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Blessing Others First with Usborne Books -- At Home In Your Homeschool!
Answers for some FAQ's about Signing Up with Usborne for the Discount.
I explain it like this. Barnes and Noble charges $25 per year to get a 10% discount for one year. Usborne Books At Home is a LIfetime Discount of 25%! And, occasionally, the cost to sign up drops to just $25 -- and includes books! After you place your first minimum order within 12 weeks -- you never have any minimums! I never mind people signing up on my team just for the discount -- that's how I started!
This all sounds like a very good deal!
I think So! :)
So...say I sign up this month and buy $115 worth of books for my first order, I get $28.25 in commission plus the $20 worth of books free since I am the hostess?
Please note that hostesses pay a $2 fee for free merchandise onto which sales tax is added. This is so that the hostess only pays sales tax on the $2, which actually saves the hostess money in most cases. Legally, the hostess is required to pay sales tax.
And commissions are discounted off the total price, I won't be sent a commission check right?
Yes that is true. The commission is deducted from the total retail sales; which does not include taxes, shipping or any half-off items(1 half off item is earned for each $100 in retail sales). When submitting a show on-line, you pay only the total after your commission has been deducted. However if all of your sales are credit card sales to other people (not your own show) and you turn those into the company to be charged the full amount, you would end up getting having a credit with the company which you can then apply to your next order, because you would have no checks/cash to take your commission out of. This is only true if you are using other people's credit cards. I have never had this happen. Usually you will have enough checks and cash to deduct your commission from if you do shows for other people. You can also submit a show via paper; but I don't recommend it because on-line is so easy! Also, if you do purchase a web-site, web-sales also always result in a commission check.
What is the difference between being "active" vs. just being a consultant? Do I still get the discount if I am only a consultant?
You always "get the discount" whenever you turn in a show. In addition to commission, an active consultant qualifies for samples (40% discount on new products) quarterly incentives, personal sales bonus (5% if sales are more than $700), and Recruiting bonuses (4% on all downline sales) and gets a free catalog sent when the new ones are published. As long as you meet your signing commitment of one minimum order in the first 12 weeks, you remain a consultant for life, whether you ever order or not.
O.K. Now let me explain something a little more confusing but wonderful. As a consultant, you are allowed to order up to $25 in additional books per home show for the cost of 35% retail. The idea here is that you use this for your hostesses as an incentive. (For example, you might say to a hostess - if you have 3 outside orders I will give you $10 in free books, and if you have one dated booking beefore your show closes I will give you an additional $15 in free books). However, as a consultant sending in your own home show you can always use this $25 to add to your savings. So that $25 in books will cost you $8.75. Every third show, you are also allowed to order up to $20 at 75% off.
This is true whether you are active or not.
When you sign up, I will be your sponsor, and will help you every step of the way. If you are joining for the discount I can help you make sure you maximize your funds when you do order. If you are planning on making a business, I can help with that too. Our upline supervisor is also available to help and will start sending you training e-mails right away.
Let me know how I can help you decide!
Book Details
Pages: 127
Content: 22 Stories
Author: Heather Amery
ISBN: 1580863302
Stories From Around the World is full of engaging stories and beautiful illustrations. The first time I saw this book I was sitting in the Dentist's Office waiting while my daughter got a cavity filled. I read story after story, and couldn't put the book down! Her teeth were finished before my book was finished and I was so sad... I went right home and ordered a copy for our library. All of the stories should be treated as fiction, and are not written from a Christian worldview. For instance, the first story is an Australian Folk Tale attempting to explain the origin of the Koala without the truth of Creation. While this story is a fun and interesting Myth; it is not Truth. It is clearly fiction. Some of the stories do contain content about other world religions and talk about false gods. As always, I am careful to discuss these with my children and remind them what we believe. It is my opinion that this book should not be read to younger children without discussion.
Possible Negatives: Worldview Conflict/ Reference to false gods.
Stories that mention False gods: 4
Stories that have a False view of creation: 3
Stories that are neutral: 4
Stories that contain magic (without reference to gods): 8
Stories referrencing an Evil Witch: 1
Stories where profit comes from lying: 2
Stories where men drink wine: 1
There is some overlap between categories.
Books in Series:
Dolls
Princesses
Fairies
Ballerinas
These books are beautiful full color sticker books with 12 two-page scenes featuring 3 girl characters to be dressed in the sticker clothing. Each book has 10 full pages of re-usable sticker clothing and accessories. The first page introduces the characters and gives hints as to each girls likes and dislikes. As you walk through each page with your toddler girl, you can ask questions to lead her to dress each figure in the clothing that specific character would most like. You can call each figure by name. One fun outcome was when my oldest daughter decided to cut out each girl on each page and ended up with many well dressed sticker dolls!
Each figure is "pre" dressed in modest undergarments. Occasionally a "less then" modest article of clothing is included, but not frequently. They do not have adult shapes. The only example I remember is the two-piece bathing suits in the Princess book. From a Christian Worldview, the sheer volume of "stuff" each girl has on each page is very materialistic. In addition, several spaghetti top type outfits, shorter skirts, and sleeveless ball gowns are included. These things might frustrate some parents. For the most part, my girls have ignored the extra stuff and concentrated on dressing and re-dressing the characters and making up stories to go along. My daughters have occasionally used the extra items to "play" different stories as we have read in literature.
A wealth of learning is found in these books when worked together with your toddler two pages at a time. We spent a few minutes each day reviewing the characters and their likes and dislikes, choosing and dressing each character, choosing and giving a few accessories, discussing the day's scene, talking about the types of clothes they needed for the weather and occasion, talking about matching tops to bottoms, and telling stories about our finished page.
Amy's SLPrek Theme Schedule -- Supplemental Usborne® Book List
Week 1 - Wisdom: Usborne® Bible books
Week 2 - Farms: Farm Animals IR (Beginners), Any Farmyard Tales books, Children's Cookbook (FYT), On The Farm Lift the Flap, 1001 Things to Spot on the Farm, Billy Goats Gruff (Young Reading Gift Books), Dot to Dot on the Farm (Dot to Dot), Puzzle Farm (Young Puzzles), On The Farm, Telling The Time,
Week 3 - Machines: Robots, Dot to Dot Machines, Machines That Work (B/U), Big Machines: Diggers and Cranes
Week 4 - Transportation: Planes and Helicopters, Planes IR, Trains IL, The Story of Trains, Travel Puzzles Sticker Book, Big Machines: Trucks
Week 5 - Birds: Birds IL(Discovery Program),Eggs and Chicks IR(Beginners), Birds (First Nature), Birds Lift the Flap(Luxury Lift-The-Flap Learners), Birds of North America Spotter's Guide, In the Nest
Week 6 - Zoo; Bears IR (Beginners), Big Cats (Discovery Program), World of Animals ILFirst Encyclopedia of Animals IL, Great Wildlife Search, 1001 Animals to Spot, At the Zoo (What's Happening), Animal Homes Lift the Flap (Luxury Lift-the-Flap Learners), Wild Animals Spotters Guide, Wildlife JigsawDot to Dot Animals, Drawing Animals Pack (Kid Kits)
Week 7 - Thanksgiving:
Week 8 - Family: The New Baby (First Experiences), Moving House (First Experiences)
Week 9 – Nutrition: First Cookbook, FYT Children's Cookbook Starting Cooking,
Week 10 - Christmas: Advent Nativity Book, A Christmas Story, Nativity Touch Feely, Nativity Lift the Flap
Week 11 - Honesty: Stories From Around the World,
Week 12 - Dogs: Dogs IR (Beginners), Dogs and Puppies IL, Runaway Orange (Easy Reading), Dog's Spotters Guide, Dogs Sticker Book, I Can Draw Animals Kid Kit
Week 13 - Cats: Cats IR (Beginners), Cats and Kittens IL(First Pets), Big Cats IL (Discovery Program), Animal Legends (Young Reading 1), Cats Spotters Guide, Cats Sticker Book, Drawing Animals Pack(Kid Kits), How To Draw Cats (Young Artist)
Week 14 - Fairy Tales: Fairy Cooking (Children's Cooking), Fairy Things To Make and Do (Activity Books, Stories of Fairies, First Picture Fairy Tales, Fairytale Jigsaw Book (Jigsaw Books 1001 Things To Spot in Fairyland, Cinderella Sticker Book
Week 15 - Music: Children's Songbook IR, Story of Music,
Week 16 - Rabbits: Rabbits First Pets, Runaway Pancake
Week 17 - Science and Creation: Sun, Moon, and Stars, IR (Beginners), Dot to Dot Nature (Dot to Dot), First Encyclopedia of Our World IL,(careful, some evolutionary content...),
Week 18 - Heroes: Firefighters IR(Beginners), Fred the Firefighter (Jobs People Do), Myths and Legends
Week 19 - Bedtime: Bedtime Stories (Storytime),
Week 20 - Easter (religious): Easter Story (Bible)
Week 21 - Seasons: Summer Activities, Four Seasons Boxed Jigsaw, Time,
Week 22 - Mice: Nighttime,
Week 23 - Frogs: Tadpoles and Frogs IR (Beginners), Origami Pack (Kid Kits), 
Frog Prince, Frog On A Log
Week 24 - Seaside: Under the Sea IR (Beginners), Great Undersea Search, Sharks IL (Discovery Program), Whales and Dolphins IL (Discovery Program),First Encyclopedia of Seas and Oceans IL, On the Beach (Luxury Lift-the-Flap Learners), 1001 Things to Spot in the Sea Seashore Dot to Dot, At the Seaside (What's Happening), Under the Sea (Luxury Lift-the-Flap Learners), Drawing Animals Pack (Kid Kits), On The Seashore
Week 25– How Flowers Grow IR (Beginners), Starting Gardening IL (First Skills), Paper Flowers Kid KitWorld Of Plants IL, Flowers Sticker Book
Many of these books cross age boundaries because they can be read aloud to younger children and also help pull older children into the theme reading schedule. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but should provide a good starting point. You will find more by searching my Usborne® Web-site.
These links may take you to hardcover books; but paperbacks are almost always available. If the link takes you to paperback; hardcover books are often available. Sometimes a book is not available in hardcover, but is available in library binding. That is basically reinforced hardcover so these are even better.
IR Means Internet-Referenced; which means you will find a list of internet links at the end of the book.
IL Means Internet-Linked; which means you will find an internet link on each page.
B/U Means that the book is a "Bind Up" or collection of several other titles.
First Thousand Words by Heather Amery
illustrated by Stephen Cartwritght
Book Review written by Amy D Blevins -- Copyright 2007
Pages: 64
Features: Find the Duck
Languages: 10 available
Internet Links: Selected Languages, not the English version
Useful for picture recognition, vocabulary, spy games, journal starters, storytelling, story starters, site word recognition, critical thinking, and color/shape recognition -- to name a few -- First Thousand Words has been a favorite in our homeschool since my oldest was two years old! Each two-page spread features a scene from life; with a margin of individual items surrounding it. Babies to adults enjoy finding the items in the margin within the scene. Each two-page spread also features Stephen Cartwright's signature Usborne Duck; a small duck hidden in all of his books! Children enjoy this book younger then you might expect -- I have had one year olds who got involved in reading it.
Possible Negatives: Girls in Bikinis, Boys with no shirts on, Santa Claus
First Thousand Words by Heather Amery
Discussion Questions by Amy D Blevins
Copyright ®2002
Printable Version of Discussion Questions: DQ First Thousand Words
Discussion Questions
At Home
Pg. 4-5
1. Which child do you think is having the most fun? Why?
2. List/name the things that need to be done for the little girl to have a clean room.
3. What do you think the little girl is dreaming about?
4. Tell me a story about what is happening in the hall.
5. Why do you think the cat sleeps in the window?
6. Count the number of pictures hanging in each room. Older students can graph them.
7. Which room do you like best and why?
The Kitchen
Pg. 6-7
1. What is the dog doing?
2. Decide which part of the food pyramid each picture belongs in.
3. What is the cat doing?
4. If you could be a helper in this kitchen, what would you be doing?
5. What is the Dad saying?
The Yard
Pg. 8-9
1. Which people are working in this picture?
2. What kinds of animals do you see and what sounds do they make?
3. List/Name the different tools being used.
4. If you could plant a garden, what would you plant?
5. Tell me a story about the people who live behind the greenhouse.
The Workshop
Pg. 10-11
1. Would you like this room?
2. What do you think this tool is used for? (point to any tool; and continue with others…)
3. If you could build anything you wanted in this workshop, what would you build?
4. How do you think the glass got broken in the window?
5. Is the boy inside the workshop being good? Why or why not?
The School
Pg. 12-13
1. What is the most exciting thing happening in the street?
2. Which building would you most like to go in?
3. Can you find two places to buy food?
4. Name the colors of clothing being worn. Older students can graph the colors by number.
5. How did the accident happen?
The Toyshop
Pg. 14-15
1. Is everyone behaving? Why or Why Not?
2. What toy is your favorite? Why?
3. Which toy makes the most noise?
4. Pretend the robot can hear and obey your voice and give him directions to walk to the piano. (i.e. turn left and walk past the jeep, etc.)
5. Count all the strings (guitar, fishing poles, necklace, etc.)
The Park
Pg. 16-17
1. Find children sharing.
2. Find someone being mean.
3. Choose where you would play.
4. Find two or three children who need help. (rollerblading child losing control on the path, boy that fell down, sunburned girl, boy who can’t swing, etc.)
5. What is the dad on the picnic blanket thinking about?
6. How many animals can you find?
Zoo
Pg. 18-19
1. Give each animal a name (like Dorie the lion, etc.)
2. Pick your favorite animal.
3. Tell a story about the penguin family.
4. Find all the black and white animals.
5. Find all the grey animals.
6. Find all the brown animals.
7. Graph the animals by color.
Travel
Pg. 20-21
1. What do you think the dog in the car wash is thinking?
2. Where do you want the airplane to go?
3. Tell a story about the family in the car.
4. Describe what each person at the train station is doing.
5. Find the Flight Attendants. What do you think they are saying? (May need help here.)
The Country
Pg. 22-23
1. What will the balloonist find around the mountain?
2. Which people are working and which are playing? Are any doing both? (campers, hikers, no wrong answer…)
3. Where are the hikers going?
4. Can you find the castle? Who lives in the castle?
5. What are in the boxes next to every fisherman? (5 fishermen, total).
The Farm
Pg. 24-25
1. Count the sheep.
2. Which person do you think owns the farm?
3. Find everything that has wheels and guess/tell what each is used for.
4. If you lived on this farm, how would you spend your day?
5. Tell me a story about the bull.
The Seaside
Pg. 26-27
1. Can you find the girl being mean? (jumping on the sand castle)
2. What do you think the girl with the net will catch?
3. What is the little boy with the rope planning to do?
4. If you could pick up any one of the shells, which would you pick?
5. Can you find a thief? (seagull next to green chair.)
At School
Pg. 28-29
1. How is this school different from our school?
2. In this room, where would you most like to be?
3. Point to each letter of the alphabet and name it.
4. Why do you think one of the plants in the window is taller?
5. Is anyone being bad? (Girl painting shoe…)
6. What do you think will happen next?
The Hospital
Pg. 30
1. Who looks the most sick? Why?
2. Who looks the most well? Why?
3. Who is having the most fun?
4. Can you find any good things to eat?
5. What do you think happened to the little girl holding a stuffed animal with her arm in a sling?
The Doctor
Pg. 31
1. Who do you think is being called back next?
2. What did the little boy do to his knee?
3. How could you help someone in this picture? (pick up the bear, read to the children, open door for old lady, etc.)
4. Which color of clothing is most frequent?
The Party
Pg. 32-33
1. What are the children celebrating?
2. Why is the dog under the table?
3. What do you think will happen next?
4. Tell me a story about the Dad with the camera.
5. Which present would you open first?
6. Which costume would you pick?
The Store
Pg. 34-35
1. Find something from each section of the food pyramid, or point to a food and ask which section it is in.
2. Find something that looks like it is on sale.
3. Find someone being helpful.
4. Find someone in a hurry.
5. Find a mess that needs cleaned up.
6. Count the pumpkins, pineapples, full carts, etc.
Food
Pg. 36-37
1. Find something from each section of the food pyramid, or point to a food and ask which section it is in.
2. Name the most healthy food.
3. Name your favorite food pictured.
4. Create a well balanced meal from those pictured.
5. Tell what the Mom and Dad are saying in each picture at the top.
Me
Pg. 38
1. Find and name each body part in the order as the children pictured do.
2. Give each child a name.
3. Pick three children and tell a story about them.
4. Count the parts that start with “t”, “ch” and “n”. Which has more?
My Clothes
Pg. 39
1. Do you have any of the clothing pictured?
2. Which is your favorite?
3. If you were wearing these clothes, which ones would you need help putting on?
4. Why do you think the little boy is checking his pockets?
5. Find clothing for every season.
People
Pg. 40-41
1. Which of these most likely resembles what you want to be when you grow up?
2. Which of these people would you like to invite for dinner? Why?
3. Which worker just made a mess?
4. Which worker is having the most fun?
5. What is your most favorite uniform or outfit?
Doing Things
Pg. 42-43
1. Which of these things can you do?
2. Which of these things can you not do?
3. Which is your favorite to do?
4. Which do you not want to do?
5. What song are the children singing?
6. What’s cooking?
7. Who will win the pull fight?
Opposite Words
Pg. 44-45
1. Which house would you rather live in? Why?
2. Of each opposite, pick your favorite. Tell why.
3. Pick a pair of opposites and make up a story about them.
4. What is behind the closed door?
5. What is the elephant saying to the mouse?
Days
Pg. 46-47
1. Which window most resembles the time of day as you read the book?
2. Which special day looks like the most fun? Why?
3. What do you think is in the present?
4. Tell a story about the travelers.
Weather/Seasons
Pg. 48
1. Pick your favorite weather.
2. Pick your favorite season. Are your seasons like the seasons in the picture? What is different?
3. Name the colors in the rainbow.
4. If you could draw on the frosted window, what would you draw?
Copyright ®2002
Usborne Blessings For You
It might be interesting, Dear Reader, for you to know a bit about my business and I. My business motto is Blessing Others First With Usborne Books at Home. In other words, I strive always to bless my customers first in my business; rather then seeking always to be blessed myself, even when it might be a detriment to my bottom line. Always, I am looking for ways to save you money, stretch your dollars, and help you use your products. Hence, this blog. From discussion questions to book reviews from a Christian Worldview; I want to help you use your Usborne books in your homeschool. If you choose to shop from my Usborne Books; terrific -- that will be an extra blessing which I freely admit will not be unwelcome. If you already have a consultant or other source for your Usborne material; you are still sincerely welcome.
I am Amy B, whom some of you may know as the author of the SLPreschool Theme Schedule (Copyright 2001). I have four children, two boys and two girls. They are ages 8, 6, 3, and 1.5. My husband and I live with our family in Virginia where my husband serves as a Major in the United States Air Force. I am mostly fond of reading; which is why I thought Usborne Books would be a perfect fit. I have another, less specific blog at bowofbronze where you can read more about my life and my homeschool.
Many Blessings,
Amy B