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.

Books Sharing the History of Mexican Americans and Life in Border Towns

 

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

Schools are starting back which means September is almost here. Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15th and today I am sharing two books that are perfect for it. One is for middle grades (10-14-year-olds) about the history of Mexican Americans (released last week), and the other is an autobiography for young adults. Obviously, both are nonfiction. We will start with the book for the middle grades. It is a book from the Race to the Truth Series. It is Borderlands and the Mexican American Story by David Dorado Romo. 

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.

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.

Picture Books that Share Japanese Culture for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

 

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

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Today I am sharing a couple of books that share fun pieces of Japanese culture. The first book is The Mochi Makers by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson. It is recommended for ages baby through 8. 

Mama's Love Language

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital 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 Elisa Stad to bring you this post and giveaway.

Mother's Day is approaching, and I have a question for you. How do you show your love to your kids? Is it the same way your mother did? Is it the same way your friends do? Or your children's friends' parents do? Today I get to share with you a wonderful book about a Chinese American girl realizing there are different ways to show love and one is not better than others. The book is Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice by Elisa Stad and illustrated by Ry Menson. There is a giveaway at the end of this post.

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.

Maybe It's a Sign -- New Middle Grades Novel Review

 

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

The lunar new year began last week. In the Chinese zodiac it is the year of the dragon. With the celebration of the lunar new year there are many different superstitions that people of different cultures hold. I shared some fun facts a few years ago about it in particular in the Chinese culture. Today I am sharing a book about a Chinese American girl who is dealing with the loss of her very superstitious father as well as being in middle school. The book is Maybe It's a Sign by E.L. Shen. Lunar new year seems like the perfect time to share this book. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.

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!

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.

Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance -- Book Review & Information About Chinese Ribbon Dance

 

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

What child doesn't love running or dancing with a ribbon stick? Over the years we have had different experiences with types of ribbon dance and ribbon play. There was the Frozen birthday party where we gave the girls light blue ribbon wands to play Freeze Dance and feel like Elsa. There was also the DIY Wind Wand I made Hazel when she was young. There is also the fun we had exploring the Mexican rebozo and the Middle Eastern dupatta. Today I am going to share a book where a young Asian girl is inspired by Chinese ribbon dance. The book is Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance by Kat Zhang and illustrated by Charlene Chua. It is released tomorrow (5/30/23) and is recommended for ages 4 to 8. Before we talk about the book, however let's look at Chinese Ribbon Dance. It is still Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

Vivienne in Paris -- Review & Giveaway Plus Paris-Themed Crafts

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and will receive a small stipend as a participant in The Children's Book Review and Maria Castellucci Moore's Virtual book Tour. All opinions are my own.

Have you ever had a day "where you felt most alive, full of spirit, zestful, and sparkling with enthusiasm"? Today I get to share a book about enjoying one's daily activities by using their senses and truly observing their surroundings and interactions. The book is Vivienne in Paris by Maria Castellucci Moore and illustrated by Emanuela Mannello. I am also including a Paris-themed craft to go with the book and some other craft ideas for the book!

The Crystal Beads Lalka's Journey -- a new picture book with a different story from the Holocaust

 

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 Purple Butterfly Press with this post and will receive a small stipend for it. All opinions are my own.

There are so many untold stories from the Holocaust. Today I get to share a new book that shares a story I haven't heard previously. The book is The Crystal Beads Lalka's Journey by Pat Black-Gould with illustrations by Katya Royz. Below you will find out about the book, my review, a giveaway as well as some crafts to go with this book.

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel -- Asian Middle Grade Fantasy Novel 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 with you a new middle school fantasy novel. It is the first book in a series and is being released on May 3rd. Since the main characters are Korean it is also a perfect book to pick up for Asian Pacific Island American Heritage Month. The book is Lia Park and the Missing Jewel by Jenna Yoon. It is recommended for ages 8 to 11.

New Fantasy/Futuristic Books for Middle Grades & Young Adults

 

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

Do you have a reader who loves fantasy and science fiction? Today I get to share two new books with you that fall in these genres. One is a middle grades novel and the other is a young adult graphic novel. Both novels are multicultural with diverse characters. We will start with Area-51 Interns: Alien Summer by James S. Murray and Carsen Smith. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

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. 

Te Ata: Chickasaw Storyteller, Performer & Educator --Women's History Month

 

Today I am going to share about Te Ata or Mary Frances Thompson Fisher. What an amazing woman who I hadn't heard of until recently. She was a Chickasaw and became a world-renowned storyteller, performer, and educator. At a time when the non-native people saw Native Americans as savages, warriors, etc. (mostly from Wild West Shows and films), she became dedicated to share more of the Native American culture and educate the nation. 

Chien-Shiung Wu -- The Queen of Physics

 

Today is International Women's Day so it seems appropriate to continue with our learning about different women who made a difference in our world. Today I am featuring an international woman who was born in China and moved to America to further her education. Every year I like to focus on at least one woman in math or science, and today is the day. I was drawn to Chien-Shiung Wu. Perhaps it is that she was snubbed by the Noble Prize (due to a scandalous affair there is no Noble Prize for mathematics) or perhaps it is that she worked on the atomic bomb (I have a great uncle that I never met who also worked on it), but whatever the reason I decided to feature her today. 

Meet Ketanji Brown Jackson for Women's History Month

 

I love March! We have Women's History Month, Pi Day, National Quilting Day and National Craft Month!! All my favorite things!! I always love to learn about new women who made a difference in our world. Today I thought I would learn about a woman who is in the current news, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.