Book a Party in December!

I still have dates open for December Parties, it's not too late!  Starting December 13th, and running through January 31st, 2012, our Hostess Special will be DOUBLE FREE BOOKS!  So if you can't work a party in before Christmas, how about scheduling a party NOW for January?!  Let me discuss the details with you, contact me at HeyJadeBooks at gmail . com! 

Black Friday All Weekend!

The Black Friday Specials are running all weekend!  Make sure to check them out before Monday.  Here are some examples of great deals you can get right now!  But hurry!

Only $10 (reg $24.99)

Only $3.90 (reg $12.99)

Only $17.99 (reg $29.99)

The Black Friday Specials run through Monday, when they will be replaced with new Cyber Monday Specials!  Woo hoo, get your shop on!  Visit www.HeyJadeBooks.com to see all of the wonderful Usborne Books!

P.S. On Thanksgiving morning, my sponsor's vehicle was stolen from her driveway while they slept.  All of our combined inventory was in it, and while the vehicle was recovered (though heavily damaged)... the books are all gone.  If you were planning to come by and shop my books in person, I no longer have inventory on hand to sell and am not sure when I will again at this point. Please go through my online store linked above to make purchases.  Let me know if you have any questions on specific titles and I will be glad to help!  I am thankful that my sponsor's vehicle was returned, but we both lost a lot of income opportunity in those books.  If you don't mind praying for both of us to have a great December with lots of sales to make up for it, we'd appreciate it!  Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving and...

...Book Friday is coming!

I pray everyone has a wonderful and gracious Thanksgiving Day.  I hope you are able to spend it with loved ones, stuffing yourself with turkey and cranberry sauce and basking in God's goodness!  Be thankful for something or someone today.  And every day!  Blessings!

Also, a reminder that Black Friday is also Book Friday with Usborne Book & More!  The consultants don't even know what this sale will entail, so it's going to be a fun and exciting surprise for all of us!  We're counting down the hours!  Check here for info!

Christmas Books, Get 'Em Now!

We have some wonderful Christmas books to use as we lead up to Christmas.  Some of them were SO good, they're already out of stock.  Whoa!  I know, right?  But, don't worry... still some great ones available... FOR NOW!  You might wanna hurry!  And best yet... we have a lot of our books available in sets...

The Christmas Activity Collection includes Drawing, Doodling, and Coloring for Christmas, Christmas Patterns to Color, Christmas Coloring Book, and Lots of Things to Find and Color at Christmas.

There's a Christmas Card Collection with 20 Pop-up Christmas Cards to Color and 20 Christmas Cards to Color.

For the littles, there is the First Christmas Collection, with Baby's First Christmas, Baby's Very First Noisy Book Christmas, Very First Christmas Carols, and Very First Words Christmas.

Touchy-Feely Set of Three That's Not My..., including That's Not My...Reindeer, That's Not My...Santa, and That's Not My...Snowman.

A Sticker and Coloring Collection with That's Not My ...Coloring Book Christmas, My First Christmas Coloring Book, and First Sticker Book Christmas.

Finally a Carols and Advent Set with Advent Nativity Book and First Book of Christmas Carols.

And that's just the sets, we have lots of other Christmas books available by themselves as well!  Check them all out at my online store: www.HeyJadeBooks.com.

Read Aloud Thursday: Nov 17th

Read-Aloud Thursday @ Hope Is the Word  is a fun weekly meme to showcase the books you are reading aloud to your children.  It is so important to continue reading to your kids, even after they've learned to read themselves!  Read to them until they move out if you can!  I read to my 20-month old at naptime and bedtime and to my 5 1/2 year a chapter from a book every nite at bedtime, and read to both of them all throughout the day.  Sometimes my older reads to my little, which always blesses my heart!  I also use this opportunity to highlight some of the great Usborne Books & More titles I have to offer.

My little one has been demanding more and more books lately.  And the other day he literally dragged a large book over to me, crawled up in my lap, opened it up to the first page, pointed and said, "Book!"  Ok, ok!  Lol.  He had brought me a soft-covered book called Sweet Dreams, My Little One: A Treasury of Stories for Bedtime.  So, it wasn't bedtime.  Oh well.  This book actually contains four stories: "Can't You Sleep, Dotty?" by Tim Warnes (about a puppy who just can't fall asleep); "Little Bunny's Bathtime!" by Jane Johnson (one little bunny gets out of taking a bath, or so he thinks!); "Time to Sleep, Alfie Bear!" by Catherine Walters (Alfie wants to be like all the other animals that don't have to go to bed!); and "Two Hungry Bears" by Linda Cornwell (a big bear and a little bear each go to buy food for the other, then end up eating it all... and for a good reason!).  Each story offers adorable illustrations and sweet characters.  Our favorite was "Two Hungry Bears," which also happens to be illustrated by Jane Chapman who does all those other Bear Books that we love around my house!  It's a funny, little story and just perfect for bedtime.  Callen has really enjoyed all of the stories in this book... he likes to point out all the animals scattered throughout the drawings.

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I went to the library to pick up a few stories for us to read this week and next.  Nearly all the Thanksgiving storybooks were checked out already, but I tracked down this really neat booked called The Harvest Feast: Stories of Thanksgiving Yesterday and Today, compiled by Wilhelmina Harper.  The book was originally published in 1938, with this revised version from 1965.  There aren't many illustrations, so I was wondering if my littles would be interested in sitting for so long to listen to a story.  Callen wasn't, but Preston was completely enthralled!  The first story we read from the book was called "Indians for Thanksgiving" by Dorothy Heiderstadt.  A sweet tale of pilgrim children being kind to little, lost indian boy who turns out to be son of the chief that was leading his warriors to wipe out the colony!  But, since they were kind and helped the lost boy, the chief made peace with the village instead.  I can't wait to read more of this intriguing book out loud with my family as we draw near to Thanksgiving.  This collection offers historical writings, poems, fables and "contemporary" (for 1938!) stories.

And on that note, it's time for a spotlight on an Usborne book we looked at this week: Then and Now! This isn't really a story book, exactly, but it's a lot of fun to read anyway!  It features an example of life from back "then" and compares it to "now."  For example, a school room from "then" featured wooden benches and pens that had to be dipped in ink.  Meanwhile, a school room from "now" features tables, chairs, brightly colored posters and fish tanks.  Each page also has discussion starting questions, like "Can you find the teacher? What is she doing?"  These questions are designed to get your child thinking about how things have changed in the world.  It's very interesting for young kids to learn that things were not always like they are now.  The book also includes scenes from a railway station, the seaside and several rooms in a home, plus much more.  It is a thin, paperback book... but something a child will most likely want to look at again and again.  There is a lot of action in each picture, and lots of things to discover throughout!  See an example of what the pages are like: click here.  (Please note: The description of the book on the Usborne website is incorrect.  This book does not address fashion, nor does it have fold-out pages.  Oops!)

[This post does contain affiliate links.  If you purchase a product through a link clicked here, I do receive a small compensation, and I want you to know I greatly appreciate it!]

Winner! Advent Calendar to Color Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone that entered my Usborne Advent Calendar to Color Giveaway!  Last week the book went out of stock and is on the "out of print" list, so it's likely never to return!  It's such a neat book, I'm sorry if you missed it!  But congratulations to Mariah, my winner!!!  Mariah, you have been emailed, please reply within 48-hours to claim your prize!

I enjoyed reading about everyone's favorite holiday traditions, so thank you all for sharing!  Don't forget that my online store is available 24/7, so you can do Christmas shopping in your PJs. Books make such wonderful gifts!  Plus we have games, activity cards and so much more!

I am teamed up with several other bloggers in the Christmas Angel Giveaway, going on now!  I am giving away a Movie Stars Sticker Dolly Dressing book, but there are also prizes of Target gift cards, Amazon codes, Paypal cash and much more!  Check out that giveaway and enter here.

Christmas Angel Giveaway!

I have joined with my friend Jessica from Coupon Spice and many other great bloggers to bring you our Christmas Angel Giveaway. The unique thing about this giveaway is that every blogger that joined in this giveaway donated money to support families in need this Christmas - called Christmas Angels. These families have been laid off, ill or otherwise in need this Christmas. The money will be used to purchase gifts, toys and clothing for the children of these families.

In fact, the bloggers in this giveaway gave over $250 to the Christmas Angels ON TOP of the amazing prizes that you have the chance to enter to win!

If you would like to donate money to this amazing cause you can do so by following the directions in the Rafflecopter widget below. You will also receive additional entries into the giveaway for your donation (100% optional.) Sounds great, right!

Here are the Prizes that you can win:

• Grand Prize: $130 Target Gift Card (may come on multiple cards)
• Second Prize: $80 Amazon Gift Card (may come on multiple cards)
• Third Prize: $50 Paypal CASH (must have a Paypal Account to be eligible to win)

Runner Up Prizes:

• $25 Crate and Barrel Gift Card
• $25 Restaurant.com Gift Card
• $20 Walgreens Gift Card
• $10 iTunes Gift Card
• $10 Walmart Gift Card
• Eversave Voucher for Noise-reducing Earbuds from Vice Couture ($49.99 Value)
• (12) Tide 2X Laundry Detergent Travel Packs ($12.00 Value)
• 3 Piece Floating Candle Set
• Doggie Wag Mist
• Movie Stars Sticker Dolly Dressing Book
• $50 in Coupons
• 6 Months of Website Hosting for Family-Friendly Websites
• Mystery Prize

The giveaway begins on November 14, 2011 at 12:01 AM (EST) and ends on December 5, 2011 at 11:59 PM (EST.) You may enter this giveaway one time on one blog only. Duplicate entries will be deleted and excessive duplicate entries will be disqualified from winning any prize. After the entries are verified, the winners will be selected at random and have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Additional Giveaway Terms can be found on the Rafflecopter Widget below. Good luck!

If any of the entries do not work for any reason, please send an email HERE

To enter, just complete the entry form via the Rafflecopter Widget below! Super Easy Entries! Good luck!

If the Rafflecopter is not showing below, click "Read More" on the next line to enter

Come do your Christmas Shopping!

Friends, if you live in the DFW area and would like to purchase some children's books to knock some names off of your Christmas shopping list, just come on by!  No really, let me know you're coming and I can have my inventory available for you to look through!  I have lots of wonderful titles for you to choose from, and it'll save you on shipping costs!  But if I don't have what you're looking for in my possession, ordering is so simple and delivery is super speedy!

Here are some of the books I have available right now...

 

And about 30 other books to choose from!  Come visit and shop, just let me know you're coming - call, email, text or fb message me!  You can always shop online at my website: HeyJadeBooks.com.

Thank a Vet Today!

It's Veteran's Day!  This is a day we should thank those who have served our country and the world, helping to bring freedom to our land.  They have fought battles, seen things most of us can't even imagine.  They have spent weeks, months, years away from their own families to help protect ours.  I am truly grateful for their sacrifice, and we pray continually for those who are still dutifully serving our country.

I am excited to tell you that Usborne has wonderful resources for learning more about some of the wars in our history.  For example:

War Stories: True Stories From the First and Second World Wars.

The Vietnam War

Make sure you thank a veteran for their service today - and anytime you have the opportunity!  Being grateful for sure sacrifice should not be saved for just one day of the year!

Waxahachie Pre-Christmas Craft Fair THIS Saturday!

I will be out at Waxahachie High School on Saturday from 9am to 5pm, at the Pre-Christmas Craft Fair.  There is a $1 Admission Fee, and the event benefits the Sunshine/Student In Need Fund.  Come do some Christmas shopping - check out some of our great Christmas books and other wonderful products too!

Waxahachie High School
1000 Dallas Hwy.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Saturday, November 12th

9am - 5pm

National Young Readers Day!

How are you getting your youngsters excited about reading?  Do you spend time reading together as a family?  Do you have age-appropriate books available, stored in places the kids can easily reach them?

If your children enjoy watching kid shows on TV or movies more than reading, look into finding books featuring those same familiar characters!  They will most likely be interested in giving the book a try!  Or if they love certain animals, hunt down some books with those animals - either as characters or facts about the real animals - it'll get them excited to learn more!

As you already know, Usborne offers wonderful children's books of all kinds, for all ages and reading levels!  We also have a neat reading program to help your struggling or reluctant readers!  Along with our Very First Reading Set, there's a website with tips, activities and lessons to help you, as a parent, assist your kid in learning to read!

Usborne also offers a 7-level reading program to featuring exciting titles sure to keep your kid's attention and continue that love of reading!

Do something today to encourage your child or children to read and love reading!

Giveaway: Advent Calendar to Color (Ends 11/15)

The holidays are quickly approaching!  Help your kids keep track of how many days till Christmas with this adorable Advent Calendar to Color (retail $7.99).  It folds out to stand up so it can be set on a shelf as decor.  Featuring twenty-four door and window flaps to open as Christmas gets closer and closer, each unveiling a holiday creature or scene.  Your child will enjoy coloring mice, owls, cats, good 'ole Saint Nick and more... knowing as each flap is opened, they're one day closer to Christmas!  Note: This is not a traditional Christian Advent Calendar.

On to the giveaway!  One of my readers will receive a free copy of the Advent Calendar to Color of their very own.  Running from November 1st through 15th, this giveaway is only open to US addresses, one entry per household.  If chosen as the winner, you will be contacted via email and are expected to reply within 48-hours or another winner will be chosen and contacted.  Please follow the directions below via Rafflecopter to enter.  You must provide a valid e-mail address, and all entries will be verified.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!  (If you don't see the Rafflecopter entry form below, please click on "Read more" on the next line, then you can enter the contest!)