Do you know how to stay safe in a storm? How baseball bats are made? Or that the largest diamond in the galaxy is 2,500 miles across? My son Alex does and he is happy to share his secret. It's not Google! You can find these and hundreds of other fun facts compiled into two super handy and entertaining Time Life Books called That's Incredible and Big Book Of How.

If you have elementary school aged kids, your kids will love these books. Kind of like encyclopedias...  but cool and fascinating (even for mom)! They're very engaging and have come in really handy for school reports and science projects for my 3rd grader. He's become quite the know-it-all and I've had to confiscate these books a few times to get him to go to bed or eat dinner.

I love a good sequel... especially when it's not a cheesy horror flick and something that entertains all of my kids. Seattle based company Compendium has come out with another amazing gift set, the Boogie Monster Dance Kit. Keep reading for a special offer from Compendium...

You wouldn't think a book about a sassy girl and her hair would fall into the adventure genre but to many young girls, finding the perfect do is one of the biggest adventures of them all. As a girl who grew up in the era of perms and big fluffy bangs, I certainly remember how important hair was and the hours I would spend every morning getting it right.

I used to spend my quiet mornings blogging or catching up on other baby blogs (they are addicting). Then, probably in a wine induced moment, I decided to start a few new project to help my fellow mom bloggers share their blogs. So, in addition to this blog, I now also run the super popular Top Mommy Blogs & Top Baby Bogs directories. This gives me (and you) a front row seat to some of the coolest blogs as well as what's buzzing in parenthood.

Of course books make for great gifts for kids. But books with tickle gloves are even better! This Tickle Monster Laughter Kit from Melrose Place star turned author Josie Bissett comes complete with magical blue Tickle Monster mitts and an adorable keepsake box. $20 @ UncommonGoods.Com

Update! See the Boogie Monster Dance Kit. The get up and dance sequel!

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of the adorable and colorful characters from Australian based children's clothing, decor and gift shop, Mooo. Their line of personalized kids shirts, personalized kids backpacks and modern wall decals are so fantastic that I am of course excited to tell you about one of their equally as fun and vibrant newest additions, personalized kids story books.

An unexpected diversion. I love that. I am going to have to use that next time I get lost with the kids and they all yell at me to use the Garmin. "No kids," I'll say. "This is just an unexpected diversion!" It's a positive spin and a fun way to explain away some speed bumps on a journey.

Knuffle Bunny Free An Unexpected Diversion from author Mo Willems is children's book about a little girl named Trixie. Trixie first explores her neighborhood, then school. Now in this third and final book of the series, takes a trip to Holland where she sadly loses her favorite stuffed friend, Knuffle Bunny.

I love children's books that strike a chord and even as a grown up can be relatable. It's always nice to read books that sparks up insightful chit chats about what you just read and how it relates to our everyday lives. Like the WorryWoo Monster series from Andi Green. The WorryWoo Monster books deal with loneliness, insecurity, confusion and being scared. Emotions, young and old, we all struggle with sometimes.

While I've never directly said to my daughters (or heard from my mother), You're Grounded Forever... But First Let's Go Shopping, I think I've inadvertently done this many times.

Author Susan Shapiro Barash hits the nail on the head with her new book titled *you guessed it* You're Grounded Forever... But First Let's Go Shopping. It's a book that shows how easy it can be to raise our own little monsters (possibly clones of ourselves) vs. creating strong, independent and genuinely happy soon-to-be women and how to turn this around.

Story time at our house is by far one of the nicest moments of the day. Regardless if it's bedtime, playtime or crazy-time, snuggling up for a story calms everyone's nerves. It distracts us all (yes even mommy) from all the other daily responsibilities and with the right book will end with lots of giggles, hugs and maybe even a good tickle fight.

Big Fun! and Wet Friend! are two books that are not only thrilling for kids, they are a super fun read for grownups. The retro styled Adventure Of Meno series is the gloriously colorful and energetic tale of Meno, a quirky elf of space that lives in a house of cloud who has equally quirky friends. Written by husband and wife team Tony and Angela Diterlizzi and brought to you in Meno-Color by Simon & Schuster, you can't get through these books reading out loud in a normal voice. With a brief appearance by David Hasselhoff, you may find yourself thinking the books are funnier than your kids do. It's my new favorite for story time and one that I always ask, "Do you want me to read it again?" Find the whole Meno series @ Borders.Com.