Books for World Cup Fever with Soccer Craft Roundup

 

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

Have you caught World Cup Fever? I feel like every time I turn around, I am hearing about it or seeing merchandise for it. It is on the news almost daily and of course with some of the games being in the Boston area, it is all anyone is talking about. The first game in Boston is about a week away and people are getting excited for it, or they are dreading it because of the crowds that will be coming this week. However, I am looking at it like the Olympics. It is a positive time where countries gather and compete in a friendly way. Our world needs more friendly. The first book is a picture book. It is The World's Game by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Andrés Landazábal. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

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.

A Flame Burns On: Lighting the Yahrzeit Candle

 

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

How do you remember a loved one who has passed? This is a question I have been focusing on lately. My father passed in January, and we are planning his celebration of life. Today we are sharing a book about the Jewish tradition of the yahrzeit candle. It is a tradition I had not heard of. The book is A Flame Burns On by Richard Ho and illustrated by Carmel Ben Ami. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Board Books to Teach Our Youngest About the USA

 

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

It is hard to believe that the United States is celebrating its 250th birthday this year! With this weekend being Memorial Day weekend and the patriotic decor coming out we thought it was a great time to share some of the many books around for learning about the United States and celebrations. Today we are sharing three board books so the youngest ones can learn a bit about our great nation. Our first book involves a favorite children's book character from Eric Carle, the Very Hungry Caterpillar!! It is a tabbed board book called Across the USA with The Very Hungry Caterpillar by the World of Eric Carle. It is recommended for ages 1 to 3.

Alli the Alligator -- Book Review & Giveaway with Alligator Craft Roundup

 

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 Cindy Miller to bring you this post.

There are many sayings about kindness. "Sprinkle kindness like confetti." "In a world where you can be anything, be kind." We teach our kids to be kind. What does it really mean to be kind? When someone is teasing you should you be kind? Today we are sharing a beautiful story about an alligator who shows us what it is to be kind. The book is Alli the Alligator by Cindy Miller and illustrated by Joan Coleman. There is a giveaway at the end of the post and an alligator craft roundup to go with the book! The book does mention being created by God a few times but this is really the only religious reference.

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.

Celebrate Mother's Day with These Fun Books!

 

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

Mother's Day is on Sunday!! How are you celebrating? When Hazel was young, I loved all the school Mother's Day events. Now she has big shows every Mother's Day, so I don't really get to see her. This year I am going to visit my mom. However part of what I loved about when she was young were the books, the cards and crafts, songs, etc. Today we are sharing two books perfect for kids to show how much they love mom and see a bit about what Mother's Day is about! The first book is from The World of Eric Carle with some of his beautiful illustrations! It is Thank You, Mom! from Baby Bear and Friends by Eric Carle and Odd Dot. It is a board book and recommended for babies to three. 

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.

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.

Hope Rode: The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians -- a 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. This post is sponsored by Lauren H. Kerstein.

Did you know that National Library Week is officially April 19 to April 26 this year? Have you ever thought about the importance of the library? It serves so many purposes for different people from a place to be able to read books for free to a place to use the internet for free as well as a place with heat or air conditioning in different weather. I know some people argue that we do not need the public libraries now that we have digital books and more, but I disagree. I think libraries serve more purposes than ever before. It can be a children's program that helps the new parents or new to the town kids meet others. It can be where the unemployed go to look for new jobs and possibly even get help with their resume. There are many services libraries serve and today we are going to look at a book that shares a very different library service in a different time. The book is Hope Rode: The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians by Lauren H. Kerstein and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. After my review is a giveaway!!

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.

Japanese Haiku for Cat Lovers

 

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

April is here and that means National Poetry Month is here! Today we are sharing a new poetry book with you all about cats!! It is a book full of haiku about cats. If you don't know what a haiku is, it is a Japanese poem. The book for today is Japanese Haiku for Cat Lovers complied and illustrated by Manda and translated and introduced by William Scott Wilson. This is a perfect book for cat lovers as well as poetry lovers!

Mom-Themed Picture Books with a Flower Craft Roundup

 

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

April showers bring May flowers. May flowers are perfect for Mom for Mother's Day! Today we are sharing two newly released mom-themed picture books and one of them is about flowers, so we are including a flower craft roundup! Each book is a wonderful reminder of how important mom is to kids. The first book is When We Were Snails by Nan Cao. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Inbetweens -- Tween Graphic Novel Review

 

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

Ever wonder what it is like to be a twin? What happens when you and your twin follow your shared dream and it isn't what either of you expected? Today we are sharing a new tween graphic novel that explores this. The book is Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.

Rescue Clickity Clack -- Book Review & Giveaway with Crab Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Debra Pehrson Haun. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

As spring approaches, thoughts of summer adventures do as well. That always brings me to thoughts of the beach. When Hazel was younger, I loved finding books about the beach and ocean creatures around this time of year to get us thinking about our summer plans. Today I get to share a fun picture book about a crab, and it is interactive!! The book is Rescue Clickity Clack by Debra Pehrson Haun. At the end of this post is a crab craft roundup to go with the book and a giveaway!!

Paint by Sticker: Architecture -- 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.

Did you have a sticker book when you were a child? Or a sticker collection? I loved stickers when I was young. Hazel did too. I find my students still love stickers even as high school students. A while ago I noticed Paint by Sticker books. I saw them first for children. I thought they were interesting but didn't give them much thought. I saw them come out with more complex ones for adults. This was during the big rise of adult coloring. I had so many coloring books I didn't spend the money on the sticker books. However, I jumped at the opportunity to review one for today. It was released this week. It is Paint by Sticker (Official): Architecture by Workman Publishing. This is not one of the kids versions but one for adults or young adults.

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.

What Can You Make with a Cardboard Box? -- Cardboard Creations Crafty Sunday

What can you create from a cardboard box or two? This is what we asked our students for the last two weeks in February. Our school stops academics for two weeks and offers mini courses. One mini course is always for the theater department to prepare for the METG drama festival. For the non-theater kids, we change the course offerings each year, and they pick two classes--one for each week. This year I was offering Cardboard Creations with the physics/chemistry/math teacher. The first week is four days because of Presidents' Day and the second week was supposed to be five days, but we had a blizzard so it turned out to be only three days. 

New Picture Books About Growing Up

 

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

A lot can happen as you get older. Especially in the younger years. Today we are sharing two new picture books released this week about some of those moments of becoming a big kid and standing out. The first book is Bartleby by Matt Phelan. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6.