Thursday, December 29, 2016

The Winter Solstice

Why do the days get shorter in winter and longer in the summer time? This text heavy kids picture book explains it in both scientific and folkloric terms. Children will learn about the ways the ancient Romans, Celts, Scandinavians and other groups marked the changing of the seasons. Younger kids will need it read out loud to them, but a third or fourth grader could not only enjoy it on his/her own, but also use it as a resource for a school report on the solstice. The kids book is a "Children's Choice" selection of the International Reading Association/Children's Book Council. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 6-10. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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 The Winter Solstice

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Snowmen at Night

Does the tall and stately snowman, so carefully built one day, look a little disheveled a day later? His hat had slipped, his arms drooped down, he really looked a fright/ it made me start to wonder: What do snowmen do at night? When it really gets dark, those playful round guys slide to the park. There they enjoy ice cold cocoa before having races and acting like grinning clowns. The fun continues and the snowmen play baseball with their brooms, have a terrific snowball fight, and take wild rides downhill on sleds. When they are tuckered out, they gather their snowman paraphernalia to return home. Vivid and luminescent paintings capture the snowmen in their joyous pursuits. Readers are invited to look for hidden shapes throughout the illustrations. Join the frosty merry makers in poetic verse and learn why the grins of snowmen are a little crooked in the morning. A picture book that makes a smooth transition to a board book. This children's book is for children reading level ages 0-4. Babies, Preschoolers, and toddlers are sure to love this fun story. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Snowmen at Night

Friday, December 16, 2016

Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays

It is hard to make sense of this holiday-themed book. The moniker "Auntie Claus," splashed as it is across the cover, is attention-getting. Who is this Auntie Claus? What sort of modern Christmas tale is this, one might wonder? Unfortunately, the story itself disappoints. Sophie Kringle has to decide between being the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker at Miss Crumpet's School for Young Ladies and Gentleman or going on her annual seasonal "business" trip with Auntie Claus. But Auntie Claus does not see it that way. She decides to stay in New York for Christmas because, she says, "You can have your cake and eat it too. At Christmastime that is the rule!" Soon, Auntie Claus seems to be running Christmas from the hotel. Many strange visitors arrive, including the real Sugar Plum Fairy. Initially eschewing sweets, she is coaxed by Sophie to eat some cake and other goodies. Time passes and we are told that "Red is the new black! New York is the new North Pole!" Christmas snow falls, threatening Sophie's performance at her school. The Sugar Plum Fairy has eaten so many sweets that she can no longer fit into her tutu. Sophie feels guilty, knowing that the Fairy could fit into her tutu. It seems a moot concern when the tutu is blown out of her hands and onto the tip of the hotel. Fortunately, Santa arrives and gives Sophie a lift to retrieve her costume. She gives her tutu to the Sugar Plum Fairy so that Christmas in New York is not ruined but then cannot perform in her school play. Auntie Claus proclaims she has the solution to this problem and whisks Sophie off to the North Pole, where she dances around in her coat. It seems the book's inhabitants find this to be a most agreeable conclusion, but I felt it was a muddle. It is hard to see how the solution fits the problem at all, and that is not the only problem with this book. How is it that the adult Sugar Plum Fairy's overindulgence in sweets plumps her out to the size of a very young girl? Was the fairy ridiculously skinny before? Was Sophie unhealthily overweight? What does any of this mean? It must mean that sequels are all the rage. The star of Auntie Claus and its sequel, Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas is back. Odds are good her longtime fans may pick up this title, too. But smart shoppers unfamiliar with this series will stop to read between the covers and will not be adding this book to their holiday traditions. This Christmas 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.



Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Katy and the Big Snow

For over sixty years young children have identified with Katy the snowplow who was always waiting for her big chance to plow her way to fame. For winter after winter, Katy has few opportunities to show off until the year of a big blizzard. Now Katy is challenged to keep chug, chug, chugging her way to rescue the citizens of Geopolis, helping all kinds of stranded people get to the hospital, to the airport, and, of course, to get safely home. This reissue of the kids story in paperback form is fancied up a bit with sparkle on the cover and stickers at the back. Children will certainly enjoy these add ons, but in the end, they are not necessary. It is Burton's tribute to perseverance and her wonderful sketchy drawings that will make yet another generation of children eager to hear the adventures of Katy again and again. This Christmas 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Katy and the Big Snow

Thursday, December 8, 2016

A Wish for Elves

As Christmas time approaches, a young boy who is frustrated with all he has to do around the house to get ready for the holiday's wishes he had elves to help him out. At the North Pole, Santa ventures to his workshop to find all of his elves missing. He sets about putting up "missing elf" posters and trying to get the toys ready on his own. Meanwhile, the boy is awakened by his newly acquired elves. He puts them to work cleaning his room, doing the laundry, fixing his breakfast, and doing his homework. But things don't go quite as he planned; his clothes shrink, he gets a D on his homework, and there are just too many elves underfoot. He tries to sell them but doesn't have much luck; instead, he sends some sailing away attached to helium balloons. One elf makes it back to the North Pole, and Santa takes off to retrieve the rest. The boy happily gives them all back, except for "maybe just one or two" and everything gets back to normal just in time for Christmas. The text is very sparse, relying instead on the graphic format paneled illustrations to tell the bulk of the story. Bright, cheerful, geometric computer-generated illustrations in various shades of yellows, reds and greens are just waiting to be imitated in a classroom art or writing project. This Christmas 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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A Wish for Elves

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Snowmen at Christmas

The husband and wife team who created the popular kids book Snowmen at Night revisits their snowy creations to see how snowmen celebrate Christmas. With rhyming text that describes how the snowmen (and snow women, snow children, and one snow dog) gather late at night in the empty town for a holiday gathering. They decorate a tree, play games and enjoy icy-cold snacks (snow cones, of course) before the snowman Santa arrives with presents made of snow for all. Carols around the tree conclude the festivities and the snow folk take up their proper posts again just before the sun rises. The illustrations are infused with mysterious blue or lavender light that highlights the rounded figures of the snow people, with lots of additional sparkling effects from the town's Christmas lights and streetlights. The snowmen are quite lively for characters with no legs and twig thin arms, and they really do seem to have lives of their own that exist on some other icy plane. As in the previous story, there are tiny hidden pictures to search for in each illustration. This children's Christmas book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Snowmen at Christmas

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Horrid Henry's Christmas

In this edition in a best-selling kids chapter book series from the U.K., self-centered Horrid Henry wreaks extreme havoc at the Nativity play, destroys the Christmas tree, and almost ruins the holiday lunch. His irresponsible actions are made tolerable through the ridiculousness of the incidents and the appeal to the naughty side in young readers’ personalities. Ross’s mischievous black-and-white cartoon drawings are the perfect choice to carry them off. Large print and simple vocabulary make this story book for kids an easy read and a fun read-aloud. This kids Christmas book is for youngsters 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Horrid Henry's Christmas

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

I Spy A Christmas Tree

The text on each page begins with the inviting phrase "I spy" followed by just two holiday themed items (such as presents, candy canes, cookies and reindeer) to be found hidden in the busy illustration on the facing page. Geared to both young readers and non-readers, the larger print rhyming text is also accompanied by a visual representation of the item, ensuring that children will have the freedom to enjoy the Christmas book on their own as well as with an adult reader. The final spread includes two additional searches (Christmas trees and rhyming words) that encourage re-looking at the illustrations through the entire book rather than just a single page. Wick's photographs are cheerfully bright and cluttered making some searches more difficult than others and inviting young readers to see what else they can find. This 8 x 8, simplified version of the popular large-format picture puzzle books is perfect for smaller hands and will be sure to convert newer, younger fans. This Christmas kids book is for children reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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I Spy A Christmas Tree

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Share Your Favorite Children's Book

The holiday's are a time for sharing. Here is your chance to share with us your favorites. Let us know in the comments what you like best or just share a link to your favorite content. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other topics you would like to have discussed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Franklin's Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to gather among extended family around the holiday table, and Franklin's family of turtles is no exception. But this year, Grandma and Grandpa can not come and Franklin grumbles that "it will not be the same." For awhile everyone is preoccupied with harvesting vegetables and making jam. Gradually, and unbeknownst to each other, each member of the family invites someone for Thanksgiving who is also going to be more alone than usual for the holiday¾Owl the teacher, a neighbor with a broken ankle, the Bear family next door, and the new Moose family. Inevitably, the Thanksgiving feast spilled into the field and not a soul felt lonesome. It is a simple kids story, with brightly colored cartoon illustrations that introduces the Thanksgiving theme of sharing and shows the ability of a youngster to learn flexibility, come up with ideas and contribute to the family. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Franklin's Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 17, 2016

A Turkey for Thanksgiving

Although, a paper turkey decorates Mrs. Moose's Thanksgiving table, she longs for the real thing, so her obliging husband sets out to find her one. He is joined by his soon-to-be dinner guests: Rabbit, in his quilted down vest; poky Porcupine, in his furry earmuffs; and ravenous Mr. Goat, who devours everything in sight, including Sheep's plaid hat. They find Turkey hiding in his nest, surrounded by signs that discourage visitors. Trying to console the terrified bird, Mr. Moose explains: "We just want you for Thanksgiving dinner,'' which only confirms Turkey's fears. Young readers will be as thrilled as Turkey to hear that Mrs. Moose wants him at her table, not on it. Together, Bunting's ( In the Haunted House, The Wednesday Surprise ) good natured tale and de Groat's ( Hi Bears, Bye Bears ) autumn-hued, richly detailed watercolors convey the animals' warm friendship and the humor resulting from the misunderstanding. This ideal family read-aloud will awaken the holiday spirit in all. The expressions on Mr. Moose's face and those of his friends make this book a standout. When combined with the charming and funny story of Mrs. Moose wanting to have a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, parents and teachers should be prepared to read this one aloud quite a few times. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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A Turkey for Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Night Before Thanksgiving

'Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the nation families got ready for the big celebration." Sound familiar? A clever take-off of the Clement Clarke Moore original, this kids version is a thoroughly modern portrayal of one family's Thanksgiving preparations. The lively illustrations portray a houseful of relatives arriving by car, plane and train. Mom is frantically preparing the food with "help" from the kids. Cousins arrive and soon the house is strewn with toys and video games. Finally the feast is prepared and everyone gathers to eat. Young children will enjoy the flow and rhyme of the story. New readers can tackle text that contains some difficult words, but is accompanied by lots of visual clues. This is the latest of the "The Night Before..." books in the "Reading Railroad" series. 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 topics you would like to have discussed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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The Night Before Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Thanksgiving Rules

Friedman's title for this work is a double entendre that both cheers for the holiday and hints at the guidance provided within it. In rhyming verse, narrator Percy Isaac Gifford (yes, pig) announces that he is a Thanksgiving expert whose list of 10 rules is essential information for everyone. From "smile and say pumpkin pie" to "life is sweeter when you eat sweets," Percy dashes through the holiday jotting off bits of wisdom to enhance the most food eccentric day of the year. Young readers may begin to feel nauseated by the time they reach his "Official Thanksgiving Decree," urging the reader to eat "EVERYTHING" and listing more than three dozen types of foods that might be found on the Thanksgiving buffet. But they will feel better once they pass the dessert page and find rule #10, "A hug makes the heart grow fonder." Even food-hound Percy knows that Thanksgiving isn't just about the buffet, but a "day to show your loved ones what they mean to you." There are no pilgrims to be found in the pages of this book, and no stiff history lessons. Instead, readers get a rollicking good romp through food and family festivities. Teachers may find this lively Thanksgiving book useful for launching discussion of students' own holiday practices or favorite Thanksgiving foods. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Thanksgiving Rules

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Thanksgiving Mice!

The origins of Thanksgiving are detailed by a group of mice as they put on a play for their animal friends. Cushman's cheerful spreads show the little creatures using handmade props and putting their all into this neighborhood production. The characters are charming and the colors are vibrant. Where pictures appear in a smaller frame, objects often extend into the borders for visual appeal. The problem comes with the text. Short rhyming stanzas at first seem to offer a pleasing read-aloud pattern, only to dissolve into an odd scheme, and readers may constantly try to recover a poetic balance that isn't there. Another problem comes with fictionalizing the Pilgrims as mice and keeping true to the Thanksgiving account. These diminutive Pilgrims wear clothes, sail on the Mayflower, suffer a hard winter, and plant corn, but that continuity breaks when "They built new homes in tree trunks-" instead of houses. There is a scarcity of Thanksgiving books for this age group that can adequately explain the historical significance of the holiday in very simple terms. Halloween Mice! (Clarion, 1995) by the same duo hit upon a combination of text and pictures that works very well, but it isn't trying to tie in a historical concept. If you aren't overly concerned with an odd poetic structure or a break in the logic of mice as Pilgrims, then this kids book should fill a gap in read-aloud Thanksgiving material for the younger set. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Thanksgiving Mice!

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Thanksgiving Day

Rebecca Rissman is an award-winning children’s author and editor. Her writing has been praised by School Library Journal, Booklist, Creative Child Magazine, and Learning Magazine. She has written more than 200 books about history, culture, science, and art. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys yoga, reading, and cooking. If you are looking to teach your young one the importance of Thanksgiving then this kids book is a great place to start to keep it simple. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Thanksgiving Day

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Election Day

Rebecca Rissman is an award winning children’s book author and editor. Her writing has been praised by School Library Journal, Booklist, Creative Child Magazine, and Learning Magazine. She has written over 200 books about history, culture, science, and art. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys yoga, reading, and cooking. This children's book introduces young readers to what it means to celebrate Election Day and shows them the importance of voting and why this holiday is so very special. This children's book does a good job at making it simple for the smallest of children to understand this complicated process. If you are looking to giving your child the basics of the process of election day, then this kids book is a great place to start. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Election Day

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Moonlight: The Halloween Cat

Come follow this black cat as she wanders through town and enjoys her favorite evening of the year. Smiling pumpkins, the comfortable lap of a man made of straw, children in costumes, a full moon, and wild animals such as owls and raccoons are all welcome sights. This oversized kids Halloween book with its lush colors make this a Halloween treat. One double-page spread shows a street of houses with witches, a princess, a bee and others going door-to-door for trick-or-treat while another shows the cat from the back perched on a branch and looking at a huge moon ("yellow and wide"). It is perfect for preschool story hour and for parents who are introducing their young children to this holiday. It is positive and upbeat, focusing on the light side and leaving out the spooky. The text is short and simple, yet expressive. "Pumpkins smile at her. Straw laps welcome her." This will be very popular with the preschool set. This Halloween kids book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Moonlight: The Halloween Cat

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Cam Jansen & the Ghostly Mystery

This kids book is number 16 in a series of detective stories starring Jennifer Jansen, a fifth-grader who has acquired the nickname "Cam" as a result of her photographic memory. This adventure begins as Cam, her friend Eric, and Cam's Aunt Molly are waiting in line to buy tickets for a concert. A man disguised as a ghost robs the ticket counter as police are distracted by an old man who has fallen unconscious. Cam's mind "clicks" like a camera to capture the image of the ghost, and she then tracks down the thief with Eric's help. Adler combines suspense with good, light humor to unfold this mystery. This kids mystery carries on the tradition of the others in this popular series for early chapter- book readers. While in line for "Triceratops Pops" concert tickets, Cam witnesses a robbery but cannot identify the disguised thief. Of course, she uses her intelligence, along with her photographic memory, to solve the case and catch the crooks. Adler delivers another satisfying story that moves quickly enough for young readers or reluctant readers. Frequent pen and ink drawings capture the action and the characters' personalities. Sure to be in high demand wherever Cam Jansen stories are read. This Halloween kids book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Cam Jansen & the Ghostly Mystery

Thursday, October 20, 2016

A Lucky Luke Adventure : Ghost Town

Set in an idealized Wild West Lucky Luke graphic novels are well drawn in color and have a solid plot. The main characters are the hero Lucky Luke (white hat) and his smart, back-talking horse Jolly Jumper. Characters from other Lucky Luke novels also show up throughout the series.
Story line: Two no good, down and out gamblers stir up trouble in a mining town in the Wild West. They try to take over a gold mine from a stubborn old miner who has a mine with no gold. Per the format Lucky Luke saves the day. Sounds prosaic, but Goscinny's trademark humor is evident throughout and makes this kids book work. Try it, you'll like it. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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A Lucky Luke Adventure : Ghost Town

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Room on the Broom

The witch loses her hat, leading to a series of misadventures, each of which adds another passenger on her broom. The combined weight finally snaps the broom, leaving the witch at the mercy of a mean, hungry dragon. She is saved by her clever flying companions, and the jolly verses end with them all flying happily together on a larger, "truly magnificent broom." In large, colorful, action-filled scenes and vignettes, Scheffler depicts an appealing pig tailed witch, a benign landscape, and a magical world in a humorous, cartoon-y style. Even the final confrontation between the dragon and the "horrible beast" of her friends is conceived for fun, not fright. This Halloween kids book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8.  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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Room on the Broom

Thursday, October 13, 2016

The Halloween Kid

Whenever the fun of trick or treat is threatened on Halloween, there is only one person to call on to save the night: The Halloween Kid. Swooping to the rescue on his trusty stick horse, The Halloween Kid saves the night from any foe, whether it is Toilet Paper Mummies, Pumpkin Sucking Vampires or adults who give out healthy treats instead of candy. But then came one night when The Halloween Kid was nowhere to be found when the Goodie Goblins rode into town. Who will save the day if The Halloween Kid does not show up? Montijo has written a delightfully charming kids book accompanied by equally delightful illustrations. Every holiday should have a hero like The Halloween Kid. The villains of the tale are typical ghouls and monsters associated with Halloween and The Halloween Kid, naturally, is a masked cowboy riding to a stick horse that manages to help save the day in the end. The illustrations are predominately orange and black and display a charm that will appeal to children and adults alike. This Halloween kids book is for children reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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The Halloween Kid

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

A Very Brave Witch

A young green witch tells us about witches and humans. Witches, she says, love Halloween for the decorations and the costumes, but they are afraid of humans because they are not green. She points out that humans are afraid to fly, they do not wear pointy hats, and they seldom cackle. But this brave young witch is determined to take a look at humans, so she and her orange cat take off on her broomstick to observe the celebration of Halloween. Swirling around a tree, she loses her balance and falls to the ground. She is immediately surrounded by young humans who treat her very kindly, asking if she is all right and admiring her costume. One little girl pats her and tells her that she dreams of flying. The two girls climb on the broomstick and fly happily above the trees, discovering that their fears have been groundless. The detailed illustrations of spooky houses and flying witches are cheerful rather than scary. This New York Times Best-Selling Halloween Favorite has been repackaged in a smaller edition just right for young readers to hold and enjoy. This Halloween kids book is for children reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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A Very Brave Witch

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Froggy's Halloween

Halloween is approaching and Froggy can not decide what he should be. How about Super Frog flying through the sky, or Ghost Frog haunting friends and family, or better yet, what about dressing as Vampire Frog? Well, after a week of pondering and rejecting a variety of costumes, Froggy decides to become a Frog Prince. He really looks cute and Frogilina finds him irresistible. After a narrow escape from his amorous pursuer, Froggy finishes up his trick-or-treating, but when he gets home he finds that his sword has cut a hole in his bag and it is empty. Never fear Mother saves the day. Another delightful addition to the Froggy tales. This Halloween kids book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Froggy's Halloween

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Trixie The Halloween Fairy

With its "Rainbow Magic" series, the publisher seeks to tap into current fascination with make believe fairies. This "special edition" series Halloween kids book has particular appeal, focusing as it does on the fun, intriguing holiday of Halloween. Rachel and Kirsty are looking forward to trick-or-treating as fairies, but their plans are quickly disrupted by the mean-spirited antics of Jack Frost. Frost had his goblins steal three magical pieces of Halloween candy from Trixie, the Halloween Fairy. Fortunately, they lost the candy in the process; at least they do not have it! Unfortunately, unless Trixie can find the candies and return them to Fairyland before Frost's minions find them, Halloween will be ruined! That is where Rachel and Kirsty come in. Trixie needs the girls' help to find the chocolate bar, candy corn, and caramel apple. The pacing of this Halloween kids book is slow, and the action is surprisingly passive. The true hero of the kids book seems to be Trixie's Fairyland kitten Moonlight. Still, fairy-mad readers are likely to enjoy this Halloween kids book, and the low cost might justify its purchase as an appealing holiday-specific option for middle readers. This Halloween 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Trixie The Halloween Fairy

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Sams First Halloween

Sam is learning about Halloween. She sees the kids come in costumes and when they say trick or treat, they get some candy. Wow, Sam wants some of this action, but her owners Joan and Bob do not seem to have a clue that Sam wants some candy. Sam grabs a towel and pretends to be a ghost when the next group of kids come to the door, Finally, even though candy is not for dogs, Joan and Bob get the message and decide to let Sam have a treat. The final page shows a smiling puppy face with paws on a jack-o-lantern wishing that Halloween could take place everyday. These children's books are perfect for animal-loving children who are just learning to read. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Sams First Halloween

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants

Back for the twenty-first round, Junie B., this time explores what cheating is in a tight, well-focused children's story that just suits the developmental understandings of the implied reader. Sure, it is cheating if you copy your friend's paper and submit it as your own, but is it really cheating if you pretend to read it and supply your own words? Is it such a big deal if when you forgot there was going to be a spelling test, you sort of see a spelling word on someone else's paper, and he encourages you to, and it helps you spell "would" correctly? Junie makes the right decisions while the reader thinks through the ethical issues. Parents and teachers react appropriately, but supportively. When Junie and her friend talk it over, they both feel better and tell their teacher. The teacher writes Junie an "awesome" haiku, and we are ready for her next adventure. As in the other kids books, Junie's grammatical understandings reflect her age and she tells it as she sees it. The conversational style and Brunkus's cartoons give new readers courage to tackle more print. Readers slightly older will smile reminiscently and while some adults may wince, most of those readers won't be saying "me and Herb" by next year. 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 kids books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Mama Panya's Pancakes

Mama Panya and her son, Adika, are all ready for market day where Mama is planning on using her few coins to buy the ingredients to make pancakes for dinner. Adika is so excited that he can't help inviting all of their friends and neighbors. Mama Panya is worried that his generosity may be more than her few coins and their meager supplies can provide. Luckily all of the guests arrive with gifts, and a Kenyan cross between "Stone Soup" and the story of the loaves and the fishes is realized. A recipe, map, details about daily life, and facts about Kiswahili and Kenya are included. With their bold colors, vivid patterns, and lush scenery, the illustrations will transport readers into this country to walk alongside Mama Panya and Adika on their way to market. Details from animals to foliage are depicted clearly and provide more than just a backdrop to the story; they're a great introduction to the landscape and people of East Africa. A strong selection for a read-aloud or as a supplement to units on Africa, community, or generosity. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Mama Panya's Pancakes

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

A monster has appeared at sea, a monster that can cross oceans and seemingly continents. Pierre Aronnax thinks he knows its origins. But when he and two friends attack the monster, they discover it is actually a great underwater machine, and the sea. Red-uniformed officers of the Nautilus stand in stark contrast to their undersea world rendered in a blue and gray palette. With simplified text, Professor Aronnax narrates this encounter with Captain Nemo, his fantastic underworld and the giant squid. This graphic novel makes a classic work accessible to younger readers, in a suspenseful and visually stimulating format. This graphic novel is for teen readers. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other books for teens you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Kids Talk About Bullying

Bullying is a huge issue in most classrooms and in the larger world of playgrounds and neighborhoods. Bullies come in all colors and sizes, and both genders. Finn introduces Sam, a fifth grader who writes an advice column for younger children. On each double-page spread is a letter to Sam with a question about bullies, or how to handle bullies, accompanied by an answer from Sam. For example Justin writes, "My brother told me to watch out for bullies at school. What does a bully look like?" Sam replies that bullies are hard to identify by looking at them since they can be any size, age, or gender. He continues, "Bullies are people who try to make other people feel bad." Children and adults from a variety of races and gender roles are presented in the illustrations, which are cartoon-like in style and digitally rendered with bright primary colors. The language and illustrations combine with the concept to appeal to those aged four to about eight. Once the questions move away from "What is a bully?" to "What can I do about bullies?" the answers veer off into simplistic comfort levels, such as telling children to get help from adults. While this is not bad advice, every teacher knows that the difficult part is teaching children the difference between getting help with a real problem and tattling. 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. Remember to always praise your child. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8.

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Kids Talk About Bullying

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Robot

Toy designer, Dave Hampton, launched the robotic creature, Furby, in 1998. This voice activated toy was extremely popular. When Sony's robotic dog, Aibo, went on sale the following year, it too, amazed and thrilled the toy-buying crowd. This fascination with robots, the history, the fictionalized views of robots, the robot's artificial intelligence, the research into programmable emotions, the development of cyborgs, the various and wildly varied uses for robots, the current designs and the future trends are all examined in this "Eyewitness Book" about Robots. Robots are not only toys or labor saving household help, but they are able to do surgery, work on science experiments, explore outer space, fly planes, explore the seas, play musical instruments, fight wars, and become movie stars such as the pig in the movie, Babe. As with most Dorling Kindersley Books, the page design is heavy on images and consequently the text is short, concise and easy to read little nuggets. This kids story book is part of the "Eyewitness Books" series, which includes over 130 titles on subjects ranging from cats to crime detection. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Robot

Friday, September 9, 2016

My Weird School Daze #5: Officer Spence Makes No Sense!

A.J. is a student at Ella Mentry School, where school is anything but boring. A missing peanut butter sandwich at lunchtime in the vomitorium brings about another day of weirdness, where Officer Spence accuses one and all of stealing A.J.'s sandwich, starting with the teachers and eventually arresting the entire school. Told from A.J.'s view, complete with commentary on adults and the English language, the child reading this next volume in the "My Weird School Daze" series will enjoy the story while the adult will appreciate the puns. Whether considering that WOW is MOM upside down, or listening to Officer Spence listing all the synonyms for jail, the young reader will be in hysterics, wondering at the lunacy of the police in this school's community where a crossing guard is arrested for jaywalking and a bus driver for drinking coffee while driving. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Officer Spence Makes No Sense

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Learning To Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids About ADHD

Expert clinical psychologists Nadeau and Dixon have created an absolute must have for young kids struggling to get a handle on their own ADHD. Now in its third edition, updated with more notes and resources for parents, Learning To Slow Down And Pay Attention is a straightforward self-help kids book written especially for children with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity. The friendly, no nonsense text offers practical advice and tips for learning to relax, staying focused, remembering things, getting homework done, making friends and more. All without talking down to its young audience. Whimsical black-and-white cartoons help illustrate and reinforce the offered guidelines. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Learning To Slow Down & Pay Attention

Friday, September 2, 2016

Little Golden Book Collection: Sleepytime Tales

Nine beloved children's classics with original copyrights dating from 1942 to 2004 are united in this volume. Sophisticated TV-watching children today are fortunate to have new access and a modern format bringing old favorites to life again. This collection will appeal to young readers, as well as to adults who read to pre-readers. Attention is paid to details that enhance the children's stories. In "The Whispering Rabbit," for example, the whispers are in very small print and almost demand a change in the reader's voice. Enjoyment, however, is not the only bonus gained in using this book, because it is also a subtle teaching tool. "Baby Dear" centers around introducing a new sibling to a child; "Colorful Kittens" focuses on colors; "The Wonderful House" on different homes for animals, such as a snail, a hippopotamus, and a bee; and "The Poky Little Puppy" assures the reader that being different from others is not always bad. Most of these stories have animal characters, both domestic and wild, which are always friendly, cheerful, and non-threatening. Unfortunately, the illustrations sometimes use stereotypes, which may be offensive. Little Rajani, the Indian boy in "The Boy and the Tigers" wears an exaggerated turban; the Native Americans are often sinister and glowering; the Creator is a bearded man. Nevertheless, visiting these tales, whether for the first time or as old friends, is an enjoyable experience. 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 kids books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Little Golden Book Collection: Sleepytime Tales

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Mrs. Mustard's Baby Faces

This small-sized board book of baby photographs folds out, accordion-style, showing happy, beaming faces and frowning, crying faces. Wattenberg has captured 14 ingratiating babies in a delightful "gallery.'' The baby board book's sturdy construction and the photos' multicolored, zany backgrounds add to the book's charm. This endearing collection will be a terrific treat for babies, while their proud parents will no doubt recognize many familiar expressions. What a great board book for babies. Your little bundle of joy is sure to love it. This children's book is for kids ages 4 months-4 years. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Mrs. Mustard's Baby Faces

Friday, August 26, 2016

Little Golden Book Collection: Animal Tales

This children's book is a collection of classic animal tales from the "Little Golden Books" series. These entertaining fairy tales will help young children associate the names of animals with what they look like. Children will laugh at the silly stories and bright simple pictures. There is a kids story about an elephant who thinks he has too many wrinkles and is too big, so he tries to lose his wrinkles. In the end, he finds other elephants and learns that he is just as an elephant should be. Children will read myths about how leopards got their spots, and another story tells how camels got their humps and how their humps help them survive in the desert. The kids stories are whimsical and fun. Some of them have morals and others are simply entertaining. Children will enjoy pointing out the different types of animals from the domestic to the exotic. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Animal Tales

Monday, August 22, 2016

Mary Poppins Opens the Door

Here she is again, the abrupt, yet beloved nanny known as Mary Poppins. Fanciful illustrations by Mary Shepard and Agnes Sims draw readers into the adventures shared by the Banks children and their nanny, including dancing with elegant animals, meeting nursery animals, riding candy canes, and more. Mary Poppins includes her young charges in a host of wonderful adventures, although her stern and short-tempered manner keeps her from being considered a warm and cozy soul. Young readers may be surprised to find this classic character to be somewhat ill mannered in nature, in spite of the order and magic she brings to the Banks household. Perhaps she is a creature of her era. Children who enjoy reading historical and magical fiction, or those who have read Mary Poppins’ earlier adventures, will enjoy this character’s return. This kids book is for children 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 friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Mary Poppins Opens the Door

Friday, August 19, 2016

Everything Kids' Word Search Puzzle and Activity Book

My son has become obsessed with this kids book. He is 7 years old and loves doing these on his own or with me. The kids book is divided into chapters "animals" "school" etc... and also has other fun activities within the crossword puzzles. Often there are extra words or the shape of the words you find spell another word. This has been fantastic to have during trips and to otherwise keep him entertained. Good book for kids. Different levels of difficulty are great for many age ranges. This kids book is for children reading levels ages 4-8 and 9-12. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Everything Kids' Word Search Puzzle and Activity Book

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Helping Out And Staying Safe: The Empowerment Assets

Big kids now more than ever need opportunities to create positive places for themselves, and this kids book opens the door for them to be pro active in making things better. It focuses on four empowerment assets: Community Values Children, Children as Resources, Service to Others, and Safety. Each chapter starts with an inspiring kids story about a child who is in a situation that needs improving. Young readers should be able to relate to these examples, which are followed by several ways that the protagonists can take charge and make change, thereby adding the appropriate asset. Readers are encouraged to choose one activity for their own lives, and to note the outcome. To help children get started, some Web sites and phone numbers are included within specific activities, and there are also "Helpful Resources" sections at the end geared toward kids and adults, along with an index. This kids book is ideal for school counselors and teachers, or any other adult who serves as a mentor for youth and can share this if a need arises. Ideal for young readers, this resource does not have to be read cover-to-cover, and although packed with ways to create empowerment assets, it will not be overwhelming. The ideas are written in short paragraphs, and the entire book can easily be skimmed by a reader who is looking for specific information. 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 friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Helping Out And Staying Safe

Thursday, August 11, 2016

The Family Book

As he did in The Mommy Book and The Daddy Book (both Little, Brown, 2002), Parr introduces children to an array of families. Whimsical illustrations featuring neon colors and figures outlined in black show big ones and small ones, and families that look alike and relatives who look just like their pets. The art features both human and animal figures; thus, pigs depict both a family that likes to be clean, and one that likes to be messy. Some families include stepmoms, stepdads, stepsisters, or stepbrothers; some adopt children. Other families have two moms or two dads, while some children have only one parent. Interspersed with the differences among families are the ways they are alike: all like to hug each other, are sad when they lose someone they love, enjoy celebrating special days together, and can help each other to be strong. This kids concept book celebrating the diversity of family groups is distinguished by its sense of fun. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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The Family Book

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Chalk Box Kid

Gregory's father has lost his job and they are moving to a new house. It is not a very nice house and it is not a very nice neighborhood. To make matters worse, Gregory must share his room with his twenty-two year old uncle. Gregory is having trouble adjusting to school, but he finds solace in the old brick factory next door. It is there that he creates a garden of flowers in chalk on the blank walls. Then through a series of related events, his life and that of his family turns around. A strong story that touches the heart. 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 children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your friends. Remember to always praise your child.
Chalk Box Kid

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Wiggle

There's not a lot of story here, but there is plenty of fun as a playful, rump-shaking pup leads toddlers through some of the many ways to move around: "Do you wake up with a wiggle? Do you wiggle out of bed? If you wiggle with your breakfast,/it might wind up on your head." The dog goes on to jiggle and dance with various objects and creatures before falling asleep beneath the moon. Menchin's lively, digitally rendered art incorporates elements of reality-photographic bits and pieces-that are well integrated into broad, bright cartoon illustrations. Cronin's nonsensical text is rhythmic and buoyant. This children's reading book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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Wiggle

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms?

Eat your heart out, Mr. Clean! A house full of dinosaurs are cleaning up in this original board book from Jane Yolen and Mark Teague, creators of How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? and How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? Featuring Teague's hilarious illustrations of different reptilians shoving teddy bears under the bed, sneaking pj's behind bathroom doors, and tossing dirty clothes in the hamper, this dynamic board book teaches kids that even dinosaurs have to think about keeping their bedrooms clean. For a super silly read that will deliver great before-bed giggles or gearing-up-for-cleaning times, this is a winner that packed with a rollicking roar! This children's story book is for kids reading levels ages 0-4. 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. Remember to always praise your child.
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How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms?

Friday, May 13, 2016

The Popcorn Dragon

This newer edition of the much-loved story of Dexter, a young dragon who loses all his friends when he shows off blowing smoke rings, retains its charm despite the pointed moral. McCue's new full-color illustrations capture the whimsical mood of the fable. The animals, although too coy, have appealing human like expressions which convey their envy and contempt. Dexter is a small creature with whom youngsters will readily identify. The resolution, in which he wins back his friends by sharing with them his new found ability to pop corn straight from the husks, will thoroughly delight a new generation of children. This children's reading book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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. Remember to always praise your child.

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The Popcorn Dragon

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook

Working from illustrations taken from the original books, these wildly outrageous recipes will entice every adult and kid to try cooking up everything from "Scrambled Eggs Super" and "Blueberry Bumplings" to lunches and snacks of the zaniest kinds. Dinners include "Who-Roast" (but no photo of the chicken with mushrooms stuffed under the skin before baking) and desserts include "Sneetch Treats" and "Who-Pudding." If your school includes edible book reports, or if teachers have discovered www.cookingupreading.com as a classroom resource to join up books and cookery, this book is a must. If your school celebrates Seuss Day in March, this kids book is a must. For home ec classes that have gotten too heavily invested in "Welsh Rarebit" or baking powder biscuits, this is a must. From the "Green Eggs" (real hard boiled eggs with an enhanced yolk of guacamole) to the "Cindy Lou Who" corn flake Christmas wreaths, this will delight cooks and readers of all kinds, all sizes, all ages. 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 kids books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

I Spy Spooky Night

Jean Marzollo adds to her exciting series with I Spy Spooky Night. Marzollo's riddles walk children through a haunted house where they search for objects (everything from a skeleton key to a palindrome) which she's hidden in rhymes ("I spy four pumpkins, a ruler, a bat, / Eight pine cones, a ladder, three acorns, a cat"). Photographs by Walter Wick are perfect for setting a spooky mood, but safe at the same time. If your kids enjoy playing the I Spy game, then they will just love this fascinating children's book. This kids book is for children's reading level ages 4-8. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's book you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your friends. Remember to always praise your child.
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I Spy Spooky Night

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman

The things that Henry does do provoke laughter and I can honestly say that I and my daughter truly enjoyed the story itself and the characters within. What's great about Horrid Henry is that he's the kid deep within us all. He's rather like the "invisible friend" that provokes bad actions and catches all the blame. Finally, in April of last year, 15 years after Horrid Henry's first appearance in England, he arrived in the U.S. He has been a great hit with readers here, especially reluctant readers, who love Henry's anarchic shenanigans. Think Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants with a British accent. This kids book is for children 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 friends. Remember to always praise your child.
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Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Stars! Stars! Stars!

Wallace is known for her cute bunny families that populate her science books. These bunnies look at rocks, they look at seeds, and now, they look at stars. While the illustrations are super cute, the writing does not get syrupy. In fact it sounds like a normal energetic-bunny family who gathers friends and goes to a star show at the children's museum. "‘Welcome to Star Space,' said their guide. ‘My name is Stellan, and I think stars are WONDER-full. What do you wonder about stars?'" The bunny children wonder about the shape of stars, what they're made of, how many stars there are, and candy bars. While the stellar puns may get a bit trying to the adult-readers, many children will enjoy the star-studded themes. As the bunnies walk through the exhibit at the museum, they see the solar system, complete with dwarf planet Pluto, and learn about the effects of the Sun on the Earth. Then they find the answers to many other questions, including why stars twinkle, and stars' temperatures. The cute bunnies are likely to appeal to children who don't know they want to learn about science. Back matter includes a tip sheet for stargazing. This kids book is for children reading levels ages 4-8. 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 friends. Remember to always praise your child.
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Stars! Stars! Stars!