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!!

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: The Ostriches -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital 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 Jennifer Ussi to bring you this post.

I love stories that are fun to read and teach about different places and animals. They are even better when they have life lessons in them as well.  Today we get to share the sixth book in The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: The Ostriches by Jennifer Ussi and illustrated by Lekshmi Bose. We shared our review of the first book in this fun series previously. This post has an amazing giveaway at the end of it!

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.

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. 

Books About Love for Ages 10+ -- Valentine's Day Reads

 

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

In January we did two roundups of picture books for Valentine's Day. Young children are not the only ones who celebrate or need to read about love and relationships! Today we are sharing a roundup of novels for ages 10+. They include middle grade novels and young adult novels. These books I have either read completely or at least started but wanted to get them shared before Valentine's Day. We will be sharing them from youngest to oldest readers. The first book is Mountain Upside Down by Sara Ryan. It is recommended for older middle grade readers--ages 10 to 13. 

Books for Growing Up/Parenting -- Cleaning & Tantrums

 

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

Growing up and parenting can both be hard. There are times where neither child nor parent are at their best. There can be tantrums, screaming, yelling and fighting cleaning up. We have all been there. Today we are sharing a board book and a picture book that deals with the issues of cleaning up and tantrums. The board book is The Clean-Up Monster by Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner and illustrated by Danamarie Hosler. It is recommended for ages 2 to 4.

Standard Models: Ordinary Gods: A Comedy About a K-pop Group and Their Fans #readyourworld Review

 

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

Can you believe it? Read Your World Day is almost here!! The celebration is this Thursday!! Have you signed up for the virtual party yet? Today we are sharing a diverse young adult book as part of the special day! The book is the first in a series of two books. The book is Standard Models: Ordinary Gods: a Comedy About a K-Pop Group and Their Fans by Diana Huang. It is recommended for ages 12 to 18.

Back to School After the Holidays -- 2 Books with a School or Education Theme

 

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

We have been back to school for a couple of weeks now and Hazel has been back for one week. Even college students seem to be heading back now. Today we have two books for young readers that are educational or school themed. They are both humorous! We will start with the educational one. It is Our Solar System! A Stellar Neighborhood by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Stevie Lewis. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Lorena and the Magic Mocha Mirror -- #ReadYourWorld Review

 

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

It is January and that means #ReadYourWorld Day is coming!! This year I am one of the book reviewers once again. I believe I may have missed one year but have been reviewing books for almost every one of the fourteen years! Today we are sharing our first book for the 2026 day. It is Lorena and the Magic Mocha Mirror by Valerie Williams-Sanchez. It is recommended for ages 6 to 8 and the second edition is Dyslexia-friendly! Before we get to our review, we will share a bit about Read Your World.

Christmas Together with Polar Bear and Friends

 

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 Christmas is only two weeks away!! I've already shared quite a few amazing new Christmas and other December holiday (like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa) books!! I just received a fun Christmas book I have to share. It is from the World of Eric Carle and has illustrations in his style including some of his favorite animals. The book is Christmas Together with Polar Bear and Friends and is written by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle, two of my favorite children's book authors! This book is recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Into the Thicket -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital 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 Gail Kuhnlein to bring you this post.

Today I get to share a very special picture book with you. It is so important for us to teach the children to take care of the animals on our planet. In a season that is all about giving and being thankful, it is important to remember our stewardship to Earth. Today's book shares a special story about a young boy facing his own fears to help an injured baby rabbit.  It is Into the Thicket by Gail Kuhnlein and illustrated by John Megahan. There is a giveaway after my review!

Vanya and the Wild Hunt

 

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

Here is a review a long time coming. I am still working on my pile of chapter books from this summer. This one actually finishes the books I shared back in June but the pile has grown with some new ones. I'll share them at the end of this post in case any will interest you or a reader in your life for the holidays. Today I am sharing a fun fantasy middle grade novel that is full of magic and adventure. The book is Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

Adventures with Allie and Friends: Chef Cherie's Cafe -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book to review honestly. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Melanie Moore to bring you this post.

Have you ever noticed some books are just about stories and some are about teaching a lesson? We have needs and wants for both types. Today I am sharing a book with a story that has kids doing a lesson in it. The book is the first in a series. It is Adventures with Allie and Friends: Chef Cherie's Cafe by Melanie Moore and illustrated by Juan Diaz. There is a giveaway after my review!

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!

Zen and Tea -- Picture Book Reviews

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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.