Halloween-Themed Books for the End of October

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Vampires, black cats, monsters, costumes and trick-or-treating! It is that time of the year that the spooky and scary things are out everywhere. When Hazel was young, we couldn't go into stores without her freaking out with all the Halloween products. She would get so scared. We were always on the lookout for Halloween books, activities, etc. that were not so scary. Today we are going to share three picture books and one early chapter book that are not too scary but have a Halloween theme. They have the vampires, black cats, monsters and more in them but are full of fun! The first book is actually more of an emotion awareness book, but it features a vampire! It is Vlad Is Mad! by Su Moon. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Hear Me Roar! I'm a HANUKKAHsaur -- Picture Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide you with an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Naomi Gruer to bring you this post.

The holidays are fast approaching. Halloween is just a couple weeks away and once it hits all the holidays seem to fly by. Today we are sharing a book about Hanukkah that is perfect for dinosaur lovers! The book is Hear Me Roar! I'm a HANUKKAHsaur by Naomi Gruer and illustrated by Mel Zohar. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. There is a giveaway after my review!

Board and Picture Books Released This Week

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Over the weekend we traveled to Michigan to see my goddaughter get married and visit two colleges. It was a lot and I will admit I was tired. We woke up Monday to discover our return flight was cancelled, and both Steven and Hazel had to be home for Tuesday, so their free option was not working for us. I decided to take yesterday off from writing book reviews so today I am combining my review for three books released yesterday! One is a board book and the other two are picture books. The board book is Bizzy Bear: It's Bedtime by Benji Davies. It is an interactive board book with tabs to push, pull and slide. It is recommended for ages 0 to 2 and is part of the Bizzy Bear series. 

Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Sharique Zea to bring you this post.

I love a good fantasy book and really love a good fantasy series. Today we get to share the second book in the Lionborn series. You can check out our review of the first book here. This series is a fantasy series for ages 10 to 14 that is full of mystery, magic, adventure and friendship. The second book is Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider by Sharique Zea. After my review is a giveaway! Get ready to be amazed with the creativity of this book.

Brave Like Me -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Karen Henrich to bring you this post.

Facing different things can be very scary especially for young children. It could be simple as facing a new place, having to do something for the first time or as difficult as going through treatment for a serious disease like cancer. One of the best ways for kids to be brave is to be with someone else they trust--family or friend. Let's face it all of us face tough times better with someone else to help. Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book that shares this message. The book is Brave Like Me by Karen Henrich and illustrated by Jordan Foster. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and there is a giveaway after my review!

Books to Celebrate Indigenous People's Day, Native American Heritage Month & More!

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Monday is Indigenous People's Day. A great way to celebrate is to learn more about indigenous cultures. Today we are sharing three fun books that share indigenous stories and reading them is a wonderful way to learn about the cultures as well as celebrate. They are great for any time of the year and also for people who want to celebrate in November, Native American Heritage Month. I get really excited about Native American stories and always have and these three are no different. The first book is First Fire: An Algonkian Story retold by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac and illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Norton Young Readers to bring you this post. 

What makes a home? What is your home? I remember taking a diversity awareness class when I was a pretty new teacher and one of the assignments was to write a paper about who you were and what made you that person. When we shared them, it was really interesting to hear the different stories and different backgrounds each of us had. The group of teachers was unfortunately mostly white but each of us had so many different things that mattered to us in our upbringing and life to create the person we each became. It is a project I would love to do again now that I have a family of my own and am on the other side of my career. Maybe someday I will. The book we are sharing today however reminded me of that assignment. It is A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home by Nikki McClure. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. At the end of this post there is a giveaway!

The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince -- Middle Grades Historical Fiction Novel Review

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

How much do you know the 1800s in America--well, San Francisco and the Barbary Coast? We all learn about the gold rush and know it is a bit of the Wild West at this time, but what was life really like? Today we are sharing a historical fiction middle grades novel that shares a bit of insight. It is The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince by Bobbi Miller. It is recommended for ages 9 to 12.

New STEAMWORKS Books to Teach Young Ones About Sorting and Ramps

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

When is a good time to begin teaching kids STEAM concepts? The truth is for some kids, day one seems to work. I know my nephew had a board book about numbers my mom read to him when he was young and he took the knowledge from it and began to add, subtract and multiply on his own before he was three. There are many concepts that can be explored with young kids and today we are sharing the two newest STEAMWORKS books that will help get you started on these concepts with your little ones. One is a board book, and one is a picture book! We love STEAMWORKS books! They are all available in English and in Spanish and all of them have activities to extend the lesson in them. We will start with the new board book. It is Sort, Wash, ROAR! by Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrated by Sian James. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3.

Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King -- Graphic Novel Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Shawn Hainsworth to bring you this post.

Do you have trouble getting your child to finish a book? As kids get older the books get longer and for the reluctant reader it can be hard to finish one. This is where graphic novels come in handy. Think about it, you have a kid who has always struggled with staying still and you are asking them to sit still and read a novel. Graphic novels are usually full of action and entertaining just like we found comic books when we were younger, but graphic novels are longer than most comic books, so they have more of a plot and count as reading a novel in most schools. For kids who cannot sit still, an action-packed graphic novel is perfect. Today we are sharing one that is great for those kids who need constant motion. The book is Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King created by Darin S. Cape and illustrated by Zeno Decrux and Hiorsh Gabotto. It is recommended for ages 9 and up and there is a giveaway at the end of this post!

Picture Books About Finding & Sharing the Best Parts of You and Life

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

I love picture books that share people finding confidence in themselves or sharing their light with others. Today we have three newly released picture books that are around these themes and one about seasons too! We will start with the season one. It is Lyric's Favorite Season by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Nora T and the Champion Tree -- Middle Grade Novel Review with STEM

 

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

As autumn is hitting New England one often thinks about the trees. Well, I guess the leaves. When Hazel was young, we would take nature walks around the neighborhood and collect leaves. We would do crafts with them, and I would try to teach her about the kinds of trees in the neighborhood. It is important for the next generation to understand the importance of nature and taking care of it. Today we are sharing a middle grade book about a girl and some large trees. It has some STEM in it as well as the normal life things--friends, family, etc. The book is Nora T and the Champion Tree by Mona Martin Batchelor and illustrations by Maggie Latimer. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Night Ride -- First Children's Book Rendered in Stained Glass & It's Wordless!

 

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

Do you remember the feeling of riding a bike as a kid? The wind in your hair? Having your own wheels and thus mode of transportation? It was so exciting to think you could go anywhere without needing the help of an adult. It was even better when you were with a group of your friends. Today we are sharing a very special picture book about a bike ride. It is the first ever children's book illustrated in stain glass, and it is wordless. The book is Night Ride by Christopher Myers. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 but I always love wordless books for even younger!

Middle Grade Graphic Novel Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Do you have a child in your life who loves graphic novels? Today we are sharing three middle grade graphic novels that range in types from fantasy to a book about siblings and friends on a trip to Japan. Between the three books the ages are 8 to 14. The first book is from The Wingfeather Saga. The Wingfeather Saga is four middle grade novels as well as an animated show. Today's book is the first graphic novel of the series! It is On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson and illustrated by Alessia Trunfio. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

Fun Stories Kids Will Love

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Are you ready for some fun stories that could be any day stories? Today we are sharing two books that are full of fun stories. One is a creative picture book, and the other is a collection of short stories featuring the beloved character, Maisy. We will start with the picture book. It is A Day Off School by Oliver Jeffers and illustrated by Kevin Waldron. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Books That Teach Concepts to Young Kids

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Books that teach different concepts are a fun way to get young kids learning things they know. I always loved them when Hazel was young. Today we get to share three board books from a beloved children's book series, Guess How Much I Love You, and a fun picture book for slightly older kids. We will start with the board books. The first one is Guess How Much I love You: Shapes by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram. The recommended ages are 1 to 3.

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal Book & Activity Book -- Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this set of books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Ryan Cowan to bring you this post.

Do you love Halloween? Do your kids/students? A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to share this book with you and today I am reviewing it again with its activity book! It has been interesting re-reading the book. It has been a while since I have re-read novels. The book is Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal by Ryan Cowan, and it is accompanied by Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal Activity Book/Novel Study Grades 3-5 also by Ryan Cowan. Now the book has 31 chapters, and the activity book has activity pages for each chapter, so this book is amazing for a countdown to Halloween! After my review is a giveaway!!

Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape -- Picture Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Mark C. Fava to bring you this post.

Have you ever wondered how a navy ship is run? Do you have little ones who love ships and everything that moves? Today we are sharing a wonderful book that teaches the lessons from an admiral on a navy ship. The book is Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape by Mark C. Fava and illustrated by Agus Prajogo and Yohanes Bastia. After my review there is a giveaway!

Bella & Bird Explore Sadness -- Picture Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Deana Plaskon to bring you this post.

Little kids and really all of us have BIG feelings sometimes. Little kids do not always know how to deal with them. Bella and Bird return in a new book focusing on sadness this time! The book is Bella and Bird Explore Sadness by Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC and illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti. There is a giveaway for the series after my review.

Books Featuring the Moon

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

The moon has fascinated people for centuries. We see it play key roles in folktales from all over the world. Today we are sharing two books featuring the moon. One shares facts about the moon, and one is the retelling of a folktale. The book featuring facts about the moon has various flaps to lift to find out the facts. It is The Moon by Sandra Laboucarie and illustrated by Didier Balicevic. It is recommended for ages 4 to 6 but I would guess really 4 to 8 would enjoy it.