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Laws of Illusion by Sarah McLachlan

Posted on June 23, 2010 3:22 pm by TheAngelForever

It is hard to believe that it has been seven years since Sarah McLachlan of Lilith Fair fame (which returns this summer after a run from 1997-1999) has put out a CD with music for her fans. On June 15th, we were finally given a taste of McLachlan’s new CD Laws of Illusion.

True to her Canadian roots, the album was recorded in Montreal and Vancouver with Sarah’s longtime collaborator/producer Pierre Marchand. Sarah’s new album Laws of Illusion will be released June 15th just weeks in advance of the kick off to Lilith Fair 2010, the historic all women touring festival, founded by McLachlan.

The album’s first single “Loving You is Easy,” is a Top Ten hit at Adult Alternative radio and is available for sale at all digital providers.

Check out Sarah candidly talking about the making of the album. New videos will be put up on her site everyday. You can also Follow Sarah on Facebook and Twitter.

Tracks:

Awakenings
Illusions of Bliss
Loving You is Easy
Changes
Forgiveness
Rivers of Love
Love Come
Out of Tune
Heartbreak
Don’t Give Up On Us
U Want Me 2
Bring on the Wonder

Lilith Fair Tour Dates:

Jun 27              Calgary, AB                             McMahon Stadium
Jun 28              Edmonton, AB                        Northlands Spectrum
Jul 1                 Vancouver, BC, Canada        Pitt Meadows Airport
Jul 2                 Portland, OR                             Sleep Country Amphitheatre
Jul 3                 Seattle/George, WA               The Gorge Amphitheatre
Jul 5                 San Francisco, CA                  Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
Jul 7                 San Diego, CA                          Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
Jul 8                 Phoenix, AZ                              Cricket Wireless Pavilion
Jul 9                 Las Vegas, NV                        Mandalay Bay Events Center
Jul 10               Los Angeles, CA                      Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul 12               Salt Lake City, UT                    USANA Amphitheatre
Jul 13               Denver, CO                                Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jul 15               Kansas City, MO                      Capitol Federal Park @ Sandstone
Jul 16               St. Louis, MO                            Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul 17               Chicago, IL                              First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Jul 18               Minneapolis, MN                     Canterbury Park
Jul 20               Indianapolis, IN                      Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis
Jul 21               Detroit, MI                                 DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul 23               Montreal, QC                            Parc Jean Drapaeu
Jul 24               Toronto, ON                            Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Jul 27               Cleveland, OH                          Blossom Music Center
Jul 28               Philadelphia, PA                     Susquehanna Bank Center
Jul 30               Boston, MA                              Comcast Center
Jul 31               New York, NY                          PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug 1               Hartford, CT                             Comcast Theatre
Aug 3               Washington, DC                       TBA
Aug 4               Raleigh, NC                            Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
Aug 6               Charlotte, NC                           Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
Aug 7               Nashville, TN                           Bridgestone Arena
Aug 8               Atlanta, GA                               Aarons Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Aug 10             West Palm Beach, FL            Cruzan Amphitheatre
Aug 11             Tampa, FL                                 Ford Amphitheatre
Aug 12             Birmingham, AL                     Verizon Wireless Music Center
Aug 14             Austin, TX                                TBA
Aug 15             Houston, TX                            Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Aug 16             Dallas, TX                                  Superpages.com Center

This year Sarah will be joined by: Colbie Caillat, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Ke$ha, Norah Jones, Sugarland, Heart, Miranda Lambert, Beth Orton, Brandi Carlile, Cat Power, Chantel Kreviazuk, Corinne Bailey Rae, Emmylou Harris, Gossip, Indigo Girls, Ingrid Michaelson, Jill Scott, Loretta Lynn, Metric, Sara Bareilles, Tegan and Sara and more!

My thoughts:

As someone who always wished I had been able to get to Lilith Fair, I was so happy to hear that Sarah McLachlan was not only going back on a summer tour, but releasing a new CD. Laws of Illusion did not disappoint. The power house that is McLachlan picked up right where she left off. Her beautiful voice tells a story through the twelve great new songs. One of the items that I really appreciate about Sarah McLachlan is the simplicity of the music. The accompanying instruments do not over power McLachlan so you can pay close attention to her mesmerizing voice and strong lyrics.

I truly enjoyed listening to this CD. There is something special about Sarah McLachlan that allows you to drift into a different mind set and temporarily leave your troubles and stresses of the world behind. If I was to pick a favorite song or two I would probably say "Loving You is Easy" and "Bring on The Wonder" because they show the depth of artistry on this compilation. Of course, all twelve tracks really lends their part to this. It really had been too long since the last release from Sarah McLachlan.

Have you been to a Lilith Fair and/or will you be going this summer? Let me know so I can be jealous!

Disclosure: Thanks to One2One Network, I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in the review are my own.

Categories:
Music Product review

Sex and the City 2 Soundtrack

Posted on June 7, 2010 12:42 pm by TheAngelForever

In the summer of 2004, TechyDad and I decided that we really wanted to check out a show that had been on HBO and was ending. Everyone seemed to watch the show and loved it. All of the television shows at the time were talking about how the series would wrap up. That summer, TechyDad and I started to rent DVDs of Sex in the City one at at a time and eventually caught up with the end of the series. We quickly watched all of the adventures of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. Some nights, we would watch an entire DVD and I would go out the following day to secure the next DVD to watch.

To say that we were hooked would be an understatement. When it was over, we waited to see what would happen next. Would Carrie and Big come back in a movie with the rest of the girls? Then they did and once again this summer the girls are back on the big screen in Sex and the City 2 (released May 27th). While I may not be a fan of their fashions for myself (love the shoes – but no way they would work for me), I adore the hip and fun music that has been featured in the show and movies.

Sex and the City 2 Soundtrack

Recently, I was asked by One2One Network to review the new Sex and the City 2 soundtrack (available in stores May 25th). I jumped at the opportunity to listen and hear what I hope to soon witness when I get to see the movie on the big screen.

More about Sex and the City 2 Soundtrack:

The soundtrack features a brand-new duet "Love is Your Color" by Grammy and Academy Award^® winner Jennifer Hudson, along with global superstar, multi-platinum recording artist and three-time Grammy Award nominee Leona Lewis.

Other highlights from this ‘getting-ready-to-go-out’ soundtrack include a new song by platinum-selling CeeLo and International superstar Dido also contributes an exclusive new track. Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Tony and Academy Award^® winner Liza Minnelli covers Beyonce’s chart-topper “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” and 12-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys performs her own extraordinary new version of the Blondie classic “Rapture”.

The soundtrack also features the stars of Sex and the City 2, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, performing the Helen Reddy classic “I Am Woman.”

Sex and the City 2

Tracklisting

1. Alicia Keys “Rapture”
2. Dido “Everything to Lose”
3. Cee Lo “Language of Love”
4. Erykah Badu “Window Seat”
5. Natacha Atlas “Kidda”
6. Michael McGregor “Euphrates Dream”
7. Liza Minnelli “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
8. Ricki-Lee "Can’t Touch It"
9. Alicia Keys "Emire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"
10. Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis "Love Is Your Color"
11. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon “I Am Woman”
12. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “If Ever I Would Leave You”
13. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Sunrise, Sunset”
14. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Till There Was You”
15. Shayna Steele, Jordan Ballard, Kamilah Marshall “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”
16. Liza Minnelli with Billy Stritch “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”
17. Cyndi Lauper “True Colors”
18. Aaron Zigman “Divas and Dunes”

More information can be found on the Sex in the City 2 Facebook page and you can also find out how to win a phone call from Sarah Jessica Parker here.

SATC Desert

My thoughts:

I have not been able to see Sex in the City 2 yet. I can not wait to have a night out and be able to see it with TechyDad since he liked the series as much as I did. Listening to the soundtrack has given me a sneak peek into the movie. I can imagine Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda strutting their stuff to the music. Of course, it also makes me even more anxious to see the film.

The music on the CD is an eclectic mixture. The sounds range from hip and today, to a middle eastern beat. You definitely can see the girls walking in the desert as pictured above while listening to songs like "Kidda" and "Euphrates Dream" as a few examples. One of the songs that I was most curious about was Liza Minnelli singing Beyonce’s "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)". Thanks to being a self proclaimed Gleek, this song is now a sentimental favorite of mine. After seeing Ms. Minnelli on Joy Behar’s show one evening, I ran the the CD that had just arrived in the mail. TechyDad wanted to know what I was doing. I explained that I HAD to hear this song immediately. The song is "interesting" to say the least. Not bad, but a completely different spin to Beyonce. Now I am even more curious to see this scene from the movie!

One song that sticks out in my mind was "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" by Alicia Keys. The heart and soul, power and lyrics made it a song that I would like to hear over and over. There was also something special about the duet "Love is Your Color" with Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis. I can not put my finger on it, but it had a calming nature and was beautifully sung by the two artists. A sentimental favorite was "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper is a sentimental favorite of mine. As a child of the 80’s, this song has always been there and I love how it continues to spread its wings with new projects like Sex in the City 2. A fun son on the CD was when Parker, Cattrall, Davis and Nixon sing "I Am Woman" together. I have a strange feeling this will be a ladies night out karaoke favorite (BlogHer ’10 anyone?!).

I really like this CD and will probably appreciate it even more once I get to see Sex in the City 2 in the theaters. So tell me, have you seen the movie yet? If you have, what do you think?

Disclosure: Thanks to One2One Network, I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in the review are my own.

Categories:
looking back Music Product review

New Music Titles for Kids – Review/Giveaway

Posted on June 1, 2010 12:00 pm by TheAngelForever

As the mother of two children, we listen to a lot of kids music in the car. I will be the first to admit, I am a bit lost in the world of adult music. Lee who won American Idol?! Seriously, I stopped watching that when I left teaching and did not have to be up to date with my students on the latest hoopla.

We love music. Whether to have on while riding near and far or to have on while playing, to dance or be silly with it is crucial for kids. My boys are both music critics and definitely have favorites. Listening to the same old CD’s over and over again can drive me a little batty. Lucky for me, I was recently asked to review four new CDs of music for kids. Pay attention because a giveaway will follow!

I’m a Rock Star – Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights

If you have never heard of Joanie Leeds, please kick yourself really hard. . . . I know TechyDad and I did. Joanie Leeds was new to us, but I’m a Rock Star is her fourth CD. Within minutes of putting on her music, we were all singing and laughing along with the catchy, witty and unique mix of songs. In 2008, Joanie won the Parents’ Choice Award for her debut children’s album, City Kid. To follow this up, Joanie created I’m a Rock Star which includes musical genres that range from Indie and classic rock, hip-hop, folk, jazz, R&B to cartoon.

The song list includes: 1) I’m a Rock Star 2) Sunglasses 3) More Cowbell 4) I Wanna Be Green 5) Give Me A Hug 6) Jump, Jump 7)I Like Jazz 8) Popcorn 9) En Espanol 10) It Was The Elf 11) Joanie Says 12) Put a Little Smile on your Face 13) Goodbye, Goodbye

We absolutely loved this CD. The boys would request specific songs and listen to it over and over. Thanks to the variety of songs, fun lyrics and humor, we did not object. NHL (6) said his favorite is every song on the CD. Of course, I think he asks for More Cowbell, It Was The Elf and Joanie Says more than some of the others. JSL (3) seems to be partial to Sunglasses (with his on of course) and Popcorn. Not sure if I could pick a favorite. I will say that I could appreciate the sheet inside for En Espanol. As someone who learned French in school, I had NO clue what Joanie was singing. Luckily, the words and explanation are right in the booklet. Thanks to our love for this, I am going to look into ordering more of Joanie’s CDs including City Kid and Challah, Challah (Jewish songs – will be perfect for my family).

I’m a Rock Star is available on Joanie’s website for $15.00.

The Final Funktier – Recess Monkey

Fasten your seat belts, get your space gear and hold on tight for your adventure with Recess Monkey starting June 15th. Jack Forman, Daron Henry, and Andrew Holloway are three Seattle teachers that together make Recess Monkey. Geeks unite, because this is a fun filled, high energy collection of science inspired songs. While listening, I fulled expected an episode of MythBusters for kids to begin.

As a science teacher, I was extremely intrigued with the song list that includes: 1) Liftoff! 2) Moon Boots 3) Jet pack 4) Science Fair 5) Ukalalien 6) My Brother is a Satellite 7) Beat-Box-a-Robot 8) Sunglasses 9) Space Elevator Music 10) The Galax Sea 11) Booster Seat 12) How Do You Build a Robot? 13) Constellation Conga 14) Black Hole in My Room 15) One Tiny Light

I really enjoyed the fun nature of this CD. It is very different than anything else that I have heard before. It made me think about the days of Bill Nye the Science Guy and putting it to a funky fresh, 2010 sound. As a teacher, I thought Science Fair was a really great song. It had fabulous ideas and expressed what a family has to do when making a project. Oy, I am bracing myself for that – it will be coming soon. Each song has a lesson included in them and with the fast tempo and catchy words will work well with older elementary children and beyond. Another song that really caught my attention was One Tiny Light because it was so different than the rest. It was calming, slow and showed another side of the Recess Monkey. I could see using this as part of a classroom activity in science and beyond.

The Final Funkatier will be available June 15th for $15.00 and is the sixth CD from Recess Monkey.

Tiny Cool – Princess Katie & Racer Steve

Now picture a beautiful princess belting out songs with a unique beat that are accompanied by an amazing race car driver inspired electric guitar player.This may sound like a bizarre combination, but it works perfectly for Princess Katie & Racer Steve. Together this duo creates a unique musical experience for kids of all ages. Their latest CD is filled with modern lyrics, fun music, comedy and has messages for kids about being honest, being yourself, accepting others, and being kind to others. Lots of messages packed into this CD.

Straight from “The Kingdom” — where a feisty princess who’s inclined to rock out joins a local racecar driver who creates blazing guitar solos when he’s not blazing around the track — Princess Katie & Racer Steve bring their one-of-a-kind combination of drop-dead great singing, sterling musicianship, and sparkling, kid-oriented comedy to their third studio CD, Tiny Cool.

Princess Katie (Katie O’Sullivan) is a strong, self-possessed, modern princess, who wears her gown and tiara as a work outfit, but kicks back in her jeans when work is done. Steve Borne’s real life hobby is racecars, and he’s performed in bands for many years, so the guitar-playing “Racer Steve” is a natural for him.

Included on this CD are: 1) Clelia’s Party 2) Tube Sox 3) Kids Rock! 4) Surf Radio – Skit 5) Sand in My Sandwich 6) Shy 7) The Cartoons – Skit 8) Tiny Cool 9) Honest Kid 10) Stick Around 11) Wing it! – Skit 12) The Rock Bossa 13) Japanese Robot 14) The Unenchanted Forest – Skit

I really connected to the song Shy. The lyrics are powerful. Letting kids know that it is ok to be shy, cautious and everyone will still love you that way. As a shy child, not everyone would let you know it was acceptable. I really liked that the CD focuses on different characteristics that kids have and focus positives on them. Shy along with Honest Kid and others will help parents and teachers to talk with their children about different attributes that children should strive for an know that it is ok to be themselves.

I was also impressed with the interactive nature of Princess Katie & Racer Steve’s website. There were several fun games and other items for kids and parents to check out. Tiny Cool is available to buy for $15.00

Flute Sweet & Tickletoon in Green Golly & Her Golden Flute

Introducing children to classical music can be difficult. Thanks to Flute Sweet & Tickletoon (aka Keith Torgan & Barbara Siesel) this is a lots easier. Their new collaboration takes a twist on the story Rapunzel and puts it to classical music.

Rapunzel may have been horrified to spend her days trapped in that big old tower but not Green Golly – she was delighted! So inspired by all that whizzed past her window she couldn’t help but make music. Herein lies the charm of “Green Golly & Her Golden Flute” – this funny and extraordinarily musical event, featuring the music of Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Gossec, Elgar, Bizet, Chopin and Copland, introduces children to the art of flute and the magic of classical music.“Green Golly” is also available in a version for flute, narrator and full orchestra.

The first 12 tracks on this CD are the Story of Green Golly and Her Golden Flute as told by Keith Torgan & Barbara Siesel. After this is a collection of classics including Spring Song, Intermezzo Sinfonico, Flight of the Bumblebee, Two Guitars, Habanera, Duo, Gavotte, Minute Waltz and Salut D’Amour.

The fun cast of characters and voices keep your attention. Green Golly is magically played by Barbara Siesel, who also is the musician behind the flute. Keith Torgan is the energetic storyteller and guitar player. They are joined by Jessica Krash on the piano. I really enjoyed how the CD is a story. It combines a fun new play on the traditional Rapunzel story and uses it to introduce listeners to musicians. As the story progresses Green Golly learns about different composers and you hear teasers of famous classical music. Even my three year old son, stopped and yelled "Mama – that Twinkle Twinkle!" Of course, when my older son was listening he wanted to know more. He had heard of some of these composers via Little Einsteins, but was curious about more. Once the story is finished, children can continue to listen to the beautiful arrangement of classical music. It was nice to have on at bedtime and when trying to have quiet play time. It was really nice how the story flowed immediately into this collection of music. This is a CD that will be heading with us into the car. I know the boys will love to hear the story over and over and perhaps the music will help them to play nicely – a girl can dream right?!

Green Golly & Her Golden Flute can be purchased for $14.99 or $9.99 by downloading the album.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Waldmania, a lucky reader will be able to select one of the CDs that I reviewed for yourself.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer the following question: Which of the four CDs that I reviewed above do you think you would select and why? (Don’t worry you can change you mind later)

For all bonus entries below, please be sure to leave a separate comment for each extra chance you are allowed.

Bonus Entry – What was your favorite children’s CD (record/casette/8 track) from when you were a child?
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Kids Music Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Are you looking for new kids music? Check out the Review & #Giveaway from @TheAngelForever to #win http://bit.ly/aKRqbS
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of May/June. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
1 Bonus Entry – Enter any of my other current giveaways (keep checking back – more being added all the time). Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries.

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today June 1st and ends at 10:59 EST on June 15, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: This review and giveaway was made possible by Waldmania!. They provided me with the four CDs to facilitate this review. The opinions of this review are mine and I received no other compensation.

Categories:
fun giveaway Music Product review

Whole Grain White Rice

Posted on May 31, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

About the only time that we have white rice in our house is when we order Chinese food, or have a sick child that needs it. Long ago, we made the switch to brown rice, whole grains and the like. The boys really do not know any better. Of course, they do seem to gobble up the white, sticky rice a bit more than when we have the more grainy and textured brown rice cousin.

Recently, we were asked to try the new Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice.

With the look, taste and texture of white rice, but packed with whole grains (almost a full day’s worth in one serving), Uncle Ben’s new Whole Grain White Rice provides a healthy alternative to plain sides like pasta or potatoes. The rice comes in a variety of flavors from traditional Long Grain to Chicken, Broccoli Cheddar, Taco Style and Sweet Tomato, so you can mix-up meals and still know that you’re getting whole grains on the table. Plus, with a quick 10-minute prep time, Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice provides a great solution for the nights when jam-packed schedules leave you scrambling for a quick, healthy option.

Nutritional Claims & Product Benefits

Good Source of Fiber
45g Whole Grains per Serving
Low Fat
No Saturated Fat
0g Trans Fat
Cholesterol Free
Made with Natural Ingredients
No Preservatives
No Artificial Colors
Vegetarian
No MSG

We received our samples of the Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice just in time for JSL’s third birthday party. One of the dishes that we were making was sweet and sour meatballs (using vegetarian burger substitute). We figured that having rice to put the meatballs and sauce on would be a nice side. Plus, we could see what others thought.

The instructions were easy to follow, it did not take too long to make, and was not overly sticky once prepared. Once in the serving dish, I immediately noticed how long the rice grains really were. It did look slightly different than the sticky white rice we get from time to time. There was not as much visible texture in comparison to the brown rice we get. This could definitely be a good thing when considering kids that are picky eaters. Speaking of picky eaters, even thought JSL was not going to eat the meatballs at his party, he asked to try the rice. As I predicted, he gobbled it up quickly and asked for more. When we ate leftovers the next evening, again he asked for the rice.

When I made my plate, I put a little of the rice down with some of the Sweet and Sour "Meatballs" on top. I really enjoyed the long grains of the rice. It helped to soak up the delicious sauce. The rice was not gritty, like many high fiber/whole grain products can be. My only complaint – I wish Uncle Ben’s was kosher. Since it is not, I can not make it in my kitchen. I will be buying it to make at my parent’s house when we have meals there since it was a nice change from our usual brown rice.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Uncle Ben’s and received samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central will be sending me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Categories:
food glorious food photos Product review

Melvin the Magnificent Molar

Posted on May 17, 2010 9:14 pm by TheAngelForever

A few weeks ago, NHL went to the pediatric dentist for his six month visit. While the boys were busy playing with the video games and other items, something else caught my eye. There was a shelf filled with books. The books were not on just any subject. No, these were all about teeth and going to the dentist.

As a parent and teacher, I understand the importance of specialty books for children. Reading to kids about topics that are unknown and potentially stressful may help to ease anxiety. This is especially true when you talk about doctors/dentists, new siblings, potty training, losing teeth, surgery and especially death.

Not long after our appointment, I read about an opportunity from TwitterMoms to review a new book called Melvin the Magnificient Molar! by Julia Cook and Laura Jana, MD. I immediately asked to be a part of the group. Dr. Laura wrote me back and asked for our information and what we wanted inside the book since it was going to be signed by both of the authors.

About Melvin the Magnificient Molar!

Written by Julia Cook & Laura Jana, M.D.
Illustrated by Allison Valentine
All ages (2 and up), 32 Pages

Meet Melvin, the lovable tooth. Through Melvin’s view of the world, this book encourages children in a fun-loving, unique way to actually want to brush their teeth. By promoting brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist, Melvin shows readers young and old how to make sure they will have happy teeth and healthy smiles that will last them a lifetime!

Melvin the Magnificent Molar! can be purchased directly from Julia Cook’s website for $9.95. When ordering from there you can also have the books autographed and personalized at no extra charge.

Dr. Laura recently did an interview about the new book on ABC News that can be viewed here. She talks about Childrens’ oral health and how to form good habits early.

What we thought:

When you open up Melvin the Magnificent Molar, the About This Book page really caught my eye. Julia Cook and Dr. Laura Jana write about the importance of taking good care of your teeth. They explain that teaching this lesson to children is often difficult to do. What they decided to do was have Melvin speak to children from a tooth’s perspective. The main character takes you on a journey as he explains all things that are involved with keeping a healthy smile. Melvin tells children to visit their dentist every six months from one years old on, caring for their baby teeth, using fluoride toothpaste, flossing and what to expect when you visit your dentist.

My boys loved listening to the story of Melvin and his friends. At six, NHL knows how we stress taking good care of his teeth. Still, being reminded by a friendly character is always helpful when we inevitably have an argument about brushing teeth, or having x-rays at the dentist. NHL enjoyed the cheerful, fun groupings of the words on the pages. He especially liked the different sized and color fonts that help to tell the story about the sleeping scummies that turn teeth green.

As a parent and teacher, I love the details that go into Melvin the Magnificent Molar. Cook and Jana really cover all of the bases for kids learning about oral health. Thank to Allison Valentine’s wonderful illustrations, we are all able to enter Melvin’s world from his point of view. Kids learn more about Mister Thirsty (my boys love him), Scaler, Miss Tickles, Magic String and getting a Coat of Fluoride. I also think that Melvin helped my son to be less anxious about losing his teeth. While at the dentist, he found out that two more teeth are starting to wiggle and is pretty anxious about this. I think that Melvin reminded him that it is part of his teeth’s journey to be like this story telling molar.

Thank you to Julia Cook and Laura Jana, MD for putting this book together for kids of all ages. I know that I am a fan and am looking forward to reading their next collaborative book entitled It’s You and Me Against the Pee. My boys also loved the sweet message inscription to them on the inside of their book. A very nice touch indeed!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a Twitter Moms RAMBO alert campaign. I received a copy of the book from the authors to facilitate my candid review and no other compensation was given.