Nora T and the Champion Tree -- Middle Grade Novel Review with STEM

 

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

As autumn is hitting New England one often thinks about the trees. Well, I guess the leaves. When Hazel was young, we would take nature walks around the neighborhood and collect leaves. We would do crafts with them, and I would try to teach her about the kinds of trees in the neighborhood. It is important for the next generation to understand the importance of nature and taking care of it. Today we are sharing a middle grade book about a girl and some large trees. It has some STEM in it as well as the normal life things--friends, family, etc. The book is Nora T and the Champion Tree by Mona Martin Batchelor and illustrations by Maggie Latimer. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

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.

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.

Fall & Halloween/Thriller Mysteries for Different Ages

 

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

It is after Labor Day, so that means fall is about to begin. I can feel it in the air even though the leaves haven't really started to change yet. We have three new fall/Halloween/thriller mysteries for different ages perfect for the upcoming season! Two are for the younger to middle grades and the third is a young adult book. We will start with the second book in the Squirrel Lock Holmes series. It is a graphic novel style book for early readers. We reviewed the first one here. The second one is Squirrel Lock Holmes: Mystery at the Corn-y Maze by Ashley Belote. It is recommended for ages 6 to 9.

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.

Diverse Picture Books About Spending Time with Your Kids

 

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

The most important thing we can do for our kids is spend quality time with them. Today we are sharing three new picture books about parents spending time with their children. Two of them work on building kids' imagination and two are about bringing children to work. The first book is Indigo Hands by Sita Singh and illustrated by Maithili Joshi. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Last Kiss of Summer -- YA Novel Review

 

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

Summer is here and that means various things to different people. But many include days sitting on the beach or by the pool and reading! Do you have a good summer read for this year? How about your teens? Today we are sharing a heartwarming and heartbreaking young adult novel perfect for the summer. For me the fact that it takes place on Cape Cod mostly pulled me right in. The book is Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman. It is recommended for ages 16+.

Lily Tripp Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler -- Middle Grade Novel Review

 

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 imagine a new take on middle school life. There are many books out there about the average life of middle school students. There are the friendships, first loves and family and everything else. Today we are sharing an interesting middle grade novel about a middle school student who time travels each year and all her family and friends do too! The book is Lily Tripp Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler by Amelia Tait. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.

Books About Kindness, Culture, School, Family, & Friends

 

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

As spring goes on and the school year gets closer to its end, there are some fun new books that are great for teacher gifts, story time at home and so much more! Today we are sharing three books -- a board book and two picture books -- that share kindness, culture, family, friends and school. We will start with the board book. It is ABCs of Kindness at School by Patricia Hegarty and illustrated by Summer Macon. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3 and is part of the Books of Kindness Collection. 

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. 

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.

The Big Bad Wolf Murder -- A Fun & Deadly Twist on a Fairy Tale

 

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

Do you love a good mystery? Did you know February 26th was National Tell a Fairy Tale Day? As a lover of fairy tales and mysteries today's book is perfect for me. I am describing it as a Little Red Riding Hood meets The Hunger Games mystery. It is recommended for ages 10-14 and I have to say older readers will enjoy it too. I know I did. The book is The Big Bad Wolf Murder by P.G. Bell. 

Lionborn -- Middle Grade Fantasy Novel Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in order to provide my honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Sharique Zea to bring you this post.

Have you ever wondered if there are other realms out there? Today we are sharing a middle grade fantasy novel with different realms and a group of kids who travel between them to save the universe. The book is Lionborn by Sharique Zea. There is a giveaway after my review.

Picture Books with Animals Sharing Friendship, Community & More

 

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

There were many books released this week. Today we are sharing four of them about animals, community, friendship and more. They are all picture books, and each has a lesson in it. We will start with one about a hummingbird's annual migration. It is Hummingbird's Big Trip by G. Brian Karas. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Paper Book for Nature Lovers -- Joyful Sunday Review

 

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

What brings you joy? I know crafting brings me joy as does nature. Today I get to share a beautiful new paper book about nature and I'm sharing a haiku with crafts from it! The book is Paper Book for Nature Lovers by the Editors of Flow Magazine. I've reviewed one of these paper books from Flow Magazine previously too. 

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. 

Suuban's First Day: A First Day of Herding Story

 

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 share what life is like in different cultures. Today I get to share one that allows us to learn about the Nomad life in Somalia. The book is Suuban's First Day: A First Day of Herding Story by Shugri Salh and illustrated by Àlàbá Ònájìn. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6.