The theme for today seems to be compassion and dogs. Earlier today I shared a book about a young girl learning compassion through her dog. Now I am sharing a book about a dog who learns compassion by listening. The book is Willie's Gift by Clairmarie H. Field and illustrated by Maggie Sullivan.
Have you ever taken in a stray? I have but I was able to get it home to its actual owners several towns away. It was a stray cat. Today I get to share a book from a very special series of books about stray dogs and the kids who take them in. I am going to review Charlotte & Boo Boo by S. K. Edwards. It is part of The Doggos Series. And at the end of this post there is a giveaway for the whole series!!
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 Malia Grace to bring you this post.
Are you getting ready for back to school? When does school start for you? Teachers go back in a couple of weeks for me. It is hard to believe my summer is almost over. I haven't done half the things I hoped to but have had an amazing summer! I'm also looking forward to the new school year, but I know this can be hard on kids especially the first time they go to school or go to a new school. Today we are sharing an amazing book about a young coyote finding his place at school even after a difficult beginning. The book is Cody's Whisper by Malia Grace and illustrated by Lauren Elise Reeves. There is a giveaway at the end of this post and I created a free printable with lessons from the book!
When kids are young, we tend to read alphabet books. Some have themes and others are funny, but most don't get read too many times. Today I am going to share a fun one with you that I can see quickly becoming a favorite book to be read over and over! The book is A Bus Can't Drive Empty: An Alphaballiteration Adventure by Davon Miller. And since the post is part of The Children's Book Review Virtual Book Tour there is a giveaway at the end!!
There are many different types of loss, and each one tends to hurt. However, the death of a loved one especially a caregiver can be extremely tough. Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book about a young girl dealing with the death of her grandmother. It is a wonderful resource for any child going through the death of a loved one. Last week I also shared a middle grade novel about dealing with loss as well for older kids. Today's review also includes a giveaway at the end of the post and is part of The Children's Book Review Virtual Book Tour.
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 Herald Press to bring you this post.
Has your community or family suffered from gun violence? I feel like all the school shootings and random shootings are make us apathetic unless it is in our circle. I remember when the Columbine school shooting happened. Do you? It was one of the more significant school shootings that really changed how school shootings were covered. I was teaching in public school in Massachusetts then, but it was a school vacation week. I remember watching it on television and yelling at the reporters and cameramen to stop and help the kids running out of the school instead of sharing the story. As a teacher I couldn't imagine adults not caring for the kids who just went through this awful experience. When we got back to school, we had to address it. Kids were telling me their parents helped them plan out escape routes from any class they had. Now I feel like we hear about a shooting at a school, a mall, etc. and we may say a prayer for the victims, but it is not as big of a deal. Even the media doesn't cover it like they covered Columbine. Hazel has brought up what it is like to be growing up in this time of school shootings. We tried to hide it from her when she was young, but as grew older and the shootings became more commonplace, she heard about them. Today we are sharing a powerful book about a community finding a way to spark peace after some gun violence. The book is Sparking Peace by Teresa Kim Pecinovsky and Hannah Rose Martin and illustrated by Gabhor Utomo. At the end of this post there is a giveaway as well!
Happy First Day of Summer!! To kick off this season I get to share a fun book about sea creatures. Every summer Hazel and I always studied something about the ocean/beach. We always have a beach trip since we get the Cape house for a week. Plus, there are always great crafts to do with the treasures you find on a beach. So, to go with today's book I am sharing a roundup of sea star themed crafts! The book today is Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star by Kathleen Welton and illustrated by Chau Pham.
When Hazel was young, she loved when we read books about other places and cultures. She would have loved The Tales of Charlie Wags Series. And guess what? Charlie Wags is back and this time he visits Paris!! The book we are sharing today is The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris by Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay with pictures by Sanna Sjöström. After my review there is a roundup of Paris-themed crafts as well as other books to learn and explore Paris from home! Plus, there is a 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.
Do you have little ones wiggling, hopping, slithering around this summer? I have a great book for you all about animals and it is a companion book to a song! I feel like there are a lot of new books about animals these days. I have reviewed several for various age groups recently. Today I get to add one more to the list and this one feels like it should be sung! The book is Animals Are Great by Latifa Kimberly Reeves, Mark Larson, and Lisa Hart.
Do you know any kids who don't want to try something new, but when they do, they love it? I feel like so many kids go through this stage. It is hard to try something new. It is scary and a bit nerve-racking even for adults. For kids it is easier for them to say no then try it. Today's book is all about this stage. It is I Don't Think So! by K. Joyner and illustrated by Asha Butler. There is a giveaway at the end of this post!
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 aka Associates to bring you this post.
Do you want to keep your kids learning this summer? Or maybe you need something for them to do for a car or plane ride? Or maybe it is just a rainy day, and you are sick of hearing, "I'm bored." Today we are sharing the perfect activity book for your kids. It is Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles by Helene Hovanec. There is a giveaway at the end of this post!
Are you an animal lover? I find many kids are. I feel like there are some great new books featuring animals as well as climate change. Today I am sharing an amazing middle grade novel that dives into the amazing world of animals and tries to bring to light some of the endangered animals. But it also is a riveting, action-packed story full of relationships and adventure. The book is Armando & the Amazing Animal Race by Diana Schaffter. There is a giveaway at the end of the post to enter!
Have you ever worked so hard practicing something but still feel like you are making mistakes? Each minor slip up takes away a bit of your self-confidence. Today I get to share a picture book with you about a girl who has a desire to dance but feels like she just can't do it correct until her parents give her a special pair of magic shoes. The book is Ellie's Dancing Shoes by Scott Sollers and illustrated by Bryan Janky. There is a giveaway at the end of this post!
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 Amplify Publishing Group to bring you this post.
When I was young, I loved playing make believe. Hazel played in her own way. I always love books that encourage such play and today I get to share one with you. It is the sweetest book. It is I Am NOT Sophie! by Robyn Hodess and illustrated by Terry Kole. At the end of this post is a giveaway!!
What relationship do dogs and cats have? Typically we say they hate each other, but we all know people who have both animals that get along. Today I get to share a fun book that explores this relationship from the dog's point of view and it is not just any dog but it is a pug. You may remember by review of Ode to a Pug. Well the pug is back and he has a new housemate. The book is Ode to a Pug: That Cat! by Jill Rosen and illustrated by Stephanie Rohr. At the end of this post there is a giveaway!! Be sure to check it out.
What is the most famous art museum in the world? I would say it is the Louvre. I know I would love to go there and see the Mona Lisa in person. How about you? Today I get to share with you a book that tells the story of how I.M. Pei designed and built the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre. The book is The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Khoa Le. To go with this book, I am sharing a roundup of pyramid crafts and activities and there is a giveaway at the end!
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 Amplify Publishing Group to bring you this post.
These days knowing what the Constitution says seems more important than ever. In our current situation it seems like many people are pushing the limits of the Constitution. Some are even wondering who is protecting it as our law. But who among us has actually read the Constitution? It is an old document written in English from another time. It is a boring read however today I get to share with you a book that kids will enjoy reading that has them reading and understanding the Constitution. It is The Constitution Kids by Gary Gabel.
Do you ever struggle with words? Perhaps you struggle to find the right ones? Do you remember struggling with words as a child? It was always so hard to find the right ones at the right time. I also went to speech therapy so there were words I just struggled to pronounce. Today I am sharing a book about words and how we use them. The book is Words by Kathrine Davis-Gibbon and illustrated by Anne Berry. There is a giveaway at the end of the post!
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 Alysson Foti Bourque to bring you this post.
I am very excited to share another Alycat Series book with you today!! Have you checked out the Alycat Series yet? I have reviewed a few of them previously. Today's has a STEM theme as well as the lesson about friendship each book has. The book is Alycat and the Copycat by Alysson Foti Bourque and illustrated by Chiara Civati. At the end of the post there is a giveaway!!
How much have you thought about wolves? They make appearances in fairy tales (the Big Bad Wolf is in several) as well as Native American folktales. We know our pet dogs evolved from wolves. You may have even seen a wolf or two. Or perhaps heard one howling or tried to howl like one. But do you know the importance of wolves to some ecosystems? People at Yellowstone Park do. When the wolf population went down it really affected the entire park. Today I get to share a book with you that tells the tale of the success story of bringing back the wolf population at Yellowstone National Park. The book is Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story by Karen B. Winnick.
