NEW Picture Books this week that share positive messages

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

With the start of school it seems appropriate to share these two picture books today. Both came out yesterday!! Each one reminds me of messages when sending Hazel off to school especially when she was young, so that is why I say it is the perfect time for them. Today's is Hazel's first day of school for the year. The first book is Born to Sparkle: A Story About Achieving Your Dreams by Megan Bomgaars and illustrated by Pete Olczyk. This book is recommended for ages 5 to 8 and although not multicultural per say Megan has Down Syndrome. I'll share more about her below.

From the Publisher:

Lions are the kings and queens of the jungle but how did they come to be as fabulous as they are? They SPARKLE! The best way to sparkle is to live your dreams and share them with the world. The inspiring message behind this adorable book comes from author Megan Bomgaars's viral video "Don't Limit Me," and encourages readers to follow whatever dreams they may have in order to find the sparkle inside of them.

About the Author:

Megan Bomgaars is a public speaker, artist, entrepreneur and star of A&E's Emmy award-winning docuseries, "Born This Way." Megan loves to share her life experiences with others and travels across the country giving keynote speeches and presentations on a variety of topics. Megan has written about her life experiences and her beliefs about being fully included in her community while overcoming limitations. Working with her teachers at school, she composed a popular video called "Don't Limit Me." Megan truly lives by her motto and she is an inspiration to her wide circle of friends and family. This is Megan's first children's book.

Find Megan on Social Media:
Instagram: @meganbomgaars

Megan’s hashtags: #DontLimitMe #BeautyHasNoLimits

From Me:

I love the message in this book!! We are each born to sparkle, but in order to sparkle you need to work hard, practice, be brave, learn, and so much more. The book talks about your dreams and reaching for them. Each of us can be whatever we want to be but it takes courage and hard work. This is the overall message of this book. I love how it encourages kids to dream and be what they want but gives the reality check of it doesn't just happen because you want it. This is such an important lesson and one kids should hear over and over. 

Now why I think it is perfect for the start of school is it encourages kids to try new things and work hard. It tells them to dream and to reach for those dreams by learning and working. Plus it adds in the fact that we can all sparkle when we are successful and doing these things. So send your kids off to school and let them shine!!

Our second book is the perfect book for families especially as school is starting. It is The Book of Hugs by Tim Harris and illustrated by Charlie Astrella. It is recommended for ages 5 through 8. 

From the Publisher:

Share some love and give a hug with Teddy Bear Tim. Teddy Bear Tim LOVES hugs! He loves hugs so much that he wants to share all of his favorite kinds of hugs with you. Whether it’s a happy hug, a sad hug, a fast hug, or a bear hug, Tim has three simple steps to follow to make sure you’re giving the very best hug you can give. Inspired by Tim Harris's love for giving big bear hugs and his restaurant that offered up hugs on the menu, this charming how-to guide gives readers so many reasons to give someone a big hug!

About the Author:

Tim Harris is a motivational speaker, business owner, and disability advocate. He is really good at giving hugs. For a long time Tim owned his own restaurant and he even had free hugs on the menu. They were so popular that Tim has now hugged over 75,000 people, including the president of the United States! Tim really does love hugs, mostly because he loves LOVE and that is what hugs are all about. This is Tim's first children's book.

From Me:

As a mom and a mom of a child who LOVES hugs and cuddles, this book is perfect! I love that asking for consent is put into this book. As a parent I would emphasize this and also let them know that they do NOT have to grant consent if they do not want a hug from that person. The book is adorable. The narrator is a teddy bear and he has the help of monkeys to demonstrate how to hug and different types of hugs! And of course the different reasons to give a hug.

This book is perfect for sharing the day before school starts as well as after school. Talk about hugs and how much you love them. Talk about their right to have consent when someone wants to touch them. Get them the information and make them comfortable. Plus let them know you will be waiting to give them a hug at the end of school. I wish this book had been around when Hazel was younger! 

These are fun books with important messages! I hope you will check them out!