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!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown

"A Is for Amber" designates the series which takes place when the famous Amber Brown was younger and her parents were still together. In this adventure (perhaps her last; Ms. Danziger died in 2004), the seven-year-old Amber loves second grade and her unconventional teacher, Mrs. Light. She even likes the class rules till a new one pops up—all desks must be kept clean. Poor Amber, neatness is not her thing, until Mrs. Light tells the class about Deskarina, the Desk Fairy, who leaves treats for a neatly organized space. The lively story, Ambers' second-grade friends (including Justin, who now tells chicken jokes), and her amusing but realistically difficult struggle for neatness will undoubtedly resonate with beginning readers. What fun to see Amber, wearing at last her hard-earned blue ribbon from Deskarina! Tony Ross's wonderfully immediate ink and watercolor illustrations continue to capture the essence of Amber in all her untidy charm. Some of the best depict Amber's visualizations of the Desk Fairy and her Desk mobile, topped by the little girl's glowing pride when she wins the ribbon and then her rueful look as she sees her cluttered bulletin board at home. This latest, perfectly-pitched tale will appeal to beginning readers whether Amber is an old friend or this is a first encounter with the author's endearing creation. Paula Danziger will be missed. The title has been reissued a part of the "Penguin Young Readers" series and is designated a Level 3 and Guided Reading Level "K." The opening page contains a note to parents and educators about the series and tips for making best use of this kids book.
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Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown

Friday, February 12, 2016

Biscuit's Valentine's Day

Biscuit and his little mistress are a cute team. In this kids book with big flaps, they are busy making valentines for friends and family. Biscuit has a spool of ribbon in his mouth and a valentine stuck to his paw, but he trots off to give a greeting to kitty, neighbor Puddles, and the little girl's grandparents. Best of all, when they get home, there are valentines in the mailbox and an especially big valentine for little Biscuit. 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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Biscuit's Valentine's Day

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Juliet The Valentine Fairy

Valentine's Day is supposed to be full of love and happiness, but this year things have gone terribly wrong. "Friends and families are fighting. Sweethearts are falling out of love. People are not thinking about one anothers feelings!" It seems that Jack Frost and his goblin crew have stolen three magical Valentine's Day presents (the presents stand for three kinds of love—family love, sweetheart love, and friendship) from Juliet the Valentine Fairy. If the presents are not returned to Fairyland, a spell cast by Jack Frost will "ensure that every card or present will have the opposite effect of what it should." Can best friends, Kirsty and Rachel, work together to save this special holiday? Or will their quarreling guarantee Jack Frost's success? This chapter book, which follows the format of previous books in the Rainbow Magic series, is illustrated with simple line drawings. Daisy Meadows is the pseudonym for the four writers who created this commercial series. 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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Juliet The Valentine Fairy

Friday, February 5, 2016

No Valentines for Katie

At Katie's elementary school, Valentine's Day is filled with fun and excitement when the class does math and reading that centers on a heart theme. Excitement increases when the teacher assigns students the job to write their names on a slip of paper and deposit it in a pretty Valentine box. Each child selects a name from the box, creates a Valentine for that child, and writes something nice about the classmate. Katie chooses the name of the new boy Barry and paints him a Valentine. But after all of the Valentines are done and read, Katie discovers that she did not get a card and her feelings are hurt. Then she realizes she did not put her name in the box. The teacher asks for a volunteer to write something nice about Katie on the board and Barry volunteers. Barry thinks that he did not get a card either until Katie jumps up and gives him the one she made for him. Much to their delight, Katie and Barry discover that they both said the same nice thing about each other. The day ends well when Barry is invited to walk home with Katie and her friends. This book works well for guided reading and emerging and early readers. It contains three short chapters with short sentences and big print. Readers can identify with the simple problem and solution. A bonus that includes a glossary, discussion questions, a writing project, and a fun recipe for heart bread sticks is at the back of the book. The book comes from the "Katie Woo" series that contains delightful stories for holidays. 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 friends. Remember to always praise your child.
No Valentines for Katie

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

My Fuzzy Valentine

This is an excellent, sturdy board book with fun, fuzzy things for your baby to feel as you read. I bought this Valentine's book for my 18-month-old grandson, who loves books and Elmo. He loves it and brings it to me and his parents to read often. he also likes to "read" it by himself, feeling the fuzzy shapes. A super-fun kids book for babies and toddlers. As all Elmo Sesame Street books, this is cute.
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My Fuzzy Valentine