This Is Me ~ A Kid’s First Keepsake Journal

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I thought it was the perfect time to share something very special that I came across while searching for a meaningful Valentine for our kiddos. We have never been the flowers and candy kind of people and most certainly, now that we have begun our “green” journey as a family, I was not at all keen on the idea of a wasteful or cavity-provoking token of our love.

I was so excited when I “met” Carrie Lundell, the mind behind the “This is me journal”. Carrie came up with the idea of creating a journal for children because, as a child, her own mom created a special “prompt” journal for her. As a mom now herself, she appreciates what this journal has created for her. It has given her the gift of memories of her own childhood self…seeing herself through her younger eyes by reading words she had written and pictures she had drawn.

Carrie shares that “when my own daughter became old enough to have a journal of her own, my search for the perfect “first journal” came up surprisingly unsuccessful.  There just wasn’t anything on the market that was quite right.  That’s when I decided to create my own journal full of inspiring and age appropriate writing and drawing prompts for young children”.

These journals look so adorable on her site but they definitely will “blow your socks off” in person! I could not even wait until Valentine’s Day to give E and M their special journal and they went from 0-60 in a matter of seconds. ‘Where’s the markers, where’s a pen”…they dug right in!

How cool is it that these are not only awesome for the kids, but awesome for the planet too being on recycled paper? I know, right! They boast many kid-friendly features such as being wire-bound which makes it easy for little ones to flip pages and write on a flat surface, as well as rounded corners. They are 8 1/2″ x 8″ holding 96 pages of creative prompts and even free space – allowing your child to create whatever their imaginations hold. The first part includes writing and drawing prompts with topics ranging from all about me, holidays, my favorite things, this is my family and these are my friends with added “frames” for drawing portraits of all of the special loved ones – for an entire year’s worth of memories.

This journal is so sweet as it allows your child to share feelings, thoughts and emotions that will one day become a cherished keepsaske, while preserving their personality on every page. Not only will they look fondly on the words and drawings of their childhood – but of the time shared together with mom, dad or a special someone in creating this together. No waste here folks – these journals are for keeps!

“The This is Me journal combines drawing, writing, creativity and simple scrapbooking to capture the year’s memories through your child’s eyes. Pre-writers will love dictating their answers to a parent while young writers will gain confidence in expressing their thoughts in their own words. This journal will prompt and preserve countless memorable conversations between parent and child” ThisisMe.

Truly a meaningful, once in a life-time gift that I personally feel could not make a better, more enjoyable gift for Valentine’s Day or any day!

Recommended for ages 3-8

You can also find Carrie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/thisiscarrie

***Disclosure: I did receive items for review, but the opinions expressed are honest and my very own