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. 

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. 

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. 

U.S. History for 250th Celebration: WHO HQ Graphic Novel

 

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 the United States is celebrating 250 years this week! We have been sharing a bunch of different books for different ages that are perfect for celebrating and learning more about the United States. Topics include Independence Day, individual states, historical figures and events and so much more! Today we are sharing a second book from the Who HQ Graphic Novel series. (You can read about the first one here.) Today is our final book in this collection but we are sure there will be many more books about the United States over time! The book today is Who Was Accused in the Salem Witch Trials? Tituba by Insha Fitzpatrick and illustrated by Rowan MacColl. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 and is a graphic novel.

A Cozy Summer Day -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Summer is officially here! Summer is a time many people find time to just relax. It usually means more outdoor activities and more time with family and friends. Who is ready for those hot days where you do something outside and then find a way to cool off? Join the animals of Acorn Village as they enjoy a beautiful summer day!! We are sharing A Cozy Summer Day by Eliza Wheeler today. It is recommended for ages 2 to 5. I would guess some older kids would enjoy it as well.

I Am Teddy Roosevelt -- Ordinary People Change the World Series for the United States 250th Birthday

 

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

This year the United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary/birthday! To get ready for the BIG celebration, we are sharing various books about the United States and some famous Americans. Today we are sharing a new book from the Ordinary People Change the World Series that was one of Hazel's favorites when she was younger. The book is I Am Teddy Roosevelt by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. It is recommended for ages 5 to 9. After our review of this book, we will be sharing links to our past reviews of these books about some amazing Americans!

Books to Celebrate the USA and Learn More About It

 

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

Independence Day is quickly approaching! It is a special year for the BIG celebration of 250 years!! We have been sharing nonfiction books for different ages to help celebrate the big anniversary. Today we are sharing another group of books to help celebrate and learn more about the country and states. Several were released last week! The first book is 250 Facts About America by J. D. Forester and illustrated by Risa Rodil. This book is recommended for ages 8 to 12.  

Picture Books Perfect for Flag Day, Independence Day & More!

 

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

June 14th is Flag Day in the United States. It is a day to remember the adoption of the red, white, and blue flag on June 14, 1777 by the Second Continental Congress. I liked to celebrate Flag Day with Hazel by reading books about the flag and doing flag crafts. Today we are going to share two picture books themed around the flag. One relates the flag to our country with colors and words. The book is Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Two Picture Books That Teach U.S. History & More!

 

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

With the United States celebrating its 250th anniversary on July 4th this year, I was sent a roundup of books about the United States. As I read them, I realized I didn't want to do just one huge roundup. The books are for different ages and teach about specific Americans, country history, states as well as about why we celebrate 4th of July. They are for different ages and a variety of types of books - from board books to middle grade books and even a graphic novel. Today we are sharing two books by the same team that give information about people. places and more. The first book is America's Dreaming by Ben McKinnon and illustrated by Thai My Phuong. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

What Was the Turning Point in the Civil War? Alfred Waud Goes to Gettysburg

 

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

Happy Memorial Day!! To honor our fallen soldiers, we thought we would share a book about them. We are focusing on the Civil War and the middle grade graphic novel we are sharing is more about how the Civil War was reported to the citizens of the United States and in particular by Alfred Waud. The book is What Was the Turning Point in the Civil War? Alfred Waud Goes to Gettysburg by Ellen T. Crenshaw. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. It is not only great for Memorial Day but also helps teach some of the history of the USA just in time for the big 250th celebration in July!

Books for Father's Day

 

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

Can you believe Father's Day is just a month away? Are you ready for it? I expect this year to be difficult for me, but my goal is to celebrate Steve. My Dad's Celebration of Life will be just over a week before Father's Day. I know he is in a better place and in many ways, we said goodbye to him years ago as his memory and brain went away, but I still miss him. Today we are sharing four picture books that are perfect for Father's Day and just for showing father figures in the life of kids. So many picture books share the mother-child relationship, but these share a father-child or male adult-child relationship. We will start with Dear Dad by Flamingo Books and illustrated by Natalie Lundeen. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Books for Bedtime and More!

 

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

At bedtime, I always loved reading a book about going to bed or with characters going to sleep at the end of it when Hazel was little. I always felt like it was the perfect way to lead to turning off the lights. Today we get to share three very different books of this type. One is about noise. One is a Korean folktale, and the final one is about a sleepover! We will start with The Very Noisy House by Sally Nicholls and illustrated by Gosia Herba. It is recommended for ages 2 to 5.

Fun Board & Picture Books That Are Educational

 

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

There are so many amazing books coming out these days. Today we are sharing four--two board books and two picture books that are being released today! Each book has its own lesson from STEAM lessons, friendships, and rhyming words there is fun packed into these books! We will start with the STEAM board books! The first is Manny Matches the Weather by Jenny Lacika and illustrated by Antonieta Muñoz Estrada. It is part of the STEAMWORKS series and is available in English and Spanish. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3.

Ripples -- Picture Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

Earth Day is April 22. However, I feel that as a world we need to celebrate Earth Day every day. Spring seems like a perfect time to think about cleaning our planet. Whether it is helping pick up trash on a street, trail or beach or even a water way, every little bit helps. Today we are sharing a wonderful picture book about how one act of kindness can create a large effect. The book is Ripples by Katie Yamasaki. At the end of my review there is a giveaway too!!

The Genie Game -- Middle Grades Novel Review

 

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

In this day and age, there seems to be a lot to talk about. There are the environmental issues around the world. There are rights and protections that seem to be in the possibility of being lost. Today we are sharing a magical middle grade novel that could lead to discussions about some of these issues. The book is The Genie Game by Jordan Ifueko. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14. 

Van Gogh's Dog -- Creative & Fun Picture Book

 

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

Who is your favorite painter? Or what is your favorite type of art? In elementary school I had an amazing art teacher who took the fifth grade to New York City to go the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts. First, you had to pass a test though. The test was on the Impressionists. I have loved Impressionist art ever since. Monet is my favorite and then probably van Gogh or Degas. Have you ever wondered what inspired them to paint their masterpieces? Today we are sharing a new picture book that is fictional but shares a thought about what may have inspired some of van Gogh's famous paintings. It is called Van Gogh's Dog by Georgia Larson and illustrated by Grace Helmer. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Earth Day Book Extravaganza for Ages 2 to 12

 

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

Happy Earth Day 2026! There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day! One is learning about the Earth and the life on it. Another is doing something to help our world. Today we are going to share a roundup of books from board books to a middle grade book on topics including animals, plants, gardens, and being eco-friendly. We will start with the two board books from the same series. They are You Are a Garter Snake! and You Are a Robin! by Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrated by Jay Fleck. They are part of the Meet Your World Series. The series is recommended for ages 2 to 5.

Books to Gift This Spring & Beyond!

 

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

Spring brings many gift giving times. There are the holidays--Mother's Day and Father's Day, graduations, weddings, new babies and more. Today we are sharing some fun books for gifts for these occasions (Father's Day ideas will come later). We will start with ideas for Mother's Day. The first book is a board book. It is World's Best Mom by Lynn Giunta. The recommended ages are 0 to 3.

Mama Won't Mind -- 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 is special to a mother on her birthday? If a gift from a child is not what she expected, does she mind? Today we are sharing a sweet book about the special bond between mother and child. The book is Mama Won't Mind by Kathleen Bahr and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.