Little One Books (Review & $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway!)

When my sister was planning my baby shower, I had asked to her to request that guests bring a signed baby book instead of a card so that I could get a nice library of books going for my baby.  I couldn’t wait to read to my little girl.   We received some wonderful books, and some not-so-much.  Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated each and every gift from our friends.  They likely popped into a large big-box bookstore and grabbed something in a hurry.

After the party, I visited a small local bookstore and sought the advice of the owner there on which books were the most popular so that I could complete our collection.  Little One Books is one of those unique stores that you can benefit from in very much the same way.  Their books are carefully selected and are categorized by age to help you find the perfect book.

At Little One Books, when you click to view more information about a particular title, there is also a section beneath written by the owners entitled “Why we chose this book.”  The comments are detailed and even lengthy – sometimes several paragraphs on why the book was selected for the store.

 

I had the opportunity to select a few titles from Little One Books.  The first one I chose was Dream Snow by Eric Carle.  It fit my daughter’s age group, was holiday-focused, and the people at Little One Books had great things to say about it.  It’s about a farmer who dreams of snow, only to wake and realize that it wasn’t a dream after all.  The snow has blanketed the farm animals which have been named in numbers which helps teach children counting, and it incorporates Christmas in a simple way.  Emma doesn’t have many holliday-themed books so I knew this would be great. 

It is one of the more unique books we own.   There are plastic pages that overlay some parts of the story to help depict snow.

The other book I selected is I Can Fly by Ruth Krauss.  This is one of those vintage Golden Classics books – in the same style I remember from when I was a child.   Do you remember that golden binding?  It was originally published over 50 years ago but has been reprinted and is brand new. 

I love the simplicity of the book, which follows a little girl as she mimics the animals around her, written in simple rhymes.  After the story concludes, you’re left with the music sheet of the song which the book is based on.

If you want a small bookstore shopping experience without leaving the comfort of your home, give Little One Books a try.  In addition to great books, you’ll also find CDs and DVDs there as well.  From now until November 15th, you’ll get Free Shipping on your order!

GIVEAWAY!
One lucky reader will a $25.00 gift certificate to redeem at Little One Books!
(US + CAN - Ends 11/5)

Mandatory Entry: Visit Little One Books and tell me which book you’d like to get with this gift certificate.

EXTRA ENTRIES: Must leave a separate comment for each extra entry. 
+1 Extra Entry if you follow this blog publicly via Google Friend Connect
+1 Extra Entry if you follow Little One Books on twitter.  Leave your twitter id.
+1 Entry daily follow Girl Gone Mom on twitter and tweet this message:

Little One Books offers hand-selected books, music and video for children.  #Win a $25.00 Gift Card @GirlGoneMom - http://bit.ly/8ZzPFp

+1 Extra Entry ‘Like’ Girl Gone Mom on Facebook and leave a comment on my wall that you entered.
+1 Extra Entry if you like Little One Books on Facebook, leave your FB name.
+1 Extra Entry if after liking them you leave this comment on their wall: I entered to win a $25 Little One Books gift certificate at Girl Gone Mom - http://bit.ly/8ZzPFp
+2 Extra Entries if you become a feed subscriber and tell me which reader you use.
+2 Extra Entries if you are an email subscriber.  Leave email address.
+2 Extra Entries add my new (green) button to your blog sidebar.  Leave the link.
+2 Extra Entries if you add my blog url to your text blog roll. Leave link.
+1 Extra Entry for every other current giveaway you enter.
+1 Extra Entry if you leave a comment on a recent non-giveaway post.
+5 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway with a link to this post.

Contest is open to US residents and closes at Midnight EST on 11/5/2010.  One main entry per person.  No compensation was received for this post.  The sponsor sent me the product sample and is offering a prize for one lucky reader.

Adorable and Comfortable Children’s Clothing by Dadoo Kids (Review & Giveaway)

Contest Closed—Congrats to Lona W.!
My daughter’s latest obsession is what some might call “boy things”.  Trucks, planes and helicopters, she’s amazed by them all.  Especially the helicopters.  She’s shaping up to be a little tomboy just like her mama was.  She gasps and says “whoa!”, when she sees something, anything, flying in the sky.  When I saw the helicopter tee in the dadoo kids shop, I knew that was the one that matched my little one’s personality best.  Even if it is in the boy section.

dadoo kids makes modern, ultra-hip clothing for children.  Designer Christine Miller Kelly is responsible for the amazing designs sure to make your child the cool kid on the block.  I always struggle when choosing my daughter’s outfit.  It’s usually comfort versus style, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

The pieces are made using organic cotton and bamboo blends for maximum comfort so that kids can do what kids should do -- Play.

The helicopter tee is super-soft and comfortable as promised.  I want an adult-sized copy!  Emma is watering my patio in style here.

Sale! dadoo kids tees are on sale right now and are anywhere from $18.00-$26.00.  Sizes range from 6 months – 6T.

GIVEAWAY!
One lucky kid will receive the dadoo kids graphic tee of their choice!  

 

Mandatory Entry: Go and find your tee, and then come back here and tell me which one and the size needed.

 

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES.
Dadoo Kids on Facebook.
Girl Gone Mom on Facebook.
Dadoo Kids on twitter.
Girl Gone Mom on twitter.
-The tweet to use for this giveaway:
Enter to win a @dadookids graphic tee for your child – Many ultra-comfy modern styles for kids! http://bit.ly/b783p5 @girlgonemom #giveaway

No compensation was received for this post. I received the product discussed in order to facilitate my candid review.  Contest is to US residents 18 and older and closes at Midnight EST on August 27th.  The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

Monkey Monkey Music: What are the Odds? (Review & Giveaway)

Contest Closed
Whether we’re walking around the neighborhood, riding in the car, or just chilling out at home, there is often music involved.  In the summertime we find ourselves spending a lot of time in the backyard and I play music from my children’s playlist on my iPod for Emma.  I’m so glad that she really enjoys music and I like to encourage her love for this art.  I’m happy to add Meredith LeVande’s fun music to our playlist.

Ms. LeVande writes the very music that she sings.  She’s based in New York City, but this gal is more than street smart.  She holds undergraduate degrees in Women’s Studies and English, she also has a master’s degree in music and a law degree!  That’s one driven lady, if you ask me.  I think this is what makes her music so well-rounded.  Her brand is Monkey Monkey Music, which is aimed at “putting the child back into children’s music.”

In 2005, Monkey Monkey Music’s first album was a smash hit.  It was a Parenting magazine “Pick,” and was featured on Sirius Satellite Radio.  Since that time Meredith LeVande has been performing at more intimate gatherings, and she’s built an excellent relationship among young families in the tri-state area.

The new Monkey Monkey Music CD is called What Are the Odds?  It will be officially released on August 31st. It is a nice balance between baby music and songs for older kids so it fits the entire family quite well.   It’s fun and upbeat, and Emma is working on her dance routine tirelessly. 

GIVEAWAY!
Win the Monkey Monkey Music CD!

Here are the links needed for some of the EXTRA ENTRIES (You may want to complete before filling out form).
-Like Girl Gone Mom on Facebook
-Follow Girl Gone Mom twitter
-If you follow me on twitter, you’ll receive one extra entry per day for tweeting this:
#Win the new cd by Monkey Monkey Music and Meredith LeVande – http://bit.ly/cWeFMC Appropriate for kids of all ages! @girlgonemom #Summeressentials

No compensation was received for this post. I received a copy of the CD in order to form my opinion. Contest closes at Midnight EST on August 10th. The winner will be selected using Random.org. See giveaway rules before entering. GOOD LUCK!

Photo Credit - Gaetano Salvadore

There’s a Party in YOUR City: Yo Gabba Gabba Live!

My daughter’s favorite characters DJ Lance Rock, Brobee, Foofa, Plex, Muno and Todee are coming to Philadelphia this summer for Yo Gabba Gabba Live!  The show will also feature special guests Biz Markie, Dancey Dance and Super Music Friend Show Guests.  We’re going and we can’t wait!

You might recall a few months back when I posted about Emma’s experience with a DJ Lance imposter.  She was star-struck then, can you imagine how excited she’ll be?

Fresh off a triumphant sold-out tour debut, a headlining performance at The White House, a critically-acclaimed, chart-topping album, and an appearance at Coachella that garnered rave reviews from spectators and media alike, DJ Lance Rock and the cast of YO GABBA GABBA! are heading back on the road with YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! to play to enthusiastic fans on a 60-city tour across North America.  Today’s hottest live show for families will make stops at top theaters, arenas and amphitheaters throughout North America, starting August 27 in Bethel, NY and ending in Dallas, TX on December 12.  YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! is produced by S2BN Entertainment in association with Wildbrain Entertainment and The Magic Store.

Champions on the stage and in the community, the Gabba gang will participate in various service projects aimed at building homes and hope in the cities they visit during their four month journey across North America.  In addition, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Habitat for Humanity local affiliate in each tour city, to further their homebuilding efforts.

For complete tour, ticket, and VIP package information, visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com.   Children under one year of age will be admitted free to sit on a parent’s lap. 

Follow the gang on Facebook and Twitter.  I’ll be posting a fantastic Yo Gabba Gabba giveaway soon too, so keep your eyes peeled!

I was not compensated for this post, but I will be posting my review of the tour later this summer.