The Handbook of Love: A Guide to You Love Life by Bruce L. Thompson Jr.

Stars: ***

Summary: Poetic Prose about love in it's many forms. 

To me this books seems like a cross between poetry and affirmations about love. Each chapter is about a different type of love.

Chapters all start with "Love is" and finish with words such as the Revolution, the Battle, the Power, the Correction, Life, the Choice, the Crime, the Fire, the Dream.

I never really thought about the author being a male till I read the back of the book and saw that is said:

"He wanted to write a book about love from a man's perspective; to help restore a more healthier image of today's man."

Now that I think about it, it was refreshing to read about love in it's purest form and not about the sappy emotional love that women often refer too.

"Love's freedom makes free hearts dance!
Love is freedom's dance!
Love is freedom's stance!
Love's freedom is singing a song from your heart to the ones you love!
"Freedom's song is ... love is still free!
Love's freedom takes you out of the box and into the unknown.
Love's freedom gives you the right to express yourself, whether it is right or wrong!"

Handbook of Love Website

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

The 411 on Life Skills by Michele Sfakianos, RN, BSN

Stars: *****

Summary: Are you ready to move out on your own? Going to college? Suddenly single? Widowed? Do you know how to clean the house, balance the checkbook, cook, care for the finances, or know what it takes to buy a home or car? Do you know about kitchen safety, preventing pests and bugs, and when food spoils? If you need help in these areas you have come to the right place.

This is a great book for all the situations above, but even for someone like me who has been away from home for 8 years, and living in my own house, with a husband and kids for 6 years. Maybe you were never taught some of these things and haven't been doing them the best way. You can still learn something. 

Topics Include: Cleaning, Cooking Safety, Finances, Buying/Renting a home or apartment, Buying a Car, Relationships, Food Spoilage, Laundry and Stain removal, Health and Wellness, First Year Baby Basics, Disaster Preparedness, Etiquette, Preventing Bugs and Pests, Sewing, Healthy Eating, Finances, Travel, Home Repair, Car Care, Computer Smart, Gift Giving Ideas, Funeral Arrangements and Boomerang Kids.

Some topics are more thorough than others but they all give you a start and if you want to know more you could always look up another book or website on the topic. I think this is a great gift idea for a young adult moving out on his or her own.

You can read some chapter previews here. 

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. 

Guest Post: For The Love of Books

*This is a guest post by Melanie Milburn.

One of my favorite things to do is read to children. Books are a wonderful way to introduce children to new things. Books can spark a child’s imagination, they help children develop language, and expand their vocabularies.

When choosing stories for young children remember that shorter is better. Children tend to lose interest in stories that are too long because their attention span has not yet developed. Short fables, folktales and picture books are best for young children.

Young children also enjoy simple colorful illustrations. Illustrations that almost seem to jump off the page are best.

Children also love books that rhyme. Rhyming stories help children to develop language and pre-reading skills such as listening, focusing and anticipating the end of each stanza.

My preschool class really enjoys predictable stories. They feel a certain amount of power when they know or can easily guess what is going to happen next.

Acting out a story is always a hit. The children love to be involved. Stories such as ”The Mitten’, by Jan Brett is a perfect example. I made masks of all the animals in the story for the children to wear. I then used a large crocheted white blanket to use as the mitten. Each child, as the story progressed, would climb into the mitten until they were all squeezed tightly together laughing and giggling. They had such fun. They wanted to repeat it over, and over again.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching a wonderful story to share with your children is my book “I Love You More Than Chocolate”. It is a simple, sweet story of a mother’s love for her children and chocolate. All children need to hear that they are loved and this book is written in a way that make it easy for them to understand. It full of lots of rhyming words and beautiful illustrations. The CD, which is included, allows the child to feel as if he/she is reading the book themselves. Encourage your child to make up their own, I Love You More Book, using things that are uniquely special to your child. It is a perfect way to end your Valentine’s Day with your child followed by of course, some sweet Valentine’s Day chocolate!

About the author: Melanie Milburn is Director of New Horizons Preschool in Durango, Colorado, where she has been teaching for 18 years. She has been writing songs for over 20 years and has produced two CDs for children. Melanie recently transformed one of her songs into a book titled, “I Love You More Than Chocolate”. The book comes with a CD of Melanie singing the book and children love being able to listen to the CD while turning the pages of the book. To learn more about Melanie and her book go to her website, www.melaniemilburn.com

I Love You More Than Chocolate by Melanie Milburn

Stars: ****

Summary:This book was originally a song, and inside the back cover of the book, is a CD of Miss Melanie singing the song.  When Melanie would tuck her children into bed at night, she made sure they knew how much they were loved.  She told them she loved them more than anything - even chocolate!  Her children knew she was a chocoholic, so they had no doubt, they knew they were loved.  - from author's website

I too am a chocoholic and my kids know that so I thought this would be a great book to read to them. They loved it. My second daughter always needs reassurance of my love so hearing that I love her more than all these things is perfect for her and my first daughter who is also a chocoholic, likes to look for the pages that show chocolate. I made sure to tell my girls after reading it that I wasn't just reading the words, it was true as well!

The book comes with a CD of Melanie singing the song. I always liked the idea of singing a song to my children at night when I tuck them in but never had the right song so I rarely do. This is very sweet.

The illustrations are detailed in some parts and more simple in others but it works. This book would make the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your children!

Here is a video of Melanie singing the song:


You can visit the website of Melanie Milburn here.

See where else this book is touring here.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

Cows Can't Quack by Dave Reisman

Stars: *****

Jumping Cow Press

This book is exactly like it's cousin Cows Can't Jump except it's about animal sounds instead of what animals can do.

Cows Can't Quack starts off with:

"Cows Can't Quack...but they can moo" and then gives another animal and says:

"Moose can't moo... but they can grunt" and so on.

It's very simple but that is what makes it so great. Toddlers like repetition, it's how they learn. This book is easy to read again and again and it includes repetition in the story itself by keeping similar words in the storyline.

See the preview.

 *Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Class Pet by Ruth Ohi

Stars: ****

Annick Press (2011)

Summary: In the newest Chicken, Pig, Cow book by Ruth Ohi, the barn is taken to school for show and tell!

If you aren't new to this blog you should know that I adore this series of books because I've reviewed them many times before.

I just love the soft illustrations and the imagination. If you aren't familiar with the series, chicken, pig and cow are made of clay and live inside a popsicle stick barn made by girl. In a later installment, they met dog who is now their friend. In this one, they are brought for show and tell and have a small adventure with the class pet.  Very cute. 

I think I'll have a Chicken, Pig, Cow reading marathon with my girls. I wonder what the next book will be about?

Read more at Annick Press.


 *Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

Red is Best by Kathy Stinson (Board Book) (New Year New Reads Sponsor)

Stars: *****

Annick Press
Ages 2-4

Red is Best is a old favourite, originally published in 1982 and reprinted by Annick Press in 2006. Red is Best is now available as a lap size board book, perfect to share with your little one.

If you aren't familiar with Red is Best, it's a delightful story of a young girl (toddler age) who has decided that red is the best colour, no matter what. As anyone who has or has had a toddler knows, toddlers have definite opinions about things and this little girl is no different. There is no reasoning with a toddler who has made a decision about something.

No matter how much her mom tries to encourage her to use something that is not read (for different reasons), the girl is adamant that she must use red because Red Is Best. 

Also see other reviews I've done of books by Kathy Stinson.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

Dogs Don't Eat Jam and Other Things Big Kid Know by Sarah Tsiang

Stars: *****

Annick Press (2011)
Ages 4-6

Summary: New babies have a lot to learn; lucky for them, the older sibling in this delightful picture book is here to tell them everything they have to remember … and look forward to. - Annick Press

This is the BEST book for older siblings about a new baby I have ever seen and I've read quite a few of them. Most take the position of assuming the child will feel less important and going over how its hard because babies need a lot but mom and dad still love you. Don't Don't Eat Jam takes a whole other perspective.

The story is narrated by the older sister to her baby brother. She tells of what it was like when she was a baby and how there are some things he will have to learn but that he can do it since she was able to. It's really cute. She tells him he'll have to learn to eat baby food, get rid of his soother, crawl and walk as well as things such as dogs don't eat jam (with an illustration of the girl as a baby spoonfeeding jam to the dog.)

My girls absolutely LOVE this book and it worked well for us as my older ones are girls and the baby is a boy but even if the circumstances are different for you, this is the perfect book if your new older sister or brother is over age 4.

The illustrations by Qin Leng are ADORABLE. I love soft colours in a picture book that is about love and family. It just feels right.

Next time someone asks me for a rebook commendation for a new older sibling, this will be it!

Links of Interest: The Book @ Annick Press,

Other Reviews: Foreword Reviews, Waking Brain Cells,

You have the opportunity to win this book and others in my NYNR giveaway but hurry, it ends Jan 23!

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

Courtesy Bootcamp by Anthonette Klinkerman

Back and Front Cover

Stars: ***

Anthonette Klinkerman considers herself the mobile etiquette school. She does courses on etiquette now she has a book. The book is only available through her website currently.

The book is a quick read at 56 pages but this makes it easy to look up a certain section for a quick reminder of what it says.

I'm sure we all think we know the rules of etiquette but sometimes we forget the basics as our life gets busy and we cut corners to get things done.

There are 21 chapters in this 56 page book covering everything such as: Attire & Grooming, Cell Phones & Electronics, Driving, Job Interviews, Gum Chewing, Table Manners, Netiquette, Thank You notes, profanity, Responding to invites, at the movies and more!


You have a chance to win this book in the NYNR giveaway at Callista's Ramblings until Jan 23.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.

101 Things I Hate About Your House by James Swan with Carol Beggy (Toast to 2012 Sponsor)

Subtitle: : A Premier Designer Takes You on a Room-by-Room Tour to Transform Your Home from Faux Pas to Fabulous 

Stars: *****

Summary: 101 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOUR HOUSE starts at the street, moves through the front door, and doesn't stop until it has taken a peek into every room of the house. Swan numbers the “101 Things” that make up this book so readers can easily reference items they find helpful, painful, or just too funny to forget. - Quote from website.


James Swan and Carol Beggy take us on a tour of the different rooms of a house and point out the most important things we should fix about our house. A lot of these tips aren't just going to make the design better but also make it more functional by default.

A few examples from the Media section of the website:

#1.  Dreary Little Mess:  Nothing screams "dreary little mess" quite like a front door masquerading as last winter's snow tires.  Clean it up.  Wipe it down.  Patch it, paint it, stain it, wax it, but just get the door to your home speaking a civilized language that is perfectly synchronized with the impression you want to make.
#71.  Age-Appropriate Design:  Mom and Dad, it’s time to get over your heels dragging on the subject of the kids growing up before your very eyes. They will grow whether you want them to or not, so make the best of a maturing problem and match their chronological age with the furnishings in their rooms. A teenager (13 and older) should be sleeping in a double bed, not in a childish twin. The progression from twin to double is a rite of passage. Make it memorable for your young lady or gentleman.
#25.  A Room without a Soul: If the gods of decorating are to be found lurking in the details of your home, what do your details say? Take a critical look at the small things that fill your table tops and shelves. Do they tell a beautiful story, the story you want told? If not, then it’s time to edit and rewrite your story.

So who are these people telling us what to do with our house?

ABOUT JAMES SWAN:  Author James Swan has built a twenty-year career crafting classically influenced interiors across the United States for clients who have included captains of industry, movie studio heads, investment bankers, and real estate developers. He is consistently in the media spotlight with speaking engagements, regular guest spots on national radio programs, and appearances on HGTV's Homes across America. He is a featured design partner with Ballard Designs, which is releasing a line of Swan's custom-designed furniture in early 2011.

ABOUT CAROL BEGGY:  Contributor Carol Beggy is an award-winning journalist who left the Boston Globe in 2008 after more than ten years as a writer and editor. She is a senior consultant with Saragoni & Company and has collaborated with photographer Bill Brett on four books about Boston.  She was also part of the team behind Ted Kennedy: Scenes from and Epic Life.

The book often mentions the website for product ideas in the Resource Section.  The back of the book has a spot to fill in the blanks and make your own list of the top things you need to fix in each room and what you are going to do about it. This is perfect as reading all these ideas is good but you won't remember to actually do it. By making a list you have something you could cross out or check off as it gets done.

I appreciate that the authors don't assume we all have tons of money and huge houses. Although all the sample photos and many of the tips apply to big houses, they do make suggestions for small houses and small budgets.

Check Out The Website and connect via facebook and twitter.


 *Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided.