The Charlatan's Boy Book Review

The book is more geared for young teens and would be enjoyed by boys and girls alike.

The story is about a boy on his quest for truth.  He travels around with a man who is not his father, putting on various shows in villages trying to make a living. They basically do whatever it takes to con people out of their money to earn a living. They boy is proud when he succeeds but one could say that he really does not know any other way of life.

I ended up really liking the main character and was rooting for him to have a good ending. There were parts that I was bored at but the last few chapters were very interesting and made up for that.

It was hard to get past the fact that the premise of the book was wrapped around lies and cons, I do not think I would like my children reading this book. I think the author could have added some moments of clarity for the boy.  I also want to mention that the grammar is purposefully incorrect, in order to help better allow the reader to understand the time and place of the story.

This book is a fun, easy read, but it was just not for my tastes.

The Game of Life zAPPed - A new take on a classic

Growing up I loved the Game of Life and it has come a long way over the years. Currently in our house we have the original version, an electronic version and a SpongeBob version. Thanks to Hasbro we have now added THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed edition.  


With THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed edition, you can enjoy a whole new way to play! Add your iPad to the unique gameboard for a truly interactive family experience. The free app brings your game to life as you move around the board. You still get to move your car from space to space and select your path to retirement, but now you spin, get paid, sue other players and make important decisions all on your iPad. Don’t want to be just a plain peg? Go ahead and customize your peg character and add a peg-sessory!

Big J loves that she can give her "peg" crazy hair and funny accessories like glasses or purses. She also loves that when you land on certain spaces you unlock more than 100 clips from America's Funniest Home Videos which needless to say are hilarious, especially when you are 5!

My favorite thing about the game, except for the fact that The Game of Life is my favorite is that there are less pieces to lose. You no longer have the buildings, bridges and spinners to put together. The APP also keeps track of you job, house and life tiles for you. Meaning you no longer have to worry about losing or handing out those cards.

THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed will be on our top list of board games for years to come.


Where to Purchase
Hasbro Toy Shop ($24.99)
The game can also be found at Amazon.com or Toys R Us


Includes gameboard, 4 car movers, 52 pegs, money pack, 4 rubber pads, Quick Start Guide. iPad not included but required to play the game.
For 2 to 4 Players
Ages 8 and up


I was provided a copy of THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed for review purposes. No other compensation was received. All opinions are mine and 100% honest. 

Free Flavor Friday with Coffee-Mate

 Friday, March 23, 2012 is going to be FREE Flavor Friday.

As a lover of all things coffee and a loyal Coffee-Mate drinker I am so excited!

On this Free Flavor day, Coffee-Mate with over 25 Flavors will be partying in five cities to spread the word including Boston, Chicago, New York, Seattle and San Francisco. Coffee-mate teams will be hitting the streets to distribute 125,000 FREE product coupons and polling consumers on their Favorite Flavors. There will also be a photo design contest and plenty of chances to win Fab prizes and Freebies.

If like me you do not live in or near one of the party cities you still have a chance to snag a coupon. They are giving 200,000 coupons for a FREE bottle of Coffee-mate away starting at 9 AM PST on March 23rd Here. Join now and then mark your calendars for your chance to win

While you patiently or not so patiently wait for Friday why not figure out which flavor matches your personality from the poll below and let me know! I am Hazelnut, even though I love to drink many flavors!

More more information please visit Freeflavorfriday.coffee-mate.com   and www.facebook.com/CoffeemateUSA

Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App Review

Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App is by far one of our favorite apps! We got it for the iPad, but it is also available for  iPhone and the iPod Touch. The best part for Big J is that it is interactive and has three different story modes that let you create different stories over and over again. My favorite part is when your story is ready you get to shake the pigeon to get started! (You either use your finger or you can actually shake your iPad) The only downside I have found is that the basic story line is the same no matter which story you choose. You can change some of the choices but the rest is basically the same. While that annoyed me after a couple stories neither Big J or Little J seemed to care at all.

Three unique storytelling modes

• Mode one already has stories created for you, so you can just sit back and listen. 
• Mode two allows your child (or you because you know you want to) choose from three choices for a number of different questions. Your choices become part of the story. 
• Mode three allows your child to speak any answer they want to the questions. This has lead to many a crazy story in our house.

Other Cool Features

• Starring appearance by the Pigeon, voiced by Mo Willems. - This is the perfect pigeon voice.
• Also starring YOU! Record your own voice as part of the story.
• Pigeon-drawing tutorial with Mo. - Your drawing also becomes part of the story.
• Personalized vault for six of your favorite Big Pigeon stories..
• Read-along option.
• Shake-and-tap interactivity.
• Pigeon-y sound effects and music. 

 



Brought to you by Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world’s largest publisher of children’s books and magazines. Entering the New Year as a leading publisher of children’s book apps, Disney Publishing has garnered more than 7 million App Store downloads to-date with apps including:

Some of the other app titles include:

• The Lion King: Timon's Tale
• Tangled Storybook Deluxe
• It's a Small World
• Disney Princess: A Royal Christmas
• Pooh's Birthday Surprize
• Cars 2 Storybook Deluxe

Purchase Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App at iTunes ($6.99)

Learn more:
Disney Books Apps Website
Disney Read Facebook Page 
Disney Read Twitter


This app was provided to us thanks to Disney Publishing Apps and Family Review Network. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are 100% mine and honest.

PediaCare® Infant and Children's Liquid Acetaminophen Review and Giveaway

I remember the first time Big J got a fever. As a first time mom I was freaked out and not really sure what to do. Thankfully I could rely on PediaCare and their Infant Acetaminophen. Now they have improved on the dosing methods to make it easier for parents and safer for children. 

PediaCare® now offer additional product enhancements, including age-appropriate dosing devices.  Infant products will now contain a special dosing syringe and flow restrictors on the bottles; children’s products, for ages 2 to 11 years, will have the bottles with flow restrictors, and continue to contain dosing cups. Both infant and children’s formulations will continue to have weight-based instructions on the package, as well. Please note that there will be a transition period where both the current infant products and the new infant products will be on store shelves. It is always recommended that you read and follow the package directions and it is more important while both concentrations are available. 

• PediaCare Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever
• For ages 2 -11
• Flow restrictor bottle and dosing cup
• Dye free Cherry
• Cherry or grape flavors
• Weight and age-based dosing instructions on package
• Suggested retail price for a 4-ounce liquid bottle is $7.59.

• PediaCare Infants Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever
• For ages 0-36 months
• New special dosing syringe and flow restrictor bottles
• Dye free Cherry
• New bubble gum flavor as well as cherry and grape
• Weight and age-based dosing instructions on package 
• Suggested retail price for a 2-ounce liquid bottle is $6.99.

New dosage syringe

For more information about PediaCare® products and the new dosing system visit pediacare.com


One lucky reader will win one of each. Enter with rafflecopter form below.

I was provided the items for review by Family Review Network and PediaCare®. All opinions were 100% mine and honest.

 
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