The Loud Book by Deborah Underwood | Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg

*If you are Canadian, you can enter to win these two books and more HERE but Sunday, May 8th is the last day!

Stars: ****

Thomas Allen & Sons (2011)
Picture Book
32 pages

Summary: Just like there are lots of quiets, there are also lots of louds: Good louds (HOORAY!) and bad louds (CRASH!) And louds that make you feel like you are the center of attention (BURP!). The Loud Book compiles all these kid-friendly noises from morning to night, in a way that is sure to make readers CHEER! - GoodReads


The Loud Book is a follow up to The Quiet Book however I've not read that one. You can read either one by itself but it would make a great book set. Perfect for ages 2-5, when kids love to hear their own voice and BE LOUD!

There are many different types of loud which is exactly the point the book makes:

"Surprise Loud, Belly Flop Loud and Bad Crash Loud"

My kids and I had fun learning about the different kinds of loud. There were some more abstract ones I had to explain too like "Deafening Silence Loud." However I usually tend to make sure they understand what we read in any book so I'm used to explaining things.

The illustrations are by Renata Liwska and are adorable. Soft and muted, perfect for young viewers. My eldest daughter pointed something wrong with one of the illustrations however. The "Good Crash Loud" one shows a bear bowling but he's standing on the part of the lane you are not supposed to stand on (the slippery part - past the line.) Leave it to my five year old to notice.

"You're not supposed to stand on that part though mommy."

She's got a point.

Links of Interest: Deborah Underwood,
Other Reviews: There's A Book, 5 Minutes for Books,  Shelf Elf (Guest Post),
Buy The Loud Book at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Stars: *****

Thomas Allen & Sons (2011)
Children's Nonfiction
40 Pages
Ages 6+

Summary: At the turn of the nineteenth century, a retired sixty-two-year-old charm school instructor named Annie Edson Taylor, seeking fame and fortune, decided to do something that no one in the world had ever done before—she would go over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel. Come meet the Queen of the Falls and witness with your own eyes her daring ride! - GoodReads

The author of The Polar Express, Jumanji, Just a Dream and many others takes a step away from fantasy to write about history. Chris still manages to deliver a spectacular book that draws the reader in and makes the reader not able to pull away until the book is done.

It's a mixture of the soft, detailed illustrations and the way the story reads that draw you in. I can't think of another picture book writer that can accomplish the same thing. This book is a great way to learn about this story and would be great to provoke discussion in a school setting.



Links of Interest: Chris Van Allsburg,
Other Reviews: NONE YET
Buy Queen of the Falls at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*If you are Canadian, you can enter to win these two books and more HERE but Sunday, May 8th is the last day!

Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism & Point to Happy: a book for kids on the autism spectrum

© Flickr User BLW Photography

Today concluded Autism Awareness Month (and April) and I wanted to squeeze in these two books that I only recently was sent. I have always been interested in Autism, although I'm not sure exactly why. None of my family or friends are autistic or have autistic children. I have met autistic children but my interest is from when I was a teenager, before I ever met an autistic child.

Perhaps it's the fact that there are so many ideas about it's cause and how to treat it. I find it intriguing that something can affect so many children without us having a better idea of it's cause. I've read books on Autism and articles and even did research on my own as a teenager. I don't spend time researching it anymore but if I come across a mention of something on autism, I will read it. So as such I've heard of many different therapies for autism.

Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2011-2012 by Ken Siri and Tony Lyons (Stars: *****) has the most comprehensive list of therapy ideas for autism I've ever seen and it will be updated every year in April. This is the second edition so far and it already has 25 more chapters than last year, plus other updates. If you are familiar with autism therapies a bit, you may have heard of ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis), music therapy, occupational therapy and psychotropic medications. However have you heard of Craniosacral and Chiropractic therapy, Melatonin Therapy for sleep problems or Technological-Based Interventions for Autism - There's an app for that!

Also included is a list of organizations and schools for kids on the autism spectrum, but it's mostly American since that's where the book was published. There are some international organizations and five Canadian schools listed though.

Point to Happy: a book for kids on the autism spectrum by Miriam Smith and Afton Fraser (Stars: ****) is a book to encourage communication skills and provide visual support in autistic children. With beautiful photographs by Margo Smithwick and an attached pointer, the parent can read the words and the child can attempt to point to the answer.

e.g. The boy is happy. Point to happy. The boy is sad. Point to sad. 

There is a place to add a picture of your child's favourite food to the foods page and a whole section for you to add photos of four people important to the child and their names. I don't work with autistic children but I can imagine it would work well.

*I was sent these books in the hopes that I'd review or mention them. No monetary compensation was provided. All opinions are honest and are not affected by how I acquired the item.

Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg

Stars: *****

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Originally 1990, Updated 2011)
Picture Book
48 pages

Summary: When it comes to the environment, young Walter is not an enlightened individual. He's a litterbug who believes sorting trash is a big waste of time. What's more, he thinks his friend's birthday present, a tree, is the most ridiculous gift he's ever seen. Walter believes the future is going to be wonderful, filled with robots and other amazing inventions. One night while lying in bed, Walter wishes he could visit the future. He falls asleep and his wish comes true. But the world Walter sees is not exactly what he'd imagined. When he returns to the present, he is changed and so are his dreams.  - from author's website

This is a great book for Earth Day or anytime you want to teach about environmentalism. Although it's an older book, I'd not seen it. It's by the author of The Polar Express and Jumanji (and many others,) so you know the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous.

The little boy's dreams show just how scary our world could end up the way we are going. He pops in and out of different dreams, showing many different scenarios. At the end he learns his lesson and pitches in and his dream that night is quite different.

I was a little surprised at first with the "ideal world" dream as it shows a return to simpler days with no clothes dryers or electric lawn mowers but I quickly realized that we would have to limit our energy usage in order to reverse the poor environment our children can look forward to (or not) in the future. It makes sense to me!

I read this to my 4 and 5 year old but it was over their head. I tried to explain as much as possible and I think the got a bit of it but it was too long and involved. I'm not sure the target age range but I'd say 8+

Links of Interest: Chris Van Allsburg,
Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Just a Dream at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Difference Grow into Troublesome Gaps - and What We Can Do About It by Lise Eliot, Ph.D.

Stars: *****

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2009)
432 pages
Adult Nonfiction

Summary: From the best-selling author of What's Going On In There?, neuroscientist Lise Eliot shatters the myths about sex differences, arguing that few are truly innate and that the brains of boys and girls are shaped by how they spend their time. - from Thomas Allen & Sons. (Click link for longer description)

This was an AWESOME book. I am always interested in sociology and gender differences fits right in. I've read other books and articles on the subject but this one takes the cake. In fact this one shows why some of the other ones I read weren't scientifically accurate. Any book that makes scientific claims needs to back them up but when I was younger, I just assumed if someone wrote a nonfiction book, they knew what they were talking about. How I of course know better.

Lise explains many different studies to back up what she says and mentions when a study is smaller and therefore can not be taken as "gospel" but with further research, can be proven one way or the other. You can tell she's done her research and she knows what she's talking about.

The most popular argument of course is whether boys and girls really do like different types of toys or whether we condition them that way. Lise seems to settle it once and for all. Boys and Girls DO play differently and are attracted to different toys - in GENERAL. Of course there are exceptions (which explains the boy who LOVES his dolls and the girl who rolls in the mud. However that doesn't mean we shouldn't encourage our boys and girls to play with the toys they tend to shy away from. Children learn different skills from different types of toys. So girls tend to be more communicative because they play with dolls and stuffed animals and play house which requires communication. Boys tend to have better large motor skills because they run around and chase, play cars and blocks. You can read more about this in the article linked below in Links of Interest.

I especially liked that the book talks about gender differences in each stage of life from prenatal to adult although there is more on children as the older you get, the harder it is to see if someone was born with that difference or just learned it throughout their life.  The prenatal section was very interesting to me since I'm pregnant.

There were only two small things that I should mention about the book.

1. It's somewhat technical. It's not a book you can read with lots of distractions but it's interesting enough to read through the technical parts. There would be no way the book could be written less technical though without being less believable as being a book written by a knowledgeable writer.

2. You can't just read some and then go tell everyone what you learned without continuing to read. Many times Lise would explain something a study showed and then just when you think that explains everything, the next section explains what that studies results can't be taken as fact. For example in the prenatal section, baby rats are studied to show how a release of androgen (hormone) affects baby boys. In the next section titled "Boys are Not Rats" it is explained why this doesn't necessarily mean the same thing with human babies.

Overall this was a great book and one I intend to share with some people I know who would appreciate it although I'll be holding on to it myself after that.

Links of Interest: Globe & Mail Article: Why Boys Need Barbies and Girls Need Footballs, Lise Eliot (especially check out the FAQ),

Other Reviews: Pussreboots, 5 Minutes for Mom,

Buy Pink Brain, Blue Brain at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi

Stars: *****

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (2011)
Illustrations by Tim Bowers
Picture Book
4 and up

Summary: Poppy the Pig has big dreams - lots of them! But following her dreams isn't always easy, and whenever Poppy thinks it might be time to give up, her family reminds her to "Dream Big!"

Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi has created her very first picture book. I am normally reluctant to read picture books by celebrities as it feels to me like they just aren't happy being famous for TV, movies, music and/or sports and want to be great at everything.

The summary of the book is what drew me in and made me want to check it out and I'm glad I did. It can be very disheartening when you try something you like only to be told you are no good at it and should try something else. The book is all about realizing your dreams with practice and enjoyment of what you do, no matter what anyone else says or thinks.

The illustrations are absolutely adorable and the cover has sparkles, which according to my girls, is the best thing ever. We will be revisiting this book when my children express interest in a certain activity but then feel discouraged.

About the Author:
Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic gold medalist and world champion who knows about dreaming big. The motto "Always Dream" serves as Kristi's personal inspiration, as well as the name of her charitable foundation for children.

Links of Interest: Always Dream,

Other Reviews: Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile, For Immediate Release Reviews - Kids,

Buy Dream Big Little Pig! at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of this book to review from the publisher.  All opinions are honest and are not affected by how I acquired the book.

C'mon Papa: Dispatches From a Dad in the Dark by Ryan Knighton

Stars: *****

Knopf Canada, a division of Random House (2010)
Nonfiction: Memoir/Biography/Parenting
272 pages

Summary: C'mon Papa is Ryan Knighton's heartbreaking and hilarious voyage through the first year of fatherhood. Becoming a father is a stressful, daunting rite of passage to be sure, but for a blind father, the fears are unimaginably heightened. Ryan will have to find novel ways to adapt to nearly every aspect of parenting: the most basic skills are nearly impossible to contemplate, let alone master. And how will Ryan get to know this pre-verbal bundle of coos and burps when he can't see her smile, or look into her eyes for hints of the person to come? - from Random House

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be blind AND a parent? Wonder no longer. Ryan Knighton tells us the good, the bad and the ugly in his most recent memoir. The book switches from educational, to humourous, to breath holding moments, to sympathy inducing.

I learned about blindness in general as well as parenting while blind. I already knew that blind people keep things in their house in a certain spot so they can maneuver around but it never occurred to me that a blind person could have a job. (I apologize to all blind people who work.)

I think this is a much needed memoir that more people should read. Most of us don't really know what it's like to live with a special need let alone how to be a parent with a special need. Ryan Knighton is the perfect author as well, he tells a great story.

However he does include just a few swear words.  I am turned off my swear words and could have done without them but there were only a few so it was easy to just ignore them and continue reading.

Links of Interest: Ryan Knighton, Ryan Knighton on Twitter,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy C'mon Papa at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Welcoming Spring with Picture Books

Spring is Here by Will Hillenbrand

Stars: ****

Holiday House (2011)

Summary: Excited that spring has finally arrived, Mole tries--unsuccessfully--to wake up Bear, but then he comes up with the perfect plan.

This is the first book by Will Hillenbrand I've read but I'll be on the lookout for more (and he's certainly written a lot!) It's very simple but very cute. It contains some sound words, "Toot, Swish, Knock" that kids love and the illustrations (also by Will Hillenbrand) are adorable.

Since it's not too long, a two year old should be able to stay interested but it's not so simple that a five year old would be bored.

Links of Interest: Will Hillenbrand,
Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Spring is Here at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer

Stars:  ****

Holiday House (2011)
Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Summary: In this exuberant, rhythmic story, March, personified as a lion, enters a boy's cozy home and leaves a trail of snow flurries and muddy footprints. The boy calmly observes the pouncing, howling, growling lion until in comes the lamb on the crest of a huge sneeze. Escorted by grass, flowers, sunshine, showers, and animal babies large and small, the lamb brings forth spring.

This was a cute book but involved a lot of explanation to my three and five year old on what Spring has to do with a Lion and Lamb and that the Lion and Lamb don't really roam around when Spring comes. However everyone learns the meaning of the saying eventually and explaining while reading a story helped them understand better than just an oral explanation.

The illustrations were created with pen, ink and watercolours and have a nice Spring look to them. I like the combination of ink and watercolour. The story is very poetic and includes great vocabulary words.

"Or will he skulk through the greening grass,eyes scheming,teeth gleaming,waiting for the lamb to pass?"

I always like picture books that increase my children's vocabulary.

Links of Interest: NONE

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of these books to review. All opinions are honest are are not affected by how I acquired the book.

Confessions of a GP: a year of life, death & earwax by Dr. Benjamin Daniels

Stars:*****

HarperCollins UK (2010)
Adult Nonfiction/Memoir
336 pages

Summary: A woman troubled by pornographic dreams about Tom Jones. An 80 year-old man who can't remember why he's come to see the doctor. A woman with a common cold demanding (but not receiving) antibiotics. A man with a sore knee. A young woman who has been trying to conceive for a while but now finds herself pregnant and isn't sure she wants to go through with it. A 7-year-old boy with "tummy aches" that don't really exist. These are his patients. A witty insight into the life of a family doctor, this funny and moving account will change the way you look at your doctor next time you pop in with the sniffles. - from Good Reads

This book was quite funny, interesting, sometimes gross and once, so funny I was laughing so hard I was crying, (although to be honest, that part wasn't written by the author, but was a chain mail that went around online - I even remember getting it once and I'm pretty sure I laughed that hard then too.)

I must say though that reading a book written in the UK is quite challenging as a Canadian. Yes we both speak English but here in Canada, especially so close to the US where I live, we speak a version of English that is much closer to US English.  There was also some UK Spelling which in my part of Ontario at least, we use a bit of (like Colour and Neighbourhood) but some we use the US spelling of (like Tranquillizer - not Tranquilliser like it is in the book.) I knew most of the UK words as I love words but had to look up one of the medications mentioned. E.g. surgery (meaning emergency department) or stroppy (easily offended or annoyed), row (argument), trolley (streetcar) and paracetamol (mentioned often - it's acetaminophen)

There are two controversial areas of the book that I want to mention. If you are able to read about ideas you may not agree with, then this isn't a problem. But if you will dislike the whole book because of one opinion, I'd rather you know before you pick up the book.

The doctor sees a patient with measles because his mom chose not to vaccinate him. She believes she just needs to strengthen his immune system with healthy foods and such. Doc explains that's not how it works. Doc explains his frustrations with those who choose not to vaccinate. Specifically because it puts those children who are unable to vaccinate (because of allergy to vaccination or they are deathly ill) at risk too.

The other has to do with alternative practitioners. The doctor sees a patient who has a simple problem but chooses to see many different alternative practitioners first who do everything but examine the problem area. She ends up back at Doc after having spent lots of money. So Doc makes a comment (not to patient) about his dislike of alternative practitioners.

I did appreciate that all the stories are only a few pages long. It's good for a quick reads (like in the bathroom)

Links of Interest: NONE YET

Other Reviews: Naomi's Book Reviews,

Buy Confessions of a GP at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Saving Women's Hearts by Martha Gulati (Tour + Giveaway!)

Stars: ****

Wiley Publishing (2011)
Adult Nonfiction: Health/Heart Disease
272 pages

Summary: Mention the term "heart disease" and most people picture an overweight, middle-aged man. Yet the reality is that heart disease is the number one killer of women in North America, accounting for a third of all deaths in women and far surpassing the prevalence of breast cancer. Cardiologist Dr. Martha Gulati and holistic pharmacist Sherry Torkos separate the facts from the many myths surrounding heart disease and offer the latest information on both the conventional medical approach and the role of natural medicine in understanding this illness. Saving Women's Hearts examines the unique gender differences for women and provides valuable insight into the screening procedures, diagnosis, treatment options, and most importantly, prevention of heart disease.- from amazon.com

Intro
February is almost over but February is Heart Health Month. When it comes to Heart Disease, most people think of older men. However the scary fact for women like me is that Heart Disease is the number one killer of women.

No one has to tell me this. My MIL died of a heart attack in my house, on my living room floor in 2006. She was 43 and it was her second heart attack (at least.) According to this book, Heart Disease happens early when it's before age 65 in women. So what do they consider 45 and under? Her first heart attack was around age 35.

Do you ever think about your own risk? Perhaps you should. The odds are currently 1 in 3 to have some form of heart disease in your life and it's getting worse. Pretty soon, the average North American woman will have a 50/50 chance of developing heart disease.

Reviewing the Book
As for the book, I think in general, it's a great idea and a much needed book. I've read up on Heart Disease before but I still learned some new things and most importantly, I got some much needed advice on which foods to eat and which to avoid.

However I think the book is not organized the best way. After some basic information (facts, determining your risk etc.) and a little quiz, we go right into tests used for screening for heart disease, heart medications, treatments, natural medicine and then FINALLY we go to eating right, exercising, stress, sleep and how they can help PREVENT heart disease. Shouldn't we learn how to prevent it FIRST and then about how they test for it and treat it?

I think what part of the book you find the most helpful will depend on if you currently have heart disease or not. If not, you would like the prevention chapters better as reading about ALL the medications and treatments will make you overwhelmed.

However if you already have heart disease you will probably find the treatment section more helpful although of course the prevention section is good too as taking care of your health, even when you already have heart disease, will lower your risk of a repeat problem.

I definitely think women need to read this, or something else to become more knowledgeable about their risk and how to recognize the signs (heart attacks present differently in women than they do in men!)

Links of Interest: Saving Women's Hearts at Wiley (see table of contents, index and sample chapters),

Other Reviews: A Motherhood Experience, Multi-Testing Mommy, A Mom After God's Own Heart, Rants and Rascals,

Buy Saving Women's Hearts at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Disclosure - I am participating in the Saving Women’s Hearts program by Mom Central on behalf of Wiley Publishing.  I received a copy of the book to review and gift card as a thank you for my participation.  The opinions on this blog are my own.

Guest Review: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

While not intended to be a parenting manual, Yale Law School professor Amy Chua's memoir, focusing on her trials and travails of mothering, is sure to go down in infamy. Having generated a considerable amount of controversy, Chua's Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother details, and, in some cases, promotes, an extremely strict parenting style that she attributes to her Chinese cultural background.

The media storm that followed the memoir's publication provides ample fodder for a review itself. But instead of analyzing what others have said about the book, I decided to crack it open myself to see what all the fuss is about. Of course, many of Chua's parenting dictates--not allowing children to attend sleepovers, participate in extra-curricular activities of their own choosing, and accepting nothing short of a straight-A report card--can be considered a form of child abuse. However, Chua is not quite the "Tiger Mother" the media have made her out to be, and the memoir has its moments of poignancy that extends beyond the extremist parenting.

The book traces Chua's relationship with her two daughters and husband Jed, an academic whose American-Jewish background views parenting in a much more benevolent, laissez-faire way. Some of the more alarming anecdotes, like when Chua dismisses her daughter's homemade birthday card as not good enough, or when she forces her child to play a tricky piano piece over and over, threatening her in the process, until she gets it right, may turn off many readers. But at the end of the day, Chua demonstrates a sense of humor that softens her fierce competitiveness. That her children seem to have turned out to be "normal", happy teenagers indicates that the accusations of child abuse among Chua's detractors are a little overblown.

While I would never actually employ the style of parenting that Chua seems to advocate, the professor and mother makes an interesting case against what she calls "Western" parenting. The heavy emphasis on self-esteem at all costs may indeed produce children who are satisfied with mediocrity and who begin to feel entitled to everything when they are older. Still, in my opinion, parents can strive for a happy medium. After all, teaching children that they must work very hard for success and recognition is a lesson that should, by all accounts, be instilled early.

Although Chua's memoir is by no means perfect, it is an interesting account of alternative parenting styles. What's more, any parent will be able to empathize with its basic themes of family, no matter how much they disagree with how Chua approaches raising children. Despite its imperfections, Chua's book is a worthwhile read for parents who struggle with anxiety over their child-rearing decisions. For more information, check out this excerpt, published in the New York Times.

By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Alisa Gilbert, who writes on the topics of bachelors degree.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alisagilbert599@gmail.com. 

A Chicken, a Pig, a Horse, Two Cows and a Sheep

Chicken, Pig, Cow: Horse Around by Ruth Ohi

Stars: ****

Annick Press (2010)
Ages 2-5
32 pages

Summary: Chicken, Pig, and Cow are very happy together in their Popsicle stick barn, so when Horse arrives, not everyone is pleased—especially Chicken, who points out that Horse takes up a lot of space. - from Annick Press

The fourth in the Chicken, Pig, Cow series introduces us to Horse! You can find my reviews of the first three at the following links:

• Chicken, Pig, Cow
• Chicken, Pig, Cow On the Move
• Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Purple Problem 

As with the previous three books, Ruth Ohi delivers a great story. As with the Purple Problem, there is an underlying message. This time it's about acceptance and making new friends. The message would not be obvious to the child though so explanation would probably be needed for the 3-5 year old and probably would be beyond the 2 year old. 

If you somehow haven't heard of the series, Chicken, Pig and Cow (and now Horse) are made of clay but are alive and the book is their adventures with dog (a real dog, not a clay one.)

The illustrations are still adorable, although I'm not sure why the dog looks so angry on the cover. 

Links of Interest: Ruth Ohi,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Chicken, Pig, Cow: Horse Around at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews



Where is the Green Sheep? ¿Dónde Está la Oveja Verde? by Mem Fox

Stars: ****

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2004)
Board Book Version (978-0-547-39694-1)
Translated by Carlos E. Calvo

Summary: A dual language and board book version of Where is the Green Sheep? So not only do you see all the different kinds of sheep (blue/red/thin/wide/up/down/swing/slide etc.) and wonder where the green sheep is but you get to learn some Spanish words along the way. (or if you speak Spanish, learn some English.)

I actually hadn't read Where is the Green Sheep? before but was happy to get a Spanish dual language version since I'm teaching my kids and myself Spanish.

It's quite a cute story and my girls loved it. They especially liked "reading" the Spanish words they already knew. I love dual language books. I'm just not sure why there is a Bath Sheep, Bed Sheep, Band Sheep, and Clown Sheep. Most of the others make sense, I'm just not sure why they chose these.

Links of Interest: Mem Fox,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Where is the Green Sheep? ¿Dónde Está la Oveja Verde? at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Cows Can't Jump by Dave Reisman

Stars: ****

Jumping Cow Press (2008)
44 Pages

Summary: Is it really true that cows can't jump, gorillas can't swim and sloths can't leap? Yes, but discover what these and other animals do, as they swing, scamper and glide.

I was sent the paperback and board book to review. I prefer the paperback personally but the board book would be good for younger readers. There are 3-4 words per page which would make this a great book for the children to help read (from memory) after hearing the story many times. My 5 year old tried to guess what each animal could do and was right quite a few times!

For such a simple book, I really love it and donated the board book version to our playgroup so many more kids can enjoy it.

Want to preview some pages?

Links of Interest: Jumping Cow Press,

Other Reviews: Laina Has Too Much Spare Time, Zero to Eight,

Buy Cows Can't Jump at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

500 Kisses & My Sex Life (ahem.. those are book titles)

Happy Valentine's Day! I've got some hot book reviews for you!

500 Kisses: Inventive, tantalizing, and lusty ways to kiss, lick, nibble, and excite the lover in your life!

Stars: ****

Cider Mill Press (2010)

Summary: There's nothing more erotic and inspiring than a great kisser. Here's a collection of 500 kisses that will bring your lover to new heights! From the sinful-as-Chocolate Kiss to the Lolita, from the Knee-Buckling Kiss to the Pandora's Box, this book has all the smooches you'll need to have your lips declared Too Hot to Handle.

This book is smoking hot! I'm not a big kisser so I was looking for some new ideas to get me into it more. This book certainly has a LOT of ideas.

Chapters:

One - Techniques of the Skilled Kisser

Two - Kisses That Make You Crave For More

Three - Lips Aren't The Only Parts That Need Kissing

Four - Kisses That Will Keep You Playing Forever

Five - Kisses For Every Flavor of Love

Six - Kisses That Make You Beg For More

Seven - Kisses of a Kama Seducer

Eight - Kisses That Capture Magical On-Screen Moments

Nine - Kisses to Bump and Grind To

Ten - The Most Erotic Places to Kiss

There are kisses for married couples, kisses for boyfriends and girlfriends, kisses for sexually active people and kisses for non sexually active people. Kisses are not just for lips. Each kiss takes up only one page (and usually less than one page) and the pages themselves are small so it's not heavy reading. The pages are small but there are over 450 of them. It's good for just perusing when you need a new idea. Some involve preparation (planning ahead of time or getting props) and some you can keep in the back of your mind to try anytime.

I must say thought that many of these ideas are hard to impossible to pull off with a house full of kids. Some are much better for the single crowd. But if you happen to be able to get rid of your kids for a day or night....

Don't be shy, get the book and fire up your love life!

Buy 500 Kisses from amazon.com and help support SMS Book Reviews

My Sex Life: A Journal to record my every erotic whim, from the elaborate fantasies that distract me when I'm supposed to be doing something else to the real encounters that prove I've still got it to the dirty little secrets and naughty kinks I should probably keep to myself lest I scare off potential mate(s) to the hangups that continue to plague me despite my libertine airs - because after all, isn't everything, and I mean everything, about sex? (whew is that a long subtitle or what?)

Stars: ***1/2

Who's There (2010)
160 pages

Summary:  Why does anyone write in a journal? Because we've all got sex on the mind - practically all the time. Journals provide us with a trusted place to be entirely honest, but Inner-Truth Journals are themeselves honest. Following titillating prompts and refreshingly forthright quotes, you'll journal until you're hot and not bothered.

Each left hand page contains a quote and each right hand page has a space to journal. Each journal page says "Why Sex Matters Today" which I thought was a bit weird if we are just journalling our thoughts on the quote or whatever sexual matter is on our mind this time.  At the bottom of each journal page is a "Today's Sexual Success" meter that you can choose X, XX or XXX. I guess we get to keep track of if our journalling led us to sex.

I think I would have preferred more specific journal prompts than just broad quotes but I guess this way you can write about whatever's on your mind or what is being quoted.

I haven't started journalling yet but I'm interested in starting. Just have to figure out a safe place to put it as my oldest is learning to read.

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*I received both of these books (from separate companies) in exchange for a review. All reviews are honest and my own.

I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg

Stars: ***

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (1993)

Summary: Here is the book that Charlie Brown would have given Snoopy, Tonto would have given the Lone Ranger, Romeo would have given Juliet, and you can give to some very special friend.

This was a complimentary book, meaning I was sent it but hadn't requested it. It's s a cute idea. The book cover folds over the rest of the pages and sticks to the back cover with a little sticker that says Send a Story and the back cover has a FROM and a TO area to write an address and a spot for a stamp so you can actually address the book and mail it directly, without an envelope.

The pages of the book are a yellow colour and the illustrations are all in black, they are not in colour. The story is cute, talking all about what good friends you (and the person you send it to) are. But what they say is more for a friendship that's been many years long and you were friends as children. In fact it sounds like and shows from one child to another.

Here are some excerpts:

"I like you because
When I tell you something special
You know it's special
And you remember it
A long long time"

"If I pretend I am drowning
You pretend you are saving me"

"If I break my arm and
If you break your arm too
Then it is fun to have a broken arm
I tell you about mine
You tell me about yours
We are both sorry"

I think it's a great idea but I can't think of anyone to give it to as I'm not really close with my childhood friends and my new friends I've only known a year or so. It seems more like a book for an older child to give to another child but then they wouldn't appreciate it. It's not really for me but perhaps it's perfect for you.

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Homework for Grownups: Everything You Learned At School and Promptly Forgot by E. Foley & B. Coates

Stars: *****

Harper Collins Canada (2010)
Canadian Edition
Nonfiction
432 pages

Summary: Homework for Grown-ups is a brilliantly informative and entertaining book of old-school knowledge for adults. It is the ultimate refresher course on mathematics (remember Pythagoras' theorem? You will!), English grammar and literature (do you know your Margarets?), and chemistry and the sciences (including the big bang theory). It spans geography (can you name the planets in order?), history (what exactly was the Family Compact?), art, Latin, phys. ed. (hockey!), home economics and much more... including, crucially, recess (finally, definitive rules for Red Rover!).

I LOVED school. Well I loved the education part, not the social part. I love learning and I love knowing a little about a lot of things. It bugs me that I've forgotten knowledge I learned in school. I love watching Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? but it makes me mad that I can't remember it all, or at least the subjects I enjoyed. So this is the PERFECT book for me.

In this book, the following subjects are covered: English, Mathematics, Home Economics, History, Science, Religious Education, Geography, Classics, Physical Education and Art (plus a Recess!) For each subject there is a section covering some of the basics you would have learned in school. Important terms, dates or names are in bold. At the end of each section is a quiz (answers are at the back) if you really want to feel like you are in school. I didn't really take the quizzes. I looked over them and answered the ones I could quickly but didn't write anything down, score myself or look up answers.

I really enjoyed reading the subjects I enjoyed and was good at but found myself struggling with the ones I didn't care as much about. I guess I only care about remembering what I learned in school in certain subjects. This is NOT a book you read in one day. It took me a few months to get through this book because I read a bunch of other books as well. For the last few chapters I kept the book in the bathroom as a little knowledge pick me up when I get a break. (If you're a parent you know what I mean!)

Links of Interest: NONE

Other Reviews: NONE YET

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Homer's Odyssey and Dewey's Nine Lives (Cat Books)

Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper

Stars: *****

Delacorte Press (Random House) 2009

Summary: The last thing Gwen Cooper wanted was another cat. She already had two, not to mention a phenomenally underpaying job and a recently broken heart. Then Gwen’s veterinarian called with a story about a three-week-old eyeless kitten who’d been abandoned. It was love at first sight. Everyone warned that Homer would always be an “underachiever,” never as playful or independent as other cats. But the kitten nobody believed in quickly grew into a three-pound dynamo, a tiny daredevil with a giant heart who eagerly made friends with every human who crossed his path. - read the rest at Gwen Cooper

I read this book last year but never got around to reviewing it because I lent it out to someone who took a while to return it. I'm a sucker for animal books, especially true heroic tales. The first few chapters when the author first finds and acquires Homer just about had me in tears. I think Gwen Cooper is the true hero as she changed her life to accommodate her blind cat and make his life the best it could be.

I wish I could give a more thorough review but it's been too long since I read it. All I remember is an overwhelming feeling of sadness for the first half of the book and happiness for the second half.

Please Note: 10% of all Gwen’s domestic royalties from Homer’s Odyssey will be donated to organizations that serve abused, abandoned, and disabled animals, including Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc.

Links of Interest: Gwen Cooper,

Other Reviews: Lesa's Book Critiques, Maggie Reads, In the Shadow of Mt. TBR,

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Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

Stars: ***1/2

Penguin Group (2010)

Summary: The author (and caregiver) of Dewey, the Library Cat has compiled another book of nine stories. Two are new Dewey stories and the other seven are from other people about their cats.

I loved Dewey and so was excited to read this. I was a bit disappointed although I still recommend the book for cat lovers. I'll make this a point form review.

• I think the authors picked a great nine stories to share with us.
• However Vicki narrates them ALL. She interviewed the others and so tells their stories with a mixture of quotes and narration on what she observed
• This bothered me. I want to hear about other people's cats from the other people. Completely in their words, even if they are not the best writers. But perhaps it wouldn't bother you.
• Some of the stories were TOO long but then I have a short attention span sometimes. Nine stories (and a prologue) in a 300 page book is too much for me. 
• My favourite story was the fourth one about a couple who run a resort and the 28 cats they ended up with at one time. 
• I actually didn't read the last two or three stories because I just couldn't get into it anymore. I'm sure it's not the stories themselves but just that the rest of them were so long (sometimes with Vicki going on an on about something other than the cats) and because Vicki was narrating. 

Links of Interest: Dewey Read More Books, 

Other Reviews:  Lesa's Book Critiques, Today I Read, Books, Movies and Chinese Food, 

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Your Baby is Speaking to You by Dr. Kevin Nugent

Subtitle: A visual guide to the amazing behaviors of your newborn and growing baby.

Stars: *****

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company 2011
Nonfiction, Parenting, Childcare
128 pages

Summary: Your Baby Is Speaking to You illustrates the full range of behaviors--early smiling to startling, feeding to sleeping, listening to your voice and recognizing your face. The newest research--including information on subtle and fleeting behaviors not seen or explained in any other book--illuminates the meaning of the things babies do that concern and delight new parents.

I was happy to review this book being that I'm pregnant with my third child. I basically already knew most of it as I read a LOT with my first child but I was reminded about a few things. Also although I have read about baby communication, it was all within large nonfiction books full of other information. Not every new parent is as obsessed with information as I am. This is a much better way to teach new parents about baby communication without overwhelming them with 300 pages of small text.

The book includes professional photography by Abelardo Morell. We're talking about eye catching, captivating baby shots. I'd buy a coffee table book just full of photos by Morell. Each open spread includes the text on the left side and a photo on the right. Each section is very small and cuts right to the point. I read the whole book in one hour. If you bring a book to the hospital with you when you give birth, this one would be perfect as it can be read in short little parts whenever you have a few minutes. 

Topics Covered: (all baby communication regarding:)

 - Types of Sleep
 - Types of Crying (full cry vs fussing)
 - Eating (Search response and feeding)
 - Newborn Reflexes
 - Baby's Senses (including the difference between cuddly and not so cuddly babies)
 - Settling In (startles, drowsiness, over-stimulation, signs of distress, sooth-ability, not easily settled baby)
 - Social Newborn (Looking into eyes, feeding and communication, power of your voice, imitation, learning, temperament and social smile.)
 - Growing Baby (Reaching Out, Exploring, Empathy, Learning to Love)
 - Parent/Baby and Lifelong bond

It's a great book for parents to be, either new or seasoned, especially if its been a while.

Links of Interest: You Tube Book Trailer,

Other Reviews: Escape in a Book, Becky's Book Reviews, This Mom Loves, Dog Ear Diary,

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Awakening Consciousness: A Girl's Guide & A Boy's Guide by Robin Marvel

Stars: ***1/2

This review is for both books at once as they have only minor differences.

Summary: These are workbooks designed to encourage spiritual growth, inner strength and self awareness. The exercises are a bit different in each book as outlined below.

Girl's Guide: Your chakras, keep a healthy aura, learn the pendulum, aromatherapy crafts, crystals, explore inner self, create your own future.

Boy's Guide: Make a drum, find your totem, discover spirit guide, Native-American lore, chakras, crystals, Pendulum, strong aura, self-esteem.

All though I do think it's a good idea to have separate guides for boys and girls I think it would have made more sense to make them different in the text and specific activities perhaps, not necessarily different activities. I would make the drum and find the totem with my girls and I would teach aromatherapy to my boy.

In general the idea of the books is awesome, however I do think the books have some problems.

Girl's Guide:

• Mainly it wasn't edited enough, or at all. There were grammatical errors, missing words and repeated words. There's a section on ESP that says to pick 5 designs and then right after says you have 3 designs. The instructions are bit messed up although I'm sure most people can figure it out themselves.
• The word bestie is used which I didn't know meant best friend. I work with Girl Guides and have heard all kinds of slang and short forms, never heard Bestie. I don't think it's a good idea to use slang in a book anyway because as the book gets older, the term would be not in use anymore.

In Both:

• We are given a section to write down tarot readings but it's not like tarot cards come with the book or we are taught much about them. I'm not sure the purpose of that section. The boy's guide is only a little better in that it suggests a book to explain tarot and doesn't sound as if you must have cards already.
• The dream section says to look up your dreams in a dream dictionary to keep track of what your subconscious may be telling you. The boy's guide is even more adamant that you MUST look up your dreams in a book to know what they mean. Dreambooks aren't definite meanings though, they are just ideas and they even say in small print in them that it's mostly just for fun. 

Despite all this the book has it's merits and I can use what I want out of it which would be most of it. Also the chakracize (chakra exercises) is the best part of the book with photos to go along with it. I just think they need to be reprinted with proper editing and more thought.

Links of Interest: Marvelous Empowerment on Facebook, Marvelous Empowerment,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

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Buy Awakening Consciousness: A Boy's Guide at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*These books were received in exchange for a review if I finished the book. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Speed Reviews - Mixture

No Kids: 40 Good Reasons Not To Have Children by Corinne Maier
Stars: ****

Summary: The shocking treatise that was a bestselling international media sensation upon its 2007 publication in France now makes its eagerly anticipated English-language debut. In forty to-the-point, impressively erudite chapters drawing on the realms of history, child psychology, politics, and the environment, Maier effortlessly skewers the idealized notion of parenthood as a natural and beautiful endeavour. Speaking to the still “child-free”, to fellow suffering parents, and to adamant procreationists alike, No Kids is a controversial, thought-provoking, and undeniably entertaining read. - from Amazon.ca

I have children but I just had to read this. I don't regret having children at all but there are times of course that I feel overwhelmed and wish for a few moments of silence (although interestingly enough, when they are both gone I miss them and it's too quiet.)

The reasons are quite convincing but personally I can't imagine not having kids. I think this book may be more serious for those who don't have and don't want kids and more humourous for those of us who do.

My only real problem with the book is that the author has children and openly says she regrets having them. That's sad, I feel sorry for her kids. I think either a woman with children should have written the book as humourous (which it's NOT listed under) or a woman without children should have written it as is.

Links of Interest: No specific website but a search will result in many articles both agreeing and disagreeing with the author.

Other Reviews: Amy Reads,

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When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits by Mary Ann Winkowski
Stars: *****

Summary: Lights flicker on and off for no good reason. You feel drained and inexplicably irritable. Your four-year-old is scared to enter her bedroom. Tell these things to Mary Ann Winkowski, and she'll tell you that you have a ghost. A happily married, devout Catholic, suburban mother and full-time paranormal investigator, Mary Ann Winkowski has been able to see earthbound spirits, spirits that are trapped on earth and haven't "crossed over," since she was a little girl. Mary Ann works with these spirits to help them make peace with what keeps them here - whether it be people they can't let go of or homes they love. In WHEN GHOSTS SPEAK, Mary Ann will tell the amazing story of growing up with this gift, and will share tips on how to recognize when you're not alone, and what to do if you are in the presence of a ghost. - from amazon.com

Books about ghosts always bring out the skeptics. I don't think everyone who claims to talk to spirits really does but I do believe there are those out there who can. I believe Mary Ann really does talk to spirits and the fact that she is the consultant for the TV show Ghost Whisperer makes me believe a bit more too. That means a TV station has faith in her too doesn't it?

I was intrigued throughout the whole book. There were a few parts that seemed a bit unbelievable but just like when you are talking to a live person and you can misunderstand what they say, I think it's possible she misunderstood the ghosts sometimes. I will admit that there seem to be a lot of ghosts hanging around, at least in her book. However I think it just seems more common than it is because she's only telling the stories of when ghosts are around.

It's been a while or I'd have a more thorough review. I'd like to recommend you check out the reviews on Good Reads and the few linked below for more information.

Other Reviews: Darque Reviews, Yak Talk, The Reading Monk,

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A Girl's Guide to Modern European Philosophy by Charlotte Greig
Stars: ***1/2

Summary: Susannah’s official boyfriend, Jason, is the perfect foil for her student lifestyle. He is ten years older, an antiques dealer, and owns a stylish apartment that prevents her from having to live in the seedy digs on campus. This way, she can take her philosophy major very seriously and dabble in the social and sexual freedom of 1970s university life. But circumstances become more complicated than Susannah would like when she begins to have an affair with her tutorial partner, Rob. Soon she is dating two men, missing her lectures, exploring independence and feminism with her girlfriends, and finding herself in a particularly impossible dilemma: she becomes pregnant. Forced to look beyond her friends and lovers for support, she finds help and inspiration from the lessons of Kierkegaard and other European philosophers. - from Other Press

If you are a regular visitor to this blog, you know I don't read much adult fiction but I have always been intrigued by philosophy and figured a fictional book would be easier to understand. I'm glad I read this book. I've never been great at reviewing fiction and it's been way too long for me to review in detail but I do remember the basics of the story and that I enjoyed it. It was a little slow in certain parts before she gets pregnant but after that, the story is captivating. References to philosophy are just enough to be interesting but not dry. It inspired me to look up philosophy a bit more although I haven't found a good nonfiction book that I can understand on the subject.

Other Reviews: The Literate Housewife Reviews,

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*All books were received in exchange for a review if I finished them. All opinions are honest and are my own.