Review: Creativity for Several Years
Baby Days starts the new parent off with activities for their new baby and continues giving ideas to occupy toddlers. The book offers many creative alternatives to television for those of us who aren't so creative ourselves. Her ideas are simple and easy to do, which is what I most appreciate about it. I have twins so I don't have alot of free time to create fancy playthings and crafts. The author reminds us that children find great delight in the simple things in life, like pretend cooking in the kitchen and helping Mom clean the house. Although not complex, I never would have thought of half this stuff myself! A great buy for new parents as well as a gift for expecting ones.

Review: Looks good
Took this book out of the library first and was impressed. Now I have ideas what to do with my 15 month old son when we are home over the Xmas holidays. The messyness factor is a very good idea.

Review: Lots of good ideas
If you are looking for some structured ideas, laid out completely, buy this book. I found a lot of great ideas in here. The only thing I don't really like is the author's semi-preachy style of writing. Ignore that and use this as a resource for some fun time with your toddler.

Review: Living with a Two Year Old
I purchased this book to help me out with ideas for my two year old daughter. Although it had many ideas, I still found myself looking for more creative ways to entertain my daughter. I appreciated the fact that they put in a "messiness factor" for each of the projects/ideas for quick reference.



My First Halloween Board Book (Board book)

From Publishers Weekly
My First Halloween Board Book, an addition to the My First Word Books series, offers a holiday vocabulary lesson. A photograph of "Dracula" labels the trick-or-treater's "cape"; a spread of "creepy creatures" shows a bat, toads and crows. Also available: My First Hanukkah Board Book.

Book Description
My First Word Books: The complete preschool learning program to develop your child's vocabulary and early literacy skills.



The Mother of All Baby Books: The Ultimate Guide to Your Baby's First Year (U.S. edition) (Paperback)

Review: Great book for new mother
I purchased this book for a young friend of mine who was about to have a baby and had lots of questions about not only the baby, but about what her body was going through. She loves it and refers to it constantly.

Review: A top-notch guide to baby
Reviewer: Jane "parent educator" (New York) - See all my reviews
This book provides an exceptionally thorough look at baby's first year from both the mother and baby's perspective. First-time mothers often express frustration about how ill-prepared they felt for the early weeks and months of motherhood. This book does an excellent job of giving mothers-to-be a realistic idea of what life after baby will really be like, for better and for worse. It's a truly one-of-a-kind and top-notch reference.

Review: Helpful tips and advice
If you are about to have a baby (or babies, in the case of parents of twins or other multiples), this book can really help you to get off to a good start with your babies. It has a lot of helpful tips and advice.

Also, you don't have to try to guess where the information you're seeking is because the book is organized by chapters that are on that particular topic, like a chapter on sleep, a chapter on breastfeeding, and so on. The problem with some of the month-by-month baby books is that the information you need is sometimes in the wrong month.

Review: Excellent info on skin rashes
A recent reviewer noted that she had trouble finding information on skin rashes in this book. I had to post a review responding to her review because this book has tons of information on skin and scalp conditions in the table on pages 404-412, which talks about everything from impetigo to eczema. The information on teething is a bit more meager. I agree that this is something that the author needs to expand upon in the next edition of this book. But I still think this is an outstanding baby book. It provides tons of information and is reassuring and contains just the right amount of humor to keep you reading at a time in your life when it's hard to find the time or energy to read.

Review: Missing some key areas
My son is now four months old. While still pregnant, I read this book cover to cover and thought it was pretty good. However, now that I'm a mom, my experience with this book has turned out FRUSTRATING. There really have only been two times so far when I've needed to turn to my resources for help in understanding what was going on, and what to do -- for a rash, and -- early this morning -- teething. This book failed me entirely on both occasions. Indeed, when you go to the "rash" entry, it only says "...could be the result of a viral or bacterial infection; or an allergic reaction to...substance. Note: see section on skin rashes later in this chapter." BUT THERE IS NO SECTION ON SKIN RASHES LATER IN THE CHAPTER (or elsewhere that I, my hubby or mother could find).

In short: it looks on its face much more helpful than it really is. Don't count on this book (but I won't say "don't buy it" as you might still find it a decent addendum to other sources...*maybe*).

Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids

Review:

This is a beautiful book and so user-friendly! It was great to avoid frantically running around from store to store, since this book has such simple patterns and shortcuts where you don't even have to sew, as well as last-minute panic solutions. The 100 different costume choices (from well-known bunnies, pirates and witches to the amusing gingerbread house, octopus, swamp monster) will last the Halloween life of my kids (and probably their kids too!), making this book quite the bargain. Making and creating the costumes was a fun family project and encouraged everyone's imagination. I like the idea that a portion of the proceeds of the book go to UNICEF.

I have made the squeleton costume for my 5 years old and it was a success.It was a great initiation to costume making for me.It also is easy to understand and do by them selfs for older kids. It is our favorite bedtime story.

Sam (age 5) and Kate (age 3) have been so excited about this book "reading" every page over and over and taking it to bed with them! Kate has memorized the names of each costume and has been able to ask for and describe a combination of costumes that she has imagined for herself!
This book is wonderful for inspiring creative imagination and the costume tips and patterns ARE easy and versatile enough for you to whip up an original costume with very simple inexpensive ingredients or with whatever you have in the house even at the very last minute!

I am very proud of Sam, who after much gleeful "study" of this book with his sister, decided to make his own costume modifying one of the ideas in this book - how satisfying for him to march in his school costume parade wearing an original costume that started from an idea from this book and made pretty much all by himself (hey, no sewing, or even glue gun needed for that one!) I'm sure we will get lots more year round dress-up inspiration from this truly "Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids" book to come... my mind is already brewing up some winter dress-up Birthday Party ideas!

In Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes For Kids, Halloween costume designer Leila Peltosaari showcases one hundred easy-to-make costumes complete with matching treat bags and accessories. The simple, step-by-step instructions are enhanced with detailed full-color photos and illustrations. The color-coded, easy patterns for 3 to 12 year olds are well-organized and feature a wealth of "no-sew" shortcuts and "last-minute" solutions. Highly recommended for even the most novice costumer, Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes For Kids is enhanced further with a history of Halloween, safety tips, and anecdotal background stories. With designs ranging from traditional and storybook characters to animals and clowns, to celestial beings and cultural tributes, most of the costumes can be assembled without a sewing machine and in only one evening. Many of the costumes are made form Polarfleece (a perfect Halloween fabric which is soft and lightweight, slightly stretchy, warm, versatile, with no hemming or seam finished needed -- and hotglues like a dream!). Although specifically targeted for the Halloween holiday, these are delightful outfits that can well serve for costume parties and school plays at any time of year!

Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids is the best I have seen on this topic. The full color photographs of the costumes, complete with makeup, are spectacular. The directions are thorough and easy to follow. Any of these costumes would be a terrific for Halloween and the ideas could also be used for making costumes for plays or other productions. At the price of store bought costumes or patterns, this book is a bargain, as it contains 100 costumes and many additional ideas. You won't be disappointed!



Baby Bargains: Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on Baby Furniture, Equipment, Clothes, Toys, Maternity Wear, and Much, Much More! (Paperback)

Amazon.com
Congratulations, you're expecting a baby! What you may not be expecting is all of the requisite gear you "need" to look after your dear bundle. Fear not. Denise and Alan Fields, authors of Bridal Bargains, are here to tell you what's super and what's silly, and how to find it at the best price. You'll learn all about how (and where) to shop for a crib and dresser (including how to get European styling at reasonable prices), what you need in bedding and what can be skipped (a hint: no baby requires the $200 quilt!), which clothing brands are safest and least expensive, and how to shop for monitors, toys, car seats, strollers, books, videos, and more. The authors have field-tested every major brand (and several of the minor ones), and they provide star ratings and annotations at the end of every chapter. A helpful feature in each chapter called "Wastes of Money" will steer you away from $35 Baby Air Jordans and frilly diaper stackers that match your bedding. If that's not enough, they offer a money-back guarantee: If the book doesn't save you at least $250 in baby expenses, they'll refund the price of the book. Well researched and written in a witty and comfortable tone, Baby Bargains should be required reading for every safety- and money-conscious parent-to-be. --Rebecca A. Staffel --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description
One of the thorniest questions new parents ask themselves is how they are ever going to pay for baby expenses. With the average cost of a baby topping $6,000 for the first year alone, expectant moms and dads need all the creative solutions and cost-cutting ideas they can find. Baby Bargains is the answer. The book lists great deals and money-saving strategies for a wide variety of must-have items, from maternity wear, baby clothes, and diapers to furniture, bedding, and toys. Extensive charts allow parents to compare and contrast name-brand cribs, strollers, high chairs, child safety seats, baby monitors, and more. Now in its sixth edition, the book has been completely revised and updated to include website addresses for all major baby product manufacturers, reviews of parenting websites, and listings for mail-order catalogs and outlet stores. Additionally, the book offers important safety tips for affordably baby-proofing the home.

Review: A better resource than the Consumer Reports version
Put this one in the "I shoulda payed attention" category. I noted, while checking the reviews to the Consumer Reports book "Guide to Baby Products," that the Fields' book was clearly given the nod as the better book. Still, I've been a Consumer Reports subscriber for many years, and I reasoned that "Guide to Baby Products" must surely have information that "Baby Bargains" lacked. So, I bought both of them. My advice? Those other reviewers were right. "Baby Bargains" is as least as complete in its evaluations of products, and it's a much better source of background information. To boot, it's warmer in tone, funny, and a more enjoyable read all around. Buy "Baby Bargains" and skip CU's book.

Review: Good Product Info, Could Go Farther On Savings
Baby Bargains is one of the most valuable books I purchased during my pregnancy! The information contained within assisted us with almost all of our purchasing decisions guiding us towards things we needed and steering us away from things we didn't. However, like all good resources, improvements could definitely be made and more savings realized!
Each chapter contains fairly complete information on your brand options, advantages and disadvantages of each brand, company contact and website info. Moreover, the authors guide you towards money saving mail order and website sources. Other reviewers critique the "best" rated brands as pricey and they are. However, the "best" rated brand may not be what is best for you and your family. You simply garner the information and make decisions based upon your needs and budget.

Perhaps my greatest disappointment with the book is that the biggest savings are either overlooked or outright dismissed. Most dismaying was the lack of discussion on savings provided by breastfeeding, homemade baby food, cloth diapering, and homemade baby wipes. After all, we're talking about Baby Bargains and you'd be suprised how much these "repeat" necessities add up!

All of these "cost savings" techniques are easier than you think, but the authors either never touch on the subject or if they do, they dismiss it. For example, homemade baby food is never touched upon. I'm not implying that we must all make all of our own baby food; however, there are some cost effective ways to decrease what you spend on baby food (i.e. mash single food ingredients instead of buying them premashed in baby food jars, etc. . .) An excellent book based on the subject is Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. It is based on the premise that you can spend as much or as little time making baby food.

Moreover, it is clear from their tone ("Cloth diapers can't hold a candle to today's super-absorbent disposable diapers.") that the authors have never cloth diapered their children. The authors mention that Mother Ease has a following. Granted, they make some nice (and pricey) diapers, but they're not the only way to go (just like every family doesn't need a Peg Perego stroller).

Many cloth diaper users use inexpensive Chinese prefolds, no pins, and snap or velcro wraps. The authors claim you'll spend more because of the various sizes . . . hogwash . . . most of us are able to safely skip sizes. I know, my son is comfortably wearing the same size cover at 7 months that he wore at 1 month. We invested approximately $100 7 months ago and are still going strong!

Granted, cloth diapering is not for everyone, but it is easier and more convenient than most people think. Our biggest difficulty was the first couple of weeks . . . figuring out what diapers worked for us and how to care for them. Three dozen prefolds and an extra 2 loads of laundry a week. From the pail to the wash, I never realized how easy it could be. It's a shame the authors didn't try it themselves before dismissing it as "costing as much" as disposables and "most folks don't have the time or energy". It just isn't so!

Finally, Baby Bargains totally misses the mark when it comes to coupons, particularly those available online. There are a plethora of sites dedicated to discounts, online coupon codes and rebates for the baby stores you're most likely to shop at. Had I known about these sites when we did our shopping last year, we'd have saved hundreds more than the initial savings we realized from Baby Bargains.

Overall, I would recommend purchasing Baby Bargains. After all, it is a *really* good book for product information, what you need and what you don't. However, it could definitely go farther in saving you money with low cost alternatives and online coupon website recommendations!

Review: Great guide for first time mom
This book really helps you distinguish between all the different products out on the market. It is great for first time moms who are overwhelmed with all the different choices of baby products and furniture out there. It made registering a breeze!

Review: Ick!
This book is freaky. It is all about baby stuff that no one buys.. like all the stuff that sits on the shelf at Wal Mart and then gets sold at Big Lots. There are no super-cool things in it at all. If you want to be a dowdy mom with no style, listen to the advice of this author. I found a much better book out there.. I'll post my review on that tomorrow... not finished reading it yet. This one is just icky.

Review: I was completely clueless and this book helped a lot!,
I was by myself, (mother and sisters too far away in distance and baby ages), and found this book very helpful to guide me on what was or was not needed. I only would say that I NEVER bought something from where they suggested to get it. I always looked at online savings/cupons and offers. I saved a TON of money and still got the best products for us... for example, look at ebay for things you can clean and machine wash -- we got everything new and that was a mistake we regret. Swing, Bouncy, Mobiles, toys, safety items and decorations, are things you can buy used ans save a lot! There is also the church sales and the statewide garage sales to get good bargains.

I went ahead and copied the phrase from the last review (the one that talks about clothe diapers and making your own formula)
CANNOT DISAGREE MORE with the savings approach (I'm a working mother) but definitive ABSOLUTELY AGREE with this statement

Overall, I would recommend purchasing Baby Bargains. After all, it is a *really* good book for product information, what you need and what you don't. However, it could definitely go farther in saving you money with low cost alternatives and online coupon website recommendations!

I have given this book as a present to all my friends that are having babies this year...it can be found for $6-7 and that is your savings by not buying the wipe warmer, for example.








Family Fun Tricks and Treats

Halloween is a time of transformation and not for just humans who don the face paint and masks!

Reviews

There are a number of Halloween books out on the market for decorating, baking and costume making, but this is one of the few that actually has something new in it!

The crafts are clever, but actually look doable wtih things you might already have on hand. The costumes ideas are fun and innovative, the food ideas are also really cute, but not overly-complicated. While some classic ideas never die, this book puts a nice twist on things like "body parts" games.

Of course, the ideas come from the monthly magazine that Disney produces, Family Fun, and if you get the magazine, you'll have already seen alot of these things in print or on their website. Still, the book is nicely layed-out, easy to flip through and a good resource of party and costume ideas for both kids and their grown-ups.

This book is an awesome resource for make-at-home costumes and decorations. The ideas are so cute, easy to follow, and where else can you find a recipe for slime?

This was great! My daughter & I love Halloween and when we saw this we bought it right away. There are so many wonderful ideas. A must have! There were a lot of spooky things to do with foods and great little ideas for those little helpers to decorate your home with lots of memories! You have to get this one!






The Halloween Handbook : 447 Costumes

The collaborative effort of Halloween costume experts and enthusiasts Bridie Clark and Ashley Dodd, The Halloween Handbook: Dress-Up For Grown-Ups showcases 447 imaginative, easy-to-make, do-it-yourself costume concepts. From traditional favorites such as Wonder Woman or Peter Pan, to more eyebrow-raising unique costumes like the One-Night Stand (the costumegoer appears as an actual stand with lampshade over the head, bra and pantyhouse dangling on the tablecloth) or the Green Card (wearing a large green sandwich board humorously displaying a parody what a real green card looks like). Black-and-white photographs illustrate fun, zany, sometimes edgy ideas with practical suggestions to efficiently and frugally make a Halloween guise to remember. Especially recommended not only for Halloween, but as a source of ideas for costume parties year round or even school and community theater apparel.





Dazzling Disguises and Clever Costumes

Reviews:

i love this book it is really cool my name is katie i am six years old with long brown hair and green eyes my friend sarah and i made a horse costume a month ago and we wear it everyday. i also made the insect and the bird costumes. i like putting bags and masks over my head cuz i think its funny LOL. i hope i can be a childrens entertainer one day and play catcherin softball. my mom says shell make the ghost costume for halloween. yay!

This book would be a really great book for kids.
It would be fantastic to use as inspiration for Halloween costumes.
There are some great ideas inside. The instructions seem easy for children to follow and most of the materials used to make the costumes are available around the house or at a craft store.






Dressed for Thrills : 100 Years of Halloween Costumes and Masquerade

From Publishers Weekly
From a 1930s waxed, painted buckram "Evil Bunny" and a mohair and cotton "Colonial Ladies Wig" from the 1940s to "Buddie Beatnik" and "Rubik's Cube" costumes, this colorful photographic survey by Galembo, a photographer and SUNY professor of art, shows vintage costumes worn by (sometimes rather unhappy looking) young models. Mark Alice Durant, a University of Maryland professor of Visual Arts, offers the accompanying essay, "Glowing Turnips, Pointy Black Hats, & Insomniac Aliens: The Hybrid History of Halloween," showing how we "shape rituals to fit the realities of the moment." The play versions of Groucho Marx, Olive Oyl, astronauts and Lady Liberty among the 123 full-color photos illustrate that principle whimsically and sometimes scarily.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description

A whimsical array of ghosts and goblins, spooks and skeletons, vamps and vampires parade through this unparalleled collection of more than 100 years of American Halloween attire. From Little Bo Peep with lamb in hand to beatniks and pirates, from monsters and witches to clowns and animals, this veritable "carnival" of costumes visually captures All Hallows' Eve like no other book before.

In her celebration of Halloween revelry, photographer Phyllis Galembo never settles for the ordinary; here instead are evocative scenes of dressed-to-scare young trick-or-treaters "modeling" their disguises, of undead spirits haunting their surroundings, and of costumes spanning over a century that take on an eerie new creepiness thanks to special lighting effects. Accompanying the costume shots is a history of this always-popular holiday and an essay placing the work in the wider context of fashion and costume. Of interest to enthusiasts, designers, and students alike, this devilishly diverting book is the perfect gift for all Halloween aficionados.

Review

If you have ANY feel for Halloween, BUY this book! It is THAT good! It will remind you of your childhood and the magic that flew through the air on Halloween. HIGHLY reccomended!








SpongeBob SquarePants - Halloween (1999)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com

Halloween boasts a full hour of deep-sea spooks featuring Nickelodeon's jolly sponge with the cubical trousers. In "Scaredy Pants" easy-to-scare SpongeBob attempts to come up with the scariest costume ever--and exceeds beyond his wildest dreams. "Imitation Krabs" concerns Plankton's evil robotic plan to trick SpongeBob into revealing Mr. Krab's secret krabby patty recipe. "Frankendoodle," a spoof on Frankenstein, has SpongeBob drawing a self-portrait with a magical pencil he found. It proceeds to come to life, wreaking havoc all over Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob turns into a "snailcat" in "I Was a Teenage Gary" when he's accidentally injected with pet Gary's medicine. And in "Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost," SpongeBob and pal, Patrick the starfish, mistake his grumpy talcum powder-covered neighbor for a grown-up Casper. The educational value may be minimal, but the humor quotient is high in these five installments of the popular series. For ages 6 and up. --Kathleen C. Fennessy --This text refers to the VHS Tape edition.

About the Actor
Michael Orlando is a veteran computer graphic and visual effects artist in the motion picture industry. He has worked for Walt Disney Feature Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Brothers, and Paramount pictures. Some of his films and credits include: Star Wars Episode II, Dinosaur, Space Jam, The Mummy Returns, Men In Black II, and Starship Troopers.
Michael is currently directing the fully animated version of Pumpkin Season. Release date: Unknown.

Review: This is a HUGE guilty pleasure
Because I watch a two-year-old girl almost every single day, I'm practically forced to watch cartoons on an endless basis. And while most of them are tedious to bare through, I find Spongebob Squarepants to be very entertaining for BOTH kids and adults! Don't expect this to be an educational show but rather something to laugh to if you're down or just feel like chuckling at some stupid, mindless jokes... I've been addicted to this show for quite some time now but had never seen a halloween episode before, so the second that I saw this on video I snatched it up and bought it as quickly as I could. And while all of these episodes are great, I was rather disappointed at my realization of how the newer DVD version had 5 extra episodes and how only one of the episodes was an actual halloween one!

I absolutely love watching Spongebob Squarepants (especially when the evil Plankton is present) but I've honestly seen funnier ones than these before. And while I find this collection of shows to be a minor let-down, I do recommend this for "Squidward, the Unfriendly Ghost". --This text refers to the VHS Tape edition

Review: My kids LOVED this DVD!
Spongebob Squarepants is one of those rare shows (like Samurai Jack and Powerpuff Girls) that's as entertaining for me as it is for the kids. This DVD has become a favorite among the members of our family, and it has been a staple for car trips (we highly recommend those Toshiba TV/DVD sets for the car!).




All about Halloween Costumes:
Halloween costume
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Halloween costumes are outfits worn on October 31st, the day of Halloween. Halloween is a modern day holiday (spun off of the Gaelic/Druidic/Pagan holiday of Samhain (in Christian times, the eve of All Saints Day). Originally a day to remember the dead by celebrating the darker and more gruesome side of human existence, celebrants would dress as their deceased relatives. It has now become a very commercialized celebration. Because of this, popular costumes are often mass manufactured and sold in specialty stores.

What sets Halloween costumes apart from costumes for other celebrations or days of dressing up is that they are often designed to be gruesome or scary. Popular monsters of legend or fiction are regular themes for Halloween costumes, as are pop culture figures like presidents, film or television characters.

Some of the most common and popular Halloween costumes are:

Ghost
Vampire
Frankenstein's Monster
Witch
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_costume"

Halloween Infant Costume

All of the little costumes are just so adorable and cute you'll have a difficult time choosing your favorite. All I know is that we just love them and all the little cuties who wear them! Who could resist smiling and saying "OOH they are so cute!". We are sure your adorable newborn infant will be an absolute hit in their very first halloween costume!

Other Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween Ideas and Tips
Halloween Party Ideas
Halloween Costume Ideas
Halloween Decorating Ideas
Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween Makeup and Special Effects Ideas
Halloween Haunted House Ideas
Halloween Ideas
Halloween Recipes
Halloween Movies
Halloween Holiday
Harry Potter Costumes
Incredibles Costumes
Goth Costumes
Plus Size Costumes
Star War Costume
Batman Costume
Lady Bug Costume
Lion Costume
Halloween Costume
Halloween Dog Costume
Halloween Adult Costume
Renaissance Costume
Halloween Sexy Costume
Pirate Costume
Belly Dance Costume
Medieval Costume
Fairy Costume
Willy Wonka Costume
Power Ranger Costume
Spider Man Costume
Darth Vader Costume
Halloween Baby Costume
Clown Costume
Halloween Child Costume
Halloween Kids Costume
Toddler Halloween Costume
Disney Costume
Couple Halloween Costume
Classic Costume
Infant Halloween Costume
Hollywood Costume
Teen Halloween Costume
Halloween Shop
Costume Wig
Halloween Masks
Wonder Woman Costume
Tinkerbell Costume
Super Hero Costume
Halloween Prop
Halloween Costume Store
Princess Costume
Halloween Costume Accessories
Halloween Cheap Costumes
Adults take over Halloween
Halloween Festivals
Halloween History
Monster Costume
Naughty Nurse Costume
Devil Costume
Witch Costume
Vampire Costume
Hobitt Costume
Goblin Costume
Angel Costume
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Costume
Ninja Costume
Ghost Costume
Sponge Bob Square Pants Costume
Sexy Cheerleader Costume
Hilarious costumes
Barbie Costume
Sexy Bunny Costume
French Maid Costume
Big Kahuna Costume
Go Go Costume
Sexy Cop Costume
Hippie Costume
barbie costumes
superman costumes
batman costumes
pirate costumes
incredibles costumes
fairy costumes
sexy costumes
couple costumes
kids halloween costumes
girls halloween costumes
boys halloween costumes
mens halloween costumes
teens halloween costumes
baby halloween costumes
women's halloween costumes