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.

Making Summer Fun and Educational

 

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

We are in final exam week at our school. The stress levels are high everywhere. But it also means that school is almost done, and summer is almost here. Summer can be so much fun, but it can also be a time for kids to lose some of their learning. Today I am sharing some products to give you and your kids some fun activities as well as learning in fun ways! We will begin with some creative activity books. Today (May 30th) is National Creativity Day and these books are perfect to get your kids and you creating and having fun! The first  are two books by Alberto Lot. There is Crayon Racing which I reviewed a couple of years ago and Crayon Adventures. They are recommended for ages 4 to 8 or as the publisher states 4 to 104. I know my high school students have been having lots of fun with them!

The Girl Who Built a Spider -- Middle Grades STEM Novel Review

 

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

A few weeks ago I shared some spider fun facts and spider craft round-up with the promise of two books involving spiders. I shared a picture book about the day in the life of a jumper spider and then went on vacation. Today I am sharing the middle grades novel that involves a mechanical spider. The book is a perfect summer STEM novel. It is The Girl Who Built a Spider by George Brewington. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Chipper Sends Sunshine -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with Purple Butterfly Press and The Children's Book Review to be part of this Virtual Book Tour and will receive a small stipend for sharing this book with you. All opinions are my own.

As the end of the school year approaches, families start thinking about summer camp. Did you go away to summer camp or do your kids? The fun adventures in the woods away from home meeting new people, summer camp offers so much. Today I get to share with you a fun book about a group of animals who go to summer camp and make new friends and want to find a way to stay in touch with the new friends. The book is called Chipper Sends Sunshine by Kimber Fox Morgan and illustrated by Kim Sponaugle. 

Zendoodle Colorscapes -- Secrets of the Sea -- Perfect Summer Coloring Book

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

Can you believe today is the first day of summer? Our spring was very strange with the pandemic. I expect our summer to be strange too. I know I found myself needing things to help me relax. I turned to coloring. You may remember I use to do a weekly coloring book review on Fridays called Relaxing Friday. I stopped due to the number of coloring books I had and I wasn't getting any. However that changes today. Since I was scheduled to participate with the MKB Read Around the World Summer Series yesterday this is a relaxing Saturday post. Today I get to share with you a perfect summertime coloring book and it is brand new!! It was released this week!! It is Zendoodle Colorscapes: Secrets of the Sea artwork by Deborah Muller. 

New Graphic Novels for Different Ages

Disclosure: Macmillan Publishers sent me this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own! I will receive a small stipend for purchases made through the links in this post. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share!

This past year I have gotten to know some kids who unlike my daughter do not really like reading. I keep trying to tell them they need to find the right books for them. Many of them seem to enjoy graphic novels. And let's face it, graphic novels seem to be very popular with all sorts of readers. For awhile I saw graphic novels for middle school kids or young adult, but now they have ones for all sorts of different ages. The first book I am sharing with you today is recommended for grades 1-3. It is perfect for your beginning readers who may be a bit reluctant to read. It is Hammy and Gerbee: Mummies at the Museum by Wong Herbert Yee. 

Novels for Grades 1-3

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

Today I am going to share with you four novels perfect for your first through third graders. The first two are part of the Circle C Stepping Stone Series by Susan K. Marlow and published by Kregel Publications. These are books 3 and 4. This series takes place in the Wild West during the late 1800s. (There are Circle C books for different age groups as well.) The first book is Andi Lassos Trouble. 

The Battle of Junk Mountain Review

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

Are you looking for a book for your 8-12 year-old to read this summer? I have a great recommendation. It is The Battle of Junk Mountain by Lauren Abbey Greenberg. 

Hostess Gifts & More for Summer Parties

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post and this post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share!

Have you been looking for a gift to bring a hostess of a summer party? Or perhaps for those hard to buy for people? One of my favorite places to check out is Shop gifts under $25 at The Grommet. The Grommet is a company that helps launch new products onto the market. Usually it is the inventors/creators of the items that they are helping. The gifts are unique and new. Check out some of these great ideas from the gifts under $25 at The Grommet. 

Sharing Saturday 17-29

It is time again for Sharing Saturday! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. So glad you joined us!!

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And for all of your cultural posts come share them at the monthly Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.

Summer Craft Supplies -- a Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: Oriental Trading sent me these products free of charge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Looking for ideas of things to do with your kids on those bad weather days this summer? Or perhaps just some things to keep your kids using their creative juices and crafting? Now I am sure you know about Oriental Trading and their fun party supplies and perhaps even their various craft kits, but do you know they also sell craft supplies? Hazel and I checked out their craft supplies together and picked some out to share with you. We chose some basic supplies like paints and washi tape as well as some things to use the paints and washi tape on like frames, a tray, diy journal kits and diy rubber ducks. We have been having fun with all these craft supplies as well as some we already had. 

Chapter Books for Grades 3-7 -- Summer Reading

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

This week I have been sharing various chapter books for summer reading for different ages. We have shared books that inspire authors and illustrators, chapter books for grades 1-3, chapter books for grades 2-5 and now chapter books for grades 3-7. I have to say that one of these books has been my favorite summer read! We will start with that one. It is Walking with Miss Millie by Tamara Bundy. 

Summer Reading -- Chapter Books for Grades 2-5

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

Yesterday I joined in the Penguin Kids Meet the Chapter Books July Summer Reading Program and introduced some chapter books for kids in grades 1-3. To avoid the summer slide it is important to have our kids continue reading all summer long and to make it so it is not a chore it is important to find the books that interest your child. Hazel LOVES to read and will read just about anything, however if it is a favorite I cannot get her nose out of the book. If it is not it becomes more of a chore. So today I am going to share with you four books for the slightly older reader--grades 2-5. (Tomorrow we will have books for older kids.) We will start with the first book in the Microsaurs: Follow that Tiny-Dactyl by Dustin Hansen. The second book in the series comes out next week. 

Meet the Chapter Books -- Summer Reading for Grades 1-3

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

Do you have a child who is ready to start reading chapter books? There are some great beginner ones out there and it seems like summer might be the perfect time to make the switch from picture books and beginning readers to easy chapter books. Hazel started reading chapter books pretty young. I had been reading them to her for several years (around age 3). After I read The Princess in Black to her the first time she read it to herself about 100 times now plus all the sequels. My contact at Penguin Kids asked me to join in the Meet the Chapter Books their July Summer Reading Program. She sent me three chapter books that are recommended for grades 1-3. Two of them I will review today and one I will share since it was not in our topic of interest but I know it will be for some plus I am going to share two other fun books also recommended for grades 1-3. We will start with The Kid from Planet Z: Crash! by Nancy Krulik and illustrated by Louis Thomas. 

Sharing Saturday 17-25

It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts.

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And for all of your cultural posts come share them at the monthly Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.

Summertime Family Fun

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.

Can you believe summer began yesterday? We are getting ready for some fun family gatherings this summer. Hazel and I head to my parents for the Fourth of July since the fireworks are visible from my parents' deck and there is a fun parade in their town. My parents have the best view of the fireworks on their street so they invite their neighbors to come watch from their deck. There is always a group of adults and kids showing up to watch, so this year I thought it would be fun to have some activities for the kids while we are waiting for the fireworks to begin. My mother also hosts a family reunion for her siblings (she is one of five), their children and grandchildren. I always am her event planner/assistant hostess. Since I am one of thirteen in cousins and most of them have at least one child now, I figured it would be good to have some games and activities to entertain the kids and families at the beach and the dinner she hosts. So for these two big family activities we turned to Oriental Trading for some great summer and patriotic things to entertain the guests. After all they are a great place to turn for all summer and party needs.

Summertime: The Coloring Book of Cards and Enevleopes

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.

Summertime Books

Don't forget to sign up for our US state postcard exchange!!

Disclosure: Candlewick Press gave me a copies of these books 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.

Friday was Hazel's last school day!! So we have begun our summer vacation!! Today I am going to share some books with you that are prefect for summer!! So if you are looking for some summertime fun reading check these books out. The first book is And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner and illustrated by Jaime Kim. 

Sharing Saturday 17-21

It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts.

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And for all of your cultural posts come share them at the monthly Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.

Thank you to everyone who shared with us at our last party! It was full of great ideas including ideas for teacher gifts, birthday parties, and getting ready for summer and more!  Our features are just a sampling of them so if you haven't checked them all out, you should! This week we have one group of features.  

Summer Animal Fun -- Summertime Fun Reviews

Disclosure: I was sent these products 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 book for your convenience.

 Summertime brings thoughts of many things--beach, heat, sunshine and animals. For me there are always new and fun things to see in nature and I like to share that with Hazel. What animals do you think about in the summer? We have so many different birds, bugs and frogs that come into our lives, so today's products are going to share those things with you. This year the town cleaned out some of the creek in our back yard and we discovered frogs around. So we will begin with Fabulous Frogs by Martin Jenkins and illustrated by Tim Hopgood.