Read It: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

I loved the book A Vintage Affair. My mother, a total Anglophile, bought it simply because it takes place in London. (I'm guessing.) When she passed it along, I was expecting total chicklit (which wouldn't have bothered me) but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it was so much more. While later doing a bit of research, I learned that this title was extremely well-reviewed, and with good reason.

A Vintage Affair is the story of Phoebe, who has recently broken off her engagement (there's a big secret involved) and embarked on her dream career, as owner of a vintage clothing shop. It is such a fun book...well, as fun as a book with a Holocaust sub-theme can be. It's smartly written, with many characters, but they're well-developed enough to not clutter up the story. There's romance, there's friendship, and for those of you who like to cry, there are certainly those moments, too. It was one of those books where you just want to flip ahead to find out what happens, because sometimes the tension is too much to bear!

American cover

And of course, the vintage fashions play a very important role in this book. Just like in Sex and the City, the wardrobe is almost a character in itself. And while "cupcake dresses" contribute to plot development, "the little blue coat" is an essential component of the story. But don't think that you have to be a vintage expert to appreciate this one. While I am definitely into clothing and style (in a recessionista kind of way) my limited knowledge of vintage did not keep me from enjoying this book, and in fact, I loved learning a little something about it.

Isabel Wolff

Now that I've done this review, my next task is to decide which friend of mine will be lucky enough to get the book next. I have fashionista friends who aren't avid readers, and vice versa...but this title might be enough to encourage both passions!

You can visit the author's website, http://www.isabelwolff.com/. I'll certainly be seeking out some more of her books, after being so impressed with this one.

Tangled!

So, there are some cool perks to being a mommy blogger. A few weeks ago I got an invitation to an advance screening of Disney's new animated feature "Tangled"...so we went wild and skipped Frannie's swimming lesson one Saturday and headed to the cinema to check it out.

Eating popcorn and Smarties at 10 in the morning is a gift in itself, but we were actually all impressed by the movie (Disney's 50th animated feature), too.

I loved that it wasn't exactly a prince-saves-maiden plot, although there were some traditional moments. The story was similar to the Rapunzel you know (witch keeps Rapunzel in tower, climbs up and down her hair at will, etc.) but with some original twists. Hubby thought there were some too-violent-for-the Disney-crowd scenes (e.g. do we want kids to think that magic hair can heal a vicious stab wound?) but the characters were entertaining and there were many for-the-grownups laughs.

I didn't even realize that Rapunzel's beautiful voice was provided by Mandy Moore until checking my press kit afterwards. You know how you think 'I know that voice!' but you just can't place it? That distracted me a bit, but I got over it. And now I've saved you that dilemma!

The 3D aspect is something new for the princess movies, but it does require the little ones to keep their glasses on!  And in terms of Disney royalty, I have to say that this Rapunzel rates behind Beauty and the Beast's Belle and Hercules' Meg as my favourite characters (Belle speaks French, Meg has attitude and they're both brunette. You can see why I relate!), but she was extremely likable.

If you have little Disney lovers, you really have to go. It was two year old Maggie's first post-stars-and-strollers movie and just to see her with the 3D glasses on and bag of popcorn in hand made it worth the hour's drive to the theatre! (Plus - no potty accidents the whole morning!) Four year old Frannie was completely entranced the whole time, and already wants to go back to see it again...and since it's now open nationwide, we just might go back! See you there!

What Teachers Really Want For Christmas!

First of all: no, you don't have to buy a gift for your child's teacher. Or preschool instructor, or daycare provider. But this is a great time of year to acknowledge someone who is doing a great job and making a difference in your child's life.

As a teacher myself, I am often asked by family and friends for gift ideas, and for that reason I wrote:

"What Teachers Really Want For Christmas" (Peterborough, Northumberland and Lakeridge Kids, Dec/Jan 2009/2010) (Click on link for complete article.)

I don't want to give away what we will be buying for Frannie's very first teacher (there is also an Early Childhood Educator and Integrated Literacy teacher in her classroom who will get something as well), but I can tell you that the girls' daycare provider will get a clothing store gift certificate for the fourth year in a row. Yes, she reads this blog, but it's certainly not a surprise gift.

We're both very practical, and she's a "flowers die, chocolates are bad for you" kind of gal (her husband sticks with jewelery, if you're wondering) so every year I just ask her what she wants and then I buy it. Might sound unoriginal,  but it works for us.

As for teacher gifts, I can promise you that no matter your budget, you can never go wrong with a heartfelt note. Of course we teachers can afford to buy things for ourselves, and while all Christmas offerings are gratefully received, it really is the thought that counts. Those meaningful letters that tell me I'm doing a good job honestly mean the most. There's nothing like starting the holidays knowing that I'm appreciated, and this sort of affirmation is truly priceless.

For more ideas (including tips for do-it-yourself, budget, and charitable gifts) and a section where teachers share their favourite gift ever, be sure to check out "What Teachers Really Want For Christmas!" from Peterborough, Northumberland and Lakeridge Kids.

I'd love to hear your gift ideas for teachers past and present...and if there are educators out there who want to share their favourites as well, please feel free!

Guess Who's 70??

No, not one of my relatives you've never met. (Well, I'm sure out there somewhere I have a relative who's 70, but that's not the point.)

It's everyone's favourite inquisitive little monkey, Curious George!

I recently received two hardcover, special edition books honouring this big birthday:

Curious George Storybook Collection (Eight stories with activities and more than 100 stickers) It has neat craft ideas to go with the different stories, and the art is based on the PBS Kids television show.

The Complete Adventures of Curious George, with seven original classics, and a photo album of the authors (Margret and H.A. Rey). I particularly love all the non-fiction additions, which allow the kids (and parents) to learn more about the story of George, whom some of us have loved for years.

Do you ever get a wave of nostalgia when reading a story that you enjoyed as a kid? Frannie was flipping through "Curious George and the Boat Show", and although the art is different, the story took me back to my own childhood.

I also love the "Complete Adventures" book because it comes with over an hour of storytelling on two CD's. At four years old, Frannie loves the stories, but is a little young for the CD's, as they don't have any sort of indicator for when to turn the page, and she doesn't read well enough to follow it herself. I am a huge fan of books with CD's. In my class, the favourite centre in our daily Reading Workshop rotation is always the listening centre. However, usually it requires putting a tape in the old tape recorder and putting on the brown headphones (you know, the same ones you used as a kid.) Now, though, many books are available on CD as well. Frannie loves to listen to her books in bed during quiet time (our enforced 'stay-in-your-room-while-Maggie-naps' time) and before going to sleep.

And guess what? The little guy also stars in "Curious George Christmas Carols", which is another book and CD combo made up of ten favourite Christmas tunes like Deck the Halls and Silent Night. Warning: there's no "silent night" when your daughter thinks firing up the CD player at 2 a.m. is a good idea, but hey. We're encouraging reading.

One of these choices might be something to add to the Christmas list of your little George lover!

Winners: Otterbottle and Philips Sonicare

The winner of an Otterbottle Lunch Tote:

# 31 of 79

Lilac from Lethbridge, AB

The winner of a Philips Sonicare kids' electric toothbrush, courtesy of Aquafresh:

# 19 of 57

Leanne from Port Coquitlam, BC

Congratulations!

Caillou Reminder

Just a reminder that Caillou's Greatest Skate of All is currently on tour in Canada! We'll be taking our girls in just a couple of weeks, and we can't wait!

Visit the Koba Entertainment site for tour locations and dates. You might also be lucky enough to have Max and Ruby, Toopy and Binou, The Doodlebops, Franklin or the Backyardigans coming to a theatre near you, so check it out!

Fun Games For Kids and Families: Review and Giveaway

Giveaway open to US and Canada.

I can't think of a better way to bring the family together than to sit around the table with a great game. (In truth, my favourite activity is sitting around the TV, but that makes me sound a little lazy and antisocial. Therefore I'm going with my second best.)

Today I'm recommending a terrific new family game called "Bubble Words". This one is for ages 8 and up (the post-Candyland crowd) and refreshingly involves no dice or markers. Instead, the materials are simply a stack of 150 photos, and  300 caption cards, with speech bubble sayings such as "Maybe I should get my eyes checked", "I hope I'm not overdressed", and "This is soooo gonna leave a mark."

Each player is dealt 7 speech bubble cards, and has to choose which one is the funniest match for the hilarious photo card which is turned up in each round. A judge decides on the winner, who is awarded the photo. The object of the game is to collect as many photos as you can.

You may be wondering how I tried this game out, when my daughters are too young to play. Fortunately, I have daily access to a room full of game-loving eight year olds...and man, do they LOVE Bubble Talk! It's a fantastic little supplement to my language program (with reading, oral communication and media literacy components) and let's face it, kids are funny.

Some of the sayings are mature ("Come here often?") and there is occasional bathroom humour (e.g. a man holding his nose outside a port-a-potty) but everything is age-appropriate.

My students still ask every day if we can play, and I am certain is will be a well-used rainy-day recess option.

The  second game I tried out is the new Rubik's Slide - an electronic game with over 10,000 puzzles, reminiscent of the original Rubik's Cube. The goal is to slide and twist the game until the squares light up in the required pattern. This is definitely not my idea of fun, so I again called on my students to try it out at recesstime (a great motivator, let me tell you!) As someone with experience in Gifted Education and Multiple Intelligences, I also think it's important to encourage and develop both the visual/spatial and kinesthetic aspects which are incorporated in this game. The manufacturer is promoting it as a perfect game for the hard-to-buy-for 8 and up crowd, and I would definitely consider it if you have a child in that age group on your list.

You can win both of these games (total retail value almost $50!), simply by leaving a comment below and asking to be entered. For additional entries, leave a separate comment letting me know that:

• You follow This Mom Loves publicly on Google Friend Connect
• You subscribe to This Mom Loves through email (be sure subscription is activated)
• You follow @thismomloves on Twitter
• You follow @BubbleTalkGame on Twitter
• You follow @Rubiks_Slide on Twitter
• You like Rubiks Slide on Facebook

The contest is open until Friday, December 3rd at 11:59 p.m., after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation. Good luck!

Christmas Titles from Scholastic (Giveaway)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...definitely in the stores (that started in October) but also now in my house and classroom. I love to extend the season at the front end...and take everything down immediately after!

When I pulled out the Christmas bins, I rediscovered a lot of great storybooks that my girls have enjoyed in the past, but I am now adding two more titles to the mix, courtesy of Scholastic Canada:

A Porcupine in a Pine Tree by Helaine Becker

This is a cute, Canadianized remake of the traditional 12 days of Christmas, where five Stanley Cups replace the traditional five golden rings (we all know which is more valuable) and Mounties and Maple Leafs round out the crew. Frannie is now able to name several more members of Canadian wildlife after hearing this version of the song!

Listen, Said The Donkey, by Jean Little

I am all about Christmas - from Santa Claus and reindeer to candy canes and gingerbread, I certainly embrace the less religious aspects of the holiday. I do, however, work on teaching my students and children that the "reason for the season", so to speak, should be foremost in their minds. That's why I requested a copy of this book, which is described on the jacket like this: "Five animals gather at a lowly stable, speaking of the child who was just born there, and of how each one came to be in Bethlehem. Their tales cast the Christmas story in a new and wondrous light."

The stories are beautifully written by one of Canada's most treasured children's authors, with soft illustrations to spark the kids' imaginations. There's a lot of text on these pages, so it's not for the really little ones, but my four year old daughter and eight year old students all enjoyed it.

(Just an aside - if you're looking for another way to reinforce the religious aspect of Christmas, my girls LOVE their Fisher Price nativity. Frannie was saying "Jesus" at 19 months old, and for the right reasons!)

As always, Scholastic is offering to share both of these titles ("A Porcupine in a Pine Tree" and "Listen, Said the Donkey") with a lucky This Mom Loves reader. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below telling me when you did (or will) decorate for Christmas this year. (Me? It was all done on November 12th, except for the trees which go up December 1st. Yes, I said "trees", plural. The blue-and-silver on the main floor, and the random kids' ornaments tree in the family room downstairs.)

Be sure to leave your email address, if it is not on your profile! If I can't contact you, you can't win!

For additional entries, leave a separate comment letting me know that:

• you follow This Mom Loves publicly through Google Friend Connect
• you subscribe to This Mom Loves through email (activated subscription)
• you follow @thismomloves on Twitter
• you follow @scholasticCDA on Twitter 

This contest will run until Wednesday, December 1st at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen by random number generation. Good luck!