Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Angry Octopus (A Relaxation Story) by Lori Lite

 


The Angry Octopus story featured on ABC's Shark Tank, teaches children relaxation techniques for controlling anger and negative emotions. It helps kids to calm down and lower stress and anxiety levels by focusing awareness on various muscle groups to create a complete resting of the mind and body. Muscular relaxation can lower anxiety levels and be used to decrease pain.

These effective stress and anger management techniques are woven into this award-winning story. Your child will learn the technique as they read the story.

Children relate to the angry octopus in this beautifully illustrated book as the sea child shows him how to manage his anger, remain calm and see things more clearly. This engaging story quiets the mind and relaxes the body so your child can let go of anger and fall asleep peacefully.

Angry Octopus is one of four stories featured on the Indigo Ocean Dreams audiobook and is available in several formats. The Spanish version of El Pulpo Enojado (ISBN: 9781937985011) and Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm (ISBN: 9781937985332) compliment this story.


(affiliate link included)



About the author:
Lori Lite is a mom, parenting stress expert and an author. Lori has created an award-winning line of books, CDs, and lesson plans designed to help children, teens, and parents decrease stress, lower anxiety, and control anger. Her sought-after practical tips provide parents with real-time solutions. Lori shares her own experiences as a stressed-out mom in an honest and accessible way. Her personal parenting challenges with getting her children to sleep were the catalyst for her stories. She has the unique ability of communicating how to integrate stress management techniques and self-esteem building activities into your family’s life. You can read more about Lori on her website at https://stressfreekids.com or on her Wikipedia page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lori_Lite




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

Penelope and Jack, Together Apart by Uncle Inkwell and Professor Stork

 


Penelope and Jack, Together Apart is a children's book that takes place in the time of covid during social distancing, mask wearing and all of the uncertainty that comes along with it. It is also a beautiful story about friendship and kindness that teaches children to see the good and positive in the different situations they may face in life. It is fun and empowering and reminds us we can still smile behind our masks. It also explores the power of family and how sticking by one another helps us achieve our dreams. With a little bit of love and ingenuity coronavirus doesn't stand a chance!

Reading Penelope and Jack, Together Apart is the perfect way for parents and children to have a positive experience sharing their feelings about facing tough times and seeing the inevitable light at the end of the tunnel. While social distancing on the 147th floor of his family's 'above the clouds' apartment, Jack develops a close friendship with Penelope, who lives in the building across the street. Cleverly communicating across the empty space between their balconies, Jack and Penelope launch a friendship in the most unlikely of scenarios. With a little help from their families, human connection and kindness prevail. Together Apart reminds us that even in challenging times there is no stopping a child's ingenuity and love. Parents will be reminded of the spark of optimism and joy we all felt as children. Now is the perfect time to share these feelings.


(affiliate link included)


About the author:

Professor Stork is on a mission to write and publish books that help children build and nurture self-worth, creativity, compassion, leadership skills, and a sense of purpose. He believes that children are the catalyst for positive change and that reading is a way for them to begin the journey leading to a fulfilling, purposeful life.

Parents and educators can help support their children by introducing them to books with positive messages. You can read more about Professor Stork by vising his website at www.professorstork.com




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

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Mr. Shipman's Kindergarten Chronicles 123 by Terance Shipman, illustrated by Milan Ristic

 We love Mr. Shipman's books here at Andi's Kids Books. And now he's back with the sixth installment in his very popular series. Check out 1 2 3!



Thursday, September 29, 2022

Review of Family Fun at the Lake by Katelyn Prendergast

 


This sweet new picture book from Katelyn Prendergast may make you nostalgic for your own childhood or inspire an idea for your own family! Find out more about Family Fun at the Lake and let Katelyn know your thoughts in the comments section. Follow the tour for more! And best of luck in the giveaway

Monday, August 29, 2022

Review of Bright Dreams: The Brilliant Ideas of Nikola Tesla by Tracy Dockray


Young Nikola Tesla got a shock when he rubbed his cat's fur. That small spark lit his imagination forever. Covering his early years to his eventual success in the world of electricity, Bright Dreams showcases Tesla's incredible journey of discovery and perseverance. Author-illustrator Tracy Dockray conveys Tesla's busy and imaginative world with collage-style artwork and informative sidebars.



(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
When I was a kid growing up we didn't really talk about Nikola Tesla. I'm not really sure why and honestly didn't find out until I was an adult about how much he had contributed to the discovery and use of electricity. This book opens up that lesser known bit of history so that today's kids can know more about the true story. I found it really interesting and think it will appeal to lower elementary kids who are interested in science.

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


Sunday, August 28, 2022

Review of Little White Fish Deep Beneath the Sea by Guido Van Genechten

Internationally bestselling series Little White Fish, from author & illustrator Guido Van Genechten, has sold over 600,000 copies!



How deep is the sea? Little White Fish is curious. But his friends Little Goldfish, Little Turtle and Octopus warn him: the sea is very deep and very dangerous. Yet Little White Fish wants to know...

An adventurous picture book about the deep sea for little daredevils ages 2.5 years and up.


At Clavis, our focus is on what’s best for children. We believe that books play an important role in each new phase in life. Our toddler books are tailored for every stage from 0 to 3 and focus on the five most important themes in their life: daily life, skills, emotions, the world, and language development. The age range and theme of every book in our toddler series can be found on the back cover in the form of a colored train.



(affiliate link included)


**My thoughts**
It's a cute little story about a little white fish that is curious about what it's like in the deep. He defies the warnings of his friends, who tell him it's not safe to go venturing out that far into the deep. And so of course, he gets lost, but is lucky enough to find a fish to help him find his way back home. It's a quick read and the friendly characters are vibrantly colored. The deep dark sea is quite apparent as the pictures get darker and darker.

I would use this book as a talking point about listening to directions, how to stay safe, and what to do if you get lost, and emphasize that the little white fish was lucky to find a safe helper.

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

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Review of In the Corner of My Room: Meet Silas by Professor Stork

 


A fantastical journey of the imagination! Silas may be stuck in a time-out, but his imagination is free to wander. From cute furry critters to a skydiving brass band, this fun rhyming adventure is reminiscent of classic Dr. Seuss books. Professor Stork's rhyming fantasy and Peralta's quirky, warm illustrations bring Silas's adventure to life in a way few authors and illustrators accomplish. In The Corner Of My Room is a book every child will read over and over and every parent will love reading with their children.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Review of Evy Loe, What Do You Know? by Professor Stork, illustrated by Len Peralta, original artwork by Patricia Wilson

 


Evy Loe visits an art gallery with her father, and once she puts on a magical glasses, the artwork in the gallery comes to life. Evy Loe learns about life on a farm, plays with amazing animals, and meets the artist behind the paintings. Evy Loe is the first book in the Meet the Artists series, a set of books that teaches children about diverse cultures though the eyes of working artists - making the world a friendlier place.

In the Corner of My Room: Meet Silas by Professor Stork, illustrated by Len Peralta

 


A fantastical journey of the imagination! Silas may be stuck in a time-out, but his imagination is free to wander. From cute furry critters to a skydiving brass band, this fun rhyming adventure is reminiscent of classic Dr. Seuss books. Professor Stork's rhyming fantasy and Peralta's quirky, warm illustrations bring Silas's adventure to life in a way few authors and illustrators accomplish. In The Corner Of My Room is a book every child will read over and over and every parent will love reading with their children.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Review of Pups on the Run! by Hannah Hurdle, illustrated by Marissa Pruett



When Hazel and Kaya discover the open gate, they are ready for an adventure. They wander, and tumble, and play all day. As the sun begins to go down, the pups head home.

But which way is home? They soon realize they are lost. And it's getting darker, and scarier!

Finally, they begin to recognize sights and smells and sounds. The tired pups retrace their steps and find their way home.



(affiliate link included)


**My thoughts**
This is a cute story about two pups who go off on an adventure, lose track of time, and then get lost trying to find their way home. Of course, they persevere and figure out how to get home, much to the delight of their young owner, and make plans to do it all over again tomorrow. It's the kind of story that has a classic feel to it.

Because I was getting that classic story vibe, I was a bit thrown off by the illustrations. They're quite vibrant and intense. Reading the illustrator bio at the end, I guess she is a comic illustrator, and I can definitely see that influence in these pictures. It's not my favorite type of illustration for picture books, but I know others quite enjoy it.

This would be a fun addition to a classroom or home library to enjoy again and again.

I received a requested review copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Help Me Celebrate My Birthday! $15 Amazon Gift Card #Giveaway Ends 7/31

 


July is my birthday month! I just had the actual day and wanted to share something with all of you. I know you love children's books as much as I do, so I'm offering up a $15 Amazon gift card so that you can add some to your bookshelves! Enjoy! And good luck!

Monday, July 18, 2022

Review of Marcy's Having All the Feels by Allison Edwards



What do you do with all your feelings?

In Marcy's Having All the Feels, counselor and therapist Allison Edwards explores how sometimes feeling so many feelings doesn't feel so good at all.

Review of Finding Om by Rashmi S. Mismark, MD, MPH


Finding Om is an illustrated children's book that shares the story of Anu, an Indian African girl who explores the mantra Om with her beloved grandfather, Appuppa. Through this story, she begins to uncover techniques of mindfulness that readers can explore along with her. This wonderful multicultural, intergenerational story is sure to become a staple in classrooms and homes across the world.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Monster Truck Coloring Book by Dsignyc Books

Kids love their monster trucks! And they love to color! Check out this new coloring book and pick up your own today!




The perfect coloring book for all Monster Trucks lovers.If you want to give your child something unique and creative that will catch his attention, this booklet of 60 pages will be the perfect gift for him.
This amazing coloring book is designed for children from the age of 4, includes full-page illustrations of Monster Trucks, SUVs, Supercars and more.

Review of A Surprising Friendship by Andrew Wald


A SURPRISING FRIENDSHIP, THE ENDEARING CHILDREN’S BOOK FROM AUTHOR AND THERAPIST ANDREW WALD, HELPS CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES UNDERSTAND DIVERSITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIQUE AND ENDURING FRIENDSHIPS.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Kyler's Bad Day by LaToya Minton

We all have bad days now and again. Help children work through theirs and learn the power of positive thinking with Kyler's Bad Day. 



Kyler's day did not get off to a good start. He had decided that it was a bad day. Join Kyler on his journey as he experiences a series of disappointments, and learns a lesson about positive thinking.

Friday, July 1, 2022

Learn to Read and Write Secret Messages in Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Jumbo Activity Book

 I remember learning about Egyptian hieroglyphs when I was in elementary school and we thought they were the coolest thing ever! We'd even try to write messages to each other with them. Now you can get a jumbo activity book about them!



Monday, June 27, 2022

Evy Loe, What Do You Know? by Professor Stork

 


Evy Loe visits an art gallery with her father, and once she puts on a magical glasses, the artwork in the gallery comes to life. Evy Loe learns about life on a farm, plays with amazing animals, and meets the artist behind the paintings. Evy Loe is the first book in the Meet the Artists series, a set of books that teaches children about diverse cultures though the eyes of working artists - making the world a friendlier place.

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Tales from Cloud Canyon by Dr. Rachel Kowert, PhD Kickstarter Campaign

 


Get to know the characters and stories from Cloud Canyon and see how you can help Dr. Rachel Kowert, PhD with her Kickstarter campaign! Take a peek inside and follow the tour for more. Let her know what you think in the comments section. And check out the amazing giveaway!

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Review of Papa the Shoemaker by Kyra Kalweit and Dayán Mantecón Roldán

 


Today I welcome back by Kyra Kalweit and Dayán Mantecón Roldán to the blog with another picture book. Read my thoughts on this modern day fable and then follow the tour for more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

Monday, June 6, 2022

Daddies and Daughters Stick Together by Aissatou Balde and Diariatou Sow, illustrated by Nandi L. Fernandez

 


I just reviewed this book a little while ago! And now I have a sneak peek inside of it for you. Enjoy and be sure to follow the tour for more! Leave your questions and comments for the author. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

Friday, June 3, 2022

Review of Daddies and Daughters Stick Together by Aissatou Balde and Diariatou Sow, illustrated by Nandi L. Fernandez


Diari doesn’t mind when Mommy goes into the city for work, because she and her little sister, Fatima, get to spend the whole day with Daddy.

From when the moon trades places with the sun until the sun trades places with the moon, daddies and daughters do everything together.

A day with Daddy means cooking, learning, dancing, and playing. After all, Daddy knows that with a little imagination, a sense of fun, and a lot of love, every part of a normal day can feel special!

Monday, May 30, 2022

Review of I Am One with the Universe by Kyra Kalweit and Dayán Mantecón Roldán

 


Today I welcome back Kyra Kalweit and Dayán Mantecón Roldán to the blog as this Montessorian takes a look at another one of their books. Take a peek inside I Am One With the Universe and also read my thoughts on it. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour and enter the great giveaway!

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Review of The Magic of Daydreaming by Kyra Kalweit and Dayán Mantecón Roldán

 


We keep hearing about manifesting our desires as adults. Here's a book that essentially teaches kids the same idea. Take a peek inside The Magic of Daydreaming by Kyra Kalweit and Dayán Mantecón Roldán and read my thoughts on the book before you download your copy. Also check out the rest of the tour for more chances to win in the giveaway!

Sunday, May 22, 2022

Nat Geo Kids DinoMAYnia Book Collection #Giveaway Ends 6/10 @DeliciouslySavv @NGKidsBks @mediamastersbks

Nat Geo Kids Giveaway


Even at a very young age, children are drawn to dinosaurs. This collection helps even our youngest book aficionados get started early with their learning. And then there are plenty for the older kids and kids-at-heart as well! Good luck entering!


Welcome to the Nat Geo Kids DinoMAYnia Book Collection Giveaway!

1 Winner ~ $69 TRV

This giveaway is part of our Dads & Grads Gift Guide – Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.

HOST IS:

DELICIOUSLY SAVVY

,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This giveaway's Sponsor is:

Sponsored By

~~~

1 Winner

1 Lucky Winner Will WinAll of the books pictures below from Nat Geo Kids! TRV $69!

Click on a cover to learn more about the book. Affiliate links included.

Nat Geo Dinosaurs

Nat Geo Dinosaurs

Nat Geo Dinosaurs

Nat Geo Dinosaurs

Nat Geo Dinosaurs

Nat Geo Dinosaurs

Read the Deliciously Savvy Review

~~~~~~

THE GIVEAWAY

This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 6/10/22. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to mcushing7 at hotmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Melissa Cushing at mcushing7 (at)hotmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

Sponsors interested in joining our gift guides can see the information HERE.

Monday, May 16, 2022

My Brother Zane by Loretta Woods

 


Jazmin loves her little brother Zane and would do anything to protect him. As they play with their friends, and sometimes make mistakes, Jazmin notices that when things go wrong, Zane seems to get into more trouble than her and their friends . . . even if he wasn’t at fault.

When Jazmin learns from her parents that the world will always be hard on Zane because of the color of his skin, she wants to do everything in her power to protect her brother.

My Brother Zane teaches children and adults the important lesson that all people, no matter their skin color or background, should be treated equally.



On Amazon:
(affiliate links included)



About the Author

Loretta Woods holds Masters in Education and has been in the field of education for 16 years. She currently works as a principal for an elementary school. Being an educator and, more importantly, a mother of 2 sons, Loretta felt the need to address current events and was inspired to write this book as a way to help all children understand racism and inequality in America.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, playing games and watching TV. She currently lives in Maryland with her loving husband, Timothy, and her 2 sons.





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

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Review of Eating These Foods Makes Me... by Kalifa Rodriguez M. SC, RD, CBS


 

Today I'm introducing to you a book you may end up adding to your classroom or home library. I'm giving you a peek inside with an excerpt as well as a guest post from the author letting us get to know her a little bit better. I also share my thoughts from the point of view as an early childhood Montessori educator. Be sure to follow the tour for more. Best of luck in the great giveaway at the end!



Is your kid a picky eater? Do you want your child to enjoy eating a variety of foods? Reading can be a proactive way to introduce your little one to the amazing world of nutrition! In this book, readers will explore healthy foods and learn how key nutrients benefit the body. These pages repeat positive affirmations that will empower and build your child's mindfulness about the foods they eat.

It is never too early to instill life-long healthy eating habits. Happy reading! Or should I say, happy eating!


Read an excerpt:
Fun Learning Activities to Promote Healthy Nutrition

1. Using paper and crayons or coloured pencils, draw a rainbow, and then draw a fruit or vegetable that is the same colour as each colour of the rainbow. You can even use this book for ideas. Remember to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables (at least 5 servings) each day! How many have you eaten today?

2. Do you like to play any sports or games? Do you like to walk to the park? Help your parents choose and prepare an energizing snack before the next game or walk to the park.

3. Eat your water? That sounds silly! Did you know that some fruits and veggies such as celery are mostly made up of water and can also help to keep you hydrated? Can you think of any others? Now try adding those slices of fruit or even cucumber to your water bottle to give it some pizazz.

4. Try introducing interactive sensory play for preschoolers (age 3 and older). Gather a variety of beans, nuts, or seeds on a tray or in a bowl with a spoon. Under adult supervision, let the preschooler feel, grab, and scoop the legumes, nuts, and seeds. See if the toddler can separate them based on different colours, sizes, and textures while the adult names each food and talks about how these foods make us strong from the proteins and smart from the healthy omega fats.


PURCHASE LINKS
(affiliate link included)


**My thoughts**
I love seeing the smiling diverse pictures of kids on the front of the book. It makes it inviting. And I love the joyful, colorful illustrations within the book that also depict a diverse representation of children engaged in all kinds of familiar activities. Most children should be able to relate to these pictures. I only wonder why real photographs on the front and illustrations inside? 

The Montessorian in me loves the real photographs of actual foods that are being discussed within the book. Those concrete representations will better help children identify those foods at home, at school, in stores, and elsewhere in their environments. 

The story has a great positive message about the reasoning behind healthy eating. And positive affirmations are big right now, so this easily lends itself to creating new affirmations for kids to practice.

I only had one minor pet peeve with the way the affirmations/sentences were laid out. I understand the reasoning behind capitalizing the adjectives, to give them emphasis. But it makes me cringe a bit to see this in children's books because these are laying the foundation for later grammar and writing skills. I would not consider it a deal breaker in using this book, though. 

There are also four follow-up activities at the end of the book to inspire further learning. The first three are directed at children. The fourth one is directed at parents/caregivers. It reads a little weird to me with all four being in the same list when they have two different audiences. I would have split them up under two headings, like "For Kids" and "For Caregiviers." Again, a personal little issue and not a deal breaker for using this book.

It did inspire a lot of ideas and other follow-up activities and additional reading I would include in a full unit on nutrition. This book would definitely add value to that kind of learning, whether at home or in the classroom.

Overall, I'd give it 7 out of 10 stars.

I received a requested review copy from the publisher and Goddess Fish Promotions. All thoughts and opinions are my own.




10 Things You May Not Know About Me
  1. I struggled with the idea of writing and publishing my own children’s book. I doubted myself and my credibility as an author. Now Eating These Foods Makes Me... has won a Mothers Choice Award and received a 4.5-star review from IndieReader. It has surpassed my expectations and has proven that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Never ignore what you are being called to do no matter how scary or difficult it may seem.
  2. The hardest and most fulfilling challenge in my life was becoming a mother, I’ve overcome many challenges from a complicated pregnancy, premature birth (my daughter was only 2 lbs when she was born), difficult breastfeeding journey (this motivated me to become a certified breastfeeding specialist), picky eating etc... it’s all so worth it.
  3. My best way to cope with stress is guided meditation and deep breathing.
  4. I am a total foodie! Most people think because I’m a nutritionist I only eat healthy food but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Of course, I value healthy food choices and eating habits, but I also do not believe in restrictive eating of any form. One of my favourite things to do is try new restaurants and eat great-tasting food, especially traditional ethnic foods from different cultures.
  5. I always wanted to adopt a monkey as a pet.
  6. I have only written 1 book but I have many ideas for more children’s books I’d like to write. Especially nutrition/health-related and faith-based books for kids.
  7. I have a bachelor’s degree in nutritional biochemistry with a minor in Biology. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body, did you know that studies estimate there are about 30 to 40 trillion cells in the human body? Well, I wanted to explore what was happening with our food on a cellular level.
  8. My favourite junk food: Poutine. Anyone from Quebec knows how heavenly a good combination of French fries, poutine sauce and cheese curds can be! It’s my go-to comfort food but definitely not something you want to eat too often from a health perspective.
  9. I love travelling! My top travelling moments are going on a wildlife safari in Cape Town, eating authentic Indian food in Bangalore India as well as swimming on the beaches of Costa Rica.
  10. My favourite time of the day: This is a tough one, there are 2 times of the day I cherish the most and that’s my morning routine which consists go of waking up at 4:45 am doing 10 minutes of breath work, 10 minutes of stretching/yoga, 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of prayer and bible study, and 10 minutes of journaling. This is my quiet time for myself before my husband or daughter wakes up and then it’s go! Go! Go! My equally favourite time of the day is in the evening when we do my daughter’s bedtime routine. I especially enjoy the sacred space we’ve created for undivided family time as we read together, pray together and cuddle together. I bless my daughter each night with words of affirmation or declarations about her future before putting her down to sleep. It’s at this point all the troubles or challenges of the day seem to fade away, and I feel truly at peace with what I was able to accomplish.

Kalifa Rodriguez M.Sc, RD, CBS
Author of Eating These Foods Makes Me...



Kalifa Rodriguez is a registered dietitian and certified breastfeeding specialist. She currently works as a clinical nutritionist in Montreal, Canada. After receiving her bachelor's degree in nutritional biochemistry, she went on to complete a master's degree in human nutrition and dietetics at McGill University. Kalifa is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyle choices through nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness. She also hopes to leave a positive impact in the community through her work by giving nutrition education sessions to community groups and organizations. Kalifa and her husband are parents to their delightful toddler, who is the inspiration for this book.



CONNECT WITH KALIFA RODRIGUEZ

WEBSITE - Kalifa Rodriguez (kalifarodriguezbooks.com)

FACEBOOK - Kalifa Rodriguez Books | Facebook

INSTAGRAM - Kalifa Rodriguez M.Sc, RD, CBS (@the.nutrition.connection)

YOUTUBE - Power of Nutrition - YouTube

GOODREADS - Kalifa Rodriguez (Author of Eating These Foods Makes Me...) | Goodreads



Kalifa Rodriguez will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 25, 2022

The Magical Closet Tome 1: The Faraway Friend by Morgane Dahrup-Andersson, illustrated by Camille Cappe

 Bilingual books are a great way to help your children learn foreign languages at a young age. Here's one in English and in French!



When a little girl comes out of his closet, Arthur discovers his closet is magical. Problem is, she doesn't speak the same language! They become friends and many bilingual and funny adventures arise. The Magical Closet is an entertaining book series for Children aged 3-7 years old to discover and learn a new language, a different kind of bilingual book.

In this first tome, The Faraway Friend, join Arthur and Aline on their first magical adventure and learn French 'Greetings and Introduction'.

Whether you are looking for a good story to read to your child, to expose them to a new language, or to teach them French, The Magical Closet is the book for you!


Buy on Amazon

(affiliate link included)



Buy in other countries and find accompanying activities on the website:

https://www.onceuponalanguage.com/the-magical-closet/t1/



Morgane is an enthusiastic French writer and certified teacher with a passion for languages and words. For the past ten years, she taught French and took care of children of all ages as a nanny. Originally from Bretagne, she now lives with her little trilingual family in Copenhagen, where she teaches French online to children and adults from around the world. A love for children, storytelling and education, added to a strong belief in instilling in them a life long love of learning, inspired her to create Once Upon a Language.

Follow on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/onceuponlanguage




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

Monday, April 18, 2022

Review of A Bed for Fred by Lori Zoss


Book blurb:

Ready for a nap, young Fred the Basset Hound goes to his room after an energetic morning of play and the unthinkable happens: his favorite comfy, red bed has disappeared! After a search of his house that involved an exchange with a less than helpful mouse, Fred sets out on a journey outside to find his bed. Along the way he meets a sedentary frog, an enthusiastic cricket, and a sympathetic owl. The dilemma of his lost bed intensifies as Fred realizes he has strayed too far from home without telling his father that he left. A Bed for Fred is a delightful journey relatable to young children, figuring out the world they live in as well as their first experiences with complication and change.


Book Links
(affiliate link included)


**My thoughts**

It's a cute rhyming story about a bassett hound who is upgrading to a big boy bed, but doesn't yet know it. He becomes distraught when the bed disappears, much as a young child would if he weren't a part of the changeover process. I like how the father realizes that he should have told Fred that he was changing the bed, as it is important for children to be part of such changes in their lives. The book also touches on a little lesson on not disappearing without telling your parents where you are going. The illustrations are also really cute. I would give it about 3 1/2 stars.

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

Monday, March 28, 2022

Review of Dinosaur Lady by Linda Skeers


This is the story of a woman who dared to dig, explore, and discover. This is the story of Dinosaur Lady.

Mary Anning loved scouring the beach near her home in England for shells and fossils. She fearlessly climbed over crumbling cliffs and rocky peaks, searching for new specimens. One day, something caught Mary's eye.

Bones. Dinosaur Bones.

Mary's discoveries rocked the world of science and helped create a brand-new field of study: paleontology. But many people believed women couldn't be scientists, so Mary wasn't given the credit she deserved. Nevertheless, Mary kept looking and learning more, making discoveries that reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world.

Dinosaur Lady is a beautiful and brilliant picture book that will enlighten children about the discovery of the dinosaurs and the importance of female scientists. It also includes a timeline of Mary Anning's life and lots of fantastic fossil facts!


Book Links
(Affiliate link included)


**My thoughts**
Did you know that the first paleontologist was a woman? I had no idea! But this book tells us the story of Mary Anning of Lyme Regis, England, who loves to be out and about exploring her world. One day, she accidentally stumbled upon a couple of bones and knew there had to be more out there. She patiently waited for Mother Nature to help her out and eventually discovered the first Ichthyosaurus skeleton. And from there, she made many more important discoveries. The book is subtle and yet to the point about how back in Mary's times, women were not allowed to be scientists or professors and how it was difficult at first for people to want to believe her. It also repeatedly emphasizes how she was a determined learner and kept right on studying and discovering, in another subtle, yet clear message to keep on exploring.

After her story is a bunch of fun facts about the history of dinosaur studies and a timeline of Mary's life. The Author's Note gives me my favorite bit of trivia, that the famous tongue twister "She sells seashells on the seashore..." is likely about Mary! I never knew that.

This book fascinated me because it is a bit of history I did not know. I don't know that kids will be as excited about the revelations as I was, but I think they're still going to really enjoy this book. I mean, dinosaurs are fascinating and the true stories are even better!

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

Monday, March 21, 2022

Toby, Toby, Worry Free by Lucinda Grapenthin illustrated by Kevin Gosselin

 


When Toby is faced with learning to ride his bike so he can play with his friends, he begins to worry and worry and worry.

"What if I fall?" "What if other kids laugh at me?" "What if I can't ride my bike?!"

Mommy pauses, attuning to his behavior. She accepts his emotions and calmly engages with him, encouraging his discovery of positive steps to solve this dilemma.

Toby learns a better way to manage his feelings by using his can do thoughts. Now, he can have fun!


(affiliate links included)



About the author:

Lucinda Taylor Grapenthin, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist in private practice and Assistant Professor at Brenau University, also serving as Clinic Director for the Brenau Center for Counseling and Psychological Services and Director of the Brenau University Play Therapy Training Institute. Dr. Grapenthin has over 20 years’ experience working with children and families as the founder of the Family and Child Development Center. She also presents at academic conferences and professional institutions on topics related to mental health disorders, such as trauma and attachment, as well as play therapy and parenting.

Dr. Cindy lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Richard, and golden retriever, Currier. Their adult children, Alex, Kristi, and Trevor, float in and out of their home, adding delightful chaos.





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

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Can I Play With My Food? by Ali Manning

 


Can I Play with my Food? is an early-reader picture book that explores food and science through the eyes of two sisters. Nema and Lexi let their imaginations run wild as they discover where food comes from and how a simple experiment can shape their dreams.

This story shows children that playing with food can be fun, but it also highlights the importance of acceptance. While others might think a disability like Down’s Syndrome is a hindrance, Nema and Lexi show us that the ingredients of compassion, acceptance, and love make anything possible.


Book Links
(affiliate link included)



BIO:

Ali Manning is a food scientist and the owner of Umami Food Consulting. With over ten years in the food industry, she utilizes her passion for food, science, and community to help food entrepreneurs. Ali is also the founder of Food Science 4 Kids, a program that teaches grade-school children STEM-related topics. Aside from her day-to-day businesses, she’s an all-around creative that loves to skate, travel, eat and enjoy life with her husband, Brian Manning. Find out more about Ali at ali-manning.com

Website: https://ali-manning.com
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3HuFMYq




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

Monday, February 28, 2022

Review of Andy Gets Angry by Mike Masse, Painted by Emily Corbett


 I'm so glad to see more and more resources available to help children with their social-emotional learning. It's been needed as long as I have been involved in the education/childcare profession and it feels needed more now than ever. Mike Masse has put together the words and Emily Corbett has painted the illustrations in their book Andy Gets Angry. Take a peek inside and read more of my thoughts. Follow the tour to see even more. Best of luck in the giveaway!


Children can develop the ability to respond to their emotions in a healthy way through the practice of mindfulness. Andy Gets Angry is a great introduction for children to learn a fun and simple breath technique to respond to their emotions. The beautifully hand-painted illustrations provide the perfect landscape to tell the story of Andy and his journey in learning the wonderful skill of mindfulness. Share the book with your loved ones, and help us all plant the seed to be present!


Read an excerpt:
Andy doesn’t like being angry, mad, or frustrated – he hates how it makes him feel. Sometimes he feels angry in his face. Sometimes he feels angry in his hands. Other times, he feels angry in his stomach and even in his mind.

Andy later feels bad about some of the things he said or did when he was angry. He felt bad after he yelled at Bobby, and he felt bad after he slammed the door on Sierra… and he felt bad after the one time he told his dad that he didn’t like him anymore. And that didn’t just make Andy angry. It also made him feel sad.


PURCHASE LINKS
(affiliate link included)


**My thoughts**
It's hard enough for adults when we aren't sure how to handle our anger or strong feelings. It's even worse for young children. We need to give them as many tools as we can and present appropriate ways of handling those big feelings. This book is a good way to start. 

Andy gets angry, and understandably so with some of his life's frustrations. And then when those feelings have calmed down, he feels bad about it. Kids reading this book will probably recognize some of those frustrating situations and those feelings. So the adults in his life decide to help him by taking him to see Mindful Mike, who teaches him breathing techniques to help him calm down when feeling angry or frustrated. 

Stress breathing techniques really do work wonders with children. They're not going to stop being angry, but they may be able to better control those feelings when they rear their ugly heads. Mike presents them in a creative way that will speak to children. And the paintings by Emily Corbett are bright and lively enough to grab attention and seem familiar.

I would read this with the whole class on occasion and then use it more one-on-one with a child who is feeling particularly frustrated. It would also be a good book to leave out in the reading and/or peace area of the classroom as a reference for kids to go back to on their own. It's long enough that it will probably speak to kindergarten and elementary-age students more than preschoolers. But even preschoolers can benefit from learning these breathing techniques. You could adapt it to fit the audience, if needed. I would definitely add this to my mindfulness arsenal.

Thank you to Goddess Fish and Tellwell Publishing for providing a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.



Mike Masse is a mindfulness consultant and public speaker who specializes in mindfulness-based stress reduction. For over a decade, he has been teaching adults, youth, and children mindfulness skills to help reduce their levels of stress and anxiety. A highly sought-after trainer, Mike facilitates workshops with educators, first responders, health care providers, and others who work in high-stress environments. Mike lives in Stratford, Ontario with his two sons and his wife.





CONNECT WITH AUTHOR MIKE J MASSE

WEBSITE: https://mindfulmike.ca/

FACEBOOK: mindfulmike.ca

INSTAGRAM: @mindfulmasse



Mike J Masse will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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