Evaline is making a special surprise at school today - a Mother's Day present. Before they make their surprise though, each child talks about what they do for Mother's Day. Some children make a special food, some go to a special place. Some children do not have mother's.

"Mother's Day" by Anne Rockwell is a perfect book to read in a group where people may have different sets of circumstances. Or just as a way to give your child all kinds of ideas about what you might like for Mother's Day.

Books for Children Ages: 4 to 7 years old.

Related Discussion Topics: Celebrating Mother's Day, Mother's Day crafts, making Mother's Day special.

Activities for Kids:

• Make the Mother's Day craft flowers according to the directions in the book.
• Draw a picture of what you like to do with your Mother for Mother's Day

Cultural Diversity: This book for children presents a wide diverity of children and their mother's.

Children's Book Review Rating: 4 Stars - Beneficial Book

  Name:      *Email:  * = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!

If you enjoyed Sherrill Cannon's award winning "The Magic Word" and "Peter and the Whimper Whineys," then you are sure to love the next in her series of tales all about manners. Reminiscient of the "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" books by Betty MacDonald that I enjoyed as a child, "Gimme-Jimmy" will help you teach your children about sharing with a fable about a little boy whose hand grows everytime he says "Gimme!"

Jimmy has such a hard time sharing, that his hand (which he uses to grab and snatch from other kids), starts growing like Pinocchio's nose. Soon he cannot even walk around without tripping over it, and he thinks he is doomed for good. But his father (who warned him this may happen) tells him the secret - which is to say please, share, and be kind to others. As he does these things his hand shrinks back to its normal size, and he is not "Gimme-Jimmy" anymore!

Like her other stories, Sherrill Cannon uses rhyme in this book, and is very explicit about what misbehaviour needs to be corrected. A kind parent figure, and a negative side effect are also commonalities between books. If you have a child who is having trouble sharing, this may be the perfect book to talk to them about what happens when we choose not to share. Your hand may not literally get bigger, but other kids won't want to share with you, and you will end up feeling just as stuck and alone as the character in the book.

Book for Children Ages: 4 years old to 6 years old

Reading Tips:

• Talk to your child about what Jimmy's hand means in the story, and what some of the negative consequences are of not sharing in the real world
  

Related Discussion Questions:

• Do you ever have a hard time sharing?
  
• What does it feel like when other kids won't share with you?
  
• How can you work on being more kind to the people around you?
  

Activities for Kids:

• Help your child sort through their toys. See if there are any that they have outgrown that they would like to donate to a local charity.
  
• Trace your childs hand on a piece of paper. Think together of positive things that you can do with your hands and write one on each finger. Then decorate with stickers, markers, or glitter and hang on the wall to remind us to always have kind hands.
  
• Get out a snack like chocolate candies, raisins, carrot circles, or anything else where there are several. Have your child evenly divide the pile of snacks for the number of people sharing them. You can also do this excercise in a variety of different ways (such as by adding imaginary people, or starting with several piles of different amounts and redistributing them to be even) in order to build basic math and counting skills.
  

Cultural Diversity: This book shows a good diversity of characters - including some of those who have appeared in earlier tales.

Children's Book Review Rating: 4 Stars - Beneficial Book*

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

"The Magic Word" by Sherrill Cannon

"Peter and the Whimper-Whineys" by Sherrill Cannon

"Martha Doesn't Share" by Samantha Berger

 

 *A free copy of this book was given to Beautiful Books for Children for review purposes. Our commitment to our readers and authors is to always give an honest review, even when a review copy is provided. No other compensation was provided for this review.

* Email
First Name

* = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!

Laura Lee's father works in the rainforest, and she gets to come along and meets a new friend - a cute little tree frog she names Co-kee. They play hide and seek around the tree, and Laura Lee has trouble letting her little froggy friend go when it is time to leave.

"Rainfrog" by Suzanne Gene Courtney is a sweet story of father and daughter, a tale that will help teach your child about loving the earth, and an assertion of childhood creativity. I am so glad that this author has begun the journey of authorship and hope she continues. What this book lacks though is overall polish. There are a couple minor punctiation errors (you probably wouldn't catch them unless you were an English major), and the layout of the book could be improved.There is also a tiny inconsistency at the begining of the book when it says they drank water out of a canteen, and Laura Lee is drinking out of a cup and straw.

If your child is going through a "frog" phase as my youngest is, they will love this book. Suzanne Gene Courtney is an author you will want to watch as she perfects her craft.

Book for Children Ages: 3 years old to 6 years old

Reading Tips:

• Some of the pictures show lots of frogs, and it can be fun to count them with your child

Related Discussion Questions:

• What are some things you love to do with your dad or mum?
  
• Have you ever had a pet you loved? What did you do to take care of it?
  
• What do you think Mr. Lee's job is?
  
• What other jobs do people have that help study or care for the earth?
  

Activities for Kids:

• Take a trip to your local nature center or other outdoor habitat and see what animals you can see.  
• Make your own frog (this activity best for 3-5 year olds) Fold a paper plate in half and color the whole thing green (or whatever color you want your frog to be). Then cut out a tongue from craft foam or construction paper and glue on. Cut out two circle eyes, and glue half down so that the eyes stick up. Add a black dot onto the eyes.
  
• Make jumping frogs (this activity best for children 5+)

Cultural Diversity: The story only represents Laura Lee and her father. And of course the cute little rain frog Co-kee

Children's Book Review Rating: 3.5 Stars

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

"Jump Frog, Jump" by Robert Kalan

"The Biggest Frog In Australia" by Susan L. Roth

"Peep In The Deep" by R.M. Smith

 *A free copy of this book was given to Beautiful Books for Children for review purposes. Our commitment to our readers and authors is to always give an honest review, even when a review copy is provided. No other compensation was provided for this review.

* Email
First Name

* = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!

As my kids get older, they are becoming more and more aware of the Earth, and the idea that it is a very big place. Part of teaching them about diversity is teaching them about all the different cultures and people that live here in the United States. But just as important is exposing them to the idea that there are other kids, a lot like them, who live all over the world. They eat, they play, they have families, and hopes and dreams. But their lives look a little different. Different kinds of food, different weather.

The "I See the Sun..." series is a great set of books for teaching those ideas. Latest in the series is "I See the Sun in Russia" by Dedie King . The illustrations are an interesting mix of photographs and paint, and the story tells all about a day in the life of a little boy named Anton. Following him from getting up in the morning and sneaking the stray cats some food, to going to school, and home again with his family in the evening enjoying potatoes for dinner and music in the evening.

In the back of the book is a one page brief history that will help round out the story, and allow parents to answer questions they may not be able to without it. The book is written in both English and Russian.

Book for Children Ages: 4 years old and older

Family Reading Time: If you have a teenager learning Russian as their second language in high school, this may be a fun excercise for them. For everyone else, your older children will enjoy looking at the style of illustrations, and using this as a starting point to learn more about Russia.

Reading Tips:

• Even if you do not know Russian, this is a good chance to point out the Russian words in the book and talk with your child about different languages and different kinds of letters.
  

Related Discussion Questions:

• What things did you see in the book that are the same as how we do things in our home?
  
• What things did you notice that were different?
  
• If you met someone who lived in another country, what questions would you want to ask? What things would you want to tell them about your home?
  

Activities for Kids:

• Write a book about a day in your own life. Take pictures throughout the day, or draw pictures to show the different things you do and enjoy.
  
• Draw a map of your neighborhood or city (depending on the age and ability of your child). Mark on it important places, such as the grocery store you usually go to, the park, a statue, a friends house, etc.
  
• Potatoes are a common ingredient in Russian food. Make your favorite potato recipe together, or make Solyanka like Anton had for lunch at school.
  

Cultural Diversity: Russia does not have a great deal of racial diversity, and this book accurately represents that. However, it is a great chance to expose your child to a new country, language, and culture.

Children's Book Review Rating: 4.5 Stars*

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

"Yum, Yum, Dim Sum" by Amy Wilson Sanger

"Rubber Shoes" by Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri

"Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth" by Joan Schoettler

 *A free copy of this book was given to Beautiful Books for Children for review purposes. Our commitment to our readers and authors is to always give an honest review, even when a review copy is provided. No other compensation was provided for this review.

* Email
First Name

* = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!

Did you know that hippos bray and rabbits coo? You will after you read "Cows Can't Quack" by Dave Reisman.

What I love about this book is it can easily be enjoyed by a baby, or a preschooler, and everything in between. Because it features some different animal sounds you don't often find in other books (as well as many more common ones), it will stay interesting.

When I first read the book, I made sure to bring it in for my youngest sons speech therapists to look at, since making animal sounds is a precursor to talking and they loved it as much as I do.

If you already have and enjoy "Cows Can't Jump" you will love this one as well. Although it can definitely stand alone as well.

Book for Children Ages: Baby to 5 years old

Reading Tips:

• Don't be afraid to get silly with this book. Even if you don't know exactly what it means for a penguin to trumpet, give it your best shot anyway.
  
• Encourage your children to make the sounds too, no matter how big or little they are.
  
• This can be a great book to wind down to bed with, as it ends with the little puppy snoring. Use this book as a way to get the last sillies, wiggles, and laughs out before quiet time. Also a great book to read before nap.
  

Related Discussion Questions:

• What was your favorite animal in the book?
  
• What other animal sounds can you think of that weren't in the book?
  

Activities for Kids:

•  Take a trip to your local zoo and see if you can learn any new animal sounds
• Make an animal mask and pretend to be your favorite animal. Using a paper bag from the grocery store, cut out a place for your eyes. Then decorate the rest of the bag to look like your favorite animal. Put on your masks and play!
  
• Using your video camera, smart phone, computer, or other audio recorder record the sounds of you and your child making the animal noises. Also record other sounds. Listen to them and talk about what they sound like.
  
• Play sound "bingo" using the sounds you recorded above. Draw a grid with any number of squares you want on a piece of paper. Then draw in the picture of the animal or other sound. Then listen to the sounds (try to do a random order each time), and put a penny on the right box when you hear the sound.
  

Cultural Diversity: Like its precursor "Cows Can't Jump" this is a great book to introduce the idea that every person is different, but equally valuable.

Children's Book Review Rating: 5 Stars - Beautiful Book

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

"Cow's Can't Jump" by Dave Reisman

"Herd of Cows, Flock of Sheep" by Rick Walton

"Turtle's Penguin Day" by Valeri Gorbachev

 *A free copy of this book was given to Beautiful Books for Children for review purposes. Our commitment to our readers and authors is to always give an honest review, even when a review copy is provided. No other compensation was provided for this review.

* Email
First Name

* = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!

"Recycle Every Day" by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace is a great book to start a conversation about recycling. As more and more cities introduce single stream recycling, it gets easier all the time. And when you get the whole family on board, you will be amazed at how much less trash is in your bin every week!

Minna's school is having a poster contest. Everyone is supposed to create a contest all about recycling - the winners will be featured in a special calendar. But she is just not sure what to make her poster about. As she and her family goes through the week, she notices all the different ways they are recycling, and then gets an inspiration! She makes her poster about recycling everyday!

At the school assembly, each month and its featured illustration for the calendar is called off one by one. All the month's are called mentioned, but Minna's poster is not and she thinks it just wasn't good enough. Then they announce that her poster will be the cover!

In addition to the main theme of recycling, this book is a good way to teach children about creativity, working hard, and the days of the week and months of the year.

Books for Children Ages: 3 years old and older

Related Discussion Questions:

• What are some ways we recycle in our family?
• What are some new ways we could recycle?
• Are there things that we do on certain days of the week?
• Where you surprised when Minna got the award?
  

 

 

 

Sheri Fink has done it again. If you loved her first book "The Little Rose" you will love this one too. Beautifully bound and illustrated, this is one of those books that you read again and again, treasure, tape if needed (hopefully not, but if you have kids you understand), and pass on to the next generation. Destined to be one of those books that our children remember as one of their favorites from childhood. 

So what is this book about anyway? As the title suggests, it is all about a Little Gnome . He lives in a Victorian garden graced by summer and is quite happy, until things start to change. First the leaves fall. Then the snow comes. He does not like these changes, no not at all. Eventually he learns that it is all part of the normal process of life, and that summer will come again. And even more importantly, that there is always something to be thankful for, even in the dark and cold of winter.

Like every great story this book is about so many things. It is about thankfulness, change, the seasons, and learning from friends. Mary Washam's illustrations are beautiful and just add that extra something special to this book. If you are looking for a book to give as a gift, this one would definitely make my list.

Book for Children Ages: 3 years old and older (although even a baby would love to look at the pictures)

Family Reading Time: This book has some words that would be a little too advanced for the beginning reader to read to a younger sibling. But that also makes it a great book to read with your older child to expand their vocabulary.

Reading Tips:

• Ask questions throughout the story to prompt your child to figure out what is going on and why things are changing
  

Related Discussion Questions:

• Why was the Little Gnome sad?
  
• Are you ever sad when things change?
  
• Can you think of a time when something seemed bad at first, but you were able to find something good about it?
  
• What is your favorite season? Why?
  

Activities for Kids:

• Whatever season it is, make a list of some of the things that are simple to find outdoors during that season and go on a scavenger hunt together to find them.
  
• Create a collage of your favorite season. Draw a tree trunk and then tear construction paper of the color leaves (or white paper for snow) to glue to the top of the tree. Find pictures of the animals you might see in a magazine and cut them out, or draw your own. (Note: tearing is a great fine motor activity for young children and this is a way for them to do it that is constructive rather than destructive!)
  
• Make a "something good" jar. The next time your child (or you) are feeling sad or upset, see if you can think of something good. Write it on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. When you can't think of anything, pick one paper out of the jar to read and cheer you up. And of course decorate the jar.
  

Cultural Diversity: The Little Gnome is the only human character in the book and is very light-skinned. I would love to see more diverse characters in Sheri's next book. However, I loved that though she did have lights up during winter, it was left very broad so that anyone who celebrates during the holiday could enjoy the book and it was not limited to one particular cultural or religious celebration.

Children's Book Review Rating: 5 Stars - Beautiful Book*

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

"The Little Rose" by Sheri Fink

"Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth" by Joan Schoettler

"The Terrible Plop" by Ursula Dubosarsky

 *A free copy of this book was given to Beautiful Books for Children for review purposes. Our commitment to our readers and authors is to always give an honest review, even when a review copy is provided. No other compensation was provided for this review.

* Email
First Name

* = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!

"Have you ever been there where the Tickle Tree grows, and laughed as it jiggles its twigs on your toes?"

If not, then you have never read "The Tickle Tree" by Chae Strathie. When I read this book I felt like I had just found the modern day Dr. Suess. One with color saturated modern-art feeling illustrations by Poly Bernatene to match a media rich 21st century world.

But the rhyming, the nonsense words, the imagination, and the fun draw-you-in feeling of the book felt very Suessical.

With text that sometimes wraps in and around and through illustrations, it may be a struggle for a new reader to read on their own (no matter how beautiful it looks), but it makes it even more perfect as a bedtime story that allows the parent to be the master storyteller.

Looking for a new nigthly favorite? This is definitely in my list of best bedtime books for kids.

Book for Children Ages: 18 months to 6 years old

Reading Tips:

• Don't hesitate to take the volume up and down as you express fun, mystery, and curiousity as you go through the book. 
• When you first read the story encourage your child to guess how they could get to all the places in the book.
  
• Create special bedtime fun by reading with a flashlight rather than the usual room light.
  

Related Discussion Questions:

• Do you remember any of your dreams?
  
• What was the funniest dream you ever had?
  
• What would you like to dream about?
  

Activities for Kids:

• Draw a picture of your own dreamland.
  
• Make up a song about going to bed.
  
• Create a night time display above the bed by cutting out stars, moons, or even your own imaginary objects from colored paper, taping to a piece of yarn, and taping to the ceiling. Make the yarn all different lengths to help give it depth.
  

Cultural Diversity: Given the unique art style and colors it was often hard to tell what racial and ethnic groups were being represented. The focus of the book was on imagination and creativity, so take advantage of that to get your own child imagining.

Children's Book Review Rating: 5 Stars - Beautiful Book

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

"I Love You More Than Rainbows" by Susan Crites

"Tell Me the Day Backwards" by Albert Lamb

"Sleepy, Oh, So Sleepy" by Denise Fleming

* Email
First Name

* = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!

Teaching shapes and colors is one thing. Real life skills is entirely another - like, getting a job. Such an essential for a 4 or 5 year old. ;-)

Actually, my philisophy has always been that start talking to children about the grown-up world as soon as possible. For one thing it is so fun to listen to their impressions of the world, and for another to be able to explain things to them and see their faces light up as they feel more included in what is going on around them.

"How to Get a Job by Me the Boss" was both all in one. Written from the perspective of a little girl trying to teach her baby brother all about how to get a job in any industry. Filled with many child-like misconceptions, this book for children will not only give the adult some laughs, but will serve as a great teaching tool to explain things to your preschooler or kindegartner who is curious.

* Email
First Name

* = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!

Book for Children Ages: 4 years old and older

Family Reading Time: This can be one of those books that spans multiple ages. Your older child may even feel extra grown up being able to read this book to their younger sibling and then explain how the world "really" works.

Reading Tips:

• Have your child try to guess what jobs the characters are pretending to have before reading the page.
  

Related Discussion Questions:

• What do you want to do when you grow up?
  
• Can you think of other jobs that were not in the book?
  
• What was your favorite job that they talked about?
  
• What do I (mommy, daddy, grandma grandpa, or whoever) do for work?
  
• Why do people have jobs? Are their any kinds of jobs that don't pay money?
  

Activities for Kids:

• Play dress up and pretend to work different jobs.
  
• Play school and have your child be the teacher.
  
• Help your child write a "resume" according to the instructions in the book. Either help them write the words, or help them find pictures of things they are good at to compile into a resume. These can be pictures from a magazine, or your own family pics.
  

Cultural Diversity: While the little girl "writing" the book is light-skinned, she has many friends of all different ethnicities playing and working together with her throughout the book.

Children's Book Review Rating: 4 Stars - Beneficial Book

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

"Mommy and Daddy Work to Make Some Dough" by Jennifer Pereyra

"Three Cups" by Mark St. Germain

"Zero" by Kathryn Otoshi

When my youngest sister was only 4 years old, she was diagnosed with luekemia - cancer. What followed was two years of treatment (including chemotherapy and steroids) that would have been hard on anyone, let alone a little girl. But she was a champ and kept smiling most of the time. One thing that always brightened her day was when the therapy dogs came to visit the children's hospital. It was an enjoyable distraction for her and the other kids and took their minds off being sick, if only for a little while.

"Toby the Pet Therapy Dog and His Hospital Friends" is the true story of author Charmaine Hammond and her adorable dog Toby. This fun book allows readers to follow along for a day as Toby goes and visits the hospital, bringing cheer to the children there along the way.

One important role that picture books play for children is to provide a tool for talking about subjects that would otherwise be much more difficult. Whether your own child ever deals with a serious illness, or has a friend or relative who does, it can be a scary time. We don't usually associate children with sick beds, cancer, hospitals, and even death. (And no, no one dies in this book - it is very positive and upbeat.) But unfortunately, there are lots and lots of children who have chronic, acute, and life threatening illnesses they deal with everyday. Seeing that they are kids too can help a child (or even an adult) who is struggling with understanding what to do. And just like Toby, we all have opportunities to bring a little light and joy into the lives around us everyday.

Book for Children Ages: 4 years old and older

Family Reading Time: If an older child is dealing with a friend or family member who is sick, this can be a good tool to use with them as well.

Reading Tips:

• A wonderful book to talk about feeling and perspective, talk about what you think each character is thinking and feeling throughout the book.
  

Related Discussion Questions:

• Charmaine included such a wonderful list of questions at the end of the book, I won't even venture to add more here. Just know they are there. :-)
  

Activities for Kids:

•  Call your local children's hospital and see what opportunities there are to volunteer. Depending on the age of your child, you may be able to write cards, visit to play with children, bring a goodie basket to a family in need, or even make rag dolls or other comfort toys or blankets.
  
• If you have a pet, write a story together about all the ways he/she helps your family. Let your child illustrate with their own drawings.
  
• Even if your family is not able to have a pet right now, you may be able to help out at your local animal shelter. Give them a call and see what is possible.
  
• Play doctor together with your child. Take turns being doctor, patient, and nurse. Make sure to ask questions and be ready to answer some too.
  

Cultural Diversity: Illness knows no racial or ethnic divide, and neither does the hospital in this book.

Children's Book Review Rating: 4 Stars - Beneficial Book

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

"Bear's Last Journey" by Udo Weigelt

"The Terrible Plop" by Ursula Dubosarsky

"Nico and Lola" by Meggan Hill

 *A free copy of this book was given to Beautiful Books for Children for review purposes. Our commitment to our readers and authors is to always give an honest review, even when a review copy is provided. No other compensation was provided for this review.

* Email
First Name

* = Required Field

Nobody likes to read spam so we won't send any!