Review of Chelsea's Forever Garden by Laura Lamb

  

Imagine being given a gift beyond your wildest dreams! Chelsea is beyond excited to now possess her own plot of land on her parents’ farm! It is hers to do with as she pleases. Travel with Chelsea through the decisions she must make. Share in her delight as she spends countless days and nights watching the natural unfolding of her garden and its creatures. Walk with Chelsea as she learns the wisdom of Mother Nature. See how her special bond affects her everyday life. Until, one day, she realizes she’s lost that connection to her special garden. What happens now? Will Chelsea ever regain her feelings of joy and freedom again? Treat yourself to these pages that hold incredible insights for both the young and old.

Goodreads

Available on Amazon

Paperback * Kindle

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**My thoughts**

This book actually transported me back to my childhood. I grew up on an acre of land and adopted chunks of our yard and gardens for myself, thanks to my parents. And I remember doing a lot of the same things that Chelsea does as I absorbed the natural world around me. I can feel Chelsea's love through her observations of her special outdoor place and it brings me peace as I remember mine. The beautiful illustrations help to bring all of those feelings to life as well.

I love this book as an introduction to kids about the beauty of the outdoors. I think it also serves as a reminder to adults that we can have our special places in person or in our minds to help us find that inner peace we all need in our crazy lives.

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

Chelsea's Forever Garden by Laura Lamb, illustrated by Mary Burrows

 

Imagine being given a gift beyond your wildest dreams! Chelsea is beyond excited to now possess her own plot of land on her parents’ farm! It is hers to do with as she pleases. Travel with Chelsea through the decisions she must make. Share in her delight as she spends countless days and nights watching the natural unfolding of her garden and its creatures. Walk with Chelsea as she learns the wisdom of Mother Nature. See how her special bond affects her everyday life. Until, one day, she realizes she’s lost that connection to her special garden. What happens now? Will Chelsea ever regain her feelings of joy and freedom again? Treat yourself to these pages that hold incredible insights for both the young and old.

Available on Amazon

Paperback * Kindle

(affiliate links included)

 I was compensated for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers. Check out my Fiverr gigs if you are interested in having your book promoted!

Review of B is for Bufflehead

B is for Bufflehead: Flying through the ABC's with fine-feathered friends is the product of two years of work by photographer and author Steve Hutchcraft. He took the time to find 49 different kinds of birds from North America, two for each letter of the alphabet (except U, X and Z). He then photographed each one and then researched each one. Through the pages of the book, each bird tells its own story. After the birds are introduced, readers are invited to take a "Who's Who?" quiz that serves as a sort of reading comprehension with picture recognition, as well as providing information on even more North American birds. The back of the book has a full index with even more information about each bird, including its range, habitat, food and other fun facts.He also includes a variety of websites and print books that serve as resources for further information.

To emphasize the alphabet in both uppercase and lowercase, two birds are used. One has its name written with the lowercase letter and the other is written with the uppercase letter. My only problem with this is that they don't seem to follow the usual patterns for proper and common nouns.


The photographs are absolutely stunning. Hutchcraft is a very talented artist. I love that he uses real photographs instead of illustrations, so that children can really know what the bird looks like. I also love the wealth of information given about each bird. The book is presented in such a way that older children could use this book for research and younger children could simply enjoy learning the different names of the birds. Adults would even be able to use it as somewhat of a field guide. It is very versatile.

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review of this book. This is one that I would definitely like to add to my classroom library. Plus, a portion of the proceeds of the sales of B is for Bufflehead will be donated to habitat conservation and environment education.

Visit the official website for B is for Bufflehead. It includes fun activities and lesson plans coming soon.

Check out some of Steve Hutchcrafts's nature photography at his website.

Review of Slither Slide, What's Outside?

Spring has finally spring, which makes it a great time to check out the new book Slither Slide, What's Outside by Nora Hilb & Simon and Sheryl Shapiro. This rhyming story encourages children to go outside and to interact with nature. They also have to use their imaginations to pretend to be like things in nature. In the story, kids plant a tree, wiggle like a worm, glow like stars, explore waterfalls and rainbows and so much more. The book actually covers topics for an entire year of different seasons.


The illustrations of the kids playing are quite charming. On the opposite page is a real photograph of the topic being discussed. I like the realistic aspect, which is so important for kids who are at a concrete age. The illustrations give the impression of imagination, which is required to interact with nature in the same way that these children do. It would make for a good lesson on the seasons. Children can try to mimic the pictures and even create their own version of the book.



I received a complimentary set of galleys from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.