Monday, July 30, 2018
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader Book Review
Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader
Christianne C. Jones (Author)
From the author of Lacy Walker, Nonstop Talker comes Harrison P. Spader, Space Invader. Harrison is a hippo who wants to share his love of life with everyone. But he wants to share it a little too much and a little too closely. Harrison doesn’t realize how other people feel when he gets into their space. So when he crowds his friends again and again, his dad gets a few calls from concerned parents, teachers, and coaches.
Harrison’s dad shows him a neat trick called the Space Saver, and they practice it together. Harrison is so good at the Space Saver he even starts using it when he doesn’t need to, which brings up a new set of frustrations from his friends and teachers. With a little more help, Harrison is able to (mostly) leave an appropriate amount of personal space with his friends.
If you have a child or students who need constructive and concrete ways to remember to give other people personal space, then Harrison P. Spader, Space Invader is a good place to start! Kids can easily practice and incorporate the “Space Saver” move into their lives. I also like that Harrison’s family all loves crowding together on the couch, so it shows that you can use less space at home (if that’s your family’s norm) and still use more space for others at school.
Christianne C. Jones (Author)
Cale Atkinson (Illustrator)
Capstone
Children’s Fiction, Picture Book, Social Story
Publication Date: August 1, 2018
From the author of Lacy Walker, Nonstop Talker comes Harrison P. Spader, Space Invader. Harrison is a hippo who wants to share his love of life with everyone. But he wants to share it a little too much and a little too closely. Harrison doesn’t realize how other people feel when he gets into their space. So when he crowds his friends again and again, his dad gets a few calls from concerned parents, teachers, and coaches.
Harrison’s dad shows him a neat trick called the Space Saver, and they practice it together. Harrison is so good at the Space Saver he even starts using it when he doesn’t need to, which brings up a new set of frustrations from his friends and teachers. With a little more help, Harrison is able to (mostly) leave an appropriate amount of personal space with his friends.
If you have a child or students who need constructive and concrete ways to remember to give other people personal space, then Harrison P. Spader, Space Invader is a good place to start! Kids can easily practice and incorporate the “Space Saver” move into their lives. I also like that Harrison’s family all loves crowding together on the couch, so it shows that you can use less space at home (if that’s your family’s norm) and still use more space for others at school.
If you’re interested in reading Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Coding from Scratch Book Review
Coding from Scratch
Rachel Ziter
Capstone
Children’s Nonfiction, Middle Grades, Coding
Publication Date: August 1, 2018
Coding From Scratch is a very thorough, step-by-step guide for using Scratch to code. The book has clear illustrations, pictures, and diagrams to help readers navigate Scratch and develop their coding skills. It walks kids through how to make their own games, how to use the drawing tools to make animations, creating presentations, using the sound tools, and more! If you’re looking for a detailed guide to Scratch that dives in deep, then this is it!
If you’re interested in reading Coding from Scratch, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert? Book Review
What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert?
Jochen Weeber (Author)
Gisbert the giraffe isn’t sure what’s happening. He feels like he keeps shrinking even if no one else can see it. His parents notice he is down and ask him if he’s okay, but he can’t explain it himself. With time, Gisbert realizes that his friends’ words hurt him, and each time he felt hurt and sad, he also felt weak and small. When he rejoins his friends who happily welcome him back to school Gisbert feels a new feeling that sends him through the roof!
Jochen Weeber (Author)
Fariba Gholizadeh (Illustrator)
Flyaway Books
Children’s Fiction, Picture Book
Publication Date: July 24, 2018
Gisbert the giraffe isn’t sure what’s happening. He feels like he keeps shrinking even if no one else can see it. His parents notice he is down and ask him if he’s okay, but he can’t explain it himself. With time, Gisbert realizes that his friends’ words hurt him, and each time he felt hurt and sad, he also felt weak and small. When he rejoins his friends who happily welcome him back to school Gisbert feels a new feeling that sends him through the roof!
What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert? addresses a common problem kids face: their friends’ words are sometimes hurtful. The book offers a positive solution of talking to your parents and talking to your friends about how you feel. Before the positive outcome, Gisbert even misses school because of how hurt he is feeling. What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert? can be a good discussion starter of what to do when our friends say hurtful things or if we have said hurtful things to someone else.
If you’re interested in reading What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert?, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Code Your Own Adventure Book Review
Code Your Own Adventure
Max Wainewright (Authors)
Henry Smith (Illustrator)
QEB Publishing
Children’s Nonfiction, Middle grades, Coding
Publication Date: July 19, 2018
Colorful, engaging, and informative - Code Your Own Adventure provides step-by-step instructions in a comic-book format for kids to code their own game using Scratch. Kids will learn how to draw characters and shapes, animate plot lines, and create games all while learning how to code. A fun way to gain useful knowledge and coding skills!
If you’re interested in reading Code Your Own Adventure, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Awesome! Book Review
Awesome!
Craig Shuttlewood
(Author & Illustrator)
Capstone
Children’s Fiction, Picture Book
Publication Date: August 1, 2018
Marvin the moose and Woody the beaver are best friends. One day, Marvin awesomely saves another forest animal from danger and quickly becomes a local hero. His friend Woody even makes him a cape and a mask and Marvin continues to do good deeds. But as Marvin’s fame spreads, Woody feels left out and starts getting his own attention but in a negative way. Everything comes to a head, and even though Woody causes a potentially large problem, he also helps Marvin save the day in the end.
My preschooler loves this book! We’ve read it at least 40 times in the past month! He loves that there is a superhero with a cape, he loves the animals and illustrations, he loves the word awesome, he loves that there is a statue, and he loves that even though Woody makes bad choices, Woody decides to make a better choice in the end and can be awesome too. Awesome! is a hit with my 3-year old!
If you’re interested in reading Awesome!, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Thursday, July 12, 2018
The Picky Eater Book Review
The Picky Eater
Betsy Parkinson (Author)
Shane Clester (Illustrator)
Capstone
Children’s Fiction, Picture Book
Publication Date: August 1, 2018
Piper is a wonderful piglet. However, as many frustrated parents may relate to, Piper is rather picky about the foods she eats. Unlike most picky eaters who prefer specific foods, Piper prefers foods that only start with the letter “P.” Pizza, pancakes, peas, pasta – as long as it starts with a “P” Piper will eat it.
After numerous requests for Piper to eat the dinner served to her, Piper’s mom finally has had enough. She tells Piper she doesn’t have to eat, but she cannot talk, not even one word, if she doesn’t eat. After several quiet dinners, Piper finally tries the food served to her. And many parents won’t be surprised by Piper’s reaction – hey! she actually likes other foods!
As a parent, I’m not keen on the idea of banning my child from talking because they’re not eating. However, the book does get it’s point across: it’s good to try new foods and not be so picky. It also realistically shows that picky eating can be frustrating for parents.
If you have a picky eater on your hands, The Picky Eater may be a good discussion starter on how both kids and parents could better handle dinner time frustrations.
If you’re interested in reading The Picky Eater, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Outside: Discovering Animals Book Review
Outside: Discovering Animals
Maria Ana Peixe Dias & Ines Teixeira do Rosario (Authors)
If you’re looking for a fun read that will make your kids want to get outside this summer, then check out Outside: Discovering Animals. The book walks kids through all of the clues they can look for (like feathers, footprints, tracks, chewed on pine cones, etc.) to find all sorts of animals whether you live in a city or in the country!
Maria Ana Peixe Dias & Ines Teixeira do Rosario (Authors)
Bernardo P. Carvalho (Illustrator)
Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Children’s Nonfiction, Outdoors
Publication Date: July 5, 2018
If you’re looking for a fun read that will make your kids want to get outside this summer, then check out Outside: Discovering Animals. The book walks kids through all of the clues they can look for (like feathers, footprints, tracks, chewed on pine cones, etc.) to find all sorts of animals whether you live in a city or in the country!
If you’re interested in reading Outside: Discovering Animals, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Bug Lab for Kids Book Review
Bug Lab for Kids
John W. Guyton
If you have a kid who is interested in bugs, then Bug Lab for Kids is for you!
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Family-Friendly Activities for Exploring the Amazing World of Beetles, Butterflies, Spiders, and Other Arthropods
John W. Guyton
Quarry Books
Children's Book, Middle Grades, Non-Fiction
Publication Date: June 12, 2018
If you have a kid who is interested in bugs, then Bug Lab for Kids is for you!
This book will walk even a novice bug-collector parent or teacher through learning where to start to more advanced techniques on collecting insects to how to preserve them. The book is set up as forty-three labs that kids can complete. The labs start with learning where to look, using sketching as a tool, and the scientific method. Later labs include photographing insects, making papier-mâché nests, creating a pollinator habitat, and more.
Bug Lab for Kids offers a variety of insect-centered activities and will keep kids busy and engaged! Perfect for summer!
If you’re interested in reading Bug 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.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Amazing World: Bugs Get To Know 20 Crazy Bugs Book Review
Amazing World: Bugs Get To Know 20 Crazy Bugs
Bold, bright, and informative! Kids will love learning about these twenty crazy and fascinating bugs. From the spiny flower mantis to glowing cockroach, kids are sure to be captivated by the crazy and cool things bugs can do!
L.J. Tracosas
becker&mayer! kids
Children's Book, Middle Grades, Non-Fiction
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Bold, bright, and informative! Kids will love learning about these twenty crazy and fascinating bugs. From the spiny flower mantis to glowing cockroach, kids are sure to be captivated by the crazy and cool things bugs can do!
If you’re interested in reading Amazing World: Bugs Get To Know 20 Crazy Bugs, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
National Parks of the USA Book Review
National Parks of the USA
Kate Siber (Author)
Chris Turnham (Illustrator)
Wide Eyed Editions
Children’s Nonfiction, Picture Book
Publication Date: July 3, 2018
Fact-filled and beautifully illustrated! National Parks of the USA takes you on a tour of the National Parks throughout the country. If you can't visit the parks in person, then this book is a great introduction to the wide range of beauty the United States’ offers.
If you’re interested in reading National Parks of the USA, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Monday, July 2, 2018
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Pip's Big Hide-and-Seek-Book Book Review
Pip's Big Hide-and-Seek-Book
Thaïs Vanderheyden
Pip is playing hide-and-seek with his mouse friends. The 100 mice scatter as Pip counts and each following page has 10 mice hiding in the illustrations. The scenes vary widely: a circus caravan, space, a submarine. Kids will enjoy hunting for the mice and can practice counting to ten as they do!
Thaïs Vanderheyden
Clavis
Children's Book, Fiction
Publication Date: July 1, 2018
Pip is playing hide-and-seek with his mouse friends. The 100 mice scatter as Pip counts and each following page has 10 mice hiding in the illustrations. The scenes vary widely: a circus caravan, space, a submarine. Kids will enjoy hunting for the mice and can practice counting to ten as they do!
If you’re interested in reading Pip's Big Hide-and-Seek-Book, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.