The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language Book Review

The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language

Editors of Gallaudet University Press

Gallaudet University Press

Nonfiction, Children-Adult

Publication Date: October 31, 2014

The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language is a great resource for children and parents, students and teachers.  As a parent, it is a great reference for teaching my son fundamental signs. Plus as an elementary teacher, this dictionary is a great resource for introducing and utilizing sign language in the classroom. Students can avoid disrupting other students when asking to use the restroom, get a drink of water, etc. by using sign language when they need something.

This dictionary is an easy to use guide with fun illustrations for the meaning of words and clear illustrations for how to sign a word.

I highly recommend this resource for both parents and teachers!

If you’re interested in The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Enter Title Here Book Review

Enter Title Here

Rahul Kanakia

Disney Book Group

Young Adult

Publication Date: August 2, 2016

Reshma Kapoor has crafted her entire high school experience to be the best. The best is what she needs to be if she wants to get into Stanford. But even with her long list of AP classes, high GPA, and valedictorian spot, Stanford is not a sure bet.

Reshma needs something to set her apart from the perfects. She needs something that will make her stand out from all of the other overachieving valedictorians. She needs a hook.

When the opportunity to write a book comes along, Reshma jumps at the chance. How many high school students have a literary agent? Reshma writes herself as her protagonist - an overachiever who will learn that friendships are more important than striving for perfection.

But as Reshma beings checking items off her narrative to-do list (get a boyfriend, go to a party, make a friend) and as her place as valedictorian gets jeopardized, Reshma must decide how low she is willing to go to get what she wants.

If you’re interested in reading Enter Title Here, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Fuchsia Fierce Book Review

Fuchsia Fierce

Christianne Jones (Author)

Kelly Canby (Illustrator)

Capstone Young Readers

Children’s Fiction

Publication Date: September 1, 2016

Fuchsia Fierce may have a bold name, but that doesn't mean she lives up to it. In fact, Fuchsia is the opposite of fierce, and she definitely does not want to try anything new.

With a nudge from her parents, a camp counselor, and herself, Fuchsia takes a bold step and discovers an important lesson about believing in yourself. Maybe Fuchsia is fierce after all.

A great lesson and story for children!

If you’re interested in reading Fuchsia Fierce, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

What Would It Be Like? Book Review

What Would It Be Like?

McArthur Krishna (Author)

Ayeshe Sadr & Ishaan Dasgupta (Illustrators)

Amberjack Publishing

Children’s Books

Publication Date: June 28, 2016

An inquisitive girl wants to know what it would be like to do a lot of different things from being a cowgirl or a pirate to being a mom or an astronaut. So, she goes to the library to find out.

Through this curious girl's investigation What Would It Be Like? celebrates strong women throughout history. By giving a glimpse into the lives of a variety of women, some well-known and some not as well-known, the book serves as a springboard to further investigate these women's lives and find out what it would be like to be so many different things.

If you’re interested in reading What Would It Be Like? you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

  

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

When Penny Met POTUS Book Review

When Penny Met POTUS

Rachel Ruiz (Author)

Melissa Manwell (Illustrator)

Capstone Young Readers

Children’s Fiction

Publication Date: July 1, 2016

Though Penny's often heard the term POTUS since her mother works for the President of the United States, she doesn't quite understand what the term means. Penny knows the POTUS has secret service agents and has his own plane, but what does this POTUS creature look like? When Penny goes to work with her mother, she is determine to find out. 

Well illustrated and humorous!  When Penny Met POTUS will give children and adults a chuckle.

If you’re interested in reading When Penny Met POTUS, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Knees: The Mixed-Up World of a Boy with Dyslexia Book Review

Knees: The Mixed-Up World of a Boy with Dyslexia

Vanita Oelschlager (Author)

Joe Rossi (Illustrator)

VanitaBooks LLC

Children’s Fiction, Middle Grades

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

Knees is a short book about a boy who has dyslexia. While he tries hard, school is difficult, and students (especially those who struggle with reading) will empathize with the main character. The book has good advice, engaging illustrations, and as a bonus, all net profits from the book are donated to Lawrence School which is dedicated to educating K-12 students with learning and attention differences.

Knees is also printed in a dyslexic-friendly font and on cream colored paper, which makes it an even more inviting read for students who struggle.

If you’re interested in reading Knees, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

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Sheepy and the Riddle of the Occurrence Book Review

Sheepy and the Riddle of the Occurrence

Henrietta Williams (Author)

Richard Berner (Illustrator)

Matador

Children’s Fiction

Publication Date: March 28, 2016

Sheepy and the Riddle of the Occurrence is a fanciful and somewhat humorous tale of Sheepy and his friends as they go on an adventure to figure out what a mysterious happening means to their little world.

The "occurrence" sets Sheepy and his odd creature friends off on a mission with adventure, riddles, and teamwork.

The book is targeted for children aged 4-9.  While humorous at points, the sometimes long-winded writing will be difficult for some kids to follow. However, the illustrations of the unique creatures may draw them in.

While not my personal favorite, I know some children who will enjoy it.

If you’re interested in reading Sheepy and the Riddle of the Occurrence, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

The Girl in the Well Is Me Book Review

The Girl in the Well Is Me

Karen Rivers

Algonquin Young Readers

Middle Grades, Young Adult, Middle School

Publication Date: March 15, 2016

Kammie wants to start fresh at her new school and fit in with the cool girls, but picking Mandy, Kandy, and Sandy as potential friends quickly goes awry when a faux initiation into their group ends with Kammie stuck in a well.

While in the well, Kammie tells her story of why her family moved to Texas, why she was hated at her last school, and why she wanted more than anything to start anew. 

The Girl in the Well Is Me is a well-written tale that middle school girls will want to read.

If you’re interested in reading The Girl in the Well Is Me, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Don't Dangle Your Participle Book Review

Don’t Dangle Your Participle

Vanita Oelschlager (Author)

Mark DeSantis (Illustrator)

Vanita Books

Children’s Nonfiction, Middle Grades

Publication Date: May 1, 2014

Don't Dangle Your Participle offers a quick and not too technical overview of what a participle is and how it can “dangle” in a sentence before jumping to amusing examples of dangled participles. The entertaining illustrations highlight the confusion and error that can come from a dangling participle.

This book offers teachers an engaging introduction to a sometimes boring or difficult to understand concept. Students will obtain a clearer and more concrete understanding of participles through this book.

If you’re interested in reading Don’t Dangle Your Participle, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

The Most Magnificent Thing Book Review

The Most Magnificent Thing

Ashley Spires (Author, Illustrator)

Kids Can Press

Children’s Fiction

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

A girl has the most magnificent idea, but when she tries to make it, the pieces just don't come together. Try as she might--and she does try and try and try again--the most magnificent thing will just not become magnificent like she wants. Even her assistant, a very adorable dog, knows it's just not quite magnificent enough yet. Her frustration mounts with each failed attempt. How can her assistant help her?

A very important lesson is wrapped in a sweet story with a cute dog: hard work and perseverance pay off, but sometimes it's important to take a step back and gain a fresh perspective. A good read for teaching grit, problem solving, and managing frustration.

If you’re interested in reading The Most Magnificent Thing, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

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An Armadillo in New York Book Review

An Armadillo in New York

Julie Kraulis (Author, Illustrator)

Tundra Books

Children’s Literature, Travel

Publication Date: April 12, 2016

Inspired by his grandfather, an armadillo from Brazil named Arlo tours New York and takes in the sights, sounds, and tastes.  The illustrations pop with a unique personality.  However, the artwork throughout the book offers the reader a more interesting and inviting look at New York than the text. 

If you’re interested in reading An Armadillo in New York, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower Book Review

Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower

Greg Pizzoli (Author, Illustrator)

Viking Books for Young Readers

Children’s Books, Middle Grades, Biography

Publication Date: March 10, 2015

Tricky Vic is a catch-me-if-you-can-esque tale of adventure about the captivating con artist Robert Miller (a.k.a. “Count” Victor Lustig).  Pizzoli’s artwork and writing capture the brazenness and audacity of Lustig’s escapades that both fascinate and amaze.  Side notes ground the book in its historical period offering the reader a glimpse into Tricky Vic’s era. 

Readers who enjoy nonfiction, biographies, historical fiction, realistic fiction, or just a well-crafted story with interesting artwork will love this book.  I highly recommend it!

If you’re interested in reading Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.