Must-Have Marvin Book Review {and Giveaway!}

Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are 100% my own and not swayed by the free product. 

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Must-Have Marvin! is the second book in the Shine Bright Kids series and is written by Christy Ziglar and illustrated by Luanne Marten. The Shine Bright Kids books focus on the same group of young friends. Willow was a character in Must-Have Marvin! and she was the main character in the first book called Can't-Wait Willow!, which we haven't read, but plan to look for at the library. We liked this book because it showed how a little boy who just had to have everything that was new and awesome gradually realized that it wasn't as important as being nice and being there for your friends. The main focus of the book was the message that things are not as important as people are in your life. Must-Have Marvin! is recommended for children ages 4-8, though younger and older children will still enjoy it.

The story is about how Marvin paid more attention to the things around him that he wanted and just had to have and how he passed up many opportunities to help out his family and friends and even his nice neighbor. He went through the story needing every new thing that caught his attention. And when he finally got one of the things he wanted, a toy robot that he desperately wanted, he realized he had been ignoring his friends and family and schoolwork. He was sad that he had no one to play with his new toy with and his nice neighbor gave him some great advice. He remembered he had forgotten about his school project and his neighbor helped him collect the tickets he needed for the school field trip. He then ran to his friends and brought just enough tickets that they needed. He was glad he helped them out and his friends were happy that he decided to participate.

In the age of technology, it is understandable that children are fascinated by all the fancy new gadgets and toys. My own children love technology, though we try to limit the electronic toys they have. We have a few LeapFrog toys (one for letters, one for numbers and the other resembles a Blackberry phone), a children's camera and an animal noise spinner. Besides that they have an iPod and Leappad for some of their educational apps, but limit the time they can spend on them. We choose the apps carefully and typically I will add new apps that go with the unit study we are working on.

So yes, I believe this is a book many modern kids can relate to. Most kids react to seeing a new toy by telling their parents they want or need it. My daughter can't walk past the Marvel aisle at Target without saying she needs a new action figure and my son can't walk past the Hot Wheels without checking them out. This is a great book to remind them that they don't always need a new toy and that they should be grateful for what they already have. My kids aren't in school, so they don't compare what they have to others. But it's a good reminder for them when their cousins, step-brothers and other young family members are around to share and be respectful and help them out when they need it.

The principles of the Shine Bright Kids series are to use good judgement, to take responsibility for your actions, and to have a positive attitude while teaching the importance of making good choices. I think Must-Have Marvin! did a great job covering these aspects. It's a friendly reminder to be mindful of your choices and I will be interested to see what new books they come up with in the Shine Bright Kids series!

About Shine Bright Kids: Choose Right. Shine Bright. The Shine Bright Kids series provides children and their families with a framework to teach the importance of making good choices. The principles that will be explored include: using good judgment, taking responsibility, having a positive attitude, and demonstrating perseverance.

About the Author: Christy Ziglar, financial planner, mother of twins and niece of legendary motivator and the world’s original optimist, Zig Ziglar, is bringing the same timeless wisdom and ageless advice to an entirely new, younger audience through her new Shine Bright Kids picture book series.

About the Illustrator: Thanks to her first-grade teacher, who recognized her superior skills in drawing a robin, Luanne Marten  has been drawing, painting, and sketching ever since. She is a great experimenter and has a fresh, whimsical approach that brings her characters to life.

Must-Have Marvin is available from Shine Bright Kids at Ideals Books for $14.99 or from Amazon for $11.16.

Visit the official website: http://www.idealsbooks.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

Ideals Books is excited to give Munchkin and Bean's readers the opportunity to win their own copy of Must-Have Marvin! The giveaway will be open for 14 days and the winner will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond with their contact information or another winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed by the marketing company. This giveaway is only open to US and Canadian residents. Good luck! #ShareAMoment

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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.