Great New Chicken Soup for the Soul Releases...

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Boost Your Brain Power!: You Can Improve and Energize Your Brain at Any Age 

"Who doesn’t want to be smarter, think faster, have a better memory? This book, combining inspirational Chicken Soup for the Soul stories written just for this book and accessible leading-edge medical information from Harvard Medical School neurologist and instructor Dr. Marie Pasinski, will motivate readers to get more out of their gray matter!"

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope & Healing for Your Breast Cancer Journey

"A support group from breast cancer diagnosis through treatment to rehabilitation and recovery, this book combines inspiring Chicken Soup for the Soul stories written just for this book and accessible leading-edge medical information from Dr. Julie Silver of Harvard Medical School. Patients and survivors will find comfort, strength and hope."

What we thought:  These were both great additions to the Chicken Soup for the Soul library.  They are full of great information and truly inspirational stories that are sure to uplift your heart as well as your mind. ABCD Diaries gives these books an A+!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Vampire Dog DVD Review...

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN COMES A NEW LIVE-ACTION FAMILY FILM IN THE TRADITION OF DISNEY’S SPOOKY BUDDIES THAT’S ALL BARK AND NO BITE!

VAMPIRE DOG

Street Date: September 25, 2012

DVD SRP: $14.98

"SNL’s Norm MacDonald is the voice of Fang, a vampire dog that’s all bark and no bite in VAMPIRE DOG, a Dove-approved “tail” of friendship and courage arriving just in time for the Halloween season.  Twelve-year-old Ace is just like any other new kid at school, until his grandfather from Transylvania dies and sends him his dog, Fang.  Ace soon discovers that his gramps’ best friend is a 600-year-old, English-speaking vampire dog!  In one adventure after another, mad scientist Dr. Warhol and her bumbling assistant, Frank, try to capture Fang and steal his DNA in the hopes of developing the latest anti-aging technology.  But lucky for Ace, Fang manages to stay one step ahead of his pursuers.  Meanwhile, along the way, an enduring friendship develops as Ace and Fang discover that, together, they can face their fears and do anything.  VAMPIRE DOG airs this Halloween on Disney XD."

What we thought:  We watched Vampire Dog on family movie night and we all enjoyed it:)  It's the perfect not-too-scary movie to get the kiddos in the spirit of Halloween.  The characters were funny and the story line was entertaining. There is also a great lesson of friendship to be learned from watching this DVD.  ABCD Diaries gives Vampire Dog an A+! 

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this DVD for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone. 

"The Grand Scream of Things" by Andy Z CD Review...

"Award winning independent kids’ musician Andy Z will celebrate this Halloween season with the release of his fifth studio CD, The Grand Scream of Things, a musical Halloween audio play created especially for kids in their “tweens.”  (a2z Productions, $14.99, run time 66 minutes, for ages 8 - 12, release date October 9, 2012).
 

This Halloween fantasy begins with young Andy Z emerging from a dream state where he has been exhorted to “Find the Witch.”   Very much in the mode of an “old time radio show” with musical interludes, Andy’s day is a series of surreal adventures, which are mysteriously under the spell of his romantic interest, Pleadia, a teenage alien.  The Grand Scream of Things is like Fibber Magee and Molly meets Sponge Bob on a Halloween Day packed with more stream of consciousness adventure than even James Joyce could “conjure up.”
 

Driven by Andy Z’s quest to introduce a new art form to the landscape of entertainment for the 8 to 12 year old set, The Grand Scream of Things gives kids a chance to use their imaginations to create their own visual images for this hip bit of aural theater that incorporates a mixed bag of pop musical styles.

Produced by Grammy® nominee Tor Hyams, The Grand Scream of Things features ten Andy Z originals that range in style from Brit and American punk to hip-hop and even Big Band swing.  Listeners will hear echoes of Green Day, The Ramones, Jimmy Eat World, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and ‘70s funk band Brick.  (Andy’s song, “Pumpkin Patch,” which has been featured on NBC’s Today Show in multiple Halloween segments, is heard here in a Brit punk version titled “Punkin Patch.”)"

What we thought:  This is a really fun CD to get kiddos in the spirit of Halloween.  The songs and skits are fun without being too scary, which makes them great for school-age kids.  We love Andy Z and he definitely doesn't disappoint on "The Grand Scream of Things" :)  ABCD Diaries gives this CD an A+!

Please visit http://thegrandscreamofthings.com for more info!

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this CD for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Applegate Organic Meats Review and Giveaway...

Thanks to MomsMeet and Applegate, we recently had the chance to sample some delicious organic and natural meats and cheese.

 We prefer our deli meats and cheeses to be natural and organic because, in our opinion, they just taste better.  Applegate naturals have that taste that is true to meat...they don't taste over processed or fake, they just taste like good, lean meat!  Of course, we tried the bacon and man was it good!  The turkey breast was fantastic as well, and the cheese was a big hit too:)  Our entire family enjoyed the Applegate products we reviewed.

Applegate has such a large variety of products to choose from and they would be great to serve at your quickly approaching holiday get-togethers.  Wouldn't it be great knowing you were feeding your guests a natural, organic meat and cheese tray that actually tasted great!? 

You can find out more about Applegate products at:

www.applegate.com

www.facebook.com/applegatefarms

www.youtube.com/ApplegateFarms

www.Twitter.com/Applegate

ask.applegate.com/applegate

Little Miss Muffin Review...

"Little Miss Muffin and all of her friends are ready to Pop n’ Flip into your hearts! Hiding snugly inside her own muffin cup, pull Little Miss Muffin’s top, pop the muffin n’flip inside to see your very own Little Miss Muffin doll! Dressed in adorable aprons ready for baking fun, Little Miss Muffins are soft and cuddly with cheerful faces. Sure to delight children ages 3 and up."

 

"There are ten Little Miss Muffin dolls, each with their own scent: Miss Chip, Blueberry, Pumpkin, Cherry, Plum, Sugar, Cinnamon, Vanilla and Coconut.  Little Miss Muffin is available in two sizes, 9 inch and a jumbo 19 inch size.  They are available for purchase currently at Toys “R” US stores, ToysRUs.com, Walmart stores, and coming soon to Target stores. 

 You can see the entire Little Miss Muffin doll line on ToysRUs.com."

What we thought:  6-year-old A has really enjoyed playing with her Little Miss Muffin doll!  She loves that the doll actually smells like blueberries:)  She can easily be changed from doll to muffin and makes a great friend.  The doll is super cute and would be a fantastic gift for any doll-loving kiddo.  ABCD Diaries gives Little Miss Muffin an A+!

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a sample for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone. 

Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree Review...

The Secret Mountain Presents the latest in its acclaimed series of international music storybooks:

 

Songs in the Shade of the

Olive Tree

Lullabies and Nursery Rhymes from the Maghreb

 

Colorfully illustrated hardbound story book includes a CD

"The entrancing music of North Africa is featured in a new book-CD for children from The Secret Mountain: Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Lullabies and Nursery Rhymes from the Maghreb. This is the latest release in a series of international titles featuring soothing songs and rhymes performed by singers from various cultures. Produced in Paris under the direction of Hafida Favret, Magdeleine Lerasle and Paul Mindy, the book draws children into a musical journey across North Africa, from the Sahara Desert through the Atlas Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. In these story-songs about everyday life, children learn about things important for survival in a harsh environment. The rhymes and lullabies refer to the importance of rain, the communal aspects of meals and the consequences of inappropriate behavior.  

The storybook features lyrics to each song reprinted in the original Arabic and translated into English, followed by notes on the origin and cultural context of each song. Full-color illustrations by Algerian-born artist Nathalie Novi provide a vivid context for each piece.

 

The accompanying CD features 30 songs from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, hauntingly performed by women, men and children from each culture. The music is a mix of ancient and modern styles recorded with indigenous acoustic instruments."

What we thought:  This line of books/CDs is a great way to introduce children and adults alike to the music and language of different countries.  This particular book and CD are absolutely beautiful!  The illustrations are colorful and really well-done.  They give us a gorgeous look of life in the Maghreb.  We had a great time listening to the CD which is overflowing with some really neat music and lyrics.  ABCD Diaries gives Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree an A+! 

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a sample for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone. 

Ozokidz CD Review...

Ozomatli Presents OzoKidz

New CD Available on Tuesday, September 25

"Ozomatli Presents OzoKidz is in stores now, and the band can't wait for everyone to hear it. Now, your kids may get into the act of creating art inspired by these new songs.

Folks who purchase the new OzoKidz CD at participating independent record stores will receive a FREE OzoKidz chalk box which contains a link to the bonus track, "Vamos a Cantar."

Kids (and parents ) everywhere are invited to enter the
OzoKidz Chalk Art Contest!

Entry Details:

 All you have to do is recreate the Ozokidz album cover art on your driveway or sidewalk. OR for the bonus prize, create a visual representation of the bonus track "Vamos A Cantar," using the Ozokidz chalk. Send us photos of your artwork and we'll pick the best ones. Winners will receive an OzoKidz prize pack!

Send photos to ozofans@gmail.com

When sending photos, entrants must include the Ozokidz chalk box in the photo. For a list of record stores participating in the chalk box giveaway, please visit: http://www.recordstoreday.com 

Please call your local store ahead to confirm they have the items."

For more information and updates, visit www.ozomatli.com/ozokids.

What we thought:  We reviewed this CD and it was fabulous!  The CD features several different music styles that really got the kiddos moving:)  Ozomatli is a Grammy winning, multicultural, polyrhythmic band based in Los Angeles and their music is full of high-energy fun!  What a great way to get the kids up and moving while introducing them to many different kinds of music and lyrics!  ABCD Diaries gives Ozokidz an A+!

 
Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a sample for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.