How to be on the Moon

How to be on the Moon is a children's picture book by Viviane Schwarz that explores what it would take for a little girl and her friendly crocodile to get to the moon.  They do a little math and use a whole lot of imagination to get there - only to see the Earth from way up there and think maybe it would be best to go back.  It's a ton of curiosity and imagination and it would be a fun story to share with a little one!

I don't think this one will disappoint young readers who love to imagine!

I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Firefly Home

I love it when books are interactive - so this new book by Jane Clarke just made me smile!  Kids and adults alike can interact while reading this one together.  Firefly Home is the story of a firefly who is trying to find her/her way home.  It is an engaging story as the reader follows the firefly guessing along the way if the light they see could be another firefly!
 

This will be a great read aloud or one for a youngster to explore all alone.  

I was send a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Bear Moves

If I were still leading storytimes, this new book, Bear Moves, would be one of the first books I reached for this winter.  Ben Bailey Smith and Sav Akyuz have teamed up to create a hilarious, new picture book.  This fun romp will be a hit in storytimes - the rhymes, the humor, the illustrations - it just all plays together to form a strong book for reading with young children!  Join in the fun as bear leads us through some of his dance moves - but watch you - you may want to dance right along with him!

**I was sent a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

Christmas Titles for our Younger Readers!

I was sent a box of Christmas titles and wanted to share some of my favorites!

Where's Santa Claus? by Ingela Arrhenius is a fun board book filled with felt flaps.  What a great idea for our youngest readers!  And it's a game as well because....where could Santa be hiding!?!?!?


The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy is an adorable little book.    It is the story of a homeless boy who plants a Christmas tree in a box and uses it to decorate his "home" under the bridge.  But it's only when he plants in the park that he sees how others enjoy his little tree as well.  What a tender, touching Christmas story.



Little Christmas Tree by Jessica Courtney-Tickle is another lift-the-flaps book that shows all the wonderful animals who call this Christmas Tree home.  What a fun book to explore with a little one on our laps!



Pip and Posy The Christmas Tree by Axel Sheffler is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud story of two little creatures, Pip and Posy, who are decorating their own Christmas tree only to have every cookie ornament disappear.  WELL, they figure out the mystery - and I think you will share a laugh or two as you share this one!



Oliver Elephant by Lou Peacock is a picture book that will delight all ages.  It's the story of Oliver's family running errands and shopping right before the holidays.  Tragedy hits though when, after all of their running, Oliver's stuffed elephant is missing!  In a big city - that could be hard to find!  You will love this ending!  You know what else I loved about this one?  The illustrations by Helen Stephens are so lovely and nostalgic - I absolutely adore what they add to this book!



**I was sent copies of these books by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Independence Cake

What a fun story - a story of young girl who loves to cook and is asked to make a cake for the new president, George Washington.  In Independence Cake, our young readers will thoroughly enjoy this tale of a young girl who wants to be busy with her hands and the great honor she is given to cook for the president.  The illustrations were so fun and whimsical - just right for this story.  This would be a great read aloud and very fun for 4th of July or cooking story times.  Deborah Hopkinson has crafted a tale that you will not want to miss.

The story is not true but it is loosely based on a true female in history.

A Letter To My Teacher

I'm pretty sure this children's book should have been for adults!  I LOVED every inch of this tender story.  BUT I am sure kids will enjoy it as well.  Deborah Hopkinson's A Letter to My Teacher is a picture book that tells the story of a little girl who finds school hard because she just wants to be busy!  She is a typical second grader with lots of energy but, thankfully, she is given a teacher who "gets" her.  She is writing the story as a letter back to her second grade teacher to thank her.  It's a sweet, sweet story that deserves to be shared.

Once Upon A Time Bible

I was asked to look at this new Bible and Bible storybook for younger readers and I have been pleasantly surprised.  The Once Upon a Time Bible is a great way to show kids "The Bible is not a fairy tale.  Every great story happened once upon a time."  So the editors are showing how the stories are true but it is presented with pictures that show fairytale settings.  I think girls, especially, will love it.  It is printed in the New International Reader's Version and the pictures throughout really make it attractive to our younger readers.

The Once Upon a Time Storybook Bible takes many of the popular Bible stories and begins each with "Once Upon a Time".  They impress upon children in the opening that all of the stories are true but that they are going to begin as all good stories do with "Once Upon a Time."  It's creative and fun - and maybe will open up new avenues to discuss after you read the familiar stories with your little ones.




**I was sent copies for review by the publisher.

Argyle Fox

Treat yourself to a children's book that you and your child will enjoy!  Marie Letourneau's Argyle Fox is just that!  It's a fun story about a fox who just wants to play outside in the wind.  BUT everything he tries doesn't seem to work in the wind.  I can just hear the little ones saying, "Yes, that will work,"  or "No, that won't work!"  And just wait until you see what Argyle Fox finds that DOES work in the wind... every child will smile as they relate to his struggle!


*I was sent a copy of the book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

The Ology

I want you to be aware of a book that crossed my path this week that I think is quite a find!  The Ology is a book that focuses on theology - and shares it in a way that is both understandable to younger children and shared in a fun way.  The book begins with two young children finding a secret doorway in the bottom of a cathedral and upon entering, they find a book called The Ology.  Thus begins chapters that focus on many different truths we find in the Bible told in bite-able chapters.

The publisher says, "Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth in The Ology is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. The doctrine of God, for example, is presented in the larger framework of creation, where the attributes of God are on display and easier to understand. Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, this flexible resource includes built-in adaptations for use with younger or older children, so that entire families can enjoy it together."

I strongly feel even adults will benefit from the easily-understandable theology presented here.  This isn't a children's book - it's one all families could benefit from reading together. 

Charlie the Tramp

One of America's favorite children's authors has a book reissued to celebrate a 50th anniversary!  Russell Hoban's Charlie the Tramp is back and just in time for Christmas!  You remember Russell Hoban, right?  He's famous for the Frances stories- Bread and Jam for Frances was one of our favorites.  Well Charlie the Tramp is sure to be a new favorite.  I love the tender tale and I'm thrilled it was re-issued.  Don't miss the amazing illustrations we all know and love by Lillian Hoban!  This is really a book from long ago that should not be overlooked!

** I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Where Jesus Slept

What a delightful new Christmas story!  Norma Lewis has written Where Jesus Slept, a beautiful new picture book for Christmas.  In the tradition of "This is the House that Jack Built" you can go through the Christmas story in a whole new way.  The rhyming and sing-song fashion of the story lends itself beautifully to sharing with little ones.  I loved this - it would be so fun as a read-aloud with your little ones this Christmas.  The illustrations by Katy Hudson are gorgeous as well.  You can't go wrong with this story this Christmas season! 


*I was sent a copy by the publisher for review purposes on my blog.

I Love You Just Because

Do you share books with little ones?  I have a wonderful suggestion for you - Donna Keith's I Love You Just Because is an adorable board book to enjoy with even the youngest budding readers.  It is a beautiful tale of a parent's love for their child and how it isn't earned - it's "just because".  Bible verses are sprinkled throughout to show how much God loves our little ones too.   Alison Edgson's illustrations just add to the tenderness of this story.  This is an endearing book to share with your little ones over and over.

 
*I was sent this title by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Would a Worm go on a Walk?

Hannah C. Hall has written an endearing children's book, Would a Worm Go on a Walk?, that is sure to delight children with it's fun storyline and adorable illustrations by Bill Bolton.  The story asks it's young readers/listeners if animals would do silly things that they are obviously NOT made to do...but would they!?!?  Kids will be sure to yell out their answers and become a part of this fun story.  It concludes reminding us that God delights in the animals He has made, but even more so in his VERY SPECIAL creations - us!  This was fun and will be such a joy to share with our young ones. 



*I was sent a review copy by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Little Linebacker

Here is a new book for our younger readers that is sure to be a hit with sports readers.  It is the story of a young boy who wants nothing more than to play football.  However, the book portrays in a very realistic way that there are obstacles to playing sports and you need to work hard to overcome them.  The Little Linebacker is a short, fun read but excels in displaying the importance of determination!  Authors, Stephen Tulloch and Maria Dismondy have created fabulous resources for teachers and parents alike to share with their children around the story. 





*I was sent a copy of the book for an honest review on my blog.

A Box of Chronicle Books!

Here are some titles you DO NOT want to miss in book world!

Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson is a fabulous children's book.  It is the story of a little girl who finds a baby sea turtle who is not near the ocean.  This prompts her to ask why he is so far from the water and leads to her discovery that the beach houses, with their lights on at night, are luring the turtles away from the water.  The community kids work together to get their whole community excited about helping the turtles.  I loved the story and the illustrations are watercolor that fit perfectly with the story.

Let's Play by Herve Tullet is a fun, interactive book that kids just love.  We have Press Here and Mix It up!, his other titles as well and kids are always begging to be read these over and over.  The illustrations are simple and yet so clever that kids are drawn to the feel and interactiveness of the book.  HIGHLY recommend these!

This is Not a Picture Book!  by Sergio Ruzzier is quite a romp!  Little ones will love this - they will be talking back to the book and that's what we love - interaction!  And I love how the story starts even before the title page - Clever!  This is an adorable picture book with even more adorable pictures!

For the younger set - the Cozy Classics by Jack and Holman Wang are board books, based on classic stories, with only one word per page.  At first glance, I wondered how much these would be used, but what I LOVE about these is not that they introduce the children to a classic, but that they broaden vocabulary!  The pictures as illustrations are also endearing in these baby board books.  I liked these FAR more than I thought I might!

* I was sent copies by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

The Legend of the Easter Robin

Dandi Daley Mackall has written another story for our young listeners that explains legends behind Christian symbols or traditions.  I so enjoyed this legend of the Robin and how he got his red breast all tied in to Easter and Christ on the cross.  It's an Easter story you can share with your little ones that shows real compassion and faith using nature and the tender relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  The illustrations by Richard Cowdrey are also tender and colorful adding much to the storyline.  This would be a fantastic read aloud in a Sunday School or Christian school setting.  I guarantee after reading this, you will look with new eyes at a Robin.



*I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Chinese Culture in Children's Books

I was sent two books to review that I was not familiar with at all - but having two daughters born in China, struck a chord with me.  They are created by the China Institute in America to introduce children to Chinese culture at an early age and are in the We All Live in the Forbidden City book series.

What Was It Like, Mr. Emperor? is a fun book that allows kids to see the life of an emperor and learn about life in the palace.  Some fun facts about certain emperors are even included to make it more personal and take an active look at history.  The book is fun for kids to read and the illustrations keep it engaging.

Bowls of Happiness is a book that, in such a fun way, explores the tradition and uses of porcelain art found in the Palace Museum's collectibles.  Readers can see first-hand how the bowls are made and can see the culture and value of Bowls of Happiness in the Chinese tradition.  The illustrations in this one are whimsical and fun.


Both are wonderful to add to a collection of books on history or Chinese culture and are ones my girls are thoroughly enjoying!

*I was sent copies of the books by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Beatrix Potter and the Unfortunate Tale of a Borrowed Guinea Pig

What is there not to love about a tale of Beatrix Potter?  This latest tale of Potter's early life is simply wonderful!  Deborah Hopkinson delivers a tale that was found in one of Potter's journal entries.  It is the story of young Beatrix wanting to draw a guinea pig - so she borrows one from her neighbor to use as a model and alas, the little guinea pig eats the paper, some string and more that is left lying on the desk and when Beatrix finds the model guinea pig dead, she knows she has trouble ahead!

Truly a tale to relish with a young one on your lap.  The illustrations are the icing on the cake.  One can only hope they find more stories in Potter's journals - what a wonderful life!

Chronicle Titles that WILL Captivate!

A few fun Chronicle books to share:

The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Frank Morrison

So I LOVE everything about this book.  It is a delightful story of a little girl and the day before the big parade.  She doesn't have good shoes so she is worried about even making it to the parade, but she thinks of Wilma Rudolph and she knows she can do it....even when the girl with fancy running shoes shows up!  It is a great book with potential for discussion on those less fortunate and even Olympics and Wilma Rudolph - because she shows up in the big parade!!! 
AND the illustrations are amazing!  Don't miss this one.



President Squid by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Sara Varon

What does it take to be a president?  Squid thinks he knows and he's going to share that with us, as readers, and even PUSH it on us.  But he has a rude awakening when he realizes that not everyone agrees with him - nor are the fish impressed...until he shows his "presidentialness".  GREAT reminder to adults too  - what it takes to be a leader.  The illustrations are captivating and fun as well.  This will be super for election season!

The Plans I Have for You

It is tough to find devotional books for that 8-12 year age range.  I have TWO in that age range right now, and believe me, it's been a challenge.  SO when I was given the opportunity to read Amy Parker's devotional, The Plans I Have for You, I was thrilled to take the challenge.  I was pleasantly surprised!  This books packs a punch for our young readers - it challenges them to think about their future, while focusing on God's purpose for each of them.  I loved the way Parker uses scripture and Bible stories to drive home the idea of focusing on all you can be for God - to find His plan for you.  It is written right on their level - the illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton are fabulous and eye-catching as well.  AND the biggest bonus is the accompanying journal which is also right on their level.  It gives them places to write, draw, and doodle to show their ideas on paper - in a form that they can keep forever.  I love the whole idea of this - teaching our young ones how to journal and express themselves while focusing on God's great love and plan for us.

About The Plans I Have For You Devotional: 

The devotional is an illustrated 90-day devotional written by bestselling children's book author Amy Parker and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, teaching and inspiring kids to dream about their future, to focus on faith, love, and joy, and recognize that God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us.  

Hardcover; 160 pages
Age Range: 8-12 years

About The Plans I Have For You Journal:

 

The journal prompts creative thinking and exploration of the talents and personalities that make us special, and then helps explore how God may use our unique traits to spread love and joy and make the world a better place. 

Stationery; 208 pages
Age Range: 11-14 years

About author Amy Parker:

Amy Parker has sold more than thirty books for children, teens, and adults.  She has also collaborated with authors ranging from New York Times bestsellers to her very own son.  Two of these collaborations are recipients of Christian retailing's Best Awards, and she has also won three Mom's Choice Awards.  But Amy's greatest reward is being a wife to Daniel and a mom to their amazing sons, Michael and Ethan. 

About illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton:

Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught illustrator, doll maker, and crafter.  Her passion for children's books began when she came across The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats as a child in the 1960s.  Growing up in a musical family who love to sing, Vanessa's illustrations are as fun and whimsical as a beautiful melody.  Vanessa currently makes her nest in Charlotte, NC with her husband of 20 years, their daughter, and a very rambunctious cat named Stripes.

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I was sent copies of these books for an honest review on my blog.