Mason Jar Science 40 Slimy, Squishy, Super-Cool Experiments; Capture Big Discoveries in a Jar, from the Magic of Chemistry and Physics to the Amazing Worlds of Earth Science and Biology Book Review

Mason Jar Science

40 Slimy, Squishy, Super-Cool Experiments; 

Capture Big Discoveries in a Jar, from the Magic of Chemistry and Physics to the Amazing Worlds of Earth Science and Biology

Jonathan Adolph

Storey Publishing

Children's Book, Middle Grades, Non-Fiction

Publication Date: May 29, 2018

Mason Jar Science has fun ideas for kids to get hands-on with science. Broken into sections (Chemistry, Earth Science, Botany, Biology, Physics), kids can easily navigate the book and select which projects to undertake. From Fireworks in a Jar or Cornstarch Quicksand to Very Berry Ink or Light Bending kids are sure to find a variety of projects that interest them. Each project includes subsections like materials, instructions, what to watch for, what's going on, tell me more, or take it further so kids (and adults) know exactly what steps to take.

Mason Jar Science is full of great ideas that will keep kids busy, learning, and engaged. It's prefect for summers at home or for adventurous teachers looking for fun classroom projects!

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

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

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Interested in

• PK-2nd
• 3rd-5th
• 6th-8th
• 9th-12th

Great Dog Book Review

Great Dog

 

Davide Cali

(Author & Illustrator)

Tundra Books

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: May 29, 2018

A hallway of family portraits spurs a conversation between father and pup. There have been so many great dogs in their family. The great dog's portraits hang right there in the hallway. Each time the father explains how great one of their family members is, like Aunt Doris the fire dog, the illustration shows a maybe not-so-great event in that dog's life, like Aunt Doris standing on the fire hose so no water is coming out. As they discuss the portraits the pup wonders aloud if he'll be a great dog too, and the father reassures him he will - with a slight twist at the end.

Great Dog reminds us that families come in all shapes and sizes and that even the greatest of us aren't perfect.

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

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

How to Be a Big Kid Book Review

How to Be a Big Kid

DK

DK Children

Children’s Nonfiction

Publication Date: May 15, 2018

A great book for preschoolers!

How to Be a Big Kid explores subjects from potty training and hygiene to staying safe, going to school, and much more. It is a great conversation starter for parents and kids and provides fun ideas to enrich curiosities and expand children's knowledge of themselves and the world.

I highly recommend it for any parent of preschool age children.

If you’re interested in reading How to Be a Big Kid, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Frango & Chicken Book Review

Frango & Chicken

Elena Stowell (Author, Illustrator)

thewordverve inc

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: May 15, 2018

Set in Brazil and with a mix of English and Portuguese, Frango teachers a valuable lesson: Difficult does not mean impossible.

The story starts with Frango asking his chicken to get him a pencil, paper, an envelope and a stamp. We see Frango writing a letter, and at first I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I chalked Frango's lack of hands up to the artist's style. However, as the story continues Frango's lack of hands becomes increasingly noticeable. Despite this difficulty, Frango still rides his bike, works in a grocery store, and does jiu-jitsu. He shows that difficult does not mean impossible.

Frango & Chicken is an inspiring read with an important lesson based on a true story. While the real Frango does not have a chicken, he says he does have friends who act like the chicken. Fifteen "After Reading" questions round out the book.

Frango & Chicken is an inspirational addition to any classroom or personal library.

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

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

Hedgehog Book Review

Hedgehog

 

Ashlyn Anstee

Tundra Books

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: May 8, 2018

Many animals are getting ready for winter, and many bunk up together. Hedgehog, however, likes the hedge all to himself. Grasshopper, who lives under the hedge, is much more accommodating.

When other animals run out of room and ask to live in the hedge, Hedgehog gives a resounding, "No!" each time but Grasshopper welcomes them to her home beneath Hedgehog's. As more animals come, Hedgehog grows more and more territorial and more and more angry, until a twist makes him rethink everything.

With a twinge of humor and good illustrations, kids will like Hedgehog and it will make them think twice about greediness and the importance of sharing.

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

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

Quote of the Week

Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts A Book about Anger Book Review

Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts 

A Book about Anger

Ian De Haes

Flyaway Books

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book, Emotions

Publication Date: April 26, 2018

The first time Simon gets mad, he pounds and pounds on his door until a ram appears and helps him pound on his door. Simon thinks this ram is great. It can knock anyone over who makes him angry. The next time Simon gets mad, the ram turns into an alligator who snaps at people when Simon ins't happy. As Simon keeps getting mad, his imaginary animal changes and grows with his anger until it becomes a terrible dragon that is out of control.

Simon would rather play with friends but his anger and the dragon have driven them away. What can he do? Simon decides to find a quiet spot, lay down, and concentrate until his anger and the dragon leave him.

Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts is a great tool for teaching children the danger of letting anger out in nonconstructive ways and for modeling a better approach to anger. After the story, information for parents and teachers is included along with follow up activities and ways to teach children mindfulness.

Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts is a great addition to every home and classroom library!

If you’re interested in reading Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts: A Book about Anger, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Howl like a Wolf! Learn to Think, Move, and Act Like 15 Amazing Animals Book Review

Howl like a Wolf! 

Learn to Think, Move, and Act Like 15 Amazing Animals

Kathleen Yale (Author)

Kaley McKean (Illustrator)

Storey Publishing

Children’s Nonfiction

Publication Date: April 17, 2018

Kids will learn a whole lot more than just how to howl in Howl like a Wolf!. From sliding like a penguin to transforming like a frog, kids will learn all about a variety of animals and how to realistically pretend to be them. The book is informative and encourages kids to get up, get moving, and try out these animal characteristics for themselves. A great book for imaginative play!

If you’re interested in reading Howl like a Wolf! Learn to Think, Move, and Act Like 15 Amazing Animals, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

How Big is an Elephant? Book Review

How Big is an Elephant?

Rossana Bossù

Annick Press

Children’s Nonfiction

Publication Date: April 10, 2018

How many polar bears would you need to make an elephant? And how many lions would you need to make a polar bear? How Big is an Elephant? is a fun play on the concept of size. Kids will really enjoy the concept and the illustrations.

If you’re interested in reading How Big is an Elephant?, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

How to Spot a Sasquatch Book Review

How to Spot a Sasquatch

J. Torres (Author)

Aurélie Grand (Illustrator)

Owlkids

Children’s Fiction, Graphic Novel, Middle Grades

Publication Date: May 15, 2018

As kids go out for a camping trip, Jay wants to see a Sasquatch. While the other kids make fun of him or roll their eyes at him for thinking they're real, Sass a Sasquatch watches the group and plays tricks on them from afar. A series of events eventually brings Sass and Jay together, but can Jay tell others about Sass? And what should Sass tell her parents? 

How to Spot a Sasquatch is a fun graphic novel with great illustrations and humor throughout the story. Kids will enjoy it!

If you’re interested in reading How to Spot a Sasquatch, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Quote of the Week

Inky the Octopus: Bound for Glory Book Review

Inky the Octopus: Bound for Glory

Erin Guendelsberger (Author)

David Leonard (Illustrator)

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: April 3, 2018

Inky the Octopus thinks he should be thankful for his life in his tank, especially since he eats like a king, but his heart wants something more. He's curious about life outside the tank. So what is an octopus to do? Break out to find the open ocean of course. And when his tank lid is left ajar one night, Inky finds his opportunity.

Inky the Octopus is a fun story based on true events. The true story is detailed in the back of the book along with a few other true octopus tales and some fun facts about octopuses.

If you’re interested in reading Inky the Octopus: Bound for Glory, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

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

Ellie, Engineer Book Review

Ellie, Engineer

 

Jackson Pearce

Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Children’s Fiction, Chapter Book, Middle Grades

Publication Date: January 16, 2018

Ellie’s the kind of girl who has a tool belt strapped over her skirt. She’s got an engineer’s brain and wants to design, create, and build whenever she has the chance and her best friend Kit’s birthday gives her just that. Ellie will make Kit the best doghouse ever created, but to do so she needs to enlist the help of her friends (who are girls) and the neighborhood boys. The two groups don’t get along, and Ellie has to navigate the two plus Kit’s concerns as she tries to build her friend the best birthday present ever.

I appreciate that Ellie, Engineer has a central female character who “breaks the mold” of stereotypes, but at times the book hits this theme a bit too on the nose. Overall Ellie, Engineer has a good story that kids will like, but I found it a little superficial at times.

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

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

Tree Song Book Review

Tree Song

Tiffany Stone (Author)

Holly Hatam (Illustrator)

Annick Press

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: April 10, 2018

From starting as just a seed and growing into a strong tree, Tree Song shows the life cycle of a tree paired with playful text that changes with the seasons and over the years. Tree Song is a great book to pair with units or explorations of spring or fall. Kids will enjoy the rhyming text and colorful pictures.

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

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