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Showing posts with the label Children

Book Review: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! By Dr Seuss

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  How the Grinch Stole Christmas! By Dr Seuss 64 pages, Hardcover First published October 12, 1957 Goodreads | Amazon   Get in on the Christmas cheer with Dr. Seuss’s iconic holiday classic starring the Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who—guaranteed to grow your heart three sizes! Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot...but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT! Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. From the Grinch and his dog, Max, to Cindy-Lou and all the residents of Who-ville, this heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit will warm even the coldest and smallest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is perfect for readers young and old. My review: What a delightful surprise to read this Christmas classic for the first time! Although I knew the story from the movies (who doesn’t?), I had ne...

Book Review: Little Cloud's Big Dream by Ixtzel Arreola

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Little Cloud's Big Dream Author: Ixtzel Arreola Illustrator: Martina Liebig Pub Date Mar 11 2025 Goodreads | Amazon The little cloud Re has a BIG dream! But when she grows so large she becomes a thunderstorm, will her new friend Flower still recognize her? A little cloud named Re wishes to grow as big as the clouds floating over the sea. She learns from a passing cloud how to collect dew and water and soon she has grown BIG! As she travels, she even soaks up some droplets from the petals of a beautiful flower and the two become fast friends. But then something happens that Re never expected–she starts to storm! After storming across land and sea, Re grows small again and returns to Flower. At first the cloud is afraid her new friend won’t recognize her, but Flower assures her “from dew to rain to thunder, you are still you.” An imaginative look into the water cycle through a little cloud and the feelings she experiences as she grows and changes. My review: Some stories captivate c...

Book Review: Grumble Boats by Susannah McFarlane

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Grumble Boats Author: Susannah McFarlane Illustrator: Tamsin Ainslie Pub Date Apr 15 2025 Goodreads | Amazon What happens when you’re feeling upset? Grandma shows Emma how to say goodbye to being grumpy in this sweet and sensitive social emotional picture book. A must-read for preschoolers and kindergarteners who are often caught up in their feels. Emma is spending the afternoon with her grandmother, but she’s very grumbly. That’s because she didn’t get to go to the pirate party with her brother and now she feels left out. Grandma shows Emma how to draw your grumbles. Then how to take your grumble drawing and fold it into a boat. They take their boats out to the water and say goodbye to their grumbles forever. Once they let go of their grumbly feelings, a different type of grumble makes them realize something: it's time for lunch! A gentle and loving social-emotional learning story for little ones learning to navigate their feelings. My review:  I'm always searching for books ...

Book Review: The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling

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Book Review: The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling Published October 12, 2021 by Scholastic Inc. Goodreads | Amazon A heartwarming, page-turning adventure about one child's love for his most treasured thing, and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world’s greatest storytellers. One boy and his toy are about to change everything... Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens — DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life... even toys. And Jack’s newest toy — the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement) — has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known... My review: The Christmas Pig  is a heartwarming and enchanting holiday tale that follows Jack, a young boy who experiences the de...

Book Review: A Sled for Gabo by Emma Otheguy

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Book Review: A Sled for Gabo Author: Emma Otheguy Illustrator: Ana Ramírez González 40 pages, Hardcover Published January 5, 2021 by Atheneum Books Goodreads |  Amazon The Snowy Day meets Last Stop on Market Street in this heartwarming classic in the making about a young boy who is in a new town and doesn’t have much, but with the help of a loving community discovers the joys of his first snowy day. On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while. Gabo wishes he could join them, but his hat is too small, and he doesn’t have boots or a sled. But he does have warm and welcoming neighbors in his new town who help him solve the problem in the sweetest way possible! A Sled for Gabo is a charming, short story that transports us to a winter filled with adventure, dreams, and challenges. Gabo is a young boy living in a place where snow takes center stage each winter. He dreams of having a sled so he can join the other neighborhood...

Book Review: A Little Labradoodle Christmas by April M. Cox

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Book Review: A Little Labradoodle Christmas A Rhyming Picture Book About the Power of Family, Love, and Kindness (The Little Labradoodle 4) by April M. Cox, Kairi Fullerton Goodreads | Amazon Looking for a holiday tale that will bring smiles and inspire your child to spread kindness? A Little Labradoodle Christmas is the perfect addition to your holiday reading tradition. When a grumpy old cat grumbles his way through the holidays, two playful Labradoodles and a kind-hearted little girl set out on a mission to change his mind. Together, they embark on a heartwarming adventure, determined to show the cat that Christmas is about more than just decorations and gifts—it's about love, kindness, and reaching out to those who need it most. Perfect for children ages 4-8, this beautifully illustrated story promotes important messages about compassion, making a difference, and embracing the spirit of giving. Cozy up with your little ones and share this delightful holiday story that will warm...

Christmas Books to Read for Children

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Christmas Books to Read for Children The holiday season is a magical time, especially for children. One of the best ways to spread that holiday cheer is through the joy of reading! Whether you're snuggling up with a picture book or diving into a chapter book, there’s a perfect Christmas story for every age group. Here’s a curated list of Christmas books for children, categorized by age, to help you celebrate the magic of the season. My First Christmas High Contrast Baby Book: Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas Where's Santa Claus? by Ingela P Arrhenius 10 Things I Love About Christmas: A Christmas Book for Kids and Toddlers The Snowman by Raymond Briggs Dream Snow by Eric Carle Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson Reading together as a family during the holidays can create cherished memories and strengthen...

Book Review: 1, 2, 3 off to school! By Marianne Dubuc

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Book Review: 1, 2, 3 off to school! By Marianne Dubuc In this playful take on school readiness by award-winning author-illustrator Marianne Dubuc, a child visits their friends’ schools and discovers how many wonderful things kindergarteners do in a day! Pom is ready for the first day of kindergarten. Not the real first day, that’s not for another year. But Pom has been hearing a lot from all the animals about each of their schools. So today Pom is visiting them all, to see what kindergarten is really like. Pom starts by watching the mouselings ride the bird bus; then the rabbits learning to read, write and count; the froglets making art; the foxes playing sports; the bear cubs sharing lunch; the sloths napping; the squirrels exploring nature; the wolf pups reading stories; the turtles doing classroom tasks; and, finally, the hedgehogs waiting to be picked up in the schoolyard. Pom is thrilled to discover there are so many fun activities to enjoy at school! Best of all, now Pom knows wh...

Book Review: Hooray, It's Three Kings Day! by Annette M. Clayton

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Hooray, It's Three Kings Day!: A Picture Book for Epiphany by Annette M. Clayton Illustrator: Jone Leal 32 pages Hardcover Expected publication November 12, 2024 by Familius ISBN 9781641709576 (ISBN10: 164170957X) ASIN 164170957X  A picture book celebration of Three Kings Day, with foil details on the cover, is the perfect gift for the Epiphany season Sofia and her abuela share a special Three Kings Day Abuela brings her wooden santos all the way from Puerto Rico and tells the story of the wise men seeking Baby Jesus, drawn by a star. Surrounded by family and beautiful tradition, Sofia basks in the beauty of the holiday. Drawing upon her own experiences with her Puerto Rican abuela, author Annette Clayton explores the food, stories, and traditions that surround Three Kings Day. With rich illustrations by Venezuelan illustrator Jone Leal, Hooray, It’s Three Kings Day! includes four pages of backmatter with traditional recipes, a Spanish glossary, and details about the way this holid...

Celebrating Día de los Muertos: Book Recommendations for Children by Age

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Celebrating Día de los Muertos: Book Recommendations for Children by Age Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a beautiful Mexican tradition that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away. Through stories, art, and celebration, children can learn about this important cultural holiday. Here are some wonderful book recommendations tailored for different age groups, perfect for introducing young readers to the magic of Día de los Muertos. Ages 0-3: Introducing Concepts through Colors and Shapes 1. "Día de los Muertos" by Roseanne Greenfield Thong    This delightful board book is filled with colorful illustrations and simple, rhythmic text that introduces the holiday's symbols, like marigolds and calaveras (skeletons). It’s a great way to engage the youngest readers with vibrant visuals and easy-to-understand concepts. 2. "La Catrina: A bilingual book of emotions" by Party Rodriguez and Ariana Stain    This adorable board book introduces young readers t...

10 Spooktacular Halloween Books for Kids by Age

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As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to cozy up with some delightful and slightly spooky stories. Whether your child is a little trick-or-treater or a seasoned pumpkin-carver, there’s a book out there to match their age and interests. Here are ten fantastic Halloween books to enjoy with your little ones, categorized by age group! For Ages 0-3: 1. " Where's Boo?: A Halloween Book for Kids and Toddlers " by Salina Yoon This interactive hide-and-seek book is perfect for the littlest readers. Search for Boo the black cat and find unexpected objects. 2. " Little Blue Truck's Halloween " by Alice Schertle Join Little Blue Truck as he drives through a festive Halloween night, meeting friendly animals along the way. This charming rhyming story encourages counting and features delightful pop-up elements. For Ages 4-6: 3. " Room on the Broom " by Julia Donaldson Follow a kind witch and her animal friends on their whimsical adventure in this deligh...

Children's Movies to Watch on Halloween

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Halloween is just around the corner! It's the perfect time to enjoy family movies that offer a bit of magic, mystery, and above all, fun. Here's a list of 20 children's movies ideal for enjoying during this spooky season.

10 children's books to celebrate Earth Day

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In a few days (April 22) it will be  Earth Day and I want to share with you some children's books to raise awareness of this important day. Not only today we have to take care of our earth, but every day. If we do little things  everyday as recycling and we teach our children to be careful with the environment, our future will be better. So, here are  10 children's books to celebrate Earth Day : One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul Earth Day Every Day by Lisa Bullard Big Earth, Little Me by Thom Wiley Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green Biscuit's Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh The Curious Garden by Peter Brown Olivia's Birds: Saving the Gulf by Olivia Bouler Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow Have you read an...