Paper and Sticker Crafts & Supplies -- A Relaxing Friday Review

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

My summer has been a bit crazy, and my relaxing Fridays have been quite different this year. Our summer began with a trip to Connecticut to celebrate my father's life. We squeezed in a tour of Yale while there. When we returned home, we did laundry and packed up for a two-week road trip for more college visits. We made our way to Washington DC and Pittsburgh with several stops in between. Then it was time for our week at the Cape house. Then the rest of July was getting ready for a surgery, having the surgery and I've been recovering since. So my Fridays at the end of July and throughout August have been mostly watching television with Hazel and napping. The only crafts I have been doing is diamond painting. However, I look forward to getting back to other crafts soon. Today I am sharing some paper and sticker supplies for crafts and ideas! We will start with a Paint by Sticker book. It is Paint by Sticker (Official): Portraits by Workman Publishing. This is a craft book for adults or older kids. 

A Hug for Punch -- Review of a Sweet Picture Book

 

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

Did you follow the story of Punch the Japanese macaque last summer? Everyone fell in love with the sweet baby snow monkey who needed a stuffie to survive. Today we get to share a sweet picture book that immortalizes the story. The book is A Hug for Punch by Caroline L. Perry and illustrated by Anoosha Syed. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Picture Books That Celebrate Extended Family with Different Lessons

 

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

Family matters. In this day and age, our society sometimes forgets that. Relationships with grandparents can make huge differences in children's lives. Today we are sharing two new picture books that celebrate relationships with grandfathers. Each book has different lessons--one teaches Spanish words and the other is about cooking. We will start with the Spanish one. It is Hola, Lola! To the Bodega: A Bilingual First Words Book/¡Hola, Lola! A la bodega: Un libro bilingüe de primeras palabras by Sandra Equihua. It is recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Wonder: A Song of the Seasons

 

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

We are in the dog days of summer, but back to school is quickly approaching. That means the change of seasons. Have you ever noticed each season has its own special wonders? Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book sharing some of the curiosities of each season and more. The book is Wonder: A Song of the Seasons by Julia Key and illustrated by Helen Cann. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Sounds of Trash -- Picture Book Review with a DIY Musical Instrument Craft Roundup

 

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

Music is so important to our lives. The beat can help with movement. Music can affect mood and so much more. Today we are sharing a diverse picture book about a group of kids who know the importance of music for their special community festival and find a way to bring music to their festival's new location. The book is Sounds of Trash by Tina Athaide and illustrated by Neha Rawat. It is recommended for ages 4 to 7 and is part of the Steamworks Books Collection.

Mrs. Peanuckle's Space Alphabet -- Board Book Review with Craft Roundup

 

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

There are many alphabet books out there. They all have different themes and different styles. Some are about the letters giving them life and personalities. Some are themed picking words that begin with each letter. Today we are sharing a board book that is the second type, and it is actually part of a series of themed alphabet books. The book is Mrs. Peanuckle's Space Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle and illustrated by Jessie Ford. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3. After my review there is an outer space craft roundup with new crafts featured. You can see our last space roundup here. 

Picture Books to Help with Back to School Emotions

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

August has begun and that means people start to think about back to school. Whether it is back to school shopping or getting back on a school schedule including bedtime, August is when it all begins. Kids begin to feel various emotions around the start of school and into the school year. Almost everyone feels nervous about a new school year. And I mean everyone--teachers and students. The Sunday scaries may begin again. A child also may be excited for the new year with hopes of doing new things and perhaps doing things on his or her own. Today we are sharing two new picture books that are about some of these emotions. The first book is Sunday Scaries by Debra Kempf Shumaker and illustrated by Lavanya Naidu. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7. 

A Song of Her Own -- Early Chapter Book Review

 

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

I love books that teach kids about different places and cultures. They provide a way to learn about the world without traveling. Today we are sharing an early reader chapter book that gives a glimpse into the nomadic life in Somalia. The book is the first in a series, called Rain Chaser, so more glimpses into it are to come! The book is A Song of Her Own by Saida J. Bulhan and illustrated by Moka Celess. It is recommended for ages 6 to 10. 

Pop Manga Myths & Monsters Coloring Book -- A Relaxing Friday Review

 

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

Have you seen The Odyssey yet? We all loved it when we saw it opening weekend. Hazel and I have been watching the Percy Jackson television series this summer too. Needless to say, we are into mythology. Plus, it is the perfect time to talk monsters for Summerween. After all, Halloween is three months away! Today we are sharing a fun adult coloring book with a myth and monster theme! It is Pop Manga Myths and Monsters Coloring Book by Camilla d'Errico. 

There's a Dinosaur in Your Book -- Board 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 a young dinosaur lover? Today we are sharing a fun board book about a playful dinosaur. It is perfect for the youngest dinosaur fans! The book is There's a Dinosaur in Your Book by Tom Fletcher. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Books to Get Ready for Halloween (or Summerween)!

 

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

Summerween is upon us!! I know I just got invited to a Summerween Celebration. We have been sharing all sorts of fun Summerween/Halloween books to celebrate. Last week we focused on ghosts and this week it is more about witches. Since we live near Salem, Massachusetts witches are a year-round thing. Today's books include a beautiful board book about getting ready for Halloween and a picture book about a witch. We will start with the board book. It is Wonderful Halloween by Emily Winfield Martin. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3. 

The Untold Stories of Fairies -- Picture Book Reviews

 

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

When Hazel was young, she loved fairies!! We made fairy gardens, had fairy parties and play dates, and did so many different fairy crafts!! We also used fairies to teach different things and like many families had visits from the tooth fairy. We have shared various books and stories about the tooth fairy and what she does with all the teeth. We have also shared about the Pumpkin Fairy which we learned about when she attended a Waldorf school. We have shared quite a few posts about Halloween themed fairies as well. Needless to say, we have quite a bit of experience with fairies in this household. Today we are sharing three new picture books all written and illustrated by Diane Alber. Each shares an untold story of a different fairy who helps kids grow healthy and all three of today's books help kids' teeth at different stages of life. Each book also has a craft for the kids to make to ease the fairy's visit to your home. The first book is An Untold Story of the Binky Fairy. It is recommended for ages 4 to 7, but I would say read it to even younger kids when you are trying to rid them of the pacifier. 

Summerween Continues with the Ghost Edition

 

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

Last week we introduced Summerween and three books with lots of ideas to celebrate! Today we are going to look at the ghost side of it. If you are celebrating Summerween or just excited to get new books for Halloween these books are for you. Today we are sharing two new ghost themed books. One is released this week and the other will be released next month! Starting with the one released this week, it is To Knit a Ghost with words by Z.B. Asterplume and pictures by Heather Brockman Lee. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Pip & Pals Book #1: Otter Space -- Emerging Reader Graphic Novel Review

 

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

What are your thoughts on graphic novels? I know many kids who love them. Many of them are quite good. I think they help kids who don't love reading get into books. My personal thoughts are that anything that gets kids reading and enjoying it is a good thing. Today we are sharing one for young readers--age recommendation is 6 to 9. The book is the first book in a new series. It is Pip & Pals #1: Otter Space by Jen de Oliveira. 

Picture Books About Giving Back to Those Who Help Everyone

 

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

Do you know someone who helps everyone? Whatever is needed they are there. What happens when they need help? Today we are sharing two picture books about such "people". The first book is Big Rig Pig written by Claire Tattersfield and illustrated by Rob Sayegh, Jr. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7. 

Happy Summerween! -- Monsters, Pumpkins and Costumes all in July!

 

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

Are you a fan of Halloween? Do you like the spookiness or just the fun? This year consider celebrating Summerween! Today we are going to share three books recently released (or re-released) that have a Halloween theme. One however introduces Summerween. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing more Halloween themed books so get ready for Summerween or in our case Halloween in July! The first book is actually a Summerween story. It is But I'm a Pumpkin!: A Summerween Story by Kat Choppy and illustrated by Heidi Moreno. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7. 

My Pony Wonder -- 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 know a young horse lover and/or rider? After all the old adage is all young girls want a pony for their birthdays. Today we are sharing a newly released lyrical picture book about a young rider and how she cares and loves her horse. It is My Pony Wonder by Jessica Milo and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitki. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Yeti Is Not Ready for Game Over -- Picture Book Review

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

As a parent I have always worried about screentime. When Hazel was young and we had her going to a Waldorf School, we had agreed to no screentime however Steve and his mother were not good at keeping this agreement. There are so many studies showing that our kids are getting too much screentime, yet most parents still let them have it. Today we are sharing a new book about some of the benefits for everyone to take breaks from screens. The book is the second in the Yeti Is Not Ready Series. The book is Yeti Is Not Ready for Game Over by Leigh Anne Cater. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Sharks in Kansas -- 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 did North America look like 85 million years ago? We shared a book about there being rhinos in Nebraska 12 million years ago. However, 85 million years ago there was a sea going through the center of North America. Today we share a picture book that shares about the various animals that lived in central North America 85 million years ago as well as what happened to them and how we know. The book is Sharks in Kansas by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. The book is recommended for ages 4 to 8. And it is out just in time for Shark Week later in July!

The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever -- 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 makes a story great? What makes one the greatest? Some answers are probably the same like good characters and a good storyline, but others will depend on who you ask. Some people like a love story and others like a humorous story or action filled. Today we are sharing a book called The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever and is by Jessie Sima. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. It is about the greatest bedtime story ever but does not claim to be the greatest.