It's A Book!

I'm kind of a big mouth. I don't think I'm super obnoxious, but I do tell people about books every chance I get and sometimes talk too much. (ok, all the time!)


I was recommending these fab books to a friend the other day and thought to myself, "hmm, I should blog about these, too!" T and I both love them!

Author and illustrator Lane Smith has written an absolutely adorable book about a book. Two friends are going back and forth about what to do with a book. The snips and snaps are perfect for this digital transition (sniff, sniff) we are currently a part of! My first graders love the book...especially the pictures! *I should mention the book has the word jacka$$. I always substitute and move on. The kids are used to seeing sticky notes all over my books!


Watch the book trailer by clicking HERE. I think it will appeal to so many age groups...including grownups! 


So, when I saw there was a board book version, I rushed out and picked it up to read with T. I mean, 3 year olds are more tech savvy than most of us! He LOVED it!!! He wants to read it again and again. In fact, while we were reading another book, he started acting out parts of this one! That means it is a hit! 

Watch the book trailer for this one HERE! So fun! The two little guys from the first book are going through the same thing but as their younger selves AND in diapers no less! "Is it for flying?" No. "Is it for typing?" No. Aaah! Get these books! We love the pattern and we love the art!


Do you have any favorites that you aren't sharing? Please post in the comments! 

National Geographic Kids Deal!

Red Alert! Red Alert! Dollar Tree has National Geographic Kids Early Readers for $1.00 each! I'm thinking nonfiction. I'm thinking Common Core. I'm thinking research. I'm thinking about the $3.99 I paid at Barnes and Noble AND the $3.83 I paid on Amazon. Seriously, click here to see for yourself! 

Here is the box at Dollar Tree. It is in the educational section, not with the books.

 I bought the Safari (pre-reader,) Ponies (level 1,) and Race Day (pre-reader.) They had Sharks (level 2) but I already had that one. (See $3.99 note above!)

 Here is the text progression in case you were wondering.

What a deal! Now, I should tell you-the pages aren't glossy like my $4 books, but they are a buck and will certainly make for some happy reading! 

Go grab some and let me know if you find any others!

When you wish upon a star....

A friend recently asked what my passion is. being a mom? teaching? writing? traveling?  blogging? She wanted to know my REAL passion. I thought about my answer in a rather awkward moment or two of silence. With my head tilted ever so slightly to the side, I smiled and said,  Children. 


My reasons for this are Real Simple. Children embody the spirit I wish every adult had. They are carefree. They are the future. They are why I teach. They are the reason I love being a mother. They are the reason I blog. They are the reason I read. They are the reason I smile nonstop, especially with my own little guy. They are the reason I support the Shot@Life campaign. 


Children around the world are the same. They all love to play and have attention. They wish on the same stars and give the best night time kisses. One big difference is the amount of care they mothers are able to access for them. Did you know that by the end of 2011, GAVI had contributed to the immunization of an additional 326 million children? Those children might not otherwise have had access to vaccines. These vaccinations averted more than five-and-a-half million future deaths. 

5,500,000 deaths

That is not ok. My passion is children and I am standing up for them. It is not acceptable for children around the world to die from vaccine preventable diseases. Unacceptable. 
Look at these faces! What a blessing that the United Nations Foundation and Shot@Life campaign are making a difference in countries like Tanzania! 

Come learn more about Shot@Life. Sign up for more information! You don't need lots of money. You don't need lots of connections. You only need a passion for helping children.


When I see that shooting star tonight, I'll be wishing that ALL children get a shot@ making wishes on their own shooting stars!

**Free and Fabulous Journal**

I love a journal! I love writing down the whacky things my kid says! I love sharing my journal with my first graders! 

In the best news I've gotten all day, Paper Coterie is supporting the Shot@Life campaign and offering a FREE JOURNAL to customers!! Not just that, but for every order, Paper Coterie will donate $2 to Shot@Life to help vaccinate children in developing countries. 

Look at the one I made! $16.00 spiral journal for free, just pay $7 shipping. Totally worth it! I have ordered from them before and never been disappointed!

130 lined pages, coilbound with elastic closure, plastic front cover

My only problem was deciding which one to choose! There are soooo many adorable designs and you can upload up to 4 pictures on some covers!! A perfect gift or treat for yourself! 

Go visit Paper Coterie now and be sure to enter shot@lifesummer in the code box! Let me know what you choose!

Thank you for supporting Shot@Life and recording your special moments!