That\

50 Reproducible Strategy Sheets That Build Comprehension During Independent Reading (Grades 4-8)
$16.99
I don't think this is a tool that is age-appropriate for the higher age groups (6th-8th) and really can't be (and no reason to be) modified for high school. There are several sheets to aid in illustrated stories, and effective worksheets to help with beginning to intermediate readers.

Cat in the Hat - I Can Do That!
$19.99
I agree with the other reviewers, that this game has a cute concept, but it's not executed too well. I like the playful and colorful look of it, that it gets the kids up and moving, and that it ties in to a great classic kids book. But the "trick-a-ma-stick" is hard to assemble, and falls apart easily. It's made of a thin "pool noodle" material held together with plastic brackets, and my kids (age 3 and 6) can't assemble it themselves, and get annoyed when it keeps toppling over. I also agree with other reviewers that there should be more variety in the activity cards - the game does get a little tiresome. Seems to me they cheaped out on this game a bit. But isn't that how most toys are these days? So disappointing.

NOW That's What I Call A Country Christmas
$19.98
This two CD set has some of the best country artists today performing great songs both traditional and relatively new! These artists all sing with a lot of style and sophistication; and those country vibes are awesome! The quality of the sound is excellent and I like that artwork as well even if it is a bit typical of this "NOW! music" brand of CD.

The first CD has so many great tunes I scarcely know where to start. Darius Rucker's "Winter Wonderland" is quite well done; He sings very well and the strength in his voice impresses me greatly. The musical arrangement is lush and it perfectly complements his vocals, too. Brad Paisley's "Away in a Manger" charms me with its beauty; and I really like Julianne Hough's stunning rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

Brooks & Dunn do a very moving version of "I'll Be Home for Christmas;" this sentimental, romantic ballad was always one of my favorites. Luke Bryan's "Run Run Rudolph" is hot to the touch; and there's yet another gem in "The First Noel" by Josh Turner. "The Man with the Bag" has a swingin' sound to it that is very creative indeed; and the first CD ends with "Silver Bells" by Kenny Chesney.

The second CD continues the outstanding music. Gene Autry's "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" is a classic charmer that showcases Gene's superb singing voice; and Vince Gill's "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is very pretty with that backup chorus harmonizing well. Glen Campbell's "O Holy Night" is a major highlight of the second CD; and I really like Tanya Tucker's "What Child Is This;" her excellent diction enhances her performance all the more. Great!

Another ageless classic would have to be Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree;" Brenda sings this with lots of positive energy and she really makes this shine! Kenny Rogers' "Kentucky Homemade Christmas" has him squarely in the spotlight which is right where he belongs! That arrangement works wonders for the song, too. The second CD ends with two gorgeous numbers: Johnny Cash sings "Silent Night" and Burl Ives performs "A Holly Jolly Christmas." Burl always liked to sing "A Holly Jolly Christmas;" and you can feel his happy vibes when you hear him do this faultlessly.

If holiday music with a country twist is what you like (as do I), then you owe it to yourself to get this two CD set for your music collection. This two CD set is full of such wonderful holiday music that you can truly enjoy it at any time of the year!

Imagine That
$3.99
As a teenager over 20 years ago I remember laughing long and hard at "Beverly Hills Cop" and even Eddie Murphy's generally irreverent and profane humor. But as a parent I am glad to see him using his talents in a more family friendly way, even if it usually borders on slapstick or over-the-top humor like Jim Carrey (this one didn't quite go that far). And I must admit that the commercials featuring that stupidly annoying kid throwing plastic balls at him in the playground didn't put this one on my "must-see" list. But my wife rented it one night and I was pleasantly surprised.

Murphy plays Evan Danielson, an aggressive workaholic investment consultant with no time for family - in fact, he's divorced and has no connection with his daughter, Olivia (about 6 years old, I think). But when he's forced to care for her for a week he's insensitive to her security blanket and imaginary friends... until he realizes that these friends are giving surprisingly accurate investment advice. And thus begins a relationship with his daughter that, although not initially based on the right reasons, opens his eyes to what he's missing out on.

I'm not exactly a devotee of this type of movie and haven't really seen any of Murphy's films since Disney's "The Haunted Mansion" (which was very disappointing compared to "Pirates of the Caribbean"), but my kids and I really enjoyed this one. I didn't notice any foul language and any crude jokes must have gone right over my head. Yara Shahidi was perfectly cute as his neglected daughter, and Thomas Hayden Church was particularly funny as Johnny Whitefeather, his main competition at work with phony Native American investing advice. The plot-line may be formulaic and in some ways the moral-of-the-story done a bit too Hollywood-ish, but I thought the movie was quite fun, and definitely better than I expected.