Just in time for Halloween, you can win a KIDZ BOP Halloween Hits CD!

The “Truly Terrifying Tracklist” includes “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” “Monster Mash” and more.

“Witch Doctor” will help your kids get their silly on, and “I Want Candy” is so appropriate for when they dump out their candy on the living room floor.

If you would like a chance at winning a free copy of this CD, just email me at LLynn@opubco.com, and I will draw a name at random on Oct. 24.

Please include your name and mailing address, as well as a contact phone number.

–Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

Is your kid a Funky Monkey Snacks fan?

A Funky Monkey Snacks Twitter chat is planned at 10 a.m. (CST) Monday (May 1). You can ask questions @funkymonkeysck #funkychat.

Funky Monkey snacks are crunchy fruit snacks that are equal to three fruit servings per ounce. How is that even possible, you ask? I don’t know, but you might consider asking that question Monday.

I’m going to have to try these snacks myself!

But you can, too! As part of the Twitter chat celebration, I am partnering with Funky Monkey Snacks to provide you with a free sampler pack.

Email me at LLynn@opubco.com and place Funky Monkey in the subject line. Also, include your name and mailing address.

I need a snack now.

–Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

Then, after emptying out his backpack that night, he sat down with me with a book “The Berenstain Bears: New Kitten.” I was thrilled! And, before the evening had ended we had read four more books!

With my oldest daughter, she was the only child in the house, and my husband and I read to her constantly. By the time Kaci came along, we squeezed in a book here and there and made sure to meet school reading requirements.

With Cade, reading only happens when he wants to read. Sometimes he will sit by his bookcase and read on his own, and, sometimes, I’m actually sitting on the couch, he’s on the couch, and voila! a book is there, too. Yea, reading time!

We have many children’s books in our home, and sometimes I cycle them in and out from boxes in the garage since we don’t have a lot of bookshelves. And, though, we have a lot of books, there’s always an excitement when we bring a new book into the house.

I recently was sent a few new books that might find their way to your home.

All are colorful and somewhat whimsical, filled with lovely illustrations. They might be children’s books, but I enjoy them as an adult, too.

 ”The Word Collector” by Sonja Wimmer is somewhat unconventional with the words winding around the page and through the book. As the little girl in the book collects words, there is the sense of a journey and realization of the magic of language.

 ”Witches Handbook” by Monica Carretero is what all little witches need to know about being a carrier of the broom. A fun book with delightful characters and that spurs the imagination.

 ”Drops of Life” by Esko-Pekka Tiitinen and illustrated by Nikolai Tiitinen inspires environmental responsibility. The story explores the world in which endangered species must come together to save the Earth. You will enjoy the artistry as you read.

 ”Zaira and the Dolphins” by Mar Pavon and illustrated by Cha Coco is a tale of a little girl and … dolphins, but not in the usual setting. Her imagination plays a big part in this book.

 ”Story of a Cockroach” by Carmen Gil and Sonja Wimmer and Anastasia. I’m not usually a fan of cockroaches, but this character is more heartwarming than the usual bug. She dreams of being famous but discovers she is very important just being who she is.

Send me an email with your name and mailing address, and you will have a chance to enjoy one of these beautiful books! The deadline to enter is April 30.

–Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter: @OKNewsResearch

Check out this website, too: The Children’s Book Review http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/

According to a news release, the fun will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, during which the company will present a $1,000 check to YWCA of Oklahoma City. And for all us techie parents, at 5 p.m., the store will unveil the new iPad 2. 

Festivities will continue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the store’s Kids’ Day, with FREE family activities, such as face-painting, a moon bounce, complimentary tacos from Big Truck Tacos (YUM!!) and prize giveaways.

“The focus is around family and getting the children involved,” said Michael Perry, Quail Springs store manager.  

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

My favorite is their Christmas Wonderland. They pack December full of free crafts, fun displays, games and a FREE studio-quality 4 X 6 photo with Santa.  So skip the expensive mall Santa photos and head down to Bass Pro.

Crafts are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. (while supplies last) and include:

Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 4 & 5:  Snowman Suncatcher ornament
Dec. 7 – 9, 11 & 12: Wooden ornaments
Dec. 14 – 16, 18 & 19: Reindeer ornaments
Dec. 21-23: Cookie decorating

From now through Dec. 12, Santa photos are  5 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

From Dec. 13 to Dec. 24, photo hours are extended to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays and Christmas Eve.

All games and activities are available during store hours.  These include toy trains, slot car racing, laser and soft gun arcades, remote control trucks and video games.

Also, this year, Bass Pro is giving away free “Santa Bandz” to the first 150 children on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m.  Bandz are different each week.

For more information about Santa’s Wonderland, click here.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Photo provided by Cici's Pizza

Need a neat way to encourage your children to be polite?  How about free pizza? 

From now until Nov. 31, Cici’s Pizza restaurants will be stocked with “Thank you” trackers for parents to take home (see below). They can note each time their child says “thank you” without being prodded.  Once they get 10 thank yous, you can bring the card in for a FREE buffet for children age 10 and younger (with the purchase of an adult buffet). And what kid doesn’t like pizza buffets? 

Cici’s fans also can send their own thank you note on Cici’s Pizza’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cicis and the recipient will receive a “Two can dine for $9.99″ deal, including buffet and drinks.  Recipients can be anyone – teachers, military personnel, friends, etc.

“At Cici’s, we believe an environment that fosters kindness and appreciation is as essential to our success as our hot, fresh buffet,” CEO Mike Shumsky said in a news release. “… it’s why we created the ‘Thank yous Count’ campaign.”

Some locations may even have giant thank you cards or posters for patrons to sign.  These cards will be delivered along with dinners to community groups throughout November.

And with your kids earning a free meal, you may just end up telling them ‘Thank you’ for being so polite.

 -Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

• Just for signing up, you get 30% off the list price on any one kids’ book or toy.
• For every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff online and in stores, you get a $5 reward.
• Get a free cupcake (yum!) from the B&N cafe AND a free Tikatok create-a-book project for your children’s birthdays.
• Receive a monthly newsletter featuring even more savings.

To join, just visit any Barnes & Noble or go to bn.com/kidsclub.

Happy reading!

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

I’ve been following the site for about 4 days now, and already have seen great deals.  Free photo books, food samples, free Coke, and many other discounted and free offers.

If you use Facebook, just search for Freebies 4 Mom or go to http://www.facebook.com/Freebies4Mom.  You’ll see the deals updated in your news feed throughout the day.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com