Thank you to National Geographic for providing me with product to review. All thoughts shared below are my own. 

Being an avid reader myself, I want nothing more than for my two little boys to become that very same way. They are 6 and 7 years old and while they both do read, the verdict is still out as to whether or not they will have the same love for reading their mama does! These new titles by National Geographic make reading not only educational but so much fun.



If you read the title of this blog post and saw that there is a giveaway and that is why you clicked to continue reading, I do not blame you. This giveaway is one of the more fantastic giveaways I have seen in my time as a blogger!

All 8 titles ($152 value) are being given away to a very lucky MBP reader and I would so love for it to be you! Just be sure to continue reading my review and then enter to win at the very bottom through the handy dandy rafflecopter form!

It was past their usual bedtime, but it's Thanksgiving break so "bedtime" gets stretched a little. I told my boys I had a new and special book to read to them and they immediately became excited. My boys are readers themselves, but they still love when mama reads to them.

I gathered them up in my older son's bottom bunk (along with Molly, our 14 year old toy fox terrier who goes everywhere we go!) and I began to read, "Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret".


Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret  by: Trudi Trueit -- NEW FICTION SERIES! -- ($16.99, hardcover, ages 8-12)  Adventure, danger, and a thrilling global mission await 12-year-old Cruz Coronado as he joins an elite school for explorers. Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world's leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there's more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of codebreaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why? Readers can get in on the excitement with puzzles and codes embedded throughout and book two in this seven book series, The Falcon’s Feather, comes out this March! 
www.exploreracademy.com.  Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeCktF1BA4k. Explorer Academy Alaskan Cruise Sweepstakes: https://exploreracademytrip.com/.

We are only a couple chapters in, but we are definitely in it for the long haul! The writing is fantastic and though my boys are just barely under the age bracket, they were enthralled by the imagery and detail on every page! This will be the perfect gift for the adventure-seeking kid in your life this holiday season.

Check out the rest of the new titles and decide which books YOUR little guy or gal would love to read and enjoy!




 Fly With Me: A Celebration of Birds Through Pictures, Poems and Stories (ages 4-8, $24.99) is a family affair, created by the iconic Jane Yolen and her three adult children, Heidi, Adam and Jason Stemple.  This thoughtful and beautifully curated collection of our flying, feathery friends highlights the role birds play in human life from centuries ago to present day. While it's beautiful and contains many original poems, it's also full of valuable real science about these wondrous creatures. From history and behavior to spotting and photographing, there's something for every bird fan in the flock. Young birders will learn all about migration and the importance of habitat conservation. They'll find stories about bird rescues and fun facts about the fastest, strongest, and tiniest fliers. They'll also discover the best bird nests, sweet songs to sing, ways to listen for and identify the birds around them, and more. Written by Jane and her children to honor the late David Stemple, a loving husband and father and avid birder, this treasury is  sure to become a classic for bird enthusiasts of all ages. Additionally, the release of Fly with Me is timed to Nat Geo's celebration of the Year of the Bird, their 2018 initiative to bring awareness to  the plight of birds around the world. 
THIS WOULD BE A THOUGHTFUL GIFT FOR YOUR CHILD’S FAVORITE TEACHER. 



 Ultimate Secrets Revealed: A Closer Look at the Weirdest, Wildest Facts on Earth  (ages 8-12, hardcover, $19.99) -- Did you know that caterpillars liquefy when they turn into butterflies? That humans shed eight pounds of skin every year? That there's a funky forest in Poland where all the trees are mysteriously crooked? That space smells like burnt plastic? Our world is filled with strange, bizarre, and weird realities. But what do they mean? WHY are they important? And what exactly is the secret behind them? With Q&As with in-the-field experts, fantastic infographics and exciting stories, this book takes readers behind the scenes of the  truly bizarre, to reveal the truth behind our planet's wildest and wackiest. Meet the mind-boggling bacteria that make Yellowstone National Park's Morning Glory Pool pop with radiant color, discover the mysteries behind the Sphinx of ancient Egypt, learn how tornadoes are so powerful, and so much more! 




Just Joking Jumbo 2 (ages 7-10, paperback, $14.99) - GREAT STOCKING STUFFER! - Kids will laugh their tail off with a jumbo-size, jam-packed joke book featuring 1,000 jokes and 1,000 photos. With silly facts that are strangely true, laughable lists, conversation jokes, and long-story jokes with hilarious endings, this full-color, supersize book include funny stuff about pets, technology, spooky sensations, adventures, around-the-world wonders, animals, myths and legends, dinosaurs, music, and treasure hunting. It's the perfect combination of laughing, learning, and maybe jump-starting a career in comedy!



To the Moon and Back: My Apollo 11 Adventure A Pop-Up Book by Buzz Aldrin with Marianne J. Dyson (ages 8-12, hardcover, $32.00) -- In celebration of the Apollo 11 Mission's 50th Anniversary and punctuated by intricate pop ups and paper folds, in To The Moon and Back Buzz Aldrin shares his personal stories and reflects upon what historians call "humanity’s greatest adventure.” Never-before-published anecdotes from Aldrin and his family run the range of emotions — funny, sad, dangerous, hair raising, heartwarming and inspiring — and provide a truly unique, behind-the-scenes look at the mission to the moon.  Additionally, vivid photos, clearly marked diagrams and elaborate pop ups illustrate and explain the fascinating science behind this incredible story of human achievement and a build-your-own Apollo 11 lunar module is also included.  Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgVxwXktcvw



Dog Science Unleashed: Fun Activities to Do With Your Canine Companion (ages 8-12, paperback, $12.99)  Dog Science Unleashed shows kids how they can learn about science with the most faithful lab partner they'll ever have, their dog! Twenty-two safe and pup-friendly activities let young scientists discover how their canine companions think, move, drink, stay warm, get clean and cool off. From determining your dog’s favorite smell, to figuring out if your dog is a righty or a lefty, to making a stethoscope to listen to your hound’s heart, Dog Science Unleashed explores the science behind dogs’ senses, how they move, how they learn and much more.   Each activity is paired with step-by-step instructions, clear and interesting scientific explanations, and photographs that illustrate important elements of the experiments and observations. Hands-on activities and fun information for budding scientists prompt further learning and offer a look at current, groundbreaking canine research. Dog Science Unleashed is a Hands-on Science Book finalist for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science.

I hope you have enjoyed these tidbits about some amazing new books and I hope you will enter the giveaway below. One of the best gifts we can give to our kids is to instill the love of reading within them. The best way to do this is to read with them and to them.

Not only are you modeling what it looks like to be a grown-up who loves to read, but you're also spending quality time with your kids and making memories they will never forget.

I know this because I still vividly remember climbing onto the couch to snuggle up next to my mom while she read 1 to 2 chapters of "Charlotte's Web" before bed. Because of this, that book holds a special place in my heart and the memories of the story are crystal clear in my mind!


This is my mom and I when we unknowingly matched and dressed alike at an event. She took the time to read to me every single night and for that, I'll always be grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Grab someone you love and just tell them how thankful you are for their presence in your life!

When you're ready to dive into some Christmas shopping, be sure to check out our 2018 holiday gift guide for amazing gift ideas for every single person in your family. We have quite a variety of items to check out and I am confident you'll find something you love!

WANT THESE BOOKS? WIN THESE BOOKS!

One lucky MBP reader will win this ENTIRE set of National Geographic books! Enter through the rafflecopter entry form below.

BLESSINGS,