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Book Reviews

Early Sunday Morning by Denene Millner (A Book Review)

Early Sunday Morning by Denene Millner, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Publisher: Agate Bolden
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Age Range: 4 – 9 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Publication Date: April 11, 2017

Synopsis
Love and family. These are the things that a little girl finds most special about Sunday mornings. Early Sunday Morning follows June, Mommy, Daddy, and brother Troy through their weekend routine as June prepares for a special performance leading the children’s choir at church on Sunday morning.

Readers spend the weekend with June as she collects helpful pieces of advice on how to be less nervous about her big solo. Along the way, she visits the barbershop with Mommy and Troy, gets her hair done by Mommy, receives a special dress from her aunt, and shares her family ritual of getting ready for Sunday morning service. As her special moment approaches, June leans on the support of her whole family, as well as advice from her father, to conquer her fear of singing in front of the congregation.

Early Sunday Morning is a heartwarming celebration of the special time a young girl and her family share together as she learns how to lift her mighty voice.

Reflection
It’s almost little June’s big day to sing her first solo in the youth church choir and she couldn’t be more excited! But when it’s time to practice at choir rehearsal, June gets a little stage fright. As a result, her voice starts to tremble when she sings.  She overhears her friends making fun of her which hurts her feelings and makes her even more nervous and scared. With the help of her supportive family and community members, June gains back her confidence. But will she be ready to sing her big solo on Sunday morning in front of the whole congregation?

We really enjoyed reading this adorable book!  The thing I love the most is that it highlights a situation children (of all races) might encounter in their everyday lives.  It’s an added bonus that the protagonist in this story is a little Black girl who lives in a loving home with her married parents and little brother. It’s a direct reflection of our family of four which makes my heart sing!  I am always elated when I come across good quality children’s books that showcase Black kids doing everyday things because Lord knows there are already enough books about the Civil Rights era and slavery.  Can I get an amen?

The eye-catching illustrations drew me in immediately.  I mean, look at that cover!  When I initially saw the cover and the title I knew I had to add this book to our home collection without even knowing what it was about.  The colorful, hand drawn pictures are so detailed and beautiful adding even more life to the story.  Readers will see little June getting her natural hair done on wash day, practicing at choir rehearsal and visiting the barbershop with her little brother Troy.  The artwork appears on full spreads with text shown above, below or alongside providing movement to the pages.

I also like the loving bond June and her dad share.  It reminds me of the relationship my daughter has with my husband. June is a true daddy’s girl who values his opinion.  She is happiest when she is singing with her daddy.

The one thing I will mention is I was initially confused about the name of the little girl.  I thought her name was Sarah, but after asking the author she confirmed her name is June although it doesn’t say it directly in the book. Overall, I think this book is a beautiful story with themes of: love, family, feelings, courage, confidence, patience and positive affirmations. Great for helping children cope with stage fright or teaching them about bravery, courage and using their voice.

About the Author
Denene Millner is a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning journalist, and contributing editor at Agate Publishing where she directs the Denene Millner Books imprint. She has penned 25 books, including Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, co-written with Steve Harvey; an upcoming memoir with actress Taraji P. Henson; and The Vow, the novel on which the hit Lifetime original movie, “With This Ring” was based. She also is the founder of MyBrownBaby.com, a critically acclaimed blog that examines the intersection of parenting and race. Millner frequently contributes to Essence, Ebony, and Redbook, and has appeared on the Today Show, The Meredith Vieira Show, HLN, MSNBC, and NPR. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters.

About the Illustrator
Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught illustrator whose passion for children’s books began when she came across The Snowy Day by Ezra Jacks Keats as a child in the 1960s. The Snowy Day marked one of the first representations of a black children in picture books, and seeing a character who looked like her and lived in a neighborhood like her own was a turning point in Vanessa’s life. She hopes to inspire young readers as Keats did for her. Vanessa has illustrated more than 30 books, and is the author and illustrator of Let Freedom Sing and Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table. Vanessa lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband of 22 years and their daughter Zoe and a very rambunctious cat named Stripes.

Your turn: Are you excited to read this book with your little readers when it’s published?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Book Reviews

Things to Do by Elaine Magliaro (A Book Review)

Things to Do by Elaine Magliaro, illustrated by Catia Chien

Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Age Range: 4 – 8 years old

Synopsis
With playful prose and vivid art, Things to Do brings to life the small moments and secret joys of a child’s day. There are wonders everywhere. In the sky and on the ground—blooming in a flower bed, dangling from a silken thread, buzzing through the summer air—waiting …waiting to be found.

Reflection
I love books that can spark a child’s imagination simply by using one small two-letter word, “if”.  In this book, the phrase “things to do if” is repeated several times when introducing different wonders of the world.  For example:

Things to do if you are DAWN
Shoo away night,
Wash the eastern sky with light.
Wake the sleeping sun: Rise and shine!
Rouse resting roosters.
Set songbirds singing.
Let dreams drift away.
Start a new day.

Doesn’t that describe dawn so eloquently and perfectly?  It imagines kids to think about all of the things dawn is responsible for and what happens first thing in the morning.  It then goes on to playfully introduce other things like: birds, an acorn, scissors, rain and the moon in their own lovely poems.

The illustrations are so vividly beautiful – I love them so much!  The illustrator really captures each moment in detail. Each two-page spread is truly a work of art that I want to frame.  I also like the fact that the author chose to emphasize each item along with some of the more descriptive words.  For example, in the poem about rain the words “whoosh”, “patter” and “go away” are shown in italicized text and are a different color.  This helps children make the connection between the item and some of the popular words and phrases that are usually associated with it.

I love reading this book with the kids at night right before bedtime.  Something about it has this calming effect on both me and the kids.  I think it’s a combination of the beautiful poetry and stunning illustrations that help get us ready to lay down and rest our heads for the night.

Overall, I think this is an amazing book of poetry with themes of creativity, imagination and nature. Definitely one not to be missed for poetry lovers!

About the Author
Elaine Magliaro is now retired from teaching and writes poetry for children and serves as a member of the NCTE Poetry Committee.  She lives in Massachusetts.

About the Illustrator
Catia Chien was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Today, she is happily working as a children’s book artist from her art studio in New York, with a view of the East River and an old pencil factory.

Book Reviews

The Amazing Book of Disney Princess + A Giveaway!

The Amazing Book of Disney Princess by DK Books

Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Synopsis
The Amazing Book of Disney Princess is the perfect introduction to the magical world of Disney Princess. Young fans will love discovering more about their favorite characters in this reference book that’s perfect for young readers with fold-out paper flaps and folds. Large pictures and short, simple sentences bring the characters to life for children aged 5 plus. Favorite Disney Princess characters and their kingdoms are explored in a fun way, including Belle, Jasmine, Merida, Tiana, Mulan, Ariel, and Rapunzel. The Amazing Book of Disney Princess also comes with a giant pull-out poster.

Reflection

What a fun book for kids to learn a little more about their favorite Disney princesses!  I love the large text and images as well as the clear and simple sentences.  I also like this book has an interactive element to it with questions and flaps that can be lifted throughout.  The table of contents also clearly points out which page each princess can be found on.  In the back there is also a quiz and answer key.

While Disney has made strides over the past few years to diversity its lineup of princesses, I still think there is more work that needs to be done.  As you may know, finding a book that actually includes African princesses, African American princesses, Native American princesses, Indian princesses, Latina princesses, or Asian princesses, is next to impossible.  Perhaps one day book publishers, television producers, and movie producers will understand the beautiful variety of princesses (and princes) that the world has to offer.  Good thing there are a few children’s books available on the market to help remind little readers of all cultures and backgrounds that princesses, kings, and queens are not limited to the images they see in the mainstream media.

Although I do find this book to be a great reference to help children explore and learn more about the Disney princesses, I did notice something I wanted to point out.  When this book introduces princesses like Snow White and Aurora, Rapunzel and Belle they are described as ‘beautiful’ and ‘very kind’.  However, when other multicultural princesses like Mulan, Pocahontas, Jasmine and Tiana are introduced, there is no mention of how beautiful or kind they are. Instead, they point out lackluster details like ‘headband with sparkling jewel’, ‘sparkling gloves’, and ‘traditional dress’.  Why aren’t any of these princesses described as beautiful or kind?  I don’t know if this was intentional or not, but it’s worth pointing out as it may send mixed signals to children.

In addition to learning more about each of the princesses, there is also mention of some of the evil enemies and princes.  You also learn some of the princesses favorite things and special skills.  For example, did you know Rapunzel loves to paint?  Or that Belle loves reading and Tiana loves baking delicious beignets for her friends?  I am always fascinated to learn more about any Disney characters as it makes them more human and relatable to me.

Each book also comes with a giant pull-out poster from Beauty and the Beast, just in time for the live action movie release in March 2017!

If your daughter(s) have been hit by the princess craze, consider checking out this book.  Little readers who like the series Fancy Nancy or Pinkalicious will adore this book just as much.  Cue the sparkles, tiaras, and tutus!

About DK Books
DK is a bestselling and award-winning publisher known for informing, entertaining, and educating global audiences through beautifully designed content.

The Giveaway!
Our friends at DK Books were generous enough to offer a book giveaway!  See the entry form below to enter.  Only open to US residents age 18 and over.  Good luck!

The Amazing Book of Disney Princess

Your turn: Are you planning to go see the upcoming Beauty and the Beast movie when it comes out in March? Which Disney princess is your daughter’s favorite one?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Book Reviews

All Kinds of Cars by Carl Johanson (A Book Review)

All Kinds of Cars by Carl Johanson

Synopsis
From Swedish illustrator Carl Johanson, this partly true, partly fictitious book is a fantastic visual collection of cars and other wacky forms of transportation. Johanson’s book identifies the ordinary along with the extraordinary – from fire engines and snow plows to galactic buses and guitar cars.  All Kinds of Cars is a playful mix of existing and imaginary enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Reflection
My son adores this bright and vivid oversized book! It’s filled with an interesting mix of existing and imaginary cars and trucks; from tow trucks to sausage cars to cloud transporters.  This book doesn’t have an actual storyline, but we love looking at all of the colorful illustrations and differentiating the real cars from the imaginary ones.  My son’s favorite cars are: the dinosaur car, the guitar car, the hat car, the rainbow car, the book car, the rocket car, the chewing gum car, and I can’t forget the poo car!  The poo car cracks all of us up!


Kids will likely get a kick out of all the zany types of cars, but may also like seeing some of the more familiar modes of transportation like police cars, fire engines, excavators, and dump trucks.  The back matter contains an index of all the cars listed throughout the book.  A visual treat for car lovers of all ages that’s creative, informative and highly imaginative. Recommended for ages 3-5 and up.

All Kinds of Cars publishes in the US on March 14, 2017 from Flying Eye Books!

About the Author
Carl Johanson is an illustrator living and working in Bretagne, France.  He studied graphic design and illustration at Konstfack in Stockholm, and has since focused mainly on illustration and creating books for children.  All Kinds of Cars is his first children’s book, and he is currently working on a second project.

Book Reviews

Read Your World: 9 Amazing Multicultural Books for Kids

As a participant in the 4th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day, I had the pleasure of receiving an amazing array of multicultural books from our friends at Capstone Young Readers to read with my children and share with all of you. Thank you, Capstone for your generosity and for sending so many wonderful picture books, early readers and chapter books!

Capstone Young Readers creates entertaining and informative reading experiences that generate excitement and love for reading. Their products include board books, young readers, middle readers, graphic novels, nonfiction/reference, craft, how-to, drawing, and seasonal titles.  Be sure and check out their sister-site, CapstoneKids.com for tons of fun book-inspired games, quizzes and activities to keep young minds learning!

Below is a list of the books we received.  Enjoy!

When Penny Met Potus by Rachel Ruiz

Little Penny couldn’t be more excited! She’s going to spend the day at work with her mom at the White House! Most importantly, she’s finally going to meet POTUS (an acronym for President of the United States).  Penny has no idea who POTUS is, what POTUS looks like or what POTUS actually means. She imagines POTUS to be a blue furry monster surrounded by secret service agents. Penny has high expectations for when she finally meets this POTUS.

After wandering around the White House on her own in search of POTUS, Penny finally comes face-to-face with the President. She isn’t surprised to find out that POTUS is a woman. She’s surprised that she isn’t a monster after all – she’s a human who happens to be a lot like her.

I love how this book emphasizes the fact that we are all humans first regardless of our gender.  I think it’s a great book to use for having discussions about presidential elections with many grade levels.  Also teaches children to always keep an open mind and don’t be so quick to judge others.

Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman

Have you ever thought about bringing your dragon to the library? Don’t do it! You might have the best intentions, but that dragon will cause nothing but trouble. Using rhyming text and a diverse cast of characters, this charming picture book will provide some important and some not so important library etiquette in a very entertaining way. My kids and I really like this book…it’s a fun and engaging read aloud!

For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story by Rebecca Langston-George

She grew up in a world where women were supposed to be quiet. But Malala Yousafzai refused to be silent. She defied the Taliban’s rules, spoke out for education for every girl, and was almost killed for her beliefs. This powerful true story of how one brave girl named Malala changed the world proves that one person really can make a difference.

Museum Mysteries: The Case of the Missing Museum Archives by Steve Brezenoff

When the plans for the prototype of a failed flying machine go missing from the Air and Space Museum’s archives, Amal’s father, the assistant archivist, is blamed. No one suspects a crime has been committed ― except Amal and her friends. With her father’s job on the line, it’s up to them to track down the missing plans. Can Amal and her friends get to the bottom of the museum mystery before it’s too late?

I recently announced this book to be our read aloud chapter book of the month for February!  Won’t you join us and read this book aloud with your kiddos starting on February 1, 2017?  Read more about our diverse read aloud chapter book club here.

Katie Woo and Friends by Fran Manushkin

We just love Katie Woo, don’t you?  Katie Woo loves playing with her friends JoJo and Pedro. They do everything together, from losing teeth to looking for ghosts. Even when they argue, they always make up in the end. After all, there’s nothing like a good friend.

Dear Molly, Dear Olive: Molly Meets Trouble by Megan Atwood

There’s a new girl in the third-grade, and for some reason, she brings out the worst in Molly. If only Molly’s cross-country pen pal, Olive, were there. But Olive’s got her OWN set of troubles with her new gymnastics team. As both girls struggle to make new friends, their dishonest emails and letters to each other threaten their relationshp. First-person narratives that alternate point-of-view from chapter to chapter bring the main characters to life.

Sofia Martinez: My Vida Loca by Jacqueline Jules

Even the most basic chores can be fun when Sofia is involved! From washing a car to cooking with grandma, this smart and funny 7-year-old knows how to make every moment count. Follow Sofia through three every day adventures in this early chapter book and find out why Sofia has such a crazy life!

Pedro, First-Grade Hero by Fran Manushkin

Spend some time with Pedro, Katie Woo’s fun-loving friend. From a buggy disaster to a run for class president, Pedro has what it takes to be the hero of first-grade. No matter what he’s doing, Pedro is always good for some laughs and adventure.

An Extra-Ordinary Girl (Ellie Ultra) by Gina Bellisario

Ellie is super excited for first day at Winkopolis Elementary School. After spending her whole life being homeschooled by super-genius inventor parents, she can’t wait to hang out with normal kids and learn normal things. But Ellie soon learns that her super powers make her stand out in a not-so-super way. Can she save the world and fit in with her new friends? Or is blending in the one thing this superhero can’t do?

Connect with Capstone Young Readers on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and  Instagram.

About Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017 (1/27/17) is its fourth year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness on the ongoing need to include kid’s books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.

Despite census data that shows 37% of the US population consists of people of color, only 10% of children’s books published have diversity content. Using the Multicultural Children’s Book Day holiday, the MCBD Team are on a mission to change all of that.

Current Sponsors:  MCBD 2017 is honored to have some amazing Sponsors on board. Platinum Sponsors include ScholasticBarefoot Books and Broccoli. Other Medallion Level Sponsors include heavy-hitters like Author Carole P. RomanAudrey Press, Candlewick Press,  Fathers Incorporated, KidLitTVCapstone Young Readers, ChildsPlayUsa, Author Gayle SwiftWisdom Tales PressLee& Low BooksThe Pack-n-Go GirlsLive Oak MediaAuthor Charlotte Riggle, Chronicle Books and Pomelo Books

Author Sponsors include: Karen Leggett AbourayaVeronica AppletonSusan Bernardo, Kathleen BurkinshawMaria DismondyD.G. DriverGeoff Griffin Savannah HendricksStephen HodgesCarmen Bernier-Grand,Vahid ImaniGwen Jackson,  Hena, Kahn, David Kelly, Mariana LlanosNatasha Moulton-LevyTeddy O’MalleyStacy McAnulty,  Cerece MurphyMiranda PaulAnnette PimentelGreg RansomSandra RichardsElsa TakaokaGraciela Tiscareño-Sato,  Sarah Stevenson, Monica Mathis-Stowe SmartChoiceNation, Andrea Y. Wang

You can view the co-hosts here.

Connect with MCCBD!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalChildrensBookDay
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MCChildsBookDay
Official Hashtag:  #ReadYourWorld

Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta

Free Kindness Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teachers-classroom-kindness-kit/

Free Diversity Book Lists and Activities for Teachers and Parents: http://bit.ly/1sZ5s8i

Your turn: Which of these books have you read with your little readers?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Book Reviews

Daddy, There’s a Noise Outside by Kenneth Braswell (A Book Review)

I’m honored to take part in the 4th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day event for another year.  Thank you to Fathers Incorporated for supplying us with complimentary copies of their empowering books to read and share!

Daddy, There’s a Noise Outside by Kenneth Braswell, illustrated by Joe Dent & Julie Anderson

Synopsis
This engaging story begins when two children are awakened by noises in the middle of the night outside the window of their inner-city neighborhood. Both their Dad and Mom spend the next morning explaining to them what was taking place in their community.

Reflection
Following the Black Lives Matter movement in 2016, parents, educators and librarians around the world have been looking for ways to talk to children about race, justice and privilege.  Over the past few years, it is sadly evident we still have a great deal of work to do to heal racial issues in our society.  As a parent, I believe it is critical to be prepared to address any questions or concerns children may have about things they see in the media or in their communities.  This can be done by educating ourselves on the issues and ensuring we can use quality resources and books like Daddy, There’s a Noise Outside to teach and understand the current and historic justice debates and protests.

Daddy, There’s a Noise Outside begins when a brother and sister are awakened by noises in the middle of the night outside the window of their inner-city neighborhood.  When they wake up the next morning their parents explain what was taking place in their community.

I love how the author takes the complex subject matter of protesting and communicates it in a way that’s easy for children ages 5 – 9 can understand.  For example, there is an example of the father taking away a toy truck for not doing chores. As a result, the son folds his arms, stomps away and starts pouting.  The father points out that’s a form of protesting something the son did not like.  That’s a pretty straightforward and easy example to comprehend, right?

I also appreciate how naturally curious the kids in this book are about current events and their roles as emerging citizens.  We’re seeing this happen more often now as children have instant access to events with their smartphones. I think the parents do a wonderful job teaching their children about what it means to protest by researching past events from the Civil Rights era and the Million Man March.  The children also learn there are several different types of protests like: boycotts, marches, silent sit-ins, petitions, letter writing and civil disobedience.

Overall, I believe this book is an excellent conversation starter to talk to your children about protesting and standing up for things they believe in.  Since this book has such a powerful message, I think reading it is good for both adults and children. For children, it acknowledges that burgeoning awareness of what it is to be a citizen, potential pitfalls included. For adults, it reaffirms your values and reminds you to be a positive role model for your children.

The back matter includes excerpts from a handy parent/teacher guide that can be downloaded directly here.  There are also a few questions for discussion, a word search puzzle and a list of books to read on the subject matter.

Also, be sure to check out the second book entitled Daddy is Feeling Blue (available now) and Daddy’s Family Tree in June 2017.

About Fathers Incorporated
Established in 2004, Fathers Incorporated serves as a leader in the field of Responsible Fatherhood. The agency’s international, national, and local mission focuses on remediating the impact of father absence. Their objective is to help fathers and children connect, raise awareness of the need for positive father involvement, and educate men and women about the importance of healthy father-child relationships.

About Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017 (1/27/17) is its fourth year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness on the ongoing need to include kid’s books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.

Despite census data that shows 37% of the US population consists of people of color, only 10% of children’s books published have diversity content. Using the Multicultural Children’s Book Day holiday, the MCBD Team are on a mission to change all of that.

Current Sponsors:  MCBD 2017 is honored to have some amazing Sponsors on board. Platinum Sponsors include ScholasticBarefoot Books and Broccoli. Other Medallion Level Sponsors include heavy-hitters like Author Carole P. RomanAudrey Press, Candlewick Press,  Fathers Incorporated, KidLitTVCapstone Young Readers, ChildsPlayUsa, Author Gayle SwiftWisdom Tales PressLee& Low BooksThe Pack-n-Go GirlsLive Oak MediaAuthor Charlotte Riggle, Chronicle Books and Pomelo Books

Author Sponsors include: Karen Leggett AbourayaVeronica AppletonSusan Bernardo, Kathleen BurkinshawMaria DismondyD.G. DriverGeoff Griffin Savannah HendricksStephen HodgesCarmen Bernier-Grand,Vahid ImaniGwen Jackson,  Hena, Kahn, David Kelly, Mariana LlanosNatasha Moulton-LevyTeddy O’MalleyStacy McAnulty,  Cerece MurphyMiranda PaulAnnette PimentelGreg RansomSandra RichardsElsa TakaokaGraciela Tiscareño-Sato,  Sarah Stevenson, Monica Mathis-Stowe SmartChoiceNation, Andrea Y. Wang

You can view the co-hosts here.

Connect with MCCBD!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalChildrensBookDay
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MCChildsBookDay
Official Hashtag:  #ReadYourWorld

Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta

Free Kindness Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teachers-classroom-kindness-kit/

Free Diversity Book Lists and Activities for Teachers and Parents: http://bit.ly/1sZ5s8i

Your turn: How do you talk with your children about difficult topics like protests and justice?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Book Reviews

Love Is by Diane Adams (A Book Review)

Love Is by Diane Adams, illustrated by Claire Keane

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 2-5 years old
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten
Available for Sale: January 24, 2017

Synopsis
Perfect for Valentine’s Day—or any tender moment—this story of a girl and a duckling who share a touching year together will melt hearts old and young. In this tenderly funny book, girl and duckling grow in their understanding of what it is to care for each other, discovering that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding tight. Children and parents together will adore this fond exploration of growing up while learning about the joys of love offered and love returned.

Reflection
What exactly is love? How do you define it?  One definition I remember learning at a young age is: love is caring for others without any regard to what you get in return.

It seems most people have a different definition of the word love. And we are all correct in our own way, right?  I think Love Is does an amazing job teaching the smallest readers the meaning of the word love through playful text and whimsical illustrations.

You guys, I think this book is beyond adorable.  I am completely smitten with it!  After a little duckling follows a butterfly out of a park, a little brown-skinned girl sporting the cutest pom pom ponytails you ever did see, picks it up and brings it home to nurture it. As time goes on, you see the duckling grow and eventually moves on to go back out into nature with its family. In the end, the duck returns back to the girl with a new duckling family of its own.

The soothing rhyming text seems to flow so well throughout the book. I just love every single verse. This book truly touched me and even made me laugh and tear up in some parts because I think it’s so beautifully done.

“Love is missing, reminiscing, wishing things could stay the same.  It’s understanding even ducklings, like the seasons, have to change.”

“It’s peaceful sleeping, no more peeping, tucked in tightly, head to toes. Love is waking up together, side by side, and beak to nose.”

I also admire the loose, flowy lines and warm color palette the illustrator used for this book. There are gorgeous tones of: pink, red, yellow, purple and teal.  It’s no surprise this talented illustrator did some artwork for the movies Tangled and Frozen.  I’m looking forward to seeing more work from her in future books.

I think the overall message of Love Is teaches children how to love, nurture and care for others.  There are also themes of: growing up, coping with change and learning to let go of things.  The popular saying “If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it’s yours forever.” echos throughout.  I love how when the little girl sees the butterfly again later in the book she then sees a brood of ducklings being led by the same duckling she raised who is now all grown up.  It’s a nice way to show things coming full circle.

After reading the book for the first time on my own, I sat quietly at the kitchen table and jotted down a few new thoughts on what love means to me. Here’s what I came up with:

Love is an action – It’s the way you talk and show your love to others and to God. It’s how you express your love to your spouse/partner, your children, your friends/family, animals and nature. It’s hugging, kissing and telling others how much you love them. It’s helping others when they are in need. It’s the way you take care of the things that mean the most to you.

Love is making sacrifices – I believe in order for true love to exist there must be some level of sacrifice involved. In my experience, becoming a wife and mother has taught me what true sacrifice and unconditional love is.

So again I ask, how do you define love?

I’d highly recommend reading this book with your little readers – especially around Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.  A fun extension activity might be to ask kids what love means to them and write out their answers on paper hearts.

Your turn: How do you define the word love?  Will you be reading this book with your little readers?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Book Reviews

Phoebe Sounds It Out (A Book Review)

Phoebe Sounds It Out by Julie Zwillich, illustrated by Denise Holmes

Publisher: Owlkids Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Age Range: 3 – 7 years old
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
Available for pre-order now!  Publishes April, 2017.

Synopsis
Meet Phoebe. Unfortunately, her name doesn’t look quite like it sounds. At school, her classmates practice writing their names, but Phoebe struggles. Her teacher tells her to “just sound it out.” Phoebe doubts herself and procrastinates before resolving to try. Readers are privy to her funny, endearing interior monologue and little-kid rationale as she writes the result: FEEBY.

Told in a relatable, introspective voice, this school story conveys the feelings and worries of a 5-year-old and supports learning about sounds and letters. Readers will see from Phoebe’s fellow kindergartners’ attempts that everyone makes mistakes, and that we can take pride in effort and not just perfection.

Reflection
I am stickler for using good grammar and spelling words correctly so my initial reaction to 5 year-old Phoebe spelling her name as “Feeby” made my toes curl.  I was thinking why didn’t the teacher correct her spelling mistake? Isn’t that what teachers should do?  I guess the answer to this question depends on the teacher’s preference and their approach.  Although I would think many Kindergarten teachers are more interested in children trying their best than spelling every word correctly including their names.

In reading about this topic before in the past I’ve learned in the early grades many educators encourage inventive spelling, also known as temporary spelling — where the child makes his/her best guess on the spelling of the word, rather than stopping to find out the correct version.  Studies have shown that kids who are allowed to use inventive spelling learn to write more quickly, more fluently, and with a richer vocabulary than those who work under more rigid spelling expectations.  It isn’t until the later grades where spelling becomes more important and is enforced more frequently.

I love how creative Phoebe is in this book.  She knows her name starts with the letter ‘P’, but she comes up with her own way to spell it that sounds correct to her.  She figures her mother must have made a mistake the way she spelled it because let’s face it, mams make mistakes too.  When the assistant teacher Ms. April tells Phoebe to “sound it out” she proudly writes her name ‘Feeby’.

I don’t remember how I spelled my name in the early years, but I’m sure I didn’t always get it exactly right just like Phoebe. I appreciate the fact that the teacher didn’t point out Phoebe’s errors and her classmates didn’t make fun of her.  It’s clear spelling is not a priority for this particular name writing assignment or at this particular stage. Instead, the teacher praises Phoebe’s content and says, “What a great start.”

When you think about it, producing a finished piece of writing is a lot like putting on a polished musical performance. Learning how to write takes a lot of mental work and trying to spell or write every word perfectly can slow the whole process way down.  I’m glad little Phoebe didn’t let this slow her down.  As you can see from some of the illustrations in the book, some of the kids write their letters backwards which is perfectly acceptable at this age.

Overall, we enjoyed this book.  The pencil illustrations are darling and show a diverse group of children and teachers throughout. Phoebe’s outfit is so cute and seems to match her personality.  A great book for embracing inventive spelling, teaching children how to spell their names, building confidence, and teaching children it’s okay to make mistakes.  Be sure to check this one out when it publishes in April 2017!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Your turn:

Book Reviews

Lola Gets a Cat by Anna McQuinn (A Book Review)

Lola Gets a Cat by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 28
Age Range: 2 – 5
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

Synopsis
Lola wants a cat, but Mommy says taking care of a pet is a lot of work. So Lola does her homework. At the library she finds books about cats and pet care and she and Mommy learn as much as they can. She pretends her stuffed kitty is real and practices taking care of it. When the time comes, Lola is allowed to pick out her new friend at an animal shelter. With patience and care, her kitten settles in at home.

Reflection
We absolutely adore every book in the Lola & Leo series by Anna McQuinn including this soon to be released one entitled Lola Gets a Cat.  So far we’ve seen Lola read stories to her little brother Leo, listen to stories with her dad, plant her own garden and visit the library.  Now Lola is ready to take on the responsibility of pet ownership by adopting a cat from a local animal shelter.

I love how Lola takes charge and does her own research by going to to the library to find books about cats and pet care.  I also appreciate the fact that they adopted a cat from an animal shelter.  Lola also makes the cat a special corner at home and goes shopping for supplies with her mom.  In the end, Lola is shown being so happy and content all snuggled up with her new furry friend who she names Makeda after an African queen.

The acrylic illustrations are just darling and so detailed throughout!  Oh, and is Lola’s mom carrying an Orla Kiely handbag? Yes, she must be, right?  My kids love pretending Lola is my daughter, Lola’s parents are me and my husband and Lola’s friend Ty shown in this book is my son.  I love being able to read so many diverse books like this one with them that serve as mirrors so they can see themselves being reflected.


Although the plot of this story is quite simple, yet oh so sweet, I think it serves a much deeper meaning on many levels. Kids are easily influenced and their early experiences determine what they can be based on the examples around them. Not only does this book teach kids they can also own a pet like Lola, but it also teaches them about responsibility, feelings, adjusting to change, adoption, giving, love and family. But most importantly, it allows little girls and boys to see themselves reflected in a book surrounded by a loving and supportive family.  A great addition to Lola series and a treasure that is sure to be enjoyed again and again.

Feline lovers are sure to enjoy this one.  I think it’s great for teaching kids about the responsibilities of pet ownership and would make a wonderful Valentine’s gift for any little reader.  Lola Gets a Cat is available for pre-order now.

Your turn: Do you and your little readers enjoy the Lola & Leo book series by Anna McQuinn?  Which book in the series is your favorite?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Book Reviews

My Color is Rainbow by Agnes Hsu (A Book Review)

My Color is Rainbow by Agnes Hsu, illustrated by Yuliya Gwilym

Publisher: hello, Wonderful
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32

Synopsis
Follow Little White Arch on his journey as he wonders what his color could be. Along the way he meets many colorful characters who help him realize the answer. A playful story about kindness, acceptance, and openness that celebrates how we are not defined by one, but many wonderful characteristics.

Reflection
Who doesn’t love rainbows? They are colorful, magical, and full of hope! Rainbows are a bridge into other times and cultures, science, color theory, and more!  I know whenever I see a rainbow in the sky it immediately evokes happiness within me.  There’s just something about seeing all seven colors of the rainbow together as one that instantly makes me smile and fills me with joy.  Perhaps you can relate.

My Color is Rainbow starts off introducing White Arch, the main protagonist.  White Arch looked white, but deep down he felt like he was much more than just the color white.  So he dreamed of the many different possibilities of what color he might actually be: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.

I think one great aspect of this book is that it presents many of the different associations that colors have with emotions– for example red is often associated with love, yellow usually represents happiness and blue can mean feeling peaceful.  These are common expressions in our language, and this book presents those in a straightforward manner that can easily be grasped by the youngest readers.

My Color is Rainbow is also filled with bright and colorful illustrations.  Each two-page spread uses different colors of the rainbow to represent the color White Arch is dreaming of possibly becoming. My kids love pointing out each of the colors as well as all of the various things taking place on each page.  They love seeing White Arch on the last page riding on the horse sporting his new rainbow colors.

In the end, White Arch decides his favorite color isn’t any one particular color. His favorite color is rainbow! What wonderful messages of diversity, inclusiveness, kindness and acceptance this book sends to babies, preschoolers and early readers!  Add this colorful book to your little readers home or school library…especially if they love rainbows!  It’s great for teaching kids about colors and feelings and it’s a great self-discovery book.  As an advocate for diversity and inclusiveness, I appreciate that this book sends a clear message that all colors do indeed matter.  Yes, representation matters!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author
Agnes Hsu can be found these days happily creating on hello, Wonderful, overseeing her daughter’s kindness project Rainbow Rock Project, and running her Plaeful store featuring her first product launch, an erasable wall decal to inspire kids to draw.

Agnes’ work has been featured in nationwide publications in print and online such as Real Simple, Women’s Day, Better Homes & Gardens, Shutterfly, Tiny Prints, Elizabeth Street, Buzzfeed, Good Housekeeping, Spoonful and Babble.

About the Illustrator
Yuliya Gwilym aka yufrukt, is an illustrator, designer and published author focused on creating for children. Born and raised in Ukraine, she has been living in the Netherlands since 2008.  She creates illustrations for books, magazines, clothes, toys, stationery and more. Visit her website here.

Your turn:  
Have you read this book with your little readers yet?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Book Reviews

Rainbow Weaver by Linda Elovitz Marshall (A Book Review)

Rainbow Weaver by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

Publisher: Children’s Book Press
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 6- 9 years old

Synopsis
Ixchel wants to follow in the long tradition of weaving on backstrap looms, just as her mother, grandmother, and most Mayan women have done for more than two thousand years. But Ixchel’s mother is too busy preparing her weavings for market. If they bring a good price, they will have money to pay for Ixchel s school and books. And besides, there is not enough extra thread for Ixchel to practice with.

Disappointed, Ixchel first tries weaving with blades of grass, and then with bits of wool, but no one would want to buy the results. As she walks around her village, Ixchel finds it littered with colorful plastic bags. There is nowhere to put all the bags, so they just keep accumulating.

Suddenly, Ixchel has an idea! She collects and washes the plastic bags. Then she cuts each bag into thin strips. Sitting at her loom, Ixchel weaves the plastic strips into a colorful fabric that looks like a beautiful rainbow just like the weavings of Mayan women before her.

Reflection

I adore books that teach kids about human rights, fighting for a good cause and making the world a better place.  It’s never too early to try and change the world, right?  I enjoy reading books like Rainbow Weaver to help my kids exercise their power as agents of change in the world and help them not to feel powerless.

Little Ixchel wants to help her mother weave in order for her to be able to sell items at a nearby market.  You see, Ixchel wants to earn money so she can pay for her books and other school materials.  There’s only one problem though – there isn’t enough extra thread for her to use.  She later gets inspiration from rainbow colored plastic trash bags surrounding her and turns them into fabric in order to create gorgeous rainbow pieces to sell at the market.

I am inspired by Ixchel’s problem solving spirit, resourcefulness and creativity!  Not only are the pieces she creates are absolutely beautiful, but by turning the plastic bags into string she helps to clean up her village – genius!  It reminds me to the book One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul.

I also loved that this book is bilingual – written in both Spanish and English text.  The illustrations are stunning and very detailed.  I think they really capture the Mayan culture really well.  Parents and educators may be inspired to do simple weaving projects with their kids as an extension activity after reading this book.  We plan to try our hands at our very first cardboard weaving project – so fun!

Although Ixchel is a fictional character, the author’s note in the back of the book mentions an organization of weavers in Guatemala called Mayan Hands which this book was inspired by.  In an effort to bring more awareness to the work of the Mayan women, this book was written as a tribute to the weavers at Mayan Hands.  A portion of the proceeds from this book will benefit weavers of the Mayan Hands and Maya Works cooperatives.  The proceeds will also help by providing money for education of children like Ixchel, and for health and dental care for the weavers and their families.

I’d highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about weaving, Mayan culture, art, environmentalism, problem solving, creative thinking, recycling and family traditions.

Book Reviews

Yawning Yoga by Laurie Jordan (A Book Review)

Yawning Yoga by Laurie Jordan, illustrated by Diana Mayo

Publisher: Little Pickle Stories
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 4 – 8 years old, Preschool – Grade 3

Synopsis
Elements of yoga practice including stretching, posture, and breath work, are introduced through elegant artwork and poems like ‘Mountain’ (Tadasana) and ‘Seashell’ (Balasana), to help children — and their caring adults — ready their bodies for a restful sleep.

Reflection
Life.  It has a tendency to get pretty crazy no matter what we do or how much we try to control it. From our careers and our hobbies to our families and our relationships, it seems there is always something begging for our attention. Am I right? How is someone supposed to get any peace of mind when there are a million things happening at once?

For some, exercise like yoga or running do the trick; others find peace in writing or painting. For me, the best place to find inner peace is books, because what better way to channel inner peace than through a great read?  The physical act of reading has calming benefits in and of itself.

Over the past few months, the kids and I have been incorporating yoga into our bedtime routine right after story time.  It’s not an elaborate exercise session, just a few yoga poses to stretch our bodies in preparation for a good night’s sleep.  That’s exactly the point of the book Yawning Yoga by Laurie Jordan: to calm little readers minds and get them ready for sleep.

You guys!  I am completely smitten by this beautiful book cover!  Isn’t it gorgeous?  It makes it very hard for me to not judge this book by the cover alone.  You’ll be happy to know this book doesn’t just have a pretty cover, the content is amazing too – especially if you’re a fan of yoga like me.  Little kids who practice yoga are also sure to love this book.

In her first picture book, yoga instructor Laurie Jordan, creator of the Kids Yoga Teacher Training program, offers rhyming gentle poems to guide young yogis through breathing and transitions.  Each yoga pose is first described in a poem and accompanied by its Sanskrit name.  There are also helpful tips that advise readers how they can get the most of of their yoga practice.

The opening page offers some helpful tips for little readers:

  • Try to hold each pose for three to five breaths.
  • Move through the poses at your own pace.
  • Do all the poses or choose a few different ones to do before bedtime.
  • Each exercise should feel good and get you ready for bed.

Little readers are then encouraged to begin doing some of the yoga poses starting with reciting an “Om” sound and holding it for as long as they can and then repeating it three times afterwards.  Several yoga poses are mentioned throughout this book including: mountain, hugs and kisses, dog-tired down dog, seashell, butterfly, bedtime bug, jelly belly, candlestick, catch and release, thankful and namaste.  Some of the poses were new to me so I ended up learning something new.

The back matter contains an afterward by Elena Brower, author of Art of Attention, and a glossary of terms referenced throughout.  The glossary is chock full of useful information and really helps to break down the meaning of each Sanskrit name.  For example, the word “Namaste” means “I bow to you.”  Namaste is traditionally said at the end of yoga practice to honor those we have practiced with.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the illustrations.  If you couldn’t already tell from the cover they are amazing!  They are so dreamy, soothing and simply beautiful.  There are diverse characters represented doing the yoga poses.  I love the color palette chosen by the illustrator as well as the attention to detail.  Each scene seems to transcend you to a far off land and really helps to calm and relax your mind.

Like all well-written books, I think this one has the power to take little readers on their own personal, self-defined journey to wherever it is they need to be right before falling asleep.  They may imagine they are a warrior standing on top of a mountain, swimming underwater with sea creatures, or out in the garden becoming one with nature.  If your little reader is in need of finding their way to inner peace, I’d highly recommend this book to help them get there.  I’d also recommend this for yoga teachers or little readers who would like to start practicing yoga or mindfulness.

About Little Pickle Stories
Little Pickle Stories is dedicated to creating stories and products that foster kindness in young people – and doing so in a manner congruent with that mission.  Learn more on their website.

Connect with Laurie Jordan!
Website| Instagram | Twitter

Connect with Diana Mayo!

Website | InstagramTwitter

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book?  What are some ways you help your little readers relax and calm down before bedtime?  Feel free to share in the comments.

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