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Archive for Ebooks

Rescue Pups

Posted by 278Wife on April 27, 2014
in Books, Downloads, Ebooks, Fun Stuff, Kids Stuff, Reviews, Uncategorized

I have recently just started using ebooks on my iPad. My four year old son is pretty tech savvy now and enjoys reading ebooks on my iPad as well. We had the pleasure of reading Rescue Pups: The Adventures of Maxwell and Kota. It is written by Bonnie Bentley and Lindsay Gamache, and illustrated by Kimberly Solderberg.

The story is about a dog who is rescued by a family and meets other dogs on his walk through the neighborhood. The other dogs laugh at him when they find out he doesn’t know where he came from. Eventually he meets another dog who turns out to be adopted as well. They become good friends and enjoy playing with each other. They team up together to save another dog who is stuck in a fence, hence “Rescue Pups.” The themes of the story include friendship and adoption.

My son really enjoyed the book. He loved that one of the dogs in the story was a doberman pinscher since we have a doberman at home as a pet (who happens to be a rescue). I loved that the story was a read aloud version. The voices reading were very kid friendly and nice to listen to. The pictures from the book were very colorful, yet simple and easy to focus on. The story line was great. My son wanted to read it over and over and over again.

Overall it was a great ebook, with wonderful life lessons. The suggested age for the ebook is 3-6. I would definitely recommend it, and hope they write more in the future! You can download your copy by visiting

http://kitereaders.com/2013/12/15/rescue-pups-the-adventures-of-maxwell-and-kota/

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Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport

Posted by html404 on March 2, 2014
in Downloads, Ebooks, Reviews, Uncategorized

Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport

Review by B, my almost 15 year old, who found it really hard to review this ebook

Thirty years of small-town secrets—now the key to the mystery is gone. The small town of Hidden Falls is abuzz. Former students, friends, and loved ones are prepping for tonight’s big event to honor Ted Quinn’s many years of compassionate service. Quinn is reluctant about a night in the spotlight–but is tenderly prodded by Sylvia, mayor of Hidden Falls and Quinn’s dearest friend and confidante.

I thought Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport was good, but rather confusing. There were eight point of view characters that came across as too much even for me, and I’m a fast reader. I found myself forgetting about half of the characters as we hopped back and forth between point of views and inside the different character’s minds.

However, I did find Quinn to be interesting and liked his character as well as Dani, Nicole, Liam and Ethan. I wish we had gotten to see more of Dani as she came across as a really unique character and added something special to the novel. I felt bad for Liam and enjoyed Nicole and Ethan’s character point of views.

Unfortunately I couldn’t even rate this on terms of plot due to how much was going on. I couldn’t focus or even find the main plot line because of all the extra character point of views. It was a very slow read, but I loved the ending. It was quite surprising.

I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars, but I would probably read more in this series due to the characters that I did like. I’m intrigued as to what will happen to Quinn and Dani in future books.

You can read the first episode of Hidden Falls here.

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Dabby Dill & The Hiccup Pickle iPad App Plus $50 iTunes Giveaway

Posted by html404 on January 30, 2014
in Apps, Downloads, Ebooks, Education, Fun Stuff, Giveaways, Homeschooling, Kids Stuff, Parenting, Reviews, School, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

This is a featured review.

Dabby Dill & The Hiccup Pickle iPad App Review

by Brande

Dabby Dill woke up in a Pickle, she had the hiccups! Follow Dabby on her journey to find the remedy for these hiccups. This book app is recommended for kids 4 to 8 years old. This iPad app requires a 6.1 operating system or later.

There are 4 modes in the book app.

Story Mode – You have a narrator reading to you and you touch the arrow for the next page.

Read Along – You narrator will read to you again. However this time each word is underlined as the narrator reads, helping your child as they read & follow along.

Self-Read – Your child will read by themselves. Allowing your child the freedom to read at their own pace.

Play Game – Great memory game! Follow the hiccup pattern with Dabby and her 3 friends. It’s very similar to the game Simon.

I found this book app very educational. My favorite is the read along. With the words underlined it really helps my daughter learn her words and vocabulary. I love each mode, this book app can grow with your child.

Click here to find Dabby Dill & The Pickle Hiccup in the iTunes store!

Dabby Dill & The Hiccup Pickle App Giveaway Plus $50 Giveaway

by Theresa

Five of you have the opportunity to win an iTunes’s code to download Dabby Dill & The Hiccup Pickle iPad app for free, plus each of you will also receive a $10 iTunes e-gift card with the app code! Enter to win below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Cat in the Window

Posted by html404 on November 2, 2013
in Books, Ebooks, Gift Ideas, Reviews, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

Again, I called on one of my daughters to write this review because they are the cat lovers of our family and I knew they’d enjoy The Cat in the Window a compilation of cat stories edited by Callie Smith Grant. But this time instead of my 13 year old, it is my 14 year old daughter sharing her review.

The Cat in the Window Review by “B”

This book was really good. Short, 191 page paperback, and funny.

I loved the short poems, haikus (Japanese short poem), facts and especially the stories.

I learned some new things too. Like:

Cats can be right or left pawed
It took 1000 years to tame the first cat
Not many cats are taken to the vet
Cats like water warm and when they want it

I though the stories in The Cat in the Window were very well told and with amazing stories.

One of my favorite stories was the “twin” kittens. Another was the cat named, “Monk” who would “sing” and go to home church with her owner. I also liked the mother cat and her six kittens, she reminded me of our mama cat, Princess.

All in all I would say cat lovers will really like this book! Actually, I think even those who don’t like cats would like it too.

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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The Silver Strand

Posted by html404 on November 1, 2013
in Ebooks, Kids Stuff, Reviews, Uncategorized

The Silver Strand is a kid’s fantasy book. My 13 year old daughter wrote this review of The Silver Strand by L.J. Clarkson. Here is what she had to say:

I thought is was a good book. I really liked Isabelle. She was a strong character. I liked how her mother helped her. Her friend was a good friend. Esme was hilarious, so was her partner or whoever he was. I cannot remember his name.

I liked the dragon. He didn’t eat Isabelle. He was nice.

The school bully was just mean.

Isabelle’s dog was cute.

It made me happy when Isabelle and her friend, Bianca, made up.

It was cool how the world was set. The fantasy world was cool.

The Silver Strand part was weird, but good.

The ending left me thinking where was the rest of it. I wanted more. It was a cool book.

Learn more about L.J. Clarkson and her other two books at http://mastermindacademy.net

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Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan

Posted by html404 on October 24, 2013
in Books, Ebooks, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan is the third book in the Blue Willows book series about mail order brides. It is a sappy, but cute story of Anna, a mail order bride and Edward, a clock maker, who live in Denver Colorado.

Like most newlyweds, who haven’t lived together before marriage, they have a time of adjustment; which is often hilarious, but also heart wrenching when feelings are hurt and miscommunication occurs. Edwards OCD (OCD – Obsessive-compulsive disorder – apparently emerged in 1877, did you know that?) was a major contribution to Anna and his rocky start, just as much as Anna’s spontaneity. They had to learn how to live a balanced life between the two.

It was interesting learning a bit of the history of the A.S.P.C.A. (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and Anna’s efforts to star the first shelter in Denver. Both were admirable.

I wanted to read this book because of my interest in mail order brides. I cannot fathom how women, girls even, could do this. Usually they left their families behind in another city, state or country. I mean, I did that but I knew my husband before I made the move. I have read the first two books of this series and thought the first was the best one. To me Perfectly Matched was a regular fictional romance novel. It isn’t a book I get excited about or would read again, unfortunately.

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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A Reluctant Courtship by Laurie Alice Eakes

Posted by html404 on October 19, 2013
in Books, Ebooks, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

A Reluctant Courtship by Laurie Alice Eakes is a historical romance with a mystery twist. It’s actually the third book in Daughters of Bainbridge House series, which I thought I had read but must have mixed them up with another series.

I actually thought of Downton Abbey a lot (which I thoroughly enjoy, by the way!) as I read this book. English propriety. Social Standing. Prim and proper decorum…well…to a point because we all know scandals rock the English just as much as the next.

I loved Honore’s (the main female character) faithful companion who showed her love and devotion amidst Honore’s ostracized state. I felt bad for Honore and the judgement placed on her because of some poor choices in past suitors and the scandal they brought into her life. I had a love-hate relationship with the reluctant suitor, Ashmoor. I love the honor and devotion he displayed for his family but hated the reasons for his reluctance to court Honore. Whatever happened to believing the best in people first?

The mystery case really did not surprise me as I had guessed which character at one point in my reading.

As love would have it’s way, love did triumph at last, which is no surprise in this type of book. However, I enjoyed the humor, the scandal and journey of Honore Bainbridge and her suitor Lord Ashmoor. I’d probably even read this book again and am interested in reading the first two books of the series (ChristianBooks.com has vol. 1-2 for $4.99 + shipping!)

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet Review and Giveaway

Posted by html404 on October 11, 2013
in Downloads, Ebooks, Education, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Kids Stuff, Kids Toys, Reviews, School, Techie Stuff, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product from Vtech in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

It is pretty safe to admit our family has embraced the age of technology. While we don’t have every techie gadget on the market we have our share. More and more of our children’s education is relying on technology. That’s why we embraced the opportunity to review a Vtech InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet

Features of the InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet:

The InnoTab® 3S features VTech Kid Connect– an exclusive communication app that allows kids to be connected with their parents and friends through both tablet-to-mobileand tablet-to-tablet communication
The new 3S comes with a rechargeable battery pack with AC adapter and a kid-safe web browser
The new InnoTab 3S continues to provide access to VTech’s Learning Lodge™ app store, plus it comes packed with 20 free apps
Ages 3-9
All for under $100

InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet Review

Our children love their new InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet. We are still learning to use all the features. They haven’t text me yet and they really haven’t used the web browser much because it requires me to put in our network password. I think it would be nice if we could save that password just because it would be easier than logging in every time, but I understand that this is one of the safe browsing features. I like that we can add new websites under the parental controls.

I know the camera and video camera gets used a fair amount. The children have fun taking goofy photos or videos or practicing their photography.

The children’s favorite activities is to play the beanstalk game. They have to check their bean plants every day to care for them or else they die. Kind of helps teach responsibility. The children love to see how much their beans have grown day by day.

InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet Downloads

Though there were free downloads with the InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet, I did purchase a few more for the children just so I could understand the selection, purchasing and download process. It was pretty painless and easy. Similar to downloading apps to a cell phone. Edited 12/27/13: But in comparison, there are more free apps available for other tablets, which I did not realize until much later. It is costly to buy more apps, something I cannot seem myself doing much of now that we have a Kindle Fire.

The Learning Lodge is where parents and children can access “hundreds of engaging, age-appropriate games, videos, e-books and music, endorsed by VTech’s team of educational experts”. Word has it the Learning Lodge will expand its current library of 350 titles to over 600 titles by the end of the year.

I did find the InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet a little slow when changing screens, but overall I really like its features and having this as an addition to our children’s educational program, even our big kids (ages 10-14) like to use it!

Vtech InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet Giveaway

One of you has the chance to win a Vtech InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet by entering below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Bookboard Review and Free Trial!

Posted by Brande on August 7, 2013
in Blog Stuff, Books, Deals, Downloads, Ebooks, Education, Family Stuff, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Parenting, Reviews, Saving Money, School, Shopping, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

Mechanimals, Me and My Dragon, The Lucky Day Picnic, Doors in the Air are only a few of the wonderful books available through Bookboard.com. This app has over 400 books available to unlock with up to 4 children’s accounts (up to the age of 12). Once the books are downloaded, they can be read offline. Currently, Bookboard is available for iPads with iOS 5.x or higher. Bookboard recommends using and iPad2 or later version. However, they do work on an original iPad they are just slower. Bookboard says on their website that are adding other devices and platforms in the future.

Bookboard sets goals for your children and parents can check their progress through the app as well. Once a goal is reached, your child is rewarded with more books unlocked to continue their reading.

Bookboard Review and Free Trial

Head to Bookboard’s website for a FREE TRIAL! If you and your children enjoy it you can purchase a subscription for only $8.99 if you pay per month or if you choose the 6 month subscription its $29.94 or $4.99 a month! In the aspect of things if you purchase one book will cost $4.99. Here you have unlimited reading at your fingertips!

Here are a few on the many subjects that can be found on Bookboard: Smithsonian Series, Berenstain Bears and The Boxcar Children!!

My daughter is just learning to read and just loves the iPad. For us this is a great learning tool and we really enjoyed our books. You can join today to get your FREE TRIAL too!!

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3 Last Minute Gift Ideas

Posted by html404 on December 18, 2012
in Books, DVDs & CDs, Ebooks, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Movies, Shopping, Uncategorized

I saw on Facebook today that someone still had to start their Christmas shopping! So for all of you out there that are still scrambling for last minute gift ideas…here you go!

1. DVDs.

DVDs are easy and for people who watch a lot of movies and who don’t like to rent them, but love to own them for their home DVD collection, this is a no brainer last minute gift idea.

Last week Ice Age Continental Drift became available on DVD Blue Ray (Dec. 11 to be exact). If you are looking for great last minute gift ideas for movie lovers, this could be one to consider.

Make it educational for your children by visiting this website here. For creationists, I cannot verify that it is evolution free.

Our children have enjoyed all of the Ice Age movies. They are funny, with a little bit of rude humor but they make us laugh and laughter is a good thing!

Crooked Arrow also came out on DVD not too long ago. It is for the sports enthusiast, especially lacrosse. It’s a touching story of how a young Native American man was drawn back to his culture through a game he loved and excelled at when he was younger, but not before making a few mistakes.

I enjoyed this movie very much but I’ve always been drawn to sports movies and especially ones that teach valuable life lessons.

2. Personalized Gifts.

From quilts to photos personalized gifts are always a winner. We have received personalized throws and quilts in the past and have appreciated them very much. Recently I was able to review an item that I got personalized with our names and anniversary on it. We have plenty of blankets but to be honest many of them are falling apart and just not pretty anymore. Nothing brightens a room more than a pretty throw or quilt.

I was very pleased with the quality of this quilt and the personalization was solid.

3. Books. Book lovers can never get enough books. Nowadays there are paperback or hardcover traditional books or digital formats to choose from. Make sure you know what your book lover prefers. At our house we all still prefer traditional books in our hands. Our girls talk about loving the smell of the books, which is missing from digital books.

No matter where you are in your Christmas shopping, choose a gift that is meaningful to the person receiving it. Sometimes in our haste we forget to put our hearts into gift giving.

Hope one of these 3 last minute gift ideas thrills one person on your list!

Happy Shopping!

Faith and Family Reviews received many of the above products in exchange for writing a review or feature about the product. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.