My Friend John -- Adorable New Picture Book Introducing Tourette Syndrome

 

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

Do you know anyone with Tourette Syndrome? I think my first experience really learning about it was watching Ally McBeal. One of the episodes had a client with Tourette Syndrome. But what really got me familiar with it was teaching a student with it. My class was the only time the individual aide assigned to the student could have a break and eat lunch. The student became to trust me pretty quickly and the rest of the class understood my expectations and treated the student with kindness. Many people do not know about Tourette Syndrome or understand it. It is definitely something that can get kids with it teased and bullied. Today I get to share a new book with you that introduces it to young readers and that it is not a reason to tease or bully a person with it but rather accept them and be his or her friend. The book is My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy. It is recommended for ages 6 to 8.

How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way -- Book Review

 

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

We all have embarrassing moments in life, and some are so embarrassing that we remember them forever. What is yours? I remember vomiting at a school assembly all over the shoes of the boy next to me. To make matters worse he reminded me of it years later so he remembered it too. Often our embarrassing moments when we are young, or perhaps when we are old too, involve wetting your pants. Whether it is wetting your bed or having an accident in public or when you are older perhaps when you have a coughing fit or a laughing fit. Yup, we all have those embarrassing moments and need to learn how to deal with them. Today I get to share a humorous book about dealing with peeing in your pants. The book is How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way by Rachel Michelle Wilson. The book is recommended for ages 3 to 5. 

Elephant Touch -- Middle Grades Novel About Loss & Healing

 

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

Lately I have been sharing many middle grade novels. To be honest I am behind in my reading and have several more to share soon. However today I get to share one of my favorite ones of recent reads. It is a book about recovering from extreme loss. The book is Elephant Touch by Susan R. Greenway. It is recommended for ages 10 to 12. 

Books for Back to School

 

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

When does/did school start where you are? My school starts back today. On Friday we dropped Hazel off at her new boarding school for the arts. Steve and I have officially become empty nesters. A new school year can bring many different feelings for kids (and teachers). There is the excitement of what is to come and there is the fear of what is to come. Whether it is a new school or just a new class and teacher, most people experience some anxiety this time of year. And it isn't just the students and the teachers. I remember all too well the stress of leaving Hazel at school when she was younger. So, I thought in honor of my first day back with the students, I would share three picture books that have messages about controlling anxiety, overcoming fears, being true to oneself and also accepting differences. The first book I will share is How to Train Your Amygdala by Anna Housley Juster and illustrated by Cynthia Cliff. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8, although I know some high school students it might be good to share it with.

Camp Hillside Series -- Middle Grades Novel Series About Going to Summer Camp

 

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

Do your kids go to summer camp? How long do they go for? Summer camp is like a rite of passage. Although Hazel never went to overnight camp, she is now ready to go to boarding school. It has been an exciting July in our house. But back to summer camp. Kids often feel homesick but once they relax, they make new friends and have exciting adventures. Today I get to share a middle grades series with you about a girl's adventure at summer camp for the first and second time. The books are from the Camp Hillside Series by Steph Katzovi. There are two books in the series (so far): Hurricamp! and Miscommunicamp!. They are recommended for ages 7 to 12.

Somewhere In Between - Book Review

 

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

Young children can find compromising very hard. They are at an age where empathy isn't really developed. They only see things their way. Today I get to share a picture book released this week about finding middle ground. It is Somewhere In Between by Laan Cham. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality -- Book Review with Craft & Giveaway

 

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

Do you know a child who struggles to fit in? They have their own styles and perhaps are smarter than other kids. It can be very hard for them at school. I know, I have one. She often struggled to feel like she fit in or really had friends. There were times where she was bullied at almost every school she has attended. Today I get to share a book for this type of kid. It is all about accepting one's own individuality and I am sharing a craft activity to go with it. Plus, there is a giveaway at the end!! The book is Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality by Jennifer Nestor and illustrated by Victoria Mikki. It is being released on July 29, 2024.

Emma Full of Wonders -- Book Review

 

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

With the hot weather around the nation, it feels like the dog days of summer have come very early this year! Today I get to share a beautiful picture book about Emma, a dog full of dreams. The book is Emma Full of Wonders by Elisha Cooper. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6.  I shared Elisha Cooper's Caldecott Honor Book with you previously. 

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman -- Middle School Book Review

 

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

Our world is a crazy place. It is sometimes hard to imagine what others might be going through. I teach a school where we try to really get to know our students and I'm always shocked to hear what some of their home lives are like. And I teach at a private school where the parents are paying for their kids to attend. I can only imagine what life is like for kids in public schools. Today I am sharing a book that shares such a story. It is a middle school novel. The book is The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko. It is recommended for ages 10 to 13.

The Day I Fell Into a Fairy Tale

 

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

As you know, I love fairy tales. We have done many posts sharing different fairy tales as well as a series of fairy tales in different cultures. Today I get to share with you a middle grades novel that is a mix of modern life and classic fairy tales. It is The Day I Fell Into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

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. 

READ -- Book Ideas for Younger Kids Holiday Gifts (5 Gift Rule)

 

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

The holidays are upon us! Are you ready? Do you follow the five gift rules for Christmas? Are you looking for something for your younger readers to get for the Read gift? Today I am sharing five different books for different ages and interests. They include two board books and three picture books. I will start with the youngest kids first. The first book is '80s Baby by Hannah Eliot and illustrated by Alyssa Nassner. It is a board book and is recommended for preschool and up. 

The Monsters of Marymount Mansion --Book Review, Giveaway and Craft Round-Up

 

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

Today I am continuing my Halloween themed books with one about monsters. It is part of The Children's Book Review Virtual Book Tour of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion by Gregory C. Allen and illustrated by Shelby Goodwin. This book is an early reader chapter book that has wonderful themes about new experiences, accepting differences and so much more. There is a giveaway at the end of the post and I am including a fun monster craft round-up to go with the book!

Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew and Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound -- Double Book Review and Giveaway

 

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

Today I get to share with you two great picture books that have lessons of self-control and self-love. Both books are by Dr. Drew Palacio and illustrated by Apolline Etienne and are recommended for ages 4+. The newest of the books is Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew. The other book is Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound. Both are offered as prizes in the giveaway at the end!

Barbie Movie and a Barbie Birthday Cake

 

Have you seen the Barbie Movie yet? For my birthday this year, Hazel and I went to a matinee. I also decided to try to make a Barbie cake for myself. It is hard to hear some of the criticism of the movie from people who refuse to see it. For example, Rex Huppke's column in USA Today shares many of the things said about the movie. Now being a liberal and having many liberal friends, I have many friends who have different opinions. But I am going to begin by sharing a bit of my own background.

Someday, Maybe -- New Picture Book Full of Dreams

 

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

What did you dream of when you were a child? I dreamed I would be an inventor and have a huge mansion with all sorts of inventions to not have to do the cleaning, chores, cooking, etc. Of course, I also told my parents I would have some crazy number of kids 10, 20, or more and they could come help me take care of them all. Dreaming is such an important part of childhood. Today I am sharing a fun new multicultural book that helps get kids' imagination flowing. The book is Someday, Maybe by Diana Murray and illustrated by Jessica Gibson. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Greenlee Is Growing -- a new picture book sharing the seasons of life

 

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

Today I am sharing a new picture book that teaches kids about the idea of the seasons of life going with the seasons of the year. The book is Greenlee Is Growing by Anthony DeStefano and illustrated by Louise A. Ellis. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Growing Pains -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Over the next few weeks, I am going to share with you some fun picture books. Today's focuses on a boy who experiences growing pains, but also is curious about the tree he helped plant the previous day. It is such a sweet book. The book is Growing Pains by Alison McLennan and Melissa Johns. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Northwind -- a Middle School/YA novel taking a look at life in the Northern Ocean

 

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

Today I am going to share a new middle school/young adult novel that takes a look at a different life than I am used to. It has been sitting on my shelf for awhile. When my life changed in April, I got behind reading my middle grades and young adult (as well as adult) books. This book is perfect for an Earth Day theme as well as just an adventure lover or explorer. It is Northwind by Gary Paulsen. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.

This is 52

 

This past week I turned 52. Fifty-two is not one of the benchmark years. I turned 50 in the summer of 2020. It was when we were afraid to be indoors with too many people and were still wearing masks often. Yet it was one of my best birthdays ever. My sister came for the day and she and Hazel made a delicious meal topped off with a homemade birthday cake. They did all the planning, the shopping, the cooking and the cleaning. They even decorated our patio for the party. Yes, we ate outside. My sister works with newborns and their moms in a hospital setting and has taken being cautious to a new level. She wore her mask whenever she was in our house. It was truly the perfect birthday for me because I didn't have to do anything. It was small, intimate and simple. It certainly wasn't the ball my girlfriend went to for one of her friends who turned 50 this year. My girlfriend and many guests caught Covid from the ball. My girlfriend who is a nurse on a Covid unit in a local hospital. My girlfriend whose kids got Covid last summer and her oldest was truly sick for weeks. He could barely move off the couch, and she didn't get it. But she went to a 50th birthday ball and got it. No, my 50th was simple and fun and perfect and best of all we didn't get sick from the celebration!