Review of Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs by Clint Greenleaf

The Big Bad Wolf is back, and he's blowing down houses in the forest, one by one. The Three Little Pigs hatch a plan to help other animals weather the wolf's mighty lungs. They start a building company, offering strong homes built of brick, just like theirs.

Demand is high for the brick homes the Pigs build, and their business becomes a success. Now they need to figure out what they should do with their hard-earned profits.

One little Pig wants to spend away, another wants to give it away, and the third wants to save it. Based on the give-save-spend-concept, this sequel to the classic fairy tale teaches kids a safe and practical approach to managing money.

Schools don't teach basic finance, and most books about money are too confusing for younger children. An entertaining first step in any child's education, Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs is easy to read and understand.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
This is a clever book taking a familiar fairy tale and turning it into something educational. The Big Bad Wolf is harassing all of the animals by blowing their houses down. The Three Little Pigs have found success with their brick house, so other animals want one also.  The enterprising pigs start a business and rake in the money. But what to do with all of that extra cash? Each one has a different idea. One wants to spend it on fun things. One wants to give it away to help others. And one wants to save for a rainy day or emergencies. The best thing to do is all three! 

So this is a fun way to introduce that concept to kids, about spending some, using some to help others, and saving some for when you really need it. It's a fun story and has the educational piece that will appeal to young readers. I enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for fulfilling my request for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Spending and Saving by Mary Lindeen

Describes how people get money and what they can do with it once they have it, such as: spending, saving, or giving it away. An early economics book that includes a note to caregivers, reading activities, and a word list.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
I want to start by saying that I appreciate that this nonfiction book uses real photographs for its illustrations. That really helps to make the concepts more relatable and a little bit more concrete for the young readers.

It's a simple explanation about what people can do with the money that they earn and really emphasizes the importance of saving and how once it is spent, it is gone. That's an important concept to instill in children at a young age. I think this is a good addition to a collection of books and materials that you could use in the classroom or at home when teaching children about money.

This book says that it is a Beginning-to-Read book, but it is definitely not for the early reader, so don't start with this one for your young reader. After some experience, they will be ready for this. You do get a word list in back that you can use to help kids learn the words in this book and work up to reading it on their own. There are also a lot of other activities in the back for parents and teachers to use. The author is a former elementary teacher, so there is good information in the back.

I gave it 4.5 stars overall. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for honoring my request for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of If... by Sarah Perry (25th Anniversary Edition)

Take a fantastical journey through an inspiring world where anything can happen: leaves turn into fish, cats fly with wings, humans have tails, frogs eat rainbows, and dreams become visible.

First published in 1995, Sarah Perry’s delightful picture book of “surreal possibilities” was the Getty’s first children’s title. Twenty-five years later it remains a visual feast that children of all ages enjoy.

Reissued to celebrate a remarkable book’s 25th anniversary, this enhanced edition includes new illustrations and a reader’s guide to the secrets of If… and is sure to appeal to a brand-new generation.

Recommended for ages three and up.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
Dear God, how did I somehow miss this book over the past 25 years? It is an absolutely stunning piece of work and needs to be a part of every child's library! It stretches the imagination with wacky ideas like what would happen if frogs ate rainbows and then turns them into illustrated interpretations of each statement. The drawings/paintings are breathtakingly beautiful and really make you think. You could have so many discussions about different ways to interpret each of these sayings and try to create your own interpretations. Plus the book is almost open-ended, allowing you to think of even more on your own. And again, it just gorgeous. I think my favorites are the dogs as mountains and holding music. Although the toes as teeth is amusing. They are all just wonderful and a great introduction to surreal art, which is one of my favorite styles.

There's a Readers' Guide at the end of this with some explanations as well as other thought-provoking questions. 

I quite emphatically give this book 5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Help Wanted: Must Love Books by Janet Sumner Johnson

Shailey loves bedtime, especially reading with her dad. But her dad starts a new job, and it gets in the way of their bedtime routine. So Shailey takes action! She fires her dad, posts a Help Wanted sign, and starts interviews immediately. She is thrilled when her favorite characters from fairytales line up to apply. But Sleeping Beauty can't stay awake, the Gingerbread Man steals her book, and Snow White brings along her whole team. Shailey is running out of options. Is bedtime ruined forever?

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

**My thoughts**
Shailey loves her bedtime stories and especially the special bonding time that she shares with her father as he reads to her every night. But then he gets a new job, and it takes a lot of time away from her. He's constantly busy and simply doesn't have the time to read to her that he once had. So she takes it upon herself to put up a Help Wanted sign, seeking someone new to read her those beloved bedtime stories.

A crazy parade of applicants comes marching through the door, each one more disastrous than the last. Shailey finds herself constantly amending the job description, hoping to find that truly perfect person to read to her. You'll have fun checking out all of these new characters, because you're going to recognize them all.

And then finally the last applicant walks through the door. And he's absolutely perfect. 

I absolutely adored this story. I love the illustrations that show all of the different characters from Shailey's beloved bedtime stories. (See how many you recognize and then go find those books to read!) The resumes at the end of the book also cracked me up.

I love the feelings evoked by the pictures of her curling up with her father in the rocking chair as he reads bedtime stories to her. I have such fond memories of my parents reading to me when I was young. And I love the message that it is sending to parents.

As adults these days, we are getting busier and busier and sometimes forget about the little ones' lives also being affected. It's imperative that we remember those things that are the most important, such as creating those memories of story time, not to mention how important it is to children's language development to be read to on a regular basis. 

Janet Sumner Johnson has hit the ball out of the park with her debut picture book. I give it 5 stars and want all kids to be able to share it with their parents!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of The Perfect Birthday Recipe by Katy Hudson

Summer birthdays can be lonely, but not when you have great friends like Beavers! This year Tortoise, Bird, Rabbit, and Squirrel insist on baking Beaver’s birthday cake, but Beaver isn’t so sure. He is the ultimate perfectionist and would rather do it himself, following the recipe exactly. Will Beaver’s nitpicky ways ruin his birthday and his friendships? The Perfect Birthday Recipe is the fourth and final story in Katy Hudson's best-selling set of seasonal picture books, including Too Many Carrots, A Loud Winter's Nap, and The Golden Acorn.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
Beaver is very particular about how he does things, because he wants them to be done right. It is hard for a perfectionist to let go of control! And especially with his birthday coming up, he knows exactly what he wants and how he is going to do it. But then his friends want to help him make this perfect birthday cake, because they don't think he'll have time to do it all by himself. And of course, they want to do something nice for him on his birthday.

And of course everything that can go wrong does go wrong. Beaver's friends ignore his recipe or do not pay close enough attention to it. So his perfect cake is an absolute disaster. But to his friends, it is a job well done and they are so proud of themselves. Naturally, Beaver is upset and blows up at his friends. He does the cake over again, only now he has no one with whom to enjoy it. His friends hear his cries and give him a birthday party the next day. It is not what he had originally planned, but finds that it is actually more perfect than he had anticipated it could be.

So Beaver learns a lesson about letting go. I think adults reading this book could definitely benefit from having this lesson reiterated to them. We definitely have difficulty letting go of our own ideas of perfection, especially when others are involved. I know it's a lesson I have been working on learning my entire adult life. 

I think kids will enjoy this story and can also start to learn a lesson about letting go and looking at the point of view of others. It could make for a good discussion launch pad. 

I do love the illustrations in this. The expressions on Beaver's face are priceless. You really get a feel for the personalities of the different characters. They're a lot of fun.

I give this book 4.5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Sleeping Bronty (Once Before Time Book 2) by Christy Webster and Gladys Jose

Sleeping Bronty is going to become queen, but the selfish fairy Rhonda puts it all in jeopardy with an evil wish! From Epic! Originals, Once Before Time is a playful board book series of fairy tales reimagined from a time long ago . . . with dinosaurs!

In this prehistoric retelling of the classic story, Sleeping Bronty discovers her own royal potential thanks to her fairy friends, the prince, and some very spicy chili.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

**My thoughts**
This is a book for kids who love dinosaurs and who are not into the mushy stuff you usually find in fairy tales. It's a twist on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty. 

In this tale, a baby brontosaurus named Bronty is born to the king and queen. She has good wishes placed upon her by three good fairies. And of course, there is the evil fairy who shows up and curses Bronty, so that she can fulfill her desire to take over as queen instead.

The good fairies raise Bronty. And when it is time for her to become queen, she is out and about and meets a mysterious male out in the woods. Only instead of falling in love with each other, she samples his five bean chili and falls in love with that.

The curse placed upon Bronty is of course fulfilled, and it is up to the mysterious male from the woods to break the spell. Chili saves the day!

It's not necessarily my favorite retelling of the story, but it is a cute one. And like I said, kids who like dinosaurs and not the mushy kissy stuff in fairy tales are going to enjoy this one. I would suggest making chili together after reading this!

I do like the illustrations. The characters are a lot of fun. And you'll enjoy trying to identify the different dinosaurs within.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Big Bird's Big Bad Day by Craig Manning, illustrated by Joe Mathieu

In this little book about big feelings, learn how Big Bird and his Sesame Street friends turn frowns upside down!

It's not a great day for Big Bird, and everything is going wrong. He can't play outside, he's spilled his juice, Granny Bird can't visit anymore, and lost his teddy bear. But would should he do about it? He doesn't understand the way he's feeling. Is he blue? Disappointed? Sad?

With help from his friends, Big Bird realizes maybe the big bad day isn't so bad after all.

From world-renowned children's educational brand, Sesame Street, comes a sweet and inspiring new picture book that teaches children not only how to understand their feelings, but also self-soothe and help themselves feel better.

For Big Bird, today was a very bad day,
But soon he found out how to make it okay!

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
I have been a fan of Sesame Street since I was a young kid many, many, many years ago. And while I was growing up, Big Bird was my favorite. So of course, I was drawn to this book. 

My dear sweet friend is having a very rough day. Nothing is going right for him and he is just super down in the dumps. Elmo stops by and tries to help Big Bird feel better. They go around town and visit their friends to find out what they all do to stop feeling so blue. It's fun to see what all of their answers are!

If you're a fan of the Sesame Street characters, you're going to enjoy this book. They are always a lot of fun and I think it helps kids to see familiar characters going through the same feelings and situations that they are going through. You can use it as a springboard to talk about feelings and what you can do to make yourself feel better.

The illustrations are filled with all of those favorite Sesame Street characters and are filled with lots of joy, especially as Big Bird's day starts to turn around. I have to say that I am so used to reading the older books that these modern pictures threw me a little bit, especially of Big Bird. He looks different than what I'm used to. But the more that I page through this book, the more I am getting used to it. I know that it's just the style of this particular illustrator, who of course is not the same as the ones from 35 years ago.

Overall, I gave this book 4 stars. It would make a cute addition to your children's book library.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of How to Make a Shark Smile by Shawn Achor and Amy Blankson

A story about choosing happiness and the ripple effect of a positive mindset. Includes seven happiness exercises at the back of the book to encourage kids to fit them in every single day!

Ripple the dolphin just moved to a new aquarium and is excited to make some friends! But as she swims around, she notices the water is still and quiet. The eels have no zing. The neon fishes don't glow. The seahorses aren't horsing around. Everyone's too afraid of a mean shark named Snark!

Ripple is determined to show her new friends that they shouldn't be afraid―it's all about mindset. They can choose to be happy!

But just as the aquarium begins to liven up, Snark the shark shows up ready to prove Ripple wrong. Can Ripple get Snark to smile too?

Bestselling authors and happiness experts Shawn Achor and Amy Blankson invite you to dive in and learn how you can spread joy to those around you with Ripple and her friends.

Perfect for:

• Parents who want to introduce their children to a positive mindset, help them build self-confidence, and set them up for personal and professional success
• Educators and librarians who need a funny, engaging picture book to include in their growth mindset curriculum and collections

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
We all have some sharks in our lives. You know, those people who always seem to be cranky and no one wants to be around them. Little do a lot of us realize that if we try to spread happiness with those sharks anyway, we could quite possibly make them turn around and be less cranky. That's the message of this story in a nutshell.

Ripple is a dolphin who has just moved to a new aquarium. She kind of reminds me of Pollyanna in her desire to meet new friends and to share the happiness. She makes a conscious choice to be happy and attempts to teach this to the other creatures in the aquarium through a fun game of smiling. You'll actually find this game familiar, as it is a regular favorite to play with kids to get them to smile. It even works on Snark the Shark. 

I love the idea of this story, spreading joy and happiness, even to those who seem to be cranky. Sometimes those cranky people just need to be acknowledged! I can see kids playing this game like crazy with each other after reading this book. The authors also provide other activities that kids can do to be happy and to develop a happiness mindset. These exercises are more for the older kids who may be reading this story, though I think the picture book itself could be read to even younger children.

I adore the illustrations in this book. You actually cannot help but smile as you look at Ripple and the other sea creatures. This book could probably also be used for identifying the different sea creatures if you are studying that in your classroom.

My only real criticism of the book is that the print seems a bit too small in the advance review copy that I read. It's especially noticeable on those pages that only have about a line of print. I know we want to emphasize the happiness in the story via the pictures, but the print is just as important!

Overall, I gave this book four stars. It would be a fun addition to both the classroom and home libraries.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advance review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.