Review and Giveaway! Rattlesnake Rules by Conrad J. Storad

Melissa J's Thoughts:

"A nake! A nake!"

These are my daughter's excited words when we opened our package with Rattlesnake Rules
in it. The cover immediately captured her attention. Her 2 year old attention stayed, even after we opened the book. She turned the pages eagerly and kept pointing things out to me.

Conrad J. Storad is no stranger to writing educational book for children that are also fun. With books like, Desert Night Shift(A Pack Rat Story), Life in the Slow Lane: A Desert Tortoise Tale, Lizards for Lunch: A Roadrunner's Tale, and Don't Ever Cross That Road! An Armadillo Story, he has one of a kind books for children which both entertain and teach. 

I'm not quite sure how he did it, but Conrad brought rattlesnakes into a personableness that made me think that maybe they aren't all that bad. . . until of course, he added the necessary rules of warning into his story line!  Still, it's balanced so well, that instead of kids becoming absolutely terrified of rattlesnakes, they will develop a healthy respect for them. 

One of the things I really appreciated about this book, is the fact that there is more than a story contained within it. Conrad inserts sections into the back that any Mama who reads to her children in the hopes of teaching them, will love. He looks at rattlesnake myths (you can not tell how old a rattlesnake is based on the number of rattles) and provides a rattlesnake based vocabulary for children to work on. 

Taking this even further, Conrad then provides curriculum ideas that parents can implement into their children's schooling and/or homework. 

With a retail value of $16.95, this book is worth every penny invested. It's a 3-in-1 deal -- story, science lesson, and curriculum guide. As a homeschooling Mama, I look forward to adding Conrad's books to our homeschooling library as our science years progress. 

NOTE: This book is on sale for $12.88 right now with Five Star Publications, due to their 24th anniversary special.

Mel's Thoughts:

We sat down today to read a book together called Rattlesnake Rules by Conrad J. Storad.  As I started to open it, Jaden was pointing at the cover, saying, "Naaa, Naaa...."  He said another word, not completely yet, but it's closer!:) 

Anway, Rattlesnake Rules is a children's book that uses rhyme and a creative tactic to teach your children about rattlesnakes and their characteristics, as well, as the dangers.  The pages are full of colorful illustrations, drawn by Nathaniel P. Jensen, that grabbed at my children's attention.   I honestly cringe anytime I see a snake; I'm talking cringe, duck, and run here.  I can't stand snakes....they give me the willies.  Ever since I almost grabbed a snake while gathering eggs as a teenager, I just have a healthy fear of snakes.  But, the snakes in this book were actually kinda cute, from a  mama's perspective.  Conrad uses fiction to implement the non-fiction parts of the book into the story.  A storyline with a family of snakes delves into their world and how they live and why they shake their rattle, how they eat, etc.  They have certain rules they live by.  He then delves into the rules for humans when we are out walking.  These rules help to determine when it's time to turn around and how we can be safe.   

At the end of the book are a few educational sections that could easily be used to supplement a science course on snakes.  There are Rattlesnake Fast Facts, Rattlesnake Fun Facts (for instance, did you know that, "Arizona has 13 species of rattlesnakes"?), Rattlesnake Mysteries, Rattlesnake Myths vs. Facts, Words to Learn, and a Rattlesnake Rules Curriculum Guide.  As a homeschooling mom, I was very impressed with the Curriculum Guide because it offers different activities to go along with the book and to further education about rattlesnakes.  It has discussion ideas and hands-on activities that your young students can do, including making their own rattle.  The activities are designed to help your children learn different aspects of a snake's life, such as molting, or shedding of their skin, for instance.  There are also research topics to explore even more.  It's very interesting.

Rattlesnake Rules normally sells for $16.95, but is on sale for $12.88 right now with Five Star Publications, due to their 24th anniversary special.  It is a hard back book that comes with a colorful dustjacket.  I would highly recommend it as a supplement to any reptile study.  I know my kids would too.:) 

(Disclosure: We were provided with this free book by Five Star Publications and Conrad J. Storad, in association with MamaBuzz.)


We have 2 copies of this book to give away. Simply leave a comment - with your email - and you will be entered into our giveaway drawing. Giveaway ends on November 7th, with the winner announced on November 9th.

Draw and Write Through History: Creation through Jonah

Mel's Thoughts:
We had the opportunity to review part of the Draw and Write Through History series, Creation through Jonah.  This series was written by a fellow homeschooling mama, who has a passion for children and history. 

This first book in the series covers several topics, including Creation, Noah's Ark/Ice Age, The Tower of Babel, Egypt: The Pyramid Age, China, Joseph/Moses, Trojan Horse/David, and Jonah.  For each section, there is a cover page that gives the approximate dates or time frame for each event, which makes it really neat to compare when things happened in relation to each other.  The illustrations are colorful and really fit the whole theme of the book. 

The book uses art, writing, and history to teach the child about these events.  For example, in the section about Creation, the child will learn how to draw plants and trees, dinosaurs, and people.  There are step-by-step instructions, so that the child can see his drawing come to life as he follows each step.  At the end of each section is a full copywork page with cursive writing.  This helps the child not only learn about the topic, but it gives him practice in penmanship skills.  I'm looking forward to using these copywork pages with Jacob as we go along.  

Jacob actually did a drawing of the Phoenician merchant ship....he is fascinated by ancient history right now, and this went along really well with what we have been studying in history for a while now.  He was really happy to see instructions on how to draw the Trojan Horse, since he loves that story so much....but he hasn't done that one yet.  You can actually see a sample art lesson from that section here. 

This book is priced at $12.00, which I really feel (for us anyway) is a fair price.  With 63 pages total, it could be used to supplement a history or an art or even a writing curriculum; I wouldn't recommend using it as a stand-alone curriculum, since it only covers certain topics throughout ancient history, and it doesn't give a lot of details, but it would make an excellent supplement, in my opinion.  It is designed for children 8 and older. 

(Disclosure: We were provided with this free product by the author of Draw and Write.)

Melissa J

I was just telling my husband, the more I spend time teaching the daycare kids their shapes and colors, the more I am convinced that a hands on, experiential approach to learning is the best way for kids to receive and retain information. For that very reason, I am thrilled with the Draw and Write Through History Series.  

The Draw and Write Through History; Creation through Jonah starts at Day Three of Creation and teaches what was created on Day 3, by having a drawing lesson on plants. What child will ever forget what was created on Day 3 when they learn to draw the very thing that was created? The same lesson also include a lesson on drawing trees. 

As the book proceeds, drawing lessons include how to draw people, the ark, a silkworm moth, Moses, frogs, and even a Trojan Horse. 


This book contains one more element in addition to teaching facts and drawing. . . it also combines an element of cursive writing. Students take their learning even further, practicing their cursive writing by copying the history lesson that is presented.   


The Draw and Write History Series is really, a three-for-one package and homeschooling parents - - and perhaps even non-homeschooling parents--will find it a valuable resource for teaching their children history.

Mel participated in this review with the TOS Homeschool Crew.

Guardian Angel Publishing publishes books for children ages 0-12.  They publish e-books, print books, books on CD, and soon they will have books on DVD, so that children can actually watch the books on their television.  The company calls its authors and artists its guardian angels.  They have books about subjects ranging from health and hygiene to animals and pets to faith.  They also carry chapter books for "tweens."  Their books are not just reading material, though; they have morals and values instilled in each story.  There are several different titles available, and we were recently able to review four of those.

Andy & Spirit Go to the Fair

In this book, Andy is a young boy in a wheelchair who is about to compete in a horsemanship competition after many months of practice and hard work.  He is very excited and nervous all at the same time.  The book really shows the human side of Andy and how fear could have stopped him, but instead of letting it take over, he pressed on and defeated those fears.  Not only that, but he now had a best friend, Spirit, his horse.  It shows how, even though someone may be slightly different, they are the same as anyone else with dreams and feelings....and they can still accomplish their dreams; it might just take a lot of hard work and patience/passion on their part.  It also shows the importance of teamwork.  The book had really colorful illustrations, full page pictures that went along with the story.  At the end of the story, there is also information on wild mustangs and how they are managed.  There are websites listed, so that you can get in contact with several different organizations.  There is also information on 4-H, since Andy was in the 4-H program.  This book would probably make a great reader for a child between second to third grades.  It is priced, starting at $5.00 for the e-book; $10.95 + $6.95 for the print book, or $9.95 + $5.95 for the e-book CD or the DVD book video.

At the end of each book is information on the author and artist, as well, so that you can see the people behind the books. 

Maybe We Are Flamingos

This book is for a younger age and would make a great reader for first or second grade.  The story is about two baby flamingos who are really worried because they look different from the rest of the group.  Instead of being pink, they are gray.  They are so concerned about this, until one day, their mother explains to them how some day they will get their pink feathers.  It teaches children that it's ok to be different....  This book leaves room for the imagination to soar, and it has full-page illustrations that are colorful and fun to look at while reading.  This book is also priced at $5.00 for the e-book, $10.95 + $6.95 for the print book, and $9.95 + $5.95 for the e-book CD or the DVD book video.

No Bones About It

Did you know that the smallest bone in our bodies is in our middle ears?  Yep, this is just one of the fun facts that was presented in this book.  Along with fun facts on almost every page, there is rhyme that is designed to help children learn the names of the different bones in the body.  At the end of the book is a diagram with the different bones, so that children can study it and learn where they are located.  Then comes a little quiz so they can put all of that learning to the test.  The illustrations were great in this book, with pictures of skeletons and bones throughout, but they were imaginative and fun....perfect for my son Jacob, who loves stuff like this.  This book would probably make a great supplement to a study of the human body in science....it might even benefit older children who are studying human anatomy in biology and struggling to learn all the different names in our bone structure.  The book is priced, starting at $5.00 for the e-book, $10.95 + $6.95 for the print book, and $9.95 + $5.95 for the e-book CD.

Stubby's Destiny

This book was a really cute story with adorable illustrations.  It's a story about a donkey, who pretty much feels like he is destined for nothing great in his life, except to pack around people's goods.  No matter how hard he tries to be fit for royalty, he just feels as if he can't do enough and becomes very sad.  Then one day Stubby is taken by two men, and he ends up being given the highest honor of all, to carry Jesus (the King of all) on his back, and he knows that he has finally found true meaning.  This story would also make a great reader for younger ages, and it teaches value in each and every person, no matter how they are made, no matter how they may feel.  They are meant to accomplish a purpose with their lives.  This book starts out in pricing at $5.00 for the e-book, $10.95 + $6.95 for the print book, and $9.95 + $5.95 for the e-book CD or the DVD video book.  

You can see video trailers for some of the books on the Guardian Angel site.  You can read more reviews on the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog.

(Disclosure: I was provided with these free e-books by Guardian Angel Publishing, in association with the TOS Homeschool Crew.)

TOS Crew: Grapevine Studies

Mel participated in this review with the Crew.

Jacob and I have been using a new Bible curriculum shared with us via the Crew. It's the Old Testament Overview put out by Grapevine Studies.

Jacob has really been enjoying this book, and I really think it's because it has a lot of hands-on activity. He's able to visually see me drawing the lesson on the board (in stick figures), and he's able to copy what I'm doing, tweaking it to his own style. He's basically learning the Bible in stick figures!

When we received this curriculum, it came with two books; one is the Teacher's Book, and the other is the Student Book.

It's important to note here that you can not only receive these books as hardcopy in the mail, but if you'd rather download them, you can do that instead. The great thing with the Teacher's Book is that it covers Levels 1 & 2, whereas the Student Book we are using is just for Level 2. So, you get 2 levels for the price of 1 with the Teacher's book.

In the beginning of the Teacher's Book, there are pages that describe the Grapevine method of teaching, their statement of faith, goals for the curriculum, and instructions on how to teach and schedule the lessons. The lessons are laid out in such a format that it's easy to teach how your family doctrinally believes, and it's also very easy to prepare for the lesson every day.

Each lesson covers a specific portion of the Old Testament timeline, and before we ever started the lessons, we went through and drew out the timeline, giving Jacob an overview of what he was going to be learning about this year. When I say draw, I mean in stick figures; it is so easy for a non-artist like me to do; plus, what kid doesn't like to draw stick figures, especially for a Bible lesson?:) (Update: here is a picture of Jacob's drawings on the paper beside my drawings on the board; just thought I'd share for those commenting about the drawing portion of the lessons). Personally, I wanted to make it really upbeat and fun for Jacob, so I went out and bought a cheap little set of colored dry erase markers to use on our board. He has his own markers, and he grabs a piece of paper and follows me along through the lesson. We cover one page in his book every day, which puts us to about a whole lesson every week. The first page of the lesson is a timeline review from previous lessons and a memory verse review. There are one to two memory verses to work on with each lesson. The second and third pages cover the main part of the lesson; for example, the lesson could be on The Tower of Babel. I usually have Jacob read over the verses for each section as we go, and we take breaks to draw out the different points and talk about them. At the end of each lesson, we do a character or event card, where he writes out, on an index card, the main points that he learned; he usually copies from the board. That way, he'll have that card to review later on. We also write out the memory verse/s. Other memory work might include learning the different books of the Bible in order, etc. Every so often, throughout the book, there are bigger reviews to cover a portion of what we've been studying, and we can play trivia games or review over parts that are harder to remember.

So far, we've both really enjoyed this. As a busy homeschooling mama, I love the fact that it's so easy to organize and teach; there's little to no prep time, unless I just want to read over the verses for that day's lesson. Each day's lesson is so short that it keeps his attention quite well, and again, he benefits from the hands-on learning. This is also a curriculum that you could use across broader age gaps; so, if you have multiple children, you could more than likely teach all of them from the same books, tweaking it to their levels, of course.

The best part is that through September 15, 2009, Grapevine is honoring a 30% discount to any of my readers who go and purchase any of their books. All you have to do is use the coupon code: Crews, when you checkout. The price for the Teacher's book is $45.95, and the price for the Student Book is $25.95.

So, look them over, and see for yourselves. Personally, for myself and my family, I can't say enough good things about Grapevine. The search for a good Bible curriculum can be tough, but I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to review this particular product.

If you'd like to read more reviews on Grapevine Studies, head on over to The Homeschool Crew Blog.

* Products for K - 2nd Grade *

Rattle Snake Rules

Draw and Write through History

Grapevine Studies

Think and Blink Shapes Flashcards

Bubber