The Games Bible Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

Product: The Games Bible

Author: Leigh Anderson

Publisher: Workman Publishing

Category: Books, Adults

Price: $15.95

My family loves games....board games, dice games, card games. We even play dinner games like "20 Questions" and "I Spy" while eating our nightly meals together! But, as much as we love games, there is one thing I dislike about them and that is how much space it takes up to store all those games! In our old house, we had a dedicated "game closet" but since we moved, we have not designated such a space. The end result is that our games are scattered here and there, and it doesn't take long for the pieces to end up missing. Have you ever stepped on a Monopoly hotel in the middle of the night? It isn't a pleasant experience, that's for certain! That is what drew me to Leigh Anderson's book, The Games Bible! 

This wonderful book has over 300 games that are sure to put the fun into any occasion! The games are adaptable for one, two or more people, on up to the whole neighborhood! It's easy to navigate as well, as the Contents section lists each game by name according to chapters. The index gives quick and easy reference for the games you might search for and if that weren't enough, it also includes a Zagat like index as well, which allows you to look up the games in the index according to type and category, such as Athletic Games, Cocktail Party Games, Family Games, Games for the Waiting Room and so forth. This allows you to plan a game night or a spur of the moment game in no time!

Although The Games Bible has some family friendly games such as Sharks and Minnows, Jinx, Charades and more, it is not designed to be a book of games solely for children. Inside, there are many games designed for adults which are meant to break the ice and help liven up a party! In the front of the book there is an "Icons" page that explains how each game is intended, so that you will know what to expect from each game. For example:

• For super game geeks, there is a pair of glasses depicted beneath the game
• A pair of lips icon means that the game is potentially naughty
• A cocktail glass means that the game is even more fun after a few drinks
• The family icon lets you know that the game is good to play with adults and children alike!
• For a noncompetitive game, look for the peace symbol
• and so on!!

Just remember, the book covers the gamut from children on up to adults and some of the titles and games may be inappropriate for children to play or read. Therefore, I do recommend that an adult help the children pick out the games in the appropriate categories so that the children do not learn games which are not suited for their age group.

One game that you can find in The Game Bible is Family Jeopardy:

"Family Jeopard requires you to make 5 categories--family vacations, memorable holidays, school days, etc .Just like the game show, you should pose an answer to your family: "This person was Jeff's first girlfriend at summer camp" and someone responds with the right question: "Who is Linda?" Write both answer and question on the index card. The person with the correct question gets to read the next answer off a new index card. The winner is the person with the most index cards at the end of the game.   ---excerpt from Workman Publishing and The Games Bible

What I really liked about The Games Bible is that the game cards, score cards and game pieces for some of the games are located in the Appendix and can be photocopied for multiple use. No need to create your own!! When other items may be needed to complete a game, it is clearly defined. Anderson has designed the book for ease of use and it is definitely organized to the fullest!

Author, Leigh Anderson, is a game expert and writer/reporter who researched each and every game in the book, as well as consulted with top game inventors in the process of writing her book to assure you the best gaming experience ever!

Let the fun begin!!!

Where to Purchase: Workman Publishing

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One winner will win a copy of "The Games Bible" by Leigh Anderson. Simply leave a comment below telling me what your favorite family friendly game is!! Be certain to leave your email address or have it available in your profile so that I have a way to contact you or your enter will be invalid. Winners chosen by a randomizer and will have five business days to respond to winning email or another winner will be chosen.

Good Luck!

Giveaway open to United States residents, 18 years of age or older, void where prohibited by law. Ends at midnight, central time on January 5, 2010.




Congratulations to Larry H!!!! You have won your own copy of THE GAMES BIBLE!!! 

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Potato Chip Science Book & Stuff -High In Saturated FACTS! Review

Product: Potato Chip Science Kit
Author:  A.Kurzweil & Son
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Category: Books, Kids
Age Range: 8-12 years old
Price: $17.95

Okay...bear with me y'all, as I have found something that I want to talk about....uh oh. I am a sucker for educational toys, books and so forth, and so when Workman Publishing sent me the Potato Chip Science Book & Stuff, I was more than a little excited. Let me tell you why!

The author of the book is Allen Kurzweil and his son Max and together they have formulated a kit that is "high in saturated facts" as they so put it...and that's just an understatement. This is not just a book but an EXPERIENCE that you and your child will not soon forget!  Have you ever heard the saying that "presentation is everything"....well let me tell ya, these guys must have received an A+ in design with this product!

The Potato Chip Science Book & Stuff comes to you like a loaded baked potato (which, I have a delicious recipe for such if you find yourself making a loaded baked potato soup or potato salad with all the leftover spuds), jammed packed with fun and exciting materials to use toward 29 experiments....err...I mean,  snacktivities!  The kit and all its contents arrive in a (take a wild guess) ....Potato Chip bag! How clever and cute!! This bag is cleverly designed and illustrated on its own, but wait until you see what's inside!!!

What is all of that you say? Well...let's see:

• 96 page book of step-by-step instructions
• digital sound clip
• Propulsion pipe
• Starch base (biodegradable)
• 6 optical stickers
• 6 chip lids
• digital clock mechanism
• zinc and copper electrodes
• googly eyes 
• wire connectors
• starch knife
• packing "chips" (don't worry they have a purpose too, everything in the kit does, including the....)
• potato chip bag

All of these items will be utilized to help you and your child construct and decipher 29 different science experiments!  As they figure out how to make a bag blaster, bird feeder, chipmobile, Windmill, Shrunken head and many, many more experiments, they will also be learning physics, ecology, forensics, biology, acoustics, aeronautics, animations and so much more!!! Some simple supplies might be needed from your own household, such as tape, scissors, straws and of course the main ingredient....potatoes!!! Other than that, all the tools are right there inside the bag! 

This hands-on adventure will excite your child to the fullest and will give you complete satisfaction that they are learning and having fun while doing so! What I liked most is that nothing goes to waste, so this entire kit is great for the environment as well!! How great is that?! 

What I found is that even after all the ingredients from this kit are utilized, your child will still have the step-by-step instruction book that will allow him to complete further experiments in the future!! It made my children want to start recycling more and now they look at trash in a whole new light!! We have found new ways to reclaim soda cans, bottles, lids and many more objects as this book inspired them in a creative and ingenious manner that makes me a happy parent!! 

Fair Warning: Some of the experiments will leave you puzzled at first, but anytime you get confused, simply stop and restart and usually you can find your mistake. Some require a bit more patience and careful attention to detail. This was great for my kids as they both have difficulty in Reading The Directions and so this exercise was good for them on that regard! I think it really helped them to understand the importance of directions and following them step by step and not jumping ahead. I just don't have enough positive words to describe my satisfaction with the Potato Chip Science Book!! Thank you to Allen Kurzweil and his son Max and Workman Publishing for creating and supplying the world with this innovative product!! You can see all the thought that went into the design and it makes me happy to see that someone cares about the experience one will get after purchasing an item. So many products on the market are a big fail/flop and simply a waste of money. Rest assured that this is not one of those products!! You will be happy with the entire experience, from start to finish...just like in the old days!  

Potato Chip Science has won the 2010 Nappa Award as well as the 2010 Tillywig Brain Child Award!! 

Where to Purchase: Workman Publishing (currently out of stock), Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Powell's Book, Indiebound

Quick Links:

Potato Chip Science Official Website

Potato Chip Science on Workman Publishing website

Potato Chip Science on Facebook

Potato Chip Science on Twitter

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BANANAGRAMS - The phenomenon continues in these two great books!

Product: 10 Minute Bananagrams

Author:  Joe Edley

Created By: Abe and Rena Nathanson

Category: Books, Teens, Adults

Price: $8.95

If you love word games like Scrabble and Boggle, then you will absolutely love BANANAGRAMS!! The game was created by Abe Nathanson and his daughter Rena (as well as help from grandchildren Aaron and Ava) as they were spending time together during the summer of 2005 at a beach house in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Ever since they first designed the game, they have worked hard to grow the game and it is a game that is spreading like wildfire!! The original game comes in a banana-shaped bag and holds 144 letter tiles where the goal is create words in an exciting fast paced game of fun! Joe Edley, the author of this book and three time National Scrabble Champion, is an expert Bananagrammer. Here, he has created a book of Banana-Grams that are sure to challenge even the most skilled bananagrammer (such a fun word to say)! 

The puzzles are labeled by the difficulty level from a half a banana to a whole banana!! This assures that anyone can learn to become an expert bananagrammer in no time!! The puzzles are designed to be fast-solving and fun, and with over 500 games to choose from, it will keep you busy for hours! They include such games as:

• Banana Peels (add letters to words, then anagram)
• Banana Pudding (extend two letter words into six letter words)
• Banana Bites
• and many more!!!

There is an answer key at the back too, but NO CHEATING!!!! 

I like to do these puzzles during commercial breaks, or while the supper is finishing up. Makes for a great distraction to a busy and hectic schedule and allows some "time-out" for a little bit of fun and relaxation!!! 

And, if you have children, then you have to check out another book offered by Workman Publishing titled Banana-Grams for Kids!!! Read about it below!

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Product: Banana-Grams for Kids - An Official Book

Created by: Puzzability

Category:  Books, Children

Age Range: 8-11 years of age

Price: $8.95

The same concept as above but made to be kid-friendly!! Created by Puzzability, the premier puzzle-writing company whose work has previously appeared in Disney Adventures and Nickelodeon magazines, BananaGrams for Kids has over 100 great games!! What is unique about these puzzles is that they offer educational fun that helps to strengthen vocabulary, reward agile thinking and reinforce the idea that using your brain is fun! And don't fret mom and dad...the kid version even includes an answer key, so if your child wants to check their work, they can or if they simply need a hint, you can help them out a little!! The games are varied in difficulty level as well, from one to four bananas and include such games as: 

• Bunched Up (a mini-crossword)
• Monkey in the Middle (building a larger word out of two smaller words, with clues)
• Banana Pancakes (a stack of anagrams using letters in common)
• Going Bananas (complete a sentence with two different words made from the same letters)

I plan on purchasing the game BananaGrams to accompany this book so that my kids can have the full experience and appreciate the book a little more. These puzzles are a great way to introduce word building skills to any child and it makes learning fun, as it should be!!! The recommended age range is 8-11 years of age, and I think this appropriate as it will take some general spelling ability to solve these puzzles.

Where to Buy: Both of the books featured here can be purchased directly from the publisher, Workman Publishing, or at various online/retail venues. 

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This applies to both products reviewed here.

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DC Comics Super Heroes and Villains Fandex Deluxe Review

Product:DC Comics Super Heroes and Villains Fandex Deluxe
Author: Randall Lotowycz
Publisher: Workman Publishing
Category: Books, Children
Price: $12.95

If you have a Super Heroes fan in your home, this is the ultimate fandex to give them this year! I had never heard of a "fandex" before and found that it is a book that provides tons of information on any given subject in a neat easy fan style layout. This book, DC Comic Super Heroes and Villains Fandex, features all of your favorite super heroes such as Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc and all of their nemeses including The Joker, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Lex Luthor and many more!! Altogether there are 75 individual die-cut cards that give key information on the comic book characters, assuring you receive all the pertinent information at your fingertips!

DC Comics is currently celebrating 75 years of DC Comics! Throughout this time, they have built a fan base including children and adults alike and they have gone outside the comic books to include television shows and great action films! My son absolutely loves Batman and The Joker, and as soon as he got his hands on this book, he was learning the history of these characters. The individual cards include information about the origins, biography, motivations, weaknesses and back-stories of each character so that a beginner comic book fan has a tool for learning about a favorite character and a novice can use the fandex as a source of reference. To learn more about DC Comics, visit their website.

My son has action figures of Batman, but now he is on the ultimate search to find every character in the book so that he can complete his collection. I like that he can simply find a character by the family it is grouped with so he is able to learn how the characters connect. The pages are printed on both the front and back side, so a lot of information is provided and I think it will help him gain a better understanding of the characters. Since each page has a photo of the character (taken from the original comic books) he is able to learn these characters although he has not previously been familiar with them at all. And trust me, every few minutes, he is telling me some amazing fact about one of the characters! He was so smitten with this book, that I even ordered him another fandex of his favorite Star Wars characters.

Workman Publishing has a number of other fandex-style books, as follows:

• American Indians
• First Ladies
• Butterflies of the World
• 5 States
• Cats
• Birds
• Civil War
• Composers
• Dogs 
• Explorers
• Mummies, Gods and Pharaohs
• Dinosaurs
• and so many more!!!

These books will become a favorite in your home as your child will enjoy learning due to the format of these books!! With the DC Comics Super Heroes and Villains Fandex, we found that it is sometimes difficult reading the back pages, depending on where the page was located and for that reason, it would be neat if the fandex came with removable cards that could snap in and out of position. Other than that, it was a huge hit in our house!!! 

Where to Purchase: Workman Publishing, Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobles, and various other venues

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Mummy Mazes- A Monumental Book by Elizabeth Carpenter Review

Product: Mummy Mazes
Author: Elizabeth Carpenter
Published by: Workman Publishing
Category: Books, Kids
Age Range: 9-12 years old
Price: $11.95

This is one book your kid (and you) won't be able to put down!! I wish I had one of these as a kid! Mummy Mazes is exactly what it claims to be....a Monumental Book. It is 28 pages that fold out to make poster size mazes that will keep your child busy for hours!!! It is beautifully written and drawn by Elizabeth Carpenter, and it contains complex designs with a Egyptian theme including such things as the Egyptian pyramids, pharaohs, and of course, mummies!!

What is great about this book is the level of interaction it provides. Not only is it a fantastic maze wonderland, but the pages are filled with interesting facts that will educate your child along the way!! Your child will join Professor Ologist on a quest to find the long lost tombs and will discover so much more! When all the mazes are completed, there is a hieroglyphic puzzle for your child to decipher, making the whole book a complete adventure. What's even better is that after the mazes are completed, the book can be started all over as a coloring book, giving your child a duo purpose book to help keep them entertained for a long time to come. When done coloring, the pages are perforated and ready to tear out to hang on the refrigerator or bedroom wall or to gift to grandma and grandpa!!

I loved this book on so many levels:

• FUN
• Interactive
• Educational
• Big---each page is 12X17.5
• Artistic
• Entertaining
• Award Winning!! Dr. Toy voted it the Best Vacation Book!

It really is such a great book and is recommended for those 9-12 years, as many of the puzzles are very challenging and may make a younger child frustrated. Great for home-schoolers! This won't be one of those books your child simply sets to the side, so I thought the asking price was very reasonable!! A+ and 5 Stars all the way!

Where to Purchase: Workman Publishing

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