God Gave Us Easter Book Review

A sweet story of a little bear cub and her family, preparing to celebrate Easter. The Papa bear explains how Easter is even better then Christmas, because Easter is the remembrance that we get to be with Jesus forever. Papa Bear puts the story of Easter into a children's perspective, using the metaphors of a tree that fell down and in place of it, grew little trees from the pine cones, and a river that turns into an ocean. He explains how an egg is the symbol for the tomb Jesus was in, that, like the shell of an egg, the tomb cracked open and Jesus rose from the dead, that Jesus is life itself. The story also talks about God's promise of the rainbow, to never send another flood. Scriptures from the Bible are put into words and a cute story to allow kids to gain a better understanding in what God has done for us. As always, I love the beautiful art in the "God Gave Us.." books, especially the dying of the Easter eggs in this one :) Cute book for kids, and a great gift idea for Easter baskets! 

Hope you and your family are preparing a wonderful Easter weekend together.  Be sure to take time to enjoy this special event with fabulous food and quality family time.

Read on and read always.

Book rating system:  8  (Fantastic)

This little book is amazing

Book Title:  You Are My Baby Safari

Author and illustrator:  Lorena Siminovich

                                                           
                     


Just when you think you have seen everything that a book can do....surprise....up pops a new idea.  This two-in-one board book introduces kids to baby animals (through a inset mini book) and their adult counterparts as they play together.

This series of board books feature an innovative, very creative two-books-in-one format.  The little book is bound with a larger book so the pages can turn separately.  Brilliant idea!  The jungle setting teaches animal names and actions.  The book includes the antics of the giraffe, crocodile, monkey, elephant and the lion.  The book introduces kids to baby animals and their adult counterparts as they play together.

                                        Book Rating System:     9   (Close to perfection!)

Read on and read always!


About the author and illustrator :

Originally from Buenos Aires, Lorena Siminovich is a San Francisco based designer, artist and author. Lorena has written and illustrated over 20 books for children with Chronicle Books, Templar UK, and Candlewick Press. Her books have been published in seven different languages, garnered several awards, and received praise from Parents Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, Telegraph (UK), Pregnancy magazine and Publishers Weekly among others.

A creative force, she is the founder of PETIT COLLAGE, a line of modern wall décor and accessories with a vintage twist. Launched in 2006 with Lorena’s distinctive collages on wood, the collection has since expanded to include mobiles, posters, mirrors, prints on wood, and accessories. Petit Collage products are sold at over 500 stores worldwide including  Pottery Barn Kids, Land of Nod and Giggle. In addition, Lorena has been featured in both traditional and new media such as The Martha Stewart Show and popular blogs such as Oh Joy, Designsponge, Ohdeedoh, Apartment Therapy, Print and Pattern, Book by its Cover, and many more. She has licensed artwork to Anthropologie, Pottery Barn Kids, and OXO, to name a few.

Lorena works daily in a bright, sunny studio. When she is not busy designing a new product for her expanding company, she is illustrating her next book. Lorena lives with her husband and daughter in a recently renovated, art-filled home on a hill.

OOOHS AND AAAHS…
About the Books
“Retro feel and lack of fuss, the artwork is delectable.”
– School Library Journal

About Petit Collage
“High style has hit the nursery wall…giving way to modish art that even an adult might consider poking a hole in the wall for.”
– Urban Baby

“Petit Collage woos us every time with their simple, yet retro inspired designs, that appeal to adults and children alike. We love them so much.”
– ohdeedoh

Who said that?

"Your instincts as parents are correct: a minute spent reading to your kids now will repay itself a million-fold later, not only because they love you for reading to them, but also because, years later, when they’re miles away, those quiet evenings, when you were tucked in with them, everything quiet but the sound of the page-turns, will, seem to you, I promise, sacred." 

— George Saunders

"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark."

--Victor Hugo

"Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere."

--Mary Schmich

"We read to know we are not alone."

--C. S. Lewis

"Reading makes immigrants of us all.  It takes us far away from home, but more important, it finds a home for us everywhere."

--Jean Rhys

"The greatest gift we can give our children is the gift of reading.  There is no magic in giving it.   There is no toy or programme that will do the job for us.  It takes time, commitment, and most of all, fire...."

--David Bouchard

 Read on and read always!

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie Book Review

Author:  Julie Sternberg

Illustrator: Matthew Cordell 

This debut book by the author is truly a little gem.  First of all, the title is amazing and the front cover is one that anyone (young or old) would be drawn to.  

The setting takes place during the summer between Eleanor's second and third grade.  

I had a bad August.

A very bad August.

As bad as pickle juice on a cookie.

As bad as a spider web on your leg.

As bad as the black parts on a banana.

I hope your August was better.

I really do.

This is Eleanor's voice speaking, who is a little girl about seven or eight who will be starting grade three in September.  She has some adjustments to make in her life and they won't be easy.  Her very best babysitter, Bibi, has moved away because she is tending to an ailing father.  Her new babysitter, Natalie, has her own way of doing things which doesn't sit well with Eleanor.  To add to the stress, Eleanor will be starting grade three in September.  How will she ever make it through the whole summer without her beloved babysitter and friend?  Some of her fears about school are alleviated by a letter she received from her third grade teacher, Mr. Campanelli, reassuring his new class that all will be well and he is looking forward to having them in his class.  While the babysitter story is a big part of the narrative, the real story is about Eleanor learning to become independent, letting go and growing up.

It is a coming of age novel for the early chapter book set.  Sternberg's prose are well written and at times seem almost poetical.  There is not too much text on each spread so the new chapter-book reader will not be overwhelmed.  Cordell's playful illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to the story and will keep interest strong.  The book is written in first person, almost in a journal style, which might be a good starting point to get your own child to journal or even your classroom if you are a teacher.

You will be very happy to add this book to your collection.

Read on and read always.

Book Rating For Review:  8  (Fantastic)

Book Review today: Mr. Flux

 This quirky, little book will have you evaluating your views on your own life.  Do you have a fear of change?  Do you like things left just the way they are please?  Do you especially dislike it when someone comes in and tries to impose those changes upon you?  Well if you can attest to any of these questions then perhaps you need to pick up a copy of this book, " Mr. Flux," by award winning author Kyo MacLear (who lives right here in Toronto, Canada, by the way).

This tongue-in-cheek tale was loosely inspired by the 1960's art movement known as Fluxus.

A newcomer in the neighbourhood is Mr. Flux, an eccentric, out-of-the-box thinker.  He tries to convince Martin and his neighbours that change is good and fun.  He introduces them to "playful freedom", a term I just love!  He encourages them to change the dull and mundane into something new and exciting. He suggests, "Shall we spin toy rabbits on my record player?"  He gets them to consider the possibilities of how things could be if you changed things up by adding a tad of imagination and a spark of fun.

Martin responds, "Change is upsetting...and we like things just the way they are."  Mr. Flux has Martin confront his fears and leaves him and his neighbourhood with a new lease on life and a very special gift.

Mr. Flux?   Where are you in my life?  Can you visit me next?

The author Kyo MacLear is an award nominated author for her book "Spork" for which she received the 2011 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book award.

Book rating system:   8    Fantastic!

Read on and read always!

fear of numbers anyone?

Don't let your fear (or hatred) of math keep you from doing it with your kids-early numeracy and spacial skills are key to academic success.

People say to read books to your babies even if they're not focusing on the books. Numbers are very important in a child's life too.

Experts will agree that language skills are vitally important for intellectual development.  But babies start learning math innately from the day they're born - distinguishing shapes and quantities between feedings and naps.  The sooner parents start to connect those infant observations with actual math, the better off they'll be in the long run.

Strong math skills in the preschool years are the best predictor of later academic success.  Toddlers easily identify every day objects and incorporate math into them.   Objects like muffin tins, walking and counting the steps, pouring water into different sized containers etc.  Math is all around them as well as words.  Setting the table establishes patterns and recipes use measurement.  Math is everywhere and you can casually point things out and say, "We're doing math!"

Parents often feel uncomfortable with their own math skills and understanding.  They tend to think that math=arithmetic.  But math is much more.  It includes geometry, probability, measurement and patterning.

Kids love math counting books or you can just count out loud in your every day activities.  Count the scoops of coffee or the number of steps while walking up the stairs.  Parents know enough about math to engage in math talk and math games with their kids. Also if math is not your thing don't express that feeling out loud.  Keep the attitude towards words, math and learning a very positive thing.  Another thing you can do is when you are reading out loud to your child have them count the number of birds on the page (for example), or discuss the shape of a wheel.

There are lots of math games and apps available for your child but the very best teaching tool is your child's adult human casually engaging him/her in everyday math and having fun doing it.

If kids understand math, it just becomes part of their world.  When they go to school, they're excited about reading and their excited about math too.

Read on and read always!

You Are My Baby Safari - Book Review

Author and Illustrator:  Lorena Siminovich

This innovative and charming little board book is very cleverly designed.  It is really a two-books-in-one format.  The smaller book is nestled inside the bigger one and the pages can turn separately.  The words are simple and the illustrations are eye-popping.  It lets your child match a mother animal to her offspring.  The animals included are ones you might find on a safari.  They include: giraffe, crocodile, monkey, elephant and lion.  Each book focuses on an action.  Your child can learn about the animal's characteristics, the world around us, and the love between the baby animals and their parents.  It is a fun, interactive format and a perfect read aloud.  Enjoy!

Book review rating:  8  (Fantastic)

Read on and read always!

We have the whole world in our hands...

We are so blessed to be able to buy and read books that literally come from every corner of the world.  We have access to the internet which gives us a window into authors, illustrators, stories, tips, methods, and book knowledge right at the end of our fingertips.

Now we can use YouTube, ebooks, iPads and even our phones to explore the wonderful world of storytelling.  People  everywhere are so creative.  Ideas are so powerful and inspiring.  Take your child on a journey around the world by having them pick up books about places, people and events.  The planet is shrinking because we can use Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media to become savvy with what is going on.  Prominent "book" initiators have excellent web-sites and are reaching out to invite your kids into their world of creativity.  Find some of these sites and get your kids involved in the reading and writing process. With specific programmes your kids can even design and make their own books that look very professional indeed.

Teach your children to use this type of media safely and with purpose.  Logging long, senseless hours on the web is counterproductive and energy-sucking.  Mentor your children to be good stewards of their time and  especially what they are putting into their brains.

The world of books is out there begging to be discovered.  Your child is here with an open mind and heart to receive that wisdom.  Turn them on to not only the skill of reading books but the love and awe of them.  Have a great day and search out those sites for your kids pronto.

Read on and read always!

Shoes for Me! - Book review

  Ask any girl and they will agree with that!

First of all let me say that all of the books that Sue Fliess has authored have been excellent!  I particularly like the main character in this book because so many girls are struggling with body image and the little hippo is carefree and enjoys being in her own skin.  

Hippo is growing up and now she can go and choose her next pair of shoes. What girl is not enamoured by a shoe shopping spree?  With fun rhyme married with outstanding illustrations this book is a true winner.  Sorting through the shoe-options is not only educational but loads of fun.  The spirit of the book is uplifting and the tempo is fast moving.  Hippo and her mom have high (heels) and low (sneaker) moments when choosing the perfect pair but Hippo finds that if the shoe fits (and she likes it) wear it.  

This will be a great book for girls of any age and a perfect read-aloud for the kids.

Check Sue out at:  www.suefliess.com 

Read on and read always!

Book Review rating:  9  (Close to perfection!)

Book Review: The Adventures of Nanny Piggins

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins is a children's novel by R.A. Spratt.  The publisher recommends the book for primary-aged children. 

Nanny Piggins, the world's most glamorous flying pig, runs away from the circus and goes to live with the Greens as their nanny. The Green children, Derrick, Samantha and Michael, fall in love with her instantly. Who could not fall in love with a Nanny whose only job qualifications are her astonishing ability to be fired out of a cannon and her amazing ability to make chocolate cake, sometimes both at the same time? 

Nanny Piggins is a mighty mammal. Her unorthodox methods of child-minding are only matched by her penchant for crazy adventure and ability to think outside the cake-box. Kids will enjoy escapades like Nanny and the children setting off to sail to China - "[Nanny] knew the world was round and China was very big so she was confident that if they headed straight out to sea, they would bump into it eventually." Young readers will giggle over a ten foot tall dancing bear named Boris who must somehow be hidden from the children's father, and the Great Pie Fiasco. I found myself in a constant ripple of laughter and read the book in one sitting. 

The Nanny Piggins books remind me a little of books from an earlier time, when characters were not constrained by political correctness and mischief lurked within.

Kids who love series will be delighted that this is the first of many books starring Nanny and the Green children. The Adventures of Nanny Piggins is perfect for reading aloud to kids, perhaps as a family or class serial, because each chapter is a stand-alone adventure. I predict that Librarians who like to hand-sell books will find that kids are eager to go on and read the rest of the book themselves. 

You can listen to a chapter read-aloud by the author herself on her website. You can also see Nanny on video. And if you still need convincing before you race out and buy this book for the loved children in your lives, read the words of Nanny Piggins:

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins’ is more than a biography - it is infobiopigtainment. It is educational for parents. Thrilling for children. And revealing for pigs, as it confirms our worst suspicions, that humans are dirty greedy creatures.

Yours Sincerely,

          Nanny Piggins F.P. (Flying Pig)

Don't you just love books and authors that do everything possible to kindle kids' enthusiasm for reading! 

Have a great day.  

Read on and read always!

Book review rating:   8 (Fantastic)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

This special day is almost upon us.  The official date is March 17th.  It is a day to dress in green, eat green food, listen to fiddle music and talk in riddles.  Shamrocks, leprechauns and pots of gold at the end of the rainbow rule the day.  Have a fun, fun time with your kids on this day all around this theme.
What could you do to enrich the St. Paddy's Day Theme in your family?  Mmmmm....well you could:


1.  Put green food colouring in some icing and bake up some cupcakes to share.

2.  Find something green to put on and wear for the day.

3.  Find some templates of St. Patrick's Day online for your kids to colour, cut out and decorate.

4.  Listen to some Irish music, perhaps the Irish Rover's song, The Unicorn

5.  Find some books related to the day and read them aloud together, as a family, at dinner time.

6.  Have a "green" treasure hunt.  Find various items around your house that are green and hide them
     all around.  Give your kids a bag or container and let them go a-hunting to find the items.

7. Online there should be lots of St. Patrick's Day poems. Run some off and read them together.

8. Take photos of your St. Patrick's Day dinner party.  Put them in a special occasion booklet to enjoy!

9.  The Irish would say as a greeting while tipping their hat,  "The top of the morning to ya."

10.  You can end your time with an Irish blessings like the one below:

            You can go on and on....use your imagination, celebrate the occasion and have fun!

       Read on and read always!  Have a wonderful weekend and celebration of this awesome day!

St. Patrick's Day is nearing.....

Author V.R. Duin has created a wonderful book centred around the theme of St. Patrick's Day.
She encompasses Leprechauns, shamrocks, the colour green and of course the infamous pot of gold found at the end of the rainbow.

The main character, Goopy Ghost is seeking a leprechaun host to party and play with on that special day of the year. His search leads him to a leprechaun that is locked in a cage and cannot escape.  Robbers have taken all of the leprechaun's gold and he is fit to be tied.  The "wee" man convinces Goopy to help rescue both him and his gold. He promises he will grant Goopy three wishes for his trouble.  Goopy gladly steps in to help.  Of course the smart little ghost solves all the dilemmas perfectly and for his last wish asks if he could be invited to dance with fiddles and sing in riddles all the day.  Everyone loves a happy ending and this book will make you smile.

The illustrations are big, bold and beautiful.  They are bursting with colour and expression and enrich the text so much.  I am sure you will love this little character and book so please check it out to add to your "special day" collections.

Read on and read always.

Book review rating:  8  (Fantastic)

Surprise adult book review: Trilogy A Collection

Book Review: Trilogy

Author: Prudence Macgregor

Trilogy is a collection of three stories that start out with normal people, doing normal things and then when a dose of the abnormal is administered their lives are never the same again.  These characters have encounters with the unknown that set them in a talespin, and has them asking the question: “What the heck just happened? This can’t be for real!”, but by the time the question has left their mind, their reality has changed forever.

I love stories that are well-written and make you think outside of the box.  The author has a flair for words and for spinning ideas that perhaps could happen in real life.  Paranormal events open your eyes to possibilities and happenings that may occur while you are just doing what you normally do.

I liked where these stories took my mind.  

Read on and read always.

Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite review

Open Very Carefully: A Book With Bite by Nick Bromley, illustrated by Nicola O'Byrne

Get "Open Very Carefully : A Book with Bite"

Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite, written by Nick Bromley and illustrated by Nicola O'Byrne joins a fine tradition of picture books that subvert the (sometimes well known) story and engage the reader. I'm sure this kind of book can be traced back farther, but my memory starts with the 1971 Little Golden Book The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone, illustrated by Mike Smollin. David Wiesner's wonderful 2001 Caldecot winner The Three Pigs also came to mind, as did Hervé Tullet's brilliant Press Here. I love these kinds of books, and what I love best about Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite is that fact that it is perfect for the littlest listeners with just a touch of suspense, a lot of humor and some literal writing over of the story and the illustrations.

Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite begins with an uninvited guest interrupting the story of The Ugly Duckling.

The intruder is a sneaky one, hiding from our narrator, the ugly little duckling who is really a cute little cygnet in a red knit cap.  

The beast even eats some of the letters from the story! But, our hero is a clever little bird and he has some ideas about how to get rid of the croc that include having readers rock the book from side to side, lulling the croc to sleep, drawing on the croc while he sleeps and shaking the book to see if it's possible to shake the croc right off the page!

I hate to give away the ending, but it is one of the coolest parts of this book. The croc begins to EAT his way out of the book leaving a hole on the final page of this book and a matching one on the back cover that leaves the red capped cygnet peeking out at the reader.

Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite is a very fun book, the kind of book that, like The Monster at the End of this Book, will be remembered well into adulthood.

Read on and read always!   Enjoy your day.

Questions to Promote Visual Literacy

Questions to Promote Visual Literacy by Susan Stephenson Visual literacy fascinates me. What IS visual literacy? Here's one general definition I like, from Wikipedia: Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image, extending the meaning of literacy, which commonly signifies interpretation of a written or printed text. Visual literacy is based on the idea that pictures can be “read” and that meaning can be communicated through a process of reading. And here's one that's more specific to education: Visual literacy in education develops a student's visual literacy - their ability to comprehend, make meaning of, and communicate through visual means, usually in the form of images or multimedia. (Wikipedia) In an increasingly visually complex world, it's crucial for kids to think critically about what they see, and understand it. The other side of that coin is that they need to thoughtfully produce visual content. I think asking kids questions about what they see is not only an easy task to include in daily home and classroom activities, but also a powerful way to promote visual literacy. Building visual literacy skills is like building any literacy skills: making it a habit, a routine, regular and purposeful, almost guarantees natural learning. Here are some question starters and questions you might like to use with your kids/students to encourage visual literacy. What if? If you can only choose one question starter to use with kids, let it be this one. What if the word "Stop" on the sign was in yellow letters? What if we wanted to show anger with the colours we use? What if the movie makers had chosen real actors to play the animals? What if the pigeon wanted to drive a submarine? What if that image were smaller/bigger/closer? What if this picture isn't real? How? How does the picture make you feel? How did the actor show her hurt? How can we use images and words to communicate our own message? How would the message change if a different medium was used? How did the illustrator create this image? How can we use advertising techniques to persuade people about our own ideas? What? What emotion do you think the creator wanted to make people feel? What action does the illustrator want you to take? What makes that logo effective? What message do you want people to take away from your painting? Why? Why did the creator make this image? Why have you chosen that medium to create in? Why is that image so powerful? Why did that advertisement choose those words and font and colours? Please share other ideas you have for encouraging our kids to be visually literate.

Read on and read always.