Grumpy Cat and Pokey: The Grumpus! gets 2 Stars {comic, reluctant readers, 4th-7th grade}

Grumpy Cat and Pokey!: The Grumpus by Ben McCool, Royal McGraw, Ben Fisher, Derek Fridolfs, and Illas Kyriazis is a collection of short story comics about the lovable (much to his disgust) Grumpy Cat.  This is the 3rd Grumpy Cat book, but it is my first. 

Grumpy Cat is a lovable and fun cat.  His comics are apparently hilarious to the majority of the reviewers out there.  Most people think this comic book was funny and a downright great to read.  However, I felt differently. 

I give Grumpy Cat 2 out of 5 stars. I liked the short comic collection; this format is great for reluctant readers. I liked Grumpy Cat's statement of "I'm allergic to fun."  Though, the things I enjoy end there.  

All in all I felt Grumpy Cat and Pokey: The Grumpus! was random, boring, and lacked any real point or story line in any of the various comics.  Even the stickers at the end (shown below) were random.  

I love finding books for reluctant readers, but I feel there are other great books for reluctant readers in this age group. 

Have you read any Grumpy Cat books? Am I completely off on my feelings this cat and his comics?  I'm feeling like quite the party pooper, but at least I'm an honest party pooper. ;)
  

Happy Grumpy Cat comic book reading! 

Grumpy Cat and Pokey!: The Grumpus by Ben McCool and more 
Rating: 2/5 stars
Best For: 9 - 12 year olds, 4th though 7th grade
Worth a Check Out: If you like Grumpy Cat
Buy It or Not: No.
Read Aloud: No.
Lesson Ideas: ???


I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.

Christmas with Kids gets 3 Stars Christmas

A bunch of bloggers, not me b/c I'm not cool like that, got together made this cool book (which I totally think the cover of the book is gorgeous) full of activities, recipes, and traditions you can do with your family to make the holiday season less stressful, more meaningful, and all around more fun for everyone.  

I was lucky enough to read this book before it's release date, Wednesday November 10th.  You can purchase Christmas with Kids: Recipes, Activities, and Crafts for Amazing Family Memories from the editor of the e-book's website, A Whimsical Life and get bonus content of three videos to go along with the book, or you can purchase the Amazon Kindle edition now. 

I give Christmas with Kids 3 out of 5 Stars; however, I will state that I am brutal reviewer.  I notice things most people don't even think to notice or fret about.  However, when you are a librarian and review books ALL the time it is part of the territory. 

Frist off, I will again say the cover is gorgeous.  Second, I will also say that there were some fun activities, recipes, and crafts that I'm planning on trying.  I LOVED the Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt idea: I definitely think it'd make a fun couple's date.  Now if only my husband and I could find some friends ;).  I also think the extra touches in the Cookie Exchange Party was super cute and made it unique.  The blackberry bread pudding recipe sounds delicious and the recipe appears sound.  All in all, it is a fun book (that is totally inexpensive) and would make a great addition to a family's holiday traditions.  

Now, I did say I'm a brutal book reviewer, and I wanted to stay true to who I am, so I have to give you the parts of the book that lost points for me.  I realize the book is full of different bloggers with different writing styles, different photography skills, and detailed instructions, but I would hope in a book the writing and layout would feel more cohesive.  I would hope the pictures, and depth of instructions be similar with mention of age activity or craft best for.  I would hope the explanation of the text would be similar in style, and the look of the book be similar to really tie the book together.  

Overall, the writing seemed unpolished, but I may be the only person to think of that.  In regards to layout, I would've liked to have the book more organized and labeled as the crafts section, recipes section, and activities section.  I would've liked to have seen the table of contents more clearly define the different sections of the book, and an index would be awesome.  One aspect of the book that bothered me, but maybe it is just my computer, is the hyperlinks did not consistently work the way they intended.  I was sent to all different sites, and some didn't work.  I feel the links to supplemental materials would've been best to have all in the same area. 

Some of the crafts, activities, and recipes I was super excited about, and others I could care less about; though I'm not super crafty..  However, I will say I wish the last activity/tradition was awesome and unique (like the Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt) rather than something almost everyone does already (Christmas Eve pjs.).  

To be honest, Christmas with Kids is an affordable book with some really great ideas to make Christmas that much more fun with your family.  

If you're looking for some Kid crafts or activities to do then this book is a good find.  Go check it out. 

Christmas with Kids 

What are some of your favorite things to do with your family during the Holiday Season?  

Best Hands-On Science/STEM Experiments Books- Fun Activities for the Whole Family

I had a friend who did a science themed birthday party for one of her kids. They did all sorts of fun science experiments like the Mentos and exploding Coke experiment.  That one is a fun one no matter your age. 

Science experiments are fun for everyone.  The young preschoolers and toddlers enjoy science just as much as the high schoolers or adults do.  All you have to do is the right experiment, and explain the science topic learned at their level.  

I know the summer time can be long for everyone.   You start off the summer all about going places and getting your summer reading in.  However, those intentions start to dwindle when it is hot outside and you forget about that book you were reading.  

Usually the time when you are getting "bored" with summer is the time to pull out a science experiment book.  Your kids will read the books (and reading is reading no matter what is being read and it is still beneficial), you'll do some fun science activity, and as a parent you've done something educational therefore allowing you to give yourself a pat on the back and feel okay about the never ending TV shows they have been watching.  

Basically, now is the time to have some science fun with your kids.  You will all be glad you did.  

Since there are a million to a billion science hands-on experiment books on the market these days, I am giving you the 7 best science books with hands-on experiments to do, robots and contraptions to build, and other fun STEM activities.

These books are all great, and I'm sure one of these books will be perfect for your family.  I bet your local library has them, but after a few experiments you may want a copy for your own.      

Science is fun for everyone; go have some fun!  Though, first check-out these books so you don't burn the house down attempting something you probably shouldn't.  These books have warnings and safety as well as fun activities.   

Best Hands-On Science Books to Get Kids 
Experimenting, Building, and Having Fun w/ STEM Activities

Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family Friendly Experiments from Around the House by Liz Lee Heinecke

This is a fantastic book.  The experiments are usually simple enough for toddlers to do, but cool enough for teenagers to enjoy. The colored pictures and short explanations are great.  You may be tempted to purchase this book. 

The Big Book of Science Things to Make and Do by Rebecca Gilpin and Leonie Pratt

This book has great colored pictures with easy experiments many ages will enjoy.  There doesn't seem to be as much explanation for the experiments, but there is a little and that little can get your bigger kids researching the Why.    

Science Experiments You Can Eat by Vicki Cobb

This book is all about the food, and who doesn't love food?!  These food experiments are fun and explained well.  However, the pictures are not great, and by that I mean black and white, but this book and the experiments are geared for older kids.  Kids in 5th grade and up will find this book to be most enjoyable to them even if the pictures are less than stellar.  

The Flying Machine Book by Bobby Mercer

Mercer has written loads of fun hands on science activity books.  From The Robot Book, Junk Drawer Physics, The Racecar Book, and more.  These books are great for 3rd grade through 7th grade with experiments kids can do on their own.  My only complaint is I wish the pictures were in color.  However, that alone shouldn't deter you from checking one of these books out.  

Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments by Mike Adamick
This book is more for parents (mom's and dad's alike) to read and lead the experiments, but an upper elementary student or higher could comprehend and read this and do the experiments themselves.  Great experiments, mostly with equipment on hand, that kids of all ages will enjoy. 

 

101 Great Science Experiments by Neil Ardley
Great pictures with the DK layout kids love that is clean and simple.  The experiments will be enjoyed by many ages ( mostly between grades 2nd through 8th), and they are easy enough for kids to do by themselves.  My only qualm with the book is that there are a lot of experiments to do, but there is little explanation given for why the experiments do what they do. 

The Curious Kid’s Science Book: 100+ Creative Hands-On Activities for Ages 4-8 
by Asia Citro
This book has not been published yet; it's not available until September.  However, it looks pretty awesome for a mom of toddlers like me.  I'm excited to check it out, and I just wanted you to have a heads up on it too.

Happy Reading and Science Fun DOING... b/c doing is what should be happening in the summer!

Simple Snowman

Do you recall marshmallows sticking to paper without glue?  Well there was a very vague memory of that for me.  I vaguely remember the magical qualities/abilities marshmallows have to be able to stick to paper with just a lick of the tongue.  Magic I tell you.  

I decided to do something with that vague memory and introduce my kids to something great.  My kids were born in Arizona.  I am not an Arizona native, and I absolutely love all things related to snow.  I love seeing snow fall.  I love the hyper-drive look you get when you drive in the snow at night (though driving in the snow is a bit stressful).   I love making snowangels and snowmen and having snowball fights.  I love shoveling the driveway.  It's true, I love shoveling.  Snow is my friend.  I love snow.  

However, living in Arizona means I do not see snow very often or at all.  Therefore, my kids don't know the awesomeness of snow.  Therefore, I pulled out this vague memory of marshmallows and snow and introduced my kids to the only snow I could.

If my toddlers can make these (well, my son opted to "play" differently by eating the marshmallows) than any age can make them.  Plus, I had fun doing it too.  Therefore, I'm thinking you could probably push this activity to elementary school aged kids (let older kids make entire villages) since I'm about at their level. :)

Making marshmallow snowmen was a lot of fun.  It was super easy.  Plus, you can throw a little education in there about shapes and seasons if you want to get crazy.

Marshmallow Snowmen 
What you need: 

• Small marshmallows to eat and make snowmen with.
• Water/juice to keep your saliva up
• Construction paper (with a snowman drawn on it if your kid is young and needs the outlines as a guide)
• Straight pretzels if you are advanced aka older. 

How to do it: 

1- Get a piece of paper, with a snowman drawn on it if you need.  You can barely see the drawn snowman here in the picture of my son destroying the paper.  Destroying is what he does best.  I used cups and cookie cutters for my circle outlines, but a compass (oh remember those math tools) would be oh so handy right about now.  Hey, you could even have a lesson on how to use the compass.  Seriously, you can stretch this activity for lesson value... kind of.    

 2- Fill a bowl of marshmallows.  I had a separate bowl for the kiddos to be able to eat a few so they wouldn't want to eat the ones to go on their snowman.  This worked gloriously for my 2 1/2 year old daughter, but my 18 month year old son just wanted to eat them all.  I am not sure if that is an age thing or a boy/girl thing.  However, it could be just a "my son" thing.    

3- Lick the bottom of the marshmallow nice and good and then push it down (wet side of course) onto the paper.  My daughter did so great to follow the lines... until her snowman lines were all filled with marshmallws.  Then she went the free-sticking route.  She stuck those marshmallows inside the snowman to fill the snowman's body and then proceeded to give the paper a white out appearance.  She must love snow... or she just enjoys sticking marshmallows onto paper. Either way, she loved this activity!

 4- Drink juice or water for more saliva, or hot chocolate for a purely magical snow experience even in 70 degree Arizona.  

5- Display your work on the fridge to admire for weeks... or maybe that is just my daughter. 

6- After you can use a marker to make a face, or even use straight pretzels to attach arms.  We decided to go the simple route and not worry about the arms.  However, with older kids you can get more complex and use straight pretzels and marshmallows for your snow village.  Those pretzels could be housing structures, or anything.  I'd attach the pretzels with school glue or scotch tape; as far as I know they don't have magical sticking abilities.  

Hopefully, this snow activity can make your winter, and even your holiday break if you need an activity for the kids, a bit more fun!  Happy Friday!