Christmas Gifts that Get Kids Reading

Are you ready to get some Christmas shopping done? I know as December nears, we are all thinking about getting gifts bought and marked off the list early! Today I have a list of ideas for you to get kids reading this Christmas and beyond!
Activity Books 
Activity books are so much fun! They give children something fun to do while learning about a variety of topics. Here's a few of my favorites!

1. Aliens Sticker Book 
2. Fairies Activity Pack
3 Dinosaur Quiz Cards
4. 365 Science Activities
5. Baby's Very First Big Play Book
My toddler LOVES this book! We borrowed it from a friend for a few days and it had so many fun things to look under, feel and sounds to listen to. This is on her Christmas list!
6. Little Boys' Activity Book 
7. Learning Pallette
8. Baby's Very First Flash Cards: Animals







Shine a Light Books 
These are SO much fun! I used them with our homeschool co-op and the kids all loved it. They ranged from 3 to 10 years old! Here's a quick video to check them out.

Secrets of the Apple Tree
Secrets of the Seashore
Secrets of the Rainforest

Chapter Books 
Even if your kids aren't up to reading a chapter book on their own, it's a great time to read aloud to them! From "Hey Jack!" and "Billie B." for beginners to the "Pheonix Files" and "Conspiracy 365" for teens and even adults. These books are sure to get your kids reading!

Ages 4-7
Ages 7-9
Ages 9-11
Ages 12+




a Rafflecopter givea! way

Click here to find the other gift guides as part of the Christmas Blessings Giveaway! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Bless Foster Children with New Books!

 

Last week I shared that I've started up a business of my own with Usborne books and more. One of the reasons why I joined is because they are on a mission to spread literacy and ignite a love of reading in children. Children who come from troubled homes don't often get the chance to gain a love of reading because they are more worried about making it through each day. I want to bless these children who are cared for by Christian Children's Home of Ohio by donating NEW books to them!

 

Will you help me out by making a donation TODAY? We just need 20 people to donate $25 to raise $750 in FREE books to bless these children and those who care for them each day! This book drive will end on Saturday, October 4th, so be sure to send your donation today.

 

 

I will post updates on the You Caring site as well as here when the book drive is over.

 

 

5 Favorite Toddler Books & Setting up a Kid Library

What a better way to spend time with little ones than snuggling up on the couch and read a few books?  Or if your little on is feeling more independent how about setting up a book area for them? Today I have a few favorite books for toddlers and tips for setting up a toddler-sized library.

Favorite books for toddlers 

What Makes a Rainbow
Lots of fun in this book because as you read the story you'll make your own rainbow with ribbons.




Tumble Bumble 


Where is Baby's Belly Button 
We have gone through a few of these! It's a lift the flap book that's lots of fun to read!



Goodnight Moon



The Napping House




Setting up a toddler library
1. Kid sized shelf

2. A comfy seat

3. A trip to the library
Kids always love going to the library and mine seem to enjoy books from the library more than the shelves of books we have here. Take a trip to the library for some extras to add to your shelf!

What are your favorite toddler books?

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things....

Today I want to share a few of the books and resources from the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle sale that I'm most excited about. Remember, this sale ends Monday, so you'll want to grab yours ASAP. This is just a list of a few that I'm excited to read, if you'd like to see a complete listing of books you can take a look here and learn more about the authors here. If you have any questions about how the sale works, you can check out the FAQ page.

Making Organic Food Affordable

I like buying organic foods because I know that they are healthier but so often, the healthier stuff seems SO expensive! This book sounds like a great tool for helping me be able to get more organic produce to feed my kiddos.

More about the book:

Making Organic Food Affordable covers ideas, tips, tricks, strategies and resources to help you AT LEAST match what you currently spend on conventional food while you work your way toward ZERO organic food costs.

In one simple, affordable resource you’ll find:

• 18 tips to navigate the farmer’s market and get the most for your dollar
• Where to find the best wholesale prices or organic food coupons
• 8+ ways to get organic food ABSOLUTELY FREE

Making Organic Food Affordable is not a bunch of hype. If you really want to get your grocery bill down to zero it will take a serious commitment on your part. But it’s possible and Making Organic Food Affordable will show you how to make organic food affordable in your own home!

A Practical Guide to Children's Health

Every day I'm reading something else about things we should or shouldn't use, eat, buy, or do. Many of those are kid related. I feel like I get so confused at times! This book looks like a great resource to turn to for lots of good information. 

More about this book:

In it, there are three main sections: Food, Health, and Environment. In each, there are several topics that are important to parents, like super foods; special diets; picky eaters; healthy snack ideas; milk, grains and sugar; healthy recipes; OTC medications; prescription medications; vaccines; herbal remedies for common conditions; sleep issues; herbal guide; alternative practitioners; organic clothing and bedding; car seat safety; and even schooling and positive discipline. These topics examine the controversial and misleading information and explain the options concisely.

The book is supported by over 300 primary research sources, largely from medical journals. The foreword is written by Dr. Tyson Perez, DC.

A Practical Guide to Children’s Health is a handbook of basic, well-researched information for parents to turn to when they need help with health.

Easy Beauty Recipes

It's not very often that I buy skincare or beauty products between the price and the junk that's in most of them, I just can't justify spending the money on them. This book looks great! It's got recipes for things like chapstick (which I use plenty of in the winter), lotion sticks and several others. 

More about this book:

Easy Beauty Recipes is exactly what the title suggests: simple beauty recipes that are easy and quick to make!

If you want to make your own lip balms and lotions, this is the book for you! All of the beauty recipes are made with the best ingredients for the best price.

Never made a beauty project before? No problem. You’ll be walked through the process step-by-step.

For less than the price of a grande nonfat latte, you can start replacing your store-bought beauty products with homemade ones today.

Beauty Recipes and Goodies Inside:

Homemade Chapsticks
Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub
Coconut Oil Lotion
Solid Lotion “Sticks”
Coconut Oil Solid Lotion Bars
Naturally-Tinted Lip Balm
Coconut Oil Lip Scrub
Whipped Body Butter
Solid Perfume “Sticks”
All-Natural Roll-On Perfume
Cute, printable labels for all of your homemade beauty products
Plus, info about where you can buy all of the materials you need!

The Urban Chicken

My husband is getting tired of hearing it....I want chickens! LOL This book looks like a great guide to get me started when we are finally able to do that! I know nothing about raising chickens and so I could use all the help I can get even if it's a ways off in the future! 

More about this book:

Are you interested in getting fresh eggs from your own backyard? Are you wanting some natural bug control? Are you just short on entertainment?

The Urban Chicken has answers just for you! From chick to dinner, this book will get you on the road to chicken ownership with ease. It’s packed full of vital info on coops, feeding chickens, as well as collecting and storing eggs.

42 Days to Fit

I've been attempting to keep up with exercising and such but I find that it's easy to skip or if I don't go run before the kids get up it's just not going to happen! I need a way to get myself on track and stay that way. To fit exercise into my day even with the kids and crazy happenings of a family with four kiddos and often many extras around. 

More about this book:

Are you interested in getting fresh eggs from your own backyard? Are you wanting some natural bug control? Are you just short on entertainment?

The Urban Chicken has answers just for you! From chick to dinner, this book will get you on the road to chicken ownership with ease. It’s packed full of vital info on coops, feeding chickens, as well as collecting and storing eggs.

Essential Oils and Natural Health E-Course

I've used some essential oils but would love to learn more about them. Wouldn't you? I know they can be used for such a variety of things around the home but how much, which is best and when to use them? This ecourse sounds like a great way to learn more about using essential oils. 

More about this Ecourse

Tired of getting conflicting information on essential oil safety and appropriate uses? Get the facts on how you can use essential oils in your home for healthy living, medicinal benefits, and a wellness focused lifestyle with a practical approach to aromatherapy in this online course. The program includes a close look at 12 different essential oils, an evidence based look at potential interactions and contraindications, and step-by-step instructions for dozens of useful and effective household must-haves ranging from body care products to natural medicine.

This course covers the use of essential oils in body care, as antimicrobial, for green living, in traditional aromatherapy, and even addresses the myths and facts surrounding the controversial internal use of these potent oils! Course content is delivered in the interactive student portal through audio lectures, PDF downloads, video demonstrations, interactive quizzes, and a personal course instructor for feedback, guidance, and encouragement! Once you begin, you’ll have a full 90 days to access the course content, which includes reviews of scientific studies and over 45 aromatherapy formulas for natural health.

This program includes video demonstrations, online quizzing, audio lecture delivery, and other features which require high speed Internet access for optimal benefit. Satellite Internet is not compatible with our online quizzing feature. All of Vintage Remedies’ programs are self-paced, and upon course completion, you do have the option of purchasing extended access or upgrading to an advanced course at a discount.

How about you? What are you excited to dig into from the bundle? 

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This does not effect the cost to you in any way, only blesses my family with a small portion.