Monday, December 31, 2012

'Honey the Hero! (A Bird Brain Book)' Book Tour



BLURB:

Honey, an inquisitive young parakeet living in the Australian Outback, decides to become a superhero after she spies a human family watching Superman. Since she already has the power of flight, all she needs to do is create a costume to conceal her true identity and then fly off in search of animals that need rescuing.

Unfortunately, every time she tries to help, Honey only ends up making matters worse. She spoils Kangaroo’s game of hide-and-go-seek by revealing his hiding place to Wallaby; Mr. Anteater must go hungry when she alerts the ants to his presence, and Mrs. Koala is made a laughingstock among bears when Honey pretends to be her Joey. Finally realizing that she’s not as heroic as she’d like, Honey gives up her day-saving efforts.

But what happens when someone actually needs Honey’s help? Will she rise to the challenge?


**My thoughts**

How many kids do you know who are like Honey? How many times have you been Honey? I think most people can relate to that desire to help, only to have it backfire. It happens to all of us at one point or another. Honey learns an important lesson to take a step back and assess a situation before diving in to help. Too often we dive in before our help is really needed.  If we are patient, we will be able to help in a special way that only we can.

I think kids will appreciate and relate to the superhero aspect, as they all want to be superheroes in their own right. After reading this book, you can have a discussion with them about ways in which they can be superheroes in their lives. 

Another great Bird Brain book. :-)


Buy links: Amazon \ Kindle     

BIO:  

Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity. Best known for her Young Adult novels, she is also developing a small, but devoted, following to her children's book series and is beginning to dapple in other genres as well. Emlyn enjoys connecting with readers and is available via almost every social media site in existence. Visit EmlynChand.com for more info. Don't forget to say "hi" to her sun conure Ducky!

ONLINE LINKS:
         Website & Blog:  www.emlynchand.com
         Facebook:  www.facebook.com/emlynchand
         Twitter:  www.twitter.com/emlynchand
         Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/emlynchand
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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Review of 'Ethan's Story: My Life With Autism'

Book blurb from Amazon:

When Ethan Rice was four years old, he was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. Hedecided that he wanted to tell his first grade class that he had autism on his seventh birthday. His parents asked him many questions about what having autism felt like for him and wrote his answers down as a reference for when he told his class. Those answers are now published so more people can understand what it is like to have autism. While each child on the spectrum has unique challenges and strengths, Ethan's Story; My Life with Autism is Ethan's own story.

**My thoughts**

I snatched up this book during an Anchor Publishing Group sale for Kindle and wish I also had it in paperback. Autism is near and dear to my heart, as I have several friends with children with autism and have also taught many. They are some of my favorite kids, because I love the way their minds work. They really are just kids whose brains work differently.

Ethan decided to write this book to help explain to his classmates what it meant for him to have autism. He first points out how kids are the same because they are all different. And then that his brain works differently than most of theirs. He then explains why he does the things he does, and ways in which they can help him. He also shares how autism is a great gift and his pride in being the boy that God created. 

I admire him for doing this. I want to read it to all kids, and to many adults, to emphasize that these kids are good kids. They look at life differently and require a bit of tweaking in how you interact with them. But they are still wonderful people. I hope people can learn from Ethan.

Buy links: Paperback / Kindle 

Monday, December 17, 2012

'Poppy the Proud (A Bird Brain Book)' Book Tour



BLURB:

Poppy is the prettiest peacock in the entire garden, but one day his privileged existence is upset when an all-white peacock is born and promptly named the most beautiful by a smitten flock. Intensely jealous, Poppy no longer knows where he fits in and decides to reclaim his title as the fairest bird in all the land, no matter what it takes.

In a desperate attempt to regain the admiration of his peers, Poppy steals items from the humans that visit his park. He wraps himself in a beautiful silk scarf, wears a series of ornate bangles around his neck, and even tries to dye his feathers with colored dust from a festive Holi celebration. Unfortunately, each of these attempts not only fails to improve his appearance, they actually make it worse. What’s a poor bird to do?

In this compelling tale of self-esteem, pride, and learning what makes each of us special, Poppy the peacock discovers that true beauty lies beneath the feathers.

**My thoughts**

I enjoyed this fairy tale.  It is a story that has been told so many different ways over the years, yet continues to be relevant. Children need to learn compassion for each other for who they are. Snow is an excellent role model for acceptance. Children also need to learn to be happy for being themselves. Poppy eventually learns this lesson. I think many children will easily learn the lesson contained within and will be able to relate to Poppy.

The illustrations were fun and captured the gist of the story.

This is a story I would recommend for children ages 4 and up. 

I shared this story with a six year-old boy. He also enjoyed the pictures, exclaiming, "Wow!" every time I turned a page to reveal a new illustration. He chuckled here and there as Poppy made a fool of himself, trying to show off. He smiled when Snow helped Poppy realize that he was still beautiful in his own way. 

He gave me the following review:

"Tell the author that I felt sad when the other animals were making fun of Poppy. And tell her that I felt happy when Snow made Poppy feel better. And tell her that I liked her book."

So, there you have it, out of the mouths of babes.

I continue to look forward to reading more of the books in this series.

Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle      

 
BIO:  Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity. Best known for her Young Adult novels, she is also developing a small, but devoted, following to her children's book series and is beginning to dapple in other genres as well. Emlyn enjoys connecting with readers and is available via almost every social media site in existence. Visit EmlynChand.com for more info. Don't forget to say "hi" to her sun conure Ducky!

ONLINE LINKS:
         Website & Blog:  www.emlynchand.com
         Facebook:  www.facebook.com/emlynchand
         Twitter:  www.twitter.com/emlynchand
         Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/emlynchand

Saturday, December 8, 2012

6 Free Christmas Books for Kids - December 8, 2012

Free is always a good thing! Check out this collection of Christmas freebies for kids.

Please note that these books are free at the time of posting. Free status can and does change without notice. Always verify the buy price, instead of the borrow price.

The Christmas Stories Book
   
Blurb from Amazon:
The Christmas Stories Book 1 includes 5 interesting, simple and easy to read books for young children who are learning to read. The books include: The Christmas Alphabet, Have You Been Good, Thank You Santa, Letter To Santa and The Night Before Christmas. The stories have simple words and sentences, repeated words, lots of pictures and flashcards with sight words at the end of each story.

These books are the perfect opportunity to introduce your child to the joys of reading.They are suitable for children aged from 2 to 6 years of age who are beginner readers. These easy sight word books will turn your child onto reading, giving them to confidence to read by themselves. At the end of each story they can practice reading the sight words in each book. This is the perfect introduction to reading!

Katrina Kahler is an award winning teacher (National Inspirational Teacher Award) who has been teaching children to read for 30 years. Her 'I Am A Reader' Series contain books that are perfect for fostering your child's ability to read.

The Christmas Stories Book 2 gives another 5 interesting easy to read sight word books. The titles include: The Very Hungry Santa, Where Is Rudolph, Santa's Message, All About Santa and Christmas Wishes. Your child will love all of these stories and read them over and over again.

Download for your Kindle: http://amzn.to/RhVZWJ

12 Days of Christmas: A Christmas Counting Book for Kids

Blurb from Amazon:
The 12 Days of Christmas is a fun and colorful Christmas Book for kids who love to count. A lovable version of the all-time favorite children's Christmas song filled with colorful illustrations and simple text, perfect for little readers.

This cheerful Christmas book for kids has simple lower case text and clear, legible, numbers so little learners will be able to identify and follow along with the story. Each of the 12 Days of Christmas has its own page, complete with the number of the day and a matching number of items to count.

Children will have fun reading along with the main character, Ella, as she invites readers to join her and her Daddy in reading and counting each of the 12 Days of Christmas. New for 2012, it is sure to become one of your little one's favorite Christmas books for Kindle.

Download for your Kindle: http://amzn.to/YYvK9G

The 'Christmouse' Boot
 
Blurb from Amazon:
On a beautiful, snowy Christmas Eve, Father Christmas is making his deliveries ~ but he soon discovers that he has a huge problem! A huge problem for Santa Claus, on Christmas Eve, could easily become a huge problem for all of the children of the world, unless he can get help ~ and quickly! Luckily, two very little creatures, with great big hearts, are on hand ~ Miriam and Marcus Mouse!

This is a heart-warming seasonal tale, which would make an ideal December bedtime story for young children.

Download for your Kindle: http://amzn.to/SOgton

Santa's Diary

Blurb from Amazon:
A unique opportunity to hear Santa's story first hand. Find out how he gets down chimneys, visits everyone and hear amusing elf tales.

A quick message from Santa ...

Hello everyone, and welcome to my diary.
People have been asking me for years to write about my experiences and what's going on in my world. So I have finally given in and I'm going to share with you all what I'm getting up to. I’ll be keeping a record here of all my preparations for Christmas and news for the next fews month. And what a time it's going to be. The elves are already hard at work, and Rudolf and the other Reindeer are well rested. We’re all looking forward to another great Christmas. I hope you’ll read this diary regularly and send me lots of nice letters, and even track my movements over the coming month.

Download for your Kindle: http://amzn.to/SGFMr1

Harold and the Bad Dog Xmas Puppy

Blurb from Amazon:
Harold, the Golden Retriever, is having another strange Christmas. First he hears the people in the church talking about him again. Its amazing how this happens on Xmas! "Harold be your name," the people are saying. "Your Will be Done." Of course, Harold is really happy about this. But then another strange thing happens--the dad brings home a Xmas puppy. Prince, the Tibetan Terrier, wants Harold's doggy biscuits. And he has his eye on the turkey. Then Prince knocks over the Xmas candles. Can Harold saved Xmas again?

Download for your Kindle: http://amzn.to/TLL0UC

Letters from Santa: A Christmas Alphabet

Blurb from Amazon:

Santa shares his favorite things about Christmas in this alphabet book. Learn the ABCs with holiday cheer and a fun rhyming children's book about Christmas. For children ages 2-5.  

Download for your Kindle: http://amzn.to/12dVnCx

The Frizzy Tizzy series


Frizzy Tizzy Goes to the Park is the latest in a series by author Wendy Hinbest. I reviewed it a few weeks ago, by sharing my eARC on my Kindle Fire with my preschool and kindergarten students. The other day, I was getting out the Kindle to start another review book with them. They got very excited and started calling out, "Frizzy Tizzy?! Are we reading more Frizzy Tizzy?!"

That is a HUGE compliment to the author!

Check out this excerpt from Frizzy Tizzy Goes to the Park and then preview other books in this series.

Frizzy Tizzy climbed the stairs to go down the slide, but when she got to the top she was afraid to go down. Frizzy Tizzy felt the ground looked so far from up there.

“What’s wrong, Frizzy Tizzy?” asked Mommy.

“I’m scared to go down,” answered Frizzy Tizzy. She turned around and noticed a little girl standing behind her. 





Frizzy Tizzy attempts to face her fears and begins to second guess herself, until she realizes things are not always what they seem.


Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle












Amazon Blurb:

Frizzy Tizzy plans to have a camp-out with Mommy, Daddy and her friend Emma, but plans change when it starts to rain.

Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle











Amazon Blurb:

Frizzy Tizzy is enjoying her day with Mommy and Daddy, but is devastated when one of her favourite shoes gets ruined. What will Frizzy Tizzy do about her shoes?

Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle












Amazon Blurb:

Frizzy Tizzy really wants to go outside and play with Emma, but she's not allowed until she cleans up her toys.

Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle











Amazon Blurb:


Frizzy Tizzy loves music and loves to dance. She looks forward to going to dance class and gets upset when it's time to go home. Mommy and Daddy help Frizzy Tizzy turn her frown upside down.

Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle






Meet Wendy Hinbest:

I like writing children's books and blogging. I live in Burlington, Ontario with my husband and three young children. I have an Early Childhood Education diploma and I am certified to teach children from birth to six years including children with special needs. I have worked with many children and have read many books to them. My
daughters enjoy the books I read to them so I decided to write books of my own. I am also a real estate agent.

Links

Website: http://www.frizzytizzy.com

Blog: http://frizzytizzy.blogspot.ca
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wendybooks1
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/frizzytizzybooks?ref=hl

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/105622797279713054090/posts?hl=en (Google Plus)
Amazon: amazon.com/author/wendyhinbest

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5216542.Wendy_Hinbest
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/whinbest

Monday, November 26, 2012

'The Tale of the Tooth Fairy' Storybook Set Giveaway



This Giveaway is Hosted by Jenn, Mom of Two Munchkins.


Just in time for the holidays, you can win your little ones a storybook set about the Tooth Fairy! Visit the sponsor, The Tale of the Tooth Fairy, for more information about the book and storybook set. You can also preview the book online!

Click here for the full review by Jenn.



Jenn, Mom Of Two Munchkins was provided with a free sample of this product to review, and was under no obligation to review it.  Nor was Jenn, Mom Of Two Munchkins under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  Jenn, Mom Of Two Munchkins and Andi's Kids Books are not responsible for shipping of prize. The Tale of The Tooth Fairy has the sole responsibility for shipping of prize.  Prize value is approximately $34.95.

'Courtney Saves Christmas (A Bird Brain Book) Book Tour



BLURB:

Courtney is a peppy young penguin who just loves exploring, and is overjoyed when she receives a compass from Santa on Christmas morning. She’s so grateful for the gift, in fact, that she just needs to give Santa a great big hug and say “Thank you!” in person. The only problem is she lives in the South Pole, and Santa is all the way on the other side of the globe!

With the aid of her new compass, Courtney sets off on a journey that takes her almost an entire year. By the time she reaches Santa’s workshop, the elves are in a flurry preparing for the upcoming holiday. Unfortunately, Rudolph is feeling very sick—too sick to guide the sleigh. If Courtney can’t find a way to help, Christmas will be ruined and all the children of the world will be devastated. What’s a little penguin to do?

 **My thoughts**

So many stories exist in which a character grows and finds new strength within herself as she saves the Christmas holiday. This one is really cute, though, and worth being added to your Christmas list. Courtney has a love of exploration, which leads her to her greatest adventure ever. It's also a good lesson in being grateful for what you are given and stepping up to help when needed.

This is my first Bird Brain book. I really liked it and the idea of using birds to tell stories. I also caught a hint of science as they talked about how to tell direction with the compass and how penguins live in the South Pole. Also, the mention of ostriches living in Africa can lead to research and discussion about habitats. I look forward to checking out the rest of them.

This is a picture book, but the story is long. Your youngest kids may not be able to sit through the entire book all at once, but older ones will. Another option would be to break it up into sections while reading it with really young ones.


Buy link: http://amzn.to/TY6R6a

 
BIO:   

Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity. Best known for her Young Adult novels, she is also developing a small, but devoted, following to her children's book series and is beginning to dapple in other genres as well. Emlyn enjoys connecting with readers and is available via almost every social media site in existence. Visit EmlynChand.com for more info. Don't forget to say "hi" to her sun conure Ducky!
 
ONLINE LINKS:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, November 16, 2012

'Frizzy Tizzy Goes to the Park' Book Tour


Title: Frizzy Tizzy Goes to the Park

Author: Wendy Hinbest

Genre: Picture Book, Children’s Book 
 
Frizzy Tizzy attempts to face her fears and begins to second guess herself, until she realizes things are not always what they seem.




Book Excerpt
Frizzy Tizzy climbed the stairs to go down the slide, but when she got to the top she was
afraid to go down.  Frizzy Tizzy felt the ground looked so far from up there.

“What’s wrong, Frizzy Tizzy?” asked Mommy.
           
I’m scared to go down,” answered Frizzy Tizzy.  She turned around and noticed a little girl standing behind her.

**My thoughts**

I thought the book was cute. Frizzy Tizzy is afraid to go down the slide at the park, which is a common fear of young children. She meets another little girl, who offers to go down with her. She realizes it isn't so scary after all! She makes a new friend and conquers one of her fears. It is a sweet story of friendship and facing your fears that isn't  preachy about being a good friend, nor drawn out in explaining why you have to face your fears. It is a simple story that children can relate to and will enjoy sharing. Plus, Frizzy Tizzy is great fun with all of that hair!

**My students' thoughts**

I shared this book with my full day group of students, who range in age from 4-6. Here are a few of their critical comments:

"Look at her hair! That's cool!"

"Why is she afraid of that slide? That's not that big!"

~~Titters and giggles throughout~~

"That book was excellent!"

"I loved it!"

"Super book!"

~~Many thumbs up~~ 



Author Bio

I like writing children's books and blogging. I live in Burlington, Ontario with my husband and three young children. I have an Early Childhood Education diploma and I am certified to teach children from
birth to six years including children with special needs. I have worked with many children and have read many books to them. My daughters enjoy the books I read to them so I decided to write books of my own. I am also a real estate agent.

Links

Sunday, October 21, 2012

5 free Halloween books for kids

Halloween is just around the corner! Check out some of these freebies that I found today.

Please note that the free status of books can and often does change without notice. Please verify that the actual buy price still says $0.00. The Prime price is something different. You can click on a book cover or the indicated link to order it and other books on Amazon.

Baby's Halloween Trick or Treat - A Picture Book for Children (Spot It Series)

A cat has hidden all the Halloween goodies. Children (Ages 1 – 3) have to find these candies and other surprises in each page.

Adorable babies dressed in Halloween costumes are beautifully illustrated in this delightful book.

The Halloween treats are partly hidden in the page for the child to discover!

If your child likes to point out objects, then your child will fall in love with ‘Baby's Halloween Trick or Treat’.

Early readers can practice their reading skills by reading the simple sentences while the bright Halloween Illustrations in each page will hold their interest.

Happy Halloween! 


Click here to download for Kindle. 

Halloween for Kids/Halloween Para Ninos

Now you can enjoy Andrew Miller’s best-selling “Halloween For Kids” in a bilingual English-Spanish version!

That’s right, this fun Early Readers Book is now more educational than ever. Your child can now read the original English version and the newly translated Spanish version side-by-side.

If you have ever wished your child could learn Spanish in an easy, enjoyable way, this is it!

Each sentence is meticulously translated to retain the original meaning and tone. Your child will associate familiar Halloween terms and facts with their Spanish counterparts.

In this way, your child will absorb the Spanish language effortlessly and quickly, and it won’t even feel like “learning.”

*****

Is your child REALLY into Halloween? Then this will be the perfect picture and early readers book.

You and your child will discover fun and fascinating facts about this unique holiday, its mysterious traditions, and its intriguing history.

Including…

* FULL-COLOR pictures and illustrations of Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns, masks, witches, black cats, and much more - your child will love them.

* Why you should look out for spiders on Halloween.

* When you should expect a full moon on Halloween.

* What the most popular Halloween colors really mean.

* What 3 names do monsters call humans? Hilarious answer.

* Did you know that "Jack-O-Lanterns" were not always pumpkins? Find out their surprising origins.

* What do you call a skeleton that won't work? You’ll laugh at the answer.

* Why do people wear masks and costumes on Halloween?

* Where does the Jack-O-Lantern tradition come from?

* What kind of witch lives at the beach? Your child will love this joke.

* Who were the first trick-or-treaters?

* Want to see a witch on Halloween? Here's the secret.

* Kids: watch out for "hungry" parents! Here are the candies that parents like to snatch from kids' trick-or-treat bags.

…and so much more!

Includes FULL-COLOR photos and images of Halloween skeletons, candy, cemeteries and more to make you and your child laugh and learn about this holiday.

So get ready to spend quality time together with your child as you enjoy seeing Halloween pictures and learning fun and intriguing facts about Halloween. 


Click here to download for Kindle. 

My Happy Halloween Book

A black cat.

A haunted house.

Orange pumpkins.

It's Halloween time! My Happy Halloween Book is a picture and sight word book for young children ages 0-4 years. In this beginning reader, your child will learn sight words such as little, big, fly, get, has, want, brown, and round. Fun Halloween themed illustrations accompany the simple text. Your child will build their reading confidence and feel proud when they are able to read this book!

Click here to download for Kindle.

H is for Halloween (A Children's Alphabet Book for Halloween) + Free Games

"H is for Halloween" teaches children the alphabet in a fun way.

✓ Bonus Halloween Games Included

Colorful, high quality illustrations are combined with rhymes to reinforce learning the alphabet. This book contains 26 full color illustrated pages of pictures.

Click here to download for Kindle.

Trick or Treat Street: An (un)scary Halloween ebook for kids

Here's what happened in my street,
last year, when we played Trick or Treat...

What can you do if you can't find a costume for Trick or Treating? Find out in this gentle funny story by bestselling author Moira Butterfield. It's not scary at all. The charming pictures and well-crafted rhymes will make you smile, not shiver, and it's perfect for children of all ages.

For more from Little Star Books, including regular free downloads and play ideas, visit www.littlestarbooks.com.

Click here to download for Kindle.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Free Blogger Opp - $200 Have It Your Way Giveaway for October & November

   
FREE Blogger Opportunity! 
We will be giving away $200, in their Have it your way event! How will this work? Whatever the winner wants, the winner will get! Kindle Fire, PayPal Cash, Amazing, Wal-Mart, Target! Who cares, they get just what they want! Blogger get FREE Facebook llink with the option to purchase additional links! 
About the event:
  • Prize: Whatever you want up to $200 (shipping included) Do you want a Kindle Fire? Maybe an iPod, hummm maybe gift card to Target, oh wait Paypal cash? We don't care we want you to have it your way! So let the games begin, and let's have some fun with this one!
  •  
  • We're celebrating the lunch of Pink Ninja Media and we would love for your to join us!
    • November 5, 2012 and end on December 5, 2012
    • FREE Facebook Link - With Announcement Post
    • Winner will receive $200 anything they want - if they choose a product shipping is included in the $200.
    • Additional links will be $2 - Daily Votes $3 - Paid links will be moved up on Rafflecopter.
    • Sign up HERE

    Monday, September 17, 2012

    Fall Into Books Giveaway Hop September 17-30

    Fall Into Books

    Welcome to the Fall Into Books Giveaway Hop hosted by Literary Addicts. This event takes place September 17-30 and each blog is hosting their own book themed giveaway worth at least $10 in value.

    On this book blog for kids, I am giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to one lucky winner. You can use it toward anything you like, to help you and your family Fall Into Reading once again. Multiple entries are available via the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

    You can also try to win another gift card over on Andi's Middle Grade and Chapter Books.

    Join us September 21st from 1pm - 7pm EST for a HUGE author EVENT. There will be Fun prizes and Find new books! Literary Addicts is the Sponsor.

    Thanks for participating!




    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Monday, September 3, 2012

    'Oopsy, Teacher!'

    Even the best teachers can have an oopsy day. Sometimes things just don't go their way.

    Uh-oh! Mr. Bungles drips jam on his tie at breakfast. His students play a trick on him at school. And the class hamster Nibbles escapes from his cage! Mr. Bungles and the class chase Nibbles through the halls and into town. But can they catch the hamster?







    Buy OOPSY, TEACHER! : click here
    Stephanie Calmenson on Facebook : click here
    Stephanie Calmenson's Website : click here


    Print Editions:
    Format: Hardcover
    Publication Date:August 01, 2012
    Pages:32
    Trim Size:10 5/8 x 8 7/8
    ISBN:9780761358947
    List Price:$16.95 USD


    eBook Editions:
    Media Type: Microsoft Reader
    File Size:0
    Pub Date:August 01, 2012
    ISBN:9781580139991
    Price:$12.95 USD

    Information provided by the publisher via NetGalley.



    Monday, August 20, 2012

    'When Helping Kids Find Books They Love, Don’t Forget Nonfiction' Guest Post by Bridget Heos

    Today's guest post comes from author Bridget Leos. I reviewed her book What to Expect When You're Expecting Hatchlings a few weeks ago. Here is why you need to try out more nonfiction no your kids.

    When Helping Kids Find Books They Love, Don’t Forget Nonfiction

    By Bridget Heos

    When I was a kid, I had a habit of snooping. I think I would have been one of those amateur detectives except that nothing good ever happened in my neighborhood, meaning nothing bad. While snooping around on my brother’s bookshelf, I found that he had inscribed in an early reader about Jackie Robinson, “This is the greatest book I’ve ever read!” Other favorite books of his included a story about germs and a biography of St. Luke the physician. I guess even then I was interested in what kinds of books people liked.

    When I started taking my oldest son to the library, I soon realized that he loved nonfiction, too, and as a matter of fact, wanted nothing to do with fiction. That meant there would be no weepy-eyed readings of The Giving Tree or The Velveteen Rabbit, which I had imagined would conclude every day of motherhood. We would be reading about turtles. And then dinosaurs. And then insects. Then tide pools. And finally mammals. As it turned out, I kind of liked these books. Pretty soon, as a freelance newspaper and magazine writer, I asked myself who was writing these books, and learned that they were written by freelance writers like me. That’s how I became a children’s book writer.

    My son now reads both fiction and nonfiction, but much of the fiction he reads is based on fact. Meanwhile, my middle son prefers Guinness Book-type books, as well as picture book biographies. Only my youngest son prefers fiction. My husband also tends to read about half nonfiction—in the form of sports biographies. I read about half and half, as well. So about three-fifths of our household reading time is dedicated to nonfiction.

    I think it’s important, as parents or teachers, to figure out what kinds of books kids like, and to know that many kids prefer nonfiction (and often nonfiction about one topic in particular, animals, for instance, or fighter planes.) Without the option of the books they really want to read, they may be labeled nonreaders or reluctant readers.

    I think we’re all reluctant readers to some extent. I’m a reluctant reader of Pokémon handbooks. I dread reading them to my children even though reading to them is my favorite part of the day. I hide Pokémon handbooks so that I don’t have to read them. If every book I had the option of reading were a Pokémon book, I would not read. I think that’s how a lot of people feel about books they don’t like.

    When trying to find books that kids DO like, be sure to include lots of nonfiction options. You may be surprised by how many “reluctant” readers turn out to be voracious readers. And if you are a nonfiction reader yourself, I encourage you to share this enthusiasm with the kids you know, so that they can see that being a voracious reader includes being a devourer of facts.

    Check out her book What to Expect When You're Expecting Hatchlings and explore her other titles through the link below:

     

    Sunday, August 19, 2012

    Review of 'Teddy's Camp: On a Bearish Adventure Into the Woods'

    Book Blurb:

    Teddy gets on the bus to start off for camp, sad to part."

    Teddy takes his adventure to the next level - off to summer camp to meet new friends and explore the woods. Follow along and you'll see that every step away will bring you closer to home. Isn't it exciting?

    Experience the wonders of summer camp with Teddy and his new friends:
    • Meet some crazy counselors
    • Stay in a cabin
    • Swim to your heart's content
    • Take a grassy nap
    • Make tie-dye t-shirts
    • Sail away with the wind at your tail
    • Race the waves with your friends
    • Horseback riding - Woo Hoo!
    • Campfires and songs galore
    Take the journey with Teddy on his first trip away from home... off to summer camp for to make new friends from all over the world and together go on new adventures.

    Cast of Characters:

    Teddy R. LeBear
    Benjamin Ursinae Brown
    Kenneth C. Koala
    William B. Polar
    Evan Hwan-ung Moon

    With guest appearances by:

    Mom - the coolest bear of them all
    Counselor Kieth "Grizzly Tail" Kodiak

    **My thoughts**
    The story is a cute way to introduce young children what they can look forward to when going to camp. It also shows how there is an element of sadness when first going away to camp, then happiness while having fun, and finally sadness at having to leave camp. I also appreciated Mom sniffling as she sent her little bear off to camp. Moms often have a little sadness when their young ones go away for a little while, as well.

    The illustrations clearly show Teddy and his friends having a great time while they are at camp. The text is written in a rhyming format. Sometimes it works for me; other times it doesn't. A couple of times, the phrases suddenly don't rhyme at all, which throws off the entire rhythm of the book for me. Other rhymes felt like a bit of a stretch. I know it is difficult to get a story across with good rhymes. I feel like you need to decide to either have rhyming or not, for consistency.

    Nevertheless, it is one that kids are going to enjoy. It will get them excited to go to camp and to discover their own potential adventures. I look forward to checking out some of Teddy's other adventures. 
     



    I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.