Alycat and the Sunday Scaries -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Alysson Foti Bourque to bring you this post and giveaway.

Do you ever get worried on Sunday about the week ahead? I know as a teacher I often have trouble sleeping Sunday nights. I'm also known to have my teacher nightmares on Sunday nights. Today I am sharing a book about the Sunday scaries as well as other fears and a group of friends who help each other overcome fears. The book is Alycat and the Sunday Scaries by Alysson Foti Bourque and illustrated by Chiiara Civati. This is part of the Alycat series, which I have reviewed a couple of books from previously. 

Sourgrass -- New Picture Book about Friendship & Promises

 

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

Remember when you were little and friendship was a HUGE deal. Perhaps you had a bestie that you played with everyday. Today I get to share a brand-new picture book (released today) about friendship and promises made forever. The book is Sourgrass by Hope Lim and illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani. It is recommended for ages 0 to 8. 

Some New Books for Younger Kids (Babies - 7)

 

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

Today I am going to share some multicultural books for younger children. They include a prayer book for babies, a board book and a picture book. The board book and picture book are new ideas on some classic songs. We will start with the book that has babies in the title. It is a religious book. It is Pray with Your Baby Every Day edited by Claire Grace and Rachel Robinson and embroidered by Chloe Giordano. It is recommended for ages 0 to 4. 

If I Promise You Wings -- YA Book Review with Craft Round-Up

 

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

This week I am sharing a young adult novel instead of a Crafty Sunday post. I am still making my paper beads but haven't made anything different yet. Plus, I did a small craft with this novel and am including a craft round-up for teens to go with the book. The book is If I Promise You Wings by A. K. Small. 

Cattitude -- Book Review & Giveaway with Cat Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review to bring you this post and giveaway. All opinions are my own. 

Just like people animals have their own personalities. People often say cats are aloof and want to be the boss of the house. As the owner of three cats currently, I can honestly say every cat has a different personality. I have and have had cats that love to be with people and others that are shy when we have "strangers" in the house. Today we are sharing a book about a cat and her attitude. The book is Cattitude written by Bianca Schulze and illustrated by Samara Hard. Besides my review I am sharing a round-up of cat crafts and there is a giveaway as well!

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants -- New Picture Book Review

 

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

Spring begins today here! With spring we usually see a lot of ants. Today I get to share a brand new book (released today) about ants. The book is The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants by Philip Bunting. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. I am also including an ant craft round-up to go with the book. 

Bear Finds Eggs -- Spring Picture Book Review

 

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

Spring is upon us. Easter is early this year. It is hard to believe next week is Holy Week. Now that Hazel is older, I don't do as much for Easter. When she was younger she loved hunting for Easter Eggs. We did a word hunt for an activity with a book and she made me hide those eggs over and over again! Well today I am sharing a book about another kind of egg hunt although there is a part that can be tied into Easter if you want. It is Bear Finds Eggs by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman. Now we have shared books by Karma Wilson before since she was one of the authors in our Virtual Book Club years ago. We even have shared a Bear book before. This book is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Even More Paper Bead Fun -- Crafty Sundays

 

Now for the third week I have been experimenting with paper beads. This week I experimented with using brown paper as in paper bags and brown paper wrap. It began when I was at the Cape house and my sister had covered a counter with brown paper to protect it while contractors were there doing work. I was in charge of removing it. I went to throw it away and realized it might work for beads that I could paint. To start though let me share some finished products from beads I made last week. Here is the bracelet I made from the map beads. 

Women's History Month Middle Grades & Young Adult Book Round-Up

 March is Women's History Month. Over the years I have shared many books about women throughout each year. This year I decided to do round-ups of the books that are still in print so you can find resources to share with kids and new women to check out. Last week I shared a round-up of picture books. Today I am sharing our middle grades and a few young adult books that feature women's history. I hope these round-ups help you find resources to help teach kids about women that have changed the world! The books shared are ones I received for the reviews and the links will take you to my review which has a link to purchase the book. These books range from 8 and up.

Pi Day Activities for Different Ages

 

On March 14, mathematicians and much of the world celebrate Pi Day. Since the approximation of the number pi is 3.14, March 14th was picked for the day. It was first celebrated in 1988 in San Francisco. As a math teacher I get excited for Pi Day, however our school is always on spring break on March 14th so I don't get to celebrate it with my students. This year I thought I would do a round-up of Pi Day activities and try to share ones for different age groups since much of what I see are for younger kids and I teach high school. Be sure to start your celebration with some pi jokes and riddles like these. Some of the Best Things in Life Are Mistakes shares a round-up of free Pi Day decorations! By the way Pi Day is also Albert Einstein's birthday. You can also have a birthday celebration for Albert!

Do You Know? Farm: Animals, Work, and Life -- Nonfiction Children's Book Review

 

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

As spring approaches, I begin to think about my garden. I also am noticing some life at the farm stores and nurseries. I am lucky to have a local farm that grows all year long in greenhouses that I frequent. (It helps that I'm friends with the owners so sometimes I'm there to visit.) Today I am sharing a book recommended for ages 5 and up about farms. It is Do You Know? Farm: Animals, Work, and Life by Camille Babeau and illustrated by Charlotte Ameling, Helene Convert, Ilaria Falorsi, and Camille Roy. It is being released tomorrow.

More Paper Bead Fun

 

It is Sunday again and time to share some of the crafts I have been doing. I am still focusing on paper beads like last week. This week I made some necklaces and experimented with the shape of beads as well as paper I am using. First I will share the necklaces from the beads I made last week.

Women's History Month Picture Book Round-Up

 

March is Women's History Month. Over the years I have shared many books about amazing women. Some are biographies and some are books based on their lives. There are even some that feature more than one woman. I share these books all year long and not just in March. Today I thought I would do a round-up of books about women that I have reviewed in the past. I also have checked to see that the books are still available for the older ones. Some books are about famous women and others may be a woman you haven't heard of. Each has a story that is worth learning about and I hope you will consider checking out the book and sharing it with someone this month! Full disclosure: I was sent copies of these books at some point in time to review. The links provided will take you to my review of the book. These books are recommended for ages between 4 and 10. Next week I will share a round-up of books for older kids.

Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd -- Middle Grades Book Review

 

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

Today I get to share a fun new middle grades novel. It features Asian-American middle school girls that are creative, intelligent and trying to figure out life and how to get their dreams to come true. The book is Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd by Lyla Lee. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 and was released this week.

No Cats in the Library -- Picture Book Review

 

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

What do you get when a stray cat who loves books discovers a library? A fun new picture book!! Today we are sharing with you a new book (released today) based on this story. The book is No Cats in the Library written and illustrated by Lauren Emmons. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

New Board Books for the Spring

 

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

Spring is basically upon us and as everything awakens, I am noticing I know several people who just had babies or about to have babies. It is the perfect time to look at board books to read to little ones or gift!! Today I have four new board books (one being released tomorrow) to share with you. The first is Hey, Little Night Owl by Jeffrey Burton and illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz. 

Experimenting with Making Paper Beads -- Crafty Sunday

 

This weekend begins my spring break. I finally get to rest for a couple of weeks. We really don't have much planned as Hazel still has dance classes and her college classes this week. I just know I need down time desperately. As I have been trying to give myself time to craft more since it relaxes me, I have been doing a bit of paper quilling. Paper beads have a similar technique as paper quilling. I made paper beads a few years ago out of wrapping paper. 

Unstuck -- Middle School Novel Review

 

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

Middle school can be so hard. There are so many changes happening during this time. Barbara Dee captures so much of it and in her novels gives advice and ideas. I have shared many of her middle school novels over the years. My favorite being Maybe He Just Likes You which I honestly think every middle school student, teacher and parent should read! Today's novel is my close second favorite of Barbara Dee's works. The book is Unstuck. It is recommended for ages 9 to 13.