Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Vooks improves screen time

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My youngest child has a vivid imagination, loves books, and somehow already knows how to work all the technology! Vooks is is a collection of virtual books that incorporates so many things my girl already loves. 

Vooks is a streaming library of ad-free, kid-safe animated storybooks, trusted by teachers and enjoyed by millions of children around the world. The titles can be streamed or downloaded. Each virtual book has printable lesson plans, activities, discussion topics, and additional resources related to the story. As a mom, I was truly impressed with the amount of content and resources available beyond each animated storybook. The service is $4.99 per month. 

With Vooks, kids are reading, strengthening their vocabulary, and learning about lots of different subjects. This is a productive use of screen time and fosters independent learning. That’s a win-win for parents and their kids. New titles are added weekly. 

My 5-year-old Rachel is looking forward to kindergarten in August had a fun time scrolling through all the Vooks choices. Of course, her first choice was a story about a unicorn and a horse. She later learned more about earth and loved seeing different animals. I haven’t printed any coloring sheets yet, but she’s pumped about that being an option. 

Rachel used Vooks on both my laptop and Kindle. I wish there was an app for the Kindle because using the browser on that device wasn’t the most convenient. I did download an app for my iPhone that is easy to use. I’m looking forward to streaming the virtual books from my phone to the TV when I want to offer an alternative to watching television shows. 

As a mom, I love when technology incorporates readings and learning so I don’t feel guilty for using screens to give myself a little quiet and a chance to regroup from noisy life. Generally, we limit screens — the bigger television, smaller Kindles, and personal phones — but Vooks is a great addition to how we use devices in our home. 

You can try Vooks free for 30 days! Go to VOOKS to sign up! I’d love to hear what you think about this modern take on books. 

Giveaway

One of you will receive a year-long subscription to Vooks! Use the Rafflecopter widget below for entries. You’ll see that following @vooks on Instagram or Facebook is one of the required entries. Rafflecopter will randomly choose a winner on Wednesday, April 28. 

Enter giveaway here!

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Many thanks to Vooks for providing me with a free year-long subscription to review and being willing to provide another year-long subscription for me to give away to one of you. Opinions are 100 percent my own and not influenced by monetary compensation. #VooksMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #vooks #betterscreentime #vookspartner

One-full-hand years old

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This girl is really into birthdays — hers and others. She loves a party and loves a crowd of people. So far she’s invited her entire soccer team, probably her preschool class, and the pool guy to her party. I hope she’s not disappointed tomorrow when it’s a mostly family party, thanks to the ever-changing response to the coronavirus. 

Rachel has told people she’s “this many” and holds up one hand with all five fingers up. She acts like she doesn’t know that’s five, but then she will see a 5 in a book or on a sign and say that’s how old she will be on her birthday. 
She has a million questions for anyone who will listen. Just the past few days: She’s asked the Kroger bagger how the virus started. I’ve explained extended family relationships several times. Her question about the purpose of a belly button led to a brief adoption conversation. 

Obviously, she’s the possibly the most extroverted person in our family, only maybe behind her dad. So join me as I continue celebrating my girl with my traditional birthday letter:

Rachel,

You’re the joy our family didn’t know we needed. We wanted you before we knew about you, cared for your birth mom in every way we could while she carried you, and know joy more because of you. You make life more fun, bedtime longer than it needs to be, and any ordinary day like a party.

You love all things pink, so much so you convinced your parents and sister to paint your room pink this past spring. Nobody knew it would take four coats of bright pink to cover the mint green. You remember so many words to songs, especially from the first Frozen movie but also from whatever is on the radio. You socialize while playing soccer, going to preschool at the big kids’ school, and wherever else we go. 

You love chocolate milk, jumping on the trampoline, princesses, mermaids, unicorns, and your brother and sister. For a couple of years now, you’ve proclaimed you’re going to marry our family friend Isaac, although he’s quite unsure of the future plan. Regardless of what happens with him, I have no doubt everyone you meet will be better off because you love well and fully. 

We love to celebrate you — especially when you are one-full-hand years old. 

Love, Momma

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Read other letters to my girl as she’s growing up: One. Two. Three. Four.

Animals, shapes, and Jesus … oh, my!

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I got the new “Little Words Matter Jumbo Coloring Book” at a perfect time! With the COVID-19 threat altering our normal life, we’ve been home more than usual. I’ve got a fourth-grader and a seventh-grader who have to do school work remotely and a preschooler who just isn’t interacting with her teacher and classmates as usual.

The coloring book is full of animal friends, alphabet blessings, and reminders that Jesus loves us! I love how the pictures are simple but not boring – perfect for my four-year-old girl who is into coloring and doing “homework” like my older kids. Some of the pages include counting, matching, or alphabet activities too.

Who knows how long we’ll be at home during this weird world in which we’re living, but I’m glad my youngest girl has this fun companion. “Little Words Matter Jumbo Coloring Book” has been making its home on the kitchen table or counter near a box of crayons. I suspect it will get opened and used often in the coming weeks – or however long it takes Rachel to color all the pages!

About the book

“Little Words Matter Jumbo Coloring Book” has almost 400 pages of fun for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s published by B&H Kids (Feb. 15, 2020) and is available at Amazon, Lifeway, Walmart, Christianbook.com, and Target.

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I received a free copy of this coloring book through the B&H/Lifeway Blogger program in exchange for a review.