Finding Christmas... a Robert Munsch Book Review

This week we were given the opportunity to review a book from Scholastic Books... it is part of our festive reading series leading to the holiday month.

Finding Christmas by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, 2012, North Winds Press, ISBN: 978-1-4431-1317-5, Ages 3-8 - 32 pages - 8 ¾" x 10 5/16" 

Every single Christmas, Julie finds the presents her mom and dad have hidden. But this year, the presents are nowhere to be found! Have her parents decided not to have Christmas at all? So Julie searched the house and in places she found the presents in previous years... but they are nowhere to be found. Does she find them... or will she become something special on Christmas morning??? It becomes the family's most memorable Christmas ever!!!

My Review~~ This brings me back to memories of searching for my gifts every year as a child but I never found them... As my kids grow up I enjoy the idea of them eventually trying to figure out where we hide their gifts from us. The book is full of excitement and the kids guessing if Julie was going to be able to find her presents. We loved the ending and really want to leave it for you to figure out... where she finds the gifts and why it is a wonderful Christmas for her family...

On a fun side... there is a fun game on the Scholastic Book site to play and go allow with this book
Click HERE for the link to play!


Thanks to Scholastic Books for the chance to review this lovely book! It will definitely be a fun annual read for our family.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Scholastic for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Happy reading!

How Does a Dinosaur Say Happy Chanukah? Review

Our second book, we have the opportunity to review in the festive book series from Scholastic Books is...

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yelon & Mark Teague, 2012, The Blue Shy Press, ISBN: 978-0-545-41677-1 HC,  40 Pages,  Ages 0-4, 9" x 12".

Little dinosaurs love to celebrate the Festival of Lights, from the warm glow of holiday candles in the menorah to the fun of family gatherings. But sometimes the excitement of Chanukah, its treasured rituals, and the tradition of gifts can tempt a youngster to misbehave.... 
Come along on a joyful romp filled with tumbling dreidels and melting gelt as North America's favourite prehistoric pals spread a little mischief this season. Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs fidget, fuss, and stomp through every occasion, while their human parents shift from shock to weary patience. 

My Review~~ This was a great way to teach my kids about the festival of lights and Chanukah. We discussed what Chanukah was and he traditions around the holiday. We talked of the games that children play during the celebration of lights. We also talked about the eight nights of festival of lights and what happens. We discussed the behaviour that kids might be acting like as with those children feel during Christmas. We discussed how it is important to behave well in all children during the holiday season. It makes the kids think about the holidays and how it celebrated by everyone. 


Here is a inside look of the book....

Thanks to Scholastic Books and we hope that you will give this book a read for this holidays!!!

Check back and see what our next book review will be for the holidays... next week!

Disclaimer: I received these books from Scholastic for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Happy Reading!

It's Holiday Book Reviews Time...

We have been fortunate to be given the opportunity to review some books from Scholastic books in their holiday theme series.
So just in time for the Holiday season and with Christmas just around the corner...here are the books we reviewed...maybe some will make it under your Christmas tree or as part of you Christmas reading list, of interactive Advent Calendar countdown using the books each day leading to Christmas day or as the 8 nights of gifts of Chanukah.

How Does a Dinosaur Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague; 2012, The Blue Sky Press, ISBN 978-0-545-41678-8 HC, 40 Pages, Ages 0-4, 9" x 12" 

From decorating the tree to wrapping presents, little dinosaurs love to celebrate Christmas — and everything about it. With ornaments on the branches and carolers singing at the door, the spirit of Christmas is finally here and filling the hearts of families everywhere. But when the stockings are hung on the chimney, and the cookies are left out for Santa, how can little dinosaurs go to sleep? It's so exciting! How can they possibly calm down and behave? 

Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs secretly lick candy canes, take sneaky peeks at gifts, and disrupt the traditional family feast. With holiday surprises around every corner, the award winning team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague create an engaging, fun gift sure to be read again and again, year after year.

My Review~~ We really enjoyed reading this book. We first got to know all the dinosaurs in the inside cover of the book. We talked about the what a dinosaur might do at Christmas time and why he might do the things the book asked about, such as "Does he rip open presents set under the tree?" Then as we read on we discussed how we should behave at Christmas time and how excited we get at this time of the year but should be on our most wonderful behaviour to show our appreciation to how fortunate we have been all year long. This book was well illustrated and well written in the way kids would find fun and interesting. It allows parents and kids could interact with the ideas brought up in the book. It will definitely be a book we bring out every year to discuss how to behave (just in time for our Elf on the Shelf... Little Gene to arrive)

Here is a look into the book...

Thanks to Scholastic for the book to review... we will feature another Holiday book next week that we are reviewing from Scholastic.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Scholastic for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Day 8, 9 &10 -- Crochet-a-long Advent Pieces

Day 8 is here and the advent calendar Crochet-a-long from Snappy Tots' blog comes from Tera over at Trifles N Treasures. The pattern is for a Wreath piece for the advent calendar. There are several other options of wreaths available in the post on the Snappy Tots blog as well.

Pictured courtesy of Trifles N Treasures

 Day 9 piece for the Crochet-a-long is from Snappy Tots, is a stocking as an advent calendar piece for the Crochet-a-long. There are other selections of stocking patterns on the blog as well.

Pattern courtesy of Le Monde de Sucrette.

Day 10 comes from CJ at The Fancy Hooker, her piece is an angel for the Crochet-a-long advent calendar piece.

Picture courtesy of The Fancy Hooker

Enjoy the pieces and hope you are enjoying this Crochet-a-long!!!

HAppy Hooking!

Day 7: Keep Your Hands Warm... Mitten piece for Advent Calendar

As the Days move on and Day 7 is here... the piece for today's part on the Advent Calendar CAL over at Snappy Tots' blog is mitts.

This piece comes from the lovely Ashely at Khy's Closet...

Heidi also post a second, larger version of mitts that would be great for gift cards or as written for hot chocolate packets. There is also a pattern for crochet mittens (ones you can wear of course). Hop on over and get you pattern to stay on top of the CAL

Happy Hooking!!!

Day 6: Trees and more Advent Calendar Crochet-a-long

Day 6 in the Snappy Tots Crochet-a-long Advent Calendar Event...
The piece to be made today is a tree...

I also found a couple more on Pinterest...

Granny Trees by The Royal Sisters

Christmas Ornaments from crochetspot.com

Christmas Tree Applique from Squidoo.com

Happy Hooking!!!

Day 5: Advent Calendar Crochet-a-long!

Day 5 of the Crochet-a-long over at Snappy Tots is a beautiful Snowflake pattern coming to you from Ambassador Crochet's Kristine Mullen. What a wonderful way to add a touch of winter to you advent calendar with this pretty snowflake!

The pattern for the snowflake can be found by clicking the picture

There is a second option as well on the post over at Snappy Tots! Check it out and I hope that you are enjoying the CAL!!!

Happy Hooking,

Day 4: Peppermints and Sweets Patterns for the Crochet-a-long

Day 4 of the Crochet-a-long over at Snappy Tots is all about Peppermints and Sweets. There are 5 fabulous ideas highlighted today (4 are FREE and one is for purchase).

Here are a look at what is available for DAY 4 over at the Crochet-a-long Snappy Tots Advent Calendar...

Peppermint Candy Advent piece
from Little Pink Thread

Peppermint Ring Ornament
from Whiskers & Wool

LionBrand Pinwheel Peppermints

Felt Peppermint Garland (non-crochet)

FOR PURCHASE: Peppermint Popcorn Block by
Donna Kay Lacey (only $1.99)

All of the information regarding these patterns are available at the Snappy Tots' blog, by clicking HERE for Day 4 pieces!!!


Happy Hooking and hope you are enjoying the  Crochet-a-long!!! I will post the patterns to the blog for any readers who cannot get to the Crochet-a-long this month at the beginning of December, so stay tuned for that!!!

Remember the Crochet-a-long over at Snappy Tots now ends on the 29th of November not the 25th as I posted on Day1!!!

Day 3 in Snappy Tots' Crochet-A-Long

Day 3 pattern for the Snappy Tots Crochet-A-Long Christmas Advent Calendar is for ICE Skates. There are 2 patterns available to choose from for the advent piece.

Upate: the Crochet-a-long has been extended to November 29th, rather than the 25th.


Hope you are hooking along with us!!!
Happy Hooking,

Who's game for a Crochet-a-long????

Well, it's Christmas time again and I am participating in a Crochet-a-long this year with Miss Heidi over at Snappy Tots. Her CAL is to create an Advent Calendar from November 5th to November 20th, with each day she posts the day's pattern created by some awesome designers.
Day 1 came from Little Pink Thread (me & my sis, Emily), the pattern was for a Snowman's Head

If you feel like participating please hop on over to the Snappy Tot blog and pick up yesterday's pattern by clicking HERE and this will take you to low-down on the CAL as well as the pattern for the snowman's head pictured above.  There are two patterns available per day so you can pick which one suits you and your style.

Day 2 comes to use from Colleen over at Tricity Hokes Creations, she created a little beanie pattern to add to the advent calendar.

Click the picture to hop over to the post for the Christmas beanie post at Snappy Tots where you can get the downloadable pattern.

I will post a link to each day's patterns for you here so you can check back every day as we CAL to create a beautiful Advent Calendar or ornaments depending on how you choose to use them.
We are planning on hanging them on out Advent Tree (a branch painted white and put into a bucket).

Hope you will join us for a wonderful Christmas Crochet-a-long.