Review of The Magic of Clay by Adalucia

Listen to your clay feel its magic and create!

How does a formation of rock and minerals transform into a ceramic masterpiece? In this picture book guide, budding artists and enthusiasts will learn all about facts about clay, from its chemical makeup and formation to the hands-on processes of molding, forming, heating, and glazing. Simple explanations and clear language allow readers to easily understand terminology, techniques, and the art form of ceramics. Fresh and vibrant collage-style illustrations aid the text, demonstrating the charm of one of Earth s most useful minerals.

The Magic of Clay is an informative journey into the world of ceramics perfect for readers of all ages. Children, parents, and educators alike will marvel in this essential instructional tool, and walk away inspired to create their own artistic gems.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

How many times have you made something out of clay, whether for fun or for an art class? And how many times did you think about from where it comes? I have used it many times over the years and lived for a several years in an area where the ground was clay and not the sand like where I had grown up. But I have never really consciously put the two together. This book takes you through all of that, where it comes from and how potters use it. You learn the science behind its geological nature. You learn the technical terms, just like we learned in art class. 

The illustrations are reminiscent of an Eric Carle style.

It's an interesting book for those who are interested in pottery. Perhaps they will be inspired to try to make something new after reading it.

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

Review of Window by Marion Arbona

A young girl is walking home from school in a big city. As she gazes up at window after window in the buildings on her route - all different shapes and sizes - she imagines the most fantastic goings-on behind each one, which we can see by opening the gatefold. A tropical jungle. A whale in a bathtub. Vampires playing badminton. Her fantasies know no bounds. Until, behind the very last window, we discover the girl back home in her own room, where the toys surrounding her look strangely familiar.

This highly original wordless picture book by Marion Arbona is a celebration of curiosity and imagination that is sure to inspire a sense of wonder in readers of all ages. There are thirteen windows to open in all, and each scene is intricately drawn in black and white and packed with level upon level of extraordinary details to explore: a gathering of gnomes, a deep-sea diver under water, a collection of masks, small cars that drive up the walls. In a special touch, each window contains a clue to what's behind it - for example, a plant on the ledge of the window that opens to the jungle, and a window shaped like a porthole that reveals the whale in a bathtub. With so much going on, this book will entice even the youngest children to pore over the pages for close reading, promoting observation skills and visual literacy.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

(affiliate link)

**My thoughts**

Oh, these kinds of books are so much fun because they elicit so much imagination in the reader! It's a wordless book showing a young girl walking home from school. Along the way, she looks up at the different windows that she passes and imagines what may be going on inside.

The first time you read this with kids, as them to imagine what is in that window before they turn the page to see what the girl is thinking. Let them stretch their imagination wings first. And maybe they will be inspired to create their own drawings of what's behind each window, or even create their own windows. You could also go on a hunt around the neighborhood to see what kinds of windows you can find and what may be happening behind them. So much open-ended fun with a book like this!

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

Ecko el Geco: Aprende lo que significa ser un Gelo par HeavenLee Molina-Neal y Ailana Molina

Ecko, el pequeño y curioso geco, aprende acerca de la gratitud, la empatía, la compasión, y el optimismo.

Comprar en Amazon

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Ecko the Gecko Learns What It Means to Be a Gecko by HeavenLee Molna-Neal and Ailana Molna

In this book, Ecko, the curious little gecko learns about gratitude, empathy, compassion, kindness, and optimism. The story presents simplified explanations that most ages will easily understand, while the activity pages are a bit more advanced for younger learners to complete alone to encourage open dialogue and calls to action that fortify comprehension.

Buy on Amazon

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

The Quiet Koala From Walla Walla by Wally Bee

One day a little koala learns from her teacher that she has to do show and tell. This sweet animal does not like the idea of getting up in front of her classmates to speak. Find out if she can overcome her shyness on this big day at school.

Book Links

Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

Since an early age, Wally Bee loved to draw and create characters. After working in the publishing industry for over a decade, he is finally bringing his characters to life. Wally wants to tell stories that help very young children understand the world around them. "I Am", his first children’s book, was written for his first son and can be appreciated by all little ones. "The Quiet Koala from Walla Walla" is his second book and aims to provide inspiration for shy kids. In his spare time, Wally Bee scribbles enthusiastically in his notebooks searching for the best way to tell his next story. He currently lives with his wife and two sons outside New York City.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Review of Think Big by Kat Kronenberg

Set in the wilds of the African savanna, Think Big follows moody Baboon as he discovers another powerful secret.

In the third installment in her Live Big Series, best-selling, award-winning author Kat Kronenberg takes readers back to the wilds of the African savanna where the animals not only still struggle to find food, but now they face life-threatening situations. They must fight to survive and are terrified.

But when our beloved moody Baboon challenges Kudu on what to do, everything begins to change. One by one, Kudu, Giraffe, and Bee are faced with the dilemma of who they want to be. After watching Bee choose to do good, Baboon figures out a new secret: We can light the stars in our hearts, empowering our lives, once we smile big deep within, truly believing in who we are, our ideas, and the importance of caring for others.

The danger continues to mount and Baboon finally gets so scared that he cries out for help. Luckily, some fun animals and Baobab Tree come to the rescue! Will they try the new—SHHH—secret so their collective ideas not only help all the animals survive, but thrive together so that their dreams can come true?

Once again, Kronenberg creates a mythical evolution story of some of nature’s most fascinating characters to teach young readers foundational skills for life—in this case, helping them build a loving community that knows the joy of gratitude, giving, and going for the extraordinary. Through playful dialogue and beautiful illustrations, readers learn to take a deep breath, connect their heads to their hearts, and celebrate their best lives as they problem solve. As with Dream Big and Love Big, Kronenberg includes hands-on activities at the end of the book and on her website. Her dream is that the whole experience will inspire young readers everywhere to learn to think big together.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

(affiliate link includeD)

**My thoughts**

This is a fable involving African animals learning how to become their best selves. And by doing so, whether it's gathering food or saving others from a fire, they evolve into the creatures that we know today. And they share ways of being a great person (or animal in this case). The pictures are lively and colorful, which is attractive to the reader. But I had a really hard time with the giraffe, because in the beginning, he has no neck. I understand the story, that he evolves to growing the long neck to be helpful in getting food for the other animals, but that picture really bugged me for some reason. I know that the kudu also ends up changing its appearance, but honestly was not as familiar with that animal before this book. I think children are also going to question what is wrong with the giraffe's neck, because it reminds me more of a cow or something, instead.

I did like how the author included factual tidbits about each of the animals, such as the dance that bees use to communicate with each other about where to find flowers. 

At the end of the book are several activities that children can do to re-engage them with the book as they go on hunts or interpret some of the information differently. Plus they can practice ways of living to the best of their abilities, using the Think Big ideas.

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

Review of Doctor Mouse by Christa Kempter and Amelie Jackowski

Going to the doctor has never been so fun!

Friendly Doctor Mouse is happy to help all of his patients, but he can only see them one at a time. When the dog, hen, owl, and fox start talking to each other in the waiting room, they start to solve problems themselves. Will dog finds a new friend? Will hen lose her fear? Will fox get a new pair of glasses? This humorous story will tickle your funny bone!

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

(affiliate link)

**My thoughts**

To start, I absolutely adore these illustrations. I just prefer these hand-crafted illustrations so much more than the newer digital ones. These take a different kind of time and talent to create. And you can just feel the warmth and love inside of them, almost like how Grandma's chocolate cake always tastes better because it has that extra bit of love inside of it. And I guess they make me a bit more nostalgic. 

This story is also sweet with a really good message. Every day, Doctor Mouse opens up for consultations on whatever seems to be the matter. He has six chairs in his waiting room. And he will not start discussing your problems until the chairs are full. It becomes kind of a group therapy session. Each animal who comes in shares with Doctor Mouse what is bother him or her. But instead of the doctor figuring out how to fix it, they all figure out ways to help each other.

It reminded me of when I had my Montessori classroom. Children would come to me wanting immediate answers. I would pause and wait, maybe give them a small hint, and then they would eventually figure it out for themselves or find ways of helping each other instead. And that actually works better than having someone solve all of your problems for you. 

So I think this is a great lesson to kids about being helpful with each other. And did I mention how much I love these illustrations? I give this one 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 A Little Courage by Taltal Levi

Through the eyes of a child, the world is full of adventure!

A teacup-sized little girl discovers a playground in a potted plant, and the perfect swimming pool in a glass of water. Then when she sees a mysterious shadow lurking beyond her books and paper clips, she must summon her courage. But wait! Could this fluffy, purring creature be a friend?

Taltal Levi’s evocative text and illustrations tell an inventive story about courage, imagination, and friendship.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

(Affiliate link)

**My thoughts**

This is a cute and simple story about a little creature who could be something like a fairy, but more reminded me of one of The Littles (if you remember that cartoon from the 1980s). Or perhaps you would be more familiar with The Borrowers? And this little creature loves to go exploring around the house during the day, but is scared by some kind of a shadow. But this little crisis turns into a new kind of friendship. It inspires a sense of adventure, even in your own home, and kind of reminded me of my explorations around the house when I was a kid. 

The drawings are also simple with a subtle color palette, but also inspire a sense of adventure and a bit of confidence with the creature who is narrating the story. It was a fun read.

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

Anti-Racism Starts With Me! A Coloring Book for Kids by Kadeesha Bryant

Beautiful hand-drawn illustrations with messages of tolerance and togetherness to help educate and inspire children.

Community educator Kadeesha Bryant has created a unique coloring book that mixes creative fun with powerful messages of hope and understanding. Every page contains hand-drawn illustrations to color as well words of wisdom on overcoming prejudice and bridging divides in our society. Examples include:

• The only thing that should be separated by color is laundry
• Hate causes a lot of problems - but hasn’t solved one
• Strong people stand up for themselves. Stronger people stand up for others
• Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are
• There is one race that matters most. The human race
• People of quality do not fear equality

This anti-racist book for kids is designed to help instill hope and humanity through our children. Makes a perfect gift for kids of all ages and parents who want to see a just and tolerant society.

Buy on Amazon

(affiliate link)

Kadeesha Bryant is a community educator for children with a special interest in diversity and social cohesion. This is her first published book.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Mattie Boombalatty by Wayne Gerard Trotman

In a town named Bascini

Lived Family Boombalatty:

Granddaddy Boombalatty

Daddy Boombalatty

Mummy Boombalatty

And Mattie Boombalatty

Daddy Boombalatty lost his job in the country

So, Family Boombalatty had to move to the city

Off to a new school went Mattie Boombalatty

But making friends was not very easy

When Mattie is bullied by rich girls at her new school, an unexpected visitor comes to her rescue. Join Mattie as she deals with the girls' cruelty without becoming cruel herself.

Learn how she rejects riches, beauty, and revenge in favour of fairness and genuine friendship in this beautifully illustrated rhyming fairy tale for ages 4+.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon CA * BN * Book Depository * Red Moon * Psychic War Journal

Wayne Gerard Trotman is an award-winning author of rhyming children's books.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Review of The Shared Room by Kao Kalia Yang

A family gradually moves forward after the loss of a child—a story for readers of all ages

When someone you love dies, you know what doesn’t die? Love. On the hot beach, among colorful umbrellas blooming beneath a bright sun, no one saw a little girl walk into the water. Now, many months later, her bedroom remains empty, her drawers hold her clothes, her pillows and sheets still have her scent, and her mother and father, brothers and sister carry her in their hearts, along with their grief, which takes up so much space. Then one snowy day, the mother and father ask the girl’s older brother, “Would you like a room of your own?” He wants to know, “Whose?” They say, “Your sister’s.”

Tenderly, and with refreshing authenticity, beloved Minnesota writer Kao Kalia Yang tells the story of a Hmong American family living with loss and tremendous love. Her direct and poignant words are accompanied by the evocative and expressive drawings of Hmong American artist Xee Reiter. The Shared Room brings a message of comfort and hope to readers young and old.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

Please note that while this is a picture book, it is not appropriate for very young readers. It is the story of a family coping after their daughter passed away in a drowning accident, leaving behind her parents and three siblings. Understandably, there's a dark shadow that covers everything. And then one day, months later, the parents ask their one son if he would like to have his sister's room after having been sharing one with his brother all of these years. You can feel the pain of the parents as they are cleaning the room. One particular picture of the father really pierced my heart. So it's a small snippet of how a family tried to move on after such a horrific tragedy.

It's a very moving story and the pictures in particular really elicit a lot of emotion. I can't help but think that it is based on a true story. It captures some of the confusion and conflict that her older brother must have been feeling. But I felt like something was still missing. It felt like such a small snippet of the story that I wanted more from it. My cousin lost his son at a very young age in a tragic accident, so I know there would be more to the story that could be told. And yet reading it multiple times, I know that it was about how the family found a bit of peace while moving on. 

It's not a book that I would just randomly read to kids. I think it would be best for an older child who is dealing with loss in some kind of way, most likely also the death of a sibling. There's a lot to unpack in its simplicity. And this book is going to just barely scratch the surface. There's still a lot of discussion to be had. I gave it 2.5 stars. Beautiful, emotional pictures and a good concept that just fell a little short for me.

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

Review of Is a Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz

Adults think of childhood as a carefree time, but the truth is that children worry, and worry a lot, especially in our highly pressurized era. This book addresses children's worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem-solving.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

This story takes the concept of a worry and gives it a physical form that kind of reminds me a furry version of the mucous monster in those medicine commercials. So it gives kids a kind of tangible idea of this worry monster. And then it takes kids through a variety of potential worries that they could have, some very realistic (loud uncle visiting), some semi-realistic (a new teacher in class, though this teacher is a bear), and some completely silly (a rhino walking down the road), and gives ideas on how to turn that worry around. It's a fun way to talk about anxiety and can provide a good foundation for a discussion as to how to alleviate worries that the child may have. I think some kids will relate to this well.

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

Review of My Ocean Is Blue by Darren Lebeuf And Ashley Barron

"This is my ocean," the young girl begins as she heads over the dunes with her mother. Then, as they pass the whole day at the seaside, she lyrically describes her ocean in simple, sensory detail. It's both "slimy" and "sandy," "sparkly" and "dull." It has wonderful sounds, as it "splashes and crashes and echoes and squawks." And it contains so many colors, from "rusted orange" to "runaway red," "faded white" to "polished green." Though "mostly it's blue." Nothing the girl experiences escapes her careful observation and appreciation. And at day's end, she can't wait for her next trip to the beach.

Author Darren Lebeuf, an award-winning photographer, uses spare text and a rhythmic style to create an evocative read-aloud. The vivid adjectives, both concrete and abstract, will inspire children to try to capture in words what they notice not only at the ocean, but in any natural setting. The bright, richly colored cut-paper collage illustrations by Ashley Barron add a captivating visual texture and depth to the story. The portrayal of a girl with a physical disability enjoying and actively participating in a day at the beach encourages all children to do the same in their own lives, while also offering a character education lesson in adaptability. This book has strong curriculum ties to primary nature units and life science lessons on oceans and the seaside, and it offers a perfect focus for nature-based education and outdoor classrooms.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

This is a sweet love letter to the magnificent ocean, that is always changing and has so many wonderful things to offer. It's a playful look at opposites and an ode to the beautiful blues. It also really captures how much fun you can have in one day at the beach. I can appreciate all that the child loves about the ocean, because I also love the ocean.

The illustrations are unique in a way, looking to be intricately cut and painted pieces of paper, maybe? You can tell they took an awful lot of time to be put together just right. And I felt like they did capture the essence of the story. And I appreciate how on the jacket, it says that the illustrator Ashley loves to spend time biking along her "ocean," aka Lake Ontario. I'm on the opposite side of the Great Lake from her and have also often thought of it as my own ocean. It is quite ocean-like, even though it is a lake.

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

Review of Bee Heartful: Spread Loving-Kindness by Frank J. Sileo

Readers will rejoice that Bentley the bee is back in this third book in Frank J. Sileo’s award-winning series. When compassionate Bentley sends loving-kindness thoughts to himself and others, he can feel his heart growing: May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe. May you be peaceful. When Willie Wasp steals Bentley’s favorite red scarf, it really stings! Bentley has the whole garden buzzing as he works through the situation. This sweet story shows the power of strong, positive, and loving thoughts.

Includes a note from the author with more information about loving-kindness and related meditation, and guidelines for how readers can practice being heartful just like Bentley!

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

Reading this book took me back in time to when I was doing my Montessori training. My mentor teacher often had the children do these still exercises and sending loving-kindness thoughts to other children, especially when they were absent for any period of time. You could really see the difference in the kids as the school year went on and they practiced this more and more. They also were calmer themselves. It wasn't a perfect cure-all for agitation and other problems. But it was a sweet and calming activity to do. This story of Bentley the Bee would be a great introduction to using the calming breathing with kids. And placing it where children could look at it again and again would let them practice it on their own. 

The book also gives a lot of information to adults about why these meditations are beneficial and how to present them to children. It provides a script to use as you are introducing it. And it encourages you to seek help for a child who appears to be suffering from any clinical issues.

I would definitely add this book to my classroom collection.

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

Review of Tiny Travelers India Treasure Quest by Wolfe & Jaramillop

Inspire children to fall in love with the world they live in with Tiny Travelers!

"A+ educational content….Wonderful... to share with young kids -- to broaden their horizons and discover new places of interest!” ― Common Sense Media

The Tiny Travelers “Treasure Quest” Series takes its readers on a fun-filled journey to discover what makes each country special with search-and-find features on every spread.

In Tiny Travelers India Treasure Quest, readers journey from the magical Taj Mahal to fabulous Bollywood. From the beautiful festival of color Holi, to the incredible Himalayas, Tiny Travelers will enjoy getting closer to Indian culture, making magical discoveries along the way.

Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" - icons, animals, statues, instruments and more - that make up incredible India.

“Most kids today are told that it’s a small world, when in fact it’s a really big world,” says Encantos CEO and Tiny Travelers creator and author Steven Wolfe Pereira. “And because the world is so big, there are many countries, cities, and cultures that have yet to be discovered and explored by kids. We created Tiny Travelers to foster curiosity, empathy, and understanding by learning what makes people and places so special.”

“Purpose is at the core of the Tiny Travelers launch... The goal is to expose kids to the vastness and diversity of the world beyond their backyards, engendering empathy for different cultures, geographies and languages at a time when people all over the world are more connected than ever via digital platforms.”- Forbes

“The books are full of fun facts, hidden “easter eggs” , and rhyme-based storytelling. They’re infused with keywords from the featured country’s language, helping teach kids correct pronunciation and useful phrases for travel.” - Parentology

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

This is another cute installment in this series that takes kids around the world. You learn some vocabulary words and touch on some of the highlights of Indian culture and cuisine, while also visiting some of the most well-known places. The rhyming text is fun to read and should keep kids engaged. I appreciate the pronunciation guides that accompany the vocabulary. And the illustrations are super vibrant and happy all throughout.

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

Review of My Hair Is Beautiful by Shauntay Grant

Natural, knotty, fluffy, frizzy, twisted, tangled, pony, puffed!

A celebration of natural hair, from afros to cornrows and everything in between, My Hair is Beautiful is a joyful board book with a powerful message of self-love.

Governor General's Award-nominated author Shauntay Grant brings her unique spoken-word style to this fun read-aloud, featuring minimalist text and vibrant photos of toddlers sporting fresh dos, and a mirror to reflect your own baby's beauty.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

Oh, this book is gorgeous! Young children of color can be self-conscious of their hair. But this book encourages them to embrace all of the different style possibilities with quick, fun words and absolutely beautiful photographs of young children sporting the different 'dos. Each of these children are beautiful and so are all of their various hairstyles. I adored this book and would absolutely include it in my classroom library, where I know my kids would also love looking at it.

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