I remember growing up and hearing numerous fairy stories from my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. We were always told bedtime stories and all my friends knew the same stories. It was the same with nursery rhymes. They were just something that everyone knew.

 So I was so surprised when I was speaking to my six year old niece and she had no idea about Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood. I questioned my brother about it but he said that they never read those stories to her. They had read her other stories from more modern books.

I felt that my niece was missing out by not learning these stories so I looked to see if I could find the stories that I had loved as a young child. I thought I would have to buy the books individually but was delighted when I came across Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know. This fantastic book contains twenty stories including many that I heard as a child as well as a few that I did not know.

My niece loves this book and every night my brother or sister in law will read her one of the stories. She loves to hear them over and over again and is as delighted by these books as many children were before her.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

If you don’t know who Justin Bieber is, you probably don’t have tweens and teenagers in your house. This kid is phenomenal and already a mega superstar. Not only is he a hit as a singer, he’s now written a book about his rise to stardom. It is a fantastic book with insights into Justin as a ‘human being’, as well as his life as a superstar. It is bumper packed with photos of him and his show that he was working on while writing the book, as well as other exclusive photos.

The book is so great I had to buy a copy for each of my two nieces. They flatly refused to share and each also has her own Justin Bieber CD collection. My youngest niece has made a wall poster of the dust cover and carefully covered the book in lasting plastic.

All parents should have at least one Justin Bieber book in the house. Even the little ones enjoy the quirky tales, the interspersed tweets and other comments that Justin throws in and are thoroughly entertained by the beautiful pictures. Definitely a must-have for all teenage households.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

My niece is an avid artist and all she wants for her birthdays and Christmases are art supplies. Along with her passion for art, she also is a dedicated animal lover and boasts a menagerie of dogs, cats, fish and reptiles. At the age of 6 though it’s very difficult to find gifts that she will enjoy that combine her two passions.

This little book is just the answer. There are 48 pages of drawing instructions. Each drawing is featured in 6 panes that help to show how the basic outline of the animal can be drawn. My niece has taken to this book like gum to hair and is forever drawing or re-drawing the various animals featured in the book. She has even started using the principles that she learnt to start drawing her own animals.

It’s a fun book to have and it is really useful for those aspiring artists that want to learn how to draw different things. The animal drawings are easy enough to follow and replicate and kids can practice them over and over again.

I highly recommend this book for kids aged 4 – 8. Not only is it fun and artistic, but it also improves their fine motor skills.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

As always the characters in this classic children’s story charm little girls (or boys) all the way to bedtime. My 5-year old niece has discovered Alice and her wonderful adventures and we are now busy with the third reading of the book. The pictures are beautiful and vivid and add to the sense of magic, mystery and charm of the story. They are so influential that my niece wears her ‘Alice band’ to bed and bluntly refuses to take it off for any reason whatsoever.

The story is about a little girl who gets lost in a magical world of Cheshire cats, Mad Hatters and the Queen of Hearts. She has to solve several riddles and resolve some difficult interpersonal issues before she finds her way back to the real world.

My niece loves the story so much that she knows the words of most of the text and enthusiastically shouts “Off with her head!” when the book reaches its climax.

Although this is a fantasy story, I can confidently recommend it to parents as a way of not only entertaining their young ones, but also to teach them some very valuable life skills.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

As a parent, one of my sister’s biggest frustrations is getting her kids to listen to her and talk to her. This is especially true with her very small ones and then her teenager. Perhaps all of them have the same problem.

How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk has been a valuable book on her shelf. The authors are experienced in child psychology and child rearing and have developed a whole set of techniques that a parent can use when trying to communicate with her children. The toolkit is factual, easy to understand and useful for either individual use, or use in a parent’s group. The content is insightful and essentially it makes you feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

My sister has tried out some of the techniques and she is pleased with the difference it has already made to the way the kids and she communicate with one another. The book has become a constant companion so that she can learn how to apply the tools that the authors give. Definitely worth the effort.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

Sam-I-Am is a very persistent little character that uses every possible way to convince the sceptic reader that green eggs and ham are indeed a delicacy. This notion, however, takes seventy two pages before there is the climactic revelation to by the sceptic that green eggs and ham are actually quite good to eat.

My four-year-old nephew loved this book aimed at four to eight year olds. He loved the quirky and whimsical illustrations, while he tried to read the simple words used in the rhyme. Although the vocabulary is a little limited, it is actually ideal for young readers who are new to reading. The topic, of course, is also quite relevant in this age group where strange food are looked at suspiciously and you have to try every possible trick in the book to get them to eat their broccoli or spinach.

This book is a joy to read (and be read by small little eyes). You’ll love the whole presentation of Sam-I-Am and his persistence in trying to convince you of the delight of eating green eggs and ham.

A delight to own.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

The inimitable Dr. Seuss has a poem for every occasion. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is one of his most inspiring. This book was written by somebody wise as the advice he gives is heartfelt and true. It makes sense, as well as guides the reader through the topic of ‘going places’ in a way that makes you excited about the journey.

My eldest niece is going to university this year and I’ve decided to give her this as a gift. She’s always enjoyed the Dr. Seuss books and this one will have particular meaning in her life and future. She’s very goal oriented, so the little phrase:

                “And will you succeed?

                Yes! You will, indeed!

                (98 and ¾ guaranteed.)”

will bring a smile to her face and courage to her heart. I’m sure that this little book could also be appropriate to graduates (even small ones graduating from kindergarten), as well as adults taking on new ventures or changing jobs. The book’s possibilities are endless so it can be a standby for almost any occasion.

Enjoy the wisdom and mirth that Dr. Seuss brings to all his works in this book. It’s well worth the investment.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

Those adolescents, particularly those in middle school are a wild bunch going through changes they can’t control or understand has never been captured so aptly or amusingly than in this book. The latest diary, which is the fifth in the record-breaking Wimpy Kid starring Greg Heffley, is in danger of being reduced to tatters. It is always in the hands of one or the other of my kids.

When I ask, I’m told I just wouldn’t understand but do appreciate just what they love about this book. It deals with adolescents issues in a very real and funny way. The kids feel they’ve finally found someone who understands what it is to deal with acne, family members, girls and dating and dressing among other issues.

The book deals with the Greg who is the star both in the book and on the screen, try to replace best friend Rowley after a row. These and other issues boys deal with when they are in between the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood keeps things real. This book is a great conversation opener when tackling sensitive issues with boys and I appreciate that I can use it to talk to my boys when the time comes. It’s recommended for fifth to eight graders.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? written by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle,  is meant for children ages 4-8. However,  I can testify that my daughter was totally in love with this book since age 2. It introduces young children to various animals and associates them with colors. The rhyming prose and colourful pictures are great to hold the interest of early readers who have shorter attention span.

Being a mom, I also appreciate that this hardcover book has withstood the test of time plus my daughter’s gnawing and drooling! This book is certainly invaluable and a great addition to any toddler’s library.

ISBN-10: 0340917547

ISBN-13: 978-0340917541

Since I felt that my 10 year old son’s English needed to be improved and because he loves reading adventure books, I decided to buy him some titles which I had read when I was his age. I bought a book by Enid Blyton entitled The Secret Seven. He finished the book within 3 days and is already asking for the rest of the books in the series. For those who have never read The Secret Seven before, I’m sharing my review here.

The Secret Seven is the installment before the Secret Seven’s adventure takes place. The Secret Seven is a secret society headed by, Peter. The book tackles on the mystery which is happening within their society from missing animals and people to robberies. They accomplish their mystery solving by shadowing, interviewing and by doing detective work. In this book people will get to know the members of the Secret Seven and what roles in the society they play as well as how they solve mysteries they come upon.

If you’re trying to encourage reading, The Secret Seven is an ideal book to start any tween with. The story is not too long and the English is well written, easy to understand but yet at times, one can also discover and learn new words.  This book of adventure and mystery will  make the reading experience fun, enjoyable and you’ll look forward to reading the other titles in the series too.

Disclosure : I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

Jamie’s Italy is quintessentially him. When you read this cookbook (more like a cook/travel book), it is like you’re watching him in telly. Imagining, his facial expression and hand gestures. Very Jamie. I spotted this book at the library recently, and thought I’d give it a go. I know it was first published in 2005, so this review comes a little, ok! 4 years late! Heh!

There are more than 120 recipes from risottos to roasts, spaghetti to stews and even a quick tiramisu! Unfortunately, to cook as authentically as he did, would cost a pretty penny here. There are many italian gourmet delis around, but it is quite expensive to get some of the ingredients mentioned in the book. But if you want some italian love, then I’d say, go for it. Plan a Italian-ish weekend, fill your home with friends and good wine.

And…use this book.  Start with Antipasti ~ Funghi al Forno Ripieni di Ricotta (baked mushrooms stuffed with ricotta) and Pappa al Pomodoro (Bread and Tomato Soup) and move on to Pasta Alla Norma (Pasta Norma Style), which is a beautiful vegetarian pasta dish, with sliced aubergines as the lead actress. Finish it all off with of course, a Tiramisu Veloce (Quick Tiramisu), which by the way, did you know “Tiramisu” translates to “pick me up”?

He gets into the whole story of the dish, which makes it a good read and leaves you literally salivating for it. Then it’s a “Dang! I gotta to make this…so I can taste it for myself!”. Very clever, this Jamie Oliver (and it rhymes too! eep!).

Buy it! : Yes, you can easily get it from the good ol’ Amazon, your local bookshops or try your luck at garage sales for 2nd hand copies. Actually, you might not get 2nd hand copies…because I’m guessing most people would want to keep this book. Unless they don’t cook of course, and need the money.

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Hyperion (October 25, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1401301959
ISBN-13: 978-1401301958

Through Parent Reviewers, I had the wonderful opportunity to review another new book from the Chicken Soup series, Tough Times, Tough People. I’m cross posting my review at Parent Reviewers here:

When it comes to motivational books, I have a preference for those that share real life stories which inspire readers. Chicken Soup For The Soul is just that kind of book for me, a wonderful collection of insightful and inspiring short stories from a variety of authors.  Being a busy mom, I usually just have a few minutes to read a quick story and this is a great title to do that with.

As expected, the latest Chicken Soup Book, Tough Times, Tough People did not disappoint me. There are a total of 101 personal stories which deals with survival through natural disasters, financial problems, illness, disabilities and family issues. Tough Times, Tough People teaches us to be thankful for what we have, to relish the simple things in life, and with courage and the proper mindset, we can survive any crisis that comes our way.  In this trying economy, when many are facing financial problems, this book will  be a great resource to help people face challenges and overcome adversity.

BUY IT : Amazon sells worldwide, so everyone can get a copy through their website here.