How to Talk to Girls

How do you talk to a girl? There are grown men who still do not know the answer to this question, but the nine-year-old author of this kids book is ready to tell you. Some of his advice is right on, such as "To get a girl to like you, talk to her and get to know her." Some advice should be true, but often is not, such as "Girls always like smart boys." Some advice is just plain cute, such as "Your mom likes you to be clean and she is a girl." If you are an elementary school boy, this kids books advice might help you catch a girl, but the author cautions readers to aim only for getting her to like you. Love, he says, should come later…like in middle school. For other readers, this kids reading book is just plain cute. The author knows more than his years would lead you to suspect. As an advice book for older kids, it probably will not work, but for younger kids (or older ones who want a smile) it is a sweet gift. One piece of advice that would work for all ages? "Whatever happens, don't let it make you crazy." This kids book is for kids reading levels ages 9-12. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kids books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Keep your kids reading and praise them daily.

How to Talk to Girls

St. Patrick's Day

The otherwise unnamed narrator of this children's book, identified as Evan from the lunchbox he carries and the shamrocks decorating the flyleaf, wears green to school on St. Patrick's Day. His friend Pablo wears green sneakers. Teams of other children also wear green while they share what they have learned about Ireland for a class program about the holiday. Evan and his teammates draw pictures and write about St. Patrick, who taught people to be kind to each other. Their classmates, including Michiko and Eveline, explain the saint's role in ridding Ireland of snakes, dance a jig and distribute shamrocks. All Irish, Evan relates his family's history. After school, he and his mother share her homemade soda bread with Pablo and his mother. Through the diverse members of the class and through their participation in celebrating the holiday, the message of the kids book is clearly conveyed: "So many Irish people came across the sea to America that we celebrate St. Patrick's Day whether we're Irish or not." One in a series of books that focuses on Mrs. Madoff's classroom, this title conveys basic information about St. Patrick's Day in a straightforward, matter-of-fact way. There is no story, conflict, adventure, suspense, or subtlety. There is nothing for young readers to investigate or with which to engage. The illustrations—pastels with a predominance of green, including Evan's eyes, which are the same color as his shirt—are similarly lifeless. If no other books on St. Patrick's Day are available, school children could give a report on the report that Evan and his classmates give. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other quality children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your friends. Encourage your children to keep on reading.

St. Patrick's Day

Smash That Trash!

This hands-on, interactive, ten-page baby board book will be an instant hit with young readers who like trucks and transportation. Cleverly designed and created with colorful illustrations of each different type of truck, the trucks come to life and engage the reader immediately. The whimsical illustrations convey each truck's special and unique personality, helping children to understand the job of each truck. Gabriella the Dump Truck has work to do and as she makes her way around town, young readers experience many different aspects of a variety of work sites. For example, when Gabriella, the bright pink truck with a yellow bow on the top of her cab, drives onto the construction work area, young readers can turn the cleverly designed wheel on that page to reveal all the things that Gabriella finds at the construction site. Then when Gabriella vrooms up to the fire station, readers once again can turn the wheel to identify equipment that is found at a firehouse. Three award winning artists—David Shannon, Loren Long, and David Gordon—collaborated to create the wonderful illustrations and interesting moving parts on each page of this book. Not only will young readers enjoy manipulating the cleverly designed wheels, but they will also learn additional information while reading this delightful book and enjoying the manipulative features which cement their understanding of the text. Trucktown comes to life because of the distinct visual style of this appealing hands-on book. Young readers will want to read it again and again. Children who enjoy this board book will also enjoy the other in the "truck-town" series and they will enjoy going to the website which is noted on the back cover to find more fun and games about these wonderfully distinct trucks and their unique jobs. This children's book will be an absolute favorite with young truck lovers! Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends.

Smash That Trash!

Hooray for St. Patrick's Day!

A group of children prepare for and celebrate, St. Patrick's Day. They perform a play, make crafts, dance and have a picnic, among other things. Lift-able flaps hide surprises for young readers. There is a leprechaun hidden on every page, which makes for a simple, easy game to play while you read. The pages are thin cardboard, so they are slightly sturdier than paper; the flaps are glued-on pieces, which stand up to some handling, but will tear with some minor effort. For homeschooling parents, those who just like to teach their kids new things, or those who'd like to introduce some Irish facts with the St. Patrick's Day fun, there's a small (5 word) glossary inside the back cover. This children's book is marked for ages 2 to 6; that age group is fairly accurate. I would think the pre-reading set will enjoy this kids book more than older children. Author Joan Holub's rhyming text would be better if it was consistent throughout. Most pages have two lines of rhyming text and a totally unrelated, non-rhyming line under the flap. This throws off any sense of rhythm the book might have and then, just to further confuse matters, there is one page where the rhyming line IS the line under the flap. Paul Meisel's illustrations are fun, colorful and cute and it is great that the children are of various ethnic backgrounds. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your friends.

Hooray For St. Patrick's Day

Melvin's Valentine

Have you ever received a valentine from an anonymous sender? Melvin did and he is scared because he really wants to know who the mysterious sender is. As he travels around, he asks various buddies; Kat, Jack, Pete, Lucy and Pat if they sent the card. Each denies that he or she was the mysterious sender. In the background of several pictures, little Rita keeps going "beep, beep." But Melvin seems clueless. Finally, she catches up with him and thanks him for showing everyone her valentine. Now Melvin is happy, the sender is no longer a mystery. However, what is not really clear is whether this was a valentine from Rita to Melvin or a valentine that Rita had received and shared with him. The kids who enjoy this holiday as well as the "Truck town" series may find this tale amusing. A Level 1 book in the "Ready-To-Roll" series, this title features a simple story, and reasonably long sentences.
This Valentines kids book is for children reading levels ages 4-8.
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Melvin's Valentine

Love, Ruby Valentine

Ruby Valentine lives in Heartland with her bird, Lovebird. Naturally, her favorite day is Valentine's Day and she spends the whole year preparing for it. In a flurry of activity, she bakes heart-shaped cookies, makes glittery cards, and fills up goody bags. She and Lovebird work morning, noon, and night right up until the day before Valentine's Day, when they load up her wagon with mounds of gifts. But they are so tired that once they fall asleep they cannot wake up the next morning. In fact, morning, afternoon and evening go by without Ruby Valentine. What will happen when she attempts to deliver her valentine greetings a day behind? What will Ruby and her friends learn about the right day to say "I love you"? Colorful illustrations of Ruby, Lovebird, and the town will delight readers.
This Valentines kids book is for children reading levels ages 4-8.
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Love, Ruby Valentine