Craft Books for Kids & Adults

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

I am still working on clearing my review shelf, so the roundups continue this week! Today we are looking at some great craft books for kids (and adults). These books range in abilities and topics. If you have a creative child in your life these books will make great gifts. We will start with the book for the youngest age 5 to 9. It is The Kids' Book of Craft Love by Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst. 

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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

It is almost the end of September which means it is almost Halloween month. Do you love Halloween? Do your young readers? Today I get to share a magical Halloween book that will get even the Halloween haters feeling a bit good about the holiday. The book is Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal by Ryan Cowan and illustrated by Halo Rife. 

The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts Series for Middle School -- Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Erika Lewis to bring you this post. 

Do you or your middle schooler love books about magical schools and magical lands? Then I have the series for you!! Perhaps you are missing the release of new Harry Potter books. If so, this series is for you. Today I get to share with you a fantasy middle school series (trilogy) by Erika Lewis. It is The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts Series. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. It has magic, mystery, friendships, new creatures, goddesses, and a never-ending war between summer and winter.

The Magic Sea Turtle -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Kathleen Welton to bring you this post and giveaway.

When Hazel was young, she loved magical things. She loved fairies and unicorns. We made fairy gardens, and she had a magical fairy door where I would write her notes from the fairy. She loved magical stories. The book I am sharing with you today she would have loved!! It is The Magical Sea Turtle by Kathleen Welton and illustrated by Chau Pham.

The Kingdom Over the Sea -- New Fun Fantasy Middle Grades Novel

 

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

As the summer begins it is time to find books for summer reading. Today I get to share a fun new middle grades novel that is perfect for summer reading and adventures. It is The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms -- 2nd Book in the Middle Grades Series

 

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 with you the second book in the Lia Park series! I reviewed the first book last year and couldn't wait to get my hands on the second one. It was released last week!! The second book is Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms by Jenna Yoon. It is a middle grades novel series recommended for ages 8 to 12.

The Sisters of Luna Island -- New Middle Grade Novel with Magic, Sisters and Friends

 

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

I am trying to catch up with my reading and I have to admit I am very far behind. (Getting use to my new glasses hasn't helped.) However today I finished a wonderful middle grade novel that has the strength of sisterhood and some magic in it. It is The Sisters of Luna Island by Stacy Hackney. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

YA Novel Series Being Turned into Netflix Series -- Review of First Book

 

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

I was challenged to read today's book with Hazel and share our experience. It is the first book in a trilogy that is being turned into a series on Netflix. The book is Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Now I am going to add that the Netflix series involves this series as well as some other parallel series by Leigh Bardugo. 

One Jar of Magic -- new middle school novel about disappointment, dreams, friends, family and more

 

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

Today I get to share with you an amazing new middle grades novel. This post is part of the Awareness Tour hosted by The Children's Book Review which includes a giveaway!! I will start with the publishers information about the book. The book is One Jar of Magic by Corey Ann Haydu.

Never After -- Review of a New Fantasy Middle Grades Novel

 

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

Hazel's favorite genre is fantasy or magical and fairy tale and today's book fits right in. It asks what if fairy tales were real and goes from there. I'll be honest I was excited to get this book because I know it is one Hazel will want. It is written by Melissa de la Cruz who also wrote The Descendants Series which is one of Hazel's favorites (both books and movies) right now. The truth is I thought Hazel would review this one for me except she received so many books for Christmas and her birthday and she has not had the time to check it out yet, but wants to. The book is the first in a new series. It is Never After: The Thirteenth Fairy. 

Valentine's Day Crafts & More from Oriental Trading with Free Printable Valentine Cards -- Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: I was sent these items to review free of charge from Oriental Trading. All opinions in this post are my own. I did not receive any other compensation for this review. I am including links to each item for your convenience but do not receive anything if you purchase them.

Are you ready for Valentine's Day? We are, thanks to Oriental Trading. Now Hazel's school has a Father/Daughter Snow Ball the Saturday before Valentine's Day every year and this year I am co-chairing it. As a result I had even more Valentine's Day stuff to get than normal. I got the tablecloths we need for the Snow Ball.

This Book Is Magic-- Review & Giveaway

Disclosure: Penguin Kids gave me a copy of this book free of charge for this review and is running the giveaway. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation.  As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Do you have a child who always wants to touch the book while you read it? Or perhaps you want your non-reading child to have more of a role during story time. Or you are like me with a budding magician. If you have a child or desire that matches one of these do I have a book for you!! The book is This Book Is Magic by Ashley Evanson. It is being released today!!

Anything But Ordinary Addie -- Book Review

Disclosure: Candlewick Press gave me a copy of this book free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Have you heard of Adelaide Herrmann? She is known as the Queen of Magic but her story was lost until recently. Hazel became very interested in magic after we watched the Houdini DVD back in October. I knew learning about a female magician would spark her interest and it is perfect for Women's History Month. The book however is being released in April. It is Anything But Ordinary Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Hermann Queen of Magic written by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Iocopo Bruno. 

The Awakening of Ren Crown -- YA Book Review

Disclosure: Novel Publicity sent me a copy of this book free of charge in return for an honest review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As always I am providing links to the book for your convenience.

Are you a Harry Potter fan? I am. I own the complete series of books and loved how J.K. Rowling introduced us to a fantasy world. Well, move over Harry for Ren Crown. Ren is a 17-year-old twin. Her brother Christian is the popular one. He plays sports and hangs with the jocks, but also always has Ren around as well. Ren is quiet and artistic. Art is her relaxation and escape. She is also very intelligent and has a photographic memory. She is always part of Christian's adventures. The night they go on one is when Christian begins to awaken his magic and ends up dead. Ren is almost dead but saved by a good looking teenager. She tries to tell her parents, authorities and therapists about the night and the magic but no one believes her. In fact in school the kids think she killed Christian. Then her world opens up to the world of magic. She learns she has artist and creation powers and gets whisked away to one of the magic levels (copies of our world that have changed with time) to the Excelsine University. She is locked away but manages to break free and discovers this magical world. The world is full of problems of its own. And she is pushing the limits in hopes of having her twin back with her. 

ABC Monsters & Houdini DVD Reviews and Giveaway!!

Disclosure: NCircle Entertainment gave me a copy of the DVDs free of charge and is supplying the ones for the giveaway free of charge. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As always I am providing links to the DVD on NCircle Entertainment's site for your convenience. You can also find their DVDs at local retailers!

Today we are sharing two DVDs from NCircle Entertainment and NCircle is offering a copy of each of them to one of my lucky readers. The giveaway is below. The first DVD is ABC Monsters Starring ABCD.