National Geographic Kids Books Are Simply “PAW-some" Giveaway

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation for the posts on this site from brands or products. Our opinions are honest and our own.

This Fall, National Geographic Kids Books are simply “PAW-some!” With the titles below, kids can learn all about courageous dogs with jobs, whip up some purr-fect cat science, figure out their favorite breed of fur-friend and learn how to choose, care for and train their pet — feathered, furry, scaly or shell-covered! Perfect for the at-home library, lap reading with the kiddos and holiday gift giving, these books are great for the cat and dog-obsessed and for families looking to bring home their first four-legged friend.

Little Kids Big Book of Pets (ages 4-8, HC, $19.99) In the next book in the hit Little Kids First Big Book series, readers learn all about pets with fur, feathers, fins, scales, and shells--and how to find and care for the perfect pet for their family.From cats to dogs to guinea pigs to birds to fish to snakes and more, this reference book introduces kids to a wide variety of family-friendly pets. Readers learn which kinds of animals make good pets and which ones are better off staying in the wild, along with how each type of pet eats, sleeps, and plays. Packed with more than 200 colorful photos, the book also provides information on animal breeds, characteristics, and behavior and includes tips for training pets. Filled with fun facts and designed for interactive learning.

Cat Science Unleashed: Fun Activities to Do With Your Feline Friend (ages 8-12, PB, $12.99) - Part of the hugely successful Hands-On Science line (Dog Science Unleashed Fall 2018) Cat Science Unleashed contains 22 safe and cat-friendly activities that let you work alongside your cat to discover how your amazing feline friend thinks, moves, drinks, stays warm, gets clean, cools off, and more. Step-by-step instructions, clear and interesting scientific explanations, and cool photographs shot specifically for this book reveal how catnip affects your kitty, how she can see so well in the dark, why she always lands on all fours and techniques for testing her vitals and tracking her fitness. Also includes a behind-the-scenes look at current feline research.

NEW SERIES ALERT! Calling Paw Patrol fans and all dog lovers! Doggy Defenders (ages 4-8, HC, $9.99) is brand new picture book series debuting with four titles:  Dolley the Fire Dog, Stella the Search Dog, Tiger the Police Dog and Willow the Therapy Dog (all titles are hardcover, ages 4-8). In each book, kids can follow the real-life adventures of dogs with jobs as they help their communities and save the day.   

• Stella the Search Dog -  Courageous(and ridiculously cute!) bloodhound Stella spends an exciting day at work as a Virginia police search dog, tracking scent trails, riding in a helicopter, and even saving a lost hiker.

• Dolley the Fire Dog - Learn all about Dolley's important role as a fire dog in Loudoun County, Virginia as this Labrador retriever visits the site of a fire, trains to sniff out flammable items, and teaches kids about fire safety. 

• Tiger the Police Dog - Together with his handler Aida, Belgian Malinois Tiger is a member off the Washington, D.C. police department. Readers join Tiger on a typical day “on the job” where he visits a police academy, trains to sniff out important items, patrols famous landmarks, and keeps us all safe.

• Willow the Therapy Dog - Willow is a rescued greyhound and a therapy dog in Washington, D.C. Willow has a very important job cheering people up and making them feel better and shares her day with young readers as she visits a hospital, helps children read at a library  book party, and brings smiles to people who need them.

Dog Breed Guide: A Complete Reference to Your Best Friend Fur-Ever  (ages 8-12, HC, $19.99) From dachshunds to Dalmatians and poodles to pugs, this comprehensive guide gives an overview of more than 400 different dog breeds. Each profile includes the breed's "dog stats": country of origin, size, coat color and pattern, grooming difficulty, exercise needs, and "K-9 qualities." With the help of veterinarian Dr. Gary Weitzman and dog behaviorist Amanda Kowalski, kids will also learn how to choose the right dog for them, how to take care of their new furry friend, and how to understand their behavior. Fantastic feature spreads cover dogs in popular culture, dog ancestry, how to prepare for your perfect pooch, and so much more. 

Cat Breed Guide: A Complete Reference to Your Purr-Fect Best Friend (ages 8-12, HC, $19.99) From Russian Blues and Munchkins to Maine Coons and Persians, this comprehensive guide gives an overview of 71 different cat breeds. Each profile includes the breed's "cat stats": country of origin, size, coat color and pattern, grooming difficulty, and cat-titude. With the help of veterinarian Dr. Gary Weitzman and cat behaviorist Mieshelle Nagelschneider, kids will also learn how to choose the right cat for them, how to take care of their new feline friend, and how to understand its behavior. Fun feature spreads cover cats in popular culture, prehistoric cats, and the house cat's wild cousins. 

Follow on social media: Facebook and Twitter!

Giveaway

One lucky reader will win all of the books listed above! This giveaway is open to US readers ages 18+ and ends on 9/30/19. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win the Moving Creations STEM Play Set in the September To Remember Giveaway Hop

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation for the posts on this site from brands or products. Our opinions are honest and our own.

Welcome to the September To Remember Giveaway Hop hosted by The Mommy Island & The Kids Did it! 

Please make sure to visit all the blogs in the hop for even more chances to win a prize.  This hop ends on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at 11:59 pm (ET) 

Hand2mind is getting ready for back to school in a big way! For the first time, they are leveraging the building fun of K’Nex® to create the ultimate STEM play set, Moving Creations.

Available NOW, Moving Creations comes with nine builds that encourage kids to embrace their inner engineer and develop their STEM skills. As they play, they’ll come across step-by-step instructions, fun facts, two “think bigger” challenges and 18 experiments for a total of 27 exciting activities. Moving Creations also comes in a travel-friendly box perfect for easy storage or fun on-the-go!

Learn to apply STEM principles just like an engineer! Moving Creations from hand2mind, a leading developer of classroom learning tools for over 50 years, is created in partnership with K’NEX®. The step-by-step illustrated guide contains 9 different builds, educational science content, 18 STEM experiments and “Think Bigger” challenges to practice the scientific method. Includes a 98 pg. book with storage box attached.

Benefits

• STEM building activities teach engineering through play

• Walks junior engineers through 9 builds and 18 STEM experiments

• Explores the fascinating science of pneumatics (air) & hydraulics (water)

• Includes “Think Bigger” challenges to deepen understanding of the scientific method

Enter below to win the Moving Creations Ultimate STEM Play Set from Hand2mind. This giveaway is open to US readers ages 18+ and ends on 9/24/19. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win Your Choice of 2 Prestel Junior Picture Books!

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation for the posts on this site from brands or products. Our opinions are honest and our own.

The Holidays are right around the corner and my kids love to read! Prestel Publishing is releasing four upcoming board and picture books for children ages 1-9 that will be perfect your holiday gift giving!

Taxi Ride with Victor by Sara Trofa and illustrated by Elsa Klever (Prestel Junior; 9/24/2019; ISBN: 978-3791374062; Hardcover $14.95; Ages 4-8; 40 pages)

This sci-fi inspired taxi trip will have kids roaring with laughter.

Victor is everyone's favorite extraterrestrial taxi driver, but he has a big problem. His memory is terrible! He can never remember his way around the galaxy. When he drops off his passengers at the wrong locations, there are some unexpected and hilarious high jinks. Elsa Klever's wonderful drawings incorporate every day experiences--like going to the dentist, the library, or the post office--into otherworldly scenes with friendly aliens, talking clouds, grumpy ghosts, and an enormous octopus. The book offers gentle lessons about friendship and opportunity, and children will want to join Victor again and again on his funny, mixed-up, and carefree rides.

A Dragon on the Roof by Cecile Alix and illustrated by Fred Sochard (Prestel Junior; 9/24/2019; ISBN: 978-3791373911; Hardcover $14.95; Ages 4-8; 32 pages)

A brave young girl, a whimsical house, and a ticklish dragon help young readers see the world through Gaudí's eyes.

Set in Casa Batlló, one of Antoni Gaudí's most renowned buildings, this joyful story introduces young readers to the architect's work, inciting their curiosity and imagination along the way. While her nanny is sleeping, young Paloma hears a noise. She climbs the stairs of her house until she reaches the roof, where a dragon is perched. Unafraid, Paloma reaches out to pet the dragon--but he is ticklish, and as he laughs, he spews a myriad of sea animals that he had unwittingly swallowed. The house is transformed into a dreamy aquarium and the dragon settles into a deep sleep on the roof. Cécile Alix's playful story and Fred Sochard's boldly graphic illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Gaudí's exuberant vision. As readers make their way through Paloma's home, they are introduced to its fabulous elements--columns shaped like elephant legs; marine-inspired tiles, glass, and ironwork; and of course the spectacularly undulating, iridescent roof, which resembles a sleeping dragon. The end of the book includes a brief history of Gaudí's career and provides helpful background to Paloma's story. Kids will want to linger over the pictures and imagine what their own house would be like if a dragon were living on their roof.

What’s Cooking at 10 Garden Street by Felicita Sala (Prestel Junior; 9/24/2019; ISBN: 978-3791373973; Hardcover $14.95; Ages 6-9; 48 pages)

This delightfully illustrated children's cookbook offers a global menu of dishes to share with friends, family, and neighbors.

Something delicious is cooking in the old apartment building on Garden Street! Pilar is mixing gazpacho, Monsieur Ping is stir-frying broccoli, Señora Flores is preparing a pot of beans, and Josef and Rafik are rolling meatballs. Other neighbors are making mini-quiches, baba ganoush, dhal, and peanut butter cookies. When they're all finished cooking everyone gathers in the garden to enjoy a delicious meal and each other's company. Each inviting spread in this storybook offers a recipe from a different culinary tradition. Dishes that kids love, like guacamole, spaghetti, and banana bread are interspersed with others that include less familiar ingredients, such as mirin, tahini, and turmeric. The recipes explain how each dish is made and come with fun and detailed illustrations. Combining simple, fresh flavors with recipes from around the world, this book will nourish and inspire budding cooks while whetting the appetites of their more experienced helpers.

Yum Yummy Yuck by Cree Lane and Amanda Jane Jones (Prestel Junior; 9/17/2019; ISBN: 978-3791374055; Board Book $9.95; Ages 1-3; 30 pages)

In their hip and often humorous Instagram accounts, Amanda and Cree Jones invite the world into their life with two young kids. Now, the Joneses are sharing another experience--the struggle to keep their kids from putting everything they see into their mouths. Using simple, bright illustrations, irresistible colors, gentle repetition, and a lighthearted tone, this stylish board book teaches babies and toddlers what they should and shouldn't put in their mouths. Delectable treats like an ice cream cone, a pear, and a donut are interspersed with not-so-yummy things kids find irresistible--like coins, boogers, and sand. Facing pages display the correct use of these items-- boogers go in tissues, coins in a piggy bank, and sand in a bucket. Designed to appeal to modern parents, this durable and attractive book will have kids and their parents going back to it and sharing in the fun of all the delicious and disgusting things kids like.

For more information about Prestel Publishing please visit their website. You can also stay current  by connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Giveaway

One lucky reader will win their choice of 2 of the books above! The giveaway is open to US/CA readers ages 18+ and ends on 9/20/19. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win $20 PayPal Cash In The #HelloAutumn Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the  #HelloAutumn Giveaway Hop Hosted by: Chatty Patty's Place & Review Wire Media.

Make sure to visit all the blogs in the hop for even more chances to win.

Enter below to win $20 PayPal Cash to help celebrate Summer!

This giveaway is open WW to ages 18+ and ends on 9/17/19. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

Back To School With Lugz Women’s Clipper Oxford Sneakers + Giveaway

I received a pair of Women’s Clipper Oxford Sneaker from Lugz to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

The weather is still very warm here in Oregon and like to get out and explore the festivals and local produce stands. I've been leaving the flip flops behind for the Lugz Women’s Clipper Oxford Sneaker.  This relaxed and fashionable slip on shoe is comfortable and easy to wear. They also pair well with an office or party outfit. The Clipper is that versatile sneaker you can wear anywhere. I chose the black shown above but it also comes in White.

Leave the heels behind for a relaxed and fashionable slip on shoe. Let this comfortable, easy to wear canvas shoe, pair well with an office or party outfit. The Clipper is that versatile sneaker you can wear anywhere!

Always an innovator and leader in footwear, Lugz first made a name for itself in October of 1993, bringing its first line of boots to market, with the initial product consisting of two styles of boots, a quilted vest and a pair of jeans. From its inception, Lugz footwear has been an innovator in the footwear market from its signature styles, to creating trendsetting styles beyond boots!

For more information about Lugz, or to order a pair, please visit their website. You can also stay current on the latest styles and great savings by connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Lugz Women’s Clipper Oxford Sneaker Giveaway

This giveaway will run from 8/31 to 9/14 and we will choose 1 winner at random. US Entrants Only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Big Book Adventure and Canterbury Illustrated Classics Giveaway

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation for the posts on this site from brands or products. Our opinions are honest and our own.

Your family will enjoy the latest book from Silver Dolphin Books:  The Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford and illustrated by Tim Warnes.

About The Big Book Adventure

Journey back through childhood classics like Peter Pan, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and more in this adorable picture book about the joys of reading!

There is nothing like a book to take you to places you’ve never been. Best friends Foxy and Piggy can’t wait to tell each other about all of their adventures in reading! Flying over Neverland, swimming with a mermaid, joining in a mad tea party, soaring on a magic carpet—old classics come to life in the eyes of two little readers who can’t believe what they’ve seen. Journey back to old favorites and experience the magic all over again in this adorable picture book about the joys of reading!

he Canterbury Illustrated Classics feature a cloth-bound cover with a full-color illustrated plate and beautiful foil stamping, and color illustrations throughout that bring these beloved classics to life.

Take your children on this grand adventure with best friends Foxy and Piggy and enjoy all of Canterbury's Classics!

Follow Silver Dolphin Books on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Twitter!  You can also connect with Canterbury Illustrated Classics on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. 

Giveaway

Winner will receive The Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford and illustrated by Tim Warnes (Silver Dolphin Books; ISBN: 978-1684123780; Hardcover $17.99; Ages 6-8; 32 pages), and four Canterbury Illustrated Classics highlighting the stories featured in The Big Book Adventure: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass, Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, and Peter Pan. ARV $69.95 Open to U.S. residents of the 48 contiguous United States. Ends 8/30/19 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OVERCOMER Movie In Theaters August 23rd + Movie Ticket Giveaway!

Opening nationwide Aug. 23, the Kendrick Brothers’ OVERCOMER fills you with hope, inspires you to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

Here’s a synopsis of the movie from the filmmakers…

“Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth … until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.

Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box- office hit, WAR ROOM.

The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you? Do you have a friend or family member that could use some encouragement? Take them to see OVERCOMER when it opens in theaters THIS Friday.

Learn more by following the OVERCOMERMOVIE on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Giveaway

One reader will receive 2 Fandango Movie Tickets to see OVERCOMER.

Open to U.S. residents of the 48 contiguous United States. Ends 8/30/19 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.  No Canadian winners please, Fandango does not reach to our Canadian friends.

iLive Truly Wire-Free Earbuds Are Better Than AirPods!

AirPods have quickly become a societal trend and people wear them everywhere. Literally everywhere: the gym, the office, the bus stop, the airport, and the list goes on and on. While AirPods may be the pod of choice for tech users solely based on the brand, they can be pricy and lack on-ear controls, so they can be hard to navigate while driving or if you’re trying to change a song and your phone is in your pocket, purse or backpack. 

iLive features affordable, comfortable, stylish and comparable design Bluetooth Truly Wire-Free Earbuds with a black-matte design that features a built-in microphone, on-ear controls,  3 hour battery life, wireless range of 66 ft and these pods are sweat proof—so pod wearers who sweat a lot while exercising or just being out in the heat can sweat without fear of ruining a good pair of pods. It's easy to see how iLive Truly Wire-Free Earbuds are better than AirPods!

Say hello to true wireless freedom and goodbye to messy cords. With no strings holding you back you can do more and be more in your sweat proof truly wireless earbuds. The included recharging case not only protects the earbuds while you stow them away, but can also recharge your earbuds fully between your longest listening session. The right and left earbuds are paired together right out of the box, so all you have to do is connect via Bluetooth to your favorite device. One key control (Bluetooth, play, pause, phone, on/off) and voice prompts put these 'buds a cut above the rest. So what are you waiting for? Live wire-free today.

Giveaway

One lucky reader will win the iLive Truly Wire-Free Earbuds! The giveaway is open to US readers ages 18+ and ends on 9/2/19. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

National Geographic Kids Books SO CUTE! and SO COOL Huggable Prize Pack Giveaway!

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation for the posts on this site from brands or products. Our opinions are honest and our own.

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.

So Cool! Sharks - Sharks are among the world's top predators, but that's just ONE reason why they are SO COOL. So who wouldn't want to hang out with them to learn more! These books blend awesome animal photos with silly quips and info that will delight young readers and animal enthusiasts. For example, kids can catch the hunting habits of a great white shark while learning that its true nature is as chill as a frozen fish stick. This is the perfect little reader to get their brain buzzing and keep them laughing during downtime, bedtime, or anytime.

So Cute! Pandas - Get ready for cute overload, panda style. And the funny thing is, this panda isn't just cute. It's got attitude! You'll flip over the adorable photos and be equally charmed by what this sassy little panda is thinking on every page. Introducing the brand-new series from National Geographic Kids that combines two wonderful things: super cute photos of all your favorite fluffy animals and silly text that will have the whole family laughing. Add to that some great nonfiction content that gets kids learning, and, what can we say? This series is just so cute!

Follow on social media: Facebook and Twitter!

Giveaway

One lucky reader will win the National Geographic Kids Books SO CUTE! and SO COOL Huggable Prize Pack! This giveaway is open to US readers ages 18+ and ends on 8/26/19. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Full (Dog) House: Introducing A New Pet To An Already Packed Household

If you think having more than one child under one roof can cause problems, imagine what it's like for your pets! Living with many different pets under one roof is a big challenge but this shouldn't stop you from opening your door to all the pets you want. But it's about consistency and ground rules. And it all depends on a few different factors…

The Space

From a common-sense approach, you need to have in a space for your pets to thrive. When introducing various animals into a home, especially at the same time, you need to ensure that you have, not just the time, or even the finances, but actually the space for all the pets you want to buy. When you think about something like a ferret, they aren’t necessarily going to be spending a lot of time outside of the cage. And while you might be looking for the best ferret cage to house them, consider how these animals that will be in cages are going to thrive. If you have a guinea pig, they're going to want to be out of the cage a bit more. On the other hand, having rabbits in hutches means that they will be more self-sufficient and spend time there. And at the same time, you've got to think about the practicalities of the space.

Preparing For Hostility From The Older Pets

Adding a new pet into the family requires big changes, not least for the animals. It all depends on their individual practicalities. After all, introducing a puppy is more straightforward than introducing a snake, but you still have to prepare yourself for some level of hostility. Bringing home a new pet, especially when you have dogs and cats in the household already, means they will go through three different levels of acceptance. First, hostility, then the pet will become tolerant, and, hopefully, after this stage has passed, the original pets in the household will begin to bond with the new breeds. You have a hand in making this smooth integration. Letting them look and examine each other is key, but don't let them have physical contact. If you have different pets that have unique smells, let the new pets come into the household, but keep them in a crate or a cage while the regular residents get used to the smell. From there, you can keep the new pet in a room that's closed off, allowing them a bit more freedom. From there, you can supervise interaction, as long as all the pets seem calm and friendly. At this point, put their toys away, especially preferred toys.

Assessing The Different Diets

Different animals have different diets, which is common sense. But when you have more pets than you are able to keep an eye on at the same time, if your dog gets into the cat food, or any other food that could cause health problems. Also, if your pet has a specific diet that's been prescribed by a veterinarian, this can cause issues. The best trick is to make sure that your pets feed at exactly the same time, but in different parts of the home. Put all the food out, and then make sure that one pet stays in the kitchen, one in the living room, and so forth. Put away the remaining food, and make sure that it is completely out of the way. As you have to maintain some sense of regularity in life, by feeding them all at the same time, this can help to make that balance better for you, but also, ensure that the pets don’t get into each other's food.

Try Not To Let One Pet Dominate Your Attention

Having a new cat means that they can dominate your attention because they need more help. On the other hand, some may be completely self-sufficient, but they have a personality that demands you dote on them more. With something like a new puppy, you need to potty train them, encourage their obedience, as well as take him to the vet. And personality clashes can occur between the pets. This can be difficult, but it's your responsibility to keep them all simulated to the level that they require individually, but be sure to spread your love evenly. On the other hand, with cats, and more independent animals, you can spend quality time with them on an individual level. It's all about keeping them exercised and stimulated, so they are happier and healthier.

Minimizing Fights

It can happen. But while lots of animals know better than to get involved in a fight, it's still a responsibility to train the animals when possible. If we have dogs, like terriers, we need to reinforce what is called “training incompatible behavior." For example, with a dog, if you teach them what “go lie down” means, and if the dog ever gets up to chase another animal around the house, you tell them to “go lie down” and reinforce this with a treat. It also depends on the reason for the fight in the first place. If they are fighting because of food or toys, introducing more toys, so the pets don't need to share, will be a big help. It's also about encouraging each animal to have their own space. To do this, put their accessories into one place so they are tempted to go back there all the time. It's very difficult at the beginning, but constant reinforcement and training will get the message through.

Arguments and scuffles are par for the course when anybody lives under one roof, but animals to be continually taught one single lesson. So you've got to have the time, energy, as well as the space to do it appropriately. As nice as it is to have many different pets, they can be an emotional drain when they are going through a difficult patch. It's important that you know what you're getting yourself in for. Having many pets can be incredibly rewarding, as long as you are prepared to go through the settling in period with an open mind.

Disclosure: This is a partnered post.