We’re excited to collaborate with Little Likes Kids today and let you know about this kid-friendly company!
Founded by a mom in 2018, Little Likes Kids™ makes high quality, eco-friendly puzzles, games and other products for kids age 6 and under. They are bringing to a mass market, beautifully-illustrated and lovingly designed toys inspired by—and truly reflective of—the lives of today’s kids. Their products feature recognizable and happy scenes which makes it easy for all parents and caregivers to buy toys that celebrate their kids’ world! Little Likes Kids™ was founded by a mom who wanted toy options for her son that reflected his and his friends’ experiences.
1. Follow @littlelikeskids on Instagram 2. Like any post on the @littlelikeskids Instagram page, tag two friends and leave hashtag #hereforfun (Note: Be sure to include the hashtag so they’ll know you’re responding to our giveaway.) Contest ends on Thursday, February 28th at 11:59 PM EST Good Luck!
I received this book for free from Charlesbridge in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
In 1959 the Boston Red Sox was the last team in the Major Leagues to integrate. But when they call Elijah “Pumpsie” Green up from the minors, Bernard is overjoyed to see a black player on his beloved home team. And, when Pumpsie’s first home game is scheduled, Bernard and his family head to Fenway Park. Bernard is proud of Pumpsie and hopeful that this historic event is the start of great change in America.
This fictionalized account captures the true story of baseball player Pumpsie Green’s rise to the major leagues. The story is a snapshot of the Civil Rights Movement and a great discussion starter about the state of race relations in the United States today.
Waiting for Pumpsie is based on a fictional character named Bernard and his family, but based on true events from Pumpsie Green’s life.
All Pumpsie Green wanted to do was play baseball. He didn’t aspire to play for the major leagues initially, but he eventually went on to become the first Black baseball player to integrate the Boston Red Sox. Although Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball in 1947, it took the Red Sox another twelve years to integrate their team. They were the last team in Major League Baseball to have a Black player.
This is an inspiring and feel good story about equality and change. Pumpsie Green is currently still alive today and is sometimes invited back to Fenway Park to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Red Sox games.
Click here to see a list of the first Black players for each Major League Baseball team.
About the Author
Barry has been a bartender, taxi driver, song writer, substitute teacher and writer for the Major League Baseball. He grew up as a Mets fan and was eight years old when he first heard the name Pumpsie Green. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and son. Visit his website: onedogwoof.com.
About the Illustrator London Ladd currently lives in Syracuse, New York. He’s a graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in Illustration. He has illustrated numerous critically acclaimed children’s books including March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (Scholastic), written by Christine King Farris, the older sister of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass (Disney/Jump at the Sun), written by Doreen Rappaport, and Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and her Secret School (Lee & Low Books), written by Janet Halfmann. His goal is to open an art center in Syracuse so that young people and families can create their own art. Visit his website: londonladd.com.
The Giveaway! One (1) winner will receive a copy of Waiting for Pumpsie courtesy of Charlesbridge Publishing. Open to all US based residents age 18 and over. Good Luck!
Beep and Bob by Jonathan Roth (Author, Illustrator)
Age Range: 6 – 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4
Have you introduced your elementary aged readers to Beep and Bob yet? Bob is a space-school attendee and Beep is his alien bestie. This early chapter book series is lively and action-packed and is recommended for the 6 – 9 year old crowd.
In their first adventure, Bob is humiliated on a field trip to Pluto when his tongue gets stuck to the ice. In the second book Beep and Bob find themselves in a sticky situation and end up getting blamed for a robbery on a spaceship. The third book finds Beep and Bop coming up with a clever plan to save Halloween. Book number four is double the fun as it involves cloning! Beep and Bop accidentally clone themselves and it becomes a battle of good vs. evil. The cloned Beep and Bop turn out to be evil and want to hatch a plan to clone an evil Earth. Oh my!
Beginning readers are likely to enjoy all of the silliness in these books. I think they are good for kids who are just starting to tackle early chapter books on their own. They are also good to read-aloud for story time although sometimes the text, jokes and silliness may seem too juvenile to adults. Like many early chapter books, the chapters in these books are not too long so the book can be finished within a matter of days or weeks. And of course, space loving kids will likely be drawn to all of the space references throughout the series.
Reviewers love the Beep and Bob series!
“Pretty sporky, as Bob would approvingly put it.” —Booklist
“A strong addition to any library’s chapter book selection.” —School Library Journal
About the Author Author-illustrator Jonathan Roth is a public elementary school art teacher in Maryland who likes reading, writing, drawing, cycling, and napping. Though he has never left the Earth, he has met four of the astronauts who have gone to the moon. Beep and Bob is his first series. To learn more, and to download a free Beep and Bob activity kit, visit his website: beepandbob.com.
Supergalactic Giveaway!
One (1) lucky winner will receive a set of ALL FOUR Beep and Bob titles–Too Much Space!, Party Crashers, Take Us To Your Sugar, and Double Trouble (U.S. addresses), courtesy of Aladdin/Simon & Schuster!
The Sharing Secret by La Shell Wooten, illustrated by Nathaniel Mary Quinn
The smell of baking reminds me of my Nana, whom I loved dearly. She passed away many years ago and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss her. My Nana and I were very close. She was kind, funny and very talented in the kitchen. Nothing tops my Nana’s sweet potato pie! Reading The Sharing Secret brings back fond memories of helping my Nana bake sweet potato pies. There’s also some awesome lessons and reminders about sharing and karma, which are two things my Nana also believed in.
The Sharing Secret introduces young readers to Asai; a boy who learns about making choices during a trip to his grandfather’s bakery. Asai’s private baking lesson gives him an opportunity to learn how sharing with others is actually like giving a gift to himself. A colorful imagery where learning about cakes and karma is painted into every page.
Enter below to win an autographed copy of this newly released picture book in time for the holidays. Good Luck!
About the Author
La Shell Wooten is a New York City mom who wrote her inaugural children’s book to help young people learn that a good life is created by our choices. Her endowment as a licensed mental health professional, life coach, teacher, healer, feng shui consultant and now author are among the gifts she shares with the world. As the mother of two boys, Wooten wrote The Sharing Secret to teach children about the laws of karma in an age-appropriate way and to feature young boys of color as lead characters in children’s literature. La Shell hopes The Sharing Secret and its’ follow-up Good Hands will inform and delight young readers.
The Giveaway! One (1) US resident (age 18 and over) will win an author and illustrator signed copy of the picture book The Sharing Secret. All entries must be received by November 4th by 11:59pm EST. Good Luck!
Little Simon sent me these adorable board books to check out and is partnering with me for a giveaway! Read on to find out how you can enter to win.
Little Simon board books make the perfect gift for all of the young readers in your life! With cute and creative illustrations, accessible and engaging stories, and the perfect size and durability, these books are great for new parents and for reading aloud. These fun series teach important lessons and concepts through adorable characters, interesting stories, and hilarious creatures!
Here are the titles included in this board book giveaway:
We enjoyed reading all of the books in this bundle, but our personal favorites are Dia De los Muertos and This Little Scientist. I’m so impressed with how informative and easy to understand both of these books are for young readers. With Dia De los Muertos, kids can learn about the holiday as well as a few Spanish words that are weaved into the story while enjoying the colorful and bold illustrations. This Little Scientist provides young readers with a nice introduction to a diverse group of male and female scientists including: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Marie Curie, Isaac Newton, Katherine Johnson and more!
To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment below. Open to US residents age 18 and over ONLY. Giveaway ends on October 25, 2018 at 11:59pm. The winner will be notified by email on October 26, 2018. For an extra entry, enter on my Instagram page. Good Luck!
In partnership with Lantana Publising, this summer I revealed the cover of the picture book Sing to the Moon written by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl. Now I’m excited to partner with them again and join the blog tour for this beautiful book. You may be already be familiar with the dynamic author and illustrator duo of this book. They also created the equally beautiful book Sleep Well, Siba and Saba.
Sing to the Moon features a little boy from Uganda who likes to dream big. This story was inspired by the rainy days the author spent with her family in Uganda during the rainy season. It’s a beautifully written and illustrated story that shows the precious bond between a grandfather and grandson.
Available for Sale: October 1, 2018 Age Range: 4 – 8 Grade Level: PreK – 2
Synopsis
For one little Ugandan boy, no wish is too big. First he dreams of reaching the stars and then of riding a supernova straight to Mars. But on a rainy day at his grandfather’s house, he is brought down to earth with a bump. Do adventures only happen in galaxies far away or can he find magic a little closer to home? A touching story of a grandfather’s love for his grandson and the quiet pleasures of a rainy day.
About the Author Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl was born to Ugandan parents in Cambridge, MA, USA. For over ten years, Nansubuga has worked in international development in East and Southern Africa. In her current role as a technical writer and editor, she produces a range of written work for international organizations such as the UN and the World Bank. Having lived in seven countries across three continents, creative writing has always been her way to re-connect with her cultural heritage. Sleep Well, Siba and Sabais her first children’s book.
About the Illustrator Sandra van Doorn was born in a small medieval town in France and now lives in Australia. She attended art classes at Emily Carr University in Vancouver before embarking on her career as a children’s illustrator. You can find out more about her work at www.sandravandoorn.com.
The Giveaway!
One (1) winner will receive a copy of Sing to the Moon. Enter to win using the entry form below. Good Luck!
Disclaimer: We’re thrilled to partner with Disney Book Group for this festive giveaway in time for the holiday season! Enter for your chance to win a copy of ALL FOUR Bruce books, Santa Bruce ornament & hat, and a box of Santa Bruce holiday candies.Santa Bruce
By Ryan T. Higgins
In Stores September 4th, 2018
Published by Disney Book Group
Recommended for ages 3+
ABOUT THE BOOK
Bruce is a lot of things. He is a bear. He is a grump. He is a pretty decent cook. And he is a mother. One thing Bruce is not? Santa Claus. But that doesn’t stop the whole forest from lining up to give him their Christmas wishes when he becomes the victim of mistaken identity—again. Kids will howl with laughter as award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins delivers another hilarious story about this bear who just can’t catch a break.
We’ve read all four of the Bruce books and they never fail to make me and the kids laugh out loud! This time, Mother Bruce is a victim of mistaken identity, yet again! One day while outside shoveling snow in his red “Santa like” gear, he is mistaken to be Santa Claus. Santa Bruce is a cheerful and delightful story that is so fun to read aloud with kids during story time.
The illustrations capture the story so well too which makes it even funnier. The facial expressions that Bruce and the other animals make are so spot on and really help to bring the story to life.
Ready to find out how you can enter to win the giveaway? Read on. Good Luck!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ryan T. Higgins (ryanthiggins.com) is an author and illustrator who likes the outdoors and cheese sandwiches. He is NOT a grumpy old black bear, but he DOES like making books about one—starting with the best-selling Mother Bruce, which received the E. B. White Read-Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor. He lives in Maine with his wife and kids… and too many pets.
The Giveaway!
