Dude. Be Nice -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

Have you ever had a moment where you are trying to help but your "help" is making things worse? Perhaps you are just trying to make things better but the "help" is not wanted? Today we are sharing a book about this situation. It is called Dude. Be Nice by Sarah Scheerger with Brent and Jamie Camalich and illustrated by Alex MacNaughton. There is a giveaway at the end of the post.

Once Upon a Kwanzaa -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall to bring you this post.

Do you know much about Kwanzaa? By this point in time we have all heard of Kwanzaa, but many don't totally know what it is. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. He was searching for ways to bring Black people together after riots in Los Angeles. (Source) I don't remember hearing about Kwanzaa until the 1990s. I always feel like it is a new holiday. Even with my diversity training and work, I really didn't know too much about Kwanzaa. I have learned more by reading books and reviewing them as well as by sharing crafts and activities here. Today I get to share a wonderful and informative new book about the holiday. It is Once Upon a Kwanzaa by Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall and illustrated by Sawyer Cloud. Along with my review there is a roundup of crafts and activities to celebrate Kwanzaa and a giveaway.

Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites

 

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 women who we may not have heard of but are famous in their own right. I really love learning about female mathematicians and scientists who have made a difference in our world. And although we always focus on women in March for Women's History Month I also feel it is important that we learn about them all year long. After all women do make up at least 50% of the world population. Today I am sharing a new book (released today) that is about a famous scientist. The book is Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. This book is recommended for ages four to eight.

Nunu and the Sea

 

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

Where do your kids go when they are dealing with a BIG emotion? Where did you go when you were young? What did you do? I remember going to my room crying and wanting to be alone but not wanting to be alone. Today we are sharing a book about a young girl dealing with a big emotion and using creativity to overcome it. The book is Nunu and the Sea by Isabella Kung. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and is being released tomorrow!

A Sea of Lemon Trees

 

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

Hispanic Heritage Month ends this week, but I have one more book to share with you. It is a book based on a historical event from the 1930s and how one community fought segregation in schools. The book is A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

The Dragonships Series Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dragons and space travel and life on Mars! Talk about some exciting themes! Today I get to share a relatively new series--the first book was released in paperback last month and the second book was released this week! It is a middle grade fantasy sci-fi novel series! But older kids will enjoy this series as well. The series is written by Scott Reintgen. The first book is The Last Dragon on Mars. The series is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Growing Senses & Imagination with Books About Nature and the Seasons

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

This week I spent three days in the woods in Vermont with some of my students. Every year our school goes on a field trip to an outdoor center in Vermont. The high school students can choose to go for two nights and the middle school and 5th and 6th grade are required to go for four nights. The time there is tech free for the kids. The goals are team building, bonding with one another and getting them out of their comfort zones. For many it is the first time they are away from their parents for this length of time. As much as I hate being away from home, it is a great experience, and I always enjoy it a bit more than I think I will. It is important for everyone to get into nature and enjoy it. Today I am going to share two new picture books about nature and uses your senses and imagination. The first is Tree Spirits Around the World words and photographs by Louise Wannier and illustrated by April Tatiana Jackson. It is recommended for ages four to nine but could work with any age.

While We Wait

 

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

How often do you have to wait? How often a day? How often do your kids have to wait? Waiting can be hard for kids, but there are different activities they can do. In a society that seems to think the solution is handing them a screen, we have a new book (released today) that shares many fun ways to wait! The book is While We Wait by Bee Johnson. It is recommended for ages four to eight.

The Cobbler's Bridge -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

In times of trouble, it is important to keep hope. Hope is my word for 2025. As the political climate was changing and charging up with fighting and more, I felt hope was what I would need to keep myself calm and balanced. It has worked for the most part. Today I get to share a Christmas book (I know it is only October) that shares a story of hope, strength and generosity. It does involve a cross as well. The book is The Cobbler's Bridge by Marin. At the end of this post is a giveaway with a grand prize that includes $100!!

The Last Apple Tree -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Claudia Mills to bring you this post.

It is apple season. Everyone is so into pumpkin spice, but the truth is I love apples more! An apple tree can be so many things to different people. Today I get to share a middle grade novel with you about a family, friends, growing up, and memories and it all revolves around an old apple tree. The book is The Last Apple Tree by Claudia Mills. At the end of this post there is a giveaway!

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom

 

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

October has begun and Halloween seems to be everywhere! It is the month of ghosts, goblins and witches. Today we are sharing a book about witches however it is not really a Halloween book. It is a graphic novel about growing up and finding one's way. The book is Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley. It is recommended for ages eight to twelve. 

Picture Books About School Emotions & Finding Your Place

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

School has been in session for a month or so now around here. The first day for everyone is full of emotions and jitters. It can be hard for anyone but especially for young children just starting school or someone changing school. Today I get to share two new picture books about the first day of school. The first is Scarecited on the First Day of School by Alliah L. Agostini and illustrated by Lala Watkins. It is recommended for ages three to six. 

Bella and Bird Explore Anger -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

Emotions can be tough for everyone but especially for kids. They don't always know how to express themselves or how to control the big emotions. Today we get to share a wonderful new book that helps them handle anger better. The book is Bella and Bird Explore Anger by Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC and illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti. There is a giveaway at the end of this post!!

Pearls in the Sand: Protecting Sea Turtles in Oaxaca -- Earth Day meets Hispanic Heritage Month Picture Book

 

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

Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15th. It goes through October 15th. I have not focused on the heritage months as much as I have in the past because I truly believe books sharing any heritage and history is important for all kids to read and should be read any time. That said I am sharing a picture book today that takes place in Mexico so if you are someone who pays more attention to the heritage months, this book works for right now! It also is about helping an endangered animal species, so it is also perfect for Earth Day or a science lesson! The book is Pearls in the Sand: Protecting Sea Turtles in Oaxaca by Beatriz Gutiérrez Hernández. It is recommended for ages four to eight. 

Flying Bear & Floating House

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Flying bears and houses that float? Oh, my! Today we are sharing two new picture books that were released last week. One has a flying bear in a hot air balloon, and the other is a wordless book about a house that floated to get moved. To go with our review we are sharing a roundup of hot air balloon crafts. The first book we will share is the wordless one. It is The House That Floated by Guojing. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Outside In and the Inside Out: A Story About Arnold Lobel

 

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

Every generation had its own beloved children's authors. For Hazel it was Mo Willems, Kevin Henkes, and Shannon Hale. For me I remember loving Beatrix Potter, Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume. I remember loving Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad as well. I also loved the Paddington series. Of course there are also the other classics like Dr. Seuss. Today we are sharing a fun new book about Arnold Lobel and his amazing books. The book is Outside In and the Inside Out: A Story about Arnold Lobel by Emmy Kastner.  It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Ginger's Courage -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Lynsey Patterson to bring you this post. 

Today autumn begins in the Northern Hemisphere. The temperature is slowly getting colder especially at night. Leaves are beginning to change color and football season is in full swing. Today we are sharing a sweet picture book with a theme around football but about overcoming disabilities. The book is Ginger's Courage by Lynsey Patterson and illustrated by Angela Perrini. There is a giveaway at the end of this post!

Al's Journey -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

Growing up is hard. It is even harder when you have to do it quickly and take on an adult job. Today we are sharing a magical book about an orphaned boy who grows up in a night. It takes a look at what growing up means and about becoming more self-aware. The book is Al's Journey by Marin. At the end of the post there is a giveaway.

101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

What are your favorite childhood books? Do you have ones from your own childhood or from your children's childhood? Perhaps you love the classics like Charlotte's Web or something new like one of our favorites, Princess in Black. Or maybe you are looking at picture books or middle grade novels. Not matter what your favorites are or what you are looking to read today's book has suggestions for you. The book is 101 Books to Ready Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) by Bianca Schulze and illustrated by Samara Hardy. There is a giveaway at the end of this post too!

Luella's Library -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with the Children's Book Review and Expound Publicity to bring you this post. 

Have you noticed how much kids love screens today? They almost always seem to be using some sort of technology. Even books come on screens. However, there is something magical about reading a paper book. Today we are sharing a magical book that shares the magic of reading an actual book and how much fun it can be versus technology! The book is Luella's Library by Tara Lala and illustrated by Francesca Pesci. There is a giveaway after my review!