship, sharing with others, and embracing new experiences.
This DVD like others offered in their library feature read a long on screen for children to follow and classic storybook favorites vividly brought to life with narration of top actors and actresses.
We really enjoyed the story One Zillion Valentines and it got my daughter excited about making her own for family and friends. I think too often we only think of Valentines being for couples only but this story proves they are for everyone! A great tale in encouraging kids to think of others and to demonstrate generosity and that a little goes a long way.
If you are looking for a great selection of stories to DVD to share with your children or classroom then I’m sure you’ll enjoy The Valentines Collection Featuring One Zillion Valentines by Schloastics. You can purchase this title on Amazon.com for 12.99 right now.
Posted in Children, DVD, Product Reviews |
Tags: Children's Movie, DVD, educational, Scholastics, Storybook, valentines |
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Blu-Ray + DVD Diamond Edition Review: Lady and the Tramp
A classic love story unfolds in the best Disney tradition as a lovely young pedigreed cocker spaniel named Lady, who lives a pampered life, finds herself falling romantically for Tramp, an amorous street-smart pooch without prospects. Although they have fun together on several dates, including a sentimental spaghetti dinner by moonlight at Tony’s restaurant, their relationship is strained not only by Lady’s loyalty to her human family and their newborn baby, but by Tramp’s devil-may-care attitude that eventually gets Lady in trouble and tossed into the dog pound. However, good-hearted Tramp redeems himself by saving the baby from potential harm and thus wins Lady’s love and the affection of her human family.
Today the beloved classic Lady and The Tramp arrives on Blu-ray Diamond edition for the first time from Walt Disney Studios. This movie I remember watching as a child and now I can share this heart warming tale with my own children in this spectacular diamond edition! This is film to be shared and enjoy by both young and old.
So what did my kids think? First you should know that my three and a half year old daughter loves dog movies. In fact, this movie is probably running a close second to another Disney film called Bolt. The cute songs kept my daughter intrigued and the story kept her captivated. I enjoyed watching her expression and was there to reassure or answer any questions she was known to ask during any film she watches.
Keep in mind you might want to save this one till your children are a bit older or I recommend you be there to comfort during any frightening situations. My daughter did get a bit scared when the rat was climbing into the babies room and started crying because she thought the baby was going to get hurt but I told her that the dogs would make sure it was okay.
The run time of this film isn’t too long. I think 76 minutes is a good running time as any longer sometimes loses the interest of children. This tale is heart warming and teaches children the importance of friendship, love, compassion, and acceptance of others. I highly recommend this Disney classic. I am also really enjoying going through all the special features and learning the history behind with this sweet title!
Blu-ray & DVD Combo Special Features and Bonuses:
Blu-ray Bonus:
- Disney Second Screen: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings*
- Audio Commentary: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings
- Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
- Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
- Never Recorded Song: “I’m Free as the Breeze”
Classic DVD Bonus:
- Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp
- Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard
- Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film
- PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
- “The Siamese Cat Song,” Finding a Voice for the Cats
- “Bella Notte” Music Video
DVD Bonus:
- Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
- PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
Digital Bonus:
- Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
- Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
- PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
BUY IT: The 2 Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack retails for $39.99 in the US and $46.99 in Canada. Standard Digital for $29.99 US/$35.99 Canada and 3 Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack for $44.99/ $51.99 Canada.
**Right now you can purchase Lady and the Tramp (Diamond Edition Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging)
Disclosure: 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.
