Danny the Dragon "Meets Jimmy", by TINA TURBIN - REVIEW

If you haven't heard of this children's author, mother and advocate, Tina Turbin, most likely you soon will. Tina wrote her first book at 16, it wasn't published, but it showed she had an obvious passion, and that has bought her (or us) to 'Danny the Dragon, "meets Jimmy", an absolutely lovely children's book about a little boy finding a new friend, (who comes along with his very own navigator - Skipper). Danny has great manners, and this book has small points on how to "help out", for example after dinner, Danny points out to Jimmie, and his sister Sally, that they should "clear ... and help with the dishes" I loved that fact, and originally I thought my 2 year old was going to be the one who would read, and adore Danny & Jimmie, but my 7 year old, who has recently discovered a love for books, has laid claim to it! When I went to write this interview, I had to hunt G - who was reading aloud to herself :D - down to retrieve the book with a solemn promise to return it. Although the book stars a "boy" characters as the main ones, I found this story to be for a girl or boy - usually with boy orintated characters, they're directed more toward boys, & vice versa with girls.

                           Not so with this book.

What I especially liked about Danny the Dragon "meets Jimmy" was the way Tina wrote it. She has clear, efficent way of writing that makes it easy for younger children to understand, while able to entertain older kids too. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the books colorful illustrations! Aija Jasuna is the books illustrator, and she has done a beautiful job of capturing the heart and essence of Danny and Jimmy, and all the cast of this story. Bright, interesting, there's always something to look at, and combined with Tina's wonderful writing, this makes for a fantastic read (or three times at bed-time) for both Mom & child.

Tina herself is amazing! She works tirelessly on behalf  of children & their families, helping reputable organizations dedicated to children's literature, education, celiac disease, allergies & gluten-free issues (her blog had some great tips and interesting facts about living and being gluten-free) Tina is passionate about raising awareness on these issues & supports these causes fiercely. She also writes based on her own expertise to a variety of weekly publications, radio shows and web sites.

It's interesting to note she still has the time to write a fabulous children's book on top of all that!

Danny the Dragon ends with a promise of another adventure, which I hope goes in the direction of finding where Danny and Skipper came from, how they're able to fit and travel in their tiny sea shell and what they'll do next!
I asked my seven year old for her opinion on the story, and here's what she had to say :

"I want a Danny the Dragon necklace like he wears in the book. And I like, the best part is when he comes out of his shell with his big feet (laughs) I bet Skipper was smooshed to the side of the shell the whole time (laughs more)

 Are you done with my book yet?"

It has her seal of approval, so I'm so pleased I received this book. It comes out in stores on  April

On top of that Tina's new book came with a DVD, that has Carol Downing of the Montessori School for the Deaf, translating the entire story with sign language, while Janis Welch is reading aloud. It's just like reading the book, and I can't help but be incredibly impressed with Tina (& those who work with her) for their efforts in raising awareness. There are some starling facts preceding the story, & it makes me sad to think I had no idea about how little resources are available to a child (or adult) has who is born deaf.

I was also given the opportunity to review the audio book CD that came with both these (trust me - it absolutely made my day when all these arrived.) The CD is amazing, comprised of various compositions, created by talented artists. Track 1 is Janis Welch reading the story (Tina answers later why Janis is reading the story) then there are 10 other tracks featuring composed musical genuis! It's the perfect accompaniment to any bed-time routine, and I tried this out a few nights ago with my 2 year old. I had to sit in her room with her because she kept looking around trying to find who was speaking, but she only got as far as Track 3 before she was out! (Track 9, 'Touching the Sky', by Lisa Miller was my favorite)

Another versaile option with the CD (which is in stores April) is the fact that you can take it with you when you travel. We have a trip planned in March, and I'll be packing this as a way to transition that much easier to a hotel room for my kids. Especially since G has incorprated this story as her read-it-three-times. Skipping pages doesn't count. (When did she become so grown up that she noticed me doing that??)

This cd is well written, beautifully pieced together & something that my 2 year old adores, so it works for me.

Tina was nice enough to answer some questions I had sent to her personal assistant, and she has a genuine feel to her, which I liked. Here's what she had to say (as a side note, anything mentioned in this interview or review, the links can be found at the bottom of this page.)

How did you get back into writing after your first children’s story at 16? I was always very imaginative and into the Arts from as far back I can recall but I wrote my first children’s story at age 16. I had made a decision when I saw on my first-born child, that I wanted to set aside my personal goals like writing. I found being a mom so wonderful, satisfying and fun. I soon had three children, we loved to read and play games with books and ideas were rolling around in my little head. I always knew that as they got older I would someday get back into writing again. When the time came I just started creating my characters, how they looked and knew their exact personality. This really sums it up.


What was your inspiration for Danny the Dragon, & Skipper?
I am loaded with ideas and various things in life helped me from my ideas for the stories as well as the characters.

What is Skipper? Some say he is a frog, some say he is a polliwog and even some kids say he is a lizard. I allow the kids to imagine what they want him to be.

How did you become involved with Gluten-free issues, and Celia disease?
I went for many years not being able to find out what was wrong with my body and went to many doctors. I then resorted to searching for my own answers, like many undiagnosed celiacs do. I came upon this unknown subject called Celiac and gluten and the lights went ON. I presented this topic to my doctor and asked for the proper test. I FINALY had the test I had needed and there is my story in a very short version. I soon learned more such as the many adverse effects that gluten produces in many children and adult bodies- and even animals! One in every 120-130 people have this disease, which means about 2.35-2.85 Americans to this date have not yet been diagnosed. It takes an average of 4-10 years (depending on who your reference) to be properly diagnosed and in the meantime other autoimmune diseases can begin and a whole mess evolves. People find out about celiac or gluten intolerance, start researching it themselves, and bring the topic up to their doctors as I did, after many years of tests and troubles to no resolution. In addition, many kids with autism are taken off gluten for a very good reason. With all this knowledge, I feel the need to help to raise awareness.

On your audio book, "Dreams" (which has Danny the Dragon story, and then is followed by 10 classical pieces) why did you choose someone else to read your story? (It is read by Janis Welch)
She does this for as living as a voice over actor and I loved her gentle soothing voice for the audio book. I auditioned about 30 people.

What's your favorite part about meeting your fans when you do school interviews? The kid’s smiles, big eyes and love of the characters. All their very intelligent questions as well.

What has been the biggest blessing that Danny the Dragon, Skipper and Jimmy (& family) have bought into your live?
The satisfaction I set out to do my writing and I am doing it. It is a lot of work, believe me. 

Tinas book and CD will hit stores in April, & I'd grab a copy before they're gone. This book will be treasured by your kids - or someone elses' if you choose to pass it on as a gift. I have at least three people who I'll be buying a copy for, Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy is a great addition to any child's book shelf.
I want to thank Tina for her time and effort in raising awareness, advocating for so many worthy causes, and getting my daughter to sleep. And also a big thank you to those working with her, aiming for the same goal.

Here are the links to Tina's website, Danny the Dragon, and other reputable organizations that Tina aligns herself with.

Danny the Dragon: http://www.dannythedragon.com/

Tina Turbin: http://www.tinaturbin.com/

Tina's Gluten Free info site: http://www.glutenfreehelp.info/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tina-Turbin/48015154817

flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tinaturbin

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tinaturbin/a/a12/61

Social Follow: http://www.socialfollow.com/profiles/tina-turbin/

twitter: http://twitter.com/tinaturbin

YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/tinaturbin
http://www.youtube.com/user/dannythedragon
http://www.youtube.com/user/glutenfreehelp

Montessori School for the Deaf: http://www.blossomschool.org/

Elefun is NO fun!

So I decided to post this tonight (Happy New Years! everyone) because I suffered acute disappointment with a game that Hasbro produces called "EleFun".
This game has become the bane of my existence starting with Black Friday where I had to fight the crowds at three different stores in order to obtain the bloody thing, my theory being that "A" would have a blast playing this game on New Years Eve, which is what our family does. We all play games, eat junk, and talk trash on how awesome we are at playing said games, until midnight where we all "HAPPY NEW YEAR" each other & stumble off to bed, tired and satisfied (depending on if you won most of your games)
Well this year I thought "A", who is 2, could be included because we would have this amazing, super, wonderful game for her to play. Anyway - after getting it, I tried today to set it up, and found it didn't work. (bites) So I took it all the way back to the store (New years eve day, I might add, when everyone and their mother is out getting last minute goodies for the night) they then told me (by 'they', I mean the caring, customer minded workers at our towns Wal-Mart) that I needed to have my drivers license to exchange it (since when?) which of course I didn't have on me.
I then drive all the way home, back to the store (after stopping at a friends house to help her out with some stuff, so by this time it's getting late, I'm tired & want a quick game exchange, because I have everything I need to do it)
I get to the store, finally exchange it, after only waiting nearly an hour - (how fantastic is that! Only one hour!) So I finally get the game, which I've started to refer to as "IT" home, only to discover that IT's fan isn't powerful enough to shoot the butterflies up the trunk.
So now I've hyped my poor daughter up ("LOOK A! It's Elefun! Yay!! Butterflies - wanna play? I'm so excited to see you play it! Yay!") She was practically foaming at the mouth. What a disappointment! The first thing I did was cuss email Hasbro with a "Disgusted-IT-didn't-work-after-all-my-trouble" email, thinking it would help me to feel a little better. Which of course, it didn't, because theres no one on the other end telling me how sorry they are, how awesome I am for going to all that trouble for my daughter, how they'll do all my housework for the next week just for the inconvenience. But Then!
I check my emails - and I'd WON ANOTHER GIVEAWAY! (Ha! Take that Hasbro.) It was thanks to Dwana over at "A Bittersweet Existence", and it was a beautiful "Baby Emi" jewelery, those cute anklets with little bells for babies and/or moms? I'm psyched! So that at least perked my night up alot (thank you Bittersweet!) So now I'm not in a the-night-would-still-be-better-if-IT-worked! (I know that sounds selfish, I should be (and am) grateful to just be with my family, but really? After all that trouble, it just would have been nice if it worked!)
My husband made a great dinner of buffalo and killer potatoes (I won't touch the buffalo, but I hear it's fabulous) my kids are excited ("We get to stay up till WHEN?) And I've got my 'won a giveaway' glow. So all in all, things are looking up - I hope everyone else has a fantastic New Year - much love from the Degen family to yours. My new years resolution? Burn IT first thing in the morning and find another game to captivate my 2 year old - Take THAT again Hasbro!

As a post note, this was a giveaway I won from Aubut Family and an Etsy store called "Girlie Bows", which makes the cutest girls dresses! Well, I got my package today and immediately threw it on A who ADORED it, she was posing & grinning and telling everyone "Mine. no - MINE" when they tried to touch the bows, lol.

                                                                                                                                                                

Well, that's it for me and 2009. See you next year! xx

Santa magic

Today we decided to take the kids (minus J, who had had a sleepover & was more than willing to "skip" seeing Santa to hang out a little longer with his friends) to the Boulevard (a local furniture store in our area) to see Santa fly into the parking lot via helicopter to go sit inside & have his picture taken with the waiting (very excited) kids.
I'd never done (or really even heard) of this before a friend of mine had told me about it, and her son will not let her miss a year now - and I know why!
It was a definite kick watching Santa land, exit the helicopter and make his way down the line smiling & shaking hands.
Our 2 year old is just beginning to grasp the whole *Santa* thing, and is very much in love with the idea that this big guy in a red suit brings her treats! At first, after the helicopter had landed and we were waiting for Santa to get out, the force of the wind from the helicopter scared her, and (she started out on Daddys shoulders) she wanted the safety of arms immediately, but after he got out & they turned the whirly bits off - she lost her mind! She started yelling out to him & leaning forward to wave so he would see her, and C and I were just so delighted. She was all "Tanta!! Tanta!! HI TANTA!!" and had a grin that would melt a snowman. Of course I documented the whole thing!

Waiting for Santa

Sitting on Daddys shoulders & still waiting - at this point you can see the helicopter flying in.

Santa lands!

"A" loses her miiiind!

After she's been waving & calling out to "Tanta" she realizes he's getting out and coming over!

Santa says "Hello!"












It was honestly the best experience I've had this Christmas regarding the magic of Christmas for my kids. I do have to insert more "Christ" into "Christmas" for her, but as she's so young & not quite able to grasp the true meaning of Christmas, for now this will definitely do. It was fanatastic - my friend who we met there said she was only sorry she wasn't quick enough to record her with her camera that records video so my Mum in New Zealand would've been able to see just how psyched she was. It absolutely brought a tear to my eye.
This next shot is "A", my friends daughter, waving away to Santa as he lands.
Her cousin "L" is holding her.

These are some shots of my other daughter & my friends son "C" playing around after all the excitement has died down & Santa has made his way inside, & then my daughters pleasure at the day when I asked her "How was it?"

All in all, it was a great day. I then got to go hang out with the girls & watch a movie (Couples Retreat) so that was relaxing, and after that I got to hunt for a possibly dead, but certainly M.I.A kitten (which is a story in itself). And the last BIG news for the day - I WON ANOTHER GIVEWAWAY!!
Seriously, my luck could not BE any better! This time it was the very cool "Catch Santa"or "Capture the Magic", which I so wanted to do this year - if you're not sure what it is, go check it out because as far as 'magic' for your kids - this is it. You take shots of your home, then you can "add" Santa pics (you can choose from several) & it looks absolutely authentic, so I canNOT wait to do that - especially after the day my youngest had with the whole Santa thing! This was a giveaway I won from the always fabulous Blog Mom site "Mommy Mandy" (whose button is on the right. If you didn't get it before - I can't say it enough - follow, follow, follow these Moms - they have some very cool giveaways, reviews & tonnes of tips, experiences - some sad, some funny, always helpful, it's really a big Mom community where you can read about other Moms & their parenting adventures, the good the bad and the ugly. Basically - everyday stuff we all go through, the bonus is just that there happen to be giveaways attached. Sweet no? So a massive THANK YOU to Amanda, it's so very appreciated (Katie - I'm sorry. Don't worry - you can rub it in my face when you win the "BIG" one, ok?)

My night is made!!
(The following picture is taken from the website "Capturethemagic.com", it's an example pic from their website, and the link is here

Neat right? It looks so real, and I know my kids are going to get such a kick out of it - and what I love most is that my older kids who are "non-believers" or "starting to question" are definitely going to 'think twice'! That just makes it all so worth it!

Lively Links

Here's some more links I received today, you may want to be quick as they may not last long!

Free Pampers Potty Training Kit - This would be perfect if you have a child about to hit that terrible stage that every parent dreads ... (DUN DUN DUNNNN) the Toilet Training Stage!

This is a free sample of food for pets from www.myhealthfoodforpets.com (I think the brand is called 'Lifes abundance') As it states on the website - make sure this is the kind of food your pet could tolerate, as they do have sensitive stomachs!

This is a free sample for Whites Premium Dog Food, a natural type of food for dogs.

I also received a free $10.00 Gift Card from Totally Kids, Furniture & Toys. What I had to do was Facebook Fan "Totally Kids", comment on their wall (at their website) which 2 products I loved, then send my name & address to jesse.shoptotallykids@gmail.com, easy peasy! Deal Seeking Mom also has the complete details on her website here

So that's me for my Lively Links for today, I hope these help in any small way. I also need to post I WON ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!! Can you believe it?!! I'm so very psyched, my luck has proven to be just fantastic this Christmas season, & again, I want to thank all the wonder Blog Moms who spend their days bringing amazing deals, reviews & giveaways to all of us who anxiously await them!

This win was curtesy of Here and There and it was a (shhh! Because this is going to "J" and it matches something we already got him that he really wanted) Slingz, this cool way of carrying your skateboard or RipStik, it slings over the shoulder & makes it super easy for the 'boarder' in your life to move around when he's not skating! So very cool, (& of course, I'm so very thankful!) Truely, you all need to  get out there & follow those fabulous Blog Moms who go out of their way to PR & bring these to all of us - it is absolutely NO scam, and just so fun!

Also, as a side note (last - but certainly NOT least) our family is sending out prayers & heart warming thought to 'Shellie Ross' & her family having had tragedy strike them in the worst way possible, the loss of their son, Bryson, who was 2 & drowned in the family swimming pool. There may be controversy surrounding this awful event, but at the end of the day, a little boy was taken from his family during the Christmas season, and I can't think of  a worse thing to happen to anybody. My heart goes out to them all, I hold my kids alittle closer today, and give thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing our family with safety, and sincerely pray he sends comfort & peace to Shellie, her family, & those EMT responders that had to be on call that day. We all need to think twice about how lucky we are, and Shellie, my heart bleeds for you, I'm so sorry.
Rest In Peace Bryson, and may he watch over his family from heaven.

Props n Loves!

I was musing over all the giveaways I've entered this holiday season, and I definitely have my favorite sites, but I wanted to post some love to those sites that I've won on - the entire time I've been blogging and entering giveaways. And I'd like to add that Kat, over at "For the Love of Chaos" and "My 2 Cents", did a giveaway for a Samsung camera last night via Momtv, which you had to be present for to win (Congrats again to Laura C, I'll admit I was seething with jealousy - but that's the luck of the Random!) and I loved the way she did that! It was fun not only to see her in real time and interact via chat with all the other hopefuls, but for some reason it made it all that more exciting! It was a great idea I think. Anyway -

Props & Loves(´¯¨`·´¨¯`)

Alicia's Reviews & Giveaways - my first ever win, and I owe it all to you Alicia! Thank you!
STL Mommy - For a great read, the book was fabulous and is now making the rounds around my friends. Thank you!
My 2 Cents - I'm so excited to see what Habitwise has in store for my weight! Thank you!
Deal Seeking Mom - My husband was so excited about this giveaway - he loves Pears! Thank you!

When they're all lined up like that, it looks alittle suspicious, lol - it's really the luck of the Random, and I'm so grateful for everything I won, because, I mean, lets face it - it was free, and it's always grand to win something unexpectedly!

So, tomorrow, we have our "Breakfast with Santa" with our ward (we're LDS) and it should be fun, mainly because we're new to this ward, and haven't yet made a very big splash in the way of people getting to know us.
Somehow we always manage to be the family that's referred to as the 'how many kids you don't want" as in "You guys are having another one? Wow - you'll end up like the Degens" lol. The only thing is, in this ward, we're not so much a side show family as we are the norm because everyone has a small army around here! It makes a nice change!
So I was reading a post by Janice, over at "5 Minutes for Mom" and she was relating a story about how she nearly lost her little girl while at the skating rink, and the horror and emotions she felt while going through this horrid event (her daughter was fine, FYI - you can read about her Happy Ending here) and in this months issue of Family Circle, theres an article about paranoid parenting, and it got me thinking about my style of parenting and if I go 'overboard'.
I know I worry all the time about abductions and missing kids stories break my heart, and while I could probably do without the 'I meet the families before letting you go play-date' (or ... could I?) I think all in all I do an okay job.
Sure, I make mistakes, who doesn't, but all in all, I think I do just fine.
Anyways, theres my 'Props n Loves', I really am grateful to ALL you wonderful blog hosts who make giveaways possible, I tell everyone I know about getting involved in them, how worthwhile they are, and to not forget to link whenever possible!

The beautiful Degen kids!

Giveaway sites, books & randomness ...

DFCF-Washington, "20 to life Mommy" ADC#200930, http://twentytolifeblog.blogspot.com , Ut. 84780

another quick post, just a few ideas for those of you who enjoy a good giveaway, the following blogs are worth a second look and a  follow ...

J. Leigh Designz, - Two of a Kind, working on a full house - Alicia's Reviews & Giveaways - EightyMPHmommy - a giveaway addicted mommy - Me and My boys! 

and of course, those are the links to the actual sites. Some giveaway sites have an annoying way about them, as in - I have my preferences when it comes to the entry details, and I find some sites are just ... well, annoying. I like my sites to be eye candy pleasing. Easy to navigate, (not that I'm a moron. I just think simplicity is the way to go) and these ladies with their sites definitely have it. 
They also have this interesting thing called 'Monday Mingle" <-- thats a link to EightyMPHmommy, and an explaination of what MM actually is and she's the one who apparently started the vlogging craze of Monday Mingle. I've been tempted to try it, but as I'm so new to this whole blogging thing, I think I'll wait until I've become more familiar with the territory. Until then , I'll watch :D
But please check out these sites, a good giveaway is a fun thing to participate in!

As an extra quick note, I also have to give props and shout outs to STLMommy, I recently received the book I won on one of her giveaways and am so excited to start reading it!
(I'm currently re-doing the 'Twilight' series again. A quick refresher to the movies) also, I'm halfway through "My sisters keeper" and that is turning into a must-finish! If you've read it, kudos for spotting that books potential!