Witch-Themed Books

 

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

It is hard to believe that Halloween is next week! October is flying by. Today I am going to share two witch-themed books for different ages. The first is a new picture book about the Salem witch trials. Did you know that the Salem witch trials were not the first witch trials and executions in North America. There were significant ones in Connecticut early in the 1600s. (Source) There were even accusations and a trial in Virginia before the Salem ones. (Source) However Salem had the hysteria that was not present in these other places. It Happened in Salem by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Brad Holland. It is recommended for ages 9 to 12, so a bit older than most picture books.

Swinging Into History -- Review of Picture Book About Toni Stone

 

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

The Summer Olympics are still going on this week, so my focus is on sports! Today I get to share a new picture book (released this week) about Toni Stone. She was the first female to play big-league baseball! The book is Swinging into History by Karen L. Swanson and illustrated by Laura Freeman. It is recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Books About or By Female US Gold Medal Olympians

 

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

Have you been watching the Olympics? Hazel and I have been watching the Women's Gymnastics. We are loving seeing these beautiful women make their dreams come true. What is your favorite sport to watch? I always feel like the Olympics brings positivity to the world. It gives us a sense of pride and love for our country, and I am guessing it does for other people around the world. It is a piece of history that is made every four years but doesn't often make it into the history books. However, did you know there are books written by former Gold Medal Olympians and even some about amazing Olympians and teams? Today I am going to share three such books. The ages of recommendations for these books range from 4 to 14. Only one of the books is really a history book about the gold medal Olympian team and the other two are books written by them sharing a piece of their advice off the field. The first book is From My Head to My Toes by Aly Raisman and illustrated by Bea Jackson. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Else B. in the Sea -- Book Review & Giveaway with Under the Sea 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 and Jeanne Walker Harvey to bring you this post and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

I love books that share about people you may not have heard of. Today I get to share a nonfiction picture book about a woman who explored colors and paints of under water to share what a scientist saw on his underwater exploration. The woman is Else Bostelmann. The book is Else B. in the Sea The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Melodie Stacey.

The Secret Elephant -- Book Review of a Story from WWII

 

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

Yesterday was Earth Day, and we shared some beautiful puzzles with pictures from an Asian rainforest and a tropical coral reef. We also shared some facts about both places and how they need to be protected. The Asian elephants were pictured on the rainforest puzzle, and I mentioned that they are critically endangered. Today I get to share a brand new picture book (released today) about one Asian elephant and World War II. The book is The Secret Elephant by Ellan Rankin. It is based on a true story and is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

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.

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.

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate's Bake Shop -- Book Review

 

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

Now we have shared about Ruth Wakefield and her "invention" of the chocolate chip cookies. Today we are going to share Kathleen King's story using a picture book she wrote herself!! Do you know who Kathleen King is? I will admit I didn't. She is the founder of the famous Tate's Bake Shop and she shares her story in Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate's Back Shop by Kathleen King and Lowey Bundy Sichol and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Dare to Question -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and a small stipend. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jamine Stirling to share this book with you and offer the giveaway.

When you think of the Women's Suffrage Movement in the United States, who do you think of? I am sure names like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton come to mind. Have you heard of Carrie Chapman Catt? It is because of her questions and thinking that we finally got the vote. Today I get to share a new picture book with you about her and her role as a suffragist. The book is Dare to Question: Carrie Chapman Catt's Voice for the Vote by Jasmine A. Stirling and illustrated by Udayana Lugo. It is recommended for ages 5 and up. There is also a giveaway at the end of this post!

Maria Orosa -- New Picture Book Sharing the Life of This Filipino Heroine

 

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

Summer is supposed to be my time to relax, and I have loads of ideas and books to share with you, but the last few weeks are just crazy. Today I am finally focusing enough to share a new book with you. This book shares about het life of Maria Orosa, who was a Filipino heroine. The book is Maria Orosa Freedom Fighter, Scientist and Inventor from the Philippines by Norma Olizon-Chikiamco and illustrated by Mark Salvatus. It is recommended for ages 9 to 14.

Chef Edna -- New Biographical Picture Book

 

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

Today is day two of the new picture books released this week. I have four to share with you so make sure you check out yesterday's and the next couple of days' posts! Today we are going to look at Chef Edna by Melvina Noel and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera. It is a book that shares the life of the Queen of Southern Cooking, Edna Lewis with 4- to 8-year-olds. 

History Comics: Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin -- Middle Grades Graphic Novel

 

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

As March draws to a close, I want to continue sharing resources for Women's History Month. Today's book is perfect for Women's History Month or Black History Month and of course for any day as it is a history book! The book is a historical graphic novel for middle grades. It is part of the History Comics Series. It is Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin by Tracey Baptiste and Shauna J. Grant. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

I Dare! I Can! I Will! -- new picture book about the Icelandic women's day of protest

 

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

Have there been times when you thought all the women of the country should go on strike? Strike from housework as well as careers? I know I have many times. Whenever women's rights are being stepped on, I think about it. But then I think about how hard it would be to get everyone to do it. And, of course, what I see as stepping on women's rights some women think is all right. But one day in Iceland, the women did just that and today I get to share a new picture book about that day! The book is I Dare! I Can! I Will! by Linda Ólafsdóttir. It is recommended for ages 6 to 9.

No World Too Big -- Perfect Book for Earth Day & Women's History Month and so much more!

 

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

March is Women's History Month. April is National Poetry Month, and Earth Day is in April. Today I am sharing a book that works for all three of these special things plus shows kids other kids from around the world fighting global climate change. The book is No World Too Big edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley and illustrated by Jeanette Bradley. It is being released this week! It is recommended for ages 5 to 9. 

New Books about Amazing Women

 

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

I always love learning about amazing women. Today I get to share two new books with you that share all about some very amazing women. One is a picture book for the younger kids and the other is a chapter book for older kids. We will start with the picture book. It is The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell by Laura Alary and illustrated by Ellen Rooney. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Awashonks -- Chief Leader of Sakonnet Tribe

 

It is hard to believe that March is almost over so today will be our last edition of our Women's History Month series for this year. Today I am going to feature a Native American leader that goes back to colonial time. Her name is Awashonks. This was her name when she became leader, but we do not know what her name was before that. Awashonks means "she who is queen." We do not know much about her life prior to 1671. It is estimated that she was born in 1640 and other records say she was born in 1620 after the Mayflower landed in Plymouth. She was the daughter of Corbitant, the sachem in 1620. Her name however appears in the records more than any other indigenous female. 

Norma Merrick Sklarek - the First Black Female Architect in the US

 

Today we continue our celebration of Women's History Month with a look at Norma Merrick Sklarek. She was the first licensed Black female architect in the United States. She worked on buildings such as Terminal One of the Los Angeles International Airport, San Bernardino City Hall, Fox Plaza in San Francisco, the American Embassy in Tokyo, Pacific Design Center, Mall of America and much more.

New Picture Books about Amazing Women

 

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

I love Women's History Month because it gives me time to focus on some amazing women and learn more about them. However, I also know there people out there that do not have the time to research these women, and sometimes you just want a book to read that will help celebrate the month. Today I get to share three picture books about three amazing women that will be instant role models for children. The women are Kip Tiernan, Betrice Shilling and Daphne Caruana Galizia. Come learn about these books and a bit about the women. I will share some ideas of ways to expand these on these books as well. We will start with Kip Tiernan. The book is called Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women by Christine McDonnell and illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov. It is recommended for ages 7 to 10. 

Susanna Madora "Dora" Salter -- the World's First Female Mayor

 

Today we continue our celebration of Women's History Month with a look at the world's first female mayor or mayoress. Her name is Susanna Madora Salter. Her name was put on the ballot by some men trying to shut down the women's suffrage movement, but it backfired. Come learn about this amazing woman!

Mary Edmonia (Wildfire) Lewis -- the First Person of Color to Be a Famous Sculptor

 

Today we continue our celebration of Women's History Month by learning about the first person of color who became famous as a sculptor. Besides being a famous artist, she also had a very interesting life story and background. Throughout her life she dealt with racism and sexism. She was orphaned at a young age. She was biracial--Black and Native American. Her name is Edmonia Lewis or Mary Edmonia Lewis or Wildfire.