Review of Frankie Dupont #3 Science Fair Sabotage and Frankie Dupont #4 High Seas Heist by Julie Anne Grasso

What a perfect book for a young child. The age range of 8-12 is great for this book, boy or girl. Frankie Dupont is just like a young modern day Sherlock Holmes trying to solve the mystery at the science fair as to who stole the robot computer chip. The book is a simple but a fun engaging read. Even I was trying to figure out the clues and who-dun-it. I love how Frankie's mind works and how the book takes you through how he solved the mystery. A recommended read!

Amazon review

Such a fun read for young readers. The age range of 8-12 is perfect for this book, boy or girl. Frankie Dupont is just like a young modern day Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a mystery along with his dad, a few friends and his trusty sidekick dog. This was a fun mystery as it involved two mysteries that end up being surprisingly related. The book is a simple but a fun engaging read. I was trying to figure out the clues and who-dun-it as i read along. I love how Frankie's mind works and his fun gadgets and scientific knowledge he uses to solve the mystery. Sure made me want some chocolate too. A recommended read!

Amazon Review

Book review - Finn's Rocket: a Surfer Catches Air by Serena Schreiber

What a great book for a high intensity  middle grade adventure. The connection between Finn and his younger sister, Gabi made for an intense emotional journey as Gabi is kidnapped and sent to space by a crazy wanna be astronaut woman. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives in the book as you got to know the main characters personally and their situations. The story strayed a touch here in there but for the most part it was hard to put the book down. I had to know what was happening next. It was an interesting quick journey into space and back again as well. I would recommend this to any middle grade reader who loves space, rockets or just an intense thrilling book!

Goodreads Review

Review of the book The Headmaster's Cave by D.S. Allen

This book is great for middle grade readers. The main characters, George, Katie and Dougie all behave in ways that are believable for their age. I hate books that over mature their characters. These kids were perfect from what they discussed with each other and the ways they behaved. However, if I was that age stuck in a cave captured by a mad man I'd be bawling like a baby. Good thing these kids are smarter than I am. The story had a lot of mystery and wonder and keeps you wanting to know what will happen next. The kids show thoughtfulness, reasoning and friendship. I really love that George has his dog Flan along for the ride as well. It gave the story more interest involving a boy and his dog.
The only thing I wish the book did was explanation first thing their location better. It took me a bit before I realized they were somewhere in the United Kingdom and that's why their realized was realised and they used a torch rather than a flashlight. Just make sure your child understands that so they're not confused.

Goodreads Review

Review of the book The Knights Before Christmas by Joan Holub and Scott Magoon

I read this book aloud to my 5 year old daughter. This is her review:
"The book was awesome and funny. My favorite part was when they saw Santa and thought he was trying to get in ( they thought he was an invader) and Santa just kept trying to get in. I also liked when the Knight said, 'Jingle bells, Invader smells, Jingle all the way.' I also liked when they took all the gifts and presents Santa threw at them and decorated the tree with them. I also love that the author made the book and that she was so thoughtful."

Mom's review: This book was really adorable. A fun play on the old Christmas poem T'was a Night Before Christmas. The story was funny and creative. The Knights all had their own personalities and funny quirks and Santa's persistence made for an enjoyable read. I liked all the little extras going on in the background of the illustrations and little sayings and singings of the Knights. Definitely a recommended book for all ages of young children. The pictures even kept my toddler entertained.

Amazon

Review of the book Gorgon (The Whipeye Chronicles #2) by Geoffrey C. Saign

I love the main characters in this story, Sam (Samantha) and Jake.  They have a fun friendship that I feel like really shows how 12/13 year olds would behave towards each other and the situations that arise.  It's believable and they haven't been matured past their real age like so many stories do.  It keeps the youthfulness in the story.  Sam's knowledge of animals and quirkiness is one of my favorite parts of the book.  There's so many varieties of animals in the book and I love it when she randomly stops in a high stress situation and spouts off the animals name and scientific aka name. She hasn't been glorified into a crazy girl hero. She's a regular girl chosen, along with Jake, to help the world of KiraKu and the Great Ones.  The story takes you on a intense journey as they try to get the antidote for a poison that Sam's dad and Jake's mother ended up with after a battle with a giant Komodo dragon sent by the power thirsty Gorgon.  Definitely a recommended book for early teens.  The concern Sam has for animals really keeps the fighting to a minimum and little harm to people or animals.

Goodreads Review

Book Review of Brink of Dawn by Jeff Altabef

Review
Brink of Dawn by Jeff Altabef

A great young adult book with a new plot line.  In continuing on their journey, Juliet Wildfire Stone and her best friend Troy Buckhorn make some big decisions and discover even more exciting and frightening things about Juliet's powers and what is supposed to be her destiny as Alpha in the Order of the Twisted Arrows.  The book took me somewhere that I didn't see coming which was refreshing after reading so many predictable young adult books lately.  I really enjoyed getting to know the other teenagers that they meet up with that are also "twisteds." They each had unique abilities and different back grounds which were enjoyable to read about.  I also appreciated that the book wasn't full of distracting, unnecessary teenage bedroom situations.  What little love relationship discussion was mild and appropriate and didn't take away from the story.  I would feel comfortable recommending this to any teenager (or adult) wanting to go on a suspenseful ride.  I think the only thing I had a hard time with in the second book was a few violent situations in which people were murdered. If you are sensitive to that be mindful.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which this was.

Goodreads Review

Review of The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool by P.J. LaRue

 The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool 
by P.J. LaRue

The Mystic Princesses is a good story for early readers as the plot line is fun and adventurous. The Mystic Princesses all have their own magical powers inherited from the God or Goddess parents and will be used to protect Harmonie whom the Children of Ares are after. I really enjoyed the girls all practicing their different magical abilities. The abilities are all very different and will invoke the imagination of those reading about these unique princesses.
There were some issues that I had while reading the book. It skimmed past the full introductions of the Mystic Princesses so I had a hard time visualizing what the girls looked like and what their personalities were like. Also, a lot of the situations they were in seemed a little rushed, like the book was compressed down so it jumped through big periods of time and then would focus on little situations that didn't really focus on the plot. It also read very, "next, after, then, last" which distracted from the story. Maybe a different choice of words to progress through the story may have helped.
Overall I could see my young daughter really getting into the princesses and their fun powers. Especially the part about riding dolphins and sliding down rainbows!
I received an copy of this book in return for my honest opinion, which this is.

Goodreads Review

Review of Mike And The Dog-Gone Labradoodle

Mike and The Dog-Gone Labradoodle
By Emlyn Chand
When Mike discovers that his secret crush, Nic's  (Nicole,) dog has gone missing he is on the case. After failing to find her dog, Baxter, on his first outing, Mike's twin sister along with some of their friends put on their thinking caps and head out to look for clues as to where the dog could have gone. The relationship between Mike and his twin sister, Maddie is totally believable for a 12 year old boy. They're total opposites and he just doesn't get her smart 'weirdness.' How Mike describes his feelings for Nic and his interactions with his friends also really puts you in his shoes. All of the characters have fun and humorous personalities and the descriptions of them really give you an image of this newly found group of friends. It was a great lead into how The Pet Shop Society was formed and, I feel, would really engage readers 7-11 to read more of the series. This was a simple chapter book that was engaging as well as thought provoking and would take the child on a fun adventure.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, which this is.

Goodreads - Mike And The Dog-Gone Labradoodle

Annie's Homegrown Organic Creamy Tomato Soup and Bunny Pasta

I received Annie's Homegrown Organic Creamy Tomato Soup and Bunny Pasta for free to review through Influenster! We love grilled cheese and tomato soup so this was a great try. The taste and texture were similar to our regular tomato soup so bonus that it's organic and still tastes good! The pasta bunnies were a cute, fun addition to the soup, however my 5 year old was not a super fan of the texture. She said she liked them as long as they weren't with a bite of soup so she just fished them out but at least still ate them. A great choice in soup especially if organic is what you're looking for! Annie's makes several different products that you can check out on their website Annie's. Join in the delicious fun!!

Book review- 'Magelica's Voyage' and 'Magelica's Voyage - The Rescue'

I received a copy of both the 1st and 2nd books in the Magelica's Voyage series for free from the author in exchange for my honest review.  Added bonus you get the review from my 5 year old daughter as well as I read both books out loud to her.

Magelica's Voyage:

My 5 year old daughters review: I really liked the book. I liked the pictures because they were pretty and took me on an adventure. I loved when she met Queen Raya and got the necklace with the silver feathers. I liked the necklace because it was magic and could take her back to the Isle of the Dreams.

My review: The illustrations in the book were very colorful and as my daughter said, "took me on an adventure." The colors are vivid and add to the story. Magelica, who was hatched from an egg and raised by her adoptive mom Gri, had always wondered where she actually came from and who her parents were. One night a loveable, fuzzy creature named Odin shows up and takes her on an urgent journey to the Isle of Dreams to help Queen Raya. The Isle of Dreams happens to be a village on the back of a huge turtle which has stopped swimming in the sea and Magelica has been brought to help the turtle. The story was simple enough for my 5 year old understand but creative enough to be a fun journey as I read it to her. The characters were likeable and full of fantasy and magic, a few times I did wish their was a little more description to the environment or what Magelica was thinking about, but overall I would recommend the book for a young child. It is a simple and engaging chapter book that children would thoroughly enjoy. I think the only thing that I wish was changed, and this is totally just me knowing how I feel in my bathrobe, is that Magelica is in her bathrobe through the whole book and as you'll find out also in the second book. My daughter also noticed this as she loves looking at the way the characters dress. Surely she had time for a wardrobe change? 

Magelica's Voyage - The Rescue:

My 5 year old daughter's review: I really like the part where the Prince met Magelica because I think the boy loved her. I also liked that he also got a feather necklace so they could stay connected. I liked all of the pictures, they took me on an adventure too.

My review: Magelica takes us on an another magical journey after dreaming about something bad that was happening. This time Magelica is oof to help save the handsome Prince William who is lost at sea. Magelica continures to learn to believe in herself through the journey and keep confidence in her abilities. I like when she said, "If I really believe, if I really want it, it will work." What a good message for these young readers. I liked the bit of humor that the Prince also brought to this book. Another enjoyable character to get to know. He was also a good example of keeping your hopes up and staying positive. Beautiful, vivid illustrations that really take you on the rescue, however why is she journeying again in a bathrobe? She would seem a little more fantasy in a fairy-like dress. Once again great story and character building. Simple and yet engaging for young readers. I normally read to my daughter to help her fall asleep at night but she loved these stories so much that I could never get her to go to sleep because she would get so caught up in the story. I would recommend this book as a read aloud for younger children and as a simple chapter book for a reader. 

Review of Cottonelle® Flushable Cleansing Cloths

So I got to try some 10 pack travel size samples of Cottonelle® Flushable Cleansing Cloths through Crowdtap for free in return for my honest review. Not only were the packs fashionably designed but they worked great too! One wipe did the job and they weren't overly wet or too dry. They had a pleasant scent and were gentle on the skin. I also love this little travel pack that fits great in the car, your purse, diaper bag, etc. You never know when you might have a bathroom emergency camping, at the store, beach, wherever! So convenient that they're flushable as well. Thanks Cottonelle! Another great product. 

Review of the Book The Contaminants - A New Dakota Series by Devin K. Smyth

I received this eBook for free in exchange for my honest review, which this is.

Contaminants is a dysotopian read based on the world going into chaos and war. This was caused primarily by a discovery of a new energy source, called Osmosynthesis, relieving the need of oil. A chain of events from this discovery led to a nuclear war and the need for the earth's environment and population to be 'reset.' The book begins in the present aboard a space ship 3 years after this reset. The ships supplies are being depleated and scientists are trying to figure out if their reset experiment on the earth was successful and if they could soon safely return to the earth. After seeing hope of human life still on earth they do return to asses the situation and teenager, Jessil and her siblings hoping to find their father who was left behind. We find out further that Jessil's friend, Saraj, has a father with alternate plans and we discover whether or not human life exists and if the planet really is habitable.

We go through the story with two teenage characters points of view, Jessil and Soraj. I liked the two different points of view and that each chapter began with telling you which point of view we were reading, the day (in reference to when the calamity started) and the time. This made it easier to stay on track with the characters and also to know when the story jumps back to the past or how much time has elapsed in their journey. 

It was a thought out futuristic plot and explained how the world got to that point. The earth as it was and how it is now was explained. The only detail I wish there was more of was what the characters looked like and their personalities. There was brief discussion about some of there characteristics in the beginning but not much more into it than that so I struggled a little with picturing then in the story and how they would react to situations. Also when we went in-between Jessil and Saraj it seems like how Saraj saw Jessil was very contrary to her actions when you read through her point of view. Perhaps just Saraj's lack of real observation? Or too much observation being the son of an uptight scientist? 

I was also a little confused about Jessil and Saraj's relationship. It seemed like a brother-sister type friendship where he just looks out for her but then Jessil's brother, Ben, makes a sarcastic comment about them just kissing and getting it over with but I don't ever recall any romantic thoughts or comments coming from either Jessil or Saraj. Did Been see something happening that they hadn't realized yet. It is called Contaminants - The New Dakota Series so perhaps we'll see relationship clarification further in the book series and hopefully there will be more books. I really enjoyed this book and read through it quickly wanting to know what was happening next.

You can also see my review here on amazon and a link to the book. Enjoy! Amazon 

Review of Oreida Easy Tater Tots

I got the opportunity to try @Oreida Easy Tater Tots courtesy of @Influenster and #Oreidapotatoes. The box was specially designed to crisp the tater tots in the microwave in only 3 1/2 mins. The microwave people!! No waiting for an oven to preheat or starving while waiting for baking and you still get the crispy crunchy outside. Super amazing what a microwave can do with a magic box to cook things in. These were really great for a quick lunch side when you're having the same old boring sandwich. Really impressive. The only thing I wish is that you got more than one use our of the box. I'm not sure how you could do that but they were a pretty good price for what you got to feed your kids as a snack or side. Thanks Oreida! They also have fries too!

Attitude Shampoo for Little Ones

Inside my Influenster box also came a free full-sized bottle of Attitude little ones shampoo.  First of all I was glad to see the 'worry-free ingredients statement right on the front of the bottle. I won't use a product on my children if the ingredients are questionable.  I can't keep them safe from everything the world has to offer but I can do my best to monitor what products they're exposed to.  It even says on the back that their hair care products contain no cancer-causing chemicals, or mutagen and reproductive toxins.  I didn't even know these were a thing that could be in a hair care product. Wow.
I tried the shampoo out on the 5 year old.  It lathered well and seemed to clean her hair well. The shampoo is clear so you know their's no weird color dyes and it smelled pleasant. The ingredients even say the fragrance is derived from natural ingredients so they're going natural were they can.  Great product. I'd love to try the detangler one day on our curly hair.  They have lots of different products to choose from.  Nice work Attitude. #ATTITUDEatTarget @ATTITUDEliving @Influenster

Uncle Ben's

In addition to my last post of what I received in my Influenster box of samples, I also got a coupon for a free box of Uncle Ben's new Flavored Grains options.  I got the Uncle Ben's Brown Rice & Quinoa Roasted Red Pepper.  Normally I am not a brown rice fan. It always seems very bland and only has a one note brown rice earthy flavor.  This Uncle Ben's brown rice though was seriously so good and everyone in the family also enjoyed it. Even the 5 year old. It paired perfect with grilled shrimp and grilled corn on the cob.  Definitely a future buy.  Especially since it had no msg in it which I can't have and is contained in most flavored rices.  Nice work Uncle Ben. #BeginWithBen

Dramamine Natural

I received a super awesome box of free samples from Influenster to try.  It was called the Nurture VoxBox and had lots of mom and kid friendly items.  One of them being Dramamine's new Non-Drowsy Naturals for motion sickness.  I get car sick so but hate the drowsy side effects of most motion/car sickness brands.  This product is made of all natural ginger. I found it to not only be effective for motion sickness but also while camping at a higher altitude and was feeling a little nauseated.  And yes, there was no drowsy side effects.  Perfect for when you're trying to have fun or when you're the driver of the car.  Good work Dramamine. #nondrowsydramamine

SweeTARTS Soft & Chewy Ropes

I haven't blogged in eons so why not start now with a review of SweeTARTS Soft & Chewy Ropes.  I received a free sample of these through Smiley360.  I figured the SweeTARTS Soft & Chewy Ropes would be just like a licorice rope which I only find mildly satisfying, but guess what? They aren't anything like them. They're highly satisfying. The flavor is just the right sweet and sour tartness and the texture of the rope and center feeling is very appealing and I don't feel like I'm chewing on it for hours like licorice. The hardest part about having these in the house was keeping everyone else from eating all of them before I could get to them. They were definitely a hit. The flavor received was cherry punch and it looks like that is the only flavor so far. I hope they come out with other flavors and could do a variety pack. That would be 'sweet.' I would definitely buy these again and have my fingers crossed that they'll come out with even more flavors! I loved this treat!!!