Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Percy Jackson SEA OF MONSTERS Movie Giveaway!


Percy Jackson fans of long awaited this films release and today I'm excited to help promote the upcoming movie release with a GIVEAWAY!!! Before I share with you what you can enter to win, I want to tell you a little bit about the movie, and share a few clips from the movie with you.

Percy Jackson and Sea of Monsters is scheduled to hit theaters on August 7th, 2013. The movie is based on the book, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan, and continues the young demigod's epic journey to fulfill his destiny. To save their world, Percy and his friends must find the fabled and powerful magic Golden Fleece. Embarking on a treacherous odyssey into the uncharted water of the Sea of Monsters (known to humans as the Bermuda Triangle), they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate Evil.

The movie stars Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Able, Douglas Smith and Stanley Tucci.

Check out these stills from the movie:






Watch the movie trailer:




Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Online
Like Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters on Facebook
Visit the official website
Follow @PercyMovies on Twitter and Instagram
Watch the trailer, clips and more on YouTube
Follow on Tumblr

The Giveaway:

One lucky fan will win a $15 Visa gift card, and The Sea of Monsters movie tie in edition book!
To ENTER, please fill out the form below: (US addresses only, the prize pack is courtesy 20th Century Fox & valued at $22.99).
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Thank you to 20th Century Fox & Big Hancho Media for sponsoring the giveaway

Monday, July 29, 2013

White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan, Book Review


By: Patricia MacLachlan
Published by: Simon Kids
Released on: March 19th, 2013
Ages: 8 & up
Source: book from publisher to review
4 Owlets: I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Zoe’s family rescues dogs in need. There is always the sweet smell of dog and a warm body looking to cuddle or play. There is always a new dog to be saved and loved. Fur flies everywhere. It covers everything. Zoe’s house is never silent.

But the house across the street is always silent these days. A new family has moved in and Phillip, the boy, has stopped speaking. He doesn’t even want to try.


Zoe knows that saving dogs and saving boys are different jobs, but she learns that some parts are the same. Both take attention and care, understanding and time. And maybe just a bit of white fur flying.


White Fur Flying is a wonderful middle grade read about friendship, love, and learning to trust. It's a heart warming story about family, and friends both human and of the fur kind. I loved the family dynamics and this story. Zoe hails from a close knit family. Her Mom rescues great Pyrenees dogs, her dad is a vet, and she and her sister Alice do whatever they can to help out with the craziness of it all. 

The story centers around Zoe and her family, and the recent activity that's taken place at a  neighboring home. Once vacant, now a not so nice  Aunt, Uncle, and a nephew who doesn't talk have moved in. Phillip doesn't talk to anyone about anything, that is until he meets one of Zoe's family's rescue dogs. Phillip has been through a lot lately, and what exactly he's gone through isn't mentioned in the story, but it's enough to make Zoe and her sister want to befriend him. Normally that something that Phillip has gone through is what I'd want to have explained in a story, but given this is a children's book it makes sense not to explain it,  because not all kids find out exactly what it is that effects other kids around them. I liked that Patricia stayed true to that in this story. All we know is that his parents got into some trouble and he's staying with an Aunt and Uncle who come across as mean. As the story continues we learn that Phillip's aunt has a different way of showing her love and worry for him. 

I loved that Zoe, and her sister Alice become friendly to Phillip without being overbearing and forcing Phillip to open up to them. Instead, they accept him for how he is, and patiently wait for the moment he may decide to talk to them. I loved the role the dogs play in the story. Through Zoe's mom's rescues dogs, Phillip finds his voice, Zoe finds a friend, and her entire family pulls together the night a storm rolls in and Phillip has gone missing, as well as one of Zoe's family dogs.  I remember reading my first Patricia MacLachlan book when I was in 5th grade, and I have been a fan of hers ever since. I enjoyed this book. It's a quick read that even reluctant readers will enjoy. 

Friday, July 12, 2013

Count The Monkeys by Mac Barnett, Book Review

By: Marc Barnett
Illustrated by: Kevin Cornell
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Released on: June 25th, 2013
Ages: 4 & up
Source: book from publisher to review
5 Owlets: We Loved It!
Purchase it from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads
Get a look inside

Kids will giggle as they count all the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages. Full of fun reader interactions and keeps readers guessing until the very last page! Matching Mac Barnett's brilliant wit are Kevin Cornell's luminous illustrations, which will have young readers begging to count the monkeys all over again.

What happens when you think you're going to read a book about monkeys and find they are no where to be found? You get Count the Monkeys. A hilarious, one of a kind, must read picture book. Not only are the monkeys not found within the pages you'd except them to be on, there's a whole crew of funny animals found in their place that make for one awesome laugh out loud read.

This is a MUST have picture book. It's funny, it's engaging, the illustrations are great, and it helps young children learn to count. Most importantly, this is a picture that adults and kids alike will love. I've lost count on how many times we've read this one together. Count the Monkeys is one of those books that will create lasting memories of reading and laughing together. Definitely PICK THIS ONE UP!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy 4th of July!

(image found on google)

We want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! 
We hope you have a fabulous & safe holiday with family and friends.
Thank you to those who continue to serve our country!

Monday, July 1, 2013

DESPICABLE ME 2 Prize Pack Giveaway



Just in time for it's big release at the movie theaters this week (July 3rd from Universal Pictures), I've got an awesome DESPICABLE ME 2 book giveaway!

Check out what you can win!


- 3 books: Meet the Minions, Junior Novel, The Anti-Villain League Handbook
- Minion key chain, journal, magnets, squishy minion & tote bag

To Enter: Please fill out the form below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About DESPICABLE ME 2 – IN THEATERS JULY 3
Like Despicable Me on Facebook
Follow @DespicableMe on Twitter #DespicableMe2
Watch the trailer on YouTube
Follow Despicable Me on Google+
Pin on Pinterest
Follow on Instagram

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history.  In summer 2013, get ready for more Minion madness in Despicable Me 2. 

Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru (Steve Carell), his adorable girls, the unpredictably hilarious Minions...and a host of new and outrageously funny characters. 

Despicable Me 2 stars the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Steve Coogan, Ken Jeong, Elsie Fisher, Dana Gaier, Moises Arias
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~