First Generation -- a Multicultural Children's Book Day Review #readyourworld

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of Multicultural Children's Book Day. All opinions are my own.

Can we talk about immigration? I mean it is all over our news. In fact in many ways we can say immigration has shut down our government. But let's look at the positive side of immigration instead of all the bad news our politicians are throwing around. (And in my humble opinion I don't think any of Congress or the President should be paid during the shutdown. In fact I think their salaries and health care should be going to the out of work federal employees, but I don't like to talk about politics too much.) I have an amazing book to share with you today. Tomorrow is Multicultural Children's Book Day and the link-up will be right here tomorrow!! Be sure to come back and check out all the amazing books reviewed this year! The book today is First Generation: 36 Trailblazing Immigrants And Refugees Who Make America Great by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace and illustrated by Agata Nowicka.

The Journey of York: The Unsung Hero of the Lewis and Clark Expedition #ReadYourWorld

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book as part of Multicultural Children's Book Day in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is January and that means Multicultural Children's Book Day is coming soon!! As a cohost and reviewer I love January. I love being exposed to amazing multicultural books that I hadn't heard of and getting to share them with you. Today's book is an amazing find. Quick when you hear Lewis and Clark Expedition, who do you think about (knowing we are talking about multicultural stories)? I am guessing you said Sacagawea. I know that is who I think of. We have had the pleasure of reading some amazing books about Sacagawea and sharing them here and here. However today's book teaches you about another diverse person who was forced to go on the dangerous expedition. The person is named York, and he was a slave of Captain William Clark. Our book today is The Journey of York: The Unsung Hero of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by Hasan Davis and illustrated by Alleanna Harris. 

Books for the Arts

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

Looking for some educational books for kids? Today we look at a bit of the arts--grammar, poetry, art, crafts, history. Our first book is Origami and Haiku: Inspired by Japanese Artwork illustrated by the Trustees of the British Museum. 

Fun Facts about John Howland and Review of The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower

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

I am way behind in my sharing of books with you and wanted to share this great book before Thanksgiving. I'm a little late, but made it before. The book is suggested for 7 to 10 year-olds. While reading I began thinking about fun facts, so I am going to share fun facts about the pilgrim, John Howland and then review a book based on his story.

History, Food & Health

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

Today I am going to share three books. One is on the history of everything--the universe, earth and people. The next is on the history of food. The final is a beginner's guide to essential oils--a hot topic these days.We will start in the beginning with Absolutely Everything!: A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention by Christopher Lloyd.  

History of Rumpelstiltskin and a Feminist Version of the Story

Today I am going to share a bit of the history of the tale, Rumpelstiltskin as well as a newer version of it that will make many feminists very happy. Let's just say the miller's daughter does not marry the mean king!! Let's start with the history of the tale of this funny, little man who can spin straw into gold.

Books for Ages 7-12

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

I have to admit that I am having trouble keeping up with my reading and the great books keep on coming in. Of course this week hasn't helped since I have been focused on starting my new career as a Thirty-One Consultant. I would love to have you shop my party this month and help me kick off my new career. There are wonderful choices for gifts and more! But back to my books. I have a large number of books to review and have not gotten through all of them, so I am going to share some with you today and I will admit that I have not finished them yet (but I don't have room on my review shelves for them either). These books are perfect for ages 7 to 12 so second through sixth grade. We will start with one that is perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month which ends on Monday. The book is Merci Suarez Changes Gear by Meg Medina.

Learning about Juan Felipe Herrera and His New Book Imagine

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

Today I am participating in Multicultral Kid Blog's Hispanic Heritage Month Blog Hop. I am going to share a new picture book by Juan Felipe Herrera called Imagine. It is illustrated by Lauren Castillo. When I read the book, I wanted to know more about the man who wrote it and I soon learned he is an interesting man to learn about and I thought I would share about Juan Felipe Herrera with you.

Fun Facts & History of the Real Johnny Appleseed

Did you know today is Johnny Appleseed Day? It is the anniversary of his birth. Unlike many of our American legends. Johnny Appleseed was a real person. However his story is different than the legend you heard when you were a kid. Here are some fun facts and historical things I found out about him.

Fun Facts about Neil Armstrong and I Am Neil Armstrong Review

Disclosure: Penguin Kids sent me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and participation in the I am a Travler Blog Tour. All opinions are my own. 

Today we are sharing fun facts about the astronaut, Neil Armstrong. You may have heard his famous quote--"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Yes, he was the first human to walk on the moon, but there are other very interesting things about Neil Armstrong and I am sharing some of them today. This post is part of the I am a Traveler Blog Tour.

Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder -- Mommy Time Review

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

I grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books and watching Little House on the Prairie. Did you? I loved it. In fact I found the reruns on Hallmark Channel at one point and introduced Hazel to the show. Then we started reading the books together. Now I have seen many places the idea of how politically incorrect the books are, but to me they were wholesome and good and bring back memories of a simpler time (in my life). Well, now you can find out more about the Ingalls family then ever with Caroline Fraser's Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder. 

Caroline Fraser tells you how it was. She has researched the Ingalls family and the time period thoroughly and explains things. There is a look at where both Charles Ingalls and Caroline Lake Quiner Ingalls came from and their lives and how the families came to move around and why each move was probably made. She also delves into the climate of the country and was happening during their lives. She also points out some of Laura's own biases especially when it came to faults of her family. 

As Laura Ingalls Wilder filled my head (and the head of many) with a dream of a happy time to be alive, Fraser knocks it down and tells how life really was for many families including the Ingalls on the prairie. She also explains how some of the events that happened in Wilder's books and life have been explained with a look at history and science. Things such as the great prairie fire she saw from a distance may have been the Great Chicago Fire. 

Now I have read social issues brought up by the inaccuracy of history in Wilder's books, and how it is told in the view of white man. It does not share how the Ingalls were trespassing on Native American's land when they first moved from the Big Woods. However Fraser explains it all. She explains what the pioneers were hearing was going to happen and what was happening. She tells the story without prejudice. It is eye opening to read this book having grown up with Wilder's books and the television show. I truly enjoyed this book and hope you will check it out.

Multicultural Mondays - Puritan Girl Mohawk Girl Review

Disclosure: Abrams Books sent me these products free of charge. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As always I am providing links to the book for your convenience.

Today I am sharing a historical novel about a girl/woman you probably have not heard of, but her story is amazing. The book is Puritan Girl Mohawk Girl by John Demos. 

U.S. History/Government Resources Review

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

Are you getting ready for a new school year? Looking for some fun resources to help your child(ren) learn about the American Revolution and the United States Constitution? I have the perfect books for you!! First we will look at the book about the forming of the United States--The American Revolution: Experience the Battle for Independence by Judy Dodge Cummings and illustrated by Tom Casteel. 

Fun Facts about Hot Dogs-- National Hot Dog Day

Did you know today is National Hot Dog Day? There are all sorts of events going on in honor of it. Be sure to check out this article for some of the deals you can get. Today I thought I would share with you some fun facts about hot dogs. 

Who Was Series...

Disclosure: Penguin Kids sent me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The links are affiliate links where I will receive a small percentage of any purchases made through them at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share!

The reading specialist at Hazel's school recently told me she heard that at least 50% of what kids read should be nonfiction. Do your kids read nonfiction? Hazel actually loves biographies and historical books. One series that she loves is the Who Was Series. This series is for the middle grades or ages 8-12. Today we get to share two fun books from this series. These two characters are paired together in an episode on the Netflix Who Was? Series. We will be sharing Who Was Albert Einstein? and Who Was Joan of Arc? Hazel was very excited to read these books and she will be doing a Hazel's corner on Joan of Arc.

Women History

Disclosure: I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The links are affiliate links where I will receive a small percentage of any purchases made through them at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share!

Do you children like to read nonfiction? Hazel does. She always has. I was recently told that they now recommend that kids read 50% nonfiction. How disappointing when you look at the number of books for younger readers that are about women. There are not that many out there. However today I am going to share five nonfiction picture books and one novel that shares a bit about real women in history.  We will start with Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel by Lisa Pliscou and illustrated by Jen Corace. 

Novels for Grades 1-3

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

Today I am going to share with you four novels perfect for your first through third graders. The first two are part of the Circle C Stepping Stone Series by Susan K. Marlow and published by Kregel Publications. These are books 3 and 4. This series takes place in the Wild West during the late 1800s. (There are Circle C books for different age groups as well.) The first book is Andi Lassos Trouble. 

Books for National Pet Month

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

Did you know May is National Pet Month in the United States? (It was April in the United Kingdom.) We love our pets--our two cats and fish. Hazel's love for animals and our pets has gotten her to start a minsitry of collecting items and money for the shelter we got both of our cats--Northeast Animal Shelter. She calls her ministry Pawprints on Hazel's Heart. In celebration of National Pet Month I am going to share three pet realted books with you. These picture books range in the ages that they will work. Going in order of age, we will start with the two books that are for Preschool through third grade. The fist is It's a Puppy's Life by Seth Casteel. Let's just say this book is full of cuteness!!

A Look at Japan for Asian / Pacific Island Heritage Month

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

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Multicultural Kid Blogs is hosting a blog hop today for this heritage month and I decided to focus mostly on Japan. I have a bunch of fun books to share with you to help focus on Japan and its culture. It is a mixture of coloring books, origami kits, a novel and an Asian cookbook. The first book I am going to share is another book in the Friendship Dolls Series from Candlewick Press. I reviewed the other two previously. Today's book is Dolls of Hope by Shirley Parenteau. 

Two Middle School Novels that Open Eyes to Another Time

Disclosure: Candlewick Press sent me these books in exchange for an honest review all opinions are my own. 

Looking for an interesting read for your middle schooler? These two novels by Laura Amy Schlitz answer it!! They are both set in early 1900s and both have a poor girl as the main character and narrator. We will start with A Drowned Maiden's Hair.

In this story Maud Flynn is an orphan. Her older brother and younger sister were adopted but the family would not take Maud. Maud is known at the orphanage for trouble. When the Hawthorne sisters come to adopt a young girl, Miss Hyacinth discovers Maud and decides she is perfect. However the Hawthornes are not adopting to have a child as much as that they need a child for help with their fake seances. Maud learns a lot while trying to be good for the three Hawthorne sisters and learns even more when she gets to know the woman the sisters are trying to "contact" her dead nine-year-old daughter.  It is a tale of scandal and more as well as lessons about parental love. 

This tale is engrossing. Once you get into the book there is a mystery about it. For quite awhile it is why does Maud have to be a secret child. How is she going to help these bizarre sisters. I can see a middle schooler or older loving this look at another time period and way of life. It would also bring about great discussions with questions like "Was Maud better off in the orphanage or as the Hawthorne sisters' secret child?" It brings up questions of morals and what is really needed in life.

Our next book is The Hired Girl. This book is the diary of Joan. Joan is a farm girl who lives with her father and three older brothers. Her mother recently died and her father pulled her from school since she was needed to do the women's work. Her mother wanted her to become a teacher so she wouldn't get stuck in marriage. Her father was pretty awful to Joan. One day Joan decides she needs to escape and runs away. She ends up in Baltimore and is taken in by a Jewish family. She lies about her name and age. The family soon discovers she is a hardworker and loves to read. They allow her to read the books in their library at night and give her Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons off. Joan wants to be a good Catholic since her mother was Catholic, but her father stopped believing in God after a bad harvest and forbid Joan to go to church.

This book brings in Joan's discoveries of the differences between Jewish and Christianity as well as recognizing anti-semitism. She is also a fourteen-year-old discovering the world and life. She has very different relationships with each member of the household. It is a coming of age story with a rush to grow up as a hired girl and figuring out the differences between the religions and stations of society. It is a wonderful tale.

I hope you will check out both of these books. Be sure to check out our review of Laura Amy Schlitz's picture book, Princess Cora and the Crocodile as well!