How to Hatch -- Non-Fiction Picture Book Review

 

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

Winter is in full swing. There is even talk of a storm hitting here this weekend. My mind is thinking spring already!! Spring when there are new baby animals. Many lower elementary classes hatch some type of eggs in the spring. Have you ever wondered about how a bird hatches from an egg? Most kids wonder this at some point. Today we are sharing a new non-fiction picture book that shares how a gosling gets out of the egg. The book is How to Hatch: A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free by Sara Holly Ackerman and illustrated by Galia Bernstein. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Picture Books Full of Family Love

 

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

Can you believe Valentine's Day is only a month away? It seems time to start spreading some love and I think our society needs it. Today we are sharing three new picture books that share about family love. One was even released this week! We will start with that one which is Apapacho Love by Cynthia Harmony and illustrated by Erika Meza. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

New Picture Books Sharing Chinese Culture and Holidays

 

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

Lunar New Year is in February this year. In Chinese astrology 2026 will be the year of the fire horse. Many countries celebrate the lunar new year, but we often hear about the Chinese culture. Today we are sharing three new picture books that share a bit of Chinese culture celebrating different holidays: Lunar New Year and Ghost Festival Month. Lunar New Year begins February 17 and ends March 3 with the Lantern Festival. Our first book is about a young girl traveling with her mother back to her mother's childhood home for the lunar new year. It is We Always Had Wings by Jess X. Snow. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Arctic Adventure: A Tundra Tale -- Book Review and Arctic Animal Craft Roundup

 

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

Being back at school this week has been trying. I have been exhausted most nights and haven't been able to share books and more much with you. Today I am going to share a newly released book that is perfect for the winter and animal lovers! It is Arctic Adventure: A Tundra Tale by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and illustrated Alexandra Cook. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6. After the review there is a roundup of arctic animal crafts to go with the book.

A Wrinkle in Time Graphic Novel & Stranger Things

 

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

Are you a Stranger Things fan? I haven't watched it yet. It is on Hazel's and my list of shows to watch but with her at boarding school we don't have enough time to watch everything on the list! However, it is all the radio morning show I listen to has been talking about for a couple of months. They are on Season 5, and it is the final season. The second volume of Season 5 dropped last night! Apparently in the first episode of Season 5, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle is the center of the plot, and Episode 6 is called "Escape from Camazotz." Camazotz is a planet that is controlled by IT in A Wrinkle in Time. When copies of A Wrinkle in Time or A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel were offered for review as well as sharing as part of the Stranger Things drop, I jumped at the offer. I loved A Wrinkle in Time when I was younger and bought the entire boxed set for Hazel when she was younger. One of my favorite devotionals was written by Madeline L'Engle or at least it consisted of pieces of her writing. Needless to say, I am a fan! Today we are sharing A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Madeline L'Engle and adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson. It is recommended for ages 8 to 11. 

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Paper Lovers and Crafters

 

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

The last few weeks have been a bit crazy at school. We finished our first semester on Friday. I finally have some time to craft more, but Hazel is also home for break, so a lot of my evening time at least is spent with her. I have four amazing products to share with you that are perfect for paper lovers and paper crafters. They make amazing gifts as themselves or for you to make gifts for others! We will begin with a book that literally is called Book for Paper Lovers: Color Your World by the Editors of Flow Magazine. There is no suggested age on these products today due to them being for adults however this one definitely works for kids who can write and create!

The Language of Birds

 

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

I will admit that the title of today's book intrigued me. After all anyone who has been following Crafty Moms Share knows I have a thing for birds. This book is not really a book about rather connections for a young bird lover with social anxiety. The book is The Language of Birds by Jon-Erik Lappano and illustrated by Zach Manbeck. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Kloe's New Friendship -- Middle Grade+ Novel About Friendship & Dealing with Difficult Siblings

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book and stuffed animal in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and K.M. Selvidge to bring you this post.

They say every family has a black sheep. Do you have someone difficult to deal with in your family? Or maybe you know someone who you wonder what it must be like to live with them? Today we are sharing a book for middle school and up about living with a difficult sibling and friendships. The book is Kloe's New Friendship by K.M. Selvidge. At the end of this post there is a giveaway too! 

Christmas Together with Polar Bear and Friends

 

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

It is hard to believe that Christmas is only two weeks away!! I've already shared quite a few amazing new Christmas and other December holiday (like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa) books!! I just received a fun Christmas book I have to share. It is from the World of Eric Carle and has illustrations in his style including some of his favorite animals. The book is Christmas Together with Polar Bear and Friends and is written by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle, two of my favorite children's book authors! This book is recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Whooo Is Still Awake? -- Picture Book Review

 

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

I feel like winter brings up lessons on animals. When Hazel was young, I remember winter bringing lessons on animals in particular ones that hibernate and then arctic animals. Another type of animals is nocturnal. Today we are sharing a new picture book about nocturnal animals. It is a great introduction to them and a great bedtime book. The book is Whooo Is Still Awake? by Brigette Barrager. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and is being released today!

Roz Chast Art Gifts -- Jigsaw Puzzle & 2026 Calendar

 

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

Do you know Roz Chast's work? Perhaps you have seen her work in The New Yorker? Whether or not today I am sharing some new products featuring her work that make wonderful holiday gifts. I fell in love with the Roz Chast: Ad Infinitum 1,000 Piece Puzzle by Roz Chast. 

Dash and the Lights in the Sky -- 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 Ashley Key to bring you this post.

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? I haven't. It is too bright in my neighborhood even when they have been visible around me. It is something I hope to see. Today I get to share a special book with you about a dog who sees the Northern Lights and wants to know what is happening. It has scientific explanations as well as some amazing crafts with the science behind them!! The book is Dash and the Lights in the Sky by Ashley Key. There is a giveaway after my review!

Magic in the Mountains: A Christmas 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 T.E. Milburn to bring you this post.

Can you believe it? December has arrived! The day after Thanksgiving Hazel and I decorated our tree. The day after she left for school, the tree came crashing down and is unfixable. (It is over 40 years old.) I ordered a new tree today. When it arrives, I'll get it up and put the lights on and then wait for her to come back from school! So much for Christmas magic in my house. Or perhaps it is the villain from today's book trying to destroy Christmas. Today we get to share a magical Christmas middle grade adventure, or I should say adventures since it is a trilogy. The book is Magic in the Mountains: A Christmas Trilogy Written by T.E. Milburn and Illustrated by Ayşe Yıldırım. It has all the magical creatures--elves, goblins, dragons, talking animals, yetis and Santa! This is going to be epic!!

Holiday Gift Ideas: Books to Learn & Create with a Japanese Spin

 

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

For those who celebrate, did you enjoy your Thanksgiving? We had a nice time with my family. Yesterday was Black Friday which is of course the kickoff to holiday shopping. Did you get any deals? Today I thought I would share some gift ideas for kids. I love gifting books especially ones they can use to create or keep themselves busy. Today I have three great books for you and all three have a Japanese spin to them. We will start with the first one that is truly one that is meant for creating. It is Hokusai Dot-to-Dot Puzzle Book from Tuttle Publishing. I would say this is for upper elementary and older. My middle school and high school students love this book!

New Holiday & Winter Books Roundup

 

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

I have shared three roundups of new Christmas picture books as well as reviews of some other ones this month. Today I am sharing at another December holiday--Hanukkah and winter books for you to check out. We will start with the Hanukkah book. It is Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Hanukkah Party! by Leslie Kimmelman and illustrated by Tom Brannon. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Into the Thicket -- 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 Gail Kuhnlein to bring you this post.

Today I get to share a very special picture book with you. It is so important for us to teach the children to take care of the animals on our planet. In a season that is all about giving and being thankful, it is important to remember our stewardship to Earth. Today's book shares a special story about a young boy facing his own fears to help an injured baby rabbit.  It is Into the Thicket by Gail Kuhnlein and illustrated by John Megahan. There is a giveaway after my review!

Christmas Books Roundup 3 -- Some Classics & More

 

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

Last week we shared some fun Christmas books. Today we are adding to our collection of new holiday picture books with our third roundup. Some of these books will be familiar and others are new! We will start with one of the ones that will sound familiar. It is The War Is Over! by Brad Booker, Dave Mullins and Sean Ono Lennon and illustrated by Max Narciso. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Happy Fibonacci Day

 

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

Today is Fibonacci Day or Fibonacci Sequence Day. The date is 11/23 which gives us the first four digits of the Fibonacci Sequence. I have posted about Fibonacci and his sequence previously. His sequence starts with double ones and then every number after is the sum of the two previous numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, ... One place sequences and series are often taught is Algebra 2, though sometimes it is in pre-calculus as well. In honor of Fibonacci Day, it seems like the perfect time to share two resources for students taking or teachers or tutors teaching Algebra 2. The first is Everything You Need to Ace Algebra 2 in One Big Fat Notebook by Workman Publishing. (Note: It is currently on sale as part of Amazon's Black Friday Sale.) It is the latest in The Big Fat Notebook Series.  

New Holiday Books about Rescuing Christmas

 

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

Yesterday I shared a grouping of new Christmas books for younger children (babies through 7). Today we have another grouping of new Christmas books. Today's will probably become classics, and each story has a rescue theme going in it. Our first book is a new Mr. Willowby Christmas book. A long lost transcript was found to create this book! The book is Mr. Willoby's Head Over Heels Christmas by Robert Barry. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7 but I can see older kids loving this one too!

New Holiday Books for Younger Kids

 

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

It is hard to believe it is holiday season. Christmas is right around the corner so that means that it is time to share some of the new holiday books!! Today's grouping are books for younger kids. The first is a board book. It is Crocodile Christmas by J.D. Forester and illustrated by Reshu Lakra. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3.