Book reviews for the young and the old. This site reviews children, teen, and adult books with a few interesting things thrown into the mix. Check out the labels on the right hand side for specific genres or topics.
Monday, May 27, 2024
Pigs Have Wings by Kathleen Welton
Sunday, April 14, 2024
The Magic Sea Turtle by Kathleen Welton
Sunday, March 31, 2024
ABC Bible Book for Toddlers and Kids by LambLibrary Press
This is great for any parent of a small child, or for the parent who homeschools. This is an alphabet tracing book. Each letter stands for something from the Bible. Children learn their upper and lowercase letters, how to write them and something from the Bible it stands for. Great reasource.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Ten Bedtime Stories by Emily Hartmann
In this picture book the author takes us through the nightly rituals of loving animal parents putting their children to bed. We start with an elephant, giraffe and lion. We are taken on the nightly rituals of ten animals in all. The story is written in little rhymes. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Sitting beside your young one reading this bedtime story will relax them and prepare them to go to sleep.
Dad Loves Me
In an age where most books are about mommy and baby it is refreshing to see the other side. Within the beautiful illustrations we see different animal fathers doing different things with their young one. Whether is gliding through the night sky, flying a kite or sitting in a corner nibbling cheese, the author has created a beautiful bedtime story especially for fathers to read with their youngest.
Goodnight Kisses
Mother’s Love
A quiet book to read at bedtime. This book shows the love a mother has for her child as they go about frolicking away the day.
I Love You My little Cub
Dolphins, lions, kangaroo and penguins are just a few of the animals we meet both parent and child. A comforting book to read at bedtime to show how much any child is loved.
Farm Animals
Nice bedtime story that shows how much fun and love the animals have for their children on the farm.
The Little Blue Monster
Everyone wants a friend, even a little blue monster. The little blue monster loves to read, paint and have picnics, but he realizes it would be a lot more fun if he had a friend to share the good times with.
Nighty Night!
Snuggles and love are evident through the pictures in this cute bedtime story. Each animal lets their young one know how much they are loved.
Snuggle Time
A cute bedtime story that shows the importance of being grateful for everything we have.
Goodnight Farm Friends
A simple nighttime story to read to your youngest one as you snuggle them into bed. The illustrations of farm animals are wonderful.
Monday, March 25, 2024
Skimmer & Finn: There Are No Pancakes on This Planet by Christopher Francis
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Two Great Easter Stories
LambsPress has a very nice Easter Coloring book. This simple book tells the Christian story behind the Celebration of Easter. It is told in simple scenes from the story. At the end of the book there are alphabet pages that correspond with scenes in the story. Very simple way to teach your children about Easter.
Faithful Pages Press has written a wonderful Easter story for ages 3-5. It has hand drawn illustrations created by Aaron J. Masters. The combination of the simple, yet colorful illustrations along with a retelling of the reason we Christians celebrate Easter is told to hold the interest of young and old. I like reading and reviewing multiple books about the same topic. In this way if the first one isn't for your or your child then maybe the second or third one will be. I definitely recommend this book to families.
Thursday, December 28, 2023
TenMore Picture Books, Some of My Favorite Stories and Authors
A few more picture books that I reviewed right after Christmas. I purchased each of the picture books and the opinions expressed here are my own.
The Adventures of Scotty Claus by David Scott Fields II
This was probably my favorite read over the two days I tried to read down my picture books on my Kindle. This is the story of a young man whose dream is to meet Santa Claus. One night his wish comes true. He learns that Santa has known his parents for years. Santa asks for him to help him deliver presents that night. As the night goes on he learns there is more to Christmas than receiving gifts. He meets a special young girl named Ruth who is very sick. Santa takes Scotty back to his workshop and lets him make a gift. He decides to make a snow globe for Ruth. Then Santa comes out to tell him who and what Christmas is really about. He even gives Scotty his personal Bible. He explains that he hopes one day Scotty will come to know the true gift that was given. The end of the book tells the story of the author and how for years his father played Santa for real. This is one of the most heart -felt and touching stories I have ever read. I highly recommend this book.
Things My Way by Sarah Read
Dominic is a young boy who likes to do things his way, or as he says it, "to the beat of his own drum." He does this at school, in sports and at home. Things down always go the way he planned. Mom has a way to teach Dominic that there is a time and a place to follow the directions. Read this wonderful and simple book to see if Dominic learns that lesson.
My Body Bubble by Michael Gordon
I loved this story. Annie is playing with her best friend Max when he falls down. She hugs him and doesn't get the reaction she expected. Her hug made him feel uncomfortable. This story is learning about personal spaces, or as the book calls it personal bubbles. I think I like this book so much because I have had people step too close to me and I take a step back and then draw a square in front of me saying, "Sorry, this is my space." They usually apologize and take a step back. Great lesson to be learned and explained in a manner that all children, and adults can understand.
I Get Angry Like a Tiger by Michael Gordon
Once again the author has created a book that helps children deal with very common situation. Most young children get angry. If there is no one there to teach them how to handle those different emotions they usually handle it incorrectly. This book is great at teaching a strategy to deal with anger. In addition there are several common situations that kids get angry in and these situations and solutions are addressed in the book.
Georgie’s Long Goodbye by Bri Kozlowski
This was a strange but good story. Georgie has lost his grandmother. However, before she passed she became a part of a holographic computer program. She was sent back to the family for a time. Georgie does everything with her. Then one day he can't find her. His mother explains that he has to learn to say goodbye. Georgie doesn't want to. He and his mother come to an agreement. This is a strange yet wonderful book about grieving for those we've lost.
Stories for Children 10 by Francois Bissonnette
I have always loved this author's stories. This is the story of Emily and Arabella. Emily is a human child whose parents read to her about Fairyland every night. One day Emily can't find her book. The wise fairy visits Arabella and sets her on a quest to find the Fairyland Book. Without it Emily begins to forget the stories of Fairyland and Fairyland is beginning to disappear. Arabella must find this book and return it to Emily. The world building is awesome and the characters are lovable. I recommend this author's books to everyone.
A Colorful Beginning by Raven Howell
A wonderful book to read to a child before they begin their first day of school, or to read to a class on their first day of school. It shows them that no matter what their differences they are all better together. Plus, you get the added bonus of teaching children about mixing colors. A win, win if you ask me.
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
I love learning something from a picture book. This is the story of how we got the Macy's Day Parade. It started with a young boy who loved puppets and making things move. Tony Sang worked with Marionettes for years. Mr. Macy wanted to create a window display and hired Tony. Then he decided to create a parade for his employees and Mr. Sang helped with that. You will need to read the book to see how a simple window display evolved into the Macy's Day Parade we have today. I loved this book.
Bigger Than Alexander by Christopher Francis
A fun story of a young boy who is bigger than all of his classmates. Unfortunately he grows so big he no longer fits in the classroom or school. However, the teacher knows there is something different and special about Alexander. There is something about him that is bigger than his size. Read the book to find out what it is that makes Alexander so special. Read this book by one of my favorite authors.
The Best Gift For Bear by Jennifer A. Bell
Hedgehog bakes gifts for all of her friends, but she doesn't know what to bake for her best friend bear. She sees the snow on her house and decides to bake bear a gingerbread house. She gets it all decorated and heads to bear's house. As she gets near the wind tears up her gift to bear. What will she give bear now? Read this wonderful book about friendship.
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Nine Picture Books from Emily Hartmann
Cuddle Up: Children's Book about Emotions and Feelings, Valentine's Day by Emily Hartmann
This is a wonderful book. Each animal parent in rhyme tells their child how they will protect them and how much they love them as they tuck them into bed for the night. This is a wonderful story to read at bedtime to your youngest child.
Grateful Hearts by Emily Hartmann
A cute book full of beautiful pictures that show animal families expressing their gratitude for what they have each and every day. Great for bedtime story.
I Feel Worried by Emily Hartmann
This book addresses worry that children feel so often. It addresses so many different things that children fear. They fear the dark. They fear the first time in a new place. They fear performing in front of others. They fear storms. The book also talks about ways to help deal with these fears to make yourself feel better. This is an opportunity for adults to talk with a young child and reassure them. It is also a time to share that adults have some of these fears as well and how they deal with them.
My Bad Mood by Emily Hartmann
This book addresses what children can do when they are in a bad mood. They can take a walk, draw, play music or love on a pet. Each of these activities are things that children love and can do to turn their mood around.
Make Good Choices by Emily Hartmann
This book is all about choosing the right things. Everyone adults
and children need to make good choices. They need to choose to be friendly, to
forgive, to be kind. We all need to beloving, calm, confident. We need to make
good choices to be healthy through food
and exercise, and to be generous,
caring, brave. These are things we face every day, both young and old and it is
up to us to teach the younger ones to make good choices.
Snuggle Up, Little Cub by Emily Hartmann
A cute bedtime story that shows different animals, parent and child telling them in a special way how much they love them and they snuggle together for the night.
How Animals Say I Love You by Emily Hartmann
A cute bedtime story where each animal tells their young one
how much they love them, and what they will do together, or how they will
protect them. The book showcases in rhyme; elephants, giraffes, tigers, hippos,
rhinos, lions, zebras, flamingos and koalas.
The Feelings Animals by Emily Hartmann
A cute animal book that talks about emotions, how they make us feel and what we can do to help us with those emotions.
Good Night, Little Farm by Emily Hartmann
A simple and gentle story to read to your youngest at bedtime. The beautifully illustrated pictures along with the simple rhyming of a story well told will definitely lull your little one to sleep. The author has kept it simple using farm animals and their young to prepare them and your child for bedtime. Well done.
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Five Wonderful Picture Books From Different Authors
Trying to read down books on my Kindle. I decided I would start with several of the picture books I have purchased. Sit back and enjoy them.
Tree Full of Wonder by Anna Smithers
I really loved this book. I grew up on a farm and outside my bedroom window was a giant maple tree. I loved the shade it provided, the colors that came in the fall. This book shows the connections we have with trees and all the things we need them for. The pictures are beautiful. The end of the book has a section with pictures of different types of trees and asks you to find them in the book. Then there is a page that tells what we use trees for.
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner
This is a wonderful picture books that takes the reader on a journey to a pond. While a mother and her young son row across the top of the pond, the young boy learns about animals and insects that live both above and below the water. The reader learns the connections both have to the other. There is an author’s note at the back that tells more about these systems. There is also a page that tells the reader about four animals listed in the book.
Unspoken: Communicating Beyond Words by Cara Cusack
This book is beautiful in illustrations and in the message it conveys. We read the stories of children who do not speak verbally. Each one of them speak in their own manner, whether it is through music, dance, artwork. They are able to communicate with the world in such a beautiful manner, showing us that we are all different and we can all communicate given what we have.
Inside the Pencil Box by Avni Saxena
I really loved this story. It is the story of how the pencil got an eraser on its end. ; This author's imagination is wonderful. She created a pencil box that had two kingdoms living in it. One was the kingdom of pencils the other was the kingdom of erasers. Each thought the other was better. It wasn't until they set out to prove it and ruined Emma's homework that they realized they were both wrong. The solution to the problem was an imaginative genius. I absolutely loved this book. I would definitely read more by this author.
Overcomers by Joy Ohagwu
What a wonderful book of faith. When Claudia is approached by a man who tells her if she is a woman he will kill her, she takes off running. Running away isn't enough. She prays for God to protect and hide her. She then races to warn everyone she sees. As she nears home she sees her sister running toward danger. Once she catches up to her sister she sees how much faith her younger sister has. They both pray for the safety of their friends and family members while danger passes them by. This is a wonderful book complete with scripture that tells us why we should not be afraid. I will recommend this to everyone I see as well as check out any other books by this author.
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Four Wonderful Children's Christmas Books
I should have gotten these reviews out earlier. However, I know that the weeks before Christmas break are full of testing at school so this year it didn't happen. However, these books would be a beautiful way to begin your holiday celebrating next Christmas with your little ones. Sit back and see what can be in store for them.
The Nativity Story Advent Calendar for Toddlers and Kids by MamTalk
A wonderful book for children ages 3-5. It not only tells the story of the birth of Jesus, but also is full of activities that children and families can do each day leading up to Christmas day. It teaches children about gratitude and the true gift of giving of themselves. As you read it also prepares children to put on a play about the meaning of Christmas and also has masks to cut out to help with the play. This is another wonderful book from MamTalk
Nativity Story Directly from the Bible: The Birth of Jesus Christmas Book for Toddlers, Kids, Preschoolers, Little Boys and Girls
Let me start by saying that the pictures are absolutely gorgeous. I love that it is not only a retelling of the birth of Christ, but done in scripture that kids can undestand. This is the kind of story that as a child would entice me as I got older to read the story from the Bible on my own. One of a few children's books I have seen that give the actual scripture reference to children.
The Nativity: A Bible Study Book for Young Scripture Explorers by Pure Lily Press
I enjoyed this book immensely. Growing up, Every Christmas Eve started with the reading of the story from the Bible. I remember being bored when I was only 5 or 6 because I didn't really understand the story read straight from the Bible. As I got older it made sense. This book would have been perfect. You have the top of each page straight from the scripture for older children and then the bottom of the page is a condensed version of it complete with scripture reference for the much younger child. Just a piece of personal info, I did carry that tradition on with my own children and have had the pleasure of watching my daughter carry this on with her children. Books like these are so important and this is one of the best I have seen.
Another beautiful retelling of the Christmas story. In this book for children 3-8 we have the beautiful retelling of the birth of Christ. At the bottom of the pages the scripture reference. I guess the reason I really like the picture books with the scripture reference is because we can sit with our youngest and show them where we find it in our Bible. This introduces them to one of the most important books around. The pictures are simple, yet beautiful. This is another wonderful book I will recommend to parents and grandparents everywhere.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Daily Guided Gratitude Journal with Creative Prompts by MamTalk
Genre: Children's Journal
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
A wonderful book for children ages Kindergarten to fourth grade. If you want you child to write more then start with this book. This is a beginner journal. Parents can sit with their young child and read it to them and then have them draw pictures or tell the parent what to write. The older child can write and color. What a great way to get children interested in writing and help create a life-long love of writing. I love books by MamTalk.
This book is full of cute pictures. Each page starts with an example, a place to write the date, then a page for students to fill in with their own personal information. This is a wonderful way to show kids that they can write every day about things that are important to them.There are pictures to color which makes this a fun activity. I only wish that more parents would spend time daily with their children teaching them to journal like this, showing them that writing can be fun. It is a great way to teach children the importance of gratitude
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
1 2 3 Ultimate Preschool Math by MamTalk Publishing
Genre:
Children's Workbook
Source:
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my
own.
As a former kindergarten teacher I learned that small kids
are like sponges. If you give them the opportunity and guidance they can learn
much more than people think they can. By the end of the year my kindergarteners
could read an analogue clock. They could read and write small stories. Why? The
curriculum we used pushed them. Some of them needed more encouragement or
needed to be retaught like everyone does in something. But they all succeeded
That is what this book does. The very first page does this.
It shows a blank hedgehog ( one with zero needles) The student draws the
needles on it, trace the zeros then trace the word zero, then they practice
writing it on their own. Then of course they get to color the animal associated
with it. After they have finished tracing, writing and coloring they can count
the number of each animal.
Next they are asked to count objects up to ten. A certain
number of shapes are placed in boxes and the child must count them and then color
the correct number choice. Then they count and write the number under each
picture like a graph. Then there are
pictures with different objects. Children color the count scattered objects and
write the number in a box that corresponds to the pictures. They learn to count one more or one less,
then match the number to the objects. They learn the concept of before, between
and after, inside and outside, right and left.
This is all followed by simple addition and subtraction. Once again they
get to practice on basic shapes. As
always upon completion there is a certificate.
Monday, June 5, 2023
Large ABC and 123 Learning My First Big Tracing Workbook for Kids by Kidsup Publishing
One hundred and eleven pages of tracing fun for the young
child. The very first page shows each letter and the numbered directions for
writing each letter. Like your typical preschool/kindergarten letter tracing
book they use cute animals for each letter. What I loved about this page was they
used animals such as an alpaca, a narwhale, a sloth, a vulture and a yak. These
are not the same ordinary animals we usually teach them first. I know with my own grandchildren,
if I showed them something they had never hear of before then it was a teaching
moment for me.
Kids start off tracing single lines that are horizontal,
vertical, slanted, the V-shaped before they ever start tracing letters. In the beginning each letter takes up one
full page. Then you move onto the next
section where you have one animal for the capital letter and one for the lower
case letter. The letters are followed by
numbers then shapes that have positive statements attached to them. They even
get into a rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon and octagon. As always, when your child finishes this book
they get a certificate that you can print out and they can color.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Escape to the Everglades by Edwina Raffa and Annelle Rigsby
I have owned this book for a long time. As we neared the end of the school year and I had packed away my books for the year, I found this book. It had been left on one of my bookcases. I decided to take it home then give it to my grandson to read. I am so glad it was left behind. I loved this book.
Running Boy receives his adult name at the naming ceremony and hopes that will end the bullying by Tiger. He is also eager to join Osceola's group to fight against the injustice being done on the Seminoles and other Native Americans. Tiger doesn't consider him a true Seminole because his mother was Seminole and his father was white. That is why he was given his father's name, Will Cypress. His uncle agrees he is a man now and can decide on his own to join Osceola. He reminds him to remember who he is. He isn't just a Seminole he is also white. His uncle tells him that things are not always as black and white as we think.
Will understand these words when he meets a woman and her three sons who help him hide out and point him in the direction of Osceola's camp. The few days he stays with them he learn what it means to be both white and Native American. He learns what his uncle means when he says he belongs to both worlds and he learns to accept who he is as a man and what it means to "do the right thing."
Friday, April 21, 2023
The Altruism Trial by Christopher Francis
Riley Pickering is a young man who thinks of no one but himself. He behaves as if the world owes him everything and exists for him alone. What was funny about this is that I see kids like this in my classroom every year. Some leave middle school for high school the same way they entered school. They believe they are the most important person to exist and everyone else exists to do their bidding. In this book Riley receives a package with an unassembled plane. He makes his parents put it together. When the day comes to display their project he is called first. He steps into the plane and starts it up. He has read no instructions so he doesn't know how to fly it. The plane takes off and he crashes into an island. Here he meets two other kids who are just like him. The story is all about change. But can Riley learn or be willing to learn important lessons to get off the island? Like all of the other books this author has written, I loved this book. They are not only fun to read, but they are also full of life lessons. I highly recommend all of his books.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Trapped in 1867 by Christopher Francis
Genre: Upper Elementary, Middle Grade, Science Fiction
Source: Purchased
A boy, a girl, a class assignment, and a time machine. Guari and Ben have been paired up for a class assignment. They are to research how Ottawa has changed over the past 150 years. What better way to research the assignment then travel back in time? Ben doesn't believe Guari. He is unaware that her father, a scientist has an actual time machine in their basement. What happens when they land in the middle of the winter? This was a fun book to read. They face freezing to death, wolves, fires, all to try to get the best grade on the assignment. Can these two become friends? Why is Ben so mean to Guari all the time. It gives a realistic look into the history of Ottawa, Canada, while creating a fun storyline.