(Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)
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Fiona the Hippo
by Richard Cowdrey
Zonderkidz (August 7, 2018)
Audience: Ages 4 to 8
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'On a cold Winter's night, a baby hippo was born.'

It's a great opening line. It just encourages you to turn the page and read more. I can just imagine my grandkids encouraging me, "What happens next, Nan? Read it!" It's the opening page of the picture storybook, Fiona the Hippo, published by ZonderKids.
You know, there's something about a hippo, isn't there, that almost everyone seems to like, especially a baby hippo.

So.. will you and your kids enjoy this book? Is it worth buying and reading to them? I did, and here's what I found. Oh... and Zonderkids have also produced a special bonus. You can find it below.

2. The simple text makes this an easy book to read.
There have been times when I've ordered a picture storybook online only to be disappointed when it arrives. Sometimes, there is just too much text, too much detail for young ones to appreciate. And  kids quickly become bored.

A good picture storybook uses engaging language that is age-appropriate. Ideally, there should be only a sentence or two per page. You'll be pleased to know that this book uses simple text really well.

3. The illustrations in this book are, well, just beautiful.
Richard Cowdrey is an New York Times best-selling illustrator. His artwork can be found on advertisements, calendars, book covers and prints. And he also illustrates storybooks. I'm sure you'll love his artwork in this book... it's great.

But there's more to illustrations in a picture storybook than looking attractive. They should extend and enhance the text. The pictures should help to keep the reader's attention but also stimulate their imagination.

I love it when my grandkids listen to the story and then tell me so much more about the story and the feelings of the characters by looking at the illustrations. So I'm looking forward to hearing more about this story through their eyes.

4. Fiona's fun antics will connect with and delight the kids.
She certainly has lots to learn and children will love her tangles with pool noodles and other troubles as she develops the skills a young hippo needs. But, with each challenge she repeats, "I've got this." Maybe your own kids will face their own challenges with this same focus after learning about Fiona.

5. The ending to this story is a happy, positive one.
Fiona realises that there is something that she still needs.. to meet and make friends with others at the zoo. And this, for many kids, can be really daunting so they will enjoy seeing Fiona handle this, too.

Share the endearing story of Fiona the hippo with your kids. I'm sure that they will enjoy it,, and so will you. :) . 

Then, download the additional learning resources provided by Zonderkids. You'll find an activity pack for the young ones: make a mask, discover their own Fiona membership card, find a way through the maze and more. For older kids, there is also a curriculum guide with more activities to develop their skills and understand, Find both below.

​Just a quick note in closing... there is also a board book version for your toddlers.

(Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)

I must admit thatI love planners. I like the clear format, small decorative details and ample areas to fill in personal details. There are usually plenty of options available online and in stores. Leading up to the start of each year, you'll find calendars, planners and diaries flooding the shelves. And yes, i love digital planners, too.

A planner helps me toremember what is ahead during the day, and what I need to do. After all, I'm never going to get another attempt at each day so I'd prefer to run my day rather than the day running me. I like feeling that I am using my day well. 

But owning and using a planner doesn't automatically mean that my day or week, for that matter, runs smoothly or that I finish everything I'd added to my daily planner.

So.. that's why I was interested in reading Simplify your Life: Get Organised and Stay that Way.

This book is like a handbook for developing techniques and strategies that will help you manage your busy schedules.  More than that, it will help you find a more satisfying life than the constant frenetic busyness we call life.

'Manage what you must, but organise what you care about.. and what your'e all about.' M.Ramsland

So what will you find in this book?
First, there are many relatable recounts of others who struggle with the same planning and organising problems that dog our efforts. You'll find quizzes like 'Test your organisational skills', tips, hints and simple checklists. 

There are questions for your own personal reflections and a simple prayer to conclude each section.

You'll find helpful advice to overcome the daily struggles we all have to complete everything that we think deserves to be on our daily planner. And you'll relate to the simple tips: Limit your to-do lists to 10 items so that your don't get overwhelmed,  and If it takes more than 10 or 15 minutes it's too complicated and should be simplified.

​Plus.. you'll discover ways that you can simplify your tasks.

You'll discover plenty of information that with help you:
* develop simple organisational systems
*discoer the 7 elements of a great day
* practise the 2 minute pick-up
* simplify special seasons of life: holidays, parenting, work-life and more
* set up a personal organising centre
* manage a beautiful, low-maintenance home
* find 5 steps for a 15 minute meal cleanup
* establish problem-solving dinner schedules

She knows what she's talking about and has helped thousands to live an organised, productive life style.

​So.. if you want a simpler, more satisfying life; if you have big dreams but no time to realise them, if you're ready to develop life-long habits that will help you save time and enjoy life, then check out this book.

The estimated reading time is around 4 hours 15 minutes
But, this book would be best read in small doses or chapters so that you can work through the ideas  and implement the suggested strategies. 

You can find this book:

Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.

A challenge to individuals, the church, and the community to focus on the gift rather than the burden.

​In Australia, one person in a hundred- or roughly 230,00 people- has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. That's an huge number and constitutes the largest disability group in the Australian NDIS.

But I was blissfully unaware of this startling statistic... until grandson #3 arrived with all the activity and excitement of a new birth in the family.

And he was a cheerful little guy ... he delighted in music and listening to singing .. always ready to wrap his chubby little arms around your neck in a big hug... laughing all the time... still does. I cared for him quite a bit while his parents were working so I got to see a lot of him when he was little. 

Murphy loved his cousins and followed them around giggling delightedly when they chased him or bounced with him on the trampoline. His eventual diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder affected his cousins not at all. They copied his 'happy hands' movement when one of them jumped especially high on the trampoline or flipped a somersault and Murphy laughed louder than anyone. The boys explained Murphy's difficulties to their curious gymnastics team members. So the whole team adopted Murphy's 'happy hands' wave during competitions to encourage one another. Cute!

But yes, living with Autism is not cute- it's not all laughter and 'happy hands.' So I was interested to read Ausomely Blessed by Beth Frank. 

Actually, the book is more a compilation of stories and articles by numerous friends, family and specialists. All of them have a personal acquaintance with Autism Spectrum and special needs kids. You'll find chapters included like Ausome Opportunities, Ausome Potential, Ausome Friendship, Ausome Influence and more.

​Caring for a special needs child can be an isolating existence. Autistic kids respond well to routine and repetition..So it's easier, and less stressful, to stay at home; a simple outing is fraught with the hazard of sensory overload resulting in an embarrassing meltdown. And parents of children with autism, many of whom are non-verbal, just don't have anyone or anywhere they can relax, unwind and talk to about these concerns. Unless you've experienced it yourself it's hard to relate. 

Find encouragement for the everyday struggles
Ausomely Blessed provides just that type of encouragement. It doesn't sugar-coat the problems. It describes heart-rendering, relatable and real situations- the sort of situations where other parents can say, "Yes! I know what you mean. I've experienced something similar."
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Focus on the gift, not the burden
Ausomely Blessed does more than just offer encouragement and support. It's so easy to spend all your time listing the problems and yes, there are many. 

But there are also so many positives. God didn't make a mistake when He made these kids and neither was He surprised by the problems. He knows it all. Each child is an individual who is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Our family would be the poorer without Murphy's laughter and happiness, his excitement to be with friends and family and his hugs. The problems are just one side of the coin and reading this book is a reminder to look for the joy.

Look for the hidden potential
Ausomely Blessed also takes time to encourage you, as parents, to look beyond the current circumstances. Each child has potential that you can develop. So take time to regularly challenge your child. Jumpstart their imagination. Turn everyday events into learning experiences. Encourage them to dream. Keep it fun... and remember, God loves to open doors.

This small clip was created by SOAR Special Needs Ministry, and mentioned in this book. It's a reminder to look for the hidden potential in everyone and especially those with special needs.

Become agents of change
Community's perception of those with special needs has changed greatly but still more needs to be done to break down barriers and build understanding and acceptance of individuals and families of those with special needs. It's only when special needs kids and their families are included as valuable members of the church and the community that they will bless others as they also are blessed. 

Ausomely Blessed encourages you to be an agent of change, to encourage change in the  community and in your church. This type of change has already resulted in a heightened understanding of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Change has created an increased understanding that those with autism are often highly intelligent, hard-working and willing to go the extra mile to achieve a desired task outcome. Consequently, many employers realise it makes sound business sense to employ these people.

Change has also resulted in some supermarkets introducing quiet hour each week for those who struggle with sensory overload. So, for an hour, lights are dimmed, registers and scanners are turned down to the lowest levels, trolley collections and PA announcements are avoided and trained members are available to help customers... and more customers support these innovations and shop at these stores.

Maybe the next changes will be initiated by you!

Check out this book and discover how 'ausomely blessed you really are!'

Find it here:          Buy from AMAZON        Buy from Booktopia

A book review from AtGrandmasPlace of Stepping on Cheerios: Finding God in the Chaos and Clutter of Life

I cupped the steaming cup of coffee in my hands listening quietly to my daughter's latest recount of  my grandsons and their exploits, and smiled.
"But Mum... I'm saying things to my kids that I could never have imagined would ever come out of my mouth. After all, who else has to tell their boys not to lick the floor? Why do they even do that?"
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The painful truth is that family life little resembles the soft, watercolour scenes we often see painted in the movies. It's exhausting, full-on and messy.

It's something that Betsy Snyder shares in her book, Stepping on Cheerios- Finding God in the Chaos and Clutter of Life.

What you can expect in this book 
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You'll read about the author's experiences as she and her husband raise four small boys- one plus triplets. Betsy deals with 'neon-blue, glitter gel toothpaste smeared into the rug, hieroglyphic pencil marks along the hall and scratched furniture from assorted swords and ninja tools. (And you thought yours was the only home with Ninja warriors!)

You'll also find sane advice and plenty of bandaids, both metaphoric and real. You'll be presented with advice like... 'No-one can do it all', 'Less comparing please', and 'Nurture something with your kids'.. lessons in faith learned through the messiness of family living.

And you'll be reminded that there's something very special about the seemly overwhelming challenges of life with energetic young ones . 'And then God smiles, light breaks and the darkness rolls away, so that God can declare, "That's good!" '
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Who will enjoy Stepping on Cheerios?
Do you struggle with the creative chaos of living with energetic little ones? Have you been bruised to the bone by stepping on Lego or maybe even believe the blocks are embedded in your feet? Have you entered your living area to discover metres of dental floss, duct tape and assorted containers assembled for a 'speriment? Yes? Then you'll relate to this book.

Betsy has written in a light, journaling style, noting the fun and messy exploits of her kids as well as the faith lessons she has learned in the process. It's makes the book easy to pick up read without feeling that you're reading out of sequence or context. The lessons are light and easy to live from and learn.

About the author
Betsy Singleton Snyder became a mother later in life, is a pastor and wife to a husband who served in US House of Representatives. She certainly found her life had changed dramatically when she found herself with 4 children, boys, within 21/2 years.

If you'd like to learn a bit more about Betsy and her book Stepping on Cheerios, you can listen to her conversation below where she shares, "What we get is not always what we want, but what we most need, is making it through the hard and fun stuff that happens in our families - that crazy, messy tangled ball of people who are learning to practice forgiveness, grace and love."