WIGU SUMMER SUPERSTARS READING AND WRITING PROGRAM

 I am always trying to find something educational for my daughter to do while she is on summer break. Even though most children want to just have fun, learning shouldn't stop because school has ended. So, because of that, I am trying to find a program that she can do that will keep her reading during her break. This summer, I am going to have her join the WIGU SUMMER SUPERSTARS reading and writing program. If you have a child that likes to read or write, this is the perfect program for them. With prizes being awarded, it makes the perfect incentive to keep them going.

Reading Program

 Your child will have to read a minimum of 100 minutes a week and submit their information daily or weekly so that it can be tracked and to qualify for the weekly drawing. First prize will be awarded Wednesday, the 4th of June and each Wednesday following, until the 27th of August. Grand prize will be announced Friday, the 29th of August in two age groups, 8 and under and 9 and up.

Writing Program

 If you want your child to be a part of the writing program, all they have to do is go to the website and submit their career dreams via the form. Submission will be accepted through the 30th of August. 10 finalists will be announced Friday, the 5th of September and a grand prize winner announced Friday, the 12th of September.

So tell your friends who have children and have your children tell their friends that this summer is to be dedicated to education. A summer filled with reading and writing, and maybe a prize or two!

Pirate Treasure: Traveling Trunk Adventure, by Benjamin Flinders

Title: Pirate Treasure

Series: Traveling Trunk Adventure (Book 1)

Publisher: Flinders Press (September 1, 2010)

Pages: 111

Age Range: 7 - 9 years

Grade Level: 2 - 4

Language: English

When you were a young child, did you have a strong imagination? I know I did. Or possibly you have a child that has one. One thing a lot of young children imagine is being a pirate. That is what two young boys in the book, Pirate Treasure: Traveling Trunk Adventure, by Benjamin Flinders get to experience in this amazing story.

Ethan and Dallin are two young brothers who share a room. They enjoy imagination and playing together. This is the reason why their parents got them bunk beds that look like branches growing out of a tree. And when Ethan, the older brother, would get out of bed (the top bunk) he would swing from a rope to get down. How cool would that be? I know my daughter would love that.

The journey in this book begins when Ethan and Dallin's father comes home from a business trip and brings them a treasure chest to put in their bedroom. When their younger sister knocks on the door to play, the decide to hide in the chest so she cannot find them. While in the chest, they hear funny noises that shouldn't come from a bedroom. Upon opening the chest, they realize they are no longer in their room, but on a ship, a pirate ship at that.

At first, the pirates don't take too kindly to Ethan and Dallin. First for being stowaways on the ship and secondly, for having a "magic" watch. They are told that they have to walk the plank because of this. Luckily, they talk their way out of it and get thrown in "jail" instead.

After going through different adventures on the ship, they wind up on shore with the captain at his house. They find out the treasure chest can take them to different places and times, but only when adults aren't around. Once they make it home, they realize this was the best gift their father has ever given them.

Pirates Treasure is the first book in the Traveling Trunk Series. The other books: The Lost City of Atlantis, Excalibur and California Gold Rush. At the end of each book, there is some sort of learning tool. At the back of Pirate Treasure is Dallin's Pirate Dictionary. The pages cover different pirate terms that you find in the book.

I think Pirate Treasure is a really cute book and if you have a child that likes adventures, this is a book for them to add to their shelf.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mubu & Mu-Mu (The Little Animal Doctor), by Peter Alexander

Mubu & Mu-Mu

The Little Animal Doctor

(click to proceed to website)

I really love reading children's books. I am sure you have read this before, but I do. I was given the opportunity to read and review a book called Mubu & Mu-Mu. I must say, after reading it, I was glad the opportunity was given.

Mubu is a little girl who lives in Thailand with her mother and grandfather. Most of her life is filled with fun and adventure. She spends most of her time playing with animals, running through a forest, etc. The one thing she likes the most is the she has been able to take certain animals under her wing and raise them as her own.

One day, Mubu's grandfather went into the forest to look for some herbs and came back with a gibbon. It was hurt and needed to be taken care of. So her grandfather instructed her on what to do. Of course, like most little kids, she did not listen to his three rules and almost got hurt along with the gibbon.

This story teaches children what happens when they don't listen to adults and how important it is to follow rules. It also shows them about life in another country.

The art in the book is also just as great as the story. The colors are vibrant and kind of pop of the page. The detail is right on point, which also helps to draw you into the story. Another wonderful aspect of this book is the little synopsis and pictures of Mubu as a child and all grown up.

I say people should own a lot of books because I love reading, but I really think this one is one that all kids should own.

I thank Bostick Communications and Kennebec Entertainment LLC for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Precious Moments Storybook Bible

Just about everyone has a Precious Moments book in their house. I know when I was younger, we had the coloring books. I remember sitting on the floor with my father and sisters and picking a favorite page to color. Well now I have found a Precious Moments Bible.

This is a really great Bible for the younger generation (the ones that can't quite keep still). At the beginning of the Bible, they have a lot of neat fill-ins to commemorate different things. Like most Bibles, there is a family tree to fill out. This is great to look back on when you are older. They also have a Church record page for when you get baptized, etc. It also comes with a favorite things page. As you can see, it is filled with a lot of pages to fill out and look back on later in life.

The actual Bible part is broken down in four different parts: Favorite Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom, More Stories of Faith, and Songs and Prayers.

Favorite Classics: Stories that we all grew up with presented in a way that a young child can understand. Stories like Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, etc.

Words of Praise: This is a section that has different Bible verses accompanied with inspirational words.

More Stories of Faith: In this section it has even more stories that go along with favorite classics.

Songs and Prayers: This section has a lot of the songs we learned when we were young. As you teach them to your child, it will take you down memory lane. I know that is what happend with me. It also has the prayers that most kids are taught to say when they are young. Now you can teach them to your children!

This Bible is done in different pastel colors. The pictures are adorable also. I think that everyone who has a young child should get this book or at least get one for someone else with a young child.

I thanks Thomas Nelson for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy, by Sabrina K. Carpenter

About the book:

The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy by Sabrina K. Carpenter

ISBN: 978-0982773710

Publisher: Perfected Pen Publishing

Date of publish: Sept 25, 2010

Pages: 30

S.R.P.: $12.95

About the author:

Sabrina Carpenter is originally from Connecticut and currently resides in Vero Beach, Florida. She is the business owner of both Perfected Pen and Perfected Pen Publishing and strives to continually act as an advocate for children, education and non-profit organizations.

My thoughts:

Some say good children books are hard to find. I believe this to be true at times. Well, I just recently read a really cute children's book, The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy, by Sabrina K. Carpenter.

This story is about a little boy who's parents decide to take him on a trip, which happens to be a surprise. He eagerly wakes up and tries to figure out where they are going to go. Once he is given some clues as to what to pack, he realizes they are going to the beach. After they arrive, he sees beach balls, makes a sand castle, plays with crabs, etc. They realize how much fun they have had and then decide to go home.

This is a really cute book. It is a very well written story. Every young child should enjoy this story along with the beautiful, soft, colorful graphics that accompany it. I believe every child should have this book on their shelf, along with the rest of the stories that will come with this series.

I thank Bostick Communications and Sabrina K. Carpenter for giving me the opportunity to review this book.