Reading on the Spectrum

I am doing a lot of reading on Sensory Processing Disorder and the Autism Spectrum - so when I found THIS article, my ears (ok, maybe my eyes!!) perked right up!! If you have a child on the Autism Spectrum - read on - this one will encourage you and help you reach out to your little reader!

Daddy's Delight

Can you say that you are divinely designed? Do you believe you were fashioned by God and are precious to Him? Do you know you are his work of genius? If you said "No" to any of these questions then I have a book you really NEED to read. Dr. Karia Bunting has written Daddy's Delight - and I am telling you, it is a fabulous read. As women, we do not always embrace the fact that we were indeed created special and for a divine purpose. We are too busy comparing ourselves and tearing ourselves apart. But we are "God's Spitting Image" and that is what we can claim and cling to - even on the days when we feel unsure of what our purpose is. I LOVED this book - it inspired me and challenged me - challenged me to see who I am in light of who God is. We are women living in a fallen world - we will have challenges, but we can face them KNOWING who we are and come out stronger. As Bunting states, "Walk in faith, knowing that God has prepared everything for you to live your life rich in His care - no matter what experiences you have to endure." Yes, this is a GOOD one!!

Here are the blogs featuring Daddy’s Delight during our September 20-24, 2010 Tour:

A room without books is empty
Arms of a Sister
Be Your Best Mom
Bell Whistle Moon
Blog Tour Spot
Bound to His Heart
Carly Bird’s Home
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Fresh Brewed Writer
In the Pages
Johnnie Alexander Donley
Leap of Faith
Life’s Like This
Musings by Lynn
My Alabaster Box
Net’s Book Notes
Outnumbered Mom
Refresh My Soul
Sisterhood of Beautiful Warriors
So Many Books… So Little Time
Tasra Mar
The Gospel Writer
The Hahn Hunting Lodge
This Mom’s Delight
Uma Pirralha Na Universidade
Vintagesimplicity

*I was provided a copy for review by the publisher.

I See I Learn

I always enjoy seeing what's new out there in children's lit. So when I saw this festival, I joined right in!!

I was sent a series of books by Charlesbridge Publishing - Stuart J. Murphy's I See I Learn Series. I was SO impressed - this is a series that is designed for the preschool age - to help them learn skills that will aid in school readiness and even everyday life. The series is organized around 4 learning domains: Social Skills, Health and Safety Skills, Emotional Skills, and Cognitive Skills.

The characters are fun and our little ones will relate to the struggles they face in their everyday lives. We all can relate to topics like making friends, building confidence, staying safe, etc. Great series - enjoyable and yet teachable moments - I love that!!

*I was sent copies of these books for review by Charlesbridge Publishing.

My Name is NOT Isabella

Jennifer Fosberry has written a delightful children's book, My Name is Not Isabella. This is a strong girl-read that will challenge our little ones to "think big".

Little Isabella's mom tells her what she would like her to do next in her day, and each time, Isabella tells her mom, "I am not Isabella, I am...". She fills in the blank with the name of a famous woman in history - one that corresponds with what she is doing in her day. I LOVED this book - not only is it a great one for challenging our kids to think about what they can do in our world, but it also introduces them to strong female women in history! The ending pages of the book give brief synopses on each of the famous women mentioned in the book.

Mike Litwin's illustrations are wonderful as well and add to the fun "feel" in this book! Delightful and inspirational!!

*I was provided a copy of this book for use in reviewing the title by the publisher.

Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman

Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry series continues to be a big hit here at our library. So her latest, Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman is sure to be another that we can't keep on our shelves! Henry is just quite the kid - he is full of energy and fun - and our young readers can't seem to resist him! My favorite chapter in this book?? "Horrid Henry's Author Visit!!" Yep, it's a good one!!

This is a series that boys respond to and it makes them laugh - just what we want!!! (Well, girls like it too, but I love it when I can get a boy wanting more of a series!!) Don't miss her latest release!

*I was provided a copy for review by the publisher.

Vicki Cobb, one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE science authors, has written a new science book for kids called What's the BIG Idea? Amazing Science Questions for the Curious Kid. This is another science great from the master!!

There are four big ideas in this book that are tackled by a series of questions:

· Motion—Why can’t you stand an egg on its end? Why doesn’t the moon fall to earth? What is a swinging object good for?
· Energy—Do hot things weigh more than cold things? Why is the sky blue? Why not green or yellow? Does water that boils faster cook faster?
· Matter—Which weighs more: a pound of feathers or a pound of gold? Why does an ice cube float? How much does air weigh?
· Life—What makes a living thing a living thing? Why are plants green and blood red? Why can’t I live forever?

Of course, Cobb fills her book with examples and experiments that lead our young readers to learn more. AND, by the end of the book, children will have dabbled with biology, chemistry and physics!! What's not to love!?!?

*I was provided a copy of this book for review from the publisher.

Crossing Oceans

Gina Holmes' first novel is just fabulous. I will say that sometimes I am skeptical of Christian fiction - it can be so predictable that it just doesn't keep my interest. That is NOT SO with Crossing Oceans. If I thought I had it figured out in the first few pages, I would have been very wrong. It takes twists and turns and all the while kept me in tears or smiling at the antics of Grandma Peg. This is the gut-wrenching story of Jenny Lucas, a single mom, who has just found out she is dying of a form of stage 4 cancer. She chooses to fore go any treatment and takes her daughter, Isabella, to meet her birth father so that they can form a relationship that will continue when she dies. It really is a powerful read - it makes you think about relationships in general, but also family and the important ties there. Another great read - I have really hit the jackpot of books this past week!!

The Boy Who Changed the World

When you stop to think about it - everything you do has an impact. And that is what Andy Andrews' book made me do - stop and think about it. Even in a seemingly very insignificant life, every action has an impact. Andrews' book, The Boy Who Changed the World, is one that I will encourage our kids to read. It tells the tale of men throughout history that have made a huge impact without even meaning to - Norman Borlaug, Vice President Henry Wallace, George Washington Carver, and Moses Carver - all boys that were challenged to think big and make a difference in the world. As George Washington Carver told young Henry Wallace, "Remember...God made you to make a difference. And I believe you will."

Not only does this book shine in "content" - it also has illustrations that add to the warmth and feel of the book. Philip Hurst is the illustrator that provided these warm and tender illustrations.

This whole premise is based on the Butterfly Effect, of which Andrews has also written another children's book challenging kids that they, too, can change the world. Powerful books - great premise - and something our kids need - challenge and inspiration. One of my favorite parts of this book was that it was set in Iowa - YEAH Iowa - there aren't too many books set in Iowa that those of us that grew up in Iowa can claim and be proud of!!

I was provided a copy of this book to use for review by Book Sneeze.

Choosing to SEE

Mary Beth Chapman's Choosing to SEE is a powerful read. I began with the dedications, of course, and immediately turned into a tearful mess that continued on for the duration of the book. The story is raw and powerful. Loosing Maria had to be such a foundation-shaker - I can not even imagine - and what it could have done to Will is also hard to fathom. But, once again, it brings you back to our very big God and the strength the Chapmans have because of Him is amazing. I was encouraged and challenged in my own walk - great read!

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

Anne Fadiman has written a book that sheds light on such an important topic. Immigrants - how do we assimilate them into our culture fairly and tenderly?? She tackles this with much thought and research in her book: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures. It truly is a heart-wrenching story - the true story of Lia, a very young Hmong child, that is living with her family in the U.S. and has severe medical issues that cause her to visit the hospital monthly, if not sometimes weekly. Doctors are baffled, communication is tough, and tensions are high between parents and doctors. It is an honest read - a bit slow at times for me as there was a lot of medical jargon - but I am glad I kept reading. There is hope and it is a book that truly gets you thinking....

Touch blue

I have been a fan of Cynthia Lord since Rules - Touch blue, her latest, did not disappoint!! Lord places a strong emphasis on family in her novels - and I think that is just "key" for our readers. I suggest her books liberally to our younger readers - and even some older ones too - they are loved by all ages.

Touch blue is the story of families that live on an island - an island that may have to close its school because their numbers of children are WAY down. SO, a plan is devised for families to foster children from the mainland in order to raise their numbers and save their school. We follow the Brooks' family as they bring in a 13 year old boy, Aaron. It is so tender - it is a great picture of the foster care system and the positives and negatives. It is honest and humorous all at the same time. Cynthia Lord is magnificent!!!

What's On Your Nightstand?

It is that time - time to update what is waiting to be read. So here is What's On My Nightstand:

*The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman - I am halfway through this one. It is interesting to me - the whole story - but it is laborious. Someone encourage me to finish it!!!

*Red Letters by Tom Davis - Next to read!!

*Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes - Next Fiction to read.

*Choosing to See: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman - can't wait!!!

Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad

Shari Braendel has been touted as the "fashion fairy godmother" and I LOVE that title!! In her book, Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad, she gives style tips from clothing to hair to swimsuits to accessorizing - all based on your body type. I appreciated that she is not out to "break the bank" but gives great ideas on how to look good and still look stylish while staying within your budget. Another wonderful thing she focuses on is accepting and appreciating the body God gave you and how to look the best you can with that body type. It isn't about changing your body - but accepting it and working with it - I like that refreshing opinion!

Make sure and check out this worthwhile read - LOTS of good tips. OH, and don't miss her contest either -

Fashion Makeover Contest
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Complete and submit the entry form at FashionMeetsFaith, Shari Braendel FaceBook page, Zondervan FaceBook page, or Zondervan Twitter account between August 9, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. (EST) and August 28, 2010 at 5:00 p.m (EST).

First Prize: One Winner will receive . . .
One $500 Visa gift card, one web camera, one-hour fashion consultation with Shari Braendel via Skype, one set of color swatches, and one autographed copy of Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad. Approximate retail value: $600. The fashion consultation will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time for the winner and Ms. Braendel on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday between September 15 and November 15, 2010.

Second Prize: Three Winners will receive . . .
One $100 Visa gift card, one 30-minute fashion consultation with Shari Braendel via telephone, one set of color swatches, and one autographed copy of Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad. Approximate retail value: $450. The fashion consultation will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time for the winner and Ms. Braendel on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday between September 15 and November 15, 2010.

Third Prize: Ten Winners will receive . . .
One autographed copy of Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad. Approximate retail value $150.
For complete details, visit Shari's website.

Other sites posting a review on this blog tour:
2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews
4 The Love of Books
About dreams and broken glass
Aspire2 Blog
Be Your Best Mom
Belbelita
Blog Tour Spot
Blogging While Waiting
Book Junkie Confessions
Book Nook Club
Bound to His Heart
Cafe Lily Book Reviews
Camy’s Loft
Carly Bird’s Home
Christy’s Book Blog
Deus E Fiel
Drive Home Productions
Fresh Brewed Writer
His Reading List
iamhealed.net
In The Pages
Joyful Beginnings Begin with Joy in the Morn
Life’s Like This
Literary Fan Girl
Mocha with Linda
Musings by Lynn
My Alabaster Box
My Reason is God
Next in Dianaland
Paper Bridges
Querido Deus, Obg Por Me Exportar
Refresh My Soul
Sunflower Faith
Sunny Days
The 160-acre Woods
The Gospel Writer
The Writing Road
This Mom’s Delight
Uma Pirralha Na Universidade
Word Up Studies



**I was provided a copy of this book for review by Zondervan Publishing.

Lucky Baby

Meredith Efken has written, Lucky Baby, a tender story of Chinese adoption. This was an especially tough one for me to read as it tells the story of two little girls that form a very close bond in the orphanage in China and are torn apart when one of them is adopted. The story hits on some very powerful aspects of adoption - feelings that adoptive parents, adopted children, and even foster parents face in the world of adoption. It also gives insight into the "older child" adoption which seems to be not as prevalent in fiction. The story was wonderfully-written, compelling, and yet hard to turn the pages sometimes. The story was so real that it hurt to read at points. You can tell that Efken is an adoptive mom that feels strongly about adoption and knows her information regarding adoption. Truly a great read.

Bubba Goes National

I love blog tours - always a chance to find a new author - and this one is a good one! Jennifer Walker has written Bubba Goes National. I think our middle school readers are going to really enjoy this one - it is all about horses. We find it hard to locate new, strong, horse fiction AND a little budding romance thrown in. I think our young teens will like it. Here is what has been said about the book:

Thirteen-year-old Leslie Clark has loved horses for as long as she can remember and has been riding since she was six. Although her widowed father cannot afford to give her everything she desires, she works hard to get what she wants. When what she wants, a great horse to show, is taken right out from under her by her rival, Kate Wellesley, Leslie thinks her whole world has been turned upside down--until she finds Lucky (nicknamed Bubba by her father, who thinks he is funny). Then, everything changes.

Readers of Bubba Goes National will be touched by an inspiring story, but they will also learn about the care and showing of horses while they read about Leslie's adventures. Sandwiched in is a lesson that if one is willing to work hard, they can make their dreams come true. Bubba Goes National is the first of the Riders of Green Meadowseries, which will showcase horses that are unwanted by one person but are another's dream come true.

It's true - it's a good read, one I really think our young teens will go for! My only complaint - SO many kids are turned on or off by covers - I wish this one was stronger. I will really have to "sell" it without the cover!!! It's also Book One in a series - I'm excited about that - a horse series that I think our girls will be excited about.

**I was sent a copy for review by Pump Up Your Book.

Download N Go

I am always on the lookout for homeschooling materials that are new and different. (Oh yes, and FUN too - my kids always appreciate that!!) When I was asked to join the virtual tour for Download N Go - I had no idea what I was even reviewing at first. When I opened my PDF, I was in for a delightful surprise. I just LOVE this whole idea. Amanda Bennett, has created all different units for parents to use with their kids that are based on many different topics. They are geared to K-4th Grade students and include a wide range of ideas. I was sent "Summer Sensations" - which is a week-long unit study packed with fun things to do that all center around summer. I was impressed - the study includes nature activities, writing, and more - it really is a full-curriculum approach. I think my daughter would LOVE this, but my boys would have enjoyed it in their younger years as well. It is well-rounded and a fun approach to unit studies. I would gladly pay for the work Amanda Bennett put into her studies - and I like how you can choose to buy them separately or in bundles - great idea!! See purchasing options HERE. (There are even some freebies when you purchase!!) I will also mention that they are having a Back-to-Homeschool Sale July 30 - August 15. So don't miss some of the great deals available during that time.

I don't want to limit this to homeschoolers either - I do think teachers would LOVE the ideas and find them very adaptable to classrooms as well.

Linger

I read Shiver awhile back so when I saw that Linger was out I knew I'd need to satiate my curiosity and read it as well. Maggie Steifvater has written a series on the Wolves of Mercy Falls - a werewolf pack that lives and makes its den near Mercy Falls - Sam, one of the werewolves, meets up with Grace while in his human form and falls in love with her. Grace, a teenage girl, is drawn to the wolf pack and Sam as well. At the end of Shiver, Sam finds a cure and is able to stay human and continue his relationship with Grace. Now, in Linger, we see Grace and Sam able to stay together and live a normal life, until Grace becomes quite ill....

I won't give anything away, but I was surprised - wasn't what I thought was going to happen! And now, yes, I am awaiting another book in the series to help clear things up a bit!! Stiefvater has created interesting characters that you come to enjoy. I will say that I would give these to mature YA readers only - although there is no sex per-se, the scenes are intense and emotions are high. Language is also an issue in her books - so I am careful who I recommend them to. All-in-all, good stories, kept me interested and waiting for #3!!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

I was taken with this book from the start. Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland has been a favorite for almost one hundred and forty-five years now. Truly it is one of the most beloved children's stories of all time. This book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, is the text that we have come to know and love with illustrations by many different artists. That is what I enjoyed so much about this book - it is looking at the story the way countless artists have imagined the story - all together in one book. I loved looking through this and can't wait to share it with others.

*I was provided a copy for review from Chronicle Books.

The Handy Law Answer Book

David L. Hudson Jr. has written a book that I have been working my way through and finding incredibly useful. The Handy Law Answer Book is not a sit-down-and-read-for-enjoyment book, but it will answer so many law questions that I find it one I will highly recommend to our library patrons. It covers so much - from how our law system evolved to how laws affect you as a citizen of the United States. It is a great reference tool that covers a vast amount of information. Here are just some of the questions and answers you will find in this comprehensive book:

*Where did the word "tort" come from?
*How are state court judges selected?
*Where did the first U. S. Supreme Court meet?
*How does the law define "marriage"?
*What should you do if facing too much debt?
*What is a "wobbler"?

Great tool - highly recommend this one!

** I was sent a copy for review by Visible Ink Press.

Sylvan Dell's Latest

Another box I never tire of is Sylvan Dell's latest releases. I LOVE their focus on Science and Math and the supporting materials they offer. Their website is just loaded with great resources for teachers and parents - really, they are NOT to be missed!

Their latest titles are:

Ready, Set...Wait! by Patti R. Zelch. This is an interesting book - all about what the animals do to prepare for hurricane. Something I have not considered before, but based on research and observations, Zelch describes what animals of all types may do when a hurricane is coming. Really an interesting read - one that kids will enjoy. (Ages 4-9)

A Day on the Mountain by Kevin Kurtz. GREAT read on the habitat of the mountain. You meet animals but also explore the plants that one can find on this interesting location. Erin Hunter's illustrations are beautiful and lend authenticity to this title. (Ages 4-9)

Fur and Feathers by Janet Halfmann. What can I say - I do enjoy Janet Halfmann!! She never ceases to write books that kids just enjoy. This is a sweet story of Sophia - a little girl who wants to make clothes for each of her animal friends - but seeing that they won't work - she then decides to make just the right coat for each of them. Each animal proceeds to tell her what they need in a coat and thus begins the wonderful teaching of animal coverings and even animal classification brought to life in a fun, readable way! (Ages 4-9)

Astro: The Steller Sea Lion by Jeanne Walker Harvey. This is a fun story of Astro, a sea lion that is cared for and raised at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. This is a true story that will make you cheer for Astro. When the Mammal Center eventually decides to let him go back into the wild - Astro has other ideas, he just keeps coming back to the center and will not stay in the ocean. You will enjoy this story and learn about sea lions in the process! (Ages 4-9)

Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too! by Sherry North. This is a story that so many will relate to - whether you need a book explaining the effects of cancer or a story for a little child that has lost someone to cancer - this is a great starting point. When this young boy's dog develops cancer, children can follow along to learn the treatments and feelings that may go along with this disease. It is a tender story that children will come back to - one we can really use with kids that need an "understanding read"! (Ages 4-9)

**All of these titles were provided to me for review on this blog.