Miracles Are For Real: A Book Review

About The Book:

Definitely, you say, because you or a loved one has experienced a miracle--your sister survived a car accident that should have resulted in death. You received a check for the exact amount needed to cover this month's overdue electric bill, when your bank account was empty.

Or maybe you say, I'm not sure. You've heard stories, but you're skeptical. It seems there are a lot of imposters claiming to perform miracles.

The answer? Absolutely. And while the miraculous stories in this book are evidence of God's working today, that's just the beginning. Pastor and teacher Dr. Jim Garlow and writer Keith Wall carefully examine biblical teaching about miracles and provide honest, trustworthy information that will boost your faith. Whether you need a miracle today or you want to understand how to recognize a true miracle, this is your inspiring guide.

About The Author:

James L. Garlow is the coauthor of Cracking DaVinci's Code, with a half million copies in print. He is the senior pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego and a speaker at pastors' and leaders' conferences. Jim has master's degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary and a PhD in historical theology from Drew University. He speaks nationwide and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, and NBC. His daily radio commentary, The Garlow Perspective, can be heard on nearly 850 radio outlets. Jim and his wife are the parents of four children and live in San Diego, California.

My Review:

If you have ever doubted that miracles happen in our day and age, whether you are a Christian or not, you need to read this book. The authors write a wonderful book that not only defines miracles but also includes real-life situations that will inspire you and remind you that God is present and allows miracles to occur every day in our lives, we just have to believe.

I highly recommend this book and give it huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase Miracles Are For Real at your favorite bookseller, from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

The Chocolate Diaries: A Book Review

About The Book:

Ready to Make Some Sweet Changes?
Karen Linamen dishes up a satisfying blend of moxie and mocha, sharing stories from dozens of women who reveal savvy strategies for embracing a sweeter life—even while traveling rocky roads. If you’re hungry for more joy, reasons to laugh again, ideas to help you heal, and reliable hope leading to a sweeter future, this journey will leave you satisfied.
 
Funny, transparent, and uplifting, The Chocolate Diaries is like taking a road trip with good friends who are wise about life. And while you’re at it, indulge (just a little) in the quirky recipes for concocting chocolate delights out of whatever ingredients you can round up in your kitch. The road may still be bumpy, but you’ll be having too much fun to care.


You can read an excerpt of The Chocolate Diaries here.

About The Author:


No stranger to good chocolate, Karen Scalf Linamen is a popular speaker and the author of fifteen books for women, including Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt and Chocolatherapy: Satisfying the Deepest Cravings of Your Inner Chick. Karen writes, entertains, cooks, and pursues the sweet life with her family in Colorado Springs, Colorado.


My Review:


LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book! Not only because it references one of my favorite snack foods, chocolate, but because it was so encouraging! This book will have you laughing, crying, and discussing some amazing thoughts as you read the author's life journey's documented in a fun and whimsical manner. I also loved that the book included some splendidly delicious recipes to make! Although I haven't tried the recipes out yet, I am definitely going to in the near future. A perfect book for a small group or book club group of women to read and discuss!


I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase The Chocolate Diaries at your favorite retailer, from Waterbrook Multnomah


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Waterbook Multnomah Blogging For Books, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Sunrise On The Battery: A Book Review

About The Book:

Now that she’s arrived at her ultimate address, will Mary Lynn’s longed-for view of the harbor satisfy the craving of her heart?

At last, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living the life they’ve dreamed of. Two self-described “small town bumpkins” from Round O, South Carolina, they made a small fortune selling the little gems of lowcountry real estate Jackson inherited and now they are living in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, carefully working their way up the social ladder in hopes of meeting their ultimate goal:  to give their three daughters the life they themselves never had. 

But the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood seems to be trying to get her attention in clear and unusual ways.   So clear and strange she can no longer deny it.  When Mary Lynn prays for Jackson to open his mind and heart to God, her prayers are answered beyond her wildest imaginings.  Now Jackson’s dramatic conversion (which includes street witnessing, giving away a lot of money, and inviting poor, desperate and marginalized people into their home) is threatening their social status as well as their family mission statement.  Is she willing to go along with him?

What would it be like to go “all out” for God?  Jackson, a sharp and focused Type A man, is unafraid and willing to go all the way.  Mary Lynn has her doubts.

Buy		Read

About The Author:

Beth Webb Hart, a South Carolina native, holds a B.A. in English Literature from Hollins College and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Her first novel, Grace at Low Tide, was one of three finalists for the 2006 Christy Awards in the general/contemporary/fiction category. She lectures on a variety of topics and has taught creative writing on the college and high school level where she received two national awards from Scholastic, Inc.  Beth Webb lives with her husband, composer Edward Hart, and their daughter in Charleston, South Carolina where she serves as a writer-in-residence at Ashley Hall.

 Visit BethWebbHart.com and SouthernBelleView.com

and you can find Beth Webb Hart on Twitter @bethwebbhart, and on Facebook

My Review:

An absolutely fantastic novel that challenges you to stand up and live a sold out faith, just like the character in the book did! With page turning situations and great details you will be drawn in from the very first pages of this fantastic book! A great deal of research has obviously been done to make this book as authentic as possible when writing descriptions and it was done marvelously. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the near future!

I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase Sunrise on the Battery at your favorite retailer from Thomas Nelson

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of The B and B Media Group and Thomas Nelson, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Reclaiming Our Food: A Book Review

About The Book:


A quiet revolution is taking place: People across the United States are turning toward local food. Some are doing it because they want more nutritious, less-processed food; some want to preserve the farmland and rural character of their regions; some fear interruptions to the supply of non-local food; some want to support their local economy; and some want safer food with less threat of contamination. But this revolution comes with challenges. Reclaiming Our Food tells the stories of people across America who are finding new ways to grow, process, and distribute food for their own communities. Their successes offer both inspiration and practical advice. The projects described in this book are cropping up everywhere, from urban lots to rural communities and everywhere in between. In Portland, Oregon, an organization called Growing Gardens installs home gardens for low-income families and hosts follow-up workshops for the owners. Lynchburg Grows, in Lynchburg, Virginia, bought an abandoned 6.5-acre urban greenhouse business and turned it into an organic farm that offers jobs to people with disabilities and sells its food through a localfarmers' market and a CSA. Sunburst Trout Farm, a small family business in rural North Carolina, is showing that its possible to raise fish sustainably and sell to a local market. And in Asheville, North Carolina, Growing Minds is finding ways to help bring fresh foods into schools. Author Tanya Denckla Cobb offers behind-the-scenes profiles of more than 50 food projects across the United States, with lessons and advice straight from their founders and staff. Photographic essays of 11 community food projects, by acclaimed photographer Jason Houston, detail the unusual work of these projects, bringing it to life in unforgettable images. Reclaiming Our Food is a practical guide for building a local food system. Where others have made the case for the local food movement, Reclaiming Our Food shows how communities are actually making it happen. This book offers a wealth of information on how to make local food a practical and affordable part of everyone's daily fare.


About The Author:


Tanya Denckla Cobb is a writer, a professional environmental mediator at the Institute for Environmental Negotiation, and a teacher of food system planning at the University of Virginia. She is passionate about bringing people together to find common ground and create solutions for mutual gain. She co-founded a community forestry nonprofit organization, served as Executive Director of the Virginia Urban Forest Council, andfacilitated the birth of the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute and the Virginia Food System Council. At home, she enjoys the restorative energy of gardening and cooking from her garden. She lives in Virginia and is the author of Reclaiming Our Food, The Gardeners A to Z Guide to Growing Organic Food, and Organic Gardeners Home Reference.


My Review:


Reclaiming Our Food is the perfect read to find out all you need to know about getting back to eating clean and eating like our ancestors did. It uses a lot of information from several studies to show the reader how our food systems have changed and how we can reclaim our food. A great read for students studying agriculture in post secondary institutions or for those of us who are intrigued by the food fads of the last few years. Are they truly fads or a paradigm shift in our we, as humans, are understanding food. Not a book to read once and put back on the shelf but one that should be reference over and over again!


I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase Reclaiming Our Food by Tanya Dencka Cobb through Amazon


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Thomas Allen, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Vegetarian Entrees That Won't Leave You Hungry: A Book Review

About The Book:


Irresistible Vegetarian Entres That Fill the Center of the Plate! Vegetarian Entres That Wont Leave You Hungry solves the riddle that challenges countless cooks every night: What can I make besides pasta, a stir-fry, or a veggie burgerwith readily available ingredients and without too much fussfor a filling and flavorful vegetarian main course? The 70 main-course recipes here are as wonderfully varied and delicious as those in Lukas Volgers first book, Veggie Burgers Every Which Way. Yet this is food that can be made every dayfrom pantry and refrigerator staples like grains, beans, noodles, eggs, and tofu, as well as a wide variety of fresh, seasonal produce that will give you tasty options all year round! Break free of your old dinner routine with easy entres that coordinate with the seasons like Summer Squash Gratin and Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Galette, recipes that draw on Southeast Asian cuisines like Classic Pad Thai and Kimchi Stew, and inventions that transform everyday ingredients into appealing new flavor combinations like Volgers Curried Potato Crepe Stack. With Vegetarian Entres That Wont Leave You Hungry, youll never be at a loss for a new dish for dinner. Also included are recipes for flavor enhancers and finishing touchessuch as croutons, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, pestos, kimchi, and moreand over 15 informative features on Vegetarian Kitchen Essentials, including Five Salad Dressings, Five Easy Desserts, Cooking for One, and Hosting a Dinner Party. With over 60 color photos, dozens of variations, group activity alerts, and helpful sidebars on finer points like perfecting fragrant jasmine rice, homemade paneer, and tofu marinades, Vegetarian Entres That Wont Leave You Hungry is an indispensable companion for fans of vegetarian main dishes.


About The Author:


Lukas Volger began to garner fans, readers, and media attention with his first book, Veggie Burgers Every Which Way. He has worked for many years at food establishments in New York City and in his native Idaho as a baker, caterer, prep cook, server, and occasional dishwasher. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.


My Review:


First off, I need to say that I am not a vegetarian, but love meatless meals on a regular basis. I am always looking for ways to save money when it comes to feeding my family, and I have found that feeding them meatless meals at least once a week is one thing I do to accomplish this.


Vegetarian Entrees That Won't Leave You Hungry is a wonderful collection of a variety of recipes. There are a ton of photos in the book, and though my copy of the book did not have full color (an advance copy)_the actual books will be full color. I always love it when cookbooks have the pictures of what I will be cooking, and this has a ton!


I had the opportunity to try out a couple of the recipes and they were super easy to follow, using ingredients that are right in your pantry, or at least if not, they can found easily in your local grocery store.


The first recipe I tried was Balsamic and Soy Sauce Marinade:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 tbsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup neutral oil (canola, grapeseed, peanut or vegetable oil)

1. Whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, and pepper. Add the oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly until thoroughly incorporated. If making ahead of time, store the marinade in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Rewisk just before use.

I used the marinade on chicken breast and it was so yummy, even the kids ate it! Definitely a recipe I will use again in the future. I look forward to using more of the recipes in the future, and was pleasantly surprised to find a couple recipes using Quinoa, my family's new favorite grain!


If you are looking for a great gift idea for the food lover in your life, I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase Vegetarian Entrees That Won't Leave You Hungry online through Amazon, as well as through your favorite local bookseller.


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Thomas Allen and Sons, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Necessary Deception: A Book Review

About The Book:



When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreams she will see him again. But just as the London Season gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor. While she should be focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entrée into Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting herself and her family in danger?


Discover a world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades as Laurie Alice Eakes whisks you into the drawing rooms of London Society on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past--and let love guide the future.


About The Author:


Laurie Alice Eakes is the author of Lady in the Mist, A Necessary Deception, and several other novels. She won a National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007 for Family Guardian. Laurie Alice writes full-time from her home in Texas, where she lives with her husband and sundry dogs and cats.


My Review:


A wonderful historical fiction novel that combines mystery and romance, with faith, in an easy to read, well written novel. It is very apparent that a ton of research was done to make the book as historically accurate as possible, and I felt that the characters and story lines flowed well throughout reading Necessary Deception. Definitely a page turner to be sure and I will be reading from this great author again very soon!


This would be a fantastic read for any Christian historical fiction fan in your life, particularly with Christmas just around the corner.


I give this book a huge thumbs up and highly recommend it!


BUY IT: You can purchase Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes at your favorite retailer from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


***I received a complimentary copy of the above book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Living Beyond Your Feelings: A Book Review and Giveaway!

About The Book:


The average person has 70,000 thoughts every day, and many of those thoughts trigger a corresponding emotion. No wonder so many of us often feel like we're controlled by our emotions. Our lives would be much improved is we controlled them.

In LIVING BEYOND YOUR FEELINGS, Joyce Meyer examines the gamut of feelings that human beings experience. She discusses the way that the brain processes and stores memories and thoughts, and then - emotion by emotion - she explains how we can manage our reactions to those emotions. By doing that, she gives the reader a toolbox for managing the way we react to the onslaught of feelings that can wreak havoc on our lives.

In this book, Meyer blends the wisdom of the Bible with the latest psychological research and discusses: the 4 personality types and their influence on one's outlook, the impact of stress on physical and emotional health, the power of memories, the influence of words on emotions, anger & resentment, sadness, loss & grief, fear, guilt & regret, the power of replacing reactions with pro-actions, and the benefits of happiness.

About The Author:


Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers, with her TV and radio broadcast, Enjoying Everyday Life, airing on nearly 450 television networks and 400 radio stations worldwide, including ABC Family Channel, Trinity Broadcast Network, Daystar, and the Word Network.
Her bestselling books include Battlefield of the Mind, Look Great, Feel Great, The Confident Woman, Never Give Up! and Power Thoughts.

Joyce holds conferences approximately 15 times each year, worldwide, speaking to thousands.


My Review:


An absolutely fantastic book to help you understand your feelings and how God can help you control them. All emotions are covered from depression to anger to low self esteem and more! Another fantastic read from Joyce Meyer that includes wonderful tips that are very easy to implement in one's life. Throughout the book the point that we can't stop emotions from happening but we can control our reactions to them is made repeatedly. I love that, this is a concept that I have been trying to remember when I get stressed and it helps so much! We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength and that includes controlling and understanding our emotions! I also love that she discusses how to control your emotions based on your personality type, that was something that I had never heard before and was incredibly enlightening.


The book is very well organized, easy to read and should be read by anyone who is dealing with getting their emotions under control.


I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase Living Beyond Your Feelings by Joyce Meyer at your favorite bookseller from Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Group

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***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Hachette Book Group, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

House Of Secrets: A Book Review

About The Book:



When her father orchestrates a surprise trip to the summer house of her childhood, Bailee Cooper is unprepared for what follows. What is intended to be a happy reunion for Bailee and her sisters quickly becomes shrouded by memories from the past.


Together again, the three sisters sift through their recollections of fifteen years ago...of an ill mother, and of their father making a desperate choice. One sister believes their silence must end and the truth be revealed. But they soon come to wonder if they can trust their memories.


Mark Delahunt arrives in the wake of this emotional turmoil. Determined to win Bailee's affection, Mark becomes a strong fortress for her in this time of confusion, and what was once a tentative promise begins to take root and grow. Caught between the past and an uncertain future, can Bailee let God guide her to healing...or will she risk losing the chance to embrace love?


About The Author:


Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.


 Visit Tracie's Web site atwww.traciepeterson.com and her blog atwww.writespassage.blogspot.com


My Review:


Your emotions will take quite a journey as you read through Peterson's most recent release, House of Secrets. I have been a fan of Tracie Peterson for a very long time, and I would have to say this is the most emotionally charged book I have read by her. 


Mental illness is not a topic that is discussed much in the church, but it is so necessary to be. Thank you to the author for taking on a very difficult topic and using it as the forefront of the novel,  writing about it with honesty, and a wonderful sensitivity. It is very apparent that Peterson's research for this book was extensive. The characters are all very well developed, as is the story line, and there is just enough of intermingling of emotions, faith, and romance to keep the book interesting right to the very last pages.


 Although I have been a fan of Peterson's for a long time, and I really enjoy her historical fiction novels, I do believe I am far prefering her contemporary fiction better. Maybe it's because they are more current or relatable, I am not sure. But if you are a fan of Peterson's work, you need to read this book! A great reminder that we can move on from the hurts of the past, and that family history does not have to define our future, if we are willing to give it all up to God and allow Him the control of our life. 


I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson at your favorite retailer from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

The Holidays Are Coming!

Okay, I know that Halloween has not even arrived but I wanted to let you, my valuable readers, know that starting Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 I will be featuring a holiday gift guide.

 Almost daily I will be featuring a family friendly product or book that I feel is a fantastic gift idea for the loved ones in your life! And stay tuned, you never know when there might be a giveaway! I will also be featuring holiday recipes and ideas for you to do with your family throughout the wonderful Christmas Season!

Be Blessed,

Developmentally Appropriate Play: A Book Review

About The Book:

Enhance the depth and richness of children's play. Developmentally appropriate play is complex, long-lasting, and all-engaging for children. It requires facilitation and guidance, thoughtful planning, and attention to the environment and materials. Developmentally Appropriate Play follows the new Developmentally Appropriate Practice guidelines from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and includes information to help you:

• Identify and plan purposeful play
• Guide children to make choices
• Interact with children to enhance play
• Provoke children into more complex play
• Add representation to further enrich play
• Incorporate standards into play

Age Focus: 3-6. Softbound, 240 pgs. 

About The Author:


Gaye Gronlund is an early childhood education consultant from Indianapolis. A former preschool, kindergarten, and primary- school teacher in regular and special education, she now works with schools and programs around the country helping them implement developmentally appropriate curricular practices and authentic assessment procedures. She has a master's degree in human development from Pacific Oaks College, with a specialization in early childhood education and teaching adults. Her portfolio assessment tool, Focused Portfolios, coauthored by Bev Engel, has been adopted by New Mexico's Office of Child Development and is being used extensively by early childhood programs across the country. She has written several articles for NAEYC's journal Young Childrenon subjects such as “Rigorous Academics in Preschools and Kindergartens? Yes, Let Me Tell You How!,” “Portfolios as an Assessment Tool: Is Collection of Work Enough?,” “Bringing the DAP Message to Kindergarten and Primary Teachers,” and “Coping with Ninja Turtle Play in My Kindergarten Classroom.” Her latest book, Making Early Learning Standards Come Alive, will be released in April 2006 published by Redleaf Press.


My Review: 


Developmentally Appropriate Play is a term that was coined by the National Association of Education for Young Children a number of years ago, and in the book of the same name, the author shows the reader how to plan and implement developmentally appropriate play in early childhood education settings.


I found the book extremely easy to read, with the writing style simple, textbook style, and engaging. It is a perfect read for anyone new to the field of Early Childhood Education. I have been in the field since 1998 and found reading this book a great refresher and it reinforced all the things I am doing appropriately, and gave me great tips for things I believe I need to improve on.


  Although this book includes a ton of pictures, I wish they would have been in full color. I realize that would likely add to the cost but I believe full color photos are much more esthetically pleasing. Another fantastic feature can be found in Appendix B, where the author has included reproducible pages for enhancing a dramatic play program. You can make menus, library cards, grocery lists, prescriptions and more. A great resource to use to create props and add to already existing prop boxes for hours of dramatic play experiences for children ages three to six years.


Not only does Developmentally Appropriate Play: Guiding Young Children to a Higher Level give you the basics about play, you will learn how to allow choices in play (perfect for teaching self direction and increasing self-esteem), teaching children about emotion through play and how to document learning that occurs through play experiences. This last one is so important because most parents don't realize how much learning happens when children play. Through pictures and descriptions of the activity parents can see what concepts, etc their child is learning and developing. 


This is the perfect addition any early childhood educator's resource library to be sure.


I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase Developmentally Appropriate Play by Gaye Gronlund online from Redleaf Press


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Redleaf Press, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

U R Some 1: The Best Foot Forward Series: Review and Giveaway!

Recess Music, a company dedicated to helping kids value a world that is wise, fair, and generous hearted, looks forward to the October 18release of U R Some 1, the second in its “Best Foot Forward” series of CDs.  U R Some 1 joins Recess Music’s recently released Big Bully in launching the “Best Foot Forward” series.

All the songs on U R Some 1 highlight self-esteem as a key ingredient for living in harmony with others by celebrating the concept that “there is no one quite like you, and you are perfect just the way you are!”  This happy, upbeat album also affirms for kids that all humans are “the same & different AND different & the same.”  U R Some 1’s musical adventure in self-awareness includes 12 tracks that showcase contributions by a sampling of today’s most gifted kids’ musicians, including Peter Himmelman, Anna Moo, and Katherine Dines.

U R Some 1 opens with the welcoming message of “U R U,” featuring the friendly voices of The Happy Crowd. The album offers up some nifty scientific info on “Body Parts” byAmy Lowe and the rollicking “The Five Senses Boogie” by The Bee’s Knees. Katherine Dines extols the power of imagination on “It’s Amazing What You Can Do With Your Brain.” Anna Moo’s joyous, 12-bar blues, “You’re An Animal Too.” is sure to get kids up and dancing.  Slugs and Bugs’ Woody Guthrie-influenced “Piggy Little Toes” is a showcase for some exquisite five-string banjo and fiddle playing.  The country sounds of The Coles’ “Put Your Happy Face On” are guaranteed to cheer up little ones who are having a rough day. Seth Decker encourages kids not to follow the crowd but, rather, to “Follow Your Nose.” Likewise, a “listen to the voice inside you” message is endorsed by Palo Colorado on his smooth, easy listening “Still Small Voice.” A breathtakingly beautiful a capella preamble enhances the anti-war message of Lisa Atkinson’s “Arms Are For Hugging.”   Peter Himmelman incorporates Big Band sounds on “Feet,” an ode to the pedal extremities featuring his highly entertaining backup singers. The Swingset Mamas, exuding style and confidence, bring the album to an inspirational close with a happy beat on their “Great To Be Me”. 


Recess Music’s “Best Foot Forward” series could be thought of as the musical complement to a hip, up-to-date, and entirely relevant “course in manners” that reinforces a profound subtext and encourages kids to be the very best they can be. Almost all children really want to have friends and be good playmates, but to achieve these objectives they must learn key social structures and conventions, such as how to say, “I’m sorry” or how to live by the rule of “no put-downs” toward others. The first release in the “Best Foot Forward” series, Big Bully, presents songs promoting these healthy, positive ideas by asking the question “Why can’t we just be friends?”  Featured artists on Big Bullyinclude such kids’ music luminaries as Milkshake, The Hipwaders, and Renee & Jeremy. The folks at Recess Music hope that Big Bully, in conjunction with U R Some 1, will help to encourage discussion among parents, children, and educators about harmony, understanding, social justice, and global peace, as well as the particular challenges caused by the unfortunate presence of intimidation and bullying behavior on our social landscape.

While experiencing a multi-faceted life as a mother, wife, and minister, Nancy Doan became convinced of the need to make the world a better place through a two-fold approach: sustaining our environment and teaching kindness. Because music held a prominent place in both her own childhood and her experiences as a mother, Nancy developed an appreciation of the power of music as an educational tool.  When the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus dictated a career change, she cast about for a way to continue to serve the causes to which she had dedicated her life. This search ultimately led to the creation of Recess Music, as a company dedicated to the twin goals of environmental awareness and social empathy through its “Celebrate Earth” and “Best Foot Forward” series of recordings.


My Review:


There was a time when I would hear children's music and just cringe. The voices were often irritating and songs very repetitive. Most of us can think of songs that would fit in this category quite easily. During the last year or so I have been introduced to some amazing children's music that so does not fit in the irritating category!  And UR Some 1 from The Best Food Forward Series is one of those CD's that I am loving right now!


It is full of variety as you will find a little bit of latin feel, pop, some rocky numbers, and even a little bit of country influence. Each song teaches children a valuable character education lesson and has incredibly positive lyrics. A perfect change of pace from your typical children's music. Also a wonderful alternative if you want to introduce your child to a variety of music genres.


Here is the track listing:

• URU  ~ The Happy Crowd
• Body Parts ~ Amy Lowe
• It’s Amazing What You Can Do With Your Brain ~ Katherine Dines
• Still Small Voice ~ Palo Colorado
• You’re an Animal Too ~ Anna Moo
• Piggy Little Toes ~ Slugs and Bugs
• Put Your Happy Face On ~ The Coles
• Follow Your Nose ~ Seth Decker
• Five Senses Boogie  ~ The Bee’s Knees
• Feet ~ Peter Himmelman
• Great to Be Me ~ Swingset Mamas

My favorite tracks and URU and It's Amazing What You Can Do with Your Brain. My girls love the Five Senses Boogie and my home daycare children dance like there is no tomorrow to this CD. A definite great gift idea for the upcoming Christmas shopping season.

BUY IT: You can purchase U R Some 1 directly at the Recess Music website here!

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U R Some 1!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me your favorite way to enhance your child's self esteem

EXTRA ENTRIES: (mandatory entry must be completed for extra entries to count)

1. Follow A Mom After God's Own Heart blog via GFC

2. Like A Mom After God's Own Heart on Facebook

3. Follow me on Twitter

4. Subscribe to A Mom After God's Own Heart via email

GIVEAWAY OPEN TO U.S. AND CANADA ONLY

GIVEAWAY ENDS NOVEMBER 6, 2011

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

***I received a complimentary copy of this CD, courtesy of Waldmania PR, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***