Reflection on 2025 and Thoughts for 2026 -- Word of the Year

 

Each year I take time to reflect on the past year and look towards the new one. I reflect on my word for the year and pick one for the new year. My word for 2025 is hope. I knew with the change of the president I was going to need some hope to survive the year. I will say that our country is in total chaos, but it is not as bad as I worried it would be. It saddens me to see the history he has destroyed with his upgrades but that is for another time. I picked hope for 2025 so I could keep my hope and try to focus on the positive sides of things and the positive that I hoped for. 

A Wrinkle in Time Graphic Novel & Stranger Things

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Are you a Stranger Things fan? I haven't watched it yet. It is on Hazel's and my list of shows to watch but with her at boarding school we don't have enough time to watch everything on the list! However, it is all the radio morning show I listen to has been talking about for a couple of months. They are on Season 5, and it is the final season. The second volume of Season 5 dropped last night! Apparently in the first episode of Season 5, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle is the center of the plot, and Episode 6 is called "Escape from Camazotz." Camazotz is a planet that is controlled by IT in A Wrinkle in Time. When copies of A Wrinkle in Time or A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel were offered for review as well as sharing as part of the Stranger Things drop, I jumped at the offer. I loved A Wrinkle in Time when I was younger and bought the entire boxed set for Hazel when she was younger. One of my favorite devotionals was written by Madeline L'Engle or at least it consisted of pieces of her writing. Needless to say, I am a fan! Today we are sharing A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Madeline L'Engle and adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson. It is recommended for ages 8 to 11. 

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Paper Lovers and Crafters

 

Disclosure: I was sent these products in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

The last few weeks have been a bit crazy at school. We finished our first semester on Friday. I finally have some time to craft more, but Hazel is also home for break, so a lot of my evening time at least is spent with her. I have four amazing products to share with you that are perfect for paper lovers and paper crafters. They make amazing gifts as themselves or for you to make gifts for others! We will begin with a book that literally is called Book for Paper Lovers: Color Your World by the Editors of Flow Magazine. There is no suggested age on these products today due to them being for adults however this one definitely works for kids who can write and create!

The Language of Birds

 

Disclosure: I was sent an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I will admit that the title of today's book intrigued me. After all anyone who has been following Crafty Moms Share knows I have a thing for birds. This book is not really a book about rather connections for a young bird lover with social anxiety. The book is The Language of Birds by Jon-Erik Lappano and illustrated by Zach Manbeck. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Kloe's New Friendship -- Middle Grade+ Novel About Friendship & Dealing with Difficult Siblings

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book and stuffed animal in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and K.M. Selvidge to bring you this post.

They say every family has a black sheep. Do you have someone difficult to deal with in your family? Or maybe you know someone who you wonder what it must be like to live with them? Today we are sharing a book for middle school and up about living with a difficult sibling and friendships. The book is Kloe's New Friendship by K.M. Selvidge. At the end of this post there is a giveaway too!