New Fun Graphic Novels

 

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

Do you read for fun? Do your kids? According to a flyer shared with one of the books: "Reading for fun in the US has fallen by nearly 40 percent!" For many kids reading has become a chore. It is not fun when you don't get to read what you want. For reluctant readers and others graphic novels bring some of the fun back to reading. Today we are sharing two middle grade novels that are fun and interesting and even have some facts in them! The first is A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat. This book is recommended for ages 6 to 10 and is the first in a series.

Hope Rode: The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians -- a 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. This post is sponsored by Lauren H. Kerstein.

Did you know that National Library Week is officially April 19 to April 26 this year? Have you ever thought about the importance of the library? It serves so many purposes for different people from a place to be able to read books for free to a place to use the internet for free as well as a place with heat or air conditioning in different weather. I know some people argue that we do not need the public libraries now that we have digital books and more, but I disagree. I think libraries serve more purposes than ever before. It can be a children's program that helps the new parents or new to the town kids meet others. It can be where the unemployed go to look for new jobs and possibly even get help with their resume. There are many services libraries serve and today we are going to look at a book that shares a very different library service in a different time. The book is Hope Rode: The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians by Lauren H. Kerstein and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. After my review is a giveaway!!

Barbed Wire Between Us -- Picture Book Review

 

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

April is poetry month and today we are going to share a book written in reverso poetry. They say history repeats itself and today's book illustrates this in a powerful way. The book is Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen and illustrated by Violeta Encarnación. It is recommended for ages 7 to 12. 

The Traitor Moth -- Middle Grade Fantasy Novel

 

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

It has been a while since I have shared a middle grade book. Today we are sharing a newly released fantasy middle grade novel. It is the first book in a series. The book is The Traitor Moth by Katharine Orton. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Fun & Informative Books for the Youngest Readers

 

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

Spring has sprung and that gets everyone thinking about outside. Today we are sharing two newly released books with outdoor ties. One is a peek-through board book about bugs and the other is a picture book that is perfect for bedtime! We will start with the board book. It is Bugs by Britta Teckentrup. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3.

Mom-Themed Picture Books with a Flower Craft Roundup

 

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

April showers bring May flowers. May flowers are perfect for Mom for Mother's Day! Today we are sharing two newly released mom-themed picture books and one of them is about flowers, so we are including a flower craft roundup! Each book is a wonderful reminder of how important mom is to kids. The first book is When We Were Snails by Nan Cao. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Inbetweens -- Tween Graphic Novel Review

 

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

Ever wonder what it is like to be a twin? What happens when you and your twin follow your shared dream and it isn't what either of you expected? Today we are sharing a new tween graphic novel that explores this. The book is Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.

Rescue Clickity Clack -- Book Review & Giveaway with Crab Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Debra Pehrson Haun. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

As spring approaches, thoughts of summer adventures do as well. That always brings me to thoughts of the beach. When Hazel was younger, I loved finding books about the beach and ocean creatures around this time of year to get us thinking about our summer plans. Today I get to share a fun picture book about a crab, and it is interactive!! The book is Rescue Clickity Clack by Debra Pehrson Haun. At the end of this post is a crab craft roundup to go with the book and a giveaway!!

Go Bananas! -- Silly Picture Book to Cheer Up the Reader

 

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

Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to go right or perhaps a day where your young one cannot find anything to be happy about? Today we are sharing a fun and silly new picture book that will have even the grumpiest child giggling and smiling. The book is Go Bananas! by A.B. Peele and illustrated by Lala Watkins. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Picture Books About Finding and Being True to Oneself

 

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

I love springtime. Everything comes back to life including our picture books. Today we are sharing two newly released picture books about finding oneself and staying true to oneself. The first book is Who Are You? by Claire Keane. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and is a wonderful book for springtime and getting outside!

Danny Can Read / Danny Sabe Leer -- Bilingual Picture Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Diana Paola Navarro Gómez. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Children grow and develop at different rates. Skills and abilities develop in their own time even in twins. Today we get to share a fun bilingual, Spanish and English, that shares this concept and that we each have our own talents. The book is Danny Can Read / Danny Sabe Leer by Diana Paola Navarro Gómez and illustrated by Carmen Bianco. And there is a giveaway at the end of this post!

Mama Won't Mind -- Picture Book Review

 

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

What is special to a mother on her birthday? If a gift from a child is not what she expected, does she mind? Today we are sharing a sweet book about the special bond between mother and child. The book is Mama Won't Mind by Kathleen Bahr and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Lulu Didn't Want a Dog -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Do you have cats and dogs? Do they get along? We all know the old saying about them being enemies, but we also know plenty of people who have both and they get along. Today we are sharing a book about a cat and dog becoming friends. The book is Lulu Didn't Want a Dog by Laurel Molk. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

The Mother Tree -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Earth Day is coming. People often try different crafts and such to celebrate with kids. I like books that help us teach kids about nature and taking care of it. Today we are sharing a new picture book about the relationship between trees. The book is called The Mother Tree by Sybil Rosen and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Music of the Bells -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book that shares a story of a young girl combining her family culture with her new society culture. It teaches about Kathak, a classical form of Indian dance. The book is Music of the Bells by Anitha Rao-Robinson and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Glory Be -- a Middle Grade Novel Review

 

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

Life can be hard. It is extra hard when your dog is gone. You are not sure where, but he is gone. Was he stolen? You best friend doesn't seem to care and is acting strange. Perhaps the friendship is over. Oh, and your father is on one of his disappearances again too. Yup, life can be hard in the middle grades. This is the middle grade novel we are sharing today. It is called Glory Be by Jamie Sumner. It is written in verse. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

Ultimate Discovery T. Rex -- a Board Book with Sliding Tabs Review

 

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

Calling all dinosaur lovers!! Young kids seem to go through a dinosaur phase. I know several who are in them. Their moms work at our school and during teacher workdays they often have a play date, and the hallway becomes what we lovingly call Jurassic Park. They can tell you all about the different dinosaurs! Today we are sharing a board book with sliding tabs to make the dinosaur move about the ever-popular T. rex. It is Ultimate Discovery: T. rex by Raphaële Glaux and illustrated by Amélie Falière. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3 but I would say probably through age 5 will enjoy it!

Ramadan Rain

 

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

What is the most important gift for a child? Is it toys or new clothes? Today we are sharing a new picture book about Ramadan and what a young girl prays for and really wants for EID. The book is Ramadan Rain by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Aliaa Betawi. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Navigating Night -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Have you ever thought about what it might be like to be an immigrant? How about an immigrant child? Often the children of immigrants have to take on a role of translator, navigator, and advocate. Today we are sharing a new picture book (releasing tomorrow) that shares the special bond that is often formed by immigrant parent and child. The book is called Navigating Night by Julie Leung and illustrated by Angie Kang. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

The Big Bad Wolf Murder -- A Fun & Deadly Twist on a Fairy Tale

 

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

Do you love a good mystery? Did you know February 26th was National Tell a Fairy Tale Day? As a lover of fairy tales and mysteries today's book is perfect for me. I am describing it as a Little Red Riding Hood meets The Hunger Games mystery. It is recommended for ages 10-14 and I have to say older readers will enjoy it too. I know I did. The book is The Big Bad Wolf Murder by P.G. Bell.