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Great reads to get mums talking

As mums we know there’s nothing better than being able to take time out with a great book …

Whether it’s to help you make a delicious meal for your family or read for your own enjoyment, a beautiful quality book is a joy. Which is why we’re so excited to bring you the latest page-turning reads from Simon & Schuster – a unique opportunity to read and review one of four brand new titles!

This month’s Simon & Schuster Book Review, will feature the following titles:

The Can't Cook Book

The Can't Cook Book

Are you smart enough to dodge a telemarketer yet clueless as to how to chop a clove of garlic? Are you clever enough to know how to forward an email but don’t know the difference between boiling and baking? If you are basically competent, then Jessica Seinfeld’s new book The Can’t Cook Book is for you.

Average Ratings (from 35 ratings)
Overall star Rating
Did you enjoy this book?
Would you recommend this to a friend?
Were the recipes easy and family friendly?

Octopus's Garden

Octopus's Garden

Based on the lyrics of the world famous Beatles song, this glorious picture book follows five children on a magical journey through the Octopus’s garden. The playful Octopus takes them on a wondrous underwater adventure – riding on the backs of turtles, playing pirates in a sunken city and sheltering from a storm in the octopus’s cave. The book comes with an accompanying CD which includes an exclusive reading by Ringo Starr and a never–before–heard version of the song.

Average Ratings (from 36 ratings)
Overall star Rating
Did your child enjoy the book?
Did you enjoy reading it to them?
Would you recommend it to a friend?

Sister Mother Husband Dog (etc)

Sister Mother Husband Dog (etc)

In Sister Mother Husband Dog (etc) Delia Ephron brings her trademark wit and effervescent prose to a series of unforgettable, moving, and provocative essays. The emotional linchpin in this collection is the author’s stirring, eloquent response to the death of Nora Ephron – Delia’s older sister and frequent writing companion. In “Sister,” Ephron deftly captures the love, rivalry, respect, and intimacy that made up her relationship with her sister in a way that is at once deeply personal and comfortingly universal.

Average Ratings (from 21 ratings)
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Would you recommend this to a friend?
Would you read more books from this author?

The Island House

The Island House

In 2011 Freya Dane, a Ph.D. candidate in archaeology, arrives on the ancient Scottish island of Findnar. After years of estrangement from her father, himself an archaeologist who recently died, Freya has come to find out what she can about his work. As she reads through his research notes, she sees he learned a great deal about the Viking and Christian history of the island. But what he found only scratches the surface of the discoveries Freya is about to make.

Average Ratings (from 36 ratings)
Overall star Rating
Did you enjoy this book?
Would you recommend this to a friend?
Would you read more books from this author?

Be part of the Simon & Schuster book review team.

In the Simon & Schuster book review, mums selected will receive one of the four books profiled above. We’ll be asking mums to read the book they receive and then post their review and ratings on the relevant book’s page.

Invitations to review will be emailed to all Mouths of Mums members on Wednesday 5 November 2013 at 4.30pm so keep your eye on your inbox so you can apply to review! You can also apply after this time by clicking APPLY TO REVIEW at the top of this page. If you’re not already a member, you can join here.


Published 4th November 2013

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School holidays are usually a mix of excitement and mild panic. No lunchboxes (yay!) and no morning chaos. But figuring out how to keep the kids entertained without turning the house upside down or testing your sanity is the flip side!

We’re serving up a couple of fabulous winter school holiday options that are tried-and-true crowd-pleasers – and they feel like a day out for everyone, not just the kids.



Whether you’ve got little ones bouncing off the walls or teens too cool to smile, Zone Bowling and Timezone have something for every age (yes, even you). And with winter weather keeping us mostly indoors, they’re the perfect solution when parks and play centres just aren’t cutting it.

They’re fun, indoors, great value, and actually make you feel like you’ve had a proper day out… not just one of those ‘I need a nap after that’ outings.

Why Zone Bowling And Timezone Always Come Through

There’s something about Timezone that just hits different. The mix of lights, sounds and excitement pulls you in from the second you walk through the doors. You’ll find the latest arcade games, laser tag and bumper cars as well as viral sensations like Pixel and Colourgrid. Basically everything kids could want, all in one (warm) place.

And it’s not just for them. Whether you’re a closet arcade expert or a skill tester freak, it’s very easy to get swept up in the excitement.

What’s on this winter at Timezone?

Timezone is running its Fun Frenzy promotion for a limited time. The more you load onto your Powercard, the more bonus credit you score:

  • Load $100, get $60 bonus game credit
  • Load $80, get $45 bonus game credit
  • Load $60, get $30 bonus game credit

That’s a whole lot of extra play time without paying extra. No bookings, no stress, just load up and get stuck into the action.

Visit Timezone and find your nearest location.

Deals are for a limited time only. Terms and Conditions apply. See website for full offer details.

Zone Bowling: So much more than just bowling

If you haven’t been to a Zone Bowling in a while, you might be surprised by just how much they’ve packed in. Of course, there’s bowling, with proper shoes and shiny lanes and that satisfying sound of a strike – but that’s just the beginning.

There’s also arcade games, laser tag, food and drink (decent coffee!), plus comfy spaces to hang while the kids run wild. It’s the kind of place where everyone – toddlers, teens, tired parents – can find something to enjoy.

And the best part? The Fun Zone Passes.

They bundle everything up into one easy purchase, so you don’t have to keep reaching for your wallet every five minutes. Here’s what you can grab:

  • Mini Fun Zone Pass – $27.90
  • Mega Fun Zone Pass – $34.90
  • Ultimate Fun Zone Pass – $39.90

Each pass includes a mix of bowling, arcade games, Power Tickets (which kids can cash in for prizes), and more. It’s fantastic value, and makes planning your day so much easier.

Book your Fun Zone Pass now before the holidays slip away.

Offers available for a limited time only. Terms and Conditions apply. See website for full details.

Timezone And Zone Bowling: Kind of Day Out That Doesn’t Feel Like a Chore

Some school holiday outings sound fun in theory, but in practice? You’re exhausted, the kids are cranky, and no one’s really had a great time.

Timezone and Zone Bowling feel different. You’re indoors, warm, everything’s in one place, and you can actually relax while the kids entertain themselves (or team up with you for a round of laser tag). No weather worries, no logistics nightmare. Just good, clean, high-energy fun that ticks everyone’s box.

Ready to swap screen battles for smiles all round? Timezone and Zone Bowling make it happen, every single time – rain, hail or shine. Bring on the holiday fun!

  • The kids love going to Timezone, especially after being dragged around the shopping center! With 5 years between them it can be hard to find things they both enjoy but Timezone keeps them both happy, occupied and entertained! It’s also a great way to bribe them while we shop 😂

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  • Our family loves Timezone and kingpin. Theres always so much to do and always new games and toys to try out. It can definitely be costly though as you keep tapping away! We love the unlimited time play packages and often enjoy topping up on those special double dollar days to stretch it further.

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  • We will happily be off to visit Timezone during the holidays for some fun times. We all have favourite games to play. It is such a good idea to stick to a budget when visiting Timezone. Planning before going to Timezone is a good idea and helps to make good decisions and the fun last.

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  • It is absolutely so true! We went to our local timezone yesterday to reward some brave behaviour at the dentist and kick off our holiday fun. We had an absolute blast! The games had all been revamped and there was new stuff everywhere. The prizes are okay.. not great! The price to points could be more kindly proportioned. I mean 1000’s of points for a bag of lollies… Cost us a fortune to get them. Not at all as cost effective for a lot of people. I can only ever afford to get $60 at most and am so grateful for the bonus points at least. But when you consider it as $2.50 min per swipe of your card, you’ll burn through it within the hour. Still, we’ll be back for more joy!

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  • IN fact my husband took the kids bowling today while I was off doing something else – it was a great solution. They had an enourmous amount of fun, it didn’t cost too much, and the timing was just about perfect for my appointment. It’s definitely a great family activity. So Fun.

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  • We really do love going to Timezone for all of the fun activities that we all enjoy playing. Bowling is a firm family favourite activity to play and brings out the competition in all of us. It is a good option for indoor activities and fun for all of the family.

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  • Finding holiday activities is always difficult, especially with teens! Life is so busy that it can be really hard to even think about where to go and what to do, these ideas are going on my list for this holidays entertainment. Thanks Mouth of Mums for making my life easier

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  • Unfortunately, we don’t have anything that good here in Tassie. Our local bowling centre is very expensive and doesn’t have all the extras of some others. They do do school holiday specials though which are okay, but they don’t allow guard rails for adults anymore, so it’s not very fun for me :(.

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  • Another nice one for those who live in Brisbane is Urban Extreme; an ultimate experience of rock climbing, dodge ball, ski lanes, snowboarding, ninja, parkour, laser tag, trampolines, play area and an adventure park all together. With what they offer there is always something also the older kids and possibly parents like

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  • Things like Bounce, Time Zone and Zone Bowling never fail for most, but they are not for everyone; the mix of lights, sounds and excitement can be a massive sensory overload for those who are sensitive for that which can lead to complete panic attacks by some kids. Besides this not everyone likes bowling (we have one family member who really doesn’t like this)

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  • We head to timesone whenever we go near the Gold coast or Sunshine Coast. The kids have the absolute best time. I have not taken the kids bowling in a long time but it is my birthday this week so think it is a fantastic time to give it a go!

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  • Our family loves Timezone!! We definitely call ourselves regulars throughout the year. A great time where we can test our skill at claw machines and have a blast with the kids. My daughter’s favourite is driving me around on the racing game – definitely core memories unlocked! Its so fun all the time.

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  • My kids do enjoy Zone bowling- we’re regular visitors even during term time. And it’s fun for everyone in the family and it’s easy to invite a friend or two to join in if you’re so inclined. Not hard to learn if you’re a b3ginner – and you don’t need equipment either.

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  • Timezone often has good deals on and is lots of fun.

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  • Bowling is such a fun thing to do for school holidays with kids, I even picked it as my 10 year birthday treat. Timezone is a classic day out. I remember when the photo booth stickers were new and everyone’s diary was covered in them. We have a carnival in town over the holiday break so that’s out plan! Free entry, woo

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  • Kids love school holiday’s but my credit card doesn’t!!!!! I love Zone bowling, it is such a fun place to take the kids too. My daughter loves to bowl and finish off playing a few games afterwards. I am yet to take her to Timezone but it is on our list to try this year.

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  • I LOVE school holidays! I think preparation is the key to having a cheap yet successful one. I always start the holidays with a sheet on the wall with a list of free activities such as – hide and seek, read a book, do a puzzle, bake something etc.
    we have a rule in the house that you can’t say ‘there’s nothing to do’ or ‘I’m bored’ because there’s a list full of fun activities. We then have a few scheduled paid activities such as cinemas, Timezone and bowling! Bring your own snacks and you’ll save even more!

    Reply

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