Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars: Book Review & Giveaway

Are you like me?  Do you love finding great new ways to help your kids learn and explore?  We especially love helping our boys learn in nature.  A few weeks ago, on a trip to the mall, we accidentally discovered this wonderful book at one of the big bookstores.  (Really, it was an accident).

I picked it up and flipped through it while Crackers played with the train table.  I loved the illustrations, but more than that, I loved all the GREAT ideas for learning with my kids.  Okay, so it says it is Grandma's Bag of Tricks.  The truth is, I have plenty to learn from this grandma.  In fact, I would love her to come spend a week with us and play with my boys.  Or maybe I should send them to her! 

Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars is not a book for grandmas.  Well, yes it actually is - but we all need some help to come up with great new ways to spend quality time with our families.  I highly recommend exploring this book with your children.  There are so many projects that we adore, it was hard to pick out a favorite to start with.

We chose to make a solar oven with our boys - the materials are easy to get cheaply, and the project is simple enough that our 3 year old can help.  What's best is that there is an edible reward in the end!  Our 
choice of foods - mini pizzas!  Yum!

WIN IT:
One of my readers will win a copy of Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars of their own.  This contest will end Friday, June 17.  This contest is limited to residents of the US and Canada.

HOW TO ENTER:
You may enter using any or all of the following methods.  Please leave 1 comment for each entry and include your email address in each comment.
1) Visit Sharon Lovejoy's website, tell me something you learned.
2) Look around the Workman Publishing site and tell me about another interesting book.
3) Follow Crum's This N That via GFC.
4) Subscribe to Crum's This N That via email newsfeed.
5) Tell me why you want this book and who you would share it with.

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57 comments:

  1. ChrstineJune 7, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Jen- Great find! I love it! I went to her website and found a really cool insect juke box. You can click on a name of a bug, it shows its picture and plays its sound. I have got to show this to my boys!!! worksinprogressllc@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. ChrstineJune 7, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    I found a really neat book called "Backyard Explorer Kit" by Rona Beam on Workman Publishing Site. It is an album where kids can store their leaves they find next to the picture of the real leaf. Neat! worksinprogressllc@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. ChrstineJune 7, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    I would love this book to be a resource for homeschooling activities in my own home. It looks amazing. That and we do have grandmas that like to do these fun activities with them, so I'd share it with them for ideas of things to do with the boys as well. :) worksinprogressllc@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nicolette May CapuanoJune 8, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    I follow this blog via GFC: Nicolette
    nicoletteamay at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nicolette May CapuanoJune 8, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    I visited Sharon Lovejoy's web site and I could not believe the amount of award that she has won. This is a very talented and gifted women.
    nicoletteamay at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nicolette May CapuanoJune 8, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    I would love to win this book because I value the time that is spent with family. I think that this is a great book for all members of the family to learn, have fun and explore.
    nicoletteamay at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nicolette May CapuanoJune 8, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Another great book from workman publishing is Snuggle puppy. We love our puppy and this is a great puppy love story.
    nicoletteamay at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJune 13, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    This is an AMAZING book! I think that, even if I didn't have kids, I'd want it. I mean, who doesn't want to know how to make a pizza box solar oven??? In fact, a solar oven is one of the projects we have planned for this summer - we're going to attempt to bake a cake!
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com ☮

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownJune 13, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    I learned that Sharon is someone I'd love to meet! Her career is what I've always wanted - naturalist, artist, writer, and gardener... what a dream come true that would be!
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com ☮

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJune 13, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    Nature's Art Box sounds like another amazing book that I'd love to have from Workman Publishing.
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com ☮

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownJune 13, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    I'm a GFC follower
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com ☮

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJune 13, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    I'm an email subscriber
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com ☮

    ReplyDelete
  13. AudreyJune 13, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    I follow with GFC as strawberry.
    sweetstrawberryjam at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. AudreyJune 13, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    This book looks like summer fun, and I would love to share that joy with my son.
    sweetstrawberryjam at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. AudreyJune 13, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    PAPERTOY MONSTERS from the Workman Publishing site looks like a cute book.
    sweetstrawberryjam at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. AudreyJune 13, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    I learned that Sharon Lovejoy has love and respect for nature, and bless her for that.
    sweetstrawberryjam at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. DrakeJune 14, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    GFC follower
    kdent1@indy.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. DrakeJune 14, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Right now, my son is only 5 months old, but here in a year or so, some of those activities will come in handy. I'd share it wiith him.
    kdent1@indy.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. DrakeJune 14, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    I learned that Sharon's garden has been published in a Better Homes & Gardens feature book.
    kdent1@indy.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownJune 16, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Been reading her biography. I really like that her books are aimed both for kids and adults.

    besttoddlertoys at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownJune 16, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    I like 365 MORE SIMPLE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS WITH EVERYDAY MATERIALS

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownJune 16, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    following via gfc

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownJune 16, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    subscribed by mail

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownJune 16, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    I would like to share it with my daughter but also with my hubby who is elementary teacher.

    ReplyDelete
  25. JackieJune 17, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    1) Visit Sharon Lovejoy's website, tell me something you learned.

    I learned that she has won a TON of awards between 1999 and 2010! :)

    jaxw1208@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. JackieJune 17, 2011 at 5:16 AM

    2) Look around the Workman Publishing site and tell me about another interesting book.

    I found a book called "Fifteen Animals!" and it would be perfect for my son. He just turned 3 and is getting fairly well at counting. :)

    jaxw1208@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. JackieJune 17, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    3) Follow Crum's This N That via GFC.
    Follow as: Jackie W.
    jaxw1208@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. JackieJune 17, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    4) Subscribe to Crum's This N That via email newsfeed.
    jaxw1208@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. JackieJune 17, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    5) Tell me why you want this book and who you would share it with.
    I would share this book mainly with my son (3)...but also with my husband to get some ideas for quality family ideas. We have been lacking "family" time or one-on-one with both of our kids, so something like this would be perfect. :)

    jaxw1208@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. JulieJune 17, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    follow blog jelaws5
    thanks
    aunteegem@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. JulieJune 17, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    email subscriber
    aunteegem@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. JulieJune 17, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Mom's Family 2012 Desk Planner by Sandra Boynton-really like this
    aunteegem@yahoo.om

    ReplyDelete
  33. April YedinakJune 17, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Sharon Lovejoy has a girl's club called Grimy Hands.
    ape2016(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. April YedinakJune 17, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    went to workman and the book "52 Loaves" looks like one I would like. I have recently taken up bread baking.

    ReplyDelete
  35. April YedinakJune 17, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    email subscriber

    ReplyDelete
  36. April YedinakJune 17, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    I would love to have this book to share with my kids. We could really use some new activity ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Michelle HJune 17, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    How great that she offers lodging to friends in Maine!
    michelle.wanderingstill@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Michelle HJune 17, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    The photos in Be My Baby on the book site look beautiful!
    michelle.wanderingstill@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. BeckyJune 17, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    This book looks so good!

    Mickeys_Minnie@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  40. jadavisJune 17, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    I learned she has more than 7 books out
    jadavis42@tntech.edu

    ReplyDelete
  41. jadavisJune 17, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    I think "Snuggle Puppy" looks adorable. My little one is in LOVE with puppies!
    jadavis42@tntech.edu

    ReplyDelete
  42. jadavisJune 17, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    I Follow Crum's This N That via GFC.
    jadavis42@tntech.edu

    ReplyDelete
  43. jadavisJune 17, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    I would use this book both with my niece and nephew and in my future classroom!
    jadavis42@tntech.edu

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousJune 17, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    I like my Grandpas briefcase book

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousJune 17, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    I learned she won this award:
    2010 iParenting.com Media Award, Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  46. AnonymousJune 17, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    I follow you on Google connect

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  47. AnonymousJune 17, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    I subscribe to your daily email

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousJune 17, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    I would share this with my nephew who loves books

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  49. DianaJune 17, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    I loved the insect juke box on her page
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. DianaJune 17, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    Birthday Monsters looks like a fun book
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. DianaJune 17, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    I would love to share this book with my 4 little granddaughters
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Raggedy BabyJune 17, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    follow via gfc
    raggedybabygifts at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Raggedy BabyJune 17, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    subscribe to your emails!
    raggedybabygifts at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Raggedy BabyJune 17, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    I would love this for my kids, we would have a great time with the activities!
    raggedybabygifts at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. •´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´•June 17, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    At her site I learned that Sharon's garden has been published in a Better Homes & Gardens' book. that is awesome!
    fastkat at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. •´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´•June 17, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    I would share this book with my grandkids because I am always looking for new and fun things to do with them.

    fastkat at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. •´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´•June 17, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    At the publishing site I found this book that I'd love to share with my grandkids, DISCOVER AND DRAW: DINOS!
    fastkat at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

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