I See Me! Personalized Children's Books: My Very Happy Birthday

Have you seen the look on a child's face when they realize that they are in a book?  The feeling it gives you is great!  Not only are you celebrating your child's birthday, you are celebrating THEM!

When I showed B his Very Happy Birthday Book, he clapped his hands and couldn't wait to sit down and read it with me... keep in mind that he is two... so we read it over and over.  I kept showing him his name and birthday throughout the book and he was amazed.  He especially LOVED his name on the cake and on the birthday banner. (Not only is B's name on the cover and in the story, but it is also worked in with the pictures on the cake inside and on a birthday banner and a birthday invitation)

I have no idea how I See Me!, Inc does it, but the printing and addition of B's information into the book is simply flawless, it looks perfect!

The greatest thing about this book is that it is personalized, and there are actually quite a few options you can choose from:

1. You can choose between the book for boys (greens and blues) and the book for girls (pink and purple






2. You can specify the number of candles/birthday year (1st birthday = will show 1 birthday candle on the cover and throughout the book, and will say Happy 1st Birthday, 2nd birthday = will show 2 birthday candles, etc.  If you select the generic birthday, ie no 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc, you will get the cake shown, with the Happy Birthday candles.)

3. You can use your child's middle name, or choose to leave it out

4. You can create a dedication that will be printed on the inside front pages of the book.  This is really great for leaving a quick message for your child, that will later become a keepsake.  (Don't have a clue what to write for the dedication?  No worries, they have a whole list of suggestions you can use)

The book itself is 6" x 6", hardbound with a glossy cover and beautiful board book type pages.  The pages are FULL color from edge to edge, and are done in bright colors.

Looking for a personalized children's book, but not a birthday book?  GO check out I See me! - not only do they have the personalized birthday books for boys and girls, they have books for: My Very Own Name, My Very Own Fairytale, My Very Own Pirate Tale, My Royal Birthday Adventure (Girls), My Royal Birthday Adventure (Boys), Who Loves Me?, God Loves You, The Super, Incredible Big Sister, The Super, Incredible Big Brother, The World According To Me, Who Loves Me? For Siblings, Who Loves Me? For Twins, A Christmas Bear For Me, My Very Merry Christmas Board Book, and A Hanukkah Bear For Me.

My Very Happy Birthday!  (For Girls or Boys)
 by Jennifer Dewing, illustrated by Mati McDonough
 I See Me!, Inc. ~ 22 pagesPrices range from $24.95 - 39.95Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ISeeMeBooks ~ Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/ISeeMe_Maia Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/iseemebooks/
 Fiction / Children's / Personalized

Edition Reviewed: Hardback - Review copy received courtesy of I See Me! Inc for the purposes of this review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

About the Book: (Taken from the website)

My Very Happy Birthday is an adorable personalized hardcover book with durable board pages, especially for babies and toddlers. In this delightful story, Duck, Mouse, Turtle, Bluebird and other friends come together to prepare a special birthday party and cake for your little boy [or girl]. As an added personal touch, this beautifully illustrated book includes a personalized cover and a printed dedication from the sender.

Made in the USA, this storybook is written by award-winning author Jennifer Dewing and illustrated by Mati Rose McDonough.

Ordering Information
On the order page, if you specify which birthday the child is celebrating (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.), the number will be included on the cover and on 5 pages in the book. Take a virtual tour of the book with "1st" on the cover and throughout the book. If you specify "2nd" or "3rd", etc., that number will be printed instead. The cake will include the correct number of candles!

If you answer "any" to the question on the order page about which birthday the child is celebrating, the book will look like the one displayed in the main virtual tour. We do not calculate which birthday the child is celebrating because many times the book is given as a belated gift after the birthday.

See frequently asked questions for further information about ordering this book.

Gender and ages: Boys ages 0-10. (See our boy version as well.) Size: 6" x 6" Number of pages: 20 durable board pages Shipping Standard delivery: Receive 2 weeks after date of order Expedited delivery: Not available on this item Air delivery: Not available on this item

About I See Me! Inc: (from the publisher's site)

Welcome to I See Me! where we provide the highest quality, most personalized children's books available. We opened for business in May of 2000, after a year of active product development. My husband Allan and I received a personalized book as a gift for our first son in 1998. While we loved the fact that it was personalized, we thought that the illustrations could have been much better and the story more customized to the child. Thus I See Me! was born.

Allan, who is a graphic designer, and I developed the first book My Very Own Name as a team. Our goal was to produce an educational book that would teach young children how to recognize letters and spell their names. After I developed the concept and wrote the book, we brainstormed together to develop the characters in the book. Allan found and hired the illustrator, and designed the book, while I wrote the business plan.

We are pleased to say our books have become popular among celebrities including Courteney Cox, Brooke Shields and Jessica Alba.

Our mission is to increase self esteem in children through personalized books that celebrate the uniqueness of each child. The goal of our books is to show each child how absolutely unique and special he or she is, to teach the child how to spell his or her name, and to build vocabulary skills.

We hope that you enjoy the books!

--Maia Haag, author and CEO of I See Me! Inc.

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate. I get a very small amount for any purchases made when you click through a link from Wendi's Book Corner, which I then save up to buy more books. :)

Review and Tour and Giveaway: This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano

This Little Prayer of Mine
by Anthony DeStefano, illustrated by Mark Elliott
WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (February 16, 2010) ~ 40 pages
Fiction / Children's / Religious / Christian / Prayer

Edition Reviewed: Hardback - Review copy received courtesy of the publisher (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group), many thanks to both the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review!


Perfect for : Personal Use, Church, Bible Study, Child's Gift

My Thoughts: This is a wonderful, fun, and very helpful book to read with young and old children alike. The pictures are wonderfully illustrated, and give kids lots of great things to look at and talk about as you are reading. The prayer itself is just as wonderful as the illustrations. It rhymes and covers such a nice range of things that are good to pray about... fear, sharing, life, thankfulness, etc.

The book encourages children in their prayers, and shows them that God can hear them, that he loves them, and that he will help and guide them. It is very uplifting and encouraging.

I've been reading this book to my son, and as soon as we reach the end, he asks me to start it all over again! I don't think there is higher praise than that for a children's book. :)

I would encourage anyone to get this beautiful children's book for the kids in their life. It is a beautiful quality and would be great to give as a gift!

About the Book:

Author Anthony DeStefano’s adult books, The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven, have sold a quarter-million copies. Illustrator Mark Elliott’s cherished artwork has appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series.

Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.

Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”

This Little Prayer of Mine appeals to readers from all different faiths. Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.

Excerpt: The pages are not numbered, but this is from approximately page 15:

Whenever I feel all alone,
with not a friend in sight,
please let me know you're
here with me
and everything's all right.

Copyright © 2010 by Anthony DeStefano. All rights reserved.

About the Author: (from the publisher)

Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.

Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page

Giveaway:

1. Leave a comment and tell me one of your favorite children's books. (1 entry daily, must leave a different title per entry!!)

2. Post a link to the giveaway on your blog and/or Facebook and report it here (1 entry)

3. Become a follower (link is on the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment here (or "remind" me you are already a follower so I know you want to be included in this giveaway) (1 entry)

The drawing will be held April 30th. Winner: I will send you an email, please reply with your address so I can mail out your book!

This giveaway is open to residents within the United States, no PO Boxes.

~ Wendi

Review: Read and Share Bible by Gwen Ellis

Read and Share Bible: Over 200 Best Loved Bible Stories Retold by Gwen Ellis, Illustrated by Steve Smallman
Thomas Nelson (April 3, 2007) ~ 440 pagesNon-Fiction / Bible / Children's / Religion / Picture Book

Edition Reviewed / Special Thanks: Hardback - Received courtesy of the Amazon Vine review program!



Perfect for : Personal Use, Kids, Sunday School

In a nutshell: This Read and Share Bible is a wonderful addition to any child's bookshelf! The stories have been retold by Gwen Ellis in a way that makes them easy for kids to understand, and the pictures by Steve Smallman are simply wonderful, bringing the stories to life in a friendly and cheerful way.

It has taken me quite a while to find a book that meets the qualities I was looking for- easy to share stories from the Bible with plenty of pictures! After all - this IS a children's book, and kids love colorful pictures and words they can understand.

The suggested reading level for this book is ages 4-8, but I encourage parents to sit down with children younger than that - those who are interested in picture books would love these stories. They will enjoy the pictures as you read them the stories.

Extended Review:
Content/Format: The book contains more than 200 stories from the Bible, with big and colorful illustrations on each page. It even has a page of tips for parents (while telling the story, make the lion ROAR!). The book has been organized following the stories in the Bible and is broken into the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each of the Bible stories has a descriptive title, the scripture it is based on, a short story, colorful illustrations (From page 294,"A Baby Named John" Luke 1:57-66), and ends with a little comment or question at the end for discussion.

Readability: Very easy to read, understand and talk about with children.

Overall: I absolutely love this Bible story book! Gwen Ellis and Steve Smallman have done an absolutely beautiful job of choosing and illustrating stories in a way that makes them fun to read as a whole family!

From the publisher:
It is big and bright with lots of page-turning learning about the Word of God.

The Read and Share Bible is unique in its format and solid in Bible teaching. Packed with 200 stories that are simple re-tellings, the gigantic message of God's love and care is sure to win the hearts of little ones and give them a strong Bible foundation to guide their lives. With over 400 pieces of art, this Bible Storybook is highly interactive as it encourages Scripture Memory and reinforces comprehension with quick activities for you and your children.

Stories include Noah, David, Joseph, Abraham, Paul, and Christ as well as many other timeless Biblical characters and lessons.

About the Author:
Gwen Ellis… (from her website)

is a writer, editor, speaker, and consultant who established her own company, Seaside Creative Services, Inc., five years ago in Southern California. Gwen has been a professional in the publishing industry for 27 years.

Some people say Gwen has experienced just about everything that can happen in a woman’s life. She battled ovarian cancer, lost premature twin daughters at birth, lived as a single-again for many years, and she also knows the pain of losing one parent to cancer and the other to Alzheimer’s Disease.

But life hasn’t all been tough stuff. In fact, Gwen sees life as an awesome adventure.

Steve Smallman. . . (from his contact website)

I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.

I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.

I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.

I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.

I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.

[Edited to remove some information]

And if that isn't enough, I also paint murals in schools, either on my own or working with groups of children and I take inset training sessions for teachers in drawing. Anything except get a proper job!


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