Andi's Books & Reading Tips

Book Of The Week - My Sister's A Pop Star

Book of the Week

This past July, Kimberly Greene introduced her new Pop Star Series at the 2010 UBAM Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was wonderful to hear first hand, her motivation for writing this spunky new series and creating an interactive blog, both which communicates to young girls that it's more than okay to be yourself.

 

My Sister's a Pop Star   
by Kimberly Greene
Ages 10 yrs +
275pp
$5.99 

Sam can't wait for her big sister Danni to come home from touring so their family can get back to normal. Having a singing sensation for a sister is just too weird. But it seems things are only going to get weirder, as Danni's been given her own reality TV series - and they're all going to be filmed.

Follow Sam's blog at: mysistersapopstar.com

Read an Excerpt:  http://www.myubam.com/pdf/Chapters/528997.pdf

Read about author Kimberly Greene:  http://www.booklore.co.uk/Authors/GreeneKimberly/GreeneKimberly.htm

Book Of The Week - 365 Things To Draw & Paint

Book of the Week

New for January 2011
365 Things to Draw and Paint
by Fiona Watt
Ages 6 yrs +
128pp
$24.99

 

 

 

 

• An inspiring book with something to draw or paint for every day of the year.
• All brand new activities include fingerprint monkeys, a chalky fish picture, collage robots and jungle silhouettes.
• Each activity is clearly explained with step-by-step instructions.
• Includes additional tips and ideas to make each activity a work of art.

Book Of The Week - I Lost My Mobile At The Mall

 Book of the Week

New for January 2011
I lost my mobile at the mall
by Wendy Harmer
Ages 11 yrs +
272pp
$16.99 

READ AN EXCERPT

Elly Pickering is dreading telling her parents that she's lost her mobile phone - again - what with the Global Financial crisis and everything. But losing her mobile is just the beginning. A series of technological happenings and manipulations leads Elly to question her priorities, her friendships, and Will, her fabulous - she thought - boyfriend. Is she facing certain social death? Or can a technological breakdown sometimes be kind of a good thing?

Literacy Tip of the Week!

Increase your child's vocabulary. Introduce a new word and ask them to guess which definition is right? Is HALIBUT a fish, a game or a President? They'll want to learn more when they're having fun! 

 

OR...Pick a new word every day and teach it to your kid. Use it so they hear it in context. Encourage them to use it, and use it yourself. Even over-using it will be fun. Pick a word like 'outstanding' and use it whenever something is 'good'.

Happy New Year!

Don't Miss The Mystery Hostess Open House!

Do you want a chance to earn FREE BOOKS without having a party right before Christmas? You've got 2 options! Come to the Mystery Hostess Open House, December 24th from 1-8pm, or place an order online. At the end of the show, all the orders will be entered in a drawing for the hostess freebies! Here's how it works:

Make a purchase/place an order: 1 entry

Bring or send a friend who makes a purchase/places an order: 2 extra entries!

 

Grand Prize: Free hostess books based on the total retail sales for this week!

2nd Prize: Half price books based on the retail sales

3rd Prize: Any book out of the catalog for free

4th Prize: $20 worth of books for $5

PLUS door prizes, food, and last-minute shopping without going to the mall!

 

I'll have inventory in stock to take home that day for Christmas, or you can order online by 7 am Pacific Time Friday, December 17th for delivery by Christmas Eve. Call me for questions or directions! 509-380-0663

 

 

 

Book Of The Week -When Molly Was A Harvey Girl

Book of the Week
A Novel of the Old West

When Molly was a Harvey Girl 
by Frances M. Wood
Ages 10-14
Middle Grade Fiction
Kane Miller

Read a wonderful review of "When Molly was a Harvey Girl" that includes historical details, photos and an actual Harvey House menu. http://jamarattigan.livejournal.com/476424.html

Read an Excerpt:  http://www.myubam.com/pdf/Chapters/WhenMollywasaHarveyGirl.pdf

Discussion Questions:  http://www.myubam.com/pdf/DiscussionQ/WhenMolly.pdf

Description:  When Molly's father dies, it's up to her nineteen-year-old sister Colleen to keep a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, there's not much money left, and even fewer options. She dresses thirteen-year-old Molly - luckily, Molly's tall - in women's clothing (even a corset!) and applies for jobs for both of them at the Harvey Eating Houses, which feed the popular Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. To Molly's dismay, the plan works! She finds herself far away from her friends and her almost-sweetheart back home, smack dab in the heart of the Wild West. But Molly has a plan....

"In a fictional account based on the experiences of her great-grandmother, Wood offers a vivid portrayal of life as a Harvey Girl in New Mexico in the 1890s. ...entertaining characters and a fast-paced plot will keep readers engaged. The gentle presentation of multiculturalism is an added feature.” - Kirkus Reviews, (July 15, 2010)

Reader Review: Science With Magnets

Today I have a fabulous reader review of one of our amazing science books from Kimberly! Did you know that you can submit your reader review for a chance to win a free book each month?

Science With Magnets
Series: Science Activities

• Ages: 6 years and up
• Pages: 24

Description from our website: This colorful book is packed with exciting scientific activities designed to help young children explore the intriguing properties of magnets. All the experiments and tricks are safe and easy to carry out using ordinary household equipment. The text and illustrations are simple and clear so children can enjoy using the books by themselves. Further notes give fuller scientific explanations for adults who wish to work with their children.

Here's what Kimberly had to say!

What was your favorite part of the book?

The activities.

Your Review:

Well, first I have to say that it is really hard to choose a book to write a review on.  Every time Andi comes to me with a new science-ish book saying "you gotta take a look at this", I end up buying the thing on the spot.  I am starting to get quite a collection because: 1) She knows what I like and 2) The Usborne books are so fab!!  But, I digress.

Science with Magnets (also available in a kid kit) is packed full of interesting activities.  I teach a hands on science class (2 actually) and love the simplicity of the learning adventures Usborne has provided us with in this one!  As a matter of fact, I am ordering several more as a class set.  I can't wait to get my little scientists rolling with these new experiments!

Do you have a personal story about using this book in your home?

Funny. Besides what I wrote above? Well, I have to say that there has been a little less peace in this house since the book got here. It would seem that the children all want to take a peak at it too. Sometimes, I have to be heartless. "NO!!! It's Mommy's turn!!!

 

Thanks so much Kimberly for sharing your review with our readers! Don't forget to submit your review for your chance to win!

Find us this weekend at these amazing events!

Would you like to check out some of our amazing books in person? We will be at some great events this weekend and we would love to meet you! Stop by and talk to us, check our our show specials and enjoy some other amazing activies and vendors as well! Make sure to mention that you saw it on the blog!

Richland Seniors Association Annual Holiday Bazaar

Friday, November 12th, 9am-3pm

500 Amon Park Dr (in the Richland Community Center)

Thirty-five vendors with a variety of holiday decor and gifts. Sandwich lunch available for purchase. For more information, call 946-5385.

 

Savor the Flavor

www.SavorTriCities.com 

Saturday, November 13th, 11am-10pm & Sunday, November 14th, 10am to 7pm 

TRAC center in Pasco

Celebrity chefs, popular local restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, food and beverage manufacturers, cookbook authors, retailers, artisans, and many others from the lifestyles world will come together for a two day public extravaganza at the TRAC Center in Pasco, WA on Saturday and Sunday, November 13 & 14.

Savor the Flavor encompasses unique food experiences, opportunities to learn behind-the-scenes culinary magic from professional chefs, dynamic entertainment through celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, culinary competitions and musical artistry, diverse food, beverage and lifestyles related exhibits; and of course fantastic shopping opportunities.

Don't miss our Kids Science with Cooking demo on Saturday, in the Kids Cook Activity Area!

Kitchen Science: Making Gloop, 4:00 – 5:00 PM

 

 

Literacy Tip of the Week!

What is it, exactly, that turns someone into a book lover?

"I really think it's the age at which you find that book that you really identify with that determines the rest of your reading life. The younger you are when you do that, the more likely you're going to be a serious reader. It really is about finding yourself in a book."  
-- Sherman Alexie. 

What do you read and why do you read it?