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. 

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. 

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. 

Mrs. Gourd -- 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. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jody Bucher to bring you this post.

Do you have bedtime troubles? You know those nights when the kids won't listen and certainly won't calm down. How do you get them to bed on those nights? Today we are sharing a fun book filled with what seems like bedtime magic. It is the perfect tale to get those kids tucked in! The book is Mrs. Gourd by Jody Catherine Bucher and illustrated by Asha Butler and Monica Joy. After my review is a giveaway!!

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.

Board Books That Teach

 

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

Boston is one of the host cities for the World Cup this year. We have been hearing about it for months. It is a perfect time to introduce young ones to soccer, and we are sharing a book that is perfect for that! Plus, another board book that is about counting and has airplanes! Starting with the soccer book, it is Hello, World! Soccer by Jill McDonald. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3. It is part of the Hello, World! series.  

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. 

Asian Folktales for Children

 

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

When Hazel was young, she loved having me read folktales from different countries. She also loved fairy tales (and somewhat still does). These tales allowed us to travel with our imaginations and learn about different cultures and countries. May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and today's book is perfect for it and coming out just in time! It is Asian Folktales for Children retold by David Conger, Liana Romulo, Joan Suyenaga, and Marian Davies Toth and illustrated by Patrick Yee. It is recommended for ages 5 to 14. 

Fun & Informative Books for the Youngest Readers

 

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

Spring has sprung and that gets everyone thinking about outside. Today we are sharing two newly released books with outdoor ties. One is a peek-through board book about bugs and the other is a picture book that is perfect for bedtime! We will start with the board book. It is Bugs by Britta Teckentrup. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3.

Lulu Didn't Want a Dog -- 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 have cats and dogs? Do they get along? We all know the old saying about them being enemies, but we also know plenty of people who have both and they get along. Today we are sharing a book about a cat and dog becoming friends. The book is Lulu Didn't Want a Dog by Laurel Molk. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Newly Released Board Book Roundup

 

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

Board books are great for different ages. Babies can't harm them too much and as kids get older, they can handle the flaps and such. Today we are sharing a roundup of board books. They range in recommended ages from 0 to 7. A couple are being rereleased and the others are new this month. The first book is 123s of Kindness at Bedtime by Patricia Hegarty and illustrated by Summer Macon. It is part of the Books of Kindness Collection and is recommended for ages 0 to 3. 

Books for Young Ones with a Garden Theme

 

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

With the mounds of snow and below 0 temperatures, I have to say I am dreaming of springtime. Today we get to share three books released this week that bring a little spring to our winter freeze. Two are board books and one is a picture book with an Easter theme. All three books have to do with gardens! Both of the board books are from the Baby Botanicals series. The first one is Good Morning, Garden! by Jillian Miao and illustrated by Riley Samels. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3. 

Children's Books Sharing Different Cultures and Languages

 

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

I love sharing books that teach us about different cultures and languages. Today I have four books to share with you and two of them are being released this week! The first book is about a Korean word that means so much and doesn't have an English equivalent. The book is Jeong Is Jeong by Jessica Yoon and illustrated by Michelle Lee. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

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. 

Celebrating New Year's with Kids Roundup with Crafts, Activities & More for Different Ages

 

New Year's Eve is almost here. To celebrate New Year's Eve one things about a countdown, fireworks and noisemakers, as well as a toast and special food and activities to keep everyone awake and entertained until the ball drops. New Year's Day is full of rest, brunch, resolutions and visiting. How do you celebrate with your kids? Over the years we have found some fun age-appropriate ways to celebrate with Hazel. New Year's is a special holiday for us because of her birthday. But even without her birthday around New Year's, I feel the start of a new year as a special restart for everyone. There are so many different ways it is celebrated around the world and even some different times of the year. Between the many countries that celebrate the lunar new year (this year it begins February 17, 2026) and the Jewish culture that celebrates Rosh Hashanah and of course the teachers who "celebrate" with a new school year. For this New Year's Eve I pulled together old posts, features from Sharing Saturday and asked fellow bloggers for ideas for you! 

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!

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!

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. 

I Love You 100: A Counting Book Full of Love

 

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

What are your feelings about math? I feel like so many people do not like math and they have a stigma around it. In fact, our society tends to portray high school math as something that is torturous and not used.  However, mindset plays a HUGE role in this success. If you tell your children, watch television shows that tell your children, etc. that math is hard and bad, then they will not have success in math. Mathematicians and especially math teachers are fighting this battle and today's book actually shares how parents can help in the Author's Note. Start them young with math. Today's book is I Love You 100: A Counting Book Full of Love by Danica McKellar and illustrated by Josée Masse. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and I would say it would be great to read to even younger children!