Loved By Lexi: December 2011

Thursday, 15 December 2011

Top That! Publishing - The Silent Owl & The Tangle Fairy Books Review

As I've said before, I have always been a firm believer that reading enriches and nourishes life. I read at least an entire book every couple of days and have read books of every genre, many different authors and different lengths and levels of depth. If there is nothing left to read I will happily pick up an old classic or favourite and re-read it as I really do love to read. I also believe that reading is a very important educational tool whether at school or at home which is why I really hope to pass my love of reading on to Lexi in the hope that she too will see the wonder of being transported into not only the minds of the author but into the lives and loves of the characters in the story whilst picking up and developing her English skills.

Lexi and I read very frequently and I think it is proof in itself how much benefit reading is to children as she is only 2 years 4 months old and can already recit the entire alphabet, count to 15, knows all her shapes and colours and can recognise letters and what sounds they make easily and loves it too as she is constantly being told how clever she is! :)

We have reviewed books for Top That! Publishing before and Lexi (and Mummy!) absolutely loved them so when Top That! Publishing sent Lexi two new storybooks to review for them, I was really pleased as I honestly think that the last books we reviewed for them have had a positive effect on Lexi's enjoyment in reading and her love of books...

The Tangle Fairy

Written by Seema Barker
Illustrations by Kirsten Richards

"Why is Jaya’s hair always in such a tangle? From witches to dragons, each night The Tangle Fairy explains to Jaya why she must make her hair so tangly. Children will love to follow Jaya as she tries to get to the bottom of the mischievous Tangle Fairy’s stories!"

Lexi was instantly interested in The Tangle Fairy because the bright colours and fantastic illustrations caught her attention and she was hooked!

The story is so original and such great fun that she loves it and hasn't grown tired of it even after reading it goodness knows how many times! There are so many fun and interesting things to see and read about in the book that she is so excited to turn the page to see the magic of the story continued on the next page! The story is written in rhyme so is fun for all ages of children whether reading it themselves or having it read to them as it gives them the anticipation of what is to come and the rhyming sentences make it even more fun!

The Tangle Fairy is available to buy direct from Top That! Publishing on their website http://www.topthatpublishing.com/ with an RRP of £5.99 but they have a special offer with it being on sale for the fantastic bargain price of £5.39!

The Silent Owl

Written by Clemency Pearce
Illustrated by Sam McPhillips

"‘In the great, old hollow oak,
Lived the Owl,
Who never spoke.’

In the deep, dark forest lives an owl who never speaks. The forest animals are worried about silent Owl, but he has a few surprises up his sleeve! New and emerging readers will love this enchanting bedtime book with unique illustrations and rhythmic text, ensuring that it is guaranteed to be picked up again and again!"

Lexi loves owls so as soon as she saw the owl on the cover she fell in love and wanted me to read it to her straightaway. She wanted to turn the pages as soon as she had seen the pictures to see what the owl was going to get up to; but not before she had to take the book straight over to Nanny and Grandad's so she could show them her new owl book! She was so excited to show them the owl and all owl's friends in the book including mouse, fox and badger!

The story is written in rhyme too and Lexi loves guessing which words are coming next and reciting the story in a sing song voice. It melted my heart each and every time she read this book because of the enjoyment, fun and laughter she got from it. She absolutely loves it and keeps it beside her bed so that she can read it to her toys (show them the pictures and make up her own story as she can't read herself just yet!) to help them sleep at night once Mummy and Daddy have done story time, kisses and left the room.

The Silent Owl is Lexi's most favourite book of all books she has ever owned by a clear mile!!

The Silent Owl is also available to buy direct from Top That! Publishing on their website http://www.topthatpublishing.com/ with an RRP of £5.99 but they have a special offer with it being on sale for the fantastic bargain price of £5.39!

You can find out more about Top That! Publishing and their fantastic other books and products by visiting their website or by popping over to their Facebook page and saying hi!

Both The Silent Owl The Tangle Fairy are huge hits with Lexi and will continue to be for a long time I'm sure! Thank you yet again Top That! Publishing for introducing Lexi and I to your fantastic array of books. You will continue to be very much Loved By Lexi for a long time to come!

Saturday, 10 December 2011

Ewan™ the Dream Sheep from Easidream®

Even at over 2 years old, Lexi is an absolute nightmare sleeper! She has always been terrible and no matter what we have tried including controlled crying, various sleep inducing techniques and just about everything imaginable, Lexi still doesn't sleep through the night and still insists on coming into Mummy and Daddy's bed (yes we stupidly allowed her when she was ill and just can't seem to get out of the habit). Controlled crying didn't work: "she will give in eventually" we are told by Health Visitors, Doctors and friends..... 4 hours later when she is still crying where are the Health Visitors then with their facts and opinions! So every time, Mummy and Daddy give in and Lexi ends up back in our bed fidgeting and acting up. Mummy hasn't had a full night's sleep in over 2 years and it sure is taking it's toll....

So when we were asked to review Ewan the Dream Sheep from Easidream I was absolutely ecstatic! Anything was worth a try and I am at my wit's end. Please let Ewan work I thought. Please....

About Ewan and Easidream

"ewan™ the dream sheep is a simple yet effective tool for settling restless babies and toddlers into a peaceful slumber. Cute, cuddly ewan™ attaches securely to the cot bars or sit him next to your moses basket, and plays real heartbeat and womb sound combinations that mimic the noises babies hear inside the womb. These comforting sounds have been proven to be effective for settling and calming even the most restless newborns, as they make the difficult transition from womb to world.

Even better is that ewan™ has a choice of 3 further pink noise sound combinations- similar to white noise but more effective - which are suitable for older babies and toddlers, so he can go on helping with your sleep routine well on into the pre-school years!

ewan™ loves to travel, so if you’re out and about he can be attached to the buggy or car seat so your little one can be comforted ‘on the go’ and there’s no chance of leaving him behind. With his useful tail you could even securely attach a dummy or teether.

ewan™ also doubles as a nightlight, thanks to his soft pink comforting glow, so no need to buy one of these as an extra and his calming soft light simply adds to his charm!"

Features

A choice of four soothing heartbeat combinations which are proven to be effective
Soft pink comforting glow.
20 minute timer.
Volume control.

Hangs from cot/buggy/car seat with Velcro tail.
Battery operated 3 x AAA

Surface wash only

What Lexi Thought

Lexi was absolutely petrified of Ewan the first time she met him! I had turned him on so he was glowing (which I think is more red than pink)

and had the heartbeat and womb sounds coming from him. Lexi took one look at him and hid behind the wardrobe! It wasn't the reaction I was expecting as she loves anything soft, cuddly and animal shaped. I didn't press the issue and Ewan went back in his box for Lexi to meet him another day.

The next day I got the laptop out, sat Lexi on my lap and we looked through pictures of sheep on Google images until Mummy eventually (without Lexi noticing) changed the pictures we were looking at from normal sheep in fields etc to pictures of Ewan in fields and with other children. Lexi was pointing at the photos saying "Lexi want. Lexi love" so Ewan came out again.

Lexi's reaction this time was completely different. She loved him. He has such a lovely cute face and is big, cuddly and soft and she loved squeezing him and cuddling up to his soft tummy. It took a while to get her used to it, but after a while she was even pressing the legs herself to make him make the "nice sounds". I was so pleased....

Next challenge: BEDTIME!

LEXI SLEPT!!! No not right through the night..... BUT she slept from 8pm to 4am! That is the longest she has EVER slept in her own bed in over 2 years. It is a miracle!!! There is no way it could be coincidence because she honestly has NEVER slept that long in her own bed in her entire life so it's impossible for it to be a coincidence! THANK YOU EASIDREAM!!!

I wish we had discovered Ewan the Dream Sheep from Easidream a very long time ago as maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't be in the situation we are in now and would never have gotten this bad with Lexi's sleeping habits! But I am eternally grateful to Easidream because they have instantly changed Lexi's sleeping habits aswell as my own so that we are getting some sleep. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I wasn't able to film Lexi asleep without her waking but here is an idea of the soothing sounds and Ewan's effect on little ones from Easidream's video:-

Price and Where to Buy

Ewan is available to buy with an RRP of £29.99 and can be bought here: http://www.easidream.co.uk/shop?page=shop.product_details&flypage=easidream.tpl&product_id=6&category_id=1. Knowing how amazingly Ewan works, I would definitely 100% pay £29.99 for him as he is such great quality and really does work!! I'd pay anything for a good night's sleep though but even so, £29.99 is a great price in my opinion.

THANK YOU EASIDREAM! Not only have you allowed me some well needed sleep but Ewan is so well thought out and works so brilliantly that I really can't praise you enough! Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Ewan the Dream Sheep from Easidream is DEFINITELY Loved By Lexi!