Easter Craft Books for Kids -- a Crafty Weekends Review and Link Party

Disclosure: Candlewick Press sent me these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

It is hard to believe Easter is only a few weeks away. I have three fun "craft" books to share with you that are perfect for kids or adults. The first is perfect for younger kids play. It is Make and Play Easter by Joey Chou. 

Create and Play Christmas Products for Kids -- a Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: Candlewick Press sent me these products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Thanksgiving is over and now it is time to focus on our next holidays. For us that is Christmas. Today I am going to share three fun craft "books" for kids. Hazel has been having so much fun with all of these!! The first one is Press Out and Color: Christmas Ornaments by Kate McLelland. (Be sure to check out our reviews of other Press Out and Color books.)

Press Out + Color Birds & Butterflies -- a Relaxing Friday Review

Disclosure: Candlewick Press sent me these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Today I am going to share with you two really fun coloring "books". They are both part of the same series by Zoe Ingram. It is the Press Out + Color Series. What is really neat about this series is the pictures you color press out to make into 3-D objects or decorations. Today I am sharing Press Out and Color Birds and Press Out and Color Butterflies. 

Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

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

Tonight I am going to share two fun coloring books. These books are a bit like adult coloring books but for kids--think tweens. They are recommended for ages 7 to 10. Hazel LOVES them. The series is Press Out + Color, and we have had the pleasure of sharing with you some of the other books in this series. The first one we will share tonight is Press Out and Color Unicorns by Kate McLelland.

Books for Younger Kids

 

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

Looking for some new books for younger kids? Today we have a collection of books that teach pet care, recovering from a mistake, the truth about cicadas and words perfect for helping those learning to read! The first is a board book called Kit and Her Cat by Meredith Walker. It is recommended for babies through age 5. Personally, unless the five-year-old is just learning to read I would recommend baby through 3.

Global Kids: 50+ Games, Crafts, Recipes & More from Around the World -- Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

Disclosure: I was sent a set of these cards in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

For today's multicultural review I am sharing a neat set of cards to teach kids about different cultures of the world. It is Global Kids: 50+ Games, Crafts, Recipes & More from Around the World by Homa Sabet Tavangar and Sophie Fatus.  

Starting My Garden & Other Gardening Projects

You may remember I posted in April about getting my plants started for my garden. This past weekend we replanted them and planted some more seeds. Of course now that I replanted them, the weather has gotten much colder. Oh, well. I have also been doing a lot of gathering of different gardening books and in particular ones with ideas for gardening with children. I will share several of them with you here, so keep reading!! The first one I found and love is Roots Shoots Buckets & Boots by Sharon Lovejoy. This book has some great ideas for gardens to grow with children. The idea we took from it this year is a sunflower garden that can be a fun place house/hiding space. Thus why we are growing so many sunflowers. We will be doing other ideas from it in later years. She also has wonderful ideas on what to do if you do not have much space and other issues.

Our marigolds less than a week after we planted them!

A companion to Roots Shoots Buckets and Boots is Sunflower Houses also by Sharon Lovejoy. I found this one this year at Drumlin Farms in the gift shop. This book has great ideas on things to do with items from your garden for children. She literally interviewed adults and asked them what they remember about gardening as a child and wrote down some of the most popular things in this book. Needless to say sunflower houses is one of them, but not the only one. There are also hollyhock dolls and more. I bought a few hollyhock bulbs and we are going to plant them along the driveway edge to help give a little more privacy from the street. This will also be right in front of the sunflower garden, so I'm hoping it will help keep it more private as well.

Garden Diary

Of course I also started a garden diary. I used it to plan out where we would put the sunflower garden so Steve could visualize it more and planned out where to plant the vegetables that Hazel picked out. I am also going to have Hazel look through magazines and seed catalogs to cut out pictures of gardens, flowers, plants that she likes and glue them in and any seed packages, etc. and any comments we have on how they grow for future gardens.

A book I just found at the library is Project Garden by Stacy Tornio. It goes month by month with different things to do for your garden as well as crafts, recipes, etc. Talk about some quality family time ideas. This book looks great. I think I'm going to add it to my must buy list. It has so many great ideas and is a great resource for some of the common plants people grow around here at least.

Hazel's Herb Garden Box

We took a few ideas from another great book, Green Thumbs by Laurie Carlson. This book has so many great ideas in it for activities to do with children. Another must look at book for anyone who wants to teach their child about the plant growth cycle and other need things with plants. One idea was to do a window herb garden. I planted one for Hazel for her room (she didn't want to help when it came time to plant it). I picked herbs that would be fragrant as well as tasty, so we could also use it for our senses. I used lavender, lemon basil, dill, sage, and rosemary.

Another idea we got from Green Thumbs is to make a flower press. I love pressing flowers and using them in crafts or on note cards. I usually just layer the flowers in printer paper and pile books on them, however I loved this simple flower press to make instead. (I have also eyed some at stores and refuse to pay what they ask for them when they look so easy to make. I just need to get some wood and screws to do it properly.)

I made a couple of changes, but nothing to serious. Materials I used are two pieces of cardboard (I used the bottom of my water bottle cases), a piece of contact paper, masking tape or duct tape in a pretty color, at least 2 yards of ribbon, an exacto knife and paper towels and a heavy book. I added the contact paper because I wanted to make it a bit more water proof. I first let Hazel decorate one side the cardboard and I labeled it Hazel's Flower Press. Then we put the contact paper on one side of each cardboard piece (not the decorated side). Then we used the tape to soften the edges of the cardboard. I let Hazel put it on one piece somewhat by herself, so it is not perfect. Then use the exacto knife to cut four slits in both pieces of cardboard where you will thread the ribbon through.

Thread the ribbon through so it looks like this (this is the side with contact paper--I used clear so you can't see it).  Now it is ready to use. You should be able to tie the ribbons into bows otherwise you need longer ribbons.

Now pick some flowers to press. Layer them in paper towels on the inside of the flower press (contact paper is on inside of both cardboard pieces). Close press and tie. Then put on hard surface (table, wood floor, etc.) and cover with a large book (I used a dictionary).

In a few days you will have some nicely pressed flowers when you open up your press.

Some books we have been enjoying to learn more about the seeds and the particular plants we are growing. (I shared a few here.)

 This looks like a great book really explaining the process of growing pumpkins and what a pumpkin is. We haven't read it yet.

I shared some good pumpkin books in October as well.

This is a counting book with seeds and then with the harvest they count by tens. Hazel loves it!

This is pretty good, but a tiny bit above Hazel's understanding level. She wasn't really interested when we read it.

We just got this one from the library. It looks like it may be above her head a bit as well, but we will see.
















This is where I link up...

Reverse Coloring Calendar and New Markers - A Relaxing Friday Review

 

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

Well, this Friday has not really been relaxing. New England is preparing for three days of a Nor'easter so let the winds and rain begin. However, I have been wanting to share these great coloring products with you so today is the day!! Today we are going to talk reverse coloring and new acrylic markers! Talk about fun Relaxing Friday products!! We will start with reverse coloring. Have you tried it? It is when the colors are provided and you have to draw the lines and create whatever picture you want. This is my first time trying it and I got to try it with A Year of Reverse Coloring Page-A-Day 2027 Calendar by Kendra Norton and Workman Calendars. 

Publisher's Summary:

Forget drawing inside the lines—this calendar lets you unleash your true creativity! Based on Kendra Norton’s bestselling Reverse Coloring Book series.

• NEW! From the creator of the beloved original Reverse Coloring Book that started it all, free your imagination with daily doodles—the pages have the colors, you draw the lines!
• MINDFULNESS AND CREATIVITY: Slow down, let go, and let your pen find its way. Trace, draw, shade, fill in or dot your way to a peaceful state of mind.
• THE ORIGINAL WORKMAN PAGE-A-DAY CALENDARS ARE THE BEST DAILY CALENDARS ON THE MARKET: Page-A-Day® Calendars are built on expert authorship, engaging subject matter, and uncompromising design and production standards.100% recyclable and printed on responsibly sourced paper, with reverse pages printed for use as notepaper.

From Me:

I hadn't tried reverse coloring before, so I pulled out a few pages from the calendar and gave it a try. I tried to pick some pages where I saw things so I would know what to draw. I discovered it is harder than I thought at least for me. It definitely gets your mind thinking abstractly. It reminded me of the book, Tree Spirits Around the World, or trying to make out a face or object in the bark of a tree or in clouds. I didn't really finish any of my sample pages so I hope I will work more on them. Some of the colors look instantly like something. I saw flowers in the middle top row one right away. I saw cacti in the one next to it. Others are harder to decide what to do. I think for January 1st I would just draw designs because it already looks like rainbows. What would you do?

This calendar is fun and perfect for artists and people who love to doodle. It develops great imagination skills and vision skills as well. Honestly, if I was still teaching, I would bring it to my classroom and see what the students make of the different colorings. I know there would be some gorgeous artwork in the end. I think it is the perfect Relaxing Friday activity/product. It takes a twist from our usual coloring but is unique and fun too. Plus the calendar gives you quite a few different pages to try out since it is a Page-A-Day calendar. Saturday and Sunday are combined on the Page-A-Day calendars, so it is not 365 pages. 

Our next product I am excited to share with you. It is the Arrtx 60 Colors Acrylic Markers. These are perfect for coloring and all sorts of craft projects!!

From Arrtx:

• 60 Vibrant Colors for Endless Creativity: These acrylic paint pens come in 60 bold colors—ideal for scrapbooking, rock painting, card making, holiday decorations (Christmas, birthdays), and personalizing everyday items. Perfect for artists, crafters, and DIY lovers!
• Ultra-Smooth Brush Tip & Precision Control: Arrtx's brush tip delivers high quality strokes with even ink flow. ensuring smooth writing, drawing, and detailing.
• Quick-Drying & Waterproof: High-pigment, water-based ink dries fast and resists smudging. Once dry, it’s waterproof and durable on almost any surface—no fading or peeling. Perfect for indoor/outdoor projects
• Shake-to-Use & No-Press Design: Simply shake, uncap, and create! Our upgraded design eliminates messy pressing and protects the brush tip from wear. The ink mixes evenly for consistent vibrancy every time.
• Works on Any Surface: Use on rocks, wood, ceramic, glass, fabric, plastic, and more! Non-toxic, odorless. Ideal for artists, classrooms, family crafts, and DIY gifts.

From Me:

Shortly after I received my box of markers, it was rainy on Tuesday. I went to my favorite coffee shop with my new markers and a coloring book (as well as the calendar because I was trying to explain reverse coloring to one of the baristas). I picked a page that was a coffee shop and started coloring while drinking my chai. I loved the various color choices. I did am not used to the brush tip for coloring, so I struggled in a few spots to stay in the lines, but it got easier! The owner and employees enjoy chatting with me when I hang out and it is not busy and it was not this particular day. They loved that I was coloring a coffee shop page at the coffee shop!  The markers were easy to use, and I loved that you didn't have to get them started like you do with so many of the acrylic markers. I will admit I am not always great about shaking them before I use them. 

As you can see the colors did not bleed through and ruin the next page. You can see some of the colors on the back, but this coloring book luckily does not have double sided pages. I wanted to see what else I could do with these markers. I saw on the Arrtx page that they could be used on different surfaces. I tried to pull out some rocks to color on, but Steven put most of my rocks in his rock pile under one of the gutters. I found a couple I had painted previously and flipped them over to try. I also found some seashells and decided to try those. I even tried a wooden bead.

I did this before autumn started so I was still having summer vibes. But I also made some fall shells!

The markers were easy to use and dried quickly. I love how they came out. Now I have to drill holes in them to make them into ornaments! I also created some art in my journal sketchbook with the markers. I have been focusing on joy this year.

 I also made a flower vine using a technique I learned when making labels for quilts. I love how it turned out!

These markers are fun and got my creative juices flowing. After my coloring I started coloring more. I had bought this giraffe coloring book a while ago. It has smaller spaces, so I was using different coloring pens but then combined them with these markers. I love how they all look together!

These markers are so fun, and I can't wait to come up with new things to try them on. Stay tuned!

Coloring Books -- Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Has the adult coloring book craze hit you yet? I love it and so does Hazel. However with so many options out there it is hard to know which book to chose. We have had the pleasure of reviewing several different ones (The Time Garden, The Time Chamber, some of the Magic Series, and Colour Your Day) and today we are reviewing two new ones!! The first is from Candlewick Press  and is The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Nature by Rebecca Jones.  I have to admit we LOVE this one. Instead of just coloring pages to color and relax you are coloring cards and envelopes that you can use to send a note or for a holiday. Hazel has mostly taken over this book on me.

A Look at Japan for Asian / Pacific Island Heritage Month

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

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Multicultural Kid Blogs is hosting a blog hop today for this heritage month and I decided to focus mostly on Japan. I have a bunch of fun books to share with you to help focus on Japan and its culture. It is a mixture of coloring books, origami kits, a novel and an Asian cookbook. The first book I am going to share is another book in the Friendship Dolls Series from Candlewick Press. I reviewed the other two previously. Today's book is Dolls of Hope by Shirley Parenteau. 

Endeavour's Long Journey Book Review for Multicultural Children's Book Day

Disclosure: East West Discovery Press sent me a copy of this book free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Today I am reviewing the first of two books for Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCCBD). What is Multicultural Children's Book Day? It is a national event which  Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom created to celebrate diversity in children's books. MCCBD team hopes to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Our young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. We encourage readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits, event details, a multicultural children’s book linky and via our hashtag (#ReadYourWorld) on Twitter and other social media. This year's MCCBD is January 27th!  More about MCCBD and the events this year later in this post. Now onto our book!!

Crafty Weekend: Thanksgiving Activity Book

Disclosure: Penguin Kids gave me a copy of this book free of charge for this review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation.  As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

It is Halloween tonight, yet I am sharing a Thanksgiving book. I guess I am rushing into my holiday season. Sorry for the late start but we had an exciting night of trick-or-treating here. I hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween. Today we are sharing a book that is perfect to help kids learn about Thanksgiving and keep them busy whether traveling or during a Thanksgiving celebration. The book is Thanksgiving Activity Book by Karl Jones and illustrated by Joey Chou. 

Gift Boxes to Decorate and Make: Christmas -- a Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

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

Looking for a fun way to present gifts instead of the usual wrapping paper or gift bags? Check out this amazing book--Gift Boxes to Decorate and Make: Christmas illustrated by Sarah Walsh. This book has 24 pages that turn into a gift box and sticker tags to seal them.

Butterflies -- Books, Crafts & More

Disclosure: I was sent these books to review free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review.

Saturday is Earth Day. Do you have any plans? Hazel and I will be visiting a friend in New York, but have been working on our garden plans. We have also been enjoying many different books for Earth Day. We will be sharing more tomorrow, but today I am going to share three books about butterflies! We love butterflies and even raised butterflies a few years ago. The first book to share tonight is The Butterfly Garden by Laura Weston. 

My Love for You Is Like a Garden with Free Printable Match Game and Flower Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Flying Cardinal Press for this blog tour post. I will receive a small stipend for posting my review.

Spring is in the air! I see the tips of our daffodils, tulips and irises poking out of the soil between the mounds of snow. Spring is my favorite season. I love watching the world come back to life. I saw my first robin last week, so I know the warmer weather will be here soon. That means it is time to think about my garden. Today I am sharing a beautiful book comparing love to a garden. I made a match game with the beautiful illustrations and have a round-up of flower and garden crafts as well as a giveaway!! It is fun post! The book is called My Love for You Is Like a Garden by Laura Smetana. 

The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin -- Book Review & Math Application

Disclosure: Wisdom Tales Press gave me a copy of this product free of charge. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Hanukkah started on Sunday at sun down and lasts eight days. It is a Jewish holiday that celebrates several miracles that occurred during a time when Judaism was outlawed and their temple was desecrated. Last month we explored Hanukkah as part of the Multicultural Kid Blogs' Hanukkah for Kids Series by taking a look at dreidels. I mentioned a few books we had read and one we had not gotten our hands on yet. Well today we get to share this beautiful book with you. The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin by Martha Seif Simpson and illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard is a story that takes place in Prague a century ago that reminds us all that money does not buy miracles.

Multicultural Books for Different Ages of Readers -- Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

Disclosure: Candlewick Press gave me copies of these books free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

For my last review before the big link up and party tomorrow, I am sharing three multicultural books with you. Each one is for a different age group and each has so much to share. The first is a picture book called Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel. It is being released in March.

Books to Explore Our World -- Maps Poster Book and Panorama Pops Boston Book Reviews

Disclosure: Candlewick Press gave me a copy of these books free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

We love books that help us learn about places and cultures. In case you cannot tell I am a bit obsessed with teaching Hazel and learning myself about other cultures and places. However we are not big travelers, so books are our answer. Candlewick Press sent me two great books for our family. The first to share is Maps Poster Book by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski.