Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Review and Giveaway: Board Book Albums CLOSED



My son loves his picture books. One of his favorite activities is looking at family photos. It's a great way to reinforce familiar people and objects, and share stories with him about places we've visited or milestones he achieved when he was younger. But, as most boys toddlers are, he is tough on books. I am always very hesitant to show him our treasured photo albums out of fear that he will crinkle or rip the pages, yank or smudge the pictures, or chew the edges. I knew I couldn't have been the only mom with this problem so I was relieved to come across Board Book Albums.

Board Book Albums are kid-friendly photo albums in a chunky, board book format. These sturdy albums can withstand typical toddler abuse and make photosharing less stressful for parents. Besides the ingenious concept, I was really touched by the story behind Board Book Albums:
In January 2007, when my daughter Lucia was a year old, we realized that she was somewhat behind her peers in meeting certain developmental milestones. In order to encourage her speech development, [our] early learning specialist (who is like a speech therapist, but works with children before they begin to talk) suggested that I find Lucia a photo album to fill with photos of her family, toys, and other familiar objects in her world. When I was unable to find a kid-friendly photo album, I came up with the idea to create a board book photo album.

My hope is that many children will enjoy our board book style photo album. Kids with autism, speech delay, or other special needs may find it particularly beneficial as a learning tool, or just something fun to create with their own favorite photos.
Each photo album measures 7" x 7" and holds up to 20 4" x 6" photos, in addition to a cover photo frame which holds a 4" x 5" photo. Simply slide your favorite photos in through the openings in the top of the pages and voila - baby board book album!

Board Book Albums was kind enough to send me their flagship Take Your Pix album in blue.

I was very impressed with the construction of the album. It was the perfect size for Nate's hands and seemed very durable. No longer do I have to cringe each time he handles our precious photos! The adorable, felt-like "My First Photos" lettering on the cover gave it an alluring texture and the ridges on each page made it easy for Nate to turn all by himself. I had a blast choosing which pictures to include. I decided to start way back at the beginning, to show him that he was once inside my belly, and work my way forward to his first birthday. The pictures couldn't be easier to insert and I like that I can easily switch them to keep things interesting.







I also liked the unadorned pages that give you the option to keep it simple or decorate, if you're the scrappy type of gal. Older children could have fun sprucing up their album with stickers, stamps, markers or other embellishments. Board Book Albums would make a wonderful gift for grandparents or out-of-town family members. You could even use them as a baby shower gift or game, where everyone at the party takes turns writing messages on the pages for baby-to-be.

Bottom line: I would highly recommend Board Book Albums for your baby or toddler - even an older child to craft or gift. Reading is always fun but it's so much more special with your very own face and story.

BUY IT: You can purchase a Board Book Album online at www.boardbookalbums.com (ARV $19.95). There are currently four colors to choose from: white, pink, blue and yellow. But you can vote for the next color!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their very own board book album in their choice of color!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me how you would use your album if you win. Would you gift it? Keep it simple? Design it as a scrapbook? Get creative! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Board Book Albums on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the tweet below or come up with your own.

RT @kris10chumley: Share family photos with your little one and make storytime exciting with @boardbookalbums! http://bit.ly/ds4rig

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Become a fan of Board Book Albums on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Sign up for the Board Book Albums newsletter. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on February 23, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a Board Book Album to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

37 comments:

Amy said...

I would use it for family photos for ny 2 month old to see since we're far from everyone.

loobyamy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

I'd use it to make an album for my niece with baby pictures of herself. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

I follow your blog.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kim said...

I'd make one for my Dad!!!

Kim said...

follow blog

Chrissyb said...

Oh, I would so use it for my 3mth old son's first pictures and use my scrapbook stuff to make it special.

transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

blog follower,
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

e-mail subscriber.
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I'd make one for a good friend.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Missybeez said...

I would give it to my friend who is having a baby.
honeybeez80@yahoo.com

deb c said...

I would fill it with pictures of my grandaughter,wrie caption,add stickers, and give it to my mom.
missdeb1@earthlink.net

mogrill said...

I would use it for my new neice. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

shellycox said...

I would use it for my daughter to record the highlights of her senior year in high school.
shelly_cox123@yahoo.com

shellycox said...

email subscriber

shelly_cox@yahoo.com

shellycox said...

I follow you on twitter

@shelliclickedit

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I would make a book for my 15 month old daughter about her first year and give it to her! She loves reading books right now!

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I follow you both and tweeted: http://twitter.com/melissaaggie98/status/9047339912

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I subscribe to your feed.

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I'm a fan of Board Books on Facebook (Melissa Johnson Cleaver)

Michelle said...

I teach an inclusive preschool class with children that have special needs and are typically learning. I would use this book to help children with transitional issues get used to my class and the people in it. Seeing the pictures before entering is very beneficial to a lot of children especially those with special needs such as autism.

mandm_2002 at hotmail dot com

Michelle said...

I follow the blog!

mandm_2002 at hotmail dot com

mscoffee77 said...

I would use this with my two little boys. My younger son is almost 2 so this would be perfect for speech development and our oder son is 4 and has autism. This would be especially useful with his speech development because he is speech delayed, but does respond to pictures quite well.

mscoffee77(AT)juno(DOT)com

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

http://twitter.com/melissaaggie98/status/9322058381

Jessica said...

I would make a photo book for a very important girl I know.

lovelyritaann said...

I would love to personalize it as an album for my newborn son... so cute!

lovelyritaann said...

I am following your blog via Google.

ritaoneal@sbcglobal.net

lovelyritaann said...

I have subscribed to your blog via email

ritaoneal@sbcglobal.net

lovelyritaann said...

I am now following you and board books on twitter and have tweeted

http://twitter.com/lovelyritaann/status/9459324785

ritaoneal@sbcglobal.net

lovelyritaann said...

I became a fan of Board Books on Facebook.

ritaoneal@sbcglobal.net

lovelyritaann said...

Your button is on my blog.

www.lovelyrita.weebly.com

ritaoneal@sbcglobal.net

erma said...

I would give it to my daughter.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

saturdaynightfever said...

I would make it for my brother!

edgenemmers@gmail.com

Kathy P said...

i would gather up my daughters very first photos in the hospital and put those in here :)

Kathy P said...

following your blog as klp1965

Kathy P said...

bba fan on facebook kathylpease

Trina said...

If I were to win I would keep it and use it as a scrapbook to commemorate my babies first year. And have it out for display at his first birthday bash.
couponsiwant(at)verizon(dot)net

cman said...

It'd be a gift for my husband :)

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