Our selected team of reviewers recently had the priviledge to review two books, Entertain Like A Gentleman and Aurora Fee, thanks to New Year Publishing.

First off, Entertain Like A Gentleman, written by David Harap is one of those very much needed guidebook for men who are not as ”talented” when it comes to entertaining and cooking. The book starts off with Entertaining 101 which includes a list of 25 things to do to ensure a stress free entertaining. For those who are totally clueless in the kitchen, the book also provides an explanation of the basic tools in the kitchen ranging from food processor to mixing bowls to measuring scale as well as metric conversions. Trust me, these morsels of information may be pretty useful to some.

As far as the recipes are concerned, I am ashamed to admit that I have so much to learn from David Harap. I like the way the recipes are divided into different occassions, for example, Super Bowl/March Madness, Cheese and Wine Party, Pool Party, Double Date Night, Romantic Dinner (Spring/Summer) and Romantic Dinner (Fall/Winter), etc. My favourite of course was Cooking With Kiddos, which I would never have expected to be included in this book. Overall, the recipes are not what you would call simple and neither are they intimidating. I’m just a bit surprise that there aren’t any pictures to accompany the recipes which would have worked better.When it comes to recipes,  I’m one who believes that  a picture speaks a thousand words   If your man is showing hints of interest in the kitchen, this might be just the book to get him started.

Here’s what some of our reviewers thought of Entertain Like A Gentleman:

Confessions of an overworked mom – Now if your husband is like mine, you might expect this cookbook to be filled with recipes for buffalo wings, frozen pizza and chocolate chip cookies. You couldn’t be more wrong! The recipes in this book are going to put your cooking skills to shame. At least they’d put mine to shame. Just thinking about dates stuffed with blue cheese mousse and fennel and spinach strudel has my mouth watering!

Pookie and The Boys – Most men wish they had the ability to cook for their woman and give her the wow factor. Entertain Like a Gentleman by David Harap tries to give a little boost in the kitchen department for men. The thing is to remember this is for a gentleman, not a man. There are no recipes including a bottle of beer, and some of the recipes require up to a week of prep. The recipes have easy to read measurements and it seems that most ingredient choices are conveniently found in your local grocery. Instructions are detailed letting you know the “do ahead” and the actual “night of the dinner” steps for preparation.

Mom Most Traveled – Entertain Like a Gentleman has 75 original recipes appropriate for all types of themes; from Super Bowl parties to Scotch tastings to intimate dinner parties.

Recipes in Entertain Like a Gentleman use common and accessible ingredients, and you also get tips about how to make your evening flow…like butter.

Heavenly Savings – The recipes by David Harap are not your basic everyday recipes. Each dish looks and smells appetizing and the taste is to die for! You will be wining and dining your guests in no time with these timeless romantic recipes! There are also parts of the book that will help you know how to organize and set up your foods in the most spectacular and passionate ways!

Adventure in All Things Food – Mmm… all delicious recipes, and easy to make. These simple, yet elegant ideas will have your guests singing your praises! Each chapter has a full menu of ideas, a shopping list and equipment list for each recipe. Some chapters even have added suggestions for making your gathering more enjoyable. This book helps to plan everything out for the host or hostess. I have to say that I am always looking for ways to make entertaining go more smoothly.

Renaissance Culinaire – The recipes are written in an easy to understand fashion, intended to help aid in a less-stressful entertaining experience. Included in the book are shopping and equipment lists, with blank pages after every section to allow you to jot down thoughts or notes – making Entertain Like a Gentleman perfect for the cooking inept or the seasoned culinary traveler.

Happy Healthy Families – I know this book is aimed towards men, and yes, it is perfect for the man who needs some step by step guidance in the kitchen, but really, I think just about anyone would love reading it. There are tips and secrets throughout the book that will make even the most novice host feel ready to take on a party for family and friends!

Acting Balanced – I really like how the recipes are laid out – with the instructions first and the ingredients and equipment listed down the right hand side, with the ingredients listed like a shopping list – ingredient first, amount second. The tips are great too – for men or women – and help you to break down your entertainment planning and cooking chores into easy to accomplish steps. This book is all about being impressive without being difficult.

Mom of 2 Dancers – There is no stronger way to impress someone than by showcasing your culinary skills. Bachelor Chef and culinary instructor David Harap has created a series of menus that any man can make his own. This book helps men create unforgettable meals for their guests without stress or needing years of cooking school. In addition to many exciting recipes for every occasion, that are tons of tips and secrets on how to become the ultimate host. Memorable meals made easy.

Aurora Fee was written by Megan Barnes when she was just a high school senior. It tells the story of an ordinary  teenager with centuries old deep dark secret. The truth is, Aurora is no longer a human but a CAT to be exact. She could transform herself from a human into a cat, has the ability to read minds and is immortal. Aurora also has to be careful with her emotions which may result in different parts of her cat personality appearing out of the blue, such as happiness will trigger the appearance of the tail, embarrassment triggers the whiskers, etc.

Aurora Fee is definitely geared for the tweens to teens but as an adult, I did enjoy reading it too. The story involves typical teenage issues such as  high school, cliques, jealousy and romance. Aurora Fee kind of reminds me of James Patterson’s Daniel X.  As far as paranormal fiction goes, I give it the thumbs up and will definitely be looking forward to a sequel.

Read what our reviewers had to say about the Aurora Fee below:

The Sewing Mom – While Aurora has to contend with her shape shifting, she also contends with typical teenage issues, school, friends, and even love. All of these things cause angst and can peak emotions particularly in a teenager, so it’s even more of a challenge for someone who doesn’t want their cat ears giving them away! As the parent of a teenager, I found it easy to relate to the teenage issues in the book. I found some of the story to be a bit far fetched and naive, but overall, it is a very enjoyable book. I am very impressed that the author, Megan Barnes, was just 17 when she wrote the story and had it published. On that alone I recommend the book! I admire anyone that follows their dreams, but to do so at such a young age is absolutely a triumph!

Creative Writings 101 - Aurora suffers from normal teen feelings, wanting to be loved, and of course, the fear of being different. Something we all can relate to in one way or another. I was surprised to see that the writer of this book is only a teen herself, I think she did a great job and had a great handle on the emotions and experiences that teens face on a daily basis. This is a good book for a tween and/or teen to read, and fits the young adult paranormal genre perfectly.

Adventure in All Things Food – This was a fast read, and I am sure as a teenager I would have consumed it in one sitting. At 240 pages it is not a long read, but a perfect serving of feline adventure. I enjoyed that it was a great mixture between usual teen conflicts, and life and death action. It is a great story I would recommend for tween through teen readers, especially girls interested in paranormal fiction.

Happy Healthy Families -My daughter loved this book, and basically had it in her hands from the time she started reading it to the time she finished. Though shape shifting is a big part of the story, it also follows Aurora’s daily struggles being a teen and dealing with normal teen situations such as school, friends, falling in love, etc. This would be a perfect stocking stuffer for young teens and even pre-teens. My daughter gave it two thumbs up!

Acting Balanced – Aurora Fee is full of action and fun. The book is well written and I could possibly see a sequel. The only change to this book I would make is to add a prequel, but that might give away to much. I can’t believe that this book was written by a high school senior. I would recommend this book for anyone 11 and up.

Mom of 2 Dancers – Besides this being a great book, it a good read for most ages. I’d let my 9 year old daughter read it since it isn’t graphic, etc. It is probably geared more towards later tween years and teens. Plus of course, us adults that love young adult novels. I still can’t get over the other being in high school. Congrats to Miss Barnes for writing a fantastic novel. I hope to see a Aurora Fee become a series!

Maria’s Space -This is a young adult book and is written by a young adult. So, the dialogue is youthful and easy. This is a quick read and the characters aren’t very deep but in this very creative storyline, I give kudos to Megan for her shout outs for one of my favorite books. Obviously a Twi-hard like me, Aurora is looking for her “Edward”. Aurora and her boys (Kartik-Edward and Zane-Jacob) was very Twilightish. She is in love with two boys who will do anything for her yet, in the long run. She remains friends with Zane and chooses Kartik.

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GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

What started out as a device to communicate, the cell phone has evolved over the years and has become a style statement for its users. Every few months, one comes across the most high-tech and sleekest cell phones in the market but not everybody can afford to keep up with changing trends. Consumers are discovering innovative and fashionable ways to customize their cell phones with creative accessories. Gone are the days of those ugly big black cases that protected the cell phone but made it look bulkier than usual. From “skins” and faceplate designs to charms and Swarovski Crystals, you can find as many accessories for your mobile phone as you will find for yourself.

However, until now, cell phone accessories were designed as separate fashion pieces and not designed to actually function as a part of your everyday wardrobe. To solve this fashion faux pas, designer, Andrea Behar created Cellies™ a stylish stretch cuff bracelet that easily slips on your wrist that allows cell phone users to conveniently wear their phones, and not just carry them.

What are Cellies™?

Made from stretch power mesh, Cellies™ are a stylish solution designed to hold all wireless devices including cell phones, iPhones and Blackberries. Seamlessly fusing function and fashion, a convenient hands-free compartment securely holds your phone in place. The strong but transparent material provides viewers with touchable and visible access to their phones.

Cellies™ allow your hands to be completely free to drive safely, to work the office or house, be active, eat, workout, play sports – anything that you couldn’t do before while using your cell phone. Cellies™ are great for runners, snowboarders, cyclists, roller bladers, and people on the go. Cellies™ are for men, women, teens and sports enthusiasts. It allows them to carry their cell phone safely and securely without having to attach it to their belt or carry it in their pocket. Cellies™ also offer wearers instant access to their phones, credit cards, identification, business cards or even lip gloss without having to search through their handbag.

BUY IT : Retailing at only $35, Cellies are these To Die For gift for the young and trendy (and also the young at heart). There’s no denying that studs are a must-have this season. They add instant edge to everything from handbags to shoes. Urban-glam with Cellies™ allover studded detailing, facetted stones and grommet cuffs by Andrea Behar.

WIN IT : We know you all want one, so Cellies have generously sponsored one unit to giveaway to one of our reader. That could be you! Here’s what you need to do for a chance to win this giveaway:

• One Mandatory Entry- Head over to www.mycellies.com and tell us one fact about the designer of Cellies, Andrea Behar.
• Two Additional Entries- follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win  Arm Candi For Your Cell at Parentreviewers.com” once a day. Leave an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url. You can tweet on a daily basis.
• Three Additional Entries- Blog or share on Facebook about this great giveaway! It can be done on a daily basis too! Leave your blog URL or FB id.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends on January 2nd, 2011 . and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

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Wishing That This Holiday Season….

Lights Up Your Heart & Home With Joy!

FROM ALL OF US AT PARENT REVIEWERS

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Here’s one for the moms out there. This is definitely THE NEW YEAR package you deserve to pamper yourself with. You can win these cool products just for YOU! Check out what they are:

1. The Winkee, created by entrepreneurs Patricia Calamari and Karla Kennedy, is the ultimate solution to plunging necklines. Combining the concept of a tank top layer with the added benefit of being removable, the Winkee is a revolutionary mock camisole which allows women to effortlessly cover up cleavage when they need to. Now you can switch from “day to night” seamlessly without having to change outfits completely! Placed over any bra with two straps, the Winkee offers optimal coverage without compromising style.

According to Patricia, “The Winkee is a must-have fashion accessory that solves every woman’s occasional need to have a multi-purpose outfit. From the jetsetter who simply wants to pack lighter, to today’s multi-tasking woman who wants to go from a day at the office to a night out on the town with friends, the Winkee has you covered – literally!”

The Winkee is easily attached to any bra with two straps in three easy steps:
1. Stick Winkee Dots on the inside of each of the three Winkee tabs
2. Wrap top side tabs around straps of bra
3. Wrap bottom tab under the middle of front of bra

In styles such as Romance, Rouched, and Sweetheart, all in various colors and patterns, there’s a Winkee to fit every occasion. Your “bosom buddy,” the Winkee offers an affordable way to maximize your outfits without compromising their design. The must-have accessory is available for purchase on www.thewinkee.com and is priced from only $17-$20.

2. Beautiful Skin Revealed by New York and Houston Dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman

In an effort to separate fact from fiction, Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman, has co-authored the forthcoming book Beautiful Skin Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Better Skin. This comprehensive book offers an expert’s insider view on common skin conditions and treatments that really work, in addition to offering tips on how to maximize the time with your dermatologist. According to Dr. Friedman, “The book is grounded in science and explains why conditions occur. Using before and after photos and real patient testimonials, Beautiful Skin Revealed shows readers the incredible results made possible through the latest treatment options.” The book contains 12 chapters including sections on: Complexion, Acne, Wrinkles, , Rosacea, Birthmarks, Eyes, Leg Veins, Skin Cancer, Scars and Stretch Marks, General Dermatology, Products, and finally Choosing a Doctor. It is available for purchase at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

3. Kymaro Body Shaper – The Kymaro® New Body Shaper is the fastest and safest way to take off inches in all the important places where we can’t seem to lose the weight. Plus, these amazing undergarments smooth out the rolls and bulges, giving the simple look of a sleek and slender body.

Available from : www.ubuyez.com

Price: $39.95

4. KYMARO GLAMOUR EYES Eyelash Extension Kit – The eyelash extension craze actually started in Asia, its sweeping through Europe, and has just taken the USA by storm. Most of your favorite movie stars are already wearing them. But they are getting their eyelash extensions applied at a salon which can cost you over $500 and the whole process can take up to 2 hours. This can be a big hassle to fit these visits into your already busy schedule and lets not forget that it costs a small fortune. But don’t worry because Kymaro’s eyelash extensions are handmade and are professional quality and the cost of the whole kit is just a fraction of the price when applied at a salon!

Availability: www.ubuyez.com

Price: $39.95

To enter and win this wonderful pampering package fit for all moms, please check out the entry requirements below. Remember, there will only be ONE winner!

• ONE MANDATORY Entry – Tell us why you deserve to win these fabulous products.
• One Additonal Entry – If you’re a subscriber, please leave a comment to tell us that you are. If you’re not, be a subscriber here!
• Two Additional Entries- follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win The Ultimate Beauty & Fashion Products From Parent Reviewers” once a day. Make sure you link back to this post for a valid entry. Leave an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url. You can tweet on a daily basis.
• Three Additional Entries- Blog or share on Facebook about this great giveaway with a link back here . It can be done on a daily basis too! Leave your blog URL or FB id.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends on December 30th, 2010. and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Good Luck!

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TO THE WINNERS OF

CitiBlocs 100 pc Cool Color Building Set

Jenna M wood #65

Nancy Drews’ Shadow At Water’s Edge Boxed Game

Angie Vinez #4

AND

Outback Foods

Wai Chee #16

The winner is required to do the following:

1. Submit your relevant info via the Winner’s Submission Form Below; AND
2. Leave a comment in this post to let us know you have submitted.
3. If any winner does not claim her prize by the 28th December 2010, we will do a second draw.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAD PARTICIPATED!

cforms contact form by delicious:days

My kids are huge fans of Trebellina. HUGE. They cannot get enough of Trebellina…. I tell ya, the DVD cover is pretty much shredded, because my youngest loves taking it out and looking at it. Tries to stuff it back as best he can, but obviously his fine motor skills are quite there yet. Can’t blame him, he’s not even 3 yet! We have been patiently waiting for the Trebellina sequel, as we’ve reviewed it during our blog tour in May 2009. We hope that we’ll be able to see this new sequel, in the coming 2011!

Just a recap of Trebellina, we hope you’ll take a few moments to read on :

The Trebellina DVD occupies a special place in a modern baby’s musical development.  Trebellina fills the gap between the mommy-and-me music classes currently offered to young children and the formal music lessons that young children typically wait years before they can begin.   Trebellina also helps round out the musical experience for young children who study Suzuki through its emphasis on reading written music. Moreover, with Trebellina, parents jumpstart their children’s music education at a fraction of the cost of just one typical music lesson!

A batch of fresh new eyes, got their chance to review Trebellina, from across the globe, and here’s what they have to say :

Sasha’s Bla Bla Bla : They love it when the character- Rock Bassey calls out Trebellina’s name “TREBELLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINA” and they would giggle and giggle. I have no idea what the dvd was about so I asked my kids in the car the other day. “So what has Trebellina taught you?” and they replied “I know about music instruments..Cabasa, Maracas, Wind Chimes, Bongos, Triangle, Piano, Congas, Cow Bell…..”

Rambling Moo : Though she is still so young, the music and the characters (Trebellina, Rock Bassey and Rhytmo) attracted her attention and made her glued to the screen a good 5 minutes! Since she is still a baby, she still do not have a very long attention span.

Montisorri Mum : We put on the DVD the moment we received it. JS immediately recognizes the treble clef and bass clef. (But she couldn’t guess what the green swirly thing is..neither do I). Since we are so use to singing “DO RE MI FA” at home, the kids need sometimes to get use to the English Note Names ( as in C, D, E, F, G etc). I have to keep telling them that C = Do, D = Re . But it is good reinforcement for jiejie who is now learning to read notes as in English form instead of solfege.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

It was so appropriate to receive this book, “Snow Valley Heroes : A Christmas Tale” by Robert J. McCarty, at this time, seeing that Christmas is so near.  It is the third volume in the Planet of the Dog Series, where it tells the stories of how dogs first arrived at Planet Earth and teaches humans about loyalty, love and peace.

In the first volume, the story is about how these wonderful dogs save the hard-working farmers of Green Valley, as they were going to be invaded by the Stone City Warriors. Meanwhile, in the second volume, more dogs arrive to free the kidnapped children and prevent war between the Stone City Warriors and Black Hawk Tribes.

This being the third book in the series, it tells the reader about how the dogs saved Christmas in the Snow Valley, where Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves and a whole community, living in Tundra Town, were living peacefully. However, living across Santa, was King of the North, a bitter and angry man who was banished to the Ice Castle, together with his Royal Guards for their cruelty.

On another planet, the Planet of the Dogs, lived the Snow Valley Dogs, who had been summoned to Planet Earth, as ‘Miss Merrie’, queen of the dogs, had a terrible dream that the King of the North was going to avenge his banishment and stop Christmas from happening.

As the story progresses, terrible things start happening to Santa and the town folk, creating confusion and sadness. The most important animals of Christmas, the reindeers have been kidnapped by the Royal Guards and it seemed like Christmas was never going to happen!

Thankfully, the dogs found a way to create allies with the children of the Ice Castle’s servants, and with a determination, freed the reindeers. However, we all know the story doesn’t end just like that. What happens to the King of the North? Does he stop there? How much more evil can he do?

About the author, Robert J. McCarty and illustrator, Stella Mustanoja McCarty:

Robert McCarty is a producer/writer/director of films and videos on subjects ranging from teenage lifestyles to race relations. His short film, Rooftops Of New York, was nominated for an Academy Award. He is a former adjunct instructor at Teacher’s College, Columbia University and at the School Of Visual Arts, New York City. Planet Of The Dogs was inspired by the many stories made up for his four children and five grandchildren.

Stella Mustanoja McCarty, who teaches painting and drawing at the Vantaa, Finland, Art School, illustrated the book. She graduated as a painting major  from the Art Academy in Helsinki and also holds degrees from the University of Helsinki in Education and Sociology and Social Policy.

Buy It! : I personally enjoyed reading this book very  much. I found Mr. McCarty’s story-telling to be absorbing and a real page turner. The charcoal illustrations by Stella Mustanoja McCarty, depicts some of the scenes from the story, which added to the vividness of each chapter. My favourite dog, would be Big Tok, as he reminds me very much of an Alsatian, which was very protective of me, when I was a little girl. My 8 year old son, enjoyed the book tremendously, as it has it’s heroes and baddies and that at the end of the day, he learns that negative acts do hurt people’s feelings. Although it had more words than pictures (he’d rather read comics), he was very amazed that he followed through each chapter and finished it.  This is a great Xmas gift for any boy or girl, who loves reading. Definitely a huge bonus for kids who are dog lovers!

You can purchase all three volumes of books and other apparels (for humans and dogs!), online.

Win It! : One lucky reader has a chance to win this third volume in the Planet of the Dog series, and all you have to do is :

• One mandatory entry – Visit the Planet of the Dogs website and tell us, which book you’d like to read and why.
• Two additional entry – Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win a “Snow Valley Heroes : Planet of the Dog” book with parentreviewers.com“  with a link back to this post. Please leave an additional comment including your twitter id and your tweet url. You can do this daily until the giveaway closes.
• Two Additional Entries- Are you a subscriber? You get 2 extra entries just for that! If not, best you subscribe right now!
• Two Additional Entries- Post this on FB and share this piece of good news with your friends!!!! Let us know if you’re a fan too!
• Giveaway open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends December 27th 2010 and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

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• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Perfect Paperback: 81 pages
• Publisher: Barking Planet Productions; 1st edition (August 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978692829
• ISBN-13: 978-0978692827

Tips to ensure your kids are staying safe in the Cyber-World…

By Lynette Owens, founder and director of outreach for Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids and Families program

As this holiday season officially kicks off, shopping is in full force for most of us parents. This is the right time to ask ourselves, “Are my kids ready for the latest tech toys that they will undoubtedly be asking for this year?” While most kids know the fun side of tech toys, they are not always aware of the responsibilities and risks associated with them.

As a high-tech mom of two and the head of Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids & Families program, I’ve put together some tips to help you make sure your kids are using these tech toys wisely and safely. Along with their new technical abilities, we need to teach them how to be responsible, gadget-owning citizens.

Some ways to approach the basic question, “are they ready?”

If your kid wants a cell phone or a smartphone, consider this:

• Determine first what they will use it for and when, where and with whom. If this is their first phone, it might be best to limit calls to you as parents, only. There are phones that are designed only to call select numbers – mom and dad buttons but nobody else.

• For older kids who want more freedom, think about whether you want them to receive and make calls to anyone they want. One way to limit open access it to consider family plans that offer number limits.

• Ask yourself honestly, “do your kids need Internet access or text messaging on their phone?” These extras can not only be costly, but can also open up opportunities to come across things they may not be ready for online. Consider phone plans that exclude or limit these offerings.

• If you allow your kids to have Internet access on their phone, consider adding a filtering service that blocks inappropriate content.

• Many phones have cameras. While fun to have, there are risks. Talk to your kid about what is and isn’t appropriate when using their camera phone. Let them know that if they take pictures they’d be embarrassed to show you or their teachers, then the pictures should NOT be taken. Inform them that some pictures could even be illegal (child pornography is a felony, after all). Also, be sure to tell them that if they receive inappropriate images on their phone, they should tell you immediately so you can report it to other parents or teachers, depending on the situation.

If your kid wants a video game console, remember:

• Keep it in a common area where you can supervise what is on the screen and set usage time limits.

• Be sure to check recommended age-ratings on the box as a guide to whether a child, kid or teen should be playing certain games. Like movies, video games have age-ratings. Also, the consoles have settings to prevent age-inappropriate games on the device, so be sure to take advantage of those and turn them on!

• If the game consoles in your home can connect to the Internet, consider either blocking Internet access, or turn on the filtering setting.

• If your kids are into social networking gaming, again keep it where you can see it. Let your child or teen know that while their use of it is harmless, other players can lie about who they are, their age, gender and where they live. Therefore, you need to remind them to NEVER to meet a stranger in person.

If your kid wants a new computer or any other gadget that connects to the Internet, some tips to remember:

• If you allow your kids to get online, supervise their online time. Keep the PC, gaming device, or mobile device in a place where you can check in on them and set limits on their time online.

• Get to know the sites your kids are using or want to use on the Internet. If they are old enough to be using it, ask yourself who else might be using the site.

• Some sites require registration, which requires personal information. Therefore, it is important to know what the sites your kids are visiting and what each site’s security and privacy policies are.

• The rules for being a good citizen offline also apply online: Talk to your kids about treating people with respect and the importance of keeping private information private. Remind them not to talk to strangers and that they should always report any odd or suspicious behavior to you, whether online or offline. I’ve found that a great way for us as parents to teach our kids safe online habits is to model these habits ourselves as an example to our children.
  Some of the most reputable security software can help block websites based on kids ages. However, even with filters, kids may still innocently click on or download something they never intended to, such as a virus or spyware. Bottom line: use security software and keep it up-to-date.

Most important, stay involved and stay educated!

Internet safety topics and issues change with new websites and new laws. New issues will continue to grow as new technologies arrive and as kids grow up. Making Internet safety a priority for the family means being an active participant in it.

About The Author

Lynette T. Owens is Director of Corporate Outreach for Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids and Families (ISKF) program. Lynette founded the ISKF program to help deliver on the company’s vision of making a world safe for the exchange of digital information. Ms. Owens is the author of Trend Micro’s ISKF blog, which covers several topics related to Internet safety for kids and families, and is a strong advocate for youth and the importance of their role in helping to educate as much as be educated. In early 2010, she helped launch the company’s first annual Internet safety video competition, named “What’s Your Story?”, showcasing the voice of youth on a wide-range of topics related to their internet safety.

Lynette spends most her time helping to raise awareness and educate the public on the issues of internet safety for kids, recruiting employee volunteers to get involved or volunteering her own time in her community. She devotes the rest of the time to her own kids and husband, and with any remaining minutes, loves to travel with her husband, discover new music, and spend time with friends and family around the world.

This is always an exciting time for photo-taking. With Christmas coming, there’s always the decorations, and if wherever you’re are, is snowing, it always looks picturesque. One thing I know for sure, is that most countries around the world, will be having their year-end break, which means it’s vacation time! It’s always recommended that memories are to be captured via photos, and what better way to do that is to, let your kids take it for you! Hand them Kodak’s One Time Sports Camera that is not only durable, but lightweight and waterproof, allowing kids to have more fun with their photo-taking. I did, when I wrote my review way back in July! My kids had so much fun, and control over what pictures they wanted to take.

Buy It! : Here are some reasons why you should get your hands on them :

KODAK Sport One Time Use Camera :

• Waterproof up to 50 feet (great for both your holiday beach and snow vacations!)
• Features a sunscreen and scratch-resistant lens
• Perfect for rugged use and ideal for kids
• Loaded with Kodak Ultra Max 800 speed, 27 exposure film for clearer, sharper pictures than any “waterproof/weatherproof” camera

Kodak Gallery Info:

• Kodak Gallery gives you the tools to share, create and preserve you Kodak Moments.
• Kodak Gallery does the work for you, so you can focus on the fun, creative stuff, such as choosing themes, adding captions and including your own personal touches
• It’s so easy to us! You can choose to customize, or you can let Kodak Gallery automatically apply your choices to the entire book
• The SMARTFIT technology automatically adjusts different sized shots, and it arranges pictures based on events or dates
• You can design and order a quality album in minutes, which saves time for other things on your daily to-do list
• Photos can be uploaded from the computer, mobile devices, or Facebook
• The site has a great selection of high-quality gifts to personalize
• Every purchase is personally reviewed by a photo expert for quality control purposes

Win It! : Have hours of fun shooting pictures with Kodak’s one time use sports camera. Then, let the fun continue with your very own, personalized Kodak Photo Book. Kodak has provided three KODAK Sport One Time Use Cameras ($11.99 value), and Kodak Gallery is giving away three gift cards for $25 to be redeemed on www.kodakgallery.com before Feb. 28, 2011. So, who will our three lucky readers be?

• One mandatory entry – Visit the Kodak website and tell us, what other products do they offer.
• Two additional entry – Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win a Kodak Sports Single Use Camera“ with a link back to this post. Please leave an additional comment including your twitter id and your tweet url. You can do this daily until the giveaway closes.
• Two Additional Entries- Are you a subscriber? You get 2 extra entries just for that! If not, best you subscribe right now!
• Two Additional Entries- Post this on FB and share this piece of good news with your friends!!!! Let us know if you’re a fan too!
• Giveaway open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends December 22nd 2010 and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

Congratulations to the following three winners of November 2010′s email subscriber draw. Each will get a copy of  “Opposite Day” DVD.

1. Betty Nations

2. Cherie Japp

3. Pending for subscriber to reply

Just in time for the holiday season, this month’s giveaway will be three copies of Chicken Soup For The Soul : Christmas Magic ~ a copy of the book to each winner. On top of that, we will be choosing one winner to win the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic Audio Book. That’s a total of FOUR prizes for FOUR WINNERS. Best of all, shipping is not only open to US addresses but to Canada as well! As I have yet to receive my copy of the book, I am unable to share with you my review. To give you an idea of what this book is all about, here’s an excerpt from it’s press release:

With stories from personalities such as morning radio show host Mike Morin and award-winning journalists such as Tracy Rasmussen and Laurie Higgins, this book is filled with 101 holiday tales of inspiration, love, wonder and just plain fun that will delight every reader, from the young to the young at heart, and celebrate the magic of the holiday season. In addition, since Chicken Soup for the Soul wants to keep Christmas magical for everyone, all of the stories are “Santa-safe” for kids!

It is so easy to enter, just subscribe to our feed via email. We will be doing a monthly draw with different prizes each month. That’s all there is to it. Good luck!

Disclosure : Giveaway copies of the above book courtesy of www.chickensoup.com