Something I find missing in many people today is connections. People need connections with one another as well as nature. We also need to stop and just be. Today I am sharing two picture books that emphasize these messages. The first is My First Book of Zen: Simple Wisdom for Children by Tracy Gallup. It is recommended for ages 5 to 9.
I read banned books. In fact, I even review banned books (often before they are banned). Banning books seems to be an epidemic lately. Books are banned or challenged (before banning) by people who are trying to protect children. They feel these books are inappropriate for children. Perhaps for their own children, but they don't want their own children's friends reading them either because kids talk. In early October every year there is a Banned Books Week. This year it was October 5-11. (Next year it is October 4-10, 2026.) It is a week to make aware some of the books that are being challenged and possibly banned around the world. You may be surprised by some of the books on the list. There are many I read in school when I was young, or my friends did in other classes I didn't take. There are books like Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and George Orwell's 1984. There are other classics like Animal House, Fahrenheit 451, To Kill a Mockingbird, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Number the Stars, Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, ... the list goes on and on and includes The Holy Bible. Books tend to get challenged if they share cultural identity like A Place Inside of Me or Fry Bread or sexual or gender identity like Spin with Me or It's Okay to be a Unicorn or sexual encounters like Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Speak is our first book for review today. It is recommended for ages 12 to 18 or young adult. The other book we will be reviewing is a picture book!
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC to bring you this post.
Emotions can be tough for everyone but especially for kids. They don't always know how to express themselves or how to control the big emotions. Today we get to share a wonderful new book that helps them handle anger better. The book is Bella and Bird Explore Anger by Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC and illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti. There is a giveaway at the end of this post!!
Growing up is hard. It is even harder when you have to do it quickly and take on an adult job. Today we are sharing a magical book about an orphaned boy who grows up in a night. It takes a look at what growing up means and about becoming more self-aware. The book is Al's Journey by Marin. At the end of the post there is a giveaway.
Where do you fall in the sibling chain? I am the youngest. There are four years between me and my middle sister (and two years between her and the oldest). I was told she was immediately jealous of me. She would jump into my mother's lap while my mom was breastfeeding me. There has been a pretty large sibling rivalry there but of course things are better now. Middle children often develop a strong sense of independence and can be rebellious due to feeling like they are overlooked. They can struggle with self-identity and often look for validation with peers and have strong friendships. (Source) This very much describes my middle sister. She is still very close to friends from high school. She was definitely the most rebellious out of us all. She gave my parents plenty of problems, but she is also the one who jumped in to care for them whenever they needed it as an adult. As the youngest I was always trying to keep up with her. Today I am sharing a fun book about being the middle child and some of the positives of that role. It is Being Middle (is a great place to be) by Lori Orlinsky and illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre. At the end of the post there is a giveaway too!!
August seems to be the month of children's books with animal themes. We have been sharing books about all sorts of animals: zebras, coyotes, hippopotamus, snails, dogs, and more! Today we are sharing two new books about various animals that were released this week. One is a board book and one is a lift, look and find picture book. We will start with the board book which is Hoot Hoot by Georgette. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3.
When kids are young, we tend to read alphabet books. Some have themes and others are funny, but most don't get read too many times. Today I am going to share a fun one with you that I can see quickly becoming a favorite book to be read over and over! The book is A Bus Can't Drive Empty: An Alphaballiteration Adventure by Davon Miller. And since the post is part of The Children's Book Review Virtual Book Tour there is a giveaway at the end!!
When you hear disability what do you think of? Many of us have been programmed to go to someone in a wheelchair and with mental issues. While this is a true disabled person there are many of other types of disabilities and some cannot be seen. July is Disability Awareness Month or officially National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Some places even call it Disability Pride Month and have parades. This year we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, so it is extra special! Today I am two books that share what life is like with different disabilities and a bit about loving someone with a disability. One book is a middle grade graphic novel, and the other is a young adult nonfiction book sharing real stories from couples of different abilities. We will start with the graphic novel. It is Mixed-Up by Kami Garcia with art by Brittney Williams and lettering by Tyler Smith. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
As the summer goes on my middle grades and young adult pile to read seems to be growing. However, this week I have two new picture books to share with you. Each was released this week, and they both are multicultural. Each is special in its own way. The first book is A DÃa de Muertos Story. Although the young boy in the story is preparing for the DÃa de Muertos, the book is not necessarily just about a DÃa de Muertos (a Day of the Dead) but the characters look like the traditional painted skeletons. The book is This Moment Is Special by John Parra. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
Do you have an explorer on your hands? You know the child who wants to be outside exploring everything. The kid who wants to check out nature, hike, fish, and more? Getting outdoors and trying some of these activities is an amazing summer theme, and I have an amazing book to share with you to help them try some of these activities with an adult or on his/her own. The book is Catch a Crayfish, Count the Stars by Steven Rinella. This book is recommended for ages 8 to 12. At the end of the post I will share even more resources for this summer theme!
When Hazel was young, she loved when we read books about other places and cultures. She would have loved The Tales of Charlie Wags Series. And guess what? Charlie Wags is back and this time he visits Paris!! The book we are sharing today is The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris by Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay with pictures by Sanna Sjöström. After my review there is a roundup of Paris-themed crafts as well as other books to learn and explore Paris from home! Plus, there is a giveaway!!
When Hazel was younger, I loved coming up with different themes to focus some of our books and activities. As she got older, it became themes for the summer. Now she is in high school and I'm lucky to watch television with her. As I was finding products to review, I realized many would lend to fun themes to focus your kids this summer. They range from educational, nature, crafts and more. Today's theme is bird watching! To introduce this theme I am sharing a wonderful book with you. It is Turn This Book into a Bird Feeder by Lynn Brunelle and illustrated by Anna-Maria Jung. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 but could be for younger kids with adult help! After my review there will be a roundup of DIY bird feeders, bird crafts and other bird books to learn about them.
Do you know any kids who don't want to try something new, but when they do, they love it? I feel like so many kids go through this stage. It is hard to try something new. It is scary and a bit nerve-racking even for adults. For kids it is easier for them to say no then try it. Today's book is all about this stage. It is I Don't Think So! by K. Joyner and illustrated by Asha Butler. There is a giveaway at the end of this post!
On Friday I shared a roundup of books perfect for summer reading for ages 10+ through young adult. (Note all last week I did roundups for varying ages of new books for summer reading. Ages 4-8 and Middle Grades) Four of them did not include reviews because I hadn't read them yet. Today I am reviewing two of them!! I decided to spend my free time this weekend reading the two middle school romance-comedy books. Both of these books are recommended for ages 10+ and both have characters in middle school. The first book is Meet Me at Wonderland by Julia DeVillers.
This week has been about roundup of new books for summer reading!! With schools getting out it is time to find books for your kids to enjoy this summer! If you have 4- to 8-year-olds check out this list and 8- to 12-year-olds this list. Today we are sharing books for ages 10+ and young adult! Four of the books are new and I have not yet reviewed and will not be reviewing today. I still need to read them. The other three I will share links to my reviews. They are all new books this year! There is something for everyone here! I am starting with the books I have not read or reviewed yet. I didn't want you to miss the chance to check these books out because of my lack of reading time and speed. The first book is Meet Me at Wonderland by Julia DeVillers. It is recommended for ages 10 and up.
Schools are ending and summer vacations are beginning. But that means summer reading is beginning as well!! Earlier this week we shared a roundup of new picture books for 4- to 8-year-olds. Today we are sharing the middle grade roundup including three new books--two of which will be reviewed today. (The third will be reviewed later this summer!) There is a variety of books here and there is something for everyone in the age range of 8- to 12-year-olds. The first book is the only graphic novel on the list. It is Space Chasers by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna and illustrated by Alison Acton.
It is hard to believe that school is almost out, and summer is almost upon us. We had the high school graduation on Friday. I have some classroom cleanup to do and then conferences next week, but otherwise I am done! Summer means so many things. Of course, there is often a summer reading assignment as well as summer reading programs at libraries and Barnes and Noble. Grades 1 through 6 can read eight books this summer and get a free book at Barnes and Noble. When Hazel was younger, I liked to come up with different themes for us to explore in the summer. This summer I plan to share some themes and resources with you. We will start today with a roundup of new picture books that are perfect for 4 to 8-year-olds. With each book there are ideas of activities or more books to check out with it. Happy reading!
Spring has sprung however you wouldn't know it here. I saw snow mixed in with our April showers today. I however love spring. I love seeing the world come back to life after the long winter. I love seeing the blooms and thinking about things like gardening, getting outdoors and for my family, Easter. What do you think about when spring comes? Today I am sharing four books with you that are perfect for celebrating spring and Easter. We will start with the books for just spring. The first is Alfred Blooms by Carrie Kruck and illustrated by Carmen Mok. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
Have you heard of the Keeper of the Lost Cities Series by Shannon Messenger? It is a young adult fantasy series. I hadn't read any of them although Hazel did a long time ago. Today however I get to share with you the newest book in the series. Shannon Messenger calls it book 9.5 because it gives some back story to the overall story. The book is called Unraveled. The suggested ages by customers is 11 and up.
