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. 

Isabella of Castile and our Exploration of Spain -- Global Learning for Kids

Disclosure: I was sent these books to review free of charge from Goosebottom Books. 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.

This month the Global Learning for Kids group focused on Spain. We have already looked at Spain with Around the World in 12 Dishes: flan and gazpacho. That exploration included stories, crafts and cooking. We have also spent some time exploring Pablo Picasso since Hazel loves his work. Even more exciting was that her art was hanging at a local museum this month and her class's art was their Picasso-inspired self portraits. Here is Hazel's.

The Story of Passover -- Exodus

 Disclosure: Tuttle Publishing gave me a copy of this map free of charge for this 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.

Today I am joining some other Multicultural Kid Blogs to bring you a Passover for Kids Blog Hop. This year I decided to focus on the Biblical story behind Passover. As a Christian I know this story since it is part of the Old Testament (in the book of Exodus chapters 7 through 14). To look at this story we started by looking at it in cartoon form on a DVD from the library.

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. 

Sewing a Spring Dress -- Butterick Pattern #4176 -- Crafty Weekends Review and Link Party

This link party is for crafts done by people of all ages!!

So on the Tuesday before St. Patrick's Day, Hazel school sent home the message that Thursday would be green day. The kids could wear something green instead of their uniforms. Hazel of course wanted to but she doesn't have green clothes. I spent Wednesday afternoon before I picked her up and after I worked looking for something cheap and green, but unfortunately I did not find anything. I decided to make her a green spring dress from a really easy pattern I have used before, Butterick B4176.