Grandpa's Still Watching by Dan Loftus

Genre:  Children, Picture Book

Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Grandparents play an important role in the lives of our children. When we lose a grandparent it can be difficult for the children who loved them so much. It is important to reasure them that their granparents are still there in their hearts and their memories. This book does a wonderful job of telling and showing children how our grandparents who are gone are still around looking after us. A wonderful book on family, grief and the memories we hold in our hearts.

Little Ghost's Summerween by Maggie Edkins Willis

Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my review.The opinions expressed here are my own.

Genre:  Children's Picture Book

Little Ghost's Summerween was a wonderful book to read.  Children will love it.  The idea of a small ghost attending a birthday party was a fun idea.  Little Ghost has never had a birthday. He wants one but doesn't know what type he should have.  His best friend Anya tells him to make sure he finds what is special to him. He decides to have just a small party with his best friend. But, things take a surprise turn. 

This is another great book for children. As a grandparent I found it delightful. The story is enhanced by beautiful pictures. This is a must read.

Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer

 

Genre:  Children's Picture Book

Source: I received a copy from the publisher to facilitate my reviews. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Are you looking for something fun to read to or with your child?  This is an awesome book. Take one young birthday boy, a gift from his uncle and get ready for a fun read.

The main character is a young boy who has just received the strangest pair of underwear from his uncle. They are made of wool. Not only are they made of wool, they come with a warning about not wearing them on a full moon. Of course he puts them on. After turning into an underwearwolf he goes on an adventure into the night.  This was such a strange and original idea that I laughed and laughed.  Along with such an awesome story, you have wonderful pictures from Charles Santoso. The repetition of the phrase "I should have taken them off, but then I would have been butt naked..." cracked me up.  I have great-grandson who would love this fun book.   We definitely need more books like this. Reading needs to become fun again and it needs to begin with the youngest readers.  I can say I highly recommend this book to parents and grandparents, or people like me who love books for all ages.

He's Not a Pig; He's My Brother by Mark Tiffany

 

Genre: Children's Chapter Book

Source:  Purchased

In this great adventure Carter, acting as the big brother decides he should be the alpha. He claims since they came from wolves that have an alpha leader, and since he is the oldest, he should be the alpha. He tells his half-brother Jack that he gets first choice on everything.  Jack disagrees. This causes an argument and Jack and Carter stop talking. Their human parents can see the issue and are not sure what has caused it. Matthew decides they need to follow the advice of a dog whisperer. When he becomes the alpha Carter doesn't like it. While watching a TV commercial about pig races Carter gets the bright idea to become a pig racer. There is just one issue, he isn't a pig. Carter runs away  to the fair where the pig races are held. He disguises himself and joins in the races.  His parents and half brother look for him everywhere. Finally Jack writes a letter to the pig racer man asking about his brother. He decides to go and look for him. When Matthew and Erin realize that Jack is also gone they become even more sad. Will Jack find his brother and convince him to come home?  Will Matthew and Erin ever see their beloved pets again?  I loved how the book shows that love can overcome just about anything.  I am really enjoying the books by this author.

The Green-Eyed Monster in a Maltese Suit by Mark Tiffany

 

Genre:  Children's Chapter Book

Source: Purchased

In this book we learn how Carter and Jack came to live with their adoptive parents. Matthew and Erin adopted Carter. From the pictures they had seen he looked different than his brothers and sisters and they fell in love with him. When he arrived at the airport he was determined to get back at these people who had taken him from his family. He didn't realize that all of his brothers and sister would be adopted. He made life very difficult for his new parents. They tried everything including obedience school.  When even school failed they decided maybe he needed a companion. They took a chance and found another maltese from the same people.  He looked just as cute as Carter. He was actually Carter's half-brother. They had the same mother. When Carter was introduced to his new brother he could smell his mother on the little pup and the bond was made.  From that day forward Carter took it upon himself to train his brother right.

What a wonderful story of love and affection.  I, as an adult, loved this book so I think children of all ages would love it as well.

Charlotte's Snowman by Lainey Dee

 

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Source: I received a copy from the author. The opinions expressed here are my own.

A cute story about Charlotte and her love for a snowman. One winter it snows and Charlotte builds the most beautiful and special snowman ever. After giving him a stick mouth her snowman begins to talk. Beautifully illustrated and a pleasure to read. You must read to find out what the snowman said to her and why he was so special.

Skimmer and Finn: The Circle in the Sky by Christopher Francis

 

Genre: Children, Middle Grade, Graphic Novel

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinion expressed here are my own.

This was so much fun to read. This is the third book in the Skimmer and Finn series.  Trapped on a planet with two other humans and a host of other creatures, Skimmer and Finn meet another robot similar to Skimmer, only with upgrades.  He knows where the human kid's parents are waiting for them. They are on Othello 13. Finn steps up to be the hero to find a way to get them there. I laughed and laughed at Finn.  The questions he asked as he was on his quest were hilarious. I read some of them to my husband. His response was, "You're laughing because you can picture some of your students asking questions like that." He was correct.  In my opinion, Christopher Francis, the author, has never grown up. That is great for readers everywhere because he writes books that kids and adults can relate to in one way or another. I have loved all of his books.  This series makes my sides hurt from laughing.  Need a quick, light, fun read?  This is the book for you.  Literally one of the best things I've read all summer.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

 

Genre: children, realistic fiction

Source: I own a copy

I’ve had this book on my shelf for years. Every time I start it a kid asks to read it. Summer is the best time to read a book. If you want to teach students how to show kindness and be empathetic, then this is the book for you. August Pullman has some issues with his face.  We all know how hard it is going to a new school. It is even more difficult when your face is deformed. He tries to head it off when he notices the kids are looking at him, letting them know that it is okay to look at him because he does look different.  He is bullied by the older kids.  He eventually learns to make true friends who stand beside him.  There are so many great lessons to be learned throughout this book.  This is a definite read whether you are a kid or an adult.

Day 2 - Review of Books by Emily Hartmann

 Here is my second day of picture books.  All of today's books will be picture books created by Emily Hartmann.  I hope you enjoy them.

How to Make Choices – Emily Hartmann

Come along with Max and learn how your little one can learn to control their anger.  This is one of the hardest things for the youngest child to learn. They want immediate gratification and things their way. This book is a tool parents can use to help them learn to control those outbursts. This book teaches just one simple technique and it is easy enough for the youngest child to do.

I’m Mad – Emily Hartmann

This is another book about dealing with your emotions. It shows how you make the other person feel. It also shows you how to deal with those feelings. One other thing it does is shows your child how to make someone else feel better when they have been hurt by another person. Great and simple.

 

I’m Mindful – Emily Hartmann

Teaching children how to deal with their emotions is important. Explaining to them that feeling sad, anxious and angry is normal is one thing. As parents we need to show them techniques for dealing with them.  That is what this book is all about.

 

Me and My Anger – Emily Hartmann

This books shows another technique for getting rid of, or managing those feelings of anger. In this book there is more of a visualization technique.  Even though many of these books have the same theme, I believe it is important to read them all because no two children are alike. What works with and for one child may not work with a different kid.

 

Me and My Choices – Emily Hartmann

Max is excited to go to school. He can’t wait to enjoy all of the new experiences and make new friends. However, Max bows to the pressure of his new friends and finds his first day is not all that special. That night he thinks about what he likes. He decides not to follow the crowd because “they” say so. He will be himself and have fun.

 

Me and My Frustration -Emily Hartmann

Max, like a lot of kids gets frustrated when he can’t do what other kids do. He wants to be the best, win the race. This is perfect for teaching kids that it is okay to be frustrated when you don’t reach your goals. The idea is to keep trying.

 

Me and My Worry – Emily Hartmann

Max wakes up to a sunshiny day. As he prepares for his day he begins to worry. Instead of telling anyone about his worries he holds onto those feelings and they grow throughout the day and into the night. The next morning Max shares those feelings with his parents. They help him understand that it is normal and how to deal with them.

 

Me and the Word NO – Emily Hartmann

Josh is getting frustrated in the grocery store and his mom recognizes it. She tells him when she has to wait she pretends she is a big dinosaur and roars.  Josh uses this in different circumstances throughout the day. When it is time to go home he is not happy.  His sister plays another game that helps him cope with his feelings.

 

My Chatty Dinosaur – Emily Hartmann

If you have ever worked with children you know one thing for sure, they love to talk. Finn wakes his friend Rawr up and the minute he does, Rawr begins talking. Finn can’t say anything.  The next morning when Rawr wakes up  he can’t speak.  Instead Rawr listens to everything Finn has to say. A wonderful book to teach children the importance of listening instead of talking all the time.

 

My Grumpy Dinosaur – Emily Hartmann

When Rawr the dinosaur wakes up with the grumpies he doesn’t know what to do. His best friend Finn teaches him some things he can do to get rid of the grumpies. Cut book about how to reset your mind and day when the grumpies come and visit you.

 

Stop, Think, Go! – Emily Hartmann

 When Rawr the dinosaur wakes up with the grumpies he doesn’t know what to do. His best friend Finn teaches him some things he can do to get rid of the grumpies. Cut book about how to reset your mind and day when the grumpies come and visit you.

Just Wait! – Emily Hartmann

Rawr is an impatient dinosaur. He wants everything to happen now. He doesn’t want to wait. He bakes cookies and turns the oven up too high and burns the cookies. He doesn’t want to wait for his paint to dry and ends up making a mess.  Great way to teach children about waiting.

Day 1 - Review of Books by Emily Hartmann

For the next several days I am going to post reviews of children's picture books I have purchased but have not yet read.  As many of you know, in March we lost a teacher I worked with.  I was asked to help with his classes until the end of the year. Unfortunately that meant I read very little except history assignments and my students' English assignments.  I am trying to make up for that. I am taking a couple of days to read a middle grade, young adult or adult book. Once finished I will post a review of said book.  In the meantime I am trying to read down the children's books I have in my Kindle. They tend to grow daily. So sit back and enjoy reviews from some of my favorite picture book authors.

Here are  reviews of books written by Emily Hartmann

Ask First
Emily’s books are full of wonderful illustrations.  In this book children learn boundaries. They learn before they ever do something they may need to stop and ask first.  The story is interactive so it is best for those preschoolers just learning life lessons.

Think First 

This is another book with Bobo. In this book Bobo needs to learn to stop and think first before he does
something. Once again it is interactive. After Bobo has a couple of problems, children are asked to help  Bobo remember to stop and think first before he does things.

Stay Calm – Emily Hartmann  

This cute book shows Bobo going ballistic with his emotions. He blows up at everything.  The book gives children two or three ways to calm themselves down before they throw that tantrum due to getting so emotional.

My Daddy is the Best – Emily Hartmann

A great bedtime story with dad. A father spends quality time with his daughter having all kinds of
adventures. He checks under her bed for monsters, tucks her in tight. She knows that she is loved and she loves him back for being such a great father.  We need more books like this about fathers.

The Invisible Bubble – Emily Hartmann

This is probably one of my favorite books.  We need to teach kids from the youngest age about boundaries. I teach middle school and will have kids get within a couple of inches of me. I ask them to take two steps back then jokingly say, “This is my space,” as I draw a box in front of me. I tell them I have space issues. Some of them apologize because they get it. Some look at me like I have two heads. Maybe if their parents had read this book to them as a child they would understand. This a a children’s book, but I believe everyone can benefit from it.

Goodnight Little Sleepyheads – Emily Hartmann (Animal Bedtime)Once again the author has used animals performing one last nighttime ritual before going to sleep. The author asks after each page to do something the animal is doing. All of this is to prepare your little one for sleep.

 

The Sleepy Animal Game – Emily Hartmann

Great to read to your young one as you put them to bed. The story is comprised of small animals and what they do as they prepare to go to sleep.

 

Curl Up Tight - Emily Hartmann

This book is similar to Breathe Like an Owl. This book uses farm animals to help your little one relax. Once again she give little tidbits of information about the farm animals. This is a two for one book. You get relaxation techniques and information for your child in a simple calm manner.

 

Sleepy Snuggles – Emily Hartmann

Another bedtime story to prepare your child for sleep. Read to them what little animals do to prepare to sleep. Each page asks the child to perform an act the animal would, such as moo like a cow or tuck their head in like a duck. Simple pre-school bedtime book.

 

Breathe Like an Owl -Emily Hartmann

Teach your little ones relaxation techniques with this book.  The author not only uses animals to help little ones stretch, breathe and relax, but she also gives a tidbit of information about that animal at the bottom of each page. For example, “Lynxes have extra furry paws to help them walk on snow. “  I never knew that. The relaxation techniques could become a nightly ritual for you and your little one. The illustrations in this book are in shades of blue to create that calming effect.

 

Forest Night, Sleep Tight

A book of bedtime routines using forest animals and gentle rhyming lines. Just the thing to read with your child before bedtime. Beautiful illustrations.

 

You Are One of a Kind

Teach your children that they are unique by reading them this bedtime story of mothers and babies. The story told in rhyme shows a mother pointing out what makes their child one of a kind, before they tuck them in for the night.

Giant Island by Jane Yolen

Genre:  Children's Picture Book

Source: I purchased a copy.

A delightful book in many ways. A grandfather takes his grandchildren to Giant Island. While he fishes the children explore the island with their dog. They explore inside and out, above and below the water. By the end of the book they learn what their grandfather has known all along.  Beautiful storyline and the illustrations are fantastic.  I felt like a kid again as I read this book. It made me long for the days when my imagination ran wild.  Then again, with a book this wonderful, maybe the author has never let her imagination grow up.  Definitely a book to purchase for my great grandson.

 

Maple Syrup Maven by Nick Segal

 

Genre: Children, Picture Book

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Maddy loves maple syrup. She makes it her goal to produce the best maple syrup. The only problem is that Maddy only has the trees in her back yard. Her first attempt and making maple syrup is poor. She only has two bottles that she sells to her parent. However, the taste just isn't there. Maddy begins to encourage her trees by telling them how lovely they are.  Things change for Maddy because she has actually put love into her trees. 

This reminds me of the saying that love conquer's all.  She discovered love was the missing ingredient in the taste of her maple syrup. A lesson we can all learn.  This book not only has an uplifting message, but beautiful pictures to enhance it.

Two Wonderful Children's Books by M.M. Rodeheaver

 

Haunted Holiday: A Christmas Cookie Ghost Story

Genre:  Children's Mystery

Source: Purchased

Calypso and her two moms have just moved into an old house on Grimsly Road. The day they moved in is when Calypso met the ghost named Charles. She saw him in the hallway and he pointed to her room and told her it was his room before he vanished. He didn’t scare her, but her cat Whiskers was definitely scared.

Her Mama Rae bakes delicious desserts, and her Mama Vic is a potter. Her studio and kiln are in the old barn.  Strange things began to happen around the house. The two mama’s plan a cookie exchange Christmas party. The morning of the party they awake to find all of the cookies destroyed. Calypso suspects it is Charles doing. She lets her new best friend Abbey know about Charles. Together they work together to try to find out why Charles would do such a thing and how he died.

I have read this book and its sequel twice. It is a short book, but one I really loved.

Genre: Children's Mystery

Source: Purchased

Calypso and Abbey are on a mission. Charles has told them about a jar of money he and his friends collected and saved and buried under the old chicken coop at his best friend's house. They ride their bikes down and shortly after they arrive a car pulls in. The house has been sold. The realtor offers them a tour along with the Drama teacher. Before the house is turned over to the new owners it will be used as a haunted house to raise money for their spring performance.  Calypso and Abbey are poking around where the chicken coop should be when Mr. Davis the realtor shows up. He asks if they are looking for treasure. They find that odd. What is even more odd is when they arrive the next day they find him already there digging in the same area.  They are on a mission to find the money jar before Mr. Davis. Their only hope is to take Charles with them inside a pumpkin, and let him do the searching. This story was so much fun to read. It was about twice as long as the first book. 

I loved how we learned a lot more about Charles and his friends. I loved how Calypso goes out of her way to help a ghost. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a feel good story with an element of mystery to it.

Skimmer and Finn: Lurkers and the Little Boop Creature by Christopher Francis

Genre: Children's Graphic

Source: I received a copy from the author. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I loved this second book in the Skimmer and Finn series.  In book one Finn wakes from hyper sleep on another planet. The earth has been destroyed and they must survive. He has a robot named Skimmer who is supposed to help him survive. Finn and two friends he meets along with a monster he saved have a new issue.  They have run into a group of monsters who are not happy with them. Boop is another robot who now helps Finn.  What is making the group of monsters so angry and how can Finn help them and their planet?  As they search for materials to build a door over a cave they hear a signal.  This book is all about Finn learning to survive, helping a planet heal and of course friendship  It is cute, it is funny, and I am looking forward to reading the next one.  I don't read many graphic novels, but this is one I definitely recommend.

 

Student Saturday: Connecting Dots: Poems of my Journey by David L. Harrison

Genre: Children, Poetry
Student Reviewer: Aleah F.

"Connecting Dots” is a poetry book. The reason I like this book is because it is a book of poems about his life. He had lots of pictures he loved, and he always wrote poems about his life. His life was very difficult. His high school year was fun. He played basketball and always tried the best he could. He would always shoot the ball and miss the basket, but he never gave up. He kept going. He did not care who was in the crowd watching him. All he was worried about was if he was getting somewhere in life. 

The lesson he learned was that it's okay to miss the basket but never put that down on yourself. People would always laugh at him, but the lesson he learned was never to care what people thought about him.

After he was done with a basketball game, he was surprised with a puppy, and his teammates were so proud of him. The teammates told him to go outside right after the game, so he did. His coach was outside and told him to close his eyes; when the coach told him to open his eyes and when he did, his coach had a black and white dog for him. 

 After he did all of that, he went home and got puppy love from his new puppy named Freckles.

I would recommend this book to people who like basketball, and to those who believe they should never give up.

I Am A Big Sister by KidsUp

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

What a wonderful book to read with your soon to be big sister, or even your soon to be big brother. It puts a positive spin on being an older sibling. The story takes you through the things your child can do to help take care of your new baby. Instead of feeling left out they become a very important part of the help with the new baby.  I didn't have a book like this when my second child was born. However, we sat down nightly with our son and talked about the things he could do to help with his new sister when she was born. There was no feelings of being left out. He took his "job" seriously. Before she was born he talked to her in my tummy nightly and kissed it and told her good night. The funny thing is, he was the only one who could calm her down. She recognized his voice. They maintain that closeness today, forty years later.  

This is a must read book for all new to be brother or sister.

 

Student Saturday: Tales of the Cryptids by Kelly Halls, Rick Spear, and Roxyanne Young

 

Genre: Children, Science and Nature
Student Reviewer: Dylan H.

“TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS” by Kelly Halls, Rick Spear, and Roxyanne Young is about the authors investigating reports of many different cryptids around the world. Cryptids are animals that come from legends, like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. The book goes into extreme detail about the number of interviews and information that they found out about each and every cryptid mentioned in this book. Most importantly cryptids such as, Hellhounds are legendary dogs that accompany the newly dead into the afterlife, or the New Jersey Devil with the earliest reported sighting was during the American Revolutionary War. Did you know in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas local villagers have reported sightings of the Yeti, also known as abominable snowman, which resembles Bigfoot. Overall, this is an incredibly good book and has so much information about cryptids and the stories that go with them.

Wilda Reads at Recess by Karen Georgiev

 

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

There is a reason my blog is called "The Musings of a Book Addict". Read below to learn why.

I absolutely loved this book. I was Wilda in first grade. My friend played on the swings, slides, and monkey bars while I sat against a tree and read. I preferred reading over everything else. This type of book should be in every kindergarten through second-grade classroom. It shows how some people value reading over everything else. It also shows that it is okay to be that person. This would also make an excellent mentor text when teaching alliteration to students. The story flows naturally, making it easier for children to pick up on. I loved the illustrations. My favorite was the picture of the children looking at Wilda reading, their mouths open in awe or surprise. Definitely, a book I will recommend to my friends who have younger children.

On a personal note, as I said above I was Wilda in first grade.  However, I did not stop there. My first-grade teacher asked if I would help another young girl with reading because she was struggling and I did. I tutored other students throughout my school years.  I have been a teacher for thirty-one years.  I teach middle school English. I make it my goal to turn non-readers into readers. I make them set a reading goal, and in exchange, the classes all choose my reading goal. (Just as a side note, this year my reading goal was set at  95 books by the end of May. When I left school last week I had read six.  I will add four more to that list since we were out for the hurricane.) I check in on them weekly. I know my first two - three weeks are hectic so I get little reading done. When I come in and write books on my list and tell them I'm trying to catch up, the game is on. I've been able to turn several in to life long readers. The best compliment I ever received was on the last day of school. A student told me he hated me. This was just before he grabbed me and hugged me and told me the reason was because I made him love reading.  He had stopped reading when his mother was accidentally killed before his eyes. She had read to him as a young child. His dad remarried 8 months later and that was the end of reading for him.  He keeps in touch and asks for recommendations for his young kids. It is fulfilling to get email with recommendations from former students.  So whether you are a teacher, parent, grandparent, or just someone who loves gifting kids with great books. This is one you must read.

It's Up To You by Christopher Francis

 

Genre: Children
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

ChristopherFrancis is one of my all time favorite authors. Whether he is writing for the younger reader or young adults, his books always have some sort of lesson to be learned. As a teacher of middle grade students I often see bullying at its worst.  It isn't just the name calling, and physical kind of bullying. Even worse is the bullying that degrades a person by ignoring them or leaving them out so they feel as if they are nothing. We see more of that in middle grades.  At the end of his book he has a game called stand up.  This is important not just for the youngest children, but for all ages.  When I teach about the holocaust, I do something similar called "walk the line".  We have to reach these kids when they are young. If we don't the consequences show up when they are adults.  This is a very important book that I highly recommend.

How to Be a Big Sister Book for 1 and 2 Year Old Toddlers by Mam Talk

 

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is a great book to read with your child when they are expecting a new sibling. The story is written so that each page has one line. This makes the book easy for kids to follow along. The story line follows a young girl who is a new big sister. It shows how she interacts with her new sibling. It shows how they do a lot of the same things and she even helps out. The pictures as always are bright and simple.