Hokusai's Daughter -- Bilingual Picture Book Review

 

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

I love introducing kids to artists. There are many ways to do this including books and activities as well as taking them to art museums. Today we are going to talk about a bilingual book about a young artist who has a famous father, Katsushika Hokusai. Hokusai is known for his beautiful Japanese woodblock prints in particular the wave ones. Today's book however focuses on the other artist in Hokusai's household--his daughter, Eijo! The book is Hokusai's Daughter: A Young Artist in Old Japan by Sunny Seki. It is bilingual in both English and Japanese. It is recommended for ages 5 to 14.

Dragon Surf -- a #ReadYourWorld Review

 

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

Read Your World Celebration Day is fast approaching. Today I am going to share the final of my books for this year's celebration. It is a young adult fantasy novel combining California surfing life with ancient China. The book is Dragon Surf by D. G. Driver with Jeni Bautista Richard. 

Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now! -- Civil Rights Movement Hero Book Review

 

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

Happy MLK Day!! Do you have the day off? Your kids probably do. Do you do anything special to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? It is a day of service for many. I admit I don't usually do a day of service but I do like to review the work so many participated in for the Civil Rights Movement. And today I think we need to remember it more than ever and perhaps what it was like before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Today I am sharing a picture book that was coauthored by the subject of the book--a mostly unknown hero of the Civil Rights Movement. The book is Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now! by Claudette Colvin and Phillip Hoose and illustrated by Bea Jackson. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs -- Book Review & Giveaway with Ladybug Craft Round-Up

 

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 P.E. Shadrick to bring you this post.

When Hazel was young, I loved telling her stories. Since we started at a Waldorf school, storytelling was very important. Stories could entertain, teach lessons and so much more. Today I am sharing book that has a grandmother telling a story to her granddaughter as she works the tangles out of the granddaughter's hair. The book is Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs by P.E. Shadrick and illustrated by Maya Penzlik.

Banned Book -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Where do you stand on banned books? It amazes me that some people think they have the right to tell families what books their kids should not be exposed to. As a parent I feel I have the right to control what my daughter reads, what television or movies she sees, etc., however I do not think a stranger has that right. It is shocking to see some of the books that are banned. I looked up what some the most banned books currently are and found Reader's Digest has a list of mostly young adult books. We Are Teachers share a list of 30 books that include books for younger children. You may be surprised by some of the books on these lists. They include the Harry Potter series, New Kid by Jerry Craft, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaolo, Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Hazel was just in a school

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.

What Can a Mess Make? -- Picture Book Review

 

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

Did you ever hear the story about the time milk spilled on the floor and instead of getting upset the mother sat with the child on the floor and they made pictures with the spilled milk? I believe the child becomes an artist, but I don't remember whose story it is. Our lives, homes, rooms, desks, etc. are filled with little messes, but with some creativity they can become a masterpiece just liked the spilled milk. Today I am sharing a book that is being released today. It is What Can a Mess Make? by Bee Johnson. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

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. 

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All -- Book Review

 

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

Today I'm sharing a middle school novel that brings to light some of the Asian hate going around as well as some typical middle school things. It shares life in the big city and messages that everyone's life looks better from the outside. The book is Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller. It is recommended for ages 7 to 11.

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!

How to Make a Sandwich -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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 Lorena M. Proia to bring you this review and giveaway.

There are times when I read a picture book and just think "Ahhhh." Today's book is one of those. I absolutely love this book and hope you will check it out. The book is How to Make a Sandwich by Lorena M. Proia. 

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.

Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

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 P.J. Davis to bring you this review and giveaway.

What is time? It has been called the fourth dimension. It is also said to be made up by man to help explain life. The calendar has changed over the years and some places still change the clock twice a year for Daylight Savings Time and Standard Time. So what is time? For that matter, what is life? What would life be without time? Today we are sharing a middle school fantasy about an underworld force who is stealing time to overcome our world as well as other dimensions. The book is Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time by P.J. Davis and illustrated by Thomas Peacock. It is recommended for ages 8+. 

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. 

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.

Orbit

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

Today I am sharing my final review for Multicultural Children's Book Day 2024. It is hard to believe the day is almost here!! Today we are sharing a young adult sci-fi novel that will have you questioning morals and ethics. The book is Orbit by Leigh Hellman. 

Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess Activity Book -- a Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

 

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

Today I am sharing with you a fun growth mindset activity book. The book is part of the Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series. It is Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess Activity Book by Deedee Cummings and illustrated by Charlene Mosley. The series is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Coco the Puerto Rican Parrot -- a Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

 

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

Today I am sharing another great book for Multicultural Children's Book Day!! Today we are looking at a book about a Puerto Rican parrot which shares some information about the parrots and Puerto Rico as well as a message about how amazing bilingual people are. The book is Coco the Puerto Rican Parrot by Frances Diaz Evans and illustrated by Alejandra Lopez. I am also including a round-up of parrot crafts to go with the book. 

In the Nick of Time Too -- a Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

 

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

Today I am sharing another review for Multicultural Children's Book Day. The special day is coming fast! Today's book is a holiday book that deals with embracing our differences. The book is In the Nick of Time Too by Deedee Cummings and illustrated by Charlene Mosley. It is recommended for ages 4 to 10. 

Hide and Shh! -- a Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

 

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

I am so excited to be a Multicultural Children's Book Day reviewer this year!! I somehow missed signing up last year and it made me really sad. It was the only year I didn't participate in this amazing event. I am blaming going back to work full time. However this year I made sure to sign up as a reviewer!! Today I am going to share the first of the books I am reviewing and it is such a sweet book about inclusion. It is called Hide and Shh! A Not-So-Sneaky Sister Story about Inclusion by Christine Dendy and illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama. It is recommended for ages 5 to 7.