My Rag Doll -- Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: Search Press gave me a copy of these books free of charge for this review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Today I get to share with you a fun book for making rag dolls and all of her accessories. My Rag Doll by Corinne Crasbercu has eleven versions of a rag doll. 

Sharing Saturday 16-5

It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! Thank you to everyone who shared at last week's party!! There were many amazing ideas shared. I had so much fun checking them all out. Our features are just a sampling of them so if you haven't checked them all out, you should! The features this week are Valentine's Day, Educational and Arts & Winter. 

Exploring Morocco -- Global Learning for Kids

Map Source

This month Global Learning for Kids is exploring Morocco. We have had a little exposure to Morocco in the past with the Moroccan Snow White and Maps Activity Book, but Hazel does not remember much about it. We also have eaten couscous previously, but she didn't really remember it since it has been awhile. We started as we always do with some books from the library.

The King Cake Baby -- Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

Disclosure: Keila Dwawon sent me a copy of this book free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

It is here!! Today is Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCCBD)!! Have you checked out the link party yet to see all the amazing multicultural children's books out there? I saved one review for today!!

In case you do not know yet, the MCCBD team’s mission to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Our young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. We encourage readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits, event details, a multicultural children’s book linky and via our hashtag (#ReadYourWorld) on Twitter and other social media. 

Multicultural Children's Book Day -- Book Review Link Party

It is hard to believe that Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCCBD) is tomorrow for 2016!! This is the third one!! I am proud to say that I have been a book reviewer for all three years and this year I have the honor of being a co-host. (In the three years I have reviewed:  Rainbow Stew, The Dragon New Year, Endeavour's Long Journey, The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool (which has a sale on the ebook through 1/27), Hathshepsut of Egypt, Doyli to the Rescue, and will be reviewing The King Baby Cake on 1/27.)

The MCCBD team’s mission to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Our young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. We encourage readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits, event details, a multicultural children’s book linky and via our hashtag (#ReadYourWorld) on Twitter and other social media. 

Doyli to the Rescue -- Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

Disclosure: WAKA Books sent me a copy of this book free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

I am so excited to share this book with you!! I think this has become Hazel's favorite book in the last few weeks. She also has informed me she wants to be Doyli and live in the middle of the Amazon with no running water or electricity. The book is Doyli to the Rescue by Cathleen Burnham.

Sewn Together -- Crafty Weekends Review and Link Party

Disclosure: Lark Crafts sent me a copy of this book free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Hazel loves doing crafts with me and especially likes to sew with me. Her sewing is not perfect and she definitely needs more practice, but she knows how to do it. Today's book is perfect for teaching a child to sew and for just having some sewing projects to do together. We are sharing Sewn Together by Jenny Doh.

Sharing Saturday 16-4

What an amazing party last week!! Thank you to everyone who shared with us!! Our features are just a sampling of the wonderful things shared, so if you haven't checked out the rest you should!! The features for this week include Snow Features, Valentine's Day & Family Features, Educational Features, and few art and interesting ideas. I have also host a craft link party (the crafts just have to be family appropriate and not necessarily kid related) and it is a place to share crafts, reviews of patterns, craft books, etc. and patterns. I hope you will come check it out Sunday.  This month's Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop is continuing for all your posts that are culture (multicultural) related!

Hatshepsut of Egypt -- Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review free of charge from Goosebottom Books. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

Today we are honored to review a book about a very strong woman, Hatshepsut. Have you heard of her? I hadn't, so I found this book fascinating. The book is Hatshepsut of Egypt by Shirin Yim Bridges and illustrated by Albert Nguyen. It is part of The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses.

This is a series of books that share real princesses with girls. These are not your average fru fru princesses who wear pretty dresses and sit around waiting to be saved by a prince. These are women who had strength and guts to rule countries.

Wedding Season

Disclosure: I received a free membership for the service of one of these on-line greeting card services. All opinions are my own. 

Did you know the most popular time to get engaged is the month of December? So if it seems like many friends are posting that they became engaged over the holidays, it is probably true. At work the push is on for everyone to be trained to take custom print orders. I am almost through my training and I thought I would share with you some things I learned as well as my own DIY invitation. I was very much a DIY bride and our wedding was pretty casual so we were not worried about the formal standards. Now I am finding out there are many out there.  Shutterfly now offers wedding invitations which use to be called Wedding Papers Divas. I am no longer an affiliate with them. Since my links and many of the pictures I shared previously are no longer available I am updating this and sharing about Greetings Island.

Spot a Lot Animals -- Parragon Book Buddies Review

Disclosure: Parragon Books sent me a copy of this book free of charge. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As always I am providing links to the book for your convenience.

 Today we get to share with you a fun pack from Parragon Books. It is Spot a Lot Animals Storybook & Puzzle. This is a package that includes a paperback book and a double sided puzzle. 

The Year of the Monkey -- Book Review

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review free of charge from Immedium. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

February 8, 2016 begins the lunar new year. There are several cultures that celebrate the lunar new year, but the Chinese is the largest one and the most heard about one. The Chinese have an animal zodiac for each year. It is based on a twelve year (and twelve animal) system. We are ending the year of the sheep and will be beginning the year of the monkey. There are several versions of legends as to how the twelve animals were picked. Today we will focus on the year of the monkey!!

The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool -- Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review free of charge from PJ LaRue. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

It is January and that means Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCCBD) is approaching!! This year I am honored to be a co-host of this amazing event!! The MCCBD team’s mission to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Our young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. We encourage readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits, event details, a multicultural children’s book linky and via our hashtag (#ReadYourWorld) on Twitter and other social media.

Sew Dolled Up -- Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: I was sent these books to review free of charge from Quarto Books USA. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

So ages ago I began making one of the adorable dolls in today's book, Sew Dolled Up by Boutique Sha. Hazel wanted me to make her the brown haired Country Style doll named Irina first and then wanted some of the others as well. I had the doll's body and head and had sewn together the legs and just needed to put them on the doll and then do the arms (which are cut out as well). However she got put away for a bit and now all I can find are the legs and arms. So I do not have any pictures for you of her. I am so sorry!! I cannot wait to find the rest of her and finish her though.

Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop

Sharing Saturday is still going on and Crafty Weekends will begin tonight!

Welcome to the Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop! The Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop is a place where bloggers can share multicultural activities, crafts, recipes, and musings for our creative kids. We can't wait to see what you share this time! Created by Frances of Discovering the World through My Son's Eyes, the blog hop has now found a new home at Multicultural Kid Blogs. 

Love & Care for the One and Only You -- New Year Resolution Review #5

Sharing Saturday is still open!! Stop by to be inspired and share your child-oriented crafts and activities!

 Disclosure: I was sent this book to review free of charge from Worthy Inspired. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

On Monday I started a new series for this week: New Year Resolutions Review. My first goal for 2016 is to work with Hazel more regularly on her Spanish. My second goal was to find joy in my every day life. My third goal is to grow closer to Jesus. My fourth goal (and these are in no particular order) is to find time to relax. Today's goal is one many people make at New Year's. It is for better health and fitness. The product I am reviewing for this goal is Love & Care For the One and Only You by  Michelle Medlock Adams.  

Sharing Saturday 16-3

Last week we had many amazing ideas shared!! Thank you to everyone who shared with us!! Our features are just a sampling of the wonderful things shared, so if you haven't checked out the rest you should!! The features for this week include Holiday Features (Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the US), Winter Features and Educational & Family Features. I have also host a craft link party (the crafts just have to be family appropriate and not necessarily kid related) and it is a place to share crafts, reviews of patterns, craft books, etc. and patterns. I hope you will come check it out Sunday.  This month's Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop is beginning Sunday morning for all your posts that are culture (multicultural) related!

The Time Chamber -- New Year Resolution Review #4

Disclosure: Penguin Random House Books gave me a copy of this book free of charge for this review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation.  As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

On Monday I started a new series for this week: New Year Resolutions Review. My first goal for 2016 is to work with Hazel more regularly on her Spanish. My second goal was to find joy in my every day life. My third goal is to grow closer to Jesus. My fourth goal (and these are in no particular order) is to find time to relax. The product I am choosing to review today to help with my relaxation is an adult coloring book called The Time Chamber by Daria Song. Now this book is the second book and the first is The Time Garden, the first adult coloring book I reviewed. 

The Imitation of Christ -- New Year Resolution Review

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review free of charge from Worthy Inspired. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

On Monday I started a new series for this week: New Year Resolutions Review. My first goal for 2016 is to work with Hazel more regularly on her Spanish. My second goal was to find joy in my every day life. Today I share my third goal (which these are in no particular order for my goals). Today's goal is to grow closer to Jesus. The book to help me do this is The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis and compiled and edited by James N. Watkins. 

Joy In Every Moment: Mindful Exercises -- New Year Resolution Review #2

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review free of charge from Storey Publishing. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

On Monday, I introduced my New Year Resolution/Goal Review Series. Today I am sharing my second resolution which is to find joy in my everyday life and happiness with what I have. Storey Publishing sent me the perfect book to help me succeed with this goal for 2016: Joy in Every Moment by Tzvia Gover. 

DIY Wild Kratts Themed Birthday Party -- Product Review

Disclosure: I was sent these items to review free of charge from Oriental Trading. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to the products for your convenience but do not receive anything if you buy from them.

I have been promising a post about our Wild Kratts themed birthday party and here it is. The rest of the week I will be doing posts on New Year Resolutions and products that are helping with mine. But with New Year's come Hazel's birthday party. It is always over Christmas vacation, but this year we decided to have her party with her school friends after the vacation and we discovered many more people come when it is not on vacation!! But first our invitation.

Foreign Language for Kids by Kids -- New Year Resolution Review

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links where I will receive a small commission if you purchase through them at no cost to you. I was given access to Foreign Language for Kids by Kids programs for six months free of charge in exchange of writing honest reviews. All opinions in this post are my own. 

Do you make new year resolutions? I often do not or should I say I pretend to but never keep them. Now that it is over a week past New Year's Day, I have time to think about what I want 2016 to really look like. This week I am going to share with you some of the products that are helping me with some of my resolutions or let's say desires for the new year. 

Resolution #1

The first resolution is to work more consistently with Hazel on her Spanish. Back in September we shared a new program that we are trying. I had big hopes but first grade brought things like homework and exhaustion. But now that it is January my goal for us is to do the lessons at least four times a week. 

Creative Kids Complete Photo Guide to Knitting -- Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: I was sent these books to review free of charge from Quarto Books USA. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

This week flew by and somehow I ended up very behind this weekend. So Crafty Weekends is starting later than usual. Though I am thinking it might be a better time since I have noticed people getting confused by Sharing Saturday and Crafty Weekends. What do you think? I would love to hear. This week we have been very busy crafting and decorating for Hazel's Wild Kratts themed birthday party which was today (and thus why I didn't pull it together to write the post before now). With many things to share about the party I thought I would give you a preview with this picture.

I am rather proud of my paper pom pom monkey head. As Hazel's party grew closer Hazel ended up staying home sick for two days. I took her to the doctor's office the first day to ensure she would be better for the party (after all we had ten of her friends coming this year). Luckily the antibiotics helped get rid of the fever and worst of the symptoms so she was able to have the party. On the second day she started getting her energy back and wanted to be entertained. We pulled out Creative Kids Complete Photo Guide to Knitting by Mary Scott Huff. 

Sharing Saturday 16-2

Last week we had our first party of 2016!! Many shared their best of 2015 round-ups and such!! Our features are just a sampling of the wonderful things shared, so if you haven't checked out the rest you should!! The features for this week include January/Winter Features, Parenting/Family Features and Educational Features. I have also host a craft link party (the crafts just have to be family appropriate and not necessarily kid related) and it is a place to share crafts, reviews of patterns, craft books, etc. and patterns. I hope you will come check it out tomorrow.  This month's Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop is still open for a couple more days for all your posts that are culture (multicultural) related!

Winter's Child -- Book Review

Disclosure: Candlewick Press gave me a copy of this book free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own, and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

December was unusually warm here. In fact my nephew slept outside Christmas night in his new hammock with a couple of quilts. My nephew does not use the air conditioner up here in the summer since he is use to North Carolina weather. However winter began to show itself the week after Christmas and hasn't really stopped. Today's book is perfect for this time of year (and really was perfect for last year with our snow). Winter's Child by Angela McAllister and illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith is about a young boy named Tom. 

I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Book Review and Martin Luther King Day for Kids Series

Disclosure: Penguin Random House Books gave me a copy of this book free of charge for this review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation.  As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Today I am writing about a new book in the Ordinary People Who Changed the World Series by Brad Meltzer. It goes on sale today!! And in perfect timing it is also my post for the Multicultural Kid Blogs Martin Luther King Day for Kids Series. I am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos brings the life, teachings, and beliefs of Martin Luther King, Jr. to kids in a fun way. 

Shi-shi-etko -- Book Review and Native Residential Schools

Disclosure: Groundwood Books gave me a copy of this book free of charge for this review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation.  As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Imagine being a young girl and being forced to go away from your home and family to go to a boarding school. You have never left your neighborhood, but if you do not go your parents will be arrested. At the school they will not let you keep your name, religion or language. They will try to take away everything about your culture in your life. This is how life was for many Native Americans from around 1876 until the 1990's. Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell and illustrated by Kim LaFave tells such a story about a young Native American girl named Shi-shi-etko. 

Exploring Tonga -- Global Learning for Kids

In December Global Learning for Kids explored Tonga. I have to admit I had not heard of Tonga (and didn't vote for it). I turned to the library to find some information to share with Hazel. However the only children's books that showed up with Tonga in them had to do with Africa and not Oceania, which I knew was our focus. I then looked at the adult books (because I was desperate to find something, anything on this little country). The adult books were slim pickings as well, but here is what I found. (Recently I searched for Queen Salote since one of the books was about her and found one children's book with her in it so I'm going to get it tomorrow so I can at least share about the country's most famous queen.)

Origami Zoo Kit -- Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

So Hazel's birthday was last week. We had a fun ducky themed party for family and a few friends. And we will be having a Wild Kratts themed party for her school friends. You will be seeing some posts about that party this week and next! However Ann at Tuttle Publishing sent Hazel a gift this year. It was one of the first gifts she got this year!

Sharing Saturday 16-1

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2016!!

We have had a fun two week party with many great ideas shared!! Last week I featured a few of the Christmas themed posts and the party continued.  This week will be more general posts from both weeks. Our features are just a sampling of the wonderful things shared, so if you haven't checked out the rest you should!! The features for this week include Christmas Math & Science, Christmas Crafts, Holiday Lessons, and a few favorites. I have also started a new craft link party (the crafts just have to be family appropriate and not necessarily kid related) and it is a place to share crafts, reviews of patterns, craft books, etc. and patterns. I hope you will come check it out tomorrow.  Sunday will be the beginning of this month's Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop for all your posts that are culture (multicultural) related!