Nanny to Mommy

In The Book are a company passionate about children’s reading and all the benefits it can bring. They love that reading can bring parent and child together, creating a special bond through an activity they will look back fondly on as they grow older.

I am so excited to share some wonderful titles from National Geographic Kids just in time for Valentine's Day! I don't know about you, but between the kids having to go back to virtual learning, staying home more due to high COVID numbers, and the cold weather, we have been looking for indoor stuff to do. Check out these awesome titles then enter to win a set of your own!

As families head into another month of quarantine, here is a collection of books that drive creativity and learning while simultaneously giving parents a much-needed break. These are also great art activities for virtual or homeschool learning activities. But if you are venturing out, these could make great road trip activities to bring along as well.

Whether you are going back to school in person, home schooling, distance learning, or decided to switch to private school, this year will look different. Our children are going in two weeks to in person school and they will have to wear masks for most of the day. Right now we are virtual learning and have been having a ton of tech issues. So supplementing their education is important to me.

As millions of kids (and their parents!) embark on distance learning, what’s on the family bookshelf has never been more important. Nat Geo Kids Books has always been the gold standard when it comes to providing educational, fun, engaging books for kids, and this fall is no different. I was recently sent a National Geographic Kids Books Home Learning Essentials that I am excited to share with you as well as giveaway! I love National Geographic Kids books for my family and these are no exception. Here is a bit more about these titles that are must-haves for the school year:

With homeschooling and quarantining, I have been trying to find more ways for my kids to enjoy stay at home life. They are saying now that we shall see a second spike soon even though things are starting to open up slowly, but regardless it is a great idea to keep little minds reading through out the summer months so they retain information. And what a better way than with book National Geographic! Check out these brain-boosting, boredom-busting titles and enter to win too!

“For many, reading provides a place to go when we have to stay where we are. The Memory Box is just that. Suitable for those both young and old, this gift has a story to be told." – EveryStep Grief & Loss Services

I will always remember you...

Kindergarten teacher Joanna Rowland's best-selling The Memory Box: A Book about Grief has helped thousands of children and families work through the complex emotions that arise after the loss of a loved one, and has been used and recommended by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, EveryStep Grief & Loss Services' Amanda the Panda program, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, counselors, and more. The story of The Memory Box resonates with children suffering from loss, and grows in popularity year after year.

Easter this year is going to look different in our house for sure. Every year I usually host our Annual Easter Egg Hunt with mine and my husband's family and friends. But this year, I am going to focus on what I can control and that is the sugar content in my kiddos Easter baskets! My son fell in love with Blippi randomly on YouTube a few years ago, so I am excited to share this fun non-candy and educational Blippi Easter Basket Giveaway with you all.

In early 2014, Stevin John decided that the world needed Blippi after struggling to find educational videos for his three-year-old-nephew. So he took it upon himself to create the lovable and energetic character of "Blippi" to fill this void. Clad in orange and blue that jumps off the screen, Blippi's engaging personality and friendly demeanor attracted the attention of kids and parents alike. With over 20 MILLION YouTube subscribers and over 11 BILLION views to date, Blippi is helping to make education fun! Like the lyrics to his theme song say: “So much to learn about, it’ll make you want to shout: Blippi!”

This Spring, StudioFun is debuting four new Blippi books for pre-schoolers.:

Since we are all stuck in doors and practicing safety by washing our hands thoroughly and practicing social distancing (if not quarantined altogether), I thought I would share a fun giveaway that features some nice books for the littles to keep them entertained or could make a fun Easter basket Stuffer!

A mother of two who only had weeks to live, Veronica Waldrop knew what she had to do – write an enduring message for her daughters, ages two and five, so that they might know truth, hope, and strength well beyond their mom’s fight with breast cancer. In support of International Women’s Day 2020 (March 8, 2020), Tailwind Publishing presents The Nuff, Waldrop’s heartwarming story written to inspire her daughters after she was gone and empower girls everywhere to be the bold and confident individuals they were born to be.

This children’s book about courage and self-discovery follows the adventures of the Nuff, a colorfully-illustrated unicorn with a broken horn that young readers will love. The Nuff reads books and rides bikes, dresses up and dances with a flower crown, and plays basketball and scuba dives. No matter what she does, the story reminds her that “when the world says you can’t and you should just give up....know you are brave and beautiful. You will always be a NUFF!”

I love sharing my joy of reading with my children and others. My favorite each season is celebrating the individual holidays and what is more fun than combining my passions? Here are Valentine's Book Ideas for Kids that you and your little reader are sure to enjoy together. This list is mainly for preschoolers and early readers, but my daughter has been enjoying some of these titles as well. Enjoy! Also you can scroll to the bottom to find some awesome free printable Valentine's too.

This list contains affiliate links which means I make a small commission while you still pay the same great price. Thank you for supporting my blog!

There are only a hand full of brands that I keep working with because I believe in them and National Geographic Kids is one of them. My kids love learning about animals and they keep coming out with unique books that are enjoyed by everyone in our house.

National Geographic Kids Books is rolling out a brand new series of picture books that are perfect for kids ages 3-7 (preschool - 2nd grade). To celebrate the release of the first two books in their So Cool! So Cute! series National Geographic is giving away a very huggable prize pack: a hardcover copy of So Cool! Sharks, a hardcover copy of So Cute! Pandas AND adorable shark and panda plushes. 

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

My son started Kindergarten this year and to be honest, I was worried he would be starting the school year behind. Although I tried to work with him this summer to catch him up, we were so busy that sometimes we didn't have the time. We didn't confirm that he needed glasses until this past January so I know that has played a factor into what he learned. I want him to excel and feel confident in his abilities. My son has the type of personality where if something isn't "his idea" and fun, then he doesn't want to do it. So when I was sent the TinkerActive Workbooks through MomsMeet, I was excited to see how they could help him.

TinkerActive Workbooks are designed to build your child’s fundamental math and science skills while inspiring them to try new things, discover new skills, and imagine new possibilities. Vetted by award-winning educators and aligned to Common Core State Standards, they are an excellent supplement to schoolwork or at-home study. Packed with curriculum-based exercises designed for all learners (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), TinkerActive Workbooks are a surefire way to encourage your child’s love of learning.

With my son going into kindergarten and my daughter going into third grade (but reading on a fourth-grade level already), I want to keep this momentum going. So, we have been reading all summer long! If you take a look at my Summer Bucket List Ideas, it included completing a reading log.



So, I searched the web and found this printable reading log that we have been using. And the kids are earning their rewards. Y'all let me know in the comments what some good reading log reward ideas are. Maybe something from my Spectacular Summer Toy Guide? Anyways, we were sent a wonderful book from Silver Dolphin that is great for summer reading and a new spin on some awesome classics!

You’re Invited! Mouse’s Surprise Party is today, but Owl’s glasses are broken. It’s a good thing you came along! Can you use the clues to help Owl figure out which guest is at the door? Hoo hoo who could it be?

In this catchy and interactive book, children are encouraged to take part in the story and use expressive language to respond to Owl’s WHO questions. With engaging opportunities on every page, children will be excited to read this story again and again. Who doesn’t love to yell, “Surprise!” and sing, “Happy Birthday”? The bold and distinctive illustrations are refreshing for parents, and particularly enthralling for children who will be naturally drawn to the curvy and circular shapes.

Critically acclaimed children’s author Stacy McAnulty follows up her Brave and Beautiful titles with:

Love, continuing to share a message of diversity, inclusivity, and compassion that is more needed now than ever.

There is a new trend at baby showers where you give a book instead of a card. I absolutely LOVE this trend. I think it is a great to build a baby's first library and plus you can actually get use out of them instead of cards which end up sitting in a box for years.

It's Pete the Cat's Grooviest Time of the Year! Focusing on the important message of giving, empathy, and community involvement, Pete the Cat will encourage all groovy families to join in the spirit of giving this holiday season. We’re spending now until Christmas thinking about how we can give back to our community in ways both big and small. On that note, we’re giving away a copy of PETE THE CAT’S 12 GROOVY DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. To enter, comment with a way you’re giving back this holiday season, and use #GivingisGroovy!
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