I love the idea that Kristyn Boland wrote a book to explain to her son why she went to work each night.
Wonderful illustrations follow Nurse Mommy as I love the idea that Kristyn Boland wrote a book to explain to her son why she went to work each night.
Wonderful illustrations follow Nurse Mommy as she goes about her shift caring for patients, all the while talking about who her favorite person to care for is. Not only is this a great idea for kids whose parents are actually nurses, but it provides a good jumping off point to discuss with little ones the concept of a parent working outside the home or even giving a preschooler ideas for dress up time. My son thought working in medicine was a grand idea at a young age and would have loved to follow along with a favorite book.
In this book Daddy cares for his son while telling the story of what mom is up to giving a lovely duality to their evening as they each go about their activities. I have to say though, that the family dog makes this work. He is the perfect foil for the little one’s emotions, happy when Baby is playing and worried when mom is driving away. I did also appreciate Dad pointing out that Mom leaving the house to work is the same as when he leaves the house to work and she looks after him, letting the child know that he is always safe and protected even when his parent isn’t there. All in all this is a sweet story that caregivers and educators will love to share with young ones.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5. I received an advance review copy through IRead Book Tours for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
This is a fun interactive story about a boy and his dog. Rock and his enthusiastic puppy, Rambee Boo, are headed to the lake for vacation with the famThis is a fun interactive story about a boy and his dog. Rock and his enthusiastic puppy, Rambee Boo, are headed to the lake for vacation with the family. There are so many fun activities to do. Every day the puppy brings along his favorite toy, a sock, and everyday in the aftermath of the wonderful time he and his boy are having he leaves it behind, only to have it the next morning thanks to Rock’s mom.
Rhyming verses and a fun story will engage early readers. Delightfully adorable illustrations will keep pre-readers fully occupied trying to find the sock in each picture and relating to the fun times the two main characters are having each day of the week. This is a wonderful summer vacation story to share with kids, plus it is part of a series so parents can change up the Rambee Boo adventures and kids will still have a good time
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5. I received an advance review copy through IRead Book Tours for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Never judge a book by its cover. That saying can extend to people, or in this case crocodiles. When Fifi is born it is obvious that she is different fNever judge a book by its cover. That saying can extend to people, or in this case crocodiles. When Fifi is born it is obvious that she is different from her fierce looking sisters. For starters, she is fluffy. Who ever heard of fluffy crocodiles? Poor Fifi constantly has to tell her badgering sisters that “I’m Not Cute, I’m Dangerous.”
When everything she does to prove to the world of her inherent danger only makes her more adorable, Fifi must learn to embrace her given strengths and become comfortable in her own skin. This is a wonderful lesson for kids of all ages, who I am afraid will also think the young croc to be dangerously cute. Truthfully, thanks to some spectacular artwork, all of the animals in this book are vibrantly endearing and will be enjoyed by young readers.
As a social story this is a great book to share to show how everyone has something special about them or when dealing with issues of low self esteem, or showing how much even good natured bullying can hurt.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
This is a beautifully illustrated story about a young girl who gains super powers from rhythm. It immediately brought to mind The Little Einsteins fueThis is a beautifully illustrated story about a young girl who gains super powers from rhythm. It immediately brought to mind The Little Einsteins fueling Rocket with their claps. It was a huge hit with my preschooler, as I imagine this book will be with kids today. Kids get to learn simple rhythms based on actual notation that enhances the fun story by letting the kids be interactive to help Tala avoid obstacles and rescue her friend. There is a chart in the back that teaches different methods of couting out notation.
I do think there could be a little more instruction about the basics of rhythm and notes. Music teachers and musicians will find this a great tool to use with young students, but non-musical care givers, I feel, might be a bit lost. Kids in the preschool to first grade range will very enjoy this book. I am looking forwr to reading more about the residents of Beat Street.
One day our kids will inherit this world from us along with all the good and bad that goes with it. More and more young people realize that they can mOne day our kids will inherit this world from us along with all the good and bad that goes with it. More and more young people realize that they can make a difference in what that world will look like. “Emma On Mars” is a fun look at the situation. Part picture book, part make believe, all kinds of science fun, this book is a wonderful way to introduce the idea of stewardship to the under ten crowd.
Emma realizes the Earth is a mess and her parents are too busy to do anything about it so she decides to move out. After designating Mars as her destination (other planets being too hot or too cold) she sets out to build a rocket and fly there. Once there though she realizes that Mars has changed too and that she would rather just fix Earth than live somewhere else.
Kudos to the author for blending kid fun in with hard science. Emma, denied a rocket engine until she is older, explains to her teddy bears how she will use a balloon for thrust. Not having seven months to travel to Mars in such a short book, she will get there by the next page and I absolutely love that the villainous Mars robots are rovers. In my mind I can imagine how much fun they would have playing make believe with an industrious seven year old. Yes, I know they are simply machines.
Parents will enjoy the subtle jokes, kids will enjoy the fun fantasy and educators everywhere will appreciate the end round approach to science. The illustrator has done a bang up job of capturing the little scientist at work while not losing one bit of the kid power inspiration behind it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5. I received an advance review copy through Maverick Publishing and Lerver Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Even for adults, losing a beloved pet can be traumatic. For children, especially those who have never been without the pet, it can be particularly difEven for adults, losing a beloved pet can be traumatic. For children, especially those who have never been without the pet, it can be particularly difficult. Coping with feelings of loss is not something most kids are fully equipt to do. Without a lot of outside resources, author Lori Orlinsky did what most parents wish they could do, she wrote a book to help her children process the loss of their cat Tiger.
The book opens with a family releasing anthropomorphic balloons to the sky laden with messages of love. It follows the delightful characters on their journey across and beyond the world. They see many wondrous sights along the way and interact with fantastical heroes, like Santa and the tooth fairy who help them along the way to their destination, a place in heaven where the loved pets of several families have come to rest, often with balloons and messages of their own.
The rhyming story is one of adventure and discovery encompassing many themes of childhood. The art is vibrant and thrilling, sure to elicit many oohs and ahhs from young ones. Though it is a story of a sad occasion. The tone is never one of sadness but rather the excitement of a new journey.
In the back of the book are study questions that can be used in an educational setting as well as tips for parents to help their own kids deal with grief. It is a wonderful conversation starter and a book kids will be happy to come back to again and again for reassurance.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I received an advance review copy through IRead Book Tours for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more
Frogs on a log (or any just about any kid-friendly animal for that matter) is about the most popular trope for a counting book there is. Kudos to JasoFrogs on a log (or any just about any kid-friendly animal for that matter) is about the most popular trope for a counting book there is. Kudos to Jason Travis for putting an innovative and modern spin on it with his debut children’s book entitled 10 Little Frogs. The little frogs wish on a star and become changed by their wish. One by one they go off to explore their transformation.
Kids love to play make believe and they will enjoy seeing what each of the little green jumpers gets up to, whether it is baking a cake (decorative flies included), smelling a flower, or singing a song. The small amount of text on each page along wth rhyming prose will make it easy for pre- and early readers to enjoy this book.
The true draw for this story, if you will excuse the pun, is the artwork taking up each full page. Colorful eye popping illustrations filled with tiny detail that will keep kids engaged with the story and provide a chance for parental collaboration as together they can search for the squirrel and turtle friends in every escapade. There are also easter egg style details for attentive observers to find such as Big Foot, a unicorn, and even a dragon.
This is solid debut for the Travis Brothers.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I received an advance review copy for free from Blackberry Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
An autism diagnosis for your child is devastating. In the beginning, you can’t help but see all the things your child isn’t able to do and you can’t hAn autism diagnosis for your child is devastating. In the beginning, you can’t help but see all the things your child isn’t able to do and you can’t help but wonder if there will be any normal kids things they will be able to learn to do. Children at one end of the spectrum are perceived as incapable because communication is a factor. On the other end, children are perceived as not being disabled at all, because they seem too normal. This book and the series to come, I think, will helpful for anyone who finds themselves dealing with autism. Parents will able to see that there is a type of normalcy out there for their little ones. Kids with autism will able to see themselves in a character that is fully able and maybe a little like them. Friends of these kids will be able to see that a little bit of creative thinking, means there is no end to the fun they can enjoy together.
I loved that this book showcases just how inclusive children can be. Harper doesn’t see Emma as wrong, just as someone who does things differently. Friendship is universal and has a language of its own. The other thing that really sticks with me from this book is the idea that autism is not all a child is. Emma has trouble communicating and understanding certain concepts, however, she is able to read and write well enough to be understood. She and Harper are able to use these strengths to do all the fun things they want and are able to include many friends in their adventures.
This book reads like a social story, a concept that has been shown to work well with demonstrating to children how to navigate real-life situations. From my personal perspective, I am grateful there are so many great tools out there, like this book. It hasn’t always been that way and it can be so overwhelming and lonely when you think you are dealing with something of this magnitude alone. I am looking forward to new books in the series. ...more
Cleo loves bows. She has bows everywhere. This isn’t really a story about Cleo though. This is the story of the rabbit and the fox. The story of how tCleo loves bows. She has bows everywhere. This isn’t really a story about Cleo though. This is the story of the rabbit and the fox. The story of how to tie a bow. As a mother of a child who grew up with dyspraxia, I am thrilled to find such an easy-to-follow system for teaching young ones to tie a bow. The story masks the fact that they are learning. The book is filled with pages of art that will keep kids entranced. The colors, though at first overwhelmingly pink, are actually quite subtle drawing little eyes to exquisite details and drawing them into rabbit’s story.
I imagine this book is a shoo-in for girls, but there are boys who will enjoy it as well. While it is written towards preschool-age kids, older kids who find themselves still struggling with bow tying, will not find the story too young.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily...more
Pam and her brothers go to the park where the boys all show off their tricks. Pam the littlest can't do what they can do. Eventually they convince herPam and her brothers go to the park where the boys all show off their tricks. Pam the littlest can't do what they can do. Eventually they convince her that she is special just the way she is.
The prose is great and the art is bright and colorful. It is just right for the pre school to kindergarten crowd, or any youngest sibling who is feeling bad about being little.
My kindle copy showed the last action's picture with the new text and the story jumped from the park back to the pup's house with no transition. I am not sure if it is a story or formatting issue, but it does make the story less fun to read....more
It is the age-old question about the birds and the bees. Sarah is a curious, energetic young child of perhaps 6 or 7. She is an avid nature lover and It is the age-old question about the birds and the bees. Sarah is a curious, energetic young child of perhaps 6 or 7. She is an avid nature lover and has noticed that baby bugs, birds, and reptiles hatch from eggs, so the inevitable “Where do human babies come from?” question is the catalyst of the story. It is told in age-appropriate terms, beginning with marriage and love, then winding its way through conception, fetus growth, and birth.
I recommend this book for toddlers through early elementary-aged kids. The vocabulary used (immersed, enunciated, oxygenated) is great for kids who are starting to read chapter books, making this a book they can read on their own and ask questions as they happen. The colorful accessible art is perfect for younger kids that may not quite be ready to learn from the text. Tasteful, adorable pictures show the stages of pregnancy and the mother’s rhyming prose will get kids’ attention and interest. This is a great conversation starter and would make a good gift for new brothers and sisters.
There is mention of children being a blessing from God and an answer to prayer and which may make this not necessarily a great fit for secular families.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
This is a sweet picture book with basic illustrations and text telling the concept of size. Creatures from an ant to a dinosaur are shown in comparisoThis is a sweet picture book with basic illustrations and text telling the concept of size. Creatures from an ant to a dinosaur are shown in comparison showing how each can be a giant in relation to another.
The animals are quirkily drawn with simple colors in a way that toddlers and pre-readers will be immediately engaged. Included too, as illustration rather than text, are each animal's favorite snack. There are plenty of opportunities for caregivers to be interactive with this picture book and their little ones.
I do recommend the print version of this book since the e-book format splits the full-page illustrations....more
What parent’s haven’t employed the age-old ploy of avoidance by sending a child requesting an iffy item to the other parent. “Ask your mom.” “Ask your
What parent’s haven’t employed the age-old ploy of avoidance by sending a child requesting an iffy item to the other parent. “Ask your mom.” “Ask your dad.” This sweet beginning reader uses this tactic wonderfully. The story follows a young girl with one such desire after spying a sign inviting the adoption of a puppy.
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Early readers will have no idea they are learning sight words through repetition and short sentences in a cute story with fun colorful, full page art. For reading in a class setting, there is a word list at the end of the book that can be used to track new words or for use in vocabulary lessons. In addition to sight words, this book would be an interesting way to introduce the idea of pet ownership to a young child.
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I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I have a mom confession… My child never sleeps. He never has. Oh, a few hours here and there, but honestly you could say that at 17, he still doesn't
I have a mom confession… My child never sleeps. He never has. Oh, a few hours here and there, but honestly you could say that at 17, he still doesn't sleep through the night. Of course, as a teen, he is better at keeping himself occupied when he inevitably wakes up than he was at age 4. I have lived the eat, drink, uncomfortable bed, can't find the Lovey dance on many occasions. Still, this book had me laughing, because EVERY parent knows Mama Bear's pain.
Of course, this book isn't really about bedtime. It is about sneaking fun animal and nature facts into little brains. The book is choc full of them. Mama explains the reasons bears and other animals hibernate, and why some don't. In addition the gorgeous illustrations beautifully capture the turn of colorful autumn into the white of winter.
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This book does double duty as a great bedtime story and of fun early reader for classtime about winter and hibernation. There is also a section in the back of the book offering facts about bear hibernation, animals who hibernate, and the characteristics of a bear den. This will be a book that preschoolers and lower elementary kids will love to read time and again.
Waffles the Chicken wants to fly and he is convinced if he believes hard enough (& can start high enough) that it will happen.
Kids ages 2- 6 are goingWaffles the Chicken wants to fly and he is convinced if he believes hard enough (& can start high enough) that it will happen.
Kids ages 2- 6 are going to love Waffles, with his no-can't-do attitude and his superhero clothes. His clever solutions and persistence will even have parents cheering him on. The colorful delightful barnyard animal illustrations will keep little ones entranced and coming back for more....more
Every adult I know is on edge in "these uncertain times." It stands to reason that many young ones are uneasy as well. Social stories are a terrific wEvery adult I know is on edge in "these uncertain times." It stands to reason that many young ones are uneasy as well. Social stories are a terrific way to help kids sort through their feelings and worries. Elphie Meets the End of The World is the story of young Elphie. While he's playing at a friend's house, an older child announces that the television has said the end of the world is coming. Elphie, now very worried, runs home to tell his parents. They help Elphie through his fears.
The most important takeaway from this book is the surety that no matter how much we might shelter our kids, they are aware of what is going on out there in the world and they do talk bout it. Unfortunately, they don't have the experience to filter what they hear. In this book, I love that his parents validated his fears without adding to them. They offered him ways that he could use on his own to cope, such as reminding him of a similar situation that turned out okay. Finally, they gave him the distraction of a fun party which allowed him to come away from the worry and even share his newfound confidence with a friend.
The art is cute, but not cutesy and fits best, in my opinion, in an instruction environment rather than a for fun read. This book is suggested for up to grade 5. I think that might be ambitious. The text is to the point, yet still simplistic. It will for sure appeal to younger kids though.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
This is a classic "Lazy" fable and it doesn't end well for the title character, obviously. The watercolor illustrations are lov"Grim" is in the title.
This is a classic "Lazy" fable and it doesn't end well for the title character, obviously. The watercolor illustrations are lovely, even with the trail of blood (which is kind of chilling drawn in that medium), and the story is well told.
I haven't given full stars because its target audience is unclear. Word usage along with the way the story is written and drawn, reads for kids age 2-6. However, the subject matter is definitely geared towards older kids, third-grade, and up. I feel young kids will be traumatized and older kids will be bored.
Used specifically as a learning tool for this particular lesson, it would work well for any age group (with a warning)...more
Does anything inspire holiday feelings more than the smell of fresh baking cookies? The Gingerbread House is a classic retelling of the Gingerbread Ma
Does anything inspire holiday feelings more than the smell of fresh baking cookies? The Gingerbread House is a classic retelling of the Gingerbread Man fairy tale, with a holiday twist. The twist is that you can catch this cookie by building him a house, and maybe car.
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Gingerbread building is a favorite tradition with my son, even into his teens. He would have loved this book when he was younger. I can just imagine him insisting on reading it before we started our creations.
The rhyming text is great for those little ones that want to hear the story "Just one more time." The multi-media art is simple and iconic, the perfect way to start off the holiday season. I foresee this book becoming a tradition of its own in many homes.
For a child into meteorology, this book could be a winner with its descriptions of various cloud formations and corresponding weather. The book is marFor a child into meteorology, this book could be a winner with its descriptions of various cloud formations and corresponding weather. The book is marketed for ages 3-12. While the pictures will grab the attention of any child, the terminology leans more towards the older kids, great for families with varied age ranges.
The photography in this book deserves 10 stars. Unfortunately, though, I couldn't give this book full marks. There are some missing words that require the reader to rely on context to understand the passage, a skill young kids aren't generally strong in. ...more
Jim and the other children in the illustrations seem like great characters that most kids will enjoy reading about. The art is fantastic, very colorfuJim and the other children in the illustrations seem like great characters that most kids will enjoy reading about. The art is fantastic, very colorful and compliments the text well.
The text, however, gave me some serious Dick and Jane flashbacks, not in a good way. "See Jim go. Go Jim, go." Finally, there isn't much of a cohesive story and it ends abruptly.
While I can agree that on the surface, it is perfect for learning sight reading, I don't feel many children or adults will find it appealing. I do have other Jim books that I will be taking a look at. There is plenty of room for improvement and infinite possibilities....more
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