How to Improve Egg Quality: The Smart Way to Get Pregnant #Book Review

How to Improve Egg Quality: The Smart Way to Get Pregnant

The decision to become a mother is one that extremely personal to women. Some take the plunge early. Others stumble into it unintentionally. More and more, I am seeing women focus their early years on a career; leaving motherhood until their mid- to- late thirties. And all of these scenarios are perfectly acceptable ways to enter into the journey of motherhood.

But for women who have waited until their thirties to start, it can be more difficult to conceive. Author Darja Wagner, PhD. Has written a book specifically for women over the age of 35 who are trying to get pregnant. The book title “How to Improve Egg Quality: The Smart Way to Get Pregnant” is available on Amazon.

Darja Wagner is a cell biologist and has dedicated herbook to helping women wishing to conceive to understand their bodies and what they need to become a mother. The book is backed by clinical research and ready-to-use information that women can use immediately in their journey to conception.

Do you know someone who is trying to get pregnant? Share this book and Darja Wagner’s website – www.paleo-mama.com with them. 

Until Next Time,

Katie

This post is sponsored by darjawagner. All opinions are 100% mine.

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It's All About Millimeters: How Small Changes Can Make a Big Impact in Your Business and Your Life #BookReview

It's All About Millimeters: How Small Changes Can Make a Big Impact in Your Business and Your Life

With the New Year approaching, it’s a great time to reflect on the past year. More importantly, it’s a time to focus on the future. As a mom with a business, I like to find business minded books that inspire greatness in both my business life and my personal life. 

It's All About Millimeters: How Small Changes Can Make a Big Impact in Your Business and Your Life by Dr. Donna Galante, is one of the books I am glad I got a chance to read for the New Year. Dr. Galante takes a practical approach to focusing on these small changes you can make in your business. She covers everything from hiring to creating systems and processes. It really is a complete approach to changing your business in a big way.

I’m glad I got a chance to read this book before the New Year, but I see myself referring back to it as we get into our plans for 2015. If you run your own business, this book is a great read and full of great ideas and helpful tips. 

You can order It's All About Millimeters: How Small Changes Can Make a Big Impact in Your Business and Your Life on Amazon for only $14.95 (Prime eligible).

What do you hope to accomplish in your business next year?

Until Next Time,

Katie

This post is sponsored by drgalante. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Peggy Pencil Meets Five Angels #BookReview

Peggy Pencil Meets Five Angels:A Fable For Our Times 

My oldest loves to read. She reads anything she can get her hands on. So, when a book with a positive message comes our way, we get excited.  Peggy Pencil is a cute story with a great big message that kids need to hear. Even though the message is a little to ‘heavy’ for my seven year old, she still loved reading about the cartoon pencil who ascends into heaven feeling ‘used up’ and ‘unworthy’. 

Through a tour of heaven by five angels, Peggy Pencil discovers a great and powerful message we all need to hear from time to time. This is a modern day fable you will want to share again and again with your children or at church school about a pencil who empowers everyday writers to reach their dreams.

Peggy Pencil Meets Five Angels is available on Amazon for only $2.99 (Kindle edition)

Author Joe “Silly” Sottile has been a writer and a teacher for a long time. Joe believes that "Attitude is everything." So, if you look for the good life, you will find it. You just need the right mindset. Reading, writing, and appreciating poetry can enhance your love of life. Just read POETRY CAN SAVE THE PLANET, and you will appreciate being alive a little more. Follow Joe on Facebook and Twitter.

Until Next Time,

Katie

This post is sponsored by jsottile. All opinions are 100% mine.

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The Christmas Poopy – Santa’s Favorite Potty Training Book #Review

The Christmas Poopy – Santa’s Favorite Potty Training Book

Potty training is not my favorite mommy activity. So, I welcome any help or encouragement that is designed to help move the process along. With my oldest, books worked really well to describe and encourage the process.

Even though my kids are fully potty trained, I still love to share any tool that can facilitate your journey potty training your little ones. The Christmas Poopy – Santa’s Favorite Potty Training Book by author Joshua Rapp Iverson came my way this holiday season. I couldn’t help but share this festive and humorous potty training tool. 

Inspired by the author’s oldest son’s holiday announcement, The Christmas Poopy is written to allow both boys and girls enjoy this story in the “true spirit of the Christmas poopy.” 

This book is available on Amazon in paperback for only $10.28. For more Christmas Potty fun, follow the fun on Facebook.

So, have you used books to encourage your kids to use the potty? Share your favorite titles.

Until Next Time,

Katie

This post is sponsored by imediasalesteam. All opinions are 100% mine.

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The Elf Bully – Encouraging Reading & Comprehension #BookReview

The Elf Bully – Encouraging Reading & Comprehension

This time of year, the kids and I immerse ourselves in all sorts of Christmas stories. There are many variations, but we love them all. Author Katrina Hardin recently shared her book The Elf Bully: The Prequel (The Elfing Truth About Why You Don’t Get What You Want for Christmas) with me.

My children love all the stories of elves and their magic at Christmas time. So, I thought Katrina’s book would fit perfect in our early December reading materials…and I was right. The Elf Bully has a unique spin on many of the traditional Christmas elements we all grew up with – Santa, Elves , the North Pole, and gift giving magic.

In The Elf Bully, Katrina creates a fun and whimsical approach to why children don’t get what they want for Christmas and how the Elf Bully came into existence. In a poetic cadence (similar to The Night Before Christmas), this book has a positive and motivating message to encourage kids to keep reading.

Katrina Hardin clearly has a passion for encouraging young readers and improving their comprehension. She even created a fun reading comprehension game on her Christmas-themed website where by reading a story and answering a few comprehension questions, kids can rescue Santa from the snow globe. My 1^st grader – who loves to read and play comprehension games – really enjoyed the game.

So, The Elf Bully is a new Christmas classic to add to your kids’ reading rotation during the holiday season. This book is available on Amazon for your e-reader for only $2.99. I’d recommend it. 

Until Next Time,

Katie

This post is sponsored by Katrina Hardin. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Kids eBook “Dinosaur Party Adventure” - #BookReview

Kids eBook “Dinosaur Party Adventure”

I remember as a kid, I loved the books that let you ‘choose your own adventure’. You know the books that told you at the end of the chapter, “If you want X to happen, turn to page Y.”? 

Last week, I received “Dinosaur Party Adventure” ebook from author Christina Johnson, which is very similar to these books I loved as a child. The main difference is that it is for younger kids with a fun party theme.

After I downloaded the ebook, I tested the book with my 1st grade daughter who loves to read new books and explore new topics. I handed her the tablet and she was entertained for an hour reading and re-reading the "Dinosaur Party Adventure".

The clickable blue links in the “If X then Y” sentences took you right to the page of the adventure you are choosing. She would test to see which results she liked better. Plus at the end of the book was a fun puzzle game for her to try.

This is a great ebook to read with your child or to let your child read on their own. Check out Dinosaur Party Adventure on Amazon and visit Christina Johnson’s author website to learn more about her other books.

Until Next Time,

Katie

This post is sponsored by Christina Johnson. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Horse Art: Kathy Shell #BookReview

Horse Art: Kathy Shell (Shepparton Studio Book 1) by Ryn Shell, Kathy Shell, and Gray Nomad

Horse lovers will enjoy Horse Art: Kathy Shell. It is the first book in the Kathy Shell Art Studio series. Horse Art is more than just a coffee table book. This book is part memoir of internationally acclaimed author Kathy Shell. It contains tips for artist, both for ‘how to’ create art and the business of art.

In this first book, Kathy Shell shares an eclectic collection of horse paintings. From her popular collection of Clydesdales paintings to Welsh ponies, Horse Art gives the readers interesting insights to what inspires her art and the history of her Australian heritage.

As a collaboration between Ryn Shell (author), Kathy Shell (artist) and Gray Nomad (non-fiction author), this book is an interesting mix that will draw you in, keep you inspired, and make curious for more works by Kathy Shell. Albeit, it's a short read since it is half pictures, but for horse lovers and those who appreciate Western art, this is a great book.

Book Details – Buy on Amazon:

• Ryn Shell (Author), Kathy Shell (Author), Gray Nomad (Author)

• ASIN: B00GX08QHK

• Kindle eBooks > Arts & Photography > Art > Painting

For more works by these authors:

• Novels: http://www.amazon.com/author/rynshell 

• Art: http://www.amazon.com/author/kathyshell 

• Non-Fiction: http://www.amazon.com/author/graynomad

Until Next Time,

Katie

This post is sponsored by KathrynShell. All opinions are 100% mine.

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My Mom Spark Business Book Review - Conquering the Chaos: How to Grow a Successful Small Business Without Going Crazy

A My Mom Spark Business Book Review - Conquering the Chaos: How to Grow a Successful Small Business Without Going Crazy

I was once told I was a "learner of things". If you look at my background and experience, this is true. I've spent my entire life learning how to do new things, then teaching those things to others who share my same curiosity. From teach art when I was in high school to being a high school French teacher...and now, I teach Google AdWords to ecommerce retailers. Learning (and teaching) is a big part of my life.

For moms in business, learning should be a big part of your life too. One of my recent healthy habits has focused on fostering a healthy mind. We've added more trips to the public library, so my kiddos can catch this learning bug, too. Their excitement to explore the shelves of books is contagious!

On one recent trip, I was inspired to explore the audio books section. When I think of learning I often forget great books are recorded in an audio version. This is great for me - a mom who is constantly on the go, in my car, or trying to multi-task. Finding time to sit down with a book can be hard. Audio books seem to be the perfect fit for my lifestyle right now.

The book I grabbed for our road trip was Conquering the Chaos: How to Grow a Successful Small Business Without Going Crazy by Clate Mask and Scott Martineau. These two successful businessmen are the founders of Infusionsoft - a marketing automation system for entrepreneurs and enterprise businesses. 

This book highlights Clate's and Scott's journey from creating their business from scratch, battling the balance of home and work life, and the ultimate joy of watching their business grow. However, this is not just a book about two guys' success story. 

They've created an interesting and compelling story that is the basis for key elements entrepreneurs need to have in order to enjoy the time, money, and freedom that attracted us to entrepreneurship. It is their story that inspired their six strategies for 'conquering the chaos' and growing their successful small business.

Their 6 key strategies were broken down into two main types - Mindset Strategies & System Strategies.

• In Mindset Strategies, Clate and Scott discuss the three elements that are required for any entrepreneur to have the right mindset for their business. They discuss how these integral strategies are the fuel that keep you motivated through the tough times and the inspiration that brings about new ideas for growth and prosperity.
• In System Strategies, the Infusionsoft duo share three elements that make any successful business of the 21st century successful. Their systems are duplicatible yet applicable across all subsets of businesses today. Yet, they aren't pitching their product (one solution for their automation strategy).

Conquering the Chaos was an enjoyable book that I'd recommend to any mom, dad, or business person looking for a digestible action plan to emerge from the chaos and start living the entrepreneurial life we all dream of.

Are you a "learner of things" in your business? What business books keep you inspired for moving closer to your dreams?

Until Next Time,

Katie

Note: This post is 100% my opinion. None of the links included in this post are affiliate links (I will not get paid if you buy the book from the link). I was not paid to write this review. Pure inspirations for one entrepreneur to another. Enjoy!

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Book Review: Faux Paw by Julia Dweck

Book Review: Faux Paw by Julia Dweck

As parents we want to encourage our children to dream big, think outside the box, and be themselves. In Julia Dweck's latest children's ebook, Faux Paw, Waldon Bear's mom does just that. She encourages him to embrace his dreams and live them out loud despite his teacher and friends. And when it looks like Waldon's dreams to be a bear are about to run out, Waldon's mom shows up to support her little man and his big dream. 

Faux Paw is a light-hearted story with a big message. As always, Julia captures a great kid's story with fun characters and pure imagination. Illustrator, Walter Carzon, adds more zip to each character's expression, including a less-than-encouraging teacher.

My oldest enjoyed the story and silliness of Waldon's character, but it was also led us to a fun conversation about what we would want to be when we grow up (P.S. - she tells me I'm already there.). We both have enjoyed reading Julia's e-books for kids, and the character themed facts are an educational bonus for older kids.

I am a fan of Julia's books. Faux Paw is on Amazon for $3.99. Be sure to download a copy for your kids.

Until Next Time,

Katie

Learn more about author Julia Dweck and her collection of titles on her website JuleLoves2Write and follow her on Facebook.

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Book Review: Humpfree the Humpless Camel

Book Review: Humpfree the Humpless Camel

The newest story from Julia Dweck is a charming story of one camel's journey to embracing his differences to know that he is special. This problem-solving camel tries with all his might to find his humps before a stranger tells him how special he really is. 

This book has a heartfelt message to kids. Julia captures the plight of this humpless camel with an equal balance of critical thinking and light-hearted adventure. Illustrator, Young-Min Yoon, gives a great visual interpretation of the story with a lovable camel character on his journey.

My youngest was particularly infatuated with Humpfree since one of his favorite songs from school is "Alex the Camel". So we had lots of fun discussions about Humpfree finding his humps, but Alex was losing his humps. Either way, we loved this book. My oldest found the camel fun facts at the end of the book fascinating.

Humpfree the Humpless Camel is currently on presale on Amazon and will be available on 10/5 for purchase and download.

Until Next Time,

Katie

Learn more about author Julia Dweck and her collection of titles on her website JuleLoves2Write and follow her on Facebook.

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Book Review: Mary Had A Sleepy Sheep by Julia Dweck

Book Review: Mary Had A Sleepy Sheep by Julia Dweck

A classic nursery rhyme turned on its head with silliness. We loved this story! My kiddos were giggling through every page of Mary's adventure with her sleepy sheep. Julia Dweck captures the essence of the nursery rhyme we all know in love in this new adventure Mary Had A Sleepy Sheep.

From a her mother who kicks the sheep out to the resourceful ways Mary tries to keep her sheep awake, this is a fun adventure with a little twist at the end. Julia delights us with additional activities at the end of the book. And illustrator, Wilson Williams, Jr, captured the ridiculousness of the story in each characters expressions, making my kids giggle even more at all the action happening on the page.

If your kids like silly books, Mary Had A Sleepy Sheep, is a great book to have on hand. The rhyming cadence makes it easy to read, but is a great level for my beginning reader to try her hand at the simple language used. This book is age appropriate for families with a wide span of young children.

You can buy Mary Had A Sleepy Sheep on Amazon for $3.19.

Until Next Time,

Katie

 Learn more about author Julia Dweck and her collection of titles on her website JuleLoves2Write and follow her on Facebook.

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Book Review: Blucy by Julia Dweck

Book Review: Blucy by Julia Dweck

Who doesn't love a mischievous blue cat? Well, we did. Blucy is a magical story of a little girl, Mandy, who adopts a cat from the shelter. As the pages progress, we are taken through all the blue ways a little cat can get in trouble. But there is one way to Blucy's heart...

Blucy is a charming kids story filled will silly adventures and themed around all things blue. It's a delightful read before bedtime. Julia Dweck captures a rhythm and cadance with her rhymes that makes it fun to read and fun for the kids to follow. Illustrator, Erika Lebarre, captures the brilliant blue tones in each colorful adventure adding appropriately mischief expressions to the silly blue cat.

As I explored Julia's stories, I love how she incorporates additional activities for older children at the end of each book. This makes reading one book to a variety of ages more interesting. My 2 year old understood the story, while my 6 year old was challenged with more advanced activities, like finding the hidden pictures or fun facts about the characters she has created.

Blucy is available on Amazon and worth having on your tablet to read each night for only $3.99!

Until Next Time,

Katie

 Learn more about author Julia Dweck and her collection of titles on her website JuleLoves2Write and follow her on Facebook.

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Hard Copy Books vs E-books for Kids

I love reading with my kids. It has been an integral part of our bedtime routine since before my oldest could talk. Both of my kiddos love to read - to me, to each other, or by themselves. We have a shelf full of close to 100 books for the kids to choose from, play with, and explore. 

But until recently, I've been a little 'old school' with kids books. I've been hesitant to incorporate e-books in their routine. Perhaps its because I believe there is joy created by physically holding a book and turning the pages. Or my risk-adverse nature to not put my Kindle in the hands of my sticky fingered little ones. Plus, I still enjoy reading a great book and turning the pages is satisfying as you progress through a great read. 

Regardless, when Julia Dweck offered to share her kids books with me, I knew we would love to explore some new stories. The fact that they were electronic made story time more exciting for everyone. My kids, who rarely get to use "Mommy's Tablet", were even more thrilled to sit down with me to read these new stories. It was a revived excitement for reading. Despite a battle who would touch the screen to turn the page and trying to explain to my 2 year old that he couldn't touch the picture because it would move the page, this transition to electronic literature is an interesting journey. Overall, I may be convinced that e-books for kids are a pretty cool treat for them.

This week I will be reviewing each of the stories Julia shared with my family, but I thought I'd ask how other families feel about e-books for kids.

So, I want to know, do your kids get to enjoy books on your tablet? Or do you prefer 'old school' books for the kids?

Stay tuned for my book reviews of Author Julia Dweck's children's books.

Until Next Time,

Katie

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