The Bridge of the Golden Wood Book Review

The Bridge of the Golden Wood

A Parable on How to Earn a Living

Karl Beckstrand (Author)

Yaniv Cahoua (Illustrator)

Premio Publishing

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: August 1, 2017

A resourceful boy who loves to make things meets an old woman near a stream. The old woman points out a problem fish are having: old sticks piled up in the river are not allowing the fish to get upstream to eat. But, she also tells the boy that the sticks are treasure and worth as much as gold. Though the woman disappears before the boy understands, he decided to help the fish anyway and clear the sticks. As he finishes, the boy discovers how those sticks are as valuable as gold.

The Bridge of the Golden Wood illustrates how there are opportunities around us, even for children, to make money and to help others. The book also includes ideas and examples of how kids can earn money if they are so inclined.

If you’re interested in reading The Bridge of the Golden Wood, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

  

Cutie’s Big Adventures Book Review

Cutie’s Big Adventures

Cutie Meets Mr. Lizard

Felicia Di John (Author)

Terence Gaylor (Illustrator)

Cutie Series Co.

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: May 25, 2017

Cutie is an adventurous Chihuahua that decides to go out and explore the world when her mom gets on the bus for school. Cutie's goal: find something other than this same old puppy food to eat. Her adventure leads her out into the desert where she meets Mr. Lizard and has a fun time!

Kids who love dogs will enjoy reading about Cutie's adventure.

If you’re interested in reading Cutie’s Big Adventures, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

Quote of the Week

I Don't Like Reading Book Review

I Don't Like Reading

Lisabeth Emlyn Clark

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Children’s Fiction

Publication Date: August 21, 2017

Harry likes a lot of things like playing with his best friend Tom, climbing trees, and drawing, but Harry does not like reading. The words can make him feel dizzy or look too big or too small. Reading is really frustrating for Harry, and sometimes he gets really nervous when he thinks about reading at school.

One night, Harry finally tells mom how he feels, and after talking it over with his teacher, Harry works with a few extra adults at school like the special needs coordinator and an educational psychologist. With the team, his mom's help, and his own willingness to try, Harry realizes that he can read. It just might be a little harder for him.

I Don't Like Reading depicts the frustration many kids at school face with reading. Harry is illustrated in a way that leaves his age a bit ambiguous so readers of many ages up through upper elementary will see themselves in Harry's struggles. As Harry goes through the educational testing process, he meets with a special needs coordinator and an educational psychologist which mirrors what children go through when being tested for extra services in school. I Don't like Reading does an excellent job of identifying student frustrations and preparing them for the process they may go through if their parents choose to pursue special education services for extra help.

If you’re interested in reading I Don’t Like Reading, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

Phoebe Sounds It Out Book Review

Phoebe Sounds It Out

Julie Zwillich (Author)

Denise Holmes (Illustrator)

Owlkids Books

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: April 15, 2017

Writing your name can be difficult, especially when your name isn't spelled how it sounds. Rather than writing her name, Phoebe busies herself in other ways until her teacher encourages her to "sound it out." Phoebe gives it her best try and spells her name how it sounds.

In Phoebe Sounds It Out, children will relate to Phoebe's uncertainty about trying a new, difficult task while preschool and kindergarten teachers will smirk at the inventive ways Phoebe busies herself while avoiding that new task.

If you’re interested in reading Phoebe Sounds It Out, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

  

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

Liam Takes a Stand Book Review

Liam Takes a Stand

Troy Wilson (Author)

Josh Holinaty (Illustrator)

Owlkids Books

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: March 14, 2017

Liam feels left out by his older twin brothers Lester and Lister. The twins compete for everything and have no time for Liam. But Liam is resourceful. As the twins compete over who has the best lemonade stand, Liam does odd jobs around the neighborhood and saves his money. With that saved money, Liam makes his move and surprises his brothers at just the right moment.

Liam Takes a Stand is a fun book that siblings will identify with. The humorous story is also filled with some basic financial principles and examples of strategic thinking.

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

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

Quote of the Week

Geology Lab for Kids Book Review

Geology Lab for Kids

52 Projects to Explore Rocks, Gems, Geodes, Crystals, Fossils, and Other Wonders of the Earth's Surface

Garret Romaine

Quarry Books

Science, Non-Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grades

Publication Date: July 1, 2017

From creating your own crystals to studying sediment to producing your own paint and bricks Geology Lab for Kids is packed full of fun projects. Kids can get hands on creating, baking, mixing, studying, constructing, and more!

Teachers and parents will love this book, and most importantly, their kids will too!

If you’re interested in reading Geology Lab for Kids, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

The Sad, Sad Monster Book Review

The Sad, Sad Monster

Dolores Costello

Xist Publishing

Children’s Book, Picture Book

Publication Date: March 21, 2017

Monster is sad at school. Even though he is a good monster, no one plays with him. He's lonely. But one day, Sarah asks to eat lunch with Monster and they become friends. With his new friend, Monster isn't lonely anymore.

The Sad, Sad Monster is a simple story about kindness and friendship. Its simplicity and illustrations will appeal to pre-readers and beginning readers. Kids will like it, but as an adult I'm left wanting a bit more from the book.

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

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.   

Out of the Box 25 Cardboard Engineering Projects for Makers Book Review

Out of the Box

25 Cardboard Engineering Projects for Makers

Jemma Westing

DK Children

Non-Fiction, Children’s Book, Middle Grades, Makerspace

Publication Date: April 18, 2017

I love this book both as a parent and as a teacher! It is perfect for home projects or school maker spaces. From tube owls to ring toss games and penguin families to pirate ships, this book will keep kids engaged and entertained with hands-on projects!

If you’re interested in reading Out of the Box, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.   

Excavador / Diggy Book Review

Excavador/ Diggy

Calee M. Lee

Amy Mullen

Xist Kids Bilingual Spanish English

Children’s Book, Picture Book, Bilingual

Publication Date: January 7, 2016

Diggy is an excavator with a lot of work to do! This simple story and fun illustrations delighted my 2 year old.  Diggy's story is presented in both English and Spanish in this bilingual edition.

If you’re interested in reading Excavador/ Diggy, you can purchase the bilingual copy here on Amazon or the English only version here on Amazon.

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

Zach Hangs in There Book Review

Zach Hangs In There

William Mulcahy (Author)

Darren McKee (Illustrator)

Free Spirit Publishing

Children’s Fiction, Social Story

Publication Date: April 18, 2017

Zach Hangs In There is a social story about perseverance. Zach wants to get all the way across the trapeze rings at recess, but they are tricky! With help from his friend Sonya, Zach makes a plan and keeps revising it when it doesn't work. Zach continues to try and with encouragement from Sonya and his own positive self-talk, Zach is able to make it all the way across the trapeze rings for the first time!

This social story does a great job of illustrating the steps to make a plan and how to stick with and revise your plan even when it gets difficult. It also includes more information for parents, caregivers, or teachers on how to foster perseverance in children.

Zach Hangs in There is just one book in the Zach Rules social stories series. 

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

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

Quote of the Week

Baking Class 50 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Bake! Review

Baking Class

50 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Bake!

Deanna F. Cook (Author)

Storey Publishing

Cookbook, Nonfiction, Children’s Book, Middle Grades

Publication Date: September 5, 2017

A great cookbook for young cooks! There is a wide range of recipes of different skill levels that kids of various cooking abilities can try. Baking Class is recommended for ages 8-12, but my 2 year old (with my supervision obviously) was able to help me with some of the simplest recipes and loved it! 

Baking Class is a great way to build opportunities for parents and children to bond together while making delicious treats. With older, middle school aged children, parents may even be able to kick up their feet and have a treat prepared for them!

If you’re interested in reading Baking Class: 50 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Bake!, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

Falcon Wild Review

Falcon Wild

Terry Lynn Johnson (Author)

Charlesbridge

Fiction, Middle Grades, Survival

Publication Date: September 19, 2017

A survival story set in Montana that students will love! Perfect for 5th-8th graders!

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

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

Get book suggestions for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here.    

Quote of the Week