The turkey has been cooked, our plates have been cleared and crumbs are the only evidence of pies left. That’s right.  Thanksgiving has come and gone, and that can only mean one thing: the holidays are upon us!

It’s that jolly time of year when pine trees are lit up, stockings are hemmed and families come together. But above all, it’s the time of year for giving gifts. So you do what’s natural: head to the mall.

Lines, crowds and overly peppy salespeople are just the ...

I had just turned off the evening news and was on my way to the kitchen to begin dinner when Lizzie ran up to me, grabbed my waist and with very serious eyes, looked up to me and asked me this question. "Mommy, what if Santa can't afford Christmas this year?"

Lizzie had been in earshot of the evening news and no doubt heard enough of the financial woes and was concerned. I hesitated, not wanting to scare her, but also not wanting to lie to her. Her father ...

Each year I ask my kids “If you could have just one toy this Holiday, what would it be?” And this years answer…Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure.  From the time I first saw the game at Toy Fair last year, I had a feeling this was something special.  It’s like the old Saturday Night Live bit…”It’s a floor wax!...It’s a desert topping!”  Except in this case, it’s a toy!  It’s a game…in fact it’s both in one.

With the Starter Pack ...

What if you could carry hundreds of picture books with you at all times to keep your kids entertained?  And what if, by doing that, you could also help build schools in developing countries? No matter where you are – on the bus, on a plane, in the park or at home – you would always be able to read stories to your own children, while at the same time giving education to children in need. Sounds expensive, utopian and slightly painful for your back? Well, not anymore!

Founded on the belief that children everywhere should have unlimited access to great stories, uTales is a new world of digital picture books for kids that you can access anywhere and anytime on uTales.com and in their free apps for iPad and iPhone.

A printed picture book would typically cost you $12-$20 in your local bookstore, but with uTales you get digital picture books for just a few dollars each, and an even better deal comes with a uTales subscription giving you unlimited access to all ebooks in their growing library for just $9.99/month. 

Now, there’s no limit on library books!  The uTales library is constantly expanding. The library already holds hundreds of ebooks, and it keeps growing every week with the help of uTales’ community of professional authors and illustrators. More than 1,000 professionals from around the world are building the uTales world of children’s ebooks and the community just keeps growing, making uTales very different from traditional publishers. uTales also allows for the possibility for anyone (yes, even you!) to become a published children’s author. All books are submitted to and approved by an editorial panel led by renowned children’s book editor Emma D. Dryden before landing a spot on uTales growing bookshelf.

uTales offers a mix of classic tales and original stories, and quite a few books have both animations and sounds making the stories come to life! On top of that, uTales partners with the non-profit “Pencils of Promise” to build schools in developing countries, giving authors the choice to have part of their earnings support that cause. Every time you purchase their books, or read them with a subscription, you bring education to a child in need.

Perhaps your Christmas gift this year should be your very own growing library of children’s ebooks and the joy of helping kids in need – all wrapped up in a uTales account. 

Still not sure this is something for your family?  Try uTales for free with a 15-day free trial at uTales.com. Happy reading!

Macaroni Kid Reader Asks:

I can handle most of the sibling teasing and arguing, but I hit my limit when my twin boys start hitting each other. We have a “no hitting” rule, but it seems to have little effect! Over the holidays they have even more time together, and I’m dreading it. How can we get them to not be so physical?

Noël Janis-Norton:

Sibling squabbling gets our attention because it is so irritating to have going on around us as we try to lead a peaceful ...

With the holidays right around the corner, your hectic schedule is about to get just a little bit more hectic.

Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches are the perfect solution when you hear “Mom, I’m hungry!”  They make great on-the-go dinners and quick snacks, and are now available at certain Walmart locations! Go to www.TysonGoodness.com to look for locations near you.  

Stock up now and receive money back!  Receive a $5 Walmart gift card when you purchase 2 packages of the Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches (8 count) from now ...

This Wednesday, Dec. 21, the highly anticipated 3D feature film from director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson, The Adventures of Tintin, hits theatres nationwide. This is Spielberg's first animated film (hard to believe!), and I know I'm excited, because it looks to be very reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The movie is based on a series of popular comic books created by Belgian writer and illustrator, Hergé. And while the film is rated PG, I have no hesitation in bringing both my boys to see ...