Top That! A mad dash to match the magic hat stack game from Blue Orange Games

/

Not too long ago, my buddy/reviewer Bud helped me try out a new game from Blue Orange Games called Dr. Eureka. It was loads of fun... but a tad challenging for Bud because of the manual dexterity involved in moving mini balls about ("molecules") to match the winning formula on game cards.

This game turned out a bit easier for my review partner.

top that! from blue orange games

Top That! from Blue Orange Games has very similar game play as Dr. Eureka — but was far more fun for Bud during our recent review play because the pieces (magic props) to be stacked and swapped and such to match what's on the game card before all the other players...

Read More

Cookbook review: 175 Best Air Fryer Recipes by Camilla V. Saulsbury

/

Do you have an air fryer? I reviewed one last year, and it quickly became one of my favorite appliances. I was quite pleased with the way french fries, chicken tenders, BBQ drumsticks and much, much more cooked up fast and oil free. And delicious.

Thing is, I had trouble finding recipes that went beyond the basics, beyond those things mentioned above. So I don't use my air fryer as often as I would like, as often as I could and should.

Enter 175 Best Air Fryer Recipes by Camilla V. Saulsbury, freelance food writer and author of more than 20 cookbooks (including this one I previously reviewed). I received a copy of the glossy cover paperback for review and instantly fell in love with it.

175 best air fryer recipes

Inside the glossy cover of 175 Best Air Fryer Recipes the pages are primarily...

Read More

Shape Mags Magnetic Stick N' Stack Tiles: Innovative magnetic fun (Review)

/

Before I delve into my review of Shape Mags Magnetic Stick N' Stack playsets, I must first apologize.

I must apologize for using the "C" word here. That "C" word being, well, Christmas.

See, if you're anything like me, you abhor the idea of considering Christmas before summer has even come to a close. But, as these nifty playsets are ideal, imagination-stretching gifts for girls and boys of all ages (well, age 3+ is the recommendation), I simply must note that Shape Mags are absolutely perfect for giving — and getting... for Grandma's playroom — for Christmas.

There. I said it. Forgive me and let's move on... to the review.

shape mags

I received free for review the Shape Mags Magnetic Stick N' Stack Tiles Starter Set...

Read More

Heat-beater books for readers of all ages, from Candlewick Press

/

As sweltering summer temps currently scorch much of the United States, many folks — from babes to boomers and beyond — have staked out spots in the shade or indoors in front of the air conditioner (or fan, for poor souls like myself with no A/C) to while away the hours.

Candlewick Press offers a cool collection of compelling and creative books for readers of all ages to help beat the heat — and boredom — of these hottest days of summer.

Here are some of my recent favorites, courtesy Candlewick:

shaun the sheep 

Shaun the Sheep: Pranks A Lot! Tales from Mossy Bottom Farm by Martin Howard, illustrated by Andy Janes  ($4.99 paperback, ages 5-8) Shaun the Sheep gives Blitzer the Sheepdog a mustache, and Blitzer reciprocates the prank by painting Shaun pink. But the gags and giggles really get...

Read More

Dr. Eureka: Mixing and mastering mayhem (game review)

/

When seeking indoor summer fun to ride out storms or scorching temps, it would be tough to find a super quick yet super challenging game more fast and fun — and challenging in more ways than one — than Dr. Eureka from Blue Orange.

dr. eureka game review 

Dr. Eureka — for 1 to 4 players, ages 8 and up — carries the tagline, "Mix The Molecules, Master The Formula." Games take about 15 minutes, and go...

Read More

April is National Poetry Month: Favorites new and newfangled for girls and boys

/

Check out these selections from Candlewick Press — some lyrical, some laugh-out-loud fun — sure to please girls and boys interested in reading, writing, and sometimes singing poetry in celebration of National Poetry Month.

candlewick picture book for national poetry month

One, Two, Three Mother Goose edited by Iona Opie and illustrated by Rosemary Wells ($8.99, ages 0-3) Nursery rhymes featuring numbers delight little ones, and you and yours will find bunches here. From One, Two, Buckle My Shoe to Dickory, Dickory, Dock (yeah, I always thought it was Hickory, too) plus...

Read More

Homestar Original Home Planetarium: Sega Toys moves stars from the sky to your ceiling

/

When my daughters were young, my husband and I used to take them camping to a family spot far from the city, far from city lights. One of our favorite activities while out in the wilderness was to stare up at the night sky and look for constellations and shooting stars.

homestar original

The Homestar Original Home Planetarium (which I received free for review) provides the same experience. For the most part. We can't build a campfire indoors, and we thankfully don't hear packs of coyotes off in the not-too-far distance. We do, though, see 60,000 twinkling stars — some of them shooting, even — plus constellations galore, right on...

Read More

9 Must-Share Picture Books Packed with Christmas Cheer

/

Christmas picture books

Can You Say It, Too? Jingle! Jingle! by Sebastien Braun (Ages 0-3, $8.99, board book, Nosy Crow — an imprint of Candlewick Press) A colorful Christmas book for kiddos just beginning to talk. What's by the sleigh? In the cave? Behind the door and more? Little ones repeat...

Read More