books.

Non-Fiction Review: Brain Candy

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Brain Candy by Julie Beer
Brain Candy: 500 Sweet Facts to Satisfy Your Curiosity
by Julie Beer,  Chelsea Lin

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


“Have you ever wondered which is hotter: the surface of the sun or the core of the Earth?” This book is packed with crazy facts and wild information to satisfy even the most curious minds! There are factoids about history, science, animals, writing, music, outer space, food, sports, and of course the weird human body.

I love how colorful this book is! Each page is full of vibrant photos and bright text boxes with nuggets of wacky information.

I only wish that each fact had more data explaining about the information. For instance, “A five-story inflated yellow duck travels to city harbors around the world.” Why is there a huge rubber duck that travels around? Who owns it? What is its purpose? haha! I need more info! I guess I’ll have to google it. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Practical Yoga Nidra

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Practical Yoga Nidra by Scott Moore
Practical Yoga Nidra: A 10-Step Method to Reduce Stress, Improve Sleep, and Restore Your Spirit
by Scott Moore

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


This book gives a step-by-step guide to beginning and deepening a Yoga Nidra practice. The first chapter talks about what Yoga Nidra is, and how it can improve your sleep, make you more aware, reduce stress, help you to cope with emotions, and heal your body. Then each chapter focuses on one aspect of Yoga Nidra, opening your awareness to different areas of your body, mind, and spirit.

Each chapter includes a short and a long meditation script that you can prerecord for yourself and then play it back while you meditate. You can choose to do the shorter 5-minute meditation, or the longer one. Meditations includes visualizing a happy and safe place, doing a mental scan of your body, listening to your emotions, observing and releasing your thoughts, focusing on the breath, and setting an intention for your well-being. Continue reading →

Children’s Book Gift Guide

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Snow Globe Wishes: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534110313/

‘Twas an Evening in Bethlehem: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988451212/

Santa and the Goodnight Train: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1328618404/

Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Treasury of Bible Stories

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Treasury of Bible Stories by Donna Jo Napoli
Treasury of Bible Stories
by Donna Jo Napoli (Author), Christina Balit (Illustrator)

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


These are retellings of Biblical stories from Genesis to Daniel as interpreted by the author, and reimagined with embellishments and dialogue. Starting with Creation, this book includes 28 Old Testament stories, ending with Daniel in the Lion’s Den. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Elijah, Job, Jonah, David, Solomon, Esther, and Ruth are all included with their struggles and failures, and the power of God in their lives.

The writing can be flowery at times, and the author takes a few little liberties with the history. However, there are also some really wonderful cultural and historical additions that enhance the stories as the reader learns about ancient cultures. I wouldn’t trust this as a source of my religious belief, but it is an enjoyable imagining of what Biblical times could have been like. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Ultimate Trivia, Volume 1

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Ultimate Trivia, Volume 1 by Donna Hoke
Ultimate Trivia, Volume 1
by Donna Hoke

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

This book has Trivia Questions in categories for US and World History, Arts and Literature, Food and Drink, and Animals and Nature. They vary from multiple choice questions, true or false, or putting a group of words into the correct order. Some groups of questions have a word bank of possible answers that you can choose from. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Restorative Yoga for Beginners

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Restorative Yoga for Beginners by Julia Clarke
Restorative Yoga for Beginners: Gentle Poses for Relaxation and Healing
by Julia Clarke

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

This book begins with an explanation of the restorative yoga style, and how it affects the body, calms the mind, and provides stress relief. Then some general information with Do’s and Don’ts about props, clothing, and how much time a restorative yoga practice should take.

The second section of the book gives details and instructions on performing each individual yoga pose. Each pose is listed with the benefits of the pose, and precautions for the elderly, injured, or pregnant women. There are also suggested time limits to hold the pose, and lovely illustrations in calm pastel colors demonstrating the pose. Continue reading →

NonFiction Book Review: Vegetarian Meal Prep Cookbook

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The Vegetarian Meal Prep Cookbook by Lisa Danielson
The Vegetarian Meal Prep Cookbook: Time-Saving Recipes and Weekly Plans for Healthy Eating
by Lisa Danielson

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

This cookbook includes meal plans, recipes, and advice on how to prepare vegetarian meals ahead of time. With shopping lists, budgeting, tips on types of containers and equipment, and information about how to freeze leftovers, this book is the perfect guide to make vegetarian meals simple and easy when you don’t have a lot of time to cook.

The book begins with an introduction section with general advice and information on meal prepping. Part One of the book has Meal Prep Plans and shopping lists that cover meals for 8 weeks. Part Two has 75 vegetarian recipes, divided by Breakfast recipes, Lunch and Dinners, Sides, Snacks, Sauces and Dips. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Maisy Goes Shopping

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Maisy Goes Shopping by Lucy Cousins
Maisy Goes Shopping: Complete with Durable Play Scene: A Fold-Out and Play Book
by Lucy Cousins

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Maisy in on a grocery shopping trip with Panda. They have a list, and explore the grocery aisles looking for bananas, carrots, and bread. Maisy needs cheese to put on her sandwiches, and when they have all their items, they check out and go home for lunch!

At the back of the book, there is a fold-out that creates a play scene, complete with cut-out figures of Maisy and Panda, and a cash register where they can purchase the groceries! It’s made of thick cardboard to withstand little hands.

This would be a great book to read with a young child, and get them to identify all the food items in the pictures. What a wonderful way to teach toddlers about different foods, and then play with the scene and cut-outs at the back!
Such a cute book! Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: 5 Minute Mindfulness Meditations for Teens

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5-Minute Mindfulness Meditations for Teens by Nicole Libin
5-Minute Mindfulness Meditations for Teens
by Nicole Libin

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

This book begins with explaining what meditation is, and what it isn’t, assuring the reader that you don’t have to force happy, peaceful emotions or clear your mind of all thought in order to successfully meditate. It’s just about being present and aware in each moment, and finding acceptance no matter what thoughts or emotions come up.

One thing that I did not like about the explanation section is that it promotes some very leftist ideas and abnormal ideologies as though they are normal. “In a society where you’re judged and targeted for things you can’t control, like your sexuality, the color of your skin, or your body or gender identity…” “[Meditation] can’t do much about racism, homophobia, or sexism on a broad scale. But it can help you deal with all that…”
It seems silly to lump racism in with gender identity. They are completely different issues. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Snow Globe Wishes

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Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey
Snow Globe Wishes
by Erin Dealey (Author), Claire Shorrock (Illustrations)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


When the biggest snowstorm of the year hits, one little girl is glad that there is no electricity, because it means that everyone will slow down and enjoy the snow. Her family eats dinner by candlelight, and snuggles together in front of the fire. They make a blanket fort, and sleep all together in one big mattress. The little girl makes a wish on a snowglobe, wishing for peace on earth. In the morning, all their neighbors come out to play in the snow and they join hands around a Christmas tree.

The focus in this book is about all kinds of people coming together in peace to enjoy the simple pleasures of life like playing in the snow. The mother and father in the story are a bi-racial couple. Their neighbors are all ages from babies to grandparents, and from many different races and cultural backgrounds. Even the cat and dog get along together and promote peace! Continue reading →