Coquette Maman

Wicked Reads Campaign: Tips for Reading A Scary Book!

Happy Halloween! Thanks to Penguin Kids for sending me candy (and books!) to get me in the Halloween spirit! I have also been binging on candy corn because, well, it's candy corn!

Do you like to read scary books? I do. As a kid, I loved being scared, but was also scared of the whole process of being scared. Make sense?  Plus my imagination easily ran wild. It was better if it were aliens because aliens were further away from the reality of actual ghosts...am I right?

I'm super excited to be a part of Penguin's Wicked Reads Campaign that hit the Internet this week with tons of fun, scary(ish) books that are a part of this campaign. The books I received were the graphic novels of Edison Beaker. Book #1: Edison Beaker, Creature Seeker: The Night Door and Book #2: Edison Beaker, Creature Seeker: The Lost City, both by author Frank Cammuso. Graphic novels are the perfect way to experience scary reads because you can see and also feel what the characters are going through.

Here are my tips for reading a scary book:

1. Go to the bathroom first. There's no point to go down the dark hallway alone to the bathroom when you have just finished reading about the monster in the book. Go to the bathoom first so you can have plenty of time to read without freaking yourself out when you realize it's your jacket hanging on the wall and not Frankenstein.
2. Get cozy. You really need to be comfortable to get yourself in the mood. Read in bed in your PJs or with a blanket on the couch. 
3. Read with a flashlight. If you really want to be scared, this is a fun way to have all the lights off and get yourself into "adventure" reading mode.
4. Have a furry friend nearby. Have your dog, cat or stuffed animal near by so you can hold on to them when there's a tense situation coming up. Floor creaking? Door opening by itself? Your furry friend will give you the support you need to help you turn the page.
5. Have snacks and water at hand. Have your water and snacks near you in case you get hungry or thirsty. You never know when hunger or thirst may strike and this way you don't have to make the trek to the kitchen alone (or yell for mom)!

 

 

Here are the other blogs for Today's Wicked Reads Campaign:

The Baroness of Books: The Haunted by Danielle Vega

BookCrushin: Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall

The Baroness of Books: I Know You Remember by Jennifer Donaldson

These Wild Pages: The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

Some the Wiser: The Curse of the Werepenguin by Allan Woodrow

Lacey Does Lit: Dead Voices by Katherine Arden

Bookish Lifestyle: Last Kids on Earth and the Midnight Blade by Max Brallier and Douglas Holgate

 

Disclaimer: This was not a paid sponsorship.

Review Books provided by: Penguin Kids

DIY Printable Valentine's Day Cards for Kids

(Photo: Kate.net)

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I love how my daughter get so excited about passing out cards to her classmates. For those of you who don't necessarily love the commercial cards (superhero, anything that's actually a toy you can buy), I love how many crafters and artists have shared free printable cards for kids online. I adore these printable animal Valentine's Day cards from Kate.net are already laid out perfectly to print on letter sized paper with gridlines for easy cutting. I would recommend to print the cards on card stock paper.

Here are more of my favorite printable Valentine's Day cards for kids:

Printable Valentine's Day Cards from Pumpkins & Posies

Dinomite Valentine's Day Card by My Blessed Southern Life
(Tip: Use dinosaur stickers if you don't want to get plastic dinosaurs)

Printable Kids Valentine's Day Cards by Lia Griffith

Kid's Valentine Labels by Lia Griffith
(You can print these as cards if you don't want to use them as labels)

Monster Puppet Cards by SmallforBig

Printable Arrow Card by Muffin Grayson

Valentine's Day Bookmark by Thirty Handmade Days

Gummy Bear Valentine's Treat Bag Topper by Isabel Kallman on Alpha Mom

12 Days of Picture Books: The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywait

I'm back again today for the #12DaysofPictureBooks celebration with Penguin Books for Young Readers.

Take a peek at the 12 Days of Picture Books holiday gift guide featuring some awesome books your kiddos will sure to love.

Today is the last day, Day #12 and it's all about The Day the Crayons Came Home.

The Day the Crayons Came Home
By Drew Daywait
Published by: Philomel
ISBN-10: 0399172750
10.4 x 0.2 x 10.2 inches
Age: 5-8 years
$8.99 on Amazon

The Day the Crayons Came Home is the much awaited sequel to author Drew Daywait's 2013 bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit. In this book, all the crayons are lost and want to be returned to the crayon box. Each color writes a postcard to Duncan, the young boy who the crayons belong to. Each crayon has a funny tale to tell. Maroon Crayon is stuck in sofa cushions and was broken in half by Dad who sat on him. Turquoise Crayon who head is stuck to Duncan's stink sock. Each crayon has a story.

This is another well designed book featuring illustrations, photos, and text that makes these darn crayons seem so real. Chloe loves this book and laughs at each crayon color's personality and special storyline. For instance, throughout the book, Neon Red Crayon sends postcards updating Duncan on his travels. Chloe especially loves the glow in the dark page from the Glow in the Dark Crayon. The premise of this book is just too clever! Daywait's sense of humor just makes us laugh out loud when we read this book. After reading this book, you can be sure that your kids will always make their crayons are put back into the box, aka "home".

See more books in the 12 Days of Picture Books and enter to win this book on Penguin Kids' Facebook page. They are giving away twelve copies! Deadline for entries is at 11:59 PM EST on 12/18/15.

Review Book provided by Penguin Kids.

12 Days of Picture Books: The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Today and tomorrow, I am a part of the #12DaysofPictureBooks celebration happening with Penguin Books for Young Readers!

Take a peek at the 12 Days of Picture Books holiday gift guide featuring some awesome books your kiddos will sure to love.

Today is Day #11 and it's all about The Book with NOOOOOO Pictures! Say What?

(Photo: Penguin Kids)

The Book with No Pictures
By B.J. Novak
Published by Dial Books
ISBN-10: 0803741715
8.4 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches
Age: 5-8 years
$8.99 on Amazon

The Book with No Pictures ($8.99 on Amazon) is a children's book by comedian and writer B.J. Novak. Novak happened to be on a little o' tv show called "The Office" where he was a writer and an actor. (Plus he used to date Mindy Kaling!) Can you tell I'm already a fan?! Well, it didn't matter to my 7 year old daughter. She happened on this book at our local cafe bookstore back in May and could not stop laughing. So much so that I had to get it for her so she could read it again twenty more times at home and continue her laugh/snort combination.

This could possibly be said to be Chloe's favorite book of 2015. There are of course absolutely no pictures inside this picture book. Instead, beautiful type in various colors and fonts that is designed in such a way that they actually help bring the book to life. Novak does a great job at being the narrator torn between his wacky and his normal side. Chloe reads this book herself and makes all the funny noises in all the right places.

"Glug, Glug, Glug, my face is a bug. I eat ants for breakfast right off the ruuuuuuug!" -- This is a song that Chloe will sing and laugh hysterically while doing so. Also, be prepared to hear more about a hippo named Boo Boo Butt. What? Yes, trust me. It's hilarious.

This book is an automatic page turner and just that perfect silly book that's fun for kids to read. I love seeing my daughter pick up out of her bookshelf because she wants to read it to me and make me laugh.

See more books in the 12 Days of Picture Books and enter to win this book on Penguin Kids' Facebook page. They are giving away eleven copies! The giveaway closes at 11:59 PM EST on 12/17/15.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Bespoke Name Lockets From Vintage Maps

When I was an editor with CRAFT and had to work the many holiday craft fairs, I could never walk past Adjowah's The Weekend Store table without getting myself a piece of her beautiful jewelry. Recently, she has come up with the most adorable gift idea that is perfect for the kids on your holiday gift (or birthday) list. Her Bespoke Name Lockets and Pendants are so unique because it features the child's name as a city from a map. For instance, who knew that there was a town called Chloe in West Virginia? Choose from a variety of finishes from brass, antiqued silver, brushed silver and more, as well as a variety of locket styles.

I love supporting small businesses and local ones at that! (The Weekend Store is based in Berkeley, CA). I included this locket in my recent Ultimate Indie Holiday Gift List for the Entire Family for Tend at Mode.com.

Here's Chloe wearing her new favorite Chloe Bespoke Locket in Antiqued Silver on her 7th birthday a few weeks ago. The quality of these necklaces are amazing and I can see Chloe wearing this for years and years to come. She's excited to put a little picture inside of our pom, Lulu.

Since starting these Bespoke Name Lockets, Adjowah has over 200 names (and growing) in her map name collection. What has been the hardest name for Adjowah to find so far? Malcolm which is a tiny town in Nebraska and don't show up in most maps. These necklaces are a great gift for kids to feel proud of their name and to know that their name is a little place in the world that someone calls home.

Shop The Weekend Store's Bespoke Name Lockets at theweekendstore.com.

Review product was provided by The Weekend Store.

The Perfect Family Movies to Watch Over Thanksgiving Break

Check out The Perfect Family Movies to Watch Over Thanksgiving Break

by Coquette at Mode

Wee Society's Halloween DIY: Create a Spooky Story

Around my house, Chloe can't get enough of making her own little story books. The creative folks at Wee Society have a great DIY project for your budding writer. Just download the fill-in-the-blanks story worksheet which includes instructions for DIY stamps and ideas for illustrations (inspired by Ed Amberley).

I also love their alternative to candy on Halloween night like little toys, stickers or temporary tattoos to pass out. These super cute Spooky Spider or Boo Crew Tattlys are designed by Wee Society.

Finally, if you still are looking for costume ideas, check out their paper bag DIY costumes from last year here.

Wee You-Things Blocks: Heirloom Learning Toy that's Made in the USA

For the holiday season, I'll be rounding up lots of creative gift ideas for the little ones. To kick it off, Wee Society has the perfect holiday gift for creative little geniuses-to-be. Through Dec. 7, Wee You-Things Blocks ($65) are $15 off (with promo code BLOCKS15). The blocks are a Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and were designed to spark creativity and promote problem-solving. Each set includes three puzzles and lots of stackable characters. It's an heirloom toy that's built to last – made in the USA with replenish able basswood and non-toxic inks.

To give your gift a touch of handmade receive one-of-a-kind hand-drawing/lettering on gift-wrapped packages for all Wee Society Shop orders made by December 19.

If you are looking for fun, creative things to do with kids this winter break, check out all of the free downloadable activities from the Wee Workshop.

Visit the Largest Holiday Sugar Castle at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco

Don't miss the unveiling of the largest holiday sugar castle on Wednesday, November 27th at the Westin St. Francis in Union Square, San Francisco. The festivities start at 9am and will run throughout the day where you can enjoy live holiday music plus complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.

I can't wait to see it with Chloe as the Sugar Castile is modeled after a French Chateau in the Bordeaux region where my husband is from. Jean-François Houdré the Executive Pastry Chef at the Westin St. Francis has been working day and night to create this 12 foot rotating Sugar Castle that features more than 20 grand circular towers, approximately 30 rooms with illuminated windows surrounded by a small village and a running train.

More fun facts about the Sugar Castle's ingredients:

• 90 pounds of gingerbread
• 160 pounds of pastillage (powdered sugar, egg whites and gelatin dough)
• 30 pounds of pulled and bubble sugar
• Royal icing made of 400 pounds of sugar and egg whites
• 50 pounds of molasses
• 80 pounds of flour
• 60 pounds of assorted Christmas candy

Make it a fun trip with the kids to Union Square to see the Sugar Castle, ice skate at the Union Square rink and do some holiday shopping!

The Nutcracker: A Magic Theater Book

As visions of December come dancing ever so closely now, my little ballerina gets excited for our visit to see the SF Ballet's Nutcracker in a matter of weeks. She is obsessed with the lovely story thanks to this gorgeous book, The Nutcracker: A Magic Theater Book ($14.76 on Amazon) by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Kristina Swarner (published by Chronicle Books).

The pages of this book come to life with beautiful paper animations that cleverly stay in their own "windows" so there's no fear of ripping as things don't pop out. McCaughrean is my hero because her prose is sophisticated and poetic for kids, making it a joy to read aloud to Chloe. Also keep in mind the book has the young heroine as the original "Marie" and not "Clara" which it was later changed to by Alexandre Dumas.

Watch the video of The Nutcracker above to see the pages move!

Also available from Chronicle Books is a personalized version of the Night Before Christmas. Only $34.99, this book puts your child into the magical tale. Order it now so it arrives in time for the holidays!

Disclaimer: Review book was provided by Chronicle Books.