Book Box Thursday + Giveaway: Rainbow Bear's Dinosaur Discovery

Last year, you might have come across our review and giveaway of Julia Gabriel's An Alphabet Zoo phonics books, or even read her interview on visual literacy. Today, we continue with our sharing of awesome phonics books, by reviewing another of her creations - Rainbow Bear's Dinosaur Discovery: An Adventure in Blends and Digraphs.

As the title suggests, the book is a continuation of An Alphabet Zoo. A book two, if you will. This book, CD and songbook set tracks a new journey in Rainbow Bear's alphabet adventure. This time, he meets with dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes, which have strange names that coincidentally start with blends and digraphs, such as Flora Flaparaptor and Theo Thecocoelurus. 

So what are blends and digraphs, you ask? A blend, also known as a consonant blends, is when two or more consonants are blended together and each sound can be heard distinctly, such as cr, dr, fr sl and st. A digraph, also known as consonant digraph, is when two or more consonants come together to make a single sound, such as ch, wh and sh.

Dinosaur Discovery deals with 24 of these blends and digraphs, specifically two-letter ones. I like the way how the construction of the blends and digraphs are worked into the songs' lyrics. For example. The blend 'SL'. The lyrics goes like this: 'S and L make sl sl Slippy Sliporaptor', while for the digraph 'WH', the lyrics goes 'W and H make wh wh Whoopee Whalonodon'. The formation of the blends and digraphs are explained and sounded out, in addition to a catchy name, all accomplished in a few words. We found out that the musical brains behind the tunes is Matt Grey, who was also responsible for the music in An Alphabet Zoo. Ahh.. that explains why the music in this version worked for EV and AA.

Like in An Alphabet Zoo, each dinosaur character has its own dedicated page and illustration in Dinosaur Discovery, both of which is illustrated by Kathy Creamer, a published British children’s book author and illustrator. In this way, even though it was a new book, it was easy to introduce it to EV and AA, since they are so familiar with the format and drawing style. One difference is the tongue twisters for each character, such as 'Plato Platyceratops plays with plump plums'. Even adults will have fun trying to say these amusing twisters, making it so much more fun to read together as a family.

What makes this book even more interesting is the Dinosaur Fact Page at the end, where characteristics of each dinosaur are listed. Now before you think that some of the dinosaurs, like Chindesaurus, Fruitadens and Smilodon, are figments of the creators' imagination, let me assure you that these three dinosaurs I have named were real. Their names may sound quirky and funny, but they did exist, millions and millions of years ago, according to the online search that I did. There are imaginary dinosaurs in Dinosaur Discovery though, like Snidopteryx and Swotodon, and the fact page identifies them as exactly that.

Rainbow Bear's Dinosaur Discovery: An Adventure in Blends and Digraphs retails at $29.95. You can also dramatise the fun, catchy tunes with the Rainbow Bear hand puppet, that is sold separately at $32.05.

Giveaway!!

Here’s your chance to win a copy of Rainbow Bear's Dinosaur Discovery: An Adventure in Blends and Digraphs. There are five copies to be given away, sponsored by Julia Gabriel Education. Just follow the intructions below to enter. Good luck!

Terms and conditions:

- Entries that do not fulfill the requirements stated will be disqualified without notice.

- Winners will be notified by email, through the email address provided in the Rafflecopter widget.

- Winners must confirm by reply email, within three days. Otherwise, a new winner will be picked.

- This giveaway is open to Singapore residents only.

- No repeat winners will be allowed.

- Giveaway starts on 27 February and ends on 13 March (inclusive) at midnight.

- Winners will be announced on this post and my Facebook page by 19 March.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This review was done with our own copy of Rainbow Bear's Dinosaur Discovery: An Adventure in Blends and Digraphs. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

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Thank you for reading. If you like this post, please do connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so I can share our fun adventures, thoughts and exploits with you. 

Play Learning Tuesday: Chinese word ladder with washi tape

Think washi tape is just for crafts? Think again. These versatile tapes can be quite useful in home decorating, erm... home learning I mean.

In reality. I had run out of masking tape, and was thinking of an alternative instead of having to go to the shops, buy the masking tape, stick it on the floor and adding colour to it so it is visible against my white flooring. Such a hassle!!

Washi tape made it so much simpler, and then kids were attracted to the colours too, since they both love blue. They helped to stick the tape to the floor, practicing their finger motor skills in the process.

I also prepared some homemade cards using drawing board and some markers. I wrote the Chinese words that EV is currently learning. Then I placed the cards on the 'rungs' of the ladder. EV started from the first rung, read the word correctly and advanced to the next rung. This went on till she reached the top, then she started all over again.

For AA, I made cards for the first 5 letters of the alphabet. He's still learning, but he had a ball following his older sister around.

This activity gets the kids moving, hopping and jumping, and allows parents to infuse heaps of learning too. And since the washi tape is so pretty, we’ve decided to leave it on the floor and remove it at a later date. For now, the ladder demarcates the ‘stage’ where the kids will dance and put up their little performances.

Learning Points

a. Chinese character & word recognition

b. Letter learning & recognition

c. Learning words

d. Numbers & mathematical concepts

What play learning activities are you doing today?

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What is Play Learning Tuesday?

Play Learning Tuesday is a bi-weekly linky hosted by Toddly Mummy where bloggers are invited to share their child-friendly play, learning and craft activities. Taking part for the first time? You might like to read the guidelines here first.

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Thank you for reading. If you like this post, please do connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so I can share our fun adventures, thoughts and exploits with you. 

Giveaway: 2 copies of Jim Trelease's The Read Aloud Handbook up for grabs!

Previously in one of our Book Box Thursday posts, we shared about an awesome book by Jim Trelease.

Here's your chance to win one copy of The Read Aloud Handbook (the latest edition). Just follow the instructions below to enter. Good luck!

Terms and conditions:
- Entries that do not fulfill the requirements stated will be disqualified without notice.
- Winners will be notified by email, through the email address provided in the Rafflecopter widget.
- Winners must confirm by reply email, within three days. Otherwise, a new winner will be picked.
- This giveaway is open to Singapore residents only.
- Giveaway starts on 14 February and ends on 28 February (inclusive) at midnight.
- Winners will be announced on this post and my Facebook page by 5 March.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: My Imagination Kingdom sponsored two copies of The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease for the giveaway. No monetary compensation was received. All images are my own.

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Thank you for reading. If you like this post, please do connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so I can share our fun adventures, thoughts and exploits with you. 

Book Box Thursday: New York Times Parents's Guide To The Best Books for Children

This has to be the most definitive guide of children's books for parents. And one supported by the reputable The New York Times, and authored by its very own.

The New York Times Books Review's children's book editor for more than fifteen years, Eden Ross Lipson lends her expertise to this very comprehensive book of more than 1700 titles. 

That's right! Your eyes are not fooling you. It's a whopping 1700 recommended book titles for children of all ages, including some of the best-loved classics, such as The Runaway Bunny, Curious George, or The Rainbow Fish. 

So, with 1700 titles, how does one know where to start? This Guide is systematically categorized into six sections according to reading level and age: Wordless books, Picture books, Story books, Early reading books, Middle reading books and Young Adult books. Each entry does not just include the title and summary of the book, but also includes important bibliographic information about author and/or illustrator, the publisher, publication year, awards and related titles, if any. It even tells you whether the book is a hardcover or paperback. 

What I really like about this book is the series of special indexes that come at the back. Instead of just an alphabetical index to all the tiles, this Guide also has an index of authors and illustrators, so if you have one name in mind, you can easily do a search to find the relevant books. Want a title that is suitable for your toddler and another for your lower primary kid? The Guide's age-appropriate index caters to that. There is even a read aloud index, recommending books that are best for reading aloud to your children.

This Guide's massive title list is also nicely categorized into various interests under its special subject indexes. From cats and dinosaurs to growing up and manners, to even history, music, science and sports, there are at least 50 indexes to cater to many hobbies and interests that a kid may have.

The inclusion of these indexes demonstrates the thoughtfulness of the folks at The New York Times, and the understanding that parents do not just need a list, they need a list that's practical and informative, a quick guide to meet their needs.

Indeed, I think that this Parents' Guide is a saviour to any parent, I must say, who can sometimes be lost as to which books to expose their children to and when. This Parents' Guide has put the power of searching for suitable books for their children in their hands.

Disclaimer: My Imagination Kingdom sponsored a copy of The New York Times Parents' Guide To The Best Books for Children for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions and images are my own.

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A very special family reunion

I like Chinese New Year. It is a time of reunion, get togethers and catching up with family and relatives, some of whom I only see once a year.

This year's CNY was extra special, a true reunion for my family.

My brother has been living in Australia since 2009, and my little sister has been studying there since 2011. As much as we wanted to, it was not easy to get everyone back together in Singapore; everyone's different schedules meant that everyone came back at different times. It was a challenge, but I'm elated that this year, we overcame that challenge, and brought the whole family together again.

This year, for the first time since 2009, my bro and my sister-in-law came back for CNY, together with my little cute and awesomely adorable nephew. In fact, they were back way before CNY, since November last year.

What was even more meaningful for me was that for the first time since 2009, my two younger siblings and I were together once again.

For the first time since 2009, we went on a family trip together to nearby Malaysia. Not an extravagant trip, but the most important thing was, the siblings were together, and we spent time with our parents, spouses and kids. We had joy, we had fun, and the kids gave us a bit of a run.

Here is a photo of us on that trip, our first photo together since a long time ago.

For the first time in years, we took out our family Christmas tree, and the kids helped to decorate it. We had our very own 'Secret Santa' gift exchange, and the kids received a lot of presents, and I mean A LOT.


Bro and I brought our kids to the SEA Aquarium and we had a great time 'swimming' with the fishes and eating ice cream.

We missed squabbling with each other, so we did a lot of that, and always in a tag team. Bro and me versus little sis, bro & sis versus me, sis & me versus bro. It's sibling fun that we have not had for a long time.

Time passes especially fast when you are having fun, and before we knew it, little brother had to go back to Australia. This is another photo of us at the airport.

Littie sis will also be heading back to Australia soon to finish her studies.

We siblings three will once again be separated by the seas. I can't wait for the next time we are together again.

To me, this is what family means. It's about loved ones coming together, caring for and looking out for each other, no matter how far apart you may live. Distance does not change anything. And through this, my actions and my love for my own family, I hope that EV and AA will learn the importance of family and the need to look after each other. Even if one day, in the future, they may live miles apart from each other. 

Our love adventure

Five years ago today, DaddySay and I made a lifelong promise and decision to start an adventure of a lifetime.

And boy, what an adventure it has been.

Barely four months into our marriage, I found that I was pregnant with EV. Then on the day of our first anniversary, I was in labour pain and delivered EV the next day.

It was a beautiful experience being first-time parents. Tiring though it was to juggle family and our work commitments, seeing EV at the end of each work day brought warmth to our hearts. It’s really true when they say that the moment one lays eyes on one’s child, all thoughts of tiredness and frustration go away. EV’s bright eyes and smile as she toddles towards us melts every ounce of negative feelings away. That is the power of a child.

Soon, AA came along to add more joy to our family. It was tough to look after two bundles of endless energy who are so close in age. Both demanded for our time and attention. At first, we had to constantly make sure that EV was not too rough on AA. Then as they grew up, we had to make sure they do not bite or pinch or hit each other and turn the house upside down. One minute, they can be the best of friends and another, a fight can begin. We had to be on our toes constantly, at home and at work. Our energy was zapped, completely to the point where sometimes, we don’t even want to talk. We just wanted to lie back and rest, or simply sleep. We have also been having really early bedtimes, usually falling asleep with the kids.

Our adventure in recent times has not been without its challenges. We can be more irritable at times, and our conversations tend to focus more on the kids and their needs, rather than on us. And it has been harder to find time out for our own couple time. We always have to ensure there is someone to babysit them, before we can make our own plans. That alone is not easy.

Despite these challenges, which I don’t foresee to end anytime soon, I feel very heartened that DaddySay and I do try to find love opportunities whenever we can. A little peck before we sleep. A touch of the hands in the morning when he drives me to work. Or even hugs in front of the kids to show them that Daddy and Mummy do not just love them, but we love each other. And of course, with a bit of planning, some time that we can call our very own.

Our adventure currently is a four-wheel-drive adventure, complete with kids in tow. It may be a little bumpy and rough, but it is filled with fun, play, love, hugs and kisses. The important thing is we are together as a family, and as a couple.

As a couple, most importantly. Without us, without the love that we have for each other, without making that promise and decision five years ago, our family would not be what it is today.

To my husband, friend, soulmate, partner in love.

Happy anniversary! I love you.

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Thank you for reading. If you like this post, please do connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so I can share our fun adventures, thoughts and exploits with you. 

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Darling, it's ok to pee & poo in your pants

Just the other day EV unintentionally taught me a valuable lesson.

At almost 4 years old, EV can be said to be toilet trained. She knows when she needs to go to the toilet, and knows how to tell us. The only issue is, sometimes, she tells us too late, especially when we are out, and the toilet is either some distance away or we need to wait for our turn. She still does not understand that unlike at home, where the toilet is just a few steps away, it is necessary to tell us in advance that she needs to do her business, either big or small.

Many times, when we are already in the cubicle and two seconds away from the toilet bowl, little EV could wait no longer and pees in her pants, and on to the floor. Many times, I have lost my temper, and scolded her for not holding her pee, for not waiting a little longer, for making me have to clean the floor and change her clothes. Many times, I did not realise the effect my temper had on her.

Just the other day, EV and I were having her favourite sushi & chawamushi lunch. We were waiting to pay for our meal and she suddenly said she need to pass motion. There were still several people in front of us waiting to pay, so I had not choice but to ask EV to wait and hold it. My brave little girl told that she would wait. She didn't dare tell me just how hard it was for her to do so. After I finally paid, we ran to the toilet. As we entered the cubicle, I asked EV if she had passed motion in her pants.

EV looked up at me with worried eyes, and nodded yes. I told her it was ok, and what she said next broke my heart.

'Mummy, you are not going to scold me?'

I realized the effect my previous 'lectures' had on her. She was really worried, maybe a little scared even, that I would scold her for dirtying her underwear, for making me clean her up, for giving me this additional inconvenience.

I hugged her and said sorry. Sorry for scolding her previously for something that she did unintentionally. Sorry for not understanding her. Sorry for not telling her it's ok.

Thank you dear, for making me realise how much I have hurt you. Thank you for reminding me that you are still growing and learning, learning how not to pee or poo in your pants, something that comes so naturally to me that I've forgotten when I was your age, I probably did what you did. Mummy is truly sorry.

And you know what darling? It's ok to pee and poo in your pants.

Photo: Horia Varian

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Wordless Wednesday: A cheeky, doodling boy

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Play Learning Tuesday: Letter learning with aluminium

If you've noticed, our alphabet activities at home have moved beyond just letter recognition. I'm constantly thinking of alternative ways to help EV in her letter formation and writing, besides just repetitively writing letter after letter, like a boring drill. And I've realized: sometimes the most fun activities are made out of things that you least expect.

Such as cardboard and aluminium foil. I dug out a cardboard box, and cut out EV's favourite letter, which she claims is the lower case 'e'. Then teared out big pieces of aluminium foil and got EV to tear them into long strips. This let her practise her motor skills and dexterity. After showing her once what to do with the cardboard and aluminium, she finished wrapping the letter 'e' with the aluminium, all by herself.

This activity can also be extended to upper case letters and numbers, or even for shape recognition for younger kids.

Learning Points:
a. Letter formation
b. Letter recognition & sounds review
c. Motor skills

What play learning activities are you doing today?

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What is Play Learning Tuesday?

Play Learning Tuesday is a bi-weekly linky hosted by Toddly Mummy where bloggers are invited to share their child-friendly play, learning and craft activities. Taking part for the first time? You might like to read the guidelines here first.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://toddlymummy.blogspot.com" title="Toddly Mummy"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmAIvfzuQ4fpIwb3NE3KhW-h23oHXpTc_Tk7XyKs6CTKJHWqjaX0s0lBW4YGV5lMi0mtMGp8MfteBNa2ChGu4UQ5GCHJ_ZAtK1rOoZroYwbJzmi9J9g9Fjjip504Ls3C7JVabXYcLwRfD/s288/Play-Learning-Tuesday.gif" alt="Toddly Mummy" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Thank you for reading. If you like this post, please do connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so I can share our fun adventures, thoughts and exploits with you.