WINNERS!

I have a ton of prizes to give away today!  Thanks to everyone who participated and Congrats to those who won!  You will all be emailed today.  Please respond within 72 hours of the email to claim your prize.

eShakti gift card:  Dee

Free Willy Prize Pack:  Anthy

39 Clues:  Melissa P. and Kerrie M.

Pillow Pet: Debbie W.

Macy’s $25 gift card:  Katy M.

Musselman’s:  Trixx

Kid Craft:  Ellie W.

Secret of the Mountain: Hollow Sins

Bertolli:  Timbo

Fresh Express:  Amber G.

Phenix and Phenix Books: Susan

Calico Critters:  Denise B.

Zillio:  Melissa C.

Le Baby:  Sarah

Children’s Book Review and Giveaway- stories with a lesson!

My husband and I have made it a point to read to our kids from the minute they came home from the hospital.  Thankfully, both enjoy reading a lot and will ask to be read to often.  I am always glad to find children’s books that help reinforce or teach something I want the kids to know.  Recently, I received a few titles from the publishers at Phenix and Phenix. My kids were excited to read I’m Up in a Tree, Feeding Penny Pig, and How Lil’ Eddie Learns to Read.

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All three books have great lessons as part of the storyline.  In Feeding Penny Pig, author  and certified financial planner Jeannine Fox tells the story of Laney, who recieves a special piggy bank from her grandmother Mimi.  Laney does chores to help feed hungry Penny the piggybank and keep her happy.  This book was excellent to read to my children as we recently incorporated simple chores tied to a small allowance for each of them.  We are trying to encourage them to save part each week towards something “big.”  This book really helped make that idea seem more appealing to them, rather than just doing it because we are trying to make them!

In I’m Up in a Tree, author Mark Alden Johnson opens the door for some great conversation with your child about making the right choices.   The story follows a little boy who climbs a tree but then realizes he is up so high he is scared to come down.  All sorts of creatures stop by and give suggestions to the little boy about how he can come down, but his “gut” keeps telling him he needs to be safe and stay put while he waits for his dad to rescue him.  The story ends happily and my children loved the bright illustrations and rhyming text.  I loved how the simple story could be used as a “jumping off” place for more complex conversations about making the right choices when it’s really important, like saying “No” when asked to try drugs or alcohol, for instance.

Last but not least, How Lil Eddie Learns to Read is a treat for both children and adults.  Author Rima Corral tells the story of Eddie who receives a book for his birthday.  Motivated to read, his family helps Eddie on his journey to be a good reader.  The best part about this book are the the helpful tips for parents scattered throughout the text.  Many parents are clueless about many simple things they can do that will help facilitate good reading habits with their children.

It’s never too late to start reading  to your children!  It just takes a few minutes a day to plant the seed for the love of books.  These three titles from Phenix and Phenix are a great place to start!

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Want to share the love of reading with your kids?  Phenix and Phenix has generously offered one reader “Up in a Tree” and “Feeding Penny Pig!”

How to enter:

1. Tell me what is your child’s favorite bedtime book?

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @PhenixandPhenix on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

6. Subscribe to my Feed.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on April 24th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This product review is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample provided by Phenix and Phenix. All opinions are 100% mine.