If you have a little one who loves to draw as much as mine does, you’re gonna want to look into getting this book.

Marion Deuchar’s Let’s Make Some Great Art by Laurence King Publishing is a hefty volume with a huge variety of “drawing starters” and write-on how-tos.

From how to draw with an eraser to coloring grid patterns to shading by crosshatching, there are a plethora of introductory art techniques just waiting to be explored. Not only that, there’s an armload of free-style drawing prompts, as well, creative diving boards to help kids create their own masterpieces.

Deuchars is a professional artist and accomplished illustrator. She created the projects within this book to keep her own children, ages 5 and 6, entertained and enthralled.

The 224 thick pages allow for plenty of creative expression and open-ended art play. Here are a few of our children’s mini masterpieces:

You can purchase Let’s Make Some Great Art directly from Laurence King, via Amazon.com, or at numerous booksellers nationwide.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned product from Laurence King Publishers at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Our kids are learning Spanish this year. Well, rather, they’re being introduced to Spanish this year. Research has shown that early introduction to foreign language has a wealth of positive benefits — plus, it’s fun!

Speekee is a Spanish language tutor/course for kids that has a nifty online option. It’s called Speekee TV, and it’s a multi-dimensional, interactive way for kids to learn the Spanish language while having fun at the same time.

From Speekee’s informational literature:

Speekee is the world leader of its genre: Spanish language learning for young children. Designed by top experts in the field, Speekee incorporates the full range of modern teaching methodology, giving your child an authentic accelerated Spanish learning experience.

We were given the opportunity to try out and test Speekee TV in our home for a couple of months. Here’s what we liked about it:

- It allows your children to move ahead and learn the language at their own pace and on their own schedule.
- It features real children in real Spanish environments/locations. The kids immediately zoned in on the video clips because they saw kids their own age.
- It’s an immersion program, meaning it’s all Spanish — but both Spanish and English subtitles are available should you choose to view those while watching.
- Songs, puppets (including the title character Speekee), and fun animated breaks are included in each session.

Speekee TV is available by subscription on a month-by-month basis. Click over to their website to find out more — or connect with Speekee on Facebook or Twitter!

Win it!

Courtesy of Speekee, TWO of you will win a free two month trial membership to Speekee TV!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, why you’d like to watch Speekee TV.

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

5) For a bonus, fifth entry, “like” Speekee on Facebook or follow them on Twitter, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, #3, Henria!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the two months of Speekee TV at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One of the newest card sets available within the Hot Dots collection is the Hot Dots Academic Vocabulary Card set. There are 50 double-sided, sturdy cardboard cards within this easy-to-tote box, giving children 400 academic vocabulary words in four different subject areas: Math, social studies, language arts, and science.

These multiple choice questions offer a chance to build up skills pertaining to measurement, forces, weather, word meanings, economics, and much more. Many include graphics. Just looking at the black dots (to which the pen is placed) gives no clue as to which answer is correct. (As my children say, “It’s magic!”) The talking Hot Dots pen (sold separately) is customizable to provide either sound effect or verbal feedback for both right and wrong answers, as well as a colored light indicator at the top. (Volume control is also a part of this pen — hooray!)

What we like:

- The Hot Dots Academic Vocabulary Card pack contains subject area tabbed dividers to keep the cards in neat order.
- It’s portable! We just drop the Hot Dots pen right into the box if we want to carry it with us.
- It’s self-checking, so it’s great for independent work or extra studying.
- There are many more Hot Dots card sets to choose from to expand our collection!

You can order the Hot Dots Academic Vocabulary Cards from Educational Insights or at select retail locations. This card set is available in two grade level groups: Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-6, each sold separately.

Win it!

Courtesy of Educational Insights, one of you can win Hot Dots Academic Vocabulary Cards!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, another Educational Insights item you/your kids would love to have!

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Monday, November 21st, 2011. US entries/addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congratulations to the winner, #42, Heather R!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product from Educational Insights at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rock ‘N Learn began as an idea that would help children learn by putting educational material to music with a current sound — the kind of music that kids enjoy and find motivating. Now with over 50 products, they have sold millions of audio/book and video programs to teachers and parents throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Rock ‘N Learn programs help students learn math, phonics, reading, early childhood, social studies, Spanish, test-taking strategies, writing, and science. Their DVDs incorporate music with exciting, colorful imagery.
Headquartered in Conroe, Texas, just north of Houston, Rock ‘N Learn is owned and operated by its founders, Richard and Brad Caudle.

Brand new from Rock ‘N Learn is their Sight Words DVD!

Info about the DVD from the press release info:

“Sight Words, a new DVD program from Rock ‘N Learn, helps kids learn to read. Using fun music and exciting characters, kids learn to read over 60 words. These are the most common words used in the English language and are words kids need to know automatically. This program is perfect for parents with very young kids who appear advanced and eager to learn, as well as older students with remedial needs. It’s effective at helping kids learn to read at all ages. Developed along with four reading specialists having combined classroom experience of over 50 years, Rock ‘N Learn Sight Words is designed to hold the interest of kids and get results. A bonus section helps kids practice their spelling skills and focus on the shapes of words. The program engages kids to participate along with the fun characters. Approximately 50 minutes in length, it’s most effective when kids watch again and again. Before too long, they are reading the sight words with ease.”

Our take:

My son has mastered his sight words, so he didn’t help review this DVD. My daughter, however, is 5 and is in the middle of memorizing sight words and increasing her speed reading skills, so this DVD was a huge hit and a great help for her.

She loves the characters! It was easy for her to learn the lyrics and tunes and sing along. The repetition is adequate without being monotonous. It’s not harsh-sounding music, so I don’t mind hearing it play in the background as I go about my tasks around the house while she’s watching. We’ve even taken it in the car for on-the-go sight words drills!

Here are the sight words covered on this 50 minute DVD:

• up • down • come • go • in • out
• of • the • a
• where • is • it • here • there
• one • two • three • red • yellow • blue • little • big
• look • see • find
• run • jump • play • away • and
• you • I • we • can • make • funny • face • get
• to • for • me • my • give • from • came • as • are
• no • not • now • said • help • will
• he • she • his • her • they • that • was • with • on

You can order Rock ‘N Learn’s Sight Words DVD directly from their website/store for $19.99 — or use this store locator to find retail locations near you that carry Rock ‘N Learn products.

** SAVE 25% on your Rock ‘N Learn purchase by putting in the coupon code JQ7711 at checkout! **

Win it!

Courtesy of Rock ‘N Learn, one of you will win a Rock ‘N Learn Sight Words DVD!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, another Rock ‘N Learn title your kids would love.

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Monday, October 31st, 2011. US entries/addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, #6, Christine W!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above products at no cost from Rock ‘N Learn per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The series – 27 titles and growing – enables future travelers to reach across the globe and visit other people and cultures, all from a child’s point of view.  Always focusing on two children from differing households, one urban, one rural, and narrated by children, Families of the World DVDs invite viewers to follow two families’ daily routines, introducing both the similarities and differences that exist between them, as well as us.

In Families of Germany, meet seven-year-old Sophia from the village of Reimershausen, who lives with her parents, sister Johanna and brother Simon. After a breakfast of bread, cheese and jam made from the fruit in their garden, she is off to school where she and her 19 classmates study English and biology among other subjects. Sophia studies guitar after school when she’s not helping out at a neighbor’s farm where twice a week she feeds cows and collects eggs from the chickens. Following dinner, she heads back to school for crafts and skits. During the weekend her family eats breakfast together, then enjoys activities – this particular weekend they are celebrating St. Martin’s Day, visiting Marburg Castle and attending her sister’s choral concert. A bedtime story from mom and dad and it’s off to sleep!

Ole is ten years old and lives in the capital city of Berlin with his parents, two brothers and two tortoises. It’s Halloween, so we get to tag along as Ole carves pumpkins, prepares treats for his neighbors before taking two trains to spend the day uptown, where we see conversation bikes, Segues and tour boats on the river. Upon their return, they head out for some trick-or-treating. The next day it’s back to school where Ole studies English and math while his dad, an engineer, works at a jet plane factory and mom teaches at an animal museum. After school it’s time for homework and dinner before heading off to handball practice. It’s been a long day, so bedtime is a welcome event!

In Families of Philippines, meet 13-year old Khim, a boy who lives on the rural island of Cebu with his grandparents, aunt and her two children. Living close to the coast, see the dozens of outrigger boats Khim points out as he explains how the fisherman collect the fish that he and his family eat nearly every night. Awaking early in the morning from his sleeping mat, Khim bathes, eats, and then makes the 10-minute walk to his public school, which boasts over 10,000 students. On the way home from school, he stops in the local video arcade to play games with his friends. Later at home, he completes his chores, which include feeding their goats, collecting firewood and cooking the rice for dinner.

Shahani, 7, lives in the capital city of Manila, a thriving city boasting many modern skyscrapers. Living with her mom, dad and older sister, the early riser (5 a.m.!), gets help from mom getting started in the morning before she’s off to school, where she wears a name tag to help the teachers with the over 5,000 students. During the 10 months she attends school, she studies English among other subjects. Mom shops for fresh fish and vegetables every day while Dad works as a children’s costumed birthday party entertainer and also teaches dance, which Shahani also studies (and excels – she won a local competition and was featured on television). Enjoying adobo stew for dinner and mango for desert, she and her sister welcome friends over in the evening for games and fun, then it’s off to bed for rest before her big test the next day!

We loved these DVD presentations! We found that life in Germany is not too far off from how we live here in America. Living in Philippines, however, offers many differences in daily living. We sponsor a child in the coastal area of the Philippines, so it was neat to watch Khim’s story and imagine our sponsored child’s daily life not much unlike his. Our children were mesmerized at the display of cultural traditions, favorite foods, and entertainment enjoyed by kids in these countries. As a parent, I am super excited to open their horizons to other people’s cultures globally, as I believe my own worldview was broadened as a child thanks to similar exposure and educational methods.

These DVDs can be ordered for $29.95 each from Families of the World’s website or by calling 1-800-765-5885. Each DVD includes a free PDF Teacher’s Guide, which features the script, copy-ready maps, discussion and activity guides, recipes, glossaries and more.

Win it!

Courtesy of Families of the World, Master Communications, and Andrea Blain PR, one of you will win a copy of both of these two new DVDs!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, another Families of the World DVD title your kids would enjoy watching.

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, October 25th, 2011. US entries/addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, #4, Kimbuckjr!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above products at no cost from Andrea Blain PR/Master Communications per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Check out Educational Insights’ Facebook page for new product info, team and inventor biographies, and cool contests!

Educational Insights is offering a SUPER huge giveaway, as well:

Everyone who “likes” their Facebook page (and tells me you did so on this post) will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card promotional code for use on Educational Insights’ website!

So what are you waiting for? Head on over and “like” Educational Insights on Facebook right now!

Leave one comment below telling me you did so (with your Facebook user name/page name in the comment) — and you’ll automatically be entered into the contest.

(Contest closes next Monday, October 24th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. Sorry; US entries only.)

Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, #23, Lana Bradstream!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I will be receiving a coupon code from Educational Insights in exchange for this announcement/contest….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Three themes debuted the collection: Latin America, Europe and Africa. Each offers an oversized, thick-paged coloring book and a full-color, re-usable sticker collection portfolio.

Putumayo Kids, via Sugar Mountain PR, sent over the Latin America Coloring Book and the Europe Sticker Collection for us to try out!

(If you cannot see the video, click here.)

The World Culture Coloring Books include 20 oversized (11.5” x 14”) coloring pages, printed with eco-friendly soy ink, that invite children to discover the people, animals and musical instruments of each featured region (suggested retail: $9.95). Each book includes an introduction to each region of the world – Africa, Latin America and Europe – with a child-friendly glossary, maps, and images of natural, historical and cultural highlights.

The Africa Sticker Collection, Latin America Sticker Collection and Europe Sticker Collection (hardcover, 9″ x 9″; suggested retail $11.95) are hardcover packages, each filled with more than 120 reusable, colorful stickers that will keep little hands and imaginations busy. Children can build sticker stories on the fold-out landscape, explore countries on the full-color map and check the glossary to learn more about each geographical region and its people.

**All of these products are printed with nature-friendly soy ink, and the printer is Forest Stewardship Council-certified.**

We love these new coloring books and sticker collections! Bravo, Putumayo Kids!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product at no cost from HarperCollins per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”