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DIY Gifts for Tweens and Teens to Make

 


Hazel always makes gifts for the holidays for family members. This year she is struggling with ideas and time. In 2020 when our library was only allowing door pick-up and drop-off of books, I picked up a craft bag that the Children's Department left for patrons. I figured Hazel and I could do the craft some time. It sat on my desk for over a year. Inside it had tissue paper in different colors, two 5" x 7" flat canvases, a small container of Mod Podge, a sponge brush applicator and instructions. The idea behind the craft was for the kids to create a picture by cutting the tissue paper into different shapes and gluing it on to the canvas. This craft sparked my interest. I wondered how my Cuttlebug would be with tissue paper. I am a bit obsessed with butterflies right now. Since Hazel is turning 13 this year and I see that age as a big metamorphosis year, I thought her birthday party should be butterfly themed. I have some beautiful butterfly dies to cut with my Cuttlebug. I tried it out with four pieces (different colors) of tissue paper and got some beautiful butterflies. The largest ones had some tears in some of the layers but otherwise were great.  Using the craft idea and my tissue butterflies, I wanted to make Hazel a butterfly picture. I found a pink square canvas that we had in our craft supplies and came up with this.

The Proudest Color -- a New Picture Book About Race, Racism and Racial Pride

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Today I am very excited to share with you a new picture book about race, racism and racial pride. When I read this book for the first time I knew I had to share it with you. It is that amazing!! The book is The Proudest Color by Sheila Modir and Jeff Kashou and illustrated by Monica Mikai. It is recommended for ages 5 to 8.

The Complete Guide to Drawing for Beginners -- Crafty Sundays Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you have a budding artist in the family or perhaps are you one? In our house Hazel is our budding artist and one of her favorite forms of art is drawing. Over the summer she went to a weeklong art camp at her school. Her art teacher is truly amazing and he ran it. I wanted to review this book for her or actually I wanted her to review the book. She did try some of the projects for me to write the review. The book is The Complete Guide to Drawing for Beginners by Yoshiko Ogura. 

Merry Christmas, Eve! Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Krueger Wallace Press and Riven Rock Project for this post and will receive a small stipend from them.

Christmas is such a magical time of the year. I know some people do not think kids should learn about Santa or his magic, but I think it is part of the fun of Christmas. Today's book shares a bit of the magic. We head to the North Pole where we meet one of Santa's elves, Eve. She begins to search for the spirit of Christmas in hopes of saving Christmas and all of Santa's elves. The story is Merry Christmas, Eve! by Adam Wallace and illustrated by Lena Bardy.

The Friendly Bookshelf Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Blossom Children's Media Group, LLC and will receive a small stipend for this review.

Today I get to share a fun picture book with the message of everyone has a story worth telling. It is a sweet story that is about a bookshelf (the first of its kind). The bookshelf feels left out and left behind as the library grows. The book helps teach acceptance, inclusion, as well as confidence. The book itself comes out on November 30, 2021!

Fry Bread -- Book Review & More

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today we are going to explore Native American fry bread and share a picture book about it. Fry bread is a bit controversial in the Native American society. Some love it and others hate it due to its history. When Native Americans were forced away from their ancestral lands, they took everything they owned and could carry and walked to new lands which were nothing like their original homelands. One such "walk" is known as the Trail of Tears. Thousands of people died on the long walk. After this displacement, some of which is still occurring, the Native people could not live the way they always had. They could not get the food they knew or even grow the food they usually grew. The United States Government subsidized some basic foods and it is said the Navajos were the first to create fry bread with flour, baking powder, salt and water. 

DIY Angel or Elf Ornaments

 


This year my Facebook newsfeed is full of these adorable angel ornaments for sale. I think they are adorable but cannot imagine buying them. I looked at them and said I can make those. I bought some white fleece to begin with to figure out a pattern. I played with paper to come up with patterns. I started with a semicircle but found I cut the circle quite a bit. I also experimented with hair and more.

Peace for the Season -- Christmas Devotional

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is amazing to me that Thanksgiving is next week!! Christmas will be here before we know it. In the chaos of the holiday season it is important to take time to remember the true reason for the season and also to find some internal peace. Today I am sharing a wonderful devotional that helps you do just that. The book is Peace for the Season by Joel Osteen. 

Zeus the Mighty -- a fun twist on Greek Mythology for Middle Grades

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you kids know anything about the Greek myths? Have you ever thought it important to study them and why? There are several fun ways to learn about them without actually reading the myths these days. There are books like the series from Rick Riordan, The Treasury of Glorious Goddesses, and even fun versions like Thundercluck. Today I am going to introduce you to another series with a fun take on the myths. This series comes from National Geographic Kids and is the Zeus the Mighty series. Today I get to share the third book from the series, Zeus the Mighty: The Trials of Hairy-Clees by Crispin Boyer. It is suggested for ages 8 to 12. 

Learning about Diana Vreeland with a New Picture Book

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I always love learning about new women who made a difference in the world. Today I am sharing a new picture book (just released this week) about Diana Vreeland. Do you know about Diana Vreeland? I hadn't until I read this book. Diana Vreeland was a fashion diva. She was a fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar where she had her own advice column for the modern woman and then was the editor in chief at Vogue. Then she was a special consultant to the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts. She was known for being eccentric and on the edge of fashion. To help kids learn about her, Violet Velvet Mittens with Everything: The Fabulous Life of Diana Vreeland by Deborah Blumenthal and illustrated by Rachel Katstaller is now available. It is recommended for ages four to eight.

This Is Clare -- a fun new rhyming picture book

 

Disclosure: I am working with The Children Book Review and Lindy Nelson and will receive a small stipend for this review. I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today I get to share with you a fun new rhyming picture book. It features a sweet dog named Clare who lives in China. The book is written for people learning English but also works well to share a bit of the culture of China with English speaking people! It is This Is Clare by Lindy Nelson and illustrated by Ingrid Lefebvre. 

Spirit of the Indian Warrior -- Fascinating Look at the Native American Warrior

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today I turn our focus back to Native American Heritage Month. I'm sharing a book that gives us a look at the true spirit of the warriors with quotes, photographs, and artwork. The book is Spirit of Indian Warrior edited by Michael Oren Fitzgerald and Joseph A. Fitzgerald. 

Jesús, Mary, and Joseph -- a Sweet Religious Christmas Story with Crafts to Go with It & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I am working with Children's Book Review and Kathleen T. Pelley and will receive a small stipend for this review. I was sent a digital copy of this book to write this review. All opinions are my own.

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love all the joy and happiness that the season brings. I also love the message of Jesus Christ being born and what that means for us. I always am happy to check out new Christmas books. Today I get to share a really sweet new Christmas book with you.

The Brave -- a Native American Novel with a special look at life's problems

 


Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

We are continuing our celebration of Native American Heritage Month with a middle grades novel today. This novel delves into Native American life but it also has important messages for everyone to learn. It is such an interesting story and has fascinating characters. The book is The Brave by James Bird. 

Protest! --Book Review and sharing about some of the Native American protests in the book

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Protest! What comes to mind when you hear the word? There have been so many protests throughout history and many in recent times even during the world pandemic. Some protests are peaceful and some are not, but today's book will focus on peaceful ones. The book is Protest! How People Have Come Together to Change the World by Alice and Emily Haworth-Booth. This book is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

MerryMakers Dolls--the Perfect Holiday Gifts for Little Ones

 

Disclosure: I was sent a doll in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you know the classic children's book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats? We loved it when Hazel was young and planned days around it like this one outside and this one inside. I love that it is a multicultural children's book that is just about going out to play in the snow. It is relatable to any child who lives where it snows. Plus the character, Peter, dresses in his red snow gear and looks adorable. Well along comes MerryMakers! They make dolls and toys that go with many classic children's books including The Snowy Day

The Giving Manger -- the Perfect Family Activity/Gift for Advent Bringing Christ into Your Holiday Season

 

Disclosure: I was sent this product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

One of my goals this November is to share  amazing Christmas products, so you will have time to purchase them to enjoy during the season. Today I begin my reviews with The Giving Manger by Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer.

Holiday Gift Recommendations & Where to Shop This Year

 

Disclosure: All of these recommendations are based on reviews I have written or will write for products that were sent to me in exchange for a review. Some links will be affiliate links where I will receive a small percentage if you purchase through them. Thank you for your support!

This year there will be shortages for gifts, especially toys. They are saying to shop early and not wait to see if things go on sale. I decided to provide my gift recommendations and my favorites of 2021 for you earlier than usual. I went through what I have shared with you and some of what I will share with you to give these recommendations. I may make additions in the future since I don't have everything I will review this year yet. I am dividing it up by ages for actual gift recommendations! Many of the recommendations are for books. If you follow the rule of four for gifting this should be helpful! I hope you find this list helpful!

Fall Crafts Capturing the Beauty of Autumn Leaves

 


Last week I shared some autumn crafts including leaf embroidery. I promised another fall craft if it worked and it mostly did. So today I am sharing how to make a leaf bowl. Now I saw photographs all over the place like this one for inspiration. I went outside and picked some beautiful fall leaves. Then I wiped them and let them dry for a few hours. I gathered a plastic cup, a balloon, a paintbrush, and my ModPodge. When I was ready I blew up the balloon and put it in the plastic cup. The cup works as a stand so you do not have to hold the balloon in place. Put the knotted side down into the cup. Then I spread some ModPodge on my first leaf and stuck it on to the balloon. I then spread more ModPodge on the other side of the leaf to get it really stuck. I continued doing this trying to overlap the leaves.

Notable Native American Posters & More!

 


November is always an interesting month for me. Halloween is over and fall is winding down. It is a month of thankfulness and Native American themes. Of course, I feel all year should be full of thankfulness and Native American themes, but that is a different topic. In November we also prepare for the gift giving holiday season, whatever ones you celebrate. In my house we also begin to prepare for a birthday party and this year she is turning 13--officially a teenager! So this month will be full of posts having to do with Native American themes (like this one), preparing for the holidays (including my holiday gift suggestion list) and of course holiday (including Thanksgiving) crafts and more. Stay tuned for some Native American and Christmas book reviews as well!