Does anybody still remember MacGyver?  Do you remember how he could make all those crazy gadgets by using whatever he had on had?  He was always able to escape using the oddest things and get the bad guys.  Well, real life isn’t that far off from some of the things he was able to come up with.  The Sneaky Uses Book series brings us all one step closer to being a MacGyver in our own homes.

The first book in this series of books is Sneaky Uses For Everyday things. From this book, you can learn how to make a megaphone, convert your radio into an aircraft broadcast receiver, and make a flood alarm. There are 80 things in here you can make (and that doesn’t include the bonus applications), and each of these are made from things you should easily find in your house! There are no extra shopping trips needed to pull this stuff off.

The next book is Sneakier Uses For Everyday Things. This book will show you how to make an antigravity rollback toy, a hovercraft toy, and even a breathing device! This is an additional 40 items for you to build in your house!

The next book in the series is the Sneakiest Uses For Everyday Things.  Again, all of these things can be made from items you just have laying around.  I’ve learned how to make a calculator, a magnifier using only a paperclip and paper, and a mini boomerang.  This book has an additional 40 projects for you to try out!  Like the other book, it also gives you step by step directions and illustrations to show you how to make these awesome items.

The Sneaky Book For Boys is right up any boys alley.  They can learn how to get drinking water from plants, make a periscope, and make an emergency flotation device.  I love that at the end of the book there is a list of other books and resources to check into.  You can keep the learning experience ongoing then.  There is also a section in the book for sneaky animals.  You can read all about spider and lizards that are sneaky (and right up a boys alley).

We don’t want to leave the girls out, so there is also The Sneaky Book For Girls. Here we can learn how to make a drawer alarm, make milk into plastic, and how to make batteries.

These books definitely make excellent stocking stuffers for anyone in your house.  The activities can be used in the classroom, for homeschooling, and just for fun too!  I got a kick out of reading how to make some of these items and I definitely felt my inner MacGyver wanting to come out!

How many times have people told you to chill out (and if they didn’t use those exact words, that’s what they meant)?  I know I get told that more than I’d like to admit.  I allow things to get under my skin and ferment for days and sometimes weeks.  In times like these, I even think I need to chill out.  However, my problem always has been that I didn’t know how until The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide came along into my life.  This is a great book for several reasons.  First, there are 77 strategies in here.  If one doesn’t work for you, try the next.  There is truly something that can you in here.  I also love that it is an easy read.  I don’t need detailed directions stressing me when I am trying to chill out, and the author actually made it a really fun read.  There are statements in the book like “Here are some simple ways to keep your cool that you can do in a crowd without looking like a weirdo”.  Anytime you use weirdo, you score some bonus points.  I love that the book reinforces trusting your body, yet allows you to make changes in what you do for certain situations that raise your blood pressure.  Some of the situations I have been using the techniques for are road rage (I live in Chicago.  How can you not have road rage here.)  There is also some suggestions for motion sickness that I plan on trying out on our way to Green Bay tomorrow.

This is a book I highly recommend to anyone you know that needs to “chill” out.  This book is even great for those who seem to have it all under control.  It is funny, informative, and an easy read.  There is a lot of great advice for different situations that you may encounter.  This book helps you to simply feel better.