How to Spread Kindness Every Day

Kindness Matters

MBE partnered with American Licorice Company for this story, post contains affiliate links

Red Vines and Sour Punch Candy Review & Giveaway

There's something particularly heartfelt about gifting sweets in the age of COVID-19, just to show you care. February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day across the USA so I'm excited to share about what old-fashioned candy maker American Licorice Company is doing to encourage others to smile more by spreading happiness with their Red Vines Peace, Love & Vines and Sour Punch Embrace Your Punch campaigns.

Show Some Love to Others

Why not express your appreciation for a local healthcare professional or other essential service worker with something sweet along with a hand-written thank you note? Or how about hand delivering a candy care package to an elderly neighbor who lives alone and may be feeling isolated lately? 

Random Acts of Kindness Day is the perfect opportunity to cheer others up. One simple and inexpensive idea to let others know you are thinking about them is with some Red Vines and/or Sour Punch candy. Come to think of it, American Licorice Company's confections make a wonderful gift of kindness ANY DAY of the year!

American Licorice Company Red Vines

An iconic candy brand established in the 1950s, I have fond memories as a Baby Boomer of saving up my allowance to spend on this treat both at my small town's local candy store and when we went to see a movie at the theater. As I recall, Red Vines in the 1960s only came in twists in just two flavors: Original Red and Black Licorice.

Fast forward to 2021, modern kids have it so much better than I did. Today, these are available in Original Red and Black Licorice in addition to other flavors like Red Vines Grape Twists (pictured at the top of this post), Strawberry Sugar Free, Black Licorice Sugar Free and more. Available as Twists plus Bites and Ropes and sold in 5oz trays, 5oz/8oz/16oz bags, and giant 3.5lb jars, each type is low fat, low sodium, and Kosher Star-K Certified. 

The choices will surprise and delight you. There is even a Red Vines Red & Black Licorice Assortment called the California Collection. Inexpensive -- and depending on the product you're looking for -- available at retailers nationwide and/or Amazon.

Sour Punch Image

American Licorice Company Sour Punch

My four kids grew up loving the brand's Sour Punch candy which was first introduced by American Licorice Company in 1990. Beloved for their soft and chewy sour and sweet flavor profiles, these were and still are a popular candy for kids parties and party favor bags. 

Even more flavors and varieties are available today. Mouth puckering Sour Punch flavors now include Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Apple, Strawberry, Watermelon, Grape, Rainbow and more. In addition to the original Sour Punch Straws variety, Sour Punch candy now comes in Twists, Bites, and Shapes, sold in trays, stand-up bags, and jars. 

There's also seasonal and holiday themed candy products such as Sour Punch Easter Straws, a wonderful idea to add to kids' Easter baskets this year. Like Red Vines, this candy line is low fat, low sodium, and Kosher Star-K Certified. An affordable gift idea that's available at retailers nationwide and/or Amazon depending on the product.

With so many delicious and fun Red Vines and Sour Punch candy items to choose from, I'm thrilled to announce that thanks to American Licorice Company we are giving away prize packs that include BOTH brands. Read on for all the giveaway details.

Giveaway

Red Vines AND Sour Punch

Candy Prize Packs 

Exclusive MBE Giveaway

~ 3 Winners ~

on Instagram

How to Enter this Giveaway

Thanks to American Licorice Company, THREE (3) lucky MBE giveaway participants will win prize packages which include an assortment of BOTH Red Vines and Sour Punch candy products chosen by the brand. To enter this exclusive giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest open to US residents only and qualifying winners will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends February 28, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram in any way. American Licorice Company is providing the prizes and is responsible for delivery to winners.

About American Licorice Company

Red Vines and Sour Punch are the company's two major brands . More than 100 years old, the American candy manufacturer was founded in 1914 in Chicago with Black Licorice as its first candy product. In 1925, operations in the West were added in San Francisco. Today, American Licorice Company is headquartered in La Porte, Indiana. 

Learn more about the company and its candy lines by visiting the official website. Consumers can also keep up with all the news about both candy brands which each have dedicated social media channels. For more about Red Vines follow the brand on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. To stay up to date on Sour Punch news, follow the brand on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Shimmer And Shine Magical Mischief Review

Movies

MBE partnered with Paramount for this review & giveaway; post contains affiliate links

Kids Movie Review, Giveaway, Hot Chocolate Bombs

Paramount has really been on a roll since the beginning of the year, releasing some fun, new DVD titles for kids. Among the company's most noteworthy family home entertainment debuts is Nickelodeon Shimmer and Shine: Magical Mischief (2021) from Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon Home Entertainment.

Boom Zahramay! The new Shimmer and Shine: Magical Mischief DVD features eight episodes of this popular preschool children's Nickelodeon animated series starring twin genies-in-training Shimmer and Shine teaming up to confront their nemesis Zeta the Sorceress. This is a title preschoolers will want to watch again and again.

8 Adventures for Kids to Enjoy

• The Silent Treatment
• Zoomicorn Toss
• Genie for a Day
• The Zeta Touch
• Size of the Beholder
• The Glob
• Easy as Pie
• Samira and Zeta

Hot Chocolate Bombs Recipe

To celebrate this new home entertainment release you're invited to mix up a simple and magical recipe for some fanciful Hot Chocolate Bombs inspired by twin sisters Shimmer and Shine that kids and kids-at-heart will both love. It's chilly and/or snowing in many parts of the U.S. now and this is the perfect way to add a little sparkle, color and warmth to your little ones hot cocoa. To make these sweet treats you'll need one of these Silicone Sphere Molds and some Chocolate Candy Melts as well as a few basic ingredients and colorful sprinkles you probably already have on hand at home. 

Click here for the Shimmer and Shine Hot Chocolate Bombs Recipe 

Shimmer & Shine

Magical Mischief DVD

MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to Paramount Home Entertainment, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win the new Nickelodeon Shimmer And Shine: Magical Mischief DVD for kids to watch at home. To enter this movie giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends March 3, 2021 at 11:59pm EST. Paramount Home Entertainment is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

About Shimmer and Shine: Magical Mischief 

The new Shimmer and Shine: Magical Mischief DVD is now available on Amazon and elsewhere online and instore. From Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon Home Entertainment, it has a total run time of 1 hour, 34 minutes. Learn more about Shimmer and Shine and follow this popular entertainment preschooler show via Nick Jr., Facebook and Instagram. 

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Kids Books About Love Review Giveaway

Books

MBE partnered with Simon & Schuster for this story, post contains affiliate links

Simon & Schuster Kids Books About Love Review + Giveaway

As loyal MBE readers know, I've loved books since I was a child myself and raised my own four kids to enjoy reading for pleasure as much as I always have. Valentine's Day is indeed a great opportunity to inspire a love of books in the next generation of young readers. So, I could not be more honored to once again be working with book publisher Simon & Schuster to share their latest new kids titles about love that children will enjoy reading not only during this time of year but also year-round.

Check out these beautifully illustrated hardcover and board books all about love for preschoolers and beginning readers. There is something for every young boy and girl in this collection of new Simon & Schuster titles. Then, keep scrolling to down this post to find out how you can enter to win all six books featured in this review post in a giveaway we're hosting exclusively for MBE's audience with one winner receiving this entire kids' book bundle valued at more than $70. 

6 New Kids Picture Books All About Love 

• Be Mine, Porcupine Board Book
• All You Need is Love Board Book
• Little Love Board Book
• Porcupine Cupid
• My Creepy Valentine
• Valentine's Makes Me Feel Razzle Dazzle Rose

Be Mine, Porcupine (Board Book, 12/1/20, All Ages)

by Hannah Eliot, Illustrated by Kathryn Selbert

In this adorable lift-the-flap board book title kids young and old will enjoy a story told in rhyme about a prickly porcupine who goes on mission t0 show that Valentine's Day isn't just for the cuddly animals. It's an all inclusive holiday celebration for porcupines, slugs, alligators, bats and other not-so-soft creatures who deserve to be loved and cuddled, too.

All You Need is Love (Board Book, 12/1/20, Ages 1-5)

by John Lennon & Paul McCartney, Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal

More than a half century later, The Beatles lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCartney are timeless, bridging the generations in this young kids' board book based on the words of  the world-famous song All You Need is Love. Love is all around us and this title celebrates that classic sentiment choreographed with lovely illustrations by Marc Rosenthal.

Little Love (Board Book, 12/1/20, Ages 1-5)

by Nadine Brun-Cosme, Illustrated by Marion Cocklico

Sweet doesn't even come close to describing what children will discover in this board book overflowing with hugs and kisses. Kids will feel deeply loved when you read this to your son or daughter, while kids -- as well as mom and dad -- will be reminded that each child is the greatest gift any parent could ask for.

Porcupine Cupid (Hardcover Book, 12/1/20, Ages 4-8)

by Jason June, Illustrated by Lori Richmond

This 40 page hardcover book is beautifully illustrated and fun to read to preschoolers as well as for early elementary school children to read on their own. The heartwarming and funny story revolves around a thoughtful porcupine who wants to make Valentine's Day special for all his animal friends.

My Creepy Valentine (Hardcover Book, 10/6/20, Ages 4-8)

by Arthur Howard

Written and illustrated by Arthur Howard, this hardcover storybook is about a comical witch who thinks Valentine's Day is too mushy. The fun and hilarity begins when Mitzi the Witch changes her tune after being charmed by a new boy she meets. Illustrated by the same artist who did the whimsical artwork for Goatilocks and the Three Bears by Erica S. Perl.

Valentine's Day Makes Me Feel Razzle Dazzle Rose

(Hardcover Book, 12/1/20, Ages 3-5)

by Patty Michaels, Illustrated by Mette Engell

This is no ordinary board book. As mom, dad, or another care giver reads this book, little ones will love this scented and scratch book, exploring five different smells including roses, chocolate, candy, strawberries and carnation flowers. Colorfully illustrated with some of Crayola's prettiest and brightest valentine-inspired colors.

With so many good, new book choices for babies, toddlers, and younger school age kids, you'll likely want to buy several of these for your own family and/or for the other little ones in your life. Remember, giving the gift of reading to youngsters is always in style.

Giveaway

Simon & Schuster
Kids Love Books Bundle

Exclusive MBE Giveaway
on Instagram

How to Enter MBE's Giveaway

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win all six kids hardcover and board books featured in this review roundup. To enter this exclusive  giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends February 18, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram in any way. Simon & Schuster is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

More About Simon & Schuster

Founded in 1924, Simon & Schuster is a subsidiary of ViacomCBS. With worldwide distribution, the company publishes 20,000 new titles annually under 35 different imprints. To learn more about their huge collection of literature for youth, visit Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. To stay up on what's new for all ages of kids from 0-14, also follow the brand on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.