She Scribes

Are you a fan of the “Twilight” series? Do you have a craving for more “True Blood” episodes on TV? Or do you love the classics like Star Wars? What is YOUR “guilty pleasure”?

What I mean by ”guilty pleasure” is not chocolates or wine or a foot massage (although those DO sound nice!), but rather books that have just the right amount of fantasy, romance and excitement to act as the perfect antidote to the craziness of the real world and life’s adult-sized problems. 

The Twilight series has certainly peaked people’s interest in paranormal romance, science fiction and fantasy and opened the door for books that, although considered “young adult fiction,” are now widely read by many, many adults.

The numbers don’t lie:  a recent survey revealed that 47 percent of 18- to 24-year-old women say most of the books they buy are classified as young adult (YA). In fact, nearly one in five 35- to 44-year-olds say they most frequently buy YA books for themselves.

If  you  secretly LOVE to curl up with a great book teeming with romance, faeries (or vampires or angels or ghosts or mindreaders!) and teenage angst – you are NOT alone!

As a response to the groundswell, the Smart Chicks Kick It Tour was created.  The twelve-city, two week tour features eighteen of today’s most buzzed writers of young adult paranormal romance – from international bestsellers and award winners to the genre’s hottest newcomers. 

Featuring six to nine Chicks at every venue, the author line up in every city will be different so no two events will be exactly the same. Here’s the link to the tour information, including dates, times, locations and who will be appearing at each stop: http://www.smartchickskickit.com/schedule.html.

You can also learn more at the official website and on their blog, 

www.smartchickskickit.com

http://smartchickskickit.blogspot.com

The tour kicks off on September 13, 2010.

In conjunction with the Smart Chicks tour I have three books I can offer to one lucky reader. The books will all be from  from authors appearing on the tour. You can check out the books from the Smart Chicks here: http://www.melissa-marr.com/_SCKI/ (just click on the posters – they will enlarge for better viewing of the book covers). The books will be random based on availability.

To enter please comment on what is your favorite genre of book to read? Do you like true crime stories (I do!), horror, fantasy, biographies… What is your “guilty pleasure” when it comes to reading?

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. All options are found on the right side bar. Please leave a separate comment to let me know what you did.

- Subscribe to She Scribes.

- Connect with She Scribes on Google Friend Connect.

- “Like” She Scribes on Facebook (click on the Facebook button then click on “like” on the next screen).

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This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents and will end on September 17, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box) or a new winner will be chosen.

Other great giveaways are found on the right side bar under “Win It”.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated in anyway for this post. I posted this information for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers.

Pediatricians, moms and authors, Laura A. Jana, MD, FAAP and Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP offer a wealth of “parent-tested, pediatrician-approved” advice in Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality, Second Edition (American Academy of Pediatrics, September 2010). Available on the American Academy of Pediatrics official Web site for parents, HealthyChildren.org. Also available in bookstores nationwide.

The following are excerpts to help you navigate those first crucial weeks of parenthood and caring for a newborn:

Following the Rules: Parenting by the Book
Nowadays it seems you can find well-defined rules about everything from feeding and sleeping schedules to dressing, diapering, and discipline. As convenient as it may seem to have someone write out for you an exact recipe for parenting success, we believe that there is not just one right way to do things. As with diapers and baby clothes, we are convinced that parenting techniques are not simply one size fits all. Our goal is to help famil- iarize you with the basics of baby care, and even more importantly to build your confidence as a parent right from the beginning during what many consider to be an overwhelming time–the newborn period. With a little knowledge and a positive attitude, you will find that you are very capable of anticipating and reasoning your way through even the most challenging aspects of what lies ahead. It’s a great feeling to find yourself comfortable enough in your parenting abilities that you don’t have to live life with a quick reference guide–ours or anyone else’s–tucked in your back pocket.

Breastfeeding Advice
What’s “Natural” Doesn’t Always Come Naturally
Yes, the act of breastfeeding is “natural,” but the truth of the matter is that it doesn’t always come naturally. All too often, new parents expect to be handed a newborn who gracefully latches on, nurses no more than 15 minutes on each breast every 3 hours, and delights in a plentiful supply of breast milk within a few short days. While we can only wish this scenario on all of you, clinging to this idealistic picture of breastfeeding bliss is all but guaranteed to set most of you up for perceived failure. If, however, you prepare yourself for the distinct possibility that your newborn may lack interest or sucking stamina, that each feeding may be different, and your nipples may be a little worse for wear early on, well then you only stand to be pleasantly surprised. The most likely scenario: Breastfeeding may be natural, but expect it to be a learning process for you and your baby. Some babies are quick learners, while others take their own sweet time.

Progressive Production
The changeover from colostrum to transitional and then mature milk is an important one. It gives you and your baby’s doctor reassurance that all is going well. Because the actual transition is not always so clear-cut, as some women notice very little change in their breasts as their milk supply increases, it is useful to be aware of several other clues that can help you figure out that everything is moving ahead as planned. They include:

* Your breast milk is white instead of yellow in color and appears thinner or clearer.
* Your baby makes more obvious gulping and swallowing noises when nursing.
* Your baby begins to pee and poop much more frequently
* Your baby no longer is losing weight or just holding steady, but instead has begun to gain weight relatively noticeably both on and off the scale.

Formula and Bottle Feeding Advice
We admit it. In many ways, feeding your baby formula may seem much easier than breastfeeding, especially in the beginning weeks. After all, you don’t have to worry about having enough of a supply, it’s rather painless (if you don’t count the sleep deprivation that comes with round-the-clock feeding), and it’s easy to monitor your baby’s intake. Granted, formula can be costly, you have to wash your supplies, and on occasion a baby will be finicky about which nipple and formula she is willing to accept, but at some point during their child’s first year, most of today’s parents end up using formula. With that in mind, we intend to give you a practical approach to formula, buying and cleaning bottles and nipples, and troubleshooting for newborns who don’t seem to play by the rules.

The Model Bottle: We’ve found that in reality, most babies go along with their parent’s taste in Bottles and there really isn’t such a thing as a single “model bottle” – one that outshines the rest. Nevertheless, we have found the following considerations to serve bottle-buying parents well:

* In general, a transparent (ie, not colored) 4-ounce bottle is the most practical choice for newborns.
* Larger (6 or 8 ounce) bottles are fine if you don’t mind using them half-full until your baby is bigger.
* Angled bottles and those with disposable nurser bags, built-in vents, or flow and control systems are said to help decrease the amount of air your baby swallows (although regular bottles held at the proper angle will also).
* Disposable bags have the added benefit of, well, being disposable; you only have to wash the nipples after each feeding.

A Bit About BPA
BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical used in many hard plastic products, including some baby bottles, and the plastic lining used in cans of ready- to-feed formula. What’s the concern? Studies have shown that this potentially toxic chemical can leach out into food and pose a potential health risk–especially to infants and young children. The likelihood of BPA contamination is thought to be greatest when BPA-containing plastics are scratched or heated, contain warm liquids or food, or are washed with harsh detergents. While the use of BPA is not yet banned in the United States, several cities and states are considering or have already prohibited its use.

The advice we have for parents? Minimize your baby’s exposure to BPA by purchasing baby bottles that are labelled “BPA-free” and consider avoid- ing plastics with a #3 or #7 recycling symbol on the bottom (since these recycling categories may sometimes include BPA-containing plastics). And lastly, check for labels that state “dishwasher safe” or “microwave safe” before placing plastic containers in the dishwasher or microwave.

*Book excerpts from Heading Home with Your Newborn (Second Edition/Copyright 2010/American Academy of Pediatrics).

 Kimberly

The Heading Home with Your Newborn excerpts are sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network.

For my readers who are around my age (42) do you remember that popular cartoon series from the 80′s, the Smurfs? Those little blue elf-like being who sang that infectious song, “La la lalala laa la la la la laaaa…”?  I’m sorry but its not easy to figure out how to spell it, but those of you who are familiar with the Smurfs know what song I am talking about.

Did you know that there is going to be a Smurfs MOVIE, coming to a theater near you? It won’t be for a long while (its not scheduled for releast until NEXT summer, 2011), but from what I have seen of it the movie looks really cute. Its part live action and part animation.

Here is a trailer for the movie. I’m sorry that it does not center.

It looks really cute. It is going to be in 3-D too.

This is not a low budget, generic movie. This movie has some really popular actors and actresses lending their voices to the movie. Some of the big names include George Lopez (Grouchy Smurf), Katy Perry (Smurfette), Neil Patrick Harris (Johan), Paul “Pee Wee” Reuben (Jokey Smurf), Sophia Vergara from ”Modern Family” (Odile), Hank Azaria (Gargamel), Johnathon Winters (Papa Smurf), Wolfgang Puck (Chef Smurf), Jeff Foxworthy (Handy Smurf) and many more. WOW! That is quite an ensemble.

I can tell you right now that Smurf related products will be all the rage next summer and most likely into the holiday season (2011) as I am sure that there will be a new generation of Smurf fans on the horizon.

Papercutz has created Smurf comic books to appeal to both young and old. Comic books are great for children and adults (my husband loves to read Archie comics). I couldn’t think of a better way to introduce the Smurfs to a whole new generation then with a series of comic books.

I received a copy of Purple Smurfs from Papercutz to review. At first I thought it was a book. I was surprised to find that it was a comic book. As soon as my husband saw that he said to me “I’ll read it!” and took it out of my hands (he’s such a big kid). My kids on the other hand had no clue who the Smurfs were. I told them to give it time. I’m sure they will know soon enough.

I was happy to see that inside the book was not one but THREE different stories done in the comic book style. There is even a bonus comic at the end.

I won’t giveaway the stories inside but I will say that one is about Purple Smurfs, another is about a Flying Smurf and the last one is about a Smurf who is not too fond of his neighbors (I can relate to that).

 The Purple Smurf story is the longest. Its probably one of the longest comic books stories I have ever read. The comic about the Smurf and his nieghbors is the shortest.

The graphics are colorful and eye catching. The Smurfs are also drawn exactly as they were in the 80′s. They have not been altered in any way. I honestly don’t like it when people try to “modernize” classics. I am happy they kept with the original look of the Smurfs.

The stories are easy to read and entertaining. My husband and I both finished the book in one evening (separate days). My son took about 2 days to read the whole book. My daughter has yet to read it (too busy texting… ha ha).

My husband, our son and myself all truly enjoyed the book. There were times I had a hard time reading the text. I think its because I need bi-focals and I refuse to cave in and get them (I don’t want to admit that I’m getting OLD). Other then that I found the book easy to read and entertaining.

The Smurfs comic books are published by Papercutz (www.PaperCutz.com) and are available where most books are sold in places such as Amazon and Barnes & Nobles. You can also find more information about the Smurfs and other classic stories available in comic book form at the Papercutz website.

Kimberly

*I received a free sample copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.