Monday, February 27, 2012
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday:
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Book Review: Latasha & the Little Red Tornado by Michael Scotto
Friday, February 24, 2012
Book Review: What Makes a Rainbow? by Betty Ann Schwartz
Babies, toddlers and preschoolers love nothing more than an interactive book. And What Makes a Rainbow illustrates, using threaded ribbons on each page, all the colors in a rainbow. The story follows little rabbit as he asks fellow animals what makes a rainbow. Each animal, of course, has a different answer.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Book Review: A Snowman Named Just Bob by Mark Kimball Moulton
"Friendship is a simple thing,The clue is just to start,As long as it is built on trust,And love from in your heart.
A snowman is built with the help of the boy's family and the boy decides to name him "just 'Bob'". When the snowman talks at the end of the story, no one is more shocked than the boy. But for the reader it is a gentle reminder that seasons do change and perhaps all we need is a sign (as a reminder of cooler days and snowy fun) that "just 'Bob was here'".
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Book Review: Martin MacGregor's Snowman by Lisa Broadie Cook
It's so frustrating when the weather doesn't cooperate with the season. My kids have experienced a very snow-less winter and yes, we live in snow country. This story for us is, therefore, very timely. Martin doesn't want to wait for the snow to actually start because the previous year he built the biggest snowman ever. So he sets about trying different things -- making snowman marshmallows in hot chocolate, pouring flour on his baby sister, gluing cotton balls to his dog and even dressing himself in bubble bath bubbles.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Seeds of Rebellion (Beyonders #2) By Brandon Mull
Meanwhile, Rachel and the others have discovered new enemies—as well as new abilities that could turn the tide of the entire quest. And as soon as Jason succeeds in crossing over to Lyrian, he’s in more danger than ever. Once the group reunites, they strive to convince their most-needed ally to join the war and form a rebellion strong enough to triumph over Maldor. At the center of it all, Jason and Rachel realize what roles they’re meant to play—and the answers are as surprising as they are gripping. -quoted from Goodreads
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Book Review: Standing in the Light, The Diary of Catharine Carey Logan (Dear America Series) by Mary Pope Osborne
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Book Review: The Night Before Valentine's Day by Natasha Wing
Illustrated by: Heidi Petach
Publisher: Penguin Group, USA
Published Date:
Source: Purchased
Ages: 4 - 8 years
Purchase: Barnes and Noble | IndieBound
Synopsis: Kids dream of candy hearts in another funny take-off on Clement C. Moore's beloved poem. The next day at school is a day of parties and games-and a surprise visitor bearing a Valentine gift for the whole class!
My kids and I love the familiar rhythm of Clement C. Moore's poem and set to the theme of Valentine's Day makes it even more interesting because we look forward to the changes made from the original. For example instead of sugarplums dancing, there are "visions of candy hearts".
But, the best part of the story is how Natasha incorporates the Valentine's Day rituals of elementary school aged children -- exchange of valentines, a class party, a delivery of a bouquet to the teacher from a secret admirer (that the class recognizes) and how the principal dressed up as Cupid! This is somthing that both my children and I relate to and laugh at. Any book that can make generations laugh together is a good one in my opinion. Be sure to pick this book up at the Valentines Day displays at your favorite bookstore.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Book Review: WINTERLING by Sarah Prineas
By: Sarah Prineas
Book Review: The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll
Ages: 3 - 5 years
But then Desmond and Clayton realize that by working together they can make the biggest, best valentine ever!
Kids can use the colorful foil stickers to make their own valentines!
The lesson of working together is an important one for all ages. Heck, I still need a reminder myself. Having my third grader read this outloud to our family, reminded me of the pressure we all feel to create something that is THE BIGGEST and BEST in all the world. I do this with kids' birthday parties. My kids do this with homemade gifts especially those for a favorite teacher.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Book Review: Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat
Ages: 5-7 years
Oh, the pain of writing out Valentine's Day cards. I just went through this with my youngest two kids. This story illustrates how tricky it can be to personalize the sentiment inside cards. Should you be mean to those who were not nice to you? Should you sign someone else's name to them? Well, Gilbert does both and the pain of watching your classmates get mad at each other wears on him. Also, the fact that people eventually figure out who wrote the "bad" cards is a valuable lesson.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday: Caddy's World by Hilary McKay
When her charmingly dense boyfriend dumps her, Caddy is at her wits’ end. Then she discovers that the fragile baby she is so afraid of losing is not an ending, but a beginning for her whole family. And that love and friendship don’t need to be destroyed by change—they can be strengthened. Another refreshingly wise, funny, and poignant novel from the inimitable Hilary McKay. -quoted from Goodreads
Book Review: The Biggest, Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Book Review: Princess of the Wild Swans by Diane Zahler
By: Diane Zahler
Princess Meriel's brothers have been cursed. A terrible enchantment--cast by their conniving new stepmother--has transformed the handsome princes into swans. They now swim forlornly on a beautiful heart-shaped lake that lies just beyond the castle walls.
Meriel will do whatever it takes to rescue her beloved brothers. But she must act quickly. If Heart Lake freezes, her brothers will be forced to fly south or perish.
With help from her newfound friends Riona and Liam--a pretty half-witch and her clever brother--Meriel vows to finish a seemingly impossible task. If she completes it, her brothers may be saved.
But if she fails . . . all will be lost. -quoted from Goodreads
Monday, February 13, 2012
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
By: Christopher Healy
Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You've never head of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as "Prince Charming." But all of this is about to change...
Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Guztav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it's up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other associated terrors to becom the heroes no one ever thought they could be.
This title is the first in a series about the adventures of Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav. The second title is due out in 2013 -quoted from Goodreads
A Celebration of Love Series: Book Review #7: Just Because You're Mine by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The answer is a heartwarming testament to a parent's love for a child. From "New York Times" bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrator Frank Endersby comes a classic story about the nature of unconditional love. - quoted from Goodreads
I thought this was a cute children's book and it's one my kids enjoyed, which is always a big thing for me. It's a story about a young squirrel who guesses all the reasons why his daddy loves him, and in the end of a fun day playing in the woods with his dad he learns it's, because he's his daddy's own. Certain parts of this reminded me of Love You Forever, which at first started to turn me off of the story, but I felt as the story went on there were plenty of differences to make this book enjoyable in it's own right. The illustrations alone are fabulous! My daughter loved looking at each page's adorable pictures.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Book Review & Author Interview: All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Book Review: When Will This Cruel War Be Over?, The Diary of Emma Simpson, Dear America by Barry Denenberg
By: Barry Denenberg