Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider -- 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 Sharique Zea to bring you this post.

I love a good fantasy book and really love a good fantasy series. Today we get to share the second book in the Lionborn series. You can check out our review of the first book here. This series is a fantasy series for ages 10 to 14 that is full of mystery, magic, adventure and friendship. The second book is Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider by Sharique Zea. After my review is a giveaway! Get ready to be amazed with the creativity of this book.

Brave Like Me -- 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 Karen Henrich to bring you this post.

Facing different things can be very scary especially for young children. It could be simple as facing a new place, having to do something for the first time or as difficult as going through treatment for a serious disease like cancer. One of the best ways for kids to be brave is to be with someone else they trust--family or friend. Let's face it all of us face tough times better with someone else to help. Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book that shares this message. The book is Brave Like Me by Karen Henrich and illustrated by Jordan Foster. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and there is a giveaway after my review!

Books to Celebrate Indigenous People's Day, Native American Heritage Month & More!

 

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

Monday is Indigenous People's Day. A great way to celebrate is to learn more about indigenous cultures. Today we are sharing three fun books that share indigenous stories and reading them is a wonderful way to learn about the cultures as well as celebrate. They are great for any time of the year and also for people who want to celebrate in November, Native American Heritage Month. I get really excited about Native American stories and always have and these three are no different. The first book is First Fire: An Algonkian Story retold by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac and illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home -- 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 Norton Young Readers to bring you this post. 

What makes a home? What is your home? I remember taking a diversity awareness class when I was a pretty new teacher and one of the assignments was to write a paper about who you were and what made you that person. When we shared them, it was really interesting to hear the different stories and different backgrounds each of us had. The group of teachers was unfortunately mostly white but each of us had so many different things that mattered to us in our upbringing and life to create the person we each became. It is a project I would love to do again now that I have a family of my own and am on the other side of my career. Maybe someday I will. The book we are sharing today however reminded me of that assignment. It is A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home by Nikki McClure. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. At the end of this post there is a giveaway!

The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince -- Middle Grades Historical Fiction Novel Review

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

How much do you know the 1800s in America--well, San Francisco and the Barbary Coast? We all learn about the gold rush and know it is a bit of the Wild West at this time, but what was life really like? Today we are sharing a historical fiction middle grades novel that shares a bit of insight. It is The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince by Bobbi Miller. It is recommended for ages 9 to 12.

New STEAMWORKS Books to Teach Young Ones About Sorting and Ramps

 

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

When is a good time to begin teaching kids STEAM concepts? The truth is for some kids, day one seems to work. I know my nephew had a board book about numbers my mom read to him when he was young and he took the knowledge from it and began to add, subtract and multiply on his own before he was three. There are many concepts that can be explored with young kids and today we are sharing the two newest STEAMWORKS books that will help get you started on these concepts with your little ones. One is a board book, and one is a picture book! We love STEAMWORKS books! They are all available in English and in Spanish and all of them have activities to extend the lesson in them. We will start with the new board book. It is Sort, Wash, ROAR! by Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrated by Sian James. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3.

Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King -- Graphic Novel 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 Shawn Hainsworth to bring you this post.

Do you have trouble getting your child to finish a book? As kids get older the books get longer and for the reluctant reader it can be hard to finish one. This is where graphic novels come in handy. Think about it, you have a kid who has always struggled with staying still and you are asking them to sit still and read a novel. Graphic novels are usually full of action and entertaining just like we found comic books when we were younger, but graphic novels are longer than most comic books, so they have more of a plot and count as reading a novel in most schools. For kids who cannot sit still, an action-packed graphic novel is perfect. Today we are sharing one that is great for those kids who need constant motion. The book is Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King created by Darin S. Cape and illustrated by Zeno Decrux and Hiorsh Gabotto. It is recommended for ages 9 and up and there is a giveaway at the end of this post!

Products for Gifting and Crafting -- Craft Sunday Review

 

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

With 82 days until Christmas, it is time to start thinking about gifts you may want to create and is also a great time to start shopping. Afte all Amazon and Target are having BIG sales this week and purchasing now helps spread out some of the cost of the holidays. Today we are going to share five different products that make good gifts and also can be used to create gifts! I am going to share some different ideas but first a quick story of my inspiration. One of my friends has been working on a nook in her house. She found some photo for inspiration and was buying things for it. She was looking for the right size pillow for it and some wall art. Everything had to be blue or blue and ivory. We went shopping last weekend and were looking at pillows and pictures. Then I came home and started playing with these products to create the pictures for her. I bought some frames from Dollar Tree and painted two of them blue. So those two pictures she was looking for are the inspiration for much of this post! Let's start out with a product that makes a good gift (and I wouldn't use to craft until next year). It is the Colonial Williamsburg Blue and White American Style Wall Calendar 2027 by Workman Calendars and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. 

Art Life Practice: The Guided Sketchbook -- 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.

Do you like to sketch? It can be so relaxing. So can doodling. Have you ever wondered how to become a better artist? Personally, I love to sketch and doodle but am not much of an artist when it comes to drawing. My students on the other hand have been amazing artists, and sketching was something that truly relaxes them. So, for today's Relaxing Friday post we are sharing an interesting and informative book about sketching and art. The book is Art Life Practice: The Guided Sketchbook by Berry Stein. This is not a children's book however tweens and teens may enjoy it as well as many adults.

Night Ride -- First Children's Book Rendered in Stained Glass & It's Wordless!

 

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

Do you remember the feeling of riding a bike as a kid? The wind in your hair? Having your own wheels and thus mode of transportation? It was so exciting to think you could go anywhere without needing the help of an adult. It was even better when you were with a group of your friends. Today we are sharing a very special picture book about a bike ride. It is the first ever children's book illustrated in stain glass, and it is wordless. The book is Night Ride by Christopher Myers. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 but I always love wordless books for even younger!

Reverse Coloring Calendar and New Markers - A Relaxing Friday Review

 

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

Well, this Friday has not really been relaxing. New England is preparing for three days of a Nor'easter so let the winds and rain begin. However, I have been wanting to share these great coloring products with you so today is the day!! Today we are going to talk reverse coloring and new acrylic markers! Talk about fun Relaxing Friday products!! We will start with reverse coloring. Have you tried it? It is when the colors are provided and you have to draw the lines and create whatever picture you want. This is my first time trying it and I got to try it with A Year of Reverse Coloring Page-A-Day 2027 Calendar by Kendra Norton and Workman Calendars. 

Fun Stories Kids Will Love

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

Are you ready for some fun stories that could be any day stories? Today we are sharing two books that are full of fun stories. One is a creative picture book, and the other is a collection of short stories featuring the beloved character, Maisy. We will start with the picture book. It is A Day Off School by Oliver Jeffers and illustrated by Kevin Waldron. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Books That Teach Concepts to Young Kids

 

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

Books that teach different concepts are a fun way to get young kids learning things they know. I always loved them when Hazel was young. Today we get to share three board books from a beloved children's book series, Guess How Much I Love You, and a fun picture book for slightly older kids. We will start with the board books. The first one is Guess How Much I love You: Shapes by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram. The recommended ages are 1 to 3.

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal Book & Activity Book -- Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this set of books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Ryan Cowan to bring you this post.

Do you love Halloween? Do your kids/students? A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to share this book with you and today I am reviewing it again with its activity book! It has been interesting re-reading the book. It has been a while since I have re-read novels. The book is Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal by Ryan Cowan, and it is accompanied by Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal Activity Book/Novel Study Grades 3-5 also by Ryan Cowan. Now the book has 31 chapters, and the activity book has activity pages for each chapter, so this book is amazing for a countdown to Halloween! After my review is a giveaway!!

Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape -- Picture 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 Mark C. Fava to bring you this post.

Have you ever wondered how a navy ship is run? Do you have little ones who love ships and everything that moves? Today we are sharing a wonderful book that teaches the lessons from an admiral on a navy ship. The book is Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape by Mark C. Fava and illustrated by Agus Prajogo and Yohanes Bastia. After my review there is a giveaway!

Bella & Bird Explore Sadness -- Picture 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 Deana Plaskon to bring you this post.

Little kids and really all of us have BIG feelings sometimes. Little kids do not always know how to deal with them. Bella and Bird return in a new book focusing on sadness this time! The book is Bella and Bird Explore Sadness by Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC and illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti. There is a giveaway for the series after my review.

Books Featuring the Moon

 

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

The moon has fascinated people for centuries. We see it play key roles in folktales from all over the world. Today we are sharing two books featuring the moon. One shares facts about the moon, and one is the retelling of a folktale. The book featuring facts about the moon has various flaps to lift to find out the facts. It is The Moon by Sandra Laboucarie and illustrated by Didier Balicevic. It is recommended for ages 4 to 6 but I would guess really 4 to 8 would enjoy it. 

Books for Younger Kids

 

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

Looking for some new books for younger kids? Today we have a collection of books that teach pet care, recovering from a mistake, the truth about cicadas and words perfect for helping those learning to read! The first is a board book called Kit and Her Cat by Meredith Walker. It is recommended for babies through age 5. Personally, unless the five-year-old is just learning to read I would recommend baby through 3.

New Dragon Books

 

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

Dragons in September always reminds me of Michaelmas. Michaelmas is on September 29th. It is a day that we learned about when we were in parent/child at the Waldorf School. For the Waldorf School, Michaelmas is a day celebrating the story of St. George defeating the dragon. The celebration is about facing our own dragons. Today we are sharing three books featuring dragons, so they are perfect for Michaelmas. The first book however is actually about the Chinese New Year or the lunar new year celebration in China. It is Where's Waldo? The Golden Dragon Chase by Candlewick Press. It is an early reader book and is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Diverse Picture Books with Important Messages and Lessons

 

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

I love a good picture book, and it is even better when it has diverse characters and important messages and/or lessons. Today we are sharing three new diverse picture books, and each has a wonderful message and lesson. Honestly, I wish I had time to give each of these books their own post because each one is so special, but alas, the beginning of September brings lots of new books to share and this week is full and next week is worse! The first one is part of the STEAMWORKS series. We have been loving this series. They have a nice story and STEAM lessons and more added to them. They are also available in both English and Spanish. The book is Sisters All the Time by Angela Quezada Padron. It is recommended for ages 4 to 7.