In an attempt to increase our influence, we have reached into the bold world of book reviews.

Today's review: Help Mom, Hollywood is in My Hamper.

Disclosure stuff. This book was given to me by Active Christian Media (formerly known as blogs for books) as a gift from the publisher so that we could review it. No financial compensation was given for this review, even though I begged and begged.

Story: Help Mom is about two sisters: Janie and Sam. Hoping to buy a new bike, they choose babysitting as a means to generate more income. Along the way, Hollywood Stars keep popping up out of their hamper.Hence the title. These Stars try to separate Janie and Sam from their newly earned monies. Rayonna (get it?) Daisy Smears, and a few others show up offering the ultimate prize: an opportunity to buy Star-sponsored merchandise that is "all the rage." Momentarily awed by the cult of celebrity, the girls give in. They buy Onion perfume (it's all the rage), clown pants, and even wear cracked pots on their heads. Eventually, Janie and Sam come to their senses and realize the futility of chasing the latest trend and listening to the Hollywood Stars.

The good: I liked this book. I read the book to my seven year old daughter and she giggled through most of it. At this point, she understands some of the references, but not all of them. That's fine for now. What I appreciated most was the light hearted tone in exposing the silliness of chasing the latest trend or wanting to me "just like the stars."

The other day, Britney Spears introduced a new fragrance. My daughter and I jokingly wondered if it smelled like onions. It's a nice seed to plant in her young mind: Just because a celebrity says it's good, doesn't mean that it is!

The not so good. The pictures, although cutely drawn, are distracting. Remember MAD magazine when they'd spoof a film or TV show? You'd spend time looking at every detail examining each small gag. Same thing except not as many gags. I'm not sure young kids will understand a caricature of Jack Nicholson standing on a corner with a sign saying "Will act for Laker tickets." That's just me and a minor quibble.

Another pet peeve. This books talks about the people trying to influence our kids and the silliness of it all. You know who else is good at influencing kids? PARENTS! It would be nice to read a kids book that actually had parents giving their kids some direction. The parents play no role in this book but, again, a minor quibble.

Final Verdict. This is a really good, cute, fun book. If you have children under the age of 12, then you really should buy this and sit down and read it with them. WITH. THEM - Parenting remember? It's good, although not "all the rage." You can buy this book by clicking the handy icon at the right side of the toolbar. See? We made it easy for you.

That wraps up my book review which, by the way, will be coming out as a major motion picture one day soon. Check your local listings. It stars me and Rayonna.

If you'd like to review books for Active Christian Media, please visit their blog and get more details.

• Currently 2.31/5
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Rating: 2.3/5 (18 votes cast)

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I watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this weekend.

My Review:

• Currently 2.56/5
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Rating: 2.6/5 (8 votes cast)

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