5 Minutes for Books – Part 1 – A Book for Little Ones…

by Janice

5M4Bsidebar.jpgThank you for all the encouraging comments regarding the launch of the new column. We are really excited about it as well.

And congratulations to Lu at Hyperactive Lu, the winner of last week’s contest for Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. If you didn’t win, you can click through to buy it on amazon, or head to your local bookstore and ask for it. Read on for even more giveaways today!

Today is a double feature here at 5 Minutes for Books – with a book for children and a book for you. We will separate the reviews into two posts however, so that you can enter your comments separately. The children’s book review, written by Janice, is included here and it is a contest with 3 copies available to win. To enter, make sure you leave a comment on this post. The second review (the book for you!) is written by Jennifer and includes 5 copies to giveaway. Make sure you scroll down or click here to read it as well.


Sweet Arts Design presents a delightful, bilingual Alphabet Book


alph-blue-cover.jpg
With delicate artwork and gorgeous colors, this beautiful, personalized alphabet book will delight your little one, while introducing them to a second language.

Amy Hallali, a stay-at-home mom with twin girls, created this bilingual children’s alphabet book as a way for her French husband to introduce their girls to the French language.

She has now expanded the line to include Spanish and English versions as well. In fact, you can choose between French only, French/English, English only, Spanish/English or Spanish only.

And that is not all – you can make this book perfect for your child, personalizing it with their name and even choosing the cover color!

alph-book-julia.jpgJackson and Julia will both be going to French Immersion when they start school, so we were thrilled to get this book for Julia. (Julia is learning Italian as well, but since there are no Italian Immersion schools in this part of the world, she will be following Jackson into French Immersion.) With each page written in both English and French – it is perfect for Susan and me as we work to refresh our French while teaching Jackson and Julia.

alph-letter-j.jpg

Amy has created a wonderful little masterpiece — a perfect gift or keepsake for any young child. The books are available in hard or soft covers. We have the soft cover and it is sturdy and durable, with top quality card and paper stock. It truly is a gorgeous little book!

And thanks to the author Amy Hallali, we are giving away THREE soft cover personalized books! The winners get to choose which book they’d like (French only, French/English, English only, Spanish/English or Spanish only,) pick the cover color and personalize it with their child’s name.

This is a beautiful book ladies – I am sure your young ones will love it! (Amy is offering our readers a 10% discount. The discount will be applied as a refund because Amy doesn’t have that shopping cart feature. Please use code 5M4M in comment box.)

To enter to win, just leave your comment at this post
and we will announce the winners next Monday. (This contest is open to Canadians.) After you have left your comment – don’t forget to read Jennifer’s review and enter that contest as well…



Email Author    |    Website About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. Along with her twin sister Susan and their mother Joan, Janice also owns two online toy stores -- one specializing in Ride on Toys and the other in Rocking Horses. Janice has a spunky little girl and a rambunctious boy who love to make it difficult for her to work from home.

View all articles by

{ 88 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Ruth :) May 14, 2007 at 6:40 am

BEAUTIFUL!!! This would be a GREAT tool – Lexi began French lessons in preschool this year. – Did I mention that it is BEAUTIFUL!? :) Sign me up!

Reply

2 qbyrnes May 14, 2007 at 6:50 am

What a wonderful book idea. As a military family, we live in Belgium in a town that only speaks French (a smidge of English) and as we struggle with not knowing French (as parents) this would be a great tool for my daughter. My son is attending school here and at 5 is learning quickly but when we get back home I don’t want them to forget the language.

Reply

3 Carey May 14, 2007 at 6:51 am

What a cute book. Sounds like a great book. I love how you can personalize it.

Reply

4 emily May 14, 2007 at 7:20 am

This book looks wonderful. I would love to have one.

Reply

5 Anne May 14, 2007 at 8:06 am

Wow! That’s a great idea! I’d love to have one! Count me in.

Reply

6 Bad Sheep May 14, 2007 at 8:09 am

Never too early to get the youngersters started.

Reply

7 Amy Jane May 14, 2007 at 8:16 am

My DH wants our kids to learn Spanish.

Reply

8 Mama Zen May 14, 2007 at 8:18 am

It looks like a beautiful book.

Reply

9 Amy May 14, 2007 at 8:20 am

Cool! I’d love this.

Reply

10 ChupieandJsmama May 14, 2007 at 8:26 am

Beautiful Book! I would love one.

Reply

11 Lauren S. May 14, 2007 at 8:34 am

What a beautiful book. We’d love one!

Reply

12 Karen (Changed by Love) May 14, 2007 at 8:37 am

What a great idea! I would love one for my Boo.

Reply

13 Cathy May 14, 2007 at 8:43 am

We love reading! What a beautiful book! We would love one here, too.. Please may we sign up as well? Thanks and God bless! :)

Reply

14 dirkey May 14, 2007 at 8:46 am

Awe that is awesome! I would love one!

Reply

15 Adventures In Babywearing May 14, 2007 at 9:00 am

That is incredible!! I want one, too! And congrats to Lu for winning!

steph

Reply

16 Jodi May 14, 2007 at 9:08 am

What a great idea for a book!!! This will make a great birthday present for a special lil guy!

Reply

17 CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela May 14, 2007 at 9:17 am

What a beautiful book and a wonderful idea for teaching another language.

Reply

18 Bianca May 14, 2007 at 9:19 am

Sounds like a good book to teach children lanugages in an early way. In their young years children pick up languages very well.

Reply

19 Wendy May 14, 2007 at 9:22 am

Great idea for teaching kids about other languages. I would love one!

Reply

20 Laura Peric May 14, 2007 at 9:23 am

Whatg a wonderful idea! A great addition to any home library!

Reply

21 Kara May 14, 2007 at 9:26 am

What a neat book!

Reply

22 oh amanda May 14, 2007 at 9:28 am

What a great idea. I love it.

Reply

23 Kristin May 14, 2007 at 9:34 am

What a great book idea!

Reply

24 Laura May 14, 2007 at 9:35 am

Very cool – as a diplomat family, we’re all about the multi-lingual stuff! If only she offered Arabic… oh well, maybe we can team up on that later. I’m gunning for a French version. Thanks so much!

Reply

25 Jen in MS May 14, 2007 at 9:40 am

What a beautiful and neat book! Please count me in for the drawing!
Thanks,
Jennifer

Reply

26 Hilary May 14, 2007 at 10:03 am

I would love this book!! Sign me up please!!

Reply

27 Perky May 14, 2007 at 10:18 am

Great idea! We adopted my boys from Russia and my elder son was old enought to speak Russian pretty well at the time. It’s a shame he’s totally lost his first language now. I think that it’s wonderful for kids to speak, or at least be able to understand, multiple languages! I was fortunate to grow up with a Yiddish-speaking Bubbe! A book like this is a great idea!

Reply

28 Jean May 14, 2007 at 10:27 am

That looks so cute and what a great idea to personalize it! Count me in

Reply

29 leah belle May 14, 2007 at 10:35 am

what a pretty book and a clever idea

Reply

30 lifeasamama May 14, 2007 at 10:47 am

oh gosh – those are lovely!

Reply

31 Lu May 14, 2007 at 10:59 am

Oh my gosh! I’m so excited! I didn’t know I had won! Yeah! Thanks ladies! Oh! And count me in!

Reply

32 Mommy Brain May 14, 2007 at 11:14 am

What a neat book. Count me in.

Reply

33 mama k May 14, 2007 at 11:16 am

that is so cool! I’d love one.

Reply

34 Crissybug May 14, 2007 at 11:20 am

This is the cutest thing ever! I would love to hear my kids speak the French language. I think it sounds so beautiful! Wish me luck!

Reply

35 Donna May 14, 2007 at 11:22 am

Please count me in!

Reply

36 Heather May 14, 2007 at 11:55 am

What a great book!

Reply

37 Amber May 14, 2007 at 12:03 pm

Love it! =-)

Reply

38 Modern Mami May 14, 2007 at 12:15 pm

How beautiful! I would love this for my daughter as we are working on raising her to know both Spanish & English! Count me in for the contest, please!

Reply

39 kelli in the mirror May 14, 2007 at 12:19 pm

What a great book! I’d love this.

Reply

40 SaraR May 14, 2007 at 12:53 pm

As a bilingual US/Mexican family this would be perfect. Count me in! This is also a great gift idea, so glad to learn of it.

Reply

41 Heather (Heather's reality show) May 14, 2007 at 12:56 pm

My kids would love this book! I hope I win!

Reply

42 Becca May 14, 2007 at 12:58 pm

How awesome! I was a French major in college and am always looking for great ways to introduce French to my kids!

Reply

43 staci May 14, 2007 at 1:55 pm

what a beautiful book. i would love that.

Reply

44 Jana May 14, 2007 at 1:58 pm

What a pretty book, and such a great idea! Count me in!

Reply

45 Ginny May 14, 2007 at 2:03 pm

The book looks beautiful. My girls would love one!

Reply

46 Ruth May 14, 2007 at 2:09 pm

such a fun book — i love it!! and love you too janice. hope your monday is going well.

shalom.

Reply

47 Heidi May 14, 2007 at 2:13 pm

How fun! This book looks great!

Reply

48 Kim May 14, 2007 at 2:27 pm

I would love this book for my kids..

Reply

49 SingForHim May 14, 2007 at 2:32 pm

Great book!! Enter me please!

Reply

50 Romie May 14, 2007 at 2:40 pm

My little one loves books so I get more for her whenever I can. This would be fabulous so count me in :)

Reply

51 JessicaB May 14, 2007 at 2:45 pm

Cool, my daughter would love this!

Reply

52 Mama Lily May 14, 2007 at 2:49 pm

love love love books. Count me in

Reply

53 Erica May 14, 2007 at 2:52 pm

What a gorgeous book. So Awesome.

Reply

54 Laura May 14, 2007 at 2:53 pm

Neat! Please include me.

Reply

55 Bridget May 14, 2007 at 3:19 pm

wow–wonderful book–I would love to win this :)

Reply

56 Lauren May 14, 2007 at 3:32 pm

That is so cute, I’d love it! I sucked at spanish but made friends with my spanish teacher (she loves me and hubby from school) and so we feel the baby should learn spanish early!

Reply

57 Shelly May 14, 2007 at 3:38 pm

What a beautiful book! I’m so in!

Reply

58 tanyetta May 14, 2007 at 4:02 pm

too cute. count me in!

Reply

59 qtpies7 May 14, 2007 at 4:02 pm

Beautiful! I’d love to be included in the drawing.

Reply

60 Sharon May 14, 2007 at 4:14 pm

How sweet! PLease include me.

Reply

61 Stacey May 14, 2007 at 4:20 pm

Sounds like a very cool book!

Reply

62 Melinda May 14, 2007 at 5:35 pm

I need to be reading to the baby more often. This would be so nice.

Reply

63 Lacey May 14, 2007 at 6:45 pm

What a beautiful book. The illustrations are very colorful.

Reply

64 Kilikina May 14, 2007 at 7:20 pm

Count me in.

Reply

65 Tessa May 14, 2007 at 7:27 pm

Yes please. My girls would love this book!!! Cool

Reply

66 Shauna May 14, 2007 at 7:28 pm

Beautiful! Count me in.

Reply

67 Homemom3 May 14, 2007 at 7:43 pm

Neat way to introduce french. We’d love it here, my daughter (3yr) has been learning french on a tape in the car. I think it would be great if she had a book that had words written in french. Count me in.

Reply

68 Anna May 14, 2007 at 8:33 pm

This looks awesome!

Reply

69 BeckyB May 14, 2007 at 11:44 pm

I LOVE this book – and if I don’t win – I’ll just have to buy one!! Thanks for a great post!

Reply

70 Atasha May 15, 2007 at 12:12 am

Can I win it? Pleeeeeeease!

Reply

71 Kathy in WA May 15, 2007 at 2:07 am

I love this little book! What a great idea.

Reply

72 annaliza May 15, 2007 at 3:50 am

that’s a good idea!

Reply

73 Janne May 15, 2007 at 8:14 am

What a beautiful book!

Reply

74 christina May 15, 2007 at 9:09 am

Looks like a very nice book, bright and colorful too!

Reply

75 Caryn May 15, 2007 at 2:28 pm

Very nice idea. Can I enter to win? : )

Reply

76 Amy R. May 15, 2007 at 9:23 pm

LOVE this whole concept!! What a Great teaching tool~ and they look Adorable as well!!
I hope I win!! :)
Thanks,
Amy

Reply

77 michelle May 16, 2007 at 12:35 am

My kids are very interested in Spanish! This would be so awesome!

Reply

78 Sandi May 16, 2007 at 5:14 pm

I would love, love, love this! I speak French and would love to have an extra resource for my children!

Reply

79 feener May 16, 2007 at 9:33 pm

personalized books are so special !

Reply

80 Heather May 16, 2007 at 10:23 pm

Looks like a great book!

Reply

81 Kelly May 16, 2007 at 11:30 pm

Great book! I’d love to be entered in the drawing. Thanks!

Reply

82 Smiddlemore May 17, 2007 at 1:32 am

This would be great to add to our children’s collection. I like buying them books as treats for good behavior. My children and nieces and nephews love to recieve books.

Reply

83 Maya May 17, 2007 at 10:25 pm

lovelovelove this!

Reply

84 aBookworm May 17, 2007 at 11:00 pm

Oh, this is just so right! I’d love to have this for my kid. Thanks sooooo much!

Reply

85 dana May 18, 2007 at 12:05 am

These are adorable. They would be perfect for baby shower gift.

Reply

86 Naomi May 19, 2007 at 4:43 pm

I think I would use my daughter’s first name (Veronica) and not her middle (Roo) because it would be too short…

Reply

87 BlapherMJ March 8, 2008 at 6:25 pm

This book is beautiful! So creative! I love it!

Reply

88 Rachael T November 7, 2008 at 1:25 am

The book looks precious! I am teaching my little ones spanish and they really liked this book I read them and I was looking for other resources to further it…so thank you so much for the review!!

FYI, the book I used that my kids loved (they are in pre-school and primary grades) was this book called “Tim & Kim” by Kay Linda Nord. It is interesting – Nord teaches mexican spanish instead the traditional form of castilian…anyway I thought it was great…http://kaylindanord.com/

Thanks again for this review of the book! Exactly what I am looking for.

Reply

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

Previous post:

Next post: