Two Books by Mark Restaino

Genre: children's Picture Book
Source: Purchased

My Bee's Keeper
Zach is playing in the park when he see a bee. He begins to swing at it when an older man stops him. He explains all about what bees do. They sit to each some honey sandwiches and the man learns that Zach lives in his car with his mom in the park. Zach helps the man every day and learns a lot about the bees. But one day the man tells Zach he is going to have to go away for a few days and he is leaving Zach to care for the bees. Is Zach up for the job? What about his mom? How long will they have to live in their car? I loved this book. They are definitely on target when they talk about bees. I know because my husband is a beekeeper. I loved the message of God's love and care.


The Fruit Tree
I am really loving this author's books. In this story we meet a gardener who plants a seed and waters it. The tree grows and produce fruit. The gardener loves the fruit. The fruit tree tries to teach the other
trees how to deliver fruit. They refuse. Then they become jealous and do everything they can to kill the fruit tree.  When the gardener returns and sees the dead tree he is sad. But he returns and soon he has a new tree growing. The other trees learn from the fruit tree.  This is an allegory of the life of Christ. It is a lesson of how we are to live, love and teach others about God. It is written in a manner that children will understand the lesson.

Three More Michael Gordon Books

Genre: Children's Picture Books
Source: Purchased

How to Accept No
Josh is not having a good day. At the grocery store, he and his mom are stuck in a long line. He gets mad and wants to go home. Mom explains that they can't. She shows Josh how to deal with his anger. When Josh and his dad go to the play center someone else has the toy he wants to play with. Dad shows him how to get rid of his anger. When they are done playing at the park, Josh doesn't want to leave. He gets angry and his mom has them play a game so they turn their frowns into a smile.








When I Am Stressed
Oh how I could relate to this book. Josh has just started school and so he no longer gets to take an afternoon nap. When he gets home he is tired but doesn't want to nap. He gets cranky and begins to snap at everyone making everyone else cranky. But dad has a plan. He explains that everyone needs time to relax.

When I Lose My Temper
Josh is like so many kids. When he gets upset he starts feeling bad and then loses his temper. His mom sees this and teaches him some breathing techniques. That evening he gets upset again and tries what his mom taught him and it didn't seem to help very much. Dad teaches him something else to add to it.  When he wants to play with his sister and her friend they won't let him. He can feel himself getting upset again. He tries the techniques several times to get himself under control. He has learned how to help himself.

Dragons and Monsters - Five Books by Michael Gordon

Genre: Children's Picture Books
Source: I purchased them.



Dragon's Breath
George has a pet dragon. Unfortunately, the pet dragon doesn't think it is important to brush his teeth. George has to find a way to get Joe to brush his teeth. I love Michael's books because they teach a lesson and they rhyme and this makes them interesting to children.









The Angry Dragon
George and his pet dragon are playing. George accidentally breaks Joe's favorite toy and Joe gets angry. Later on, when George is doing chores Joe wants him to stop and play with him. When George doesn't Joe gets angry.  Joe has got to learn to control his anger and learn that you don't always get your way.









The Bad Dragon

Blerks first day of school doesn't go the way he wanted. He is rude. He shoves people, refuses to sing, cuts in line. When it happens to him the next day he understands why. The new girl Nell wants a friend just like him.








Dragon's Fury
Ben has a pet dragon named Gronk. They love to play together. When Gronk doesn't get his way he gets angry and throws a tantrum. He melts the kitchen sink, He stomps his feet and screams and blows steam and flames out his snout. When Ben does the same they have to learn how to calm themselves.

The Tantrum Monster
Devy the monster had trouble controlling his emotions. When his sister was rewarded with a new toy for good behavior he became jealous and threw a tantrum.  When he and his sister played a game and his sister kept winning he lost his temper again and started to throw a tantrum. His mom gave him fruit for a snack and he wanted cheesecake. He started to throw a tantrum. Each time he had to learn to breathe. Devy learns that controlling his emotions can have great benefits.