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Dabbling Doezee { Children's Book Review }

March 25, 2016 by Emilee Evans

I always appreciate a children’s book that has a fun, engaging story while also sharing interesting facts. Kids learn a lot through reading, so what they read (and what we read to them) is so important!
Dabbling Doezee Children's Book
Disclosure: I received the book complimentary to facilitate my review. Regardless, all opinions are my own and those of my family. This post contains affiliate links.
Dabbling Doezee is a children’s book with fun, exciting illustrations that is perfect for early readers (ages 3-8). In the story there are two duck friends named Doezee and Rudy that discover their differences and their own unique abilities. As their adventure unfolds, their friendship helps them survive in the face of danger.

Dabbling Doezee Children’s Book

For our review we received the Dabbling Doezee hardcover book as well as the iBook.
Dabbling Doezee is a great book for our younger two children (ages 5 and 8). Our daughter (the 8 year old) is able to read most of the book herself, and her younger brother loves to listen to the story. The illustrations are so colorful and eye-catching. The story itself has a lot of excitement, and the illustrations really make it come to life!
Dabbling Doezee Children's Book Review
Dabbling Doezee is an encouraging story about friendship. Doezee dabbles and Rudy dives. They have different food preferences that go along with their unique abilities. Not only are they still good friends, but after Doezee starts to try to be something she’s not (a diving duck) to avoid danger, they learn she has her own unique skills that compliment Rudy’s skills. They help each other stay safe, and they do it by being who they are. I really love the the message of the story of both the friendship and accepting and acknowledging your unique abilities.
As a homeschool mom, I also love that there is an educational aspect in learning the difference between diving ducks and dabbling ducks. At the end, even more detail is included in the Author’s Note about the ducks including their types, skills, and even the name for a female duck (duck) and male (drake). It’s really informative.
Dabbling Doezee has really been a great addition to our children’s books!

About the Author (Kimberly Kennedy)

Kim is an award-winning educator, writer, and entrepreneur. She has a doctorate from the University of Missouri. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
As an Assistant Professor, Kim’s scholarship emphasized ways that storytelling deepens relationships, develops identity and a sense of family history, teaches, and heals us when facing loss. She believes that stories are essential in helping children develop literacy skills, content knowledge and cognitive abilities.
“My mother taught young children throughout her career. She emphasized education and reading in our home. She was an amazing role model, including when she took a stand to save our local library. Her influence explains a great deal about why I believe that storytelling is vital to a child’s development and to family well being.”

About the Illustrator (Tracy Herrmann)

Tracy brings her signature gentle styling to Dabbling Doezee. She was an active member of The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI) and won awards for her art at various state and local juried competitions, including an Award of Excellence from the California State Fair. Tracy’s specialized studies in Zoology and Natural History lent her art and graphic talents to supporting wilderness and conservation for national parks with screen print and embroidered soft goods, keepsakes, hard goods, gifts and collectibles.
“I enjoy exploring, spending whole afternoons observing and sketching animals for new concepts, and just watching the families and kids. Kids love to watch an artist sketch and paint. They are natural artists and keen observers. Sharing the richness of our natural world through my art brings me great joy and satisfaction. Connecting with others who share that joy just makes my whole year!”

Dabbling Doezee can be purchased as hardcopy or Kindle Version on Amazon. You can also look for Dabbling Doezee in iBooks.

Get Connected with Dabbling Doezee

Website | Facebook | Email: fabulapub@gmail.com
 

Helping our Preschooler Sleep with SleepBuddy {Review}

October 17, 2013 by Emilee Evans


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
SleepBuddy
I have often talked about our preschooler’s sleep issues. In fact, I’ve been talking about them for over a year. I know this because it was one year ago that he had a sleep study because we were so concerned about him. It was a horrible experience – particularly since he has Sensory Processing Disorder. It did eventually lead to a diagnosis of enlarged adenoids MONTHS later. He had his adenoids removed, which has definitely improved the health problems associated with his sleep (the snoring and blocked airways).
There was still one problem, though – he was now in such a horrible sleep pattern. If any little thing would wake him up he would still come right in our room and get in our bed. Although the waking occurrences were less due to his no longer having breathing problems during his sleep, it was still a habit we needed to break.
I was really excited to try SleepBuddy. SleepBuddy is a complete sleep system that helps kids get into better sleep habits by helping them learn when they should stay in bed and when it is OK to get up. It does this in a fun and rewarding way! Plus it is a concept that is easy to understand. It can be used with children as young as age 1 1/2.
When the SleepBuddy arrives, it arrives in gift wrapping with a bow. This helps build up excitement and go along with the story that is included in the package.
SleepBuddy
The story in the package talks all about how the SleepBuddy works from a young child’s perspective. It’s an extra bedtime story treat because it’s a nice bedtime story that also helps to simply explain how the SleepBuddy works and builds excitement over the fact that they now have one, too. Chaz wanted nothing to do with SleepBuddy at first. I mentioned the word “sleep,” and he instantly yelled “no!” I was afraid we’d be in for an exhausting battle. Although he was a little reluctant to hear the story at first, he did sit down with us because our older two kids sat down to listen to help encourage him. After the story was over he asked if that was his SleepBuddy. He actually WANTED his SleepBuddy! I have to admit, I didn’t expect this, so I was pleasantly surprised!
Also with the SleepBuddy is a Reward Chart with Smiley Face stickers. The SleepBuddy is a simple to use reward based system. It is a light that is set on a timer. The concept is easy – when the light is blue that means it is not time to get out of bed, but when it is off it is OK to get out of bed. Of course, with anything, it is a process. If they stay in bed until the light is off they receive a sticker on their chart. The only snag we had is Chaz doesn’t like rewards – at all. I know it’s kind of bizarre, but he just doesn’t. It did NOT mean we couldn’t effectively use the SleepBuddy system, though.
We have been using the SleepBuddy now for about 7 weeks. The first 2-3 weeks were the “adjustment period.” I knew it would take some time because he had developed such poor sleep habits. I discovered the SleepBuddy could be more effective than just helping him know it’s time to stay in bed – it also helps to tell him when it’s time to GO to bed. He tends to play even after his siblings have fallen asleep. So we set the SleepBuddy to turn on at a specific time to remind him it’s no longer time to play but time to go to sleep. This has been a very helpful feature!
SleepBuddy
The SleepBuddy is also programmed to work during naps, but since Chaz no longer takes naps I simply turn it off during the day to prevent confusion. One day I did forget, and the kids ran to me asking why it was on! haha Oops!
After the initial adjustment period, Chaz really started getting into a better sleep rhythm. He was going to bed when his SleepBuddy turned on, and he was staying in his bed until it was off. He still has a couple of nights here and there, but that is SO much better than almost every night! Of course, with our recent move we really needed something consistent that we could rely on to help keep him (and even our older children) on a schedule. It’s even more important because he and our oldest son will now be sharing a room. Our oldest son has a wonderful sleep schedule, and he definitely isn’t too happy about the idea of sharing a room, so the SleepBuddy has also helped to make the transition easier. We still haven’t found all the parts to put his bed together, and that can really cause a child to be off kilter with their sleep, so I’m grateful I thought to keep the SleepBuddy with us instead of having them pack it so we would always have it ready! What a help it has been?

So How Do you Reward a Child that Doesn’t Like Rewards?

It may be a hard concept to understand, but due to his special needs he doesn’t like the kind of attention that rewards bring, and he particularly doesn’t like stickers for some reason. He is very attentive to details, though. Doing what he knows he is supposed to do IS his reward. I ask him if he stayed in his bed until his SleepBuddy was off, and he is so proud to say yes! I do say “Awesome!” or something to that effect in a not too enthusiastic tone, and then I personally kept track of the days that he stayed in his bed using the provided chart. For every 7 days he stayed in his bed, I would tell him I noticed he stayed in his bed that many days and asked him if he would like something special. He usually chooses a special treat like ice cream. 🙂
I think SleepBuddy is such a wonderful concept, and it continues to help our preschooler (and us!) sleep better. I only wish I had known about it sooner!

For More Information:

Visit the SleepBuddy Website
Connect with SleepBuddy on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
 
 

Rufus and Ryan Go to Church! Children's Book Review

September 30, 2013 by Emilee Evans

Disclosure: As a member of the FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network I received the product mentioned to facilitate my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I feel would be good for my readers. My opinions are my own.

Rufus and Ryan

In Rufus and Ryan Go to Church!, a little boy named Ryan has a stuffed monkey named Rufus. In the story Ryan tells Rufus all about going to church – what to expect and what is going on as they attend church. He tells Rufus the appropriate times to sing, pray, and be quiet.
The author, Kathleen Bostrom, uses the story as a fun, creative way to introduce children to the experience of attending a church service. Presenting it by having four-year-old Ryan explain it to his stuffed animal friend is also a fun way to make it relatable to children.
I have read Rufus and Ryan Go to Church a few times with our children. Although our church service experiences are a little different (they usually go to children’s church rather than the main service) it is definitely a story we all enjoy! Plus, we can use the story to discuss just how our experience is different and what we would tell our stuffed toy friends if we took them with us for a day! It really helped to open up the conversation! The kids were both asking question as well as talking about ideas!
Children's book
The pictures in Rufus and Ryan Go to Church! by illustrator Rebecca Thornburgh are fantastic. They are cute and definitely appealing to children. The story is in simple sentences that are great for young children, and I definitely think it’s a topic that is important to discuss with children! I’m looking forward to checking out other books about Rufus and Ryan!
Rufus and Ryan Go to Church! can be purchased for $7.99 on Ideal Books.

For More Information:

Visit the Ideal Books Website
Connect with Ideal Books on Facebook

*Giveaway!!* {ended 10/14/13} For more chances to win great prizes check out our current giveaways!

Wouldn’t you like to share this cute story? One lucky reader will have the chance to win the Rufus and Ryan Go to Church! board book! The giveaway will run from September 30th through October 14th, 2013 at 11:00pm Central Time and is open to US and Canada ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools. Simply answer the first question in the Giveaway Tools to enter! Additional entries are optional but may increase your chances of winning! Good luck!

Entry-Form

 
Pea of Sweetness is not responsible for prize fulfillment.
 
 

Children's Oxylent Review

September 14, 2013 by Emilee Evans

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.
Children's Oxylent
Many kids have gone back to school or started their new homeschool year. This fall, you can get your little ones’ school year started off right with strong immune systems and a big boost of brain power! Children’s Oxylent delivers essential nutrients and offers a fun, great tasting, nutritious drink. Plus it’s only sweetened with Stevia!

Children’s Oxylent

Nurtures: A balance of the highest-quality nutrients supports your child’s development and well-being. Vitamin A supports growth, vitamins E and B support developing nervous systems, and zinc supports brain function.
Strengthens: Vitamin D3, calcium, and magnesium support the health of growing bones and muscles.9–11 Recent research shows that even kids in sunny climates don’t get enough vitamin D.
Protects: Vitamins A, C, and D, and the mineral zinc promote the health and function of your child’s immune system. Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin, is important to replenish daily.
Nutrition is very important for children. In fact, nutrition plays a big part in helping our children with their special needs. With the right nutrition they can concentrate and focus better. Plus, of course, there is the added benefit of a stronger immune system. With cold and flu season right around the corner it’s always nice to know we’re doing what we can to keep their immune system strong. With proper nutrition there are also less meltdowns and just an overall better well being.
I was very excited to try Children’s Oxylent. It is so hard to find supplements that contain all the important vitamins children need. It’s also hard to find supplements that don’t have questionable ingredients like food dyes, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. Children’s Oxylent is full of the good stuff and doesn’t have the bad stuff! I’m really impressed with what the Children’s Oxylent contains!
The single serve packets are convenient. I just set out 3 cups, pour a little packet into each one, and then add 4-6 ounces of filtered water. Then just stir it up, and your kids have a healthy drink! I found for our kids, personally, they enjoy it with more flavor, so we usually add only 4 ounces of water.
The great thing is – they enjoy it! They ask for their “vitamin drink” every day! Because it’s so convenient it is easy to make it a habit. I also love that it encourages them to have extra fluids for the day! I imagine I’m not the only parent that has to remind my kids to drink their water!
Children’s Oxylent is definitely a good fit for our family.
What are your biggest concerns when it comes to your children’s nutrition?

For More Information:

Visit the Vitalah Website
Connect with Oxylent on Facebook and Twitter

*Giveaway!!!* {Ended 9/28/13} For more chances to win great prizes check out our current giveaways!

One lucky reader has the chance to win a box of Children’s Oxylent! The giveaway will run from 9/14 through 9/28 at 11:00pm Central and is open to US residents ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

Entry-Form

 
 
 

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