Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Moulding The Book Whisperer - Usborne Books and More Independent Consultant {Review and Giveaway}

We love books at our house, sometimes maybe too much. We purchase books at regular book stores, big box stores, half price stores, book fairs, and even from garage sales. You can find any type of book you might be looking for at any of these places. Another great way to add to your collection, especially when you want something extra special and unique, is to look for one of the biggest and most successful book companies on the market, Usborne Books.

Usborne Books began over 30 years ago, in the UK, by Peter Usborne. Peter was looking to create a new generation of books that were entertaining, colorful, and unique. Usborne books are created by amazing writers, designers, and editors at their headquarters in London, England. They believe that these books are so well loved around the world, because they are so different from other available books and with around 2,000 titles, they are reaching everyone from babies to young adults. These books are exciting, engaging, and educational while also being high quality, innovative, and beautifully written and illustrated.

Usborne is the biggest and most successful independent children's book publishers in the UK, and has received many awards, including Independent Publisher of the Year and Independent Children's Publisher of the Year. With topics that range from art to animals, language to cooking, and more, these books are made available worldwide in shops, online, and with independent consultants like Marlaina Moulding.

Based in Colorado, Marlaina is an Independent Consultant with Usborne Books. She is always available to help you find the best book for your child, whatever age they are. Marlaina is able to be reached at her email- MouldingTheBookWhisperer@gmail.com, through her Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/MouldingTheBookWhisperer/timeline, or on her Usborne page- https://y3773.myubam.com/. To view the most current catalog, click here.

Marlaina was excited to be featured in the MBP Holiday Gift Guide and quickly sent me a box full of Usborne goodies to try out and share with all of our readers.

Our Moulding the Book Whisperer-Usborne Books and More package is here!

The box was huge and the kids could not wait to tear into it.

Opening it up we found a whole bunch of surprises for all of the kids. They were so excited to see each item and explore them.

Check out all the things we found in our Usborne box from Marlaina!

The first item we came across was the hardcopy of the July-December 2014 Catalog. It was filled with over 150 pages of books and activities for kids of all ages.

The next item we came to was the Usborne Pull-Back Busy Santa Book

Retails for $24.99

This book was designed by Mary Cartwright, Written by Fiona Watt, and Illustrated by Simona Sanfilippo and John Russell.

This book was a huge hit immediately with all three kids (8, 5, 17 months). The book is a large sized board book, measures 9"x11" and contains 10 board pages filled with holiday fun. The front cover features Santa pulling his sleigh and flying over a sleepy, snowy town. This was a great catch for my kids, they immediately knew the whole book would be filled with Santa stuff.

At the bottom of the front cover, we found this little surprise, a pull back Santa, ready to have some fun. We didn't know for sure what he would do, but all we had to do was open the book to the first pages and we could quickly figure out what fun he was about ready to have.

On the first pages, it explains that we will need to lay the book flat, put the sleigh on a flat surface and pull back several times. Then, quickly place the sleigh on the tracks that are throughout the book.

It starts with "It's Christmas Eve. Santa and his elves are very busy making sure that they have enough presents for every excited girl and boy. You turn to the next page and are greeted with a track for Santa and more of the story. The story has some fun, interactive questions (ex: Can you spot 4 snowmen that Santa went past?)

As the story goes on, Santa gets farther on his present delivery journey and can run his sleigh on each pages tracks to get to his next destination before finally heading home. The story is very short, but very fun for the kids to hear. The tracks make the book an even cooler toy because they can see Santa zoom around while you read what he is doing. The pictures were cute and bright, just what you would hope a book about Santa would have. This book is geared for ages 3+, but my 17 month old loves watching Santa on his sleigh and hearing the story too.

The third item in our box was the Usborne 50 Science Things to Make and Do

Retails for $9.99

This book was written by Georgina Andrews and Kate Knighton. Designed and Illustrated by Zoe Wray, Tom LaLonde, Katie Lovell, and Stella Baggott.

This book is wire bound and contains over 100 pages of science activities. Each page set includes an experiment title, step by step directions, and an explanation of what is happening during the experiment. These activities all seem fairly simple and because they are step by step, should be easy for you to follow and complete. Most of the supplies needed are things you have on hand, but some you may have to purchase to complete.

One of our fave experiments, making goop, is in there--super cool! We have also done the Fire a Balloon Rocket at our Cub Scout meeting, boys love this one.We are looking forward to the spring to make the Butterfly feeder. This book would make a great small gift for someone special, a stocking stuffer, or even a birthday present. It is geared for ages 6+, but my 5 year old could understand quite a few of the experiments without too much issue.

The next item we found was the Usborne Cuddle Bear Book and Plush Set

Retails for $24.99 as set or $12.99 individually

Written by Claire Freedman and Illustrated by Gavin Scott

Cuddle Bear is an adorable story about a cute bear you can call when you need a hug or cuddle. Cuddle bear doesn't care what you look like or what your problem may be, he just wants you to feel better and be happy. The story is very basic, easy for kids to understand and fills 28 pages with love and friendship.

We liked this page:

"We all need hugs!" says Cuddle Bear. However fierce we look." Now Lion's happy as can be. One hug was all it took.

The set comes with a plush Cuddle Bear for everyone to snuggle and love on.

The coolest part of the Cuddle Bear book and plush toy set isn't the actual book and toy. It is what they help do. With every purchase of Cuddle Bear, you can help end childhood cancer. Usborne has partnered with the Scott Carter Foundation and a portion of the proceeds from Cuddle Bear are donated to the foundation to help eliminate pediatric cancer. Learn about Scott's story at http://www.scottcarterfoundation.org/

The final item in the box from Marlaina was my favorite item, the Usborne Advent Calendar to Color

Retails for $7.99

This folds out to be four sections large and full of Christmas cheer. There are festive mice, decorated windows, snow flakes, and holiday enjoyment on each page. There are 24 colored number dots to help countdown to Christmas, along with doors to open and find even more fun. This is something your child can interact with and personalize just for them.

This is great for all ages, smaller children can color however they like, while older children can take their time and make it look just the way they want. My kids will be taking turns decorating each day as we countdown to Christmas.

Usborne has such a huge selection of everyday books, but with holiday shopping in full force, you don't want to miss out on these products. I know C has a few of the famous "That's Not My..." books on her list. What books are on your list?

Want It? Buy It!
Marlaina would love to help you with your holiday shopping. Don't miss out on her black Friday deals, you can follow Marlaina at her social media outlet on Facebook. Looking to HOST your own Usborne show? Interested in selling Usborne yourself, find out how to JOIN here.

Want It? Win It!

One lucky reader will win an Advent Calendar to Color and Cuddle Bear with Plush set. Just use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter to win. Remember- if the entry field appears in BOLD, it's mandatory. Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older.
Click 'Read More' to go to the giveaway.

Thanks to Marlaina and Usborne for a box full of goodies and a great giveaway!