Books

The Legend of the Golden Snail: Children’s Book Review

December 5, 2010 By Robin

The Legend of the Golden Snail, written and illustrated by Graeme Base, is a fantastical tale of a young boy’s journery through a magical realm. The boy (Wilbur) seeks the Golden Snail, a snail which transformed into a golden sailing ship, but then ended out getting banished to the Ends of the Earth, by an Enchanter. Will Wilber find the wonderous ship?

The large pages of this picture book, feature some amazing highly detailed illustrations, that are sure to capture the imaginations of youngsters. The Legend of the Golden Snail would make a lovely holiday gift for a child on your list.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided, for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Books, Children Tagged With: kids, review

Simply Southern with a Dash of Kosher Soul Cookbook

December 1, 2010 By Robin 3 Comments

Simply Southern with a Dash of Kosher Soul is packed with recipes, that while tailored to Jewish food preferences, would fit in just as well in anyone’s kitchen. The challenges of preparing food with appeal to the southern palate, while maintaining Kosher guidelines, has produced a subtly different cuisine, which is featured in this book.

Simply Southern is a compilation of nearly 300 of the best recipes submitted to the cookbook’s editorial committee at the Margolin Hebrew Academy, a small Jewish day school in Memphis, TN. They are traditional kosher recipes turned Southern and traditional Southern recipes turned kosher. In addition to the rich traditions conveyed through the family recipes, the narratives in the book provide a wonderful look at the history of Jewish life in the South.

Simply Southern with a Dash of Kosher Soul would make a wonderful Chanukah gift. It would also be a great pick for the gentile cook who seems to have everything kitchen-related already.

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: cooking, review

Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine Foundations Cook Books: Review

November 3, 2010 By Robin 2 Comments

I am an avid cook, and a big fan of shows like Top Chef, so I was very pleased to have the opportunity to review two books from the reknowned chefs of Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. The books Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine Foundations and Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine Foundations: Classic Recipes are visual delights, in addition to providing information essential to classic French cooking.

Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine Foundations focuses on cooking and prep techniques, equipment, mother sauces (essential basic sauces), terminology and discussion of ingredients. While some recipes are included, this is more about gaining the skills necessary to execute French cuisine well.

Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine Foundations: Classic Recipes is an excellent companion to the above book. It presents classic French recipes in a straight forward way. Measurements are given by weight in both U.S. and Metric. Since this is meant to be an educational book correct French terms are scattered throughout the book, but if you are unsure of any term, many are either defined on the page, or can be referenced in Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine Foundations.

I enjoyed the way these books were written, and the food photos in both books are fantastic. While I have taught myself many of the sauces and techniques from various sources throught the years, I love the comprehesiveness of this books, and did learn a few new things already. I’m sure I will learn more from them over the coming years. These are perfect for anyone who has had an interest in going to cooking school, but for whatever reason has been unable to.

The books can currently be purchased in the set shown above, complete with an authentic 100% polished cotton chef’s tea towel (just like the ones used at Le Cordon Bleu Paris). The set is currently available at Amazon.

Disclosure: While I was sent review copies, all opinions presented here are entirely my own. No compensation was given.

Filed Under: Books, Food Tagged With: cooking, review, reviews

Simply Suppers: A Great Go to Cookbook for Busy Families

September 28, 2010 By Robin 4 Comments

I was sent a copy of Simply Suppers for review recently. This family friendly cookbook, by Jennifer Chandler, is a great go to book for busy parents on a budget. Among other, Jennifer features 30 recipes, which can be prepared in roughly a half hour. She also provides some ideas on turning leftover chicken into pleasing meals, and some freezable meals that are just right for making double batches of, for those times when you just can’t cook.

One of the things I liked most about this particular cookbook, was the attention to keeping things simple enough for less experienced cooks, without “dumbing it down”. The recipes are mostly traditional home and restaurant fare, but Jennifer has respected that American palettes have grown considerably over the past decade or so, she has taken the liberty to switch things out here and there, to appeal to more modern tastes.

I have a large cookbook collection, and my husband rarely looks at any of them. He browsed this cookbook and liked it a lot. There are large photos of each dish, and none of the odd ingredients I am so fond of…lol. Judging from his take on the book. I would have to say this would be a great gift for anyone who likes traditional food, and doesn’t have the time to pour through a shelf of books to find something to make.

Simply Suppers is available at booksellers now.

Disclosure: While I was sent a review copy, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

Filed Under: Books, Food Tagged With: cooking, review, reviews

Miss TuTu’s Star : Children’s Picture Book Review

September 17, 2010 By Robin 1 Comment

Out of the picture books I’ve recently been sent Miss TuTu’s Star, was my daughter’s favorite. She was enamoured with the sparkly tutu on the cover, then moved on to adoring the pictures and story inside. The story by Leslea Newman, has a wonderful cadence to it and the appealing and expressive (sometimes humorous) illustrations by, Carey Armstrong-Ellis, really bring the tale to life.

An endearing tale which demonsrates to children how hard work and perseverance can payoff. Miss TuTu’s Star is available at most major booksellers or direct from Abrams, and retails for $16.95.

Disclosure: While I received a review copy of the book, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

Filed Under: Books, Children Tagged With: kids, review, reviews, toddler

Bullying Book Review & Giveaway: Little Girls Can Be Mean

September 15, 2010 By Robin

Little Girls Can Be Mean : Four Steps to Bully-Proof Girls in the Early Grades deals with the often overlooked problem of bullying among little girls. Much attention has been given to the problem among boys, but as recent tragedies have shown us bullying is also a big problem among girls. While there has recently been a focus on the problem among older girls, the issue starts budding in the early grades, and should be delt with then.

In this book, doctors Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert, present a straightford and intelligent plan for parents to proactively “nip bullying in the bud”. I found the scenarios they shared, and the advice given to deal with these issues to be both informative and practical. The writes present a 4 step plan to guide daughters toward learning how to manage social situations, in a way that deters both bullying and being bullied.

Little Girls Can Be Mean : Four Steps to Bully-Proof Girls in the Early Grades is currently available through most major booksellers.

Verdict: This book is a wonderful tool for the parents of elementary age girls. I highly reccomend it.

Disclosure: While I received a review copy of this book, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

Giveaway

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One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn. Contest ends September 29, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT. Open to US residents , age 18+.

Congrats to the confirmed winner Michelle.

Filed Under: Books, Children Tagged With: autism, child development, Family, giveaway, kids, review, reviews

All the Seasons of the Year: Children’s Picture Book Review

September 9, 2010 By Robin 4 Comments

All the Seasons of the Year is a sweet children’s hardcover picture book, by Deborah Lee Rose. The rhythmic and rhyming tale takes us along with a kitten and his mother, as they experience the seasons of the year. The large double page illustrations, by Kay Chorao are an excellent match for this charming story. They have the softness of watercolor, yet pencil details, maintain the fascination of young readers.

A great book to share with children during the change of seasons. They can follow along with kitten, as they too experience the excitement of the changes in their environment.

All the Seasons of the Year is now available at most in-store and online booksellers, and retails for $16.95.

Disclosure: While I received a review copy, all opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Books, Children Tagged With: kids, review, reviews, toddler

Light & Delish: 400 Calories or Less Recipe Bookazine Releasing Tomorrow

September 6, 2010 By Robin 3 Comments

I was sent an advance copy of the Light & Delish: 400 Calories or Less Recipe quarterly bookazine to check out, and it has some great heath-minded recipes in it. This deluxe print magazine is based off the successful website Delish.com, and also points readers to extra recipes and videos on the website. It features healthy make-overs of favorite home and restaurant dishes, as well as a guilt-free dessert section. All recipes include nutritional information and approximate cooking times, so you know what you are getting yourself into. This is the second Light & Delish: 400 Calories or Less bookazine released, and will be available on newstands fron Sept 7th through December 13th.

The majority pof the recipes presented in this publication are good quality and for in well within the 400 calorie or less framework. I didn’t care for the addition of a few side dishes that where in the upper end of the calorie range, as obviously the resulting full meal would end out far above the 400 calorie maximum. These where the exceptions to the rule though, and overall I would say this would be a worthwhile purchase for those seeking to maintain great flavors, while providing healthy meals for their families.

Disclosure: While I received a review copy of the magazine, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

Filed Under: Books, Food, Food & Beverage Tagged With: cooking, healthy recipes, review, reviews

Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars: Book Review

August 29, 2010 By Robin 5 Comments

Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars is a self described “Bag of Tricks” for grandmas. While I am not a grandmother, I found some of the ideas and activities in this book, to be clever. Sharon Lovejoy has come up with 130 fun activities to do with children. The activities go from the kitchen to the yard. There are crafts, recipes, and scientific exploration. I am dying to try her Giant Bubble Formula. I know my daughter will go bananas for it.

There are quite a few features about growing things. These are simple gardens, and sprouting projects, that will keep kid’s excited to see the progress each time they visit grandma.

This is a great selection for grandparents, who might be a little rusty in the play arena. The grand kids will never want to leave, if you start doing all the fun stuff in this book.

Disclosure: While I received a review copy of this book , all opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Books, Children Tagged With: child development, Family, kids