Finger Puppets - Five Star Publications

I was graciously sent a set of finger puppets from Five Star Publications, through Mama Buzz, to review. My daughter was so excited when I opened the package, squealing, "For MEE, Mommy?!!"

The puppets I received differed slightly from the above picture. My package contained 5 little finger puppets on a paper hand: a mouse, a snake, an owl, a pig, and a (kangaroo)? I haven't decided if it's a kangaroo or a bear? :-)

It certainly didn't matter to my daughter. She immediately put ALL five on her fingers! And wouldn't take them off! She walked around "whooo"ing like an owl, squeaking like a mouse, and "oinkkkk"ing like a pig.

The puppets stayed glued to her hand during a trip to grandma's house. One of Little Girl's favorite books at Grandma's house is one about Piglet.

It's a good thing that the 100 Acre Wood also consists of Kanga and Roo and Owl, because Little Girl had to keep ALL of the puppets on during the entire story. :-)


I believe that these little finger puppets make a fun and unique gift (or hint, hint: stocking stuffer!!) for any little child. It is always encouraging to me as a mama to find a product that fosters the imaginations of my children...not a toy that is full of blinking lights and annoying sounds!

(By the way, Little Girl even took the puppets to bed with her... she loved them)!

From Five Star Publications:

Parents and teachers looking to inspire children to read more – and have more fun while doing it – get a hand with Five Star Finger Puppets. Handmade in the U.S. with soft, durable, hand-washable yarn, they are child safe with no removable parts and come in packages of five that include owl, snake, child, dog and cat characters. Retail: $12.95. www.fivestarpuppets.com

Thank you, Five Star Publications and Mama Buzz, for allowing me to review your fun puppets!

Recommend: YES





**Disclaimer: I was given a free product for review purposes only. My reviews are not monetarily compensated and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way, unless otherwise disclosed. Each review is based on the reactions and opinions of myself and/or family.**
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Tags: finger puppets Five Star Publications children's products Five Star Puppets Five Star finger puppets Mama Buzz

Recycling Truck by Green Toys.com

I have two young children. My children drink a lot of milk. A lot.

We recycle our milk jugs. A lot of milk jugs.

When I was first approached by Mama Buzz about reviewing a "green" recycling truck made from recycled milk jugs, I jumped. I've got a little boy who loves trucks - why not?!

And hey, I wanted to see what happened to all of those milk jugs I rinsed and tossed into my recycling bin!


Not bad, eh?! :-)

Green Toys' Recycling Truck is one well built toy. The truck is made of 100% recycled plastic and has no metal axles. The truck is solid and sturdy, not flimsy in any way.



I loved that Green Toys had no extra packaging materials with the recycling truck. No layers and layers of plastic and bubble wrap. No countless metal or plastic ties securing the truck to the box.

Less packaging material not only means less waste, but for me as a mama it means = less hassle and the kids get their toy quicker!


Before I received the truck, I wondered what the kids would "recycle." I assumed that anything small enough to fit in the truck's slots would be prime choking material.

On the back of the box, Green Toys made little "cards" of recyclable items to match the truck's slots: bottles, cans, and paper.


Clever! And, something my kids really won't choke on! Still at first, I thought my kids wouldn't even use the cardboard squares. I was wrong! Recycling became a fun game!


My son mostly shoved any card into any slot. But, my little girl, who is a bit older, loved matching the bottle card to the bottle slot, paper card to the paper slot, and so on. She even began telling her brother how to "recycle!" :-)

Once the kids were finished "recycling," the bed of the recycling truck dumps and the back opens, so that they could easily remove their cardboard recycling items and start all over again.



Green Toys Inc. makes more than just a recycling truck! You can check out their entire line of classic children's toys here.

Green Toys Inc. makes all of their products in the USA and you can purchase the toys through many online retailers, like Amazon and Fat Brain Toys.

With Christmas right around the corner, the toys are really quite affordable, ranging in price from $10-$30. If eco-friendly products are important to you, Green Toys is a company you should definitely check out!

While my kids are happily recycling playing away, do you know where the box the truck came in is? Ah yes, the recycling bin... :-)

Recommend: YES

Thank you, Green Toys, through Mama Buzz, for sending our family your recycling truck to test and review!





**Disclaimer: I was given a free product for review purposes only. My reviews are not monetarily compensated and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way, unless otherwise disclosed. Each review is based on the reactions and opinions of myself and/or family.**
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Tags: green toys recycling truck green toys recycling truck toy reviews mama buzz mama buzz reviews

Draw and Write Through History by Carylee Gressman

I was given the opportunity to review Draw and Write Through History: Creation Through Jonah, which is written by Carylee Gressman and illustrated by Peggy Dick.

Carylee's Draw and Write series is geared for ages 8 and up, but if your younger child is interested in art and drawing, you can certainly adapt! Although this book was out of my daughter's ability, I can't wait until she CAN use it!

The Draw and Write series is the perfect supplement for your homeschooling curriculum. These books would even be wonderful tools for summer break, because drawing is FUN!

The book begins with an introduction from Professor Doodle who tells each story and gives the child drawing tips and tricks.

Currently, there are four books in the Draw and Write Through History series. I was sent "Creation Through Jonah," which after Professor Doodle's instruction to review our cursive letters, begins with Day 3 of Creation - plants.

Professor Doodle guides the child, step by step, in drawing realistic plants and trees. He then shows the child how to draw a dinosaur and man. At the end of the section, a page of cursive copywork is given, summarizing the history lesson.

After Creation, and besides the images on the cover, you will find instruction on drawing everything from the ark to mummies to Joseph to Jonah's whale. Click here for a sample from the book - the Trojan Horse.

I was thoroughly impressed with the entire book. It was fun! The drawings were based on simple stick figures or sketches and then the child is shown how to fill it out, so that his drawing is realistic.

I really wish I'd had something like this when I was in school. I loved to draw and doodle and trace. I think this would have helped my artistic side! ;-)

I think when my little boy is ready for school, I'll have to get book four, the Pilgrims, Pirates, and Patriots edition!

The other two titles in the Draw and Write series are Greece and Rome and The Vikings, The Middle Ages, and The Renaissance. If you've got a child with an artistic bent (and even if you don't!), I think she would love the Draw and Write Through History books!

Thank you, Carylee and Peggy, through Mama Buzz, for allowing me to review your book!

Recommend: YES

Also reviewed [here] on Christianbook.com and [here] on Amazon.





**Disclaimer: I was given a free product for review purposes only. My reviews are not monetarily compensated and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way, unless otherwise disclosed. Each review is based on the reactions and opinions of myself and/or family.**
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Tags: Carylee Gressman Peggy Dick homeschooling curriculum Draw and Write book reviews Draw and Write Through History Creation through Jonah homeschool supplement material learn to draw

Calling all mommy bloggers and a GIVEAWAY!

I was recently accepted by Mama Buzz, a brand new review group.

Recently launched, Mama Buzz is catering to products especially for children. Since I'm a mama (of two very adorable bundles, I might add!)...I was quite willing to have my children "test" a new book, toy, or homeschool item!

In honor of Mama Buzz's debut, they are giving away the DVD Web Design for Kids.


This DVD looks like a fun, amazing introduction for kids into the basic world of html -- for curious-wanting-to-learn-and-know adults, too! ;-)

*For all of you mommy bloggers out there, Mama Buzz is currently accepting new reviewers. If you think you might be interested, check out their guidelines and application!*





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Tags: giveaways blog giveaway blog contest Mama Buzz Mama Bzz Web Design for Kids Free DVD!