Things You Should Know...

This is a kind of FAQs about catalog and website notations on the Usborne books and products.  This will help you navigate the listings better :)

IL  - Internet Linked - You will see this on so many of our books.  But what does that mean?  What that means is that Usborne has its own site (Usborne Quicklinks), that then has lists of the Internet Linked books.  Choose your book and page and it will give you lists of safe links for your kids to do more research on a topic that piqued their interest.

First Encyclopedia of the Human Body

C/V - Combined Volume - You will see this on a lot of books too.  This means that this book has several volumes bound together - Ted and Friends has 12 of the Phonics readers in it, though you can buy them separately.  The Big Book of Things to Spot has five of the "1001 ** to Spot" books.  The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History has 5 time periods in one volume.  Why is this important?  Because it is usually at a substantial savings over buying the books separately.  Usborne may not even sell the books separately anymore, but the C/V notation means that you are still getting a bang for your buck.

H, L, FL, P, BD - Hardback, Library, Flex, Paperback, Board Book - The types of binding.  Most are self-explanatory.  Library has a sealed, cloth-type finish on the cover for durability.  This is the most expensive type of binding.  Flex cover is not a hardback, but sturdier than a paperback.
There are some other notations you'll find in there, but those are the most common.

Baby's Very First Touchy-Feely Animals Book

I hope that helps you navigate through the catalog and website better!

**Disclaimer - The links on this page go to my personal UBAM consultant page.  I receive a commission from sales on that site, but your price remains the same.  I am an Usborne consultant to help contribute to my family.**

Why Usborne? Part 2

So, yesterday I told you why to buy Usborne books.  Today I'd like to expound a little on why to host a party or sell the books yourself.

So why host a party?
1.  Great hostess benefits!  I am constantly impressed with how much people can earn when they host a party.  Baseline party starts at $200,where you earn $30 in free books, at $350, you start earning half-price books on top of the free books.  Plus there are booking incentives, etc.  For guesstimating, we typically say a book averages $10.  Some are more, some less.  But when you figure that way, it's easy to see how quickly it adds up!  10 people buy 2 books and you're at the baseline show, earning free books.

So why sell Usborne?
1.  To earn books for your own library!  The Home Office constantly has challenges that allow you to earn books and merchandise, book fairs allow you to earn free books and a commission, plus all those unused hostess and customer rewards.  I've added to our library very cheaply over the years, and I really just do this for fun!

2.  Flexibility - Usborne's minimum sales requirement to stay active is $25.  Not per week, not per month, Per Year.  Which is pretty much what I buy for one kid's birthday.  Usborne is a family-friendly company and they don't want you to stress if something comes up and you can't make your sales quotient that month.  No big deal, pick it up when you can.

3.  Consultant Incentives - I mentioned earlier that you can earn free books and merchandise pretty much every month with sales, but did I mention the trips?  This year, the incentive trip is IRELAND.  Seriously.  I wish this was more than a hobby because Ireland is on my bucket list.

4.  Core Values - If you read yesterday's post. I talked about their replacement policy, and today I mentioned their family-friendliness.  This is a company that loves their customers.  A few years ago, right after I joined, we launched a book series called Conspiracy 365 (still for sale, highly recommend it).  The books are in a similar style to the show 24, but instead of each book/episode being an hour, each book covered a month.  One book came out a month, and you could sign up for auto-delivery, etc.  It was awesome.  The book was such a HUGE success, that Usborne actually pulled it out of the box stores and only sold it through consultants, because it's not about profits, it's about people!  They wanted us to get the benefits of this amazing success.

If you want information about joining my team, let me know.  I will be real with you, I won't be a used car salesman.  This is a great company to work for, but it may not be for you, and that's ok!

If you want to host a party (online or in person), let me know!  My schedule can be a little crazy with these 4 blessings I have, but I am sure we can find a day that works!

Why Usborne? Part 1

So, why should you buy Usborne books?  I'll be the first to admit that we have shelves and shelves of books, not all of them Usborne, so what's so special about these books?

1.  Physical Quality - Usborne books are made very well.  Usborne wants your kids to love on the books.  They know their books become favorites, so they make them well to stand up to all the 'love' they will get.  Their board books are extra thick because those babies and toddlers like to chew, throw, stand, bend, and more!  These books will stand up to some major abuse!  And if they don't, see number 2. :)

2.  Lifetime guarantee.  Usborne knows your kids will love these books.  They want you to let them love these books, not hide them reverently on a shelf for occasional viewing.  They will replace a damaged book with no questions asked for free within the first 30 days of purchase.  Oooops! The dog chewed up the book on day 31?  Junior attempted to help his new favorite book swim in the toilet on day 57?  No problem.  Usborne will replace any book still in publication for half price.  If they make it, you can get a replacement.  So let those kids enjoy these books!

3.  Literary Quality - Usborne has been doing this a long time.  They don't make so-so books.  The baby books are engaging, with textures, colors, pictures that will keep the most wiggly toddler engaged (at least for a few moments!).  The Pre-K and early readers are fun and help build reading confidence.  The older readers and non-fiction beginners help foster your child's natural curiosity.  The reference books help build knowledge while keeping the boring factor to a minimum (lots of pictures, diagrams, cut-aways and small portions of text).  And for those reluctant young teen readers, we have some fantastic suspense series that I love (and may have indulged in a few times myself!).

4.  Content Quality - similar to the previous one, but a little more specific.  There's no 'junk' in these books.  You don't need to preview these books before your kids read them.  Nothing questionable, no embarrassing questions are going to come up later.  These are good books that I feel comfortable letting my kids read, carte blanche.  (Note: some books deal with fantasy elements, some are suspense.  You may not want your kids reading about some of the topics for more personal reasons, but there are no surprises in these books.  The suspense books were a particular favorite of mine because they got the blood pumping without all of the gore and violence of adult books).

5.  Price - A lot of times, Direct Sales products are more expensive than their in-store counterparts.  Since Usborne sells some of their books in box stores, their prices are competitive, no overspending here!

6.  Customer rewards - Buying from a consultant can earn you customer rewards, like half-price specials!

7.  Earn free books - You know the pitch - You can host a party or sign up as a consultant to earn free books.  And having looked into several Direct Sales companies, and being a former consultant of one, our rewards are fantastic.  I signed up to build my library inexpensively, and I ended up falling in love with the books and doing, well, this!  I love helping people find great books!

A new adventure!

This is my little attempt at a business blog.  I have been an Usborne consultant for 4 years and love the company.  I love that it is flexible.  I love the products.  I love the hostess rewards.  I love the pay scale.  I love the values that the company stands for.

Usborne is the leading children's book publishing company.  The products are quality and designed to help children love to learn and read.  I can attest that my family is an Usborne success family.  My oldest has grown up reading Usborne books, my little ones can't read yet, but already have a love of books because of Usborne books.  They know what they are doing.

My favorite part of being a consultant is being the personal shopper for my customers.  I love answering the question, "What do you recommend?"  I am an avid reader, and I have 3 kids that are avid "readers."  I love giving my expertise and helping people find the 'perfect' book for the kids in their lives.  Babies, toddlers, new readers, experienced readers, bored readers.  Whatever the case - I can help you find a book your kids will love.  Not just parents.  Are you a grandparent? Aunt or uncle? Family friend?  Are you looking for a great gift that will be treasured for years?  I can help you do that.

Since I have 4 precious little ones, parties and book fairs are few and far between, but I thought a blog would offer me the same platform to give you my advice on books you want.  Well, let's be honest.  Books you need.  ;)

So send me your questions and I will give you my best recommendations.  I have turned the most reluctant readers into "Just-one-more-chapter-please-Mom?" kids.