Adorable Personalized Book Review!

 This has got to be one of the cutest things I have seen in a while- In The Book Personalized Stories. 

It was so easy to use, the hard part is deciding which adorable story to choose! We decided to go with Me and My Pet and it was a huge success according to Raphael, our official book tester:

She was so excited as her name turned up on each page along with her dog's name, Bob. She also could not believe that SHE was the star of her own storybook. 

This is such a great birthday gift...

Or Chanukah gift...

And this is something that they will keep and cherish forever...

You have the option to add a photo of your cutie-pie, which we did-

Depending on the story you pick, you can customize it accordingly, from eye color to hair, to clothes to skin tone. It was so fun to make and even more fun to read. 

Head on over to In The Book and use code FREESHIP for free shipping off your next order.

Hope your little one loves their new book as much as mine did!

Always,

Book Review: Shabbos and Yom Tov Divrei Torah for Children - Volume 2: Torah Thoughts for Children

Book Review: Shabbos and Yom Tov Divrei Torah for Children - Volume 2: Torah Thoughts for Children

Rabbi Goldstein sent me a copy of this wonderful book to review, and who better to review it then my own kids.

What I love about his Dvar Torahs is that they are short, sweet and so meaningful. Each one opens with a concise introduction, followed by a question, an answer and a lesson. It is so clear and easy for almost anyone to understand as well as internalize.

Here are 2 sample Dvar Torahs that you can actually use this week. I would love to hear how it went at your Shabbos table!

This is a great book for any Jewish home- CLICK HERE to purchase it from Amazon as well as take a look inside the book.

Wishing you and yours a happy and light filled Chanukah,

Always, 

Book Review - Feeling Better A-Z

Feeling Better A-Z 

A Book about Bikur Cholim

by Malka Nussbaum Chomer

I received this book to review and my kids absolutely loved it. The colorful illustrations really brought this story to life.This book really shows kids how they can perform the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick, in a very real way. 

I love how the author uses each letter of the alphabet to help children discover so many ways in which they can cheer up someone who is not feeling well. C for a call, F for flowers, M for music, and T for Tehillim are all great ways to help someone feel better, just to name a few.

The illustrations show a young brother and sister overjoyed to help their friends, spend time with their elderly bubby, and visit their mother who just had a baby! 

You can find it on Amazon by clicking here or from Mostly Music by clicking here

I highly recommend this book for every home and classroom, Feeling Better A to Z can be a springboard for even more creative ideas about Bikur Cholim for the entire family.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Always, 

Book Review: The Shabbat Treasure by Evelyn Goldfinger

The Shabbat Treasure by Evelyn Goldfinger is a very sweet story about a little girl named Eve who is so excited to be getting ready for Shabbat. I just adore the way she dances in front of her mirror and looks outside at the sky dreamily imagining when the Shabbat Queen will arrive.

 Her adventurous little brother Leo, however, seems to have some other ideas. He has taken the 3 Shabbat elements (the candlesticks, the challah, and the wine) and hidden them around the house and has now sent Eve on a mission to find them.

She does so with a smile as she dances through the house, completing each of Leo's challenges to find them- but then something unfortunate happens. 

You see the kind-hearted nature of Eve in how she deals with this event and how she treats her brother Leo.

Whether your child is in touch with their inner dancing princess or adventurous pirate, I am sure your child will love this story and it's colorful illustrations that go along with it.

Click here to get it from Amazon!

I hope your little ones enjoy it as much as mine did,

Have a wonderful Shabbat,

Always,

Book Review: RINA My Design Sketch Book

Yocheved Nadell has done it again.A few months ago my then 8 year old daughter reviewed Adina My Design Sketch Book . You can check it out here.

We received 2 copies of Rina My Design Sketch Book, one for my daughter and one for her best friend. The two of them were busy for hours. Here is what they said when I asked them what they thought:

'I loved decorating and designing the ballgowns. Also making their hair all fancy. I also loved the stickers and putting the whole outfit together.'

'I really liked the tutorials because they help you make  your own designs. I really liked Adina and Shira Design Books and I love this one too.'

Here are some of its features:

* Design using 60+ stickers and 80+ starter sketches for your endless ideas. 

* 14+ color fashion illustrations for inspiration! 

* 14+ coloring figures for all levels to enjoy. 

* 40+ color tutorial pages with easy to follow instructions. 

* 110+ pages for hours of creativity and fun! 

Younger kids will love coloring the pages and decorating with the stickers. Older kids will be thrilled with the results they achieve using the design and illustration skills they will learn in the easy to follow tutorials. Recommended for ages 8-120

You can purchase a copy of Rina My Design Sketch Book HERE or HERE.

This is such a wonderful book, I cannot recommend it enough!

Enjoy and have a wonderful week,

Always,

Beautiful Dvar Torah Book for Kids- a Book Review

Let your child shine at the Shabbos and Yom Tov table!

This is a beautiful compilation of Divrei Torah written in a clear and simple style for children to read and share at the Shabbos table.

Here is a sample Dvar Torah from Parshas Lech Lecha:

The font is large, the words and ideas are simple. This book is such a wonderful addition to your Shabbos table.

Books can be purchased

Here

and Here

Habe a wonderful week!

Always,

Chew it Over- a book review

How often do we try to teach our kids (and ourselves) to think things through before doing anything. Before eating something, before going somewhere, before bringing someone into our lives, pretty much everything we do requires us to think it through or as this wonderful book written by Getzel Rubashkin says, 

'Chew it Over'.

I love how he has taken the lesson from how Kosher animals need to chew their food a few times before it gets digested and turned it into a very applicable life lesson for everyone, both adults and kids alike.

The cow chewed a mouthful, it swallowed and then

 It coughed it all up again and it chewed it again.

  All kosher animals chew that way too

 What is that lesson? What could it be?

And that is a lesson for me and for you.

  Read "Chew it Over," turn the pages and see.

Here is a peek at some of the wonderful illustrations and words from Chew it Over:

Chew it Over is such a fabulous addition to any children's library. You can purchase a copy Here- buy one for your kids, your nieces and nephews, your next door neighbor... and it makes a really special Chanukah Gift!

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Always,

 

Shira: My Design Sketchbook Review

I was so happy to have my 8 year old daughter and her best friend review a copy of Shira: My Design Sketchbook by Y. Nadell.   A few months ago we reviewed the first book, Adina: My Design Sketchbook (see Review Here)  so she was so excited to get her copy of Shira.

Honestly, having her design modest outfits is so fabulous. The book teaches her how to make different patterns and designs, prints and color combinations. It keeps her so busy.

Her best friend ran home (she's also our neighbor) and asked her mom to buy her BOTH books.

Get this for your daughter. Get this for your niece, your cousin and your neighbor. Its the perfect gift and their moms with thank you profusely.

I know you will enjoy it as much as we do!

Always,

                         

The Joys of Reading on Shabbos

Oh, how I love Shabbos.

Now that my kids are getting older, and we live in a warm climate, Shabbos is the day they get to see all their friends that they don't get to see during the week. 

They play outside all day, I barely see them except for the meals.

We have great company come over and I love all the delicious foods.

But most of all, I love love love- did I mention LOVE?- my Shabbos afternoon reading time.

After the meal, my husband makes me a cup of chamomile tea and I go to the living room which has huge windows which are always open, letting in the most gorgeous breeze. 

I plop down on the big leather sofas choosing the spot where the sun is shining onto and just curl up and read, read, read.

Oh, how much I enjoy my reading. 

During the week, I will admit that I am too distracted by life, computers and smart phones to sit down and read. Even in the evenings, I usually just crash after a long day.

But on Shabbos, when I know there is absolutely nothing that needs to get done, the kids are all entertaining each other and I get this juicy time to indulge.

The books I am currently reading and loving are:

The Rising Life by Rochie Pinson

Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma

Flourish by Mary Jo Tate

These books are so fantastic in their own way and truly compliment each other. Here are some of my favorite parts of the books. I highly recommend each one!

The Rising Life

"On Shabbat we return to our essential selves. The fact that we cannot create anything new on Shabbat means that we, and the world, have the permission to simply exist, exactly as we are, for this one day of the week. What a relief!"

"Nobody's Challah dough is inherently prettier then the next persons. It's not about the finished product. When we are fully present during the process, the results- though they may not be 'perfect looking'- will be a flawless reflection of our love and care. And, therefore, the Challah is perfect.

This idea holds true, so true, in the raising of our children and the nurturing of our loved ones. When we parent and nurture with our whole being and focus on the process rather then try to achieve desired results, we find that the results end up being sweet and perfect."

Cleaning House

"Do your kids expect clean folded clothes to magically appear in their drawers? Do they roll their eyes when you suggest they clean the bathroom? By racing in to make their lives easy, have you unintentionally reinforced your children’s belief that the world revolves around them?
 
Dismayed at the attitude of entitlement that had crept into her home, Kay Wyma got some attitude of her own. Cleaning House is her account of a year-long campaign to introduce her five kids to basic life skills and the ways meaningful work can increase earned self-confidence and concern for others.
 
With irresistible humor and refreshing insights, Kay candidly details the ups and downs of equipping her kids for such tasks as making beds, refinishing a deck chair, and working together. The changes that take place in her household will inspire you to launch your own campaign to dislodge your kids from the center of their universe."

Her goals at the end of the book (and mine too!):

Top 12 things a Kid should know before leaving Home
1. how to make a bed and maintain an orderly room
2. how to cook and clean a kitchen
3. how to do yard work
4. how to clean a bathroom
5. how to get a job... outside our home
6. how to do laundry
7. how to host a party
8. how to do handyman jobs
9. how to work together
10. how to run errands
11. how to put others first through service
12. how to act mannerly

Flourish-Balance for Homeschool Moms

This is really great for all the overwhelmed Homeschooling moms out there. She has this great Pre-Book Self Evaluation that you do before you begin to read it with questions such as:

"What is the most frustrating aspect of your daily life?

What brings you the greatest satisfaction?

What are your biggest personal challenges? 

What are your biggest family challenges?

What is currently missing in your life that you'd like to make time for?"

It really helps put so many things into perspective and helps those of us who just have so much going on put things into their boxes and deal with every issue one at a time.

You would think I was writing a thesis on Motherhood! But I am enjoying these books so much and they truly compliment each other in so many ways.

Wishing you all a wonderful and happy Chanukah,

Always

Jewish Book Reviews

You know that saying, 'too much of something is never good'?

Well, I must disagree.

In my humble opinion, you can have too many toys, too many games, too much nosh and too much stuff. 

But there is one thing I think you can never have too much of: 

Books. Good books.

If you are going to make one investment into your kids homeschooling journey, I say buy books, books and more books. A home filled with books is a gorgeous home.

Having said that, Feldheim has sent me 4 adorable books to enjoy, review and share with you- enjoy:

Shuki's Upside-Down Dream

By Yaffa Ganz

           Did you ever have a funny dream? How about a topsy-turvy, upside-down dream? After Shuki protests elderly Aunt Esther's upcoming visit, he has a very strange dream that helps him see things in a whole new way. This important "wake-up call" turns Aunt Esther's visit into a special time. This classic book by Yaffa Ganz has been reprinted with new illustrations to help children of today's generation with the mitzvah of respecting the elderly.

We Can Do Mitzvos Around the Jewish Year

By Yael Zoldan

            Jewish children can be part of the action as they join their parents and get involved in the holidays! With lively rhymes and vivid illustrations, We Can Do Mitzvos Around the Jewish Year tells what each Yom Tov is all about, showing mitzvos that kids can do on each of these special days.

Around the Clock: A Jewish Child Learns to Tell Time

By Aviva Werner

            When a child becomes curious about clocks and time-telling, Around the Clock is the perfect place to start! In this beautifully illustrated book, author Aviva Werner and artist Avi Katz team up to capture the essence of a day in the life of a Jewish child. Page by page, children will love learning to recognize the hour hand on the clock and how it relates to their own day.

Good Shabbos, Benny!: A Young Boy's Countdown to Shabbos

By Chani Fischman

          What's Benny counting? His Shabbos clothes, of course! Benny can't wait to get dressed for Shabbos. Join him as he hangs an additional piece of clothing on his bed each night. And when the most special day of the week finally arrives, you can be the very first one to wish Benny, "Good Shabbos"!

My kids absolutely LOVED these books, we read all four before bedtime tonight and I could not recommend them enough.

Your kids deserve a home filled with good Jewish books, it is worth every penny. Get started!

Good Shabbos,

Always,

Montessori and Chanukah Fun Printables and More!

My dear and very talented friend Nechamy has very graciously started contributing her gorgeous and very well made Montessori inspired printable activities to my blog for all of you to enjoy-

Feel free to download and print some or all of these fabulous Chanukah activities for your munchkins, all made and put together by Nechamy just for you... 

Chanukah Fun Sheets

Chanukah Parts of a Whole

Menorah Match

And of course, these adorable books from Mish and Mush- just click on the images to purchase and enhance your Chanukah experience...

And check out these super cute Chanukah themed card games and activities from Emily Sper...

Just click on the above images to make these adorable activities yours~

Enjoy the rest of your week and stay tuned for a wonderful Alef Bet curriculum review and some more fantastic Alef Bet activities from the wonderfully talented Nechamy!

Always,

The Dreidel that wouldn't Spin- a Chanukah Book Review

In this very sweet story, a peddler gives a very beautiful dreidel to the greedy owner of a toy shop.

The shopkeeper sells this dreidel twice to two separate spoiled children for a very high price only to have them both come back to return it because this dreidel simply 'won't spin!'

The shopkeeper realizes there is something strange going on especially when a poor man and his child enter his store.

In this beautiful holiday story by award-winning author Martha Simpson, and brought to life by the imaginative illustrations of award-winning illustrator D. Yael Bernhard, the happiness in this story will warm the heart of young and old alike with its simple message: wonders still occur for those who are ready for them. 

Included is a useful appendix that explains Chanukah, and an explanation on how to play the dreidel game.

You can buy it here:

Wishing you a Peaceful and Wonderful Shabbos,

Always,

Fabulous Chanukah Product Reviews!

Ok all you amazing mama's out there- I have got some fantastic Chanukah Products to introduce to you...

First up-

If the Candles Could Speak- the Story of Chanukah by Dassie Prus:

This is a huge book with the most magnificent illustrations filled with information on as well as the story of Chanukah. 

It also comes with a huge Story Board with 40 gorgeous and colorful removable stickers to use while teaching about Chanukah:

If you are going to make one investment this year in your Jewish homeschooling curriculum, Preschool curriculum and/or Hebrew School, then this should be it. 

Hop on over to Dassie's website to see a bunch of sample pages from the book, get a free coloring sheet, get the exact measurements of the book and story board and lots more info- the quality is superb and this entire set is worth every penny in my humble opinion, go check it out: http://www.chanukahbigbook.com/

My kids LOVE it and I can't wait to show the kids in Hebrew school on Sunday. 

Stay tuned for some more superb Chanukah products and for more info on

If the Candles Could Speak- the Story of Chanukah by Dassie Prus

Click Here!

Have a wonderful week!

Always,