12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

The holiday season is upon us. Or should I say the holiday prep season is upon us. Between the baking, cooking, decorating, and shopping I would say there is a lot of preparation for the holidays. Today we get to share a fun new holiday book that is a spin-off of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." In fact, the lyrics can be sung to the tune and there is a YouTube video teaser to begin to share the book.  The book is 12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas by Tanya Harvey and illustrated by Chelsea Peters. And there is a giveaway at the end of this post!! Perfect to help you get ready for Christmas!

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 1-The Pangolins -- 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 Jennifer Ussi to bring you this post.

Cats can do amazing things. I know I have three of them. I love my cuddle times. In fact, I have one on my lap as I write this post. Today I get to share a fun middle grade/early chapter book with you about a curious cat who gets lost in Africa and has many adventures to find her way home. The book is The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Gets Lost in Africa: Book 1-The Pangolins by Jennifer Ussi and illustrated by Lekshmi Bose. And there is a giveaway at the end of this post!

Ode to a Pug: Not the Vet! -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

Ode to a Pug is back!! This time he is off to the veterinarian and has all sorts of fears and adventures. Get ready for a humorous story of everyone's favorite pug!  The book is Ode to a Pug: Not the Vet! by Jill Rosen and illustrated by Stephanie Rohr. There is a giveaway after my review.

Autism: My Invisible Backpack -- 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 Dalisse Siqueiros to bring you this post.

All kids can feel big emotions but imagine what it is like for a child or person with autism. I teach many students with autism, and it has honestly been eye-opening to talk with some of them and get a peek inside their brains. They are truly wired differently. It is not worse or better but different. And as much as people fear having children with autism, if we didn't have autistic people, we would be living in a very different world without a lot of the things we depend on every day. Today we are sharing book from a series meant to help autistic kids and their parents deal with living in a world for people who think differently. The book is Autism: My Invisible Backpack: Discovering Emotions, Masking and the Joy of Being Seen by Dalisse Sequeiros and Luis Barros. After my review there is a giveaway!

Adventures with Allie and Friends: Chef Cherie's Cafe -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book to review honestly. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Melanie Moore to bring you this post.

Have you ever noticed some books are just about stories and some are about teaching a lesson? We have needs and wants for both types. Today I am sharing a book with a story that has kids doing a lesson in it. The book is the first in a series. It is Adventures with Allie and Friends: Chef Cherie's Cafe by Melanie Moore and illustrated by Juan Diaz. There is a giveaway after my review!

The Magic Maze Trilogy -- 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 Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor to bring you this post.

Do you have a reader who loves fantasy and mystery? I have a wonderful book trilogy for you. It is The Magic Maze Trilogy by Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor. The book is full of mystery and adventure in a magical realm with two siblings just trying find their way home. There is a giveaway after my review!

Santa's 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh -- 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 J. Brandon Boron to bring you this post.

Halloween is on Friday!! That means Christmas is getting closer and closer. I know I have seen the memes that say October 31 at midnight the Christmas music begins to play. Well, I'm going a little earlier to bring you a fun new picture book with sing-along lyrics that will have little ones rocking! The book is Santa's 18-Wheel Steel-and-Chrome Sleigh by J. Brandon Boron and illustrated by Shaun Ivie. There is a giveaway at the end of this post!!

Mimi and Ary -- 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 Rashad Mirzayev to bring you this post.

Kids have many experiences that can make them feel scared or lonely. It takes time and experience to learn how to deal with these moments. Today I am sharing a book that helps teach these lessons in a fun and creative way. The book is Mimi and Ary by Rashad Mirzayev. There is a giveaway at the end of this post. 

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.

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!

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!!

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!

Live Big with Catch-M -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

We all have those days where we feel alone and scared. There are even more of those days when we are young. It is important to find our strengths and self-love. It is especially important for us to help our children find this for those dark moments everyone has. We get to share a fun book to help kids do just that. It is Live Big with Catch-M by Kat Kronenberg and illustrated by Jomike Tejido. It is recommended for ages 2 to 10. There is a giveaway after my review.

Abigail and the Waterfall -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I 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 Sandra L. Richter to bring you this post.

I feel like as a society we have moved indoors and are not enjoying the outdoors or teaching our children to enjoy it. Whether it is the bugs or the temperature, I find Hazel always has an excuse not to want to be outside. I grew up without air conditioning, so it often was cooler outside than inside during the day in the summer. We spent most of our days outside. Hazel and her friends usually do not. It saddens me. There is so much beauty outside. God has created this masterpiece of a world for us, and we do not always take the time to enjoy it or care for it. Today we are sharing a beautiful book about loving God's good Earth. It is called Abigail and the Waterfall by Sandra L. Richter and illustrated by Michael Corsini. There is a giveaway at the end of this post as well!

Being Middle -- 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 Lori Orlinsky to bring you this post.

Where do you fall in the sibling chain? I am the youngest. There are four years between me and my middle sister (and two years between her and the oldest). I was told she was immediately jealous of me. She would jump into my mother's lap while my mom was breastfeeding me. There has been a pretty large sibling rivalry there but of course things are better now. Middle children often develop a strong sense of independence and can be rebellious due to feeling like they are overlooked. They can struggle with self-identity and often look for validation with peers and have strong friendships. (Source) This very much describes my middle sister. She is still very close to friends from high school. She was definitely the most rebellious out of us all. She gave my parents plenty of problems, but she is also the one who jumped in to care for them whenever they needed it as an adult. As the youngest I was always trying to keep up with her. Today I am sharing a fun book about being the middle child and some of the positives of that role. It is Being Middle (is a great place to be) by Lori Orlinsky and illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre. At the end of the post there is a giveaway too!!

Willie's Gift -- Picture 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 Clairmarie H. Field to bring you this post.

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.