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Dogs A Counting and Comparing Book: A Funny Counting to 10 Book about Dogs
Written by Frances MacKay
One of the best toddler and preschool teaching tools that I have come across lately. The author uses vibrant illustrations and interesting scenarios with dogs to teach children how to count up to ten and then count backwards.
She also introduces positional and size concepts as well as simple emotions like happy and sad. Interactive activities included are access to a ten-page coloring book and freebies that can be downloaded.
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If you have never read one of the Junkyard Adventure Books, you might want to start with this one. (Book 5)
Eli and Grace are siblings who love to visit their Uncle Larry’s Antique and Junkyard Store. This is not an ordinary store. Each time the children visit, they discover a magic porthole that takes them on an adventure to a wonderful new world.
In this offering, the children experience a trip on a submarine to an underwater adventure. Their teacher is a mermaid who exposes them to a world filled with musical instruments. Readers learn quite a bit about music but also experience the fear of these two siblings to find a way out that will lead them back to Uncle Larry’s shop.
This series is targeted for ages eight through eleven, but I believe it suitable as a beginning chapter book reader as well. Perfect for readers who love adventure and fantasy.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: Patient, peaceful Phoenix tries to take care of rambunctious and cold-ridden Dragon, which leads to hilarious and sweet results (with vibrant illustrations by the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of Beekle).
Everyone knows that dragons are fierce, capable of taking on the world!
But this dragon can’t stop sneezing long enough to get a roar out. Even with friendly Phoenix insisting that Dragon get some rest, this powerful creature refuses to stop for any orange ginger tea or a drop of bone broth soup.
It’s only when Dragon realizes Phoenix has caught the same cold that they are both able to take the break they so badly need. This tale of helping your friends and valuing differences is a sure-thing for story time.
Charlotte Cheng’s writing credits include Night Market Rescue, Explore China: A Mulan Discovery Book and BoBo Loves Dumplings, and she has illustrated the picture books Silly McGilly and A Moment in Time. In the field of education, she has written and illustrated K-12 curriculum for a variety of companies such as LeapFrog, Disney, and Wonder Workshop. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Dan Santat is the National Book Award-winning, Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the middle grade graphic memoir A First Time for Everything. His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey’s Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
HEAR MY ROAR
Roar-Choo!
Written by Charlotte Cheng
Illustrated by Dan Santat
The powerful dragon insists on spreading fear by letting out a blood-curdling roar. But what happens when this dragon is infected with a terrible cold? Dragon’s friend, Phoenix endeavors to take care of this affliction by resting, sipping tea, and imbibing bone broth soup. The situation reaches a climax when Phoenix suffers the same illness and can no longer take charge.
The tale of the Dragon and the Phoenix is a familiar one in Chinese mythology. It poses the opposing forces of strength and boldness versus gentleness and empathy. It teaches young readers about the value of friendship and moderation in all things.
The powerful images portray the character features accurately producing a feast for the eyes and the perfect mood for the plot.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Charlotte Cheng’s captivating book, Night Market Rescue, a $100 visa gift card, and a free 30 minute children’s book writing consultation.
Saddlestone Connemara Pony Listening School: Sinead and Strawberry
Written by Elaine Heney
Sinead loves her pony, Strawberry. She experiences anquish when Strawberry throws her one day. Her parents want to get rid of the Connemara pony. Sinead cannot bear to be separated from her best friend.
They find a possible solution. Sinead and her poney are enrolled in a special training school. Strawberry learns how to understand human emotions, while Sinead learns to understand animal behavior, pyschology, and the proper equipment. Each must learn step by step to grow, change, and adapt to each other.
For readers who love animals, especially horses, this book provides a wonderful teaching resource. It is also a tender story of empathy, love, and responsibility. The book is an easy chapter book with short chapters, easy vocabulary, and a heartwarming plot.
Recommended especially for readers in the seven to ten age range, but enjoyable for any age group.
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Publisher: Life Unfiltered Books | ISBN-13: 9781738414000
Publisher’s Book Summary: Join Milo – an adorable French Bulldog – as he embarks on his very first adventure! Simply by clapping his little paws together and jumping on his magic skateboard, Milo takes flight and explores Europe! This fun, heart-warming adventure will charm children and adults alike, while exploring different iconic places and cultures!
Kristina Tanso is an animal lover whose life changed the day she rescued Milo from the streets of Hong Kong in May 2019. Milo and His Magic Skateboard is inspired by the real-life adventures the duo have had since: prompted by Kristina’s affinity for travel, and Milo’s curious personality. Kristina is also the author of the critically acclaimed psychological thriller, Bad Things (2023); and is a producer on Searching/or Chinook, a documentary about the future survival of the last remaining Southern resident orcas, starring Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones).
An advocate for mental health and spiritual well-being, Kristina’s articles on the topic are regularly featured on Medium. Outside of writing, Kristina works at the University of Oxford, and serves as a guest professor at a university in Asia.
I once had a cat named Milo. That’s why I immediately identified with Milo.
In this picture book adventure, Milo is a French Bulldog living in Milan with a yen for travel. He loves being home with his mistress but when she departs for work, Milo picks up his magic skateboard and cruises across the continent.
Milo transports his reader friends to Paris, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Spain, and Rome where they are treated to a whirlwind tour of the famous sites in each country. Milo enjoys his adventures, but soon realizes something is missing. He longs to cuddle beside his owner.
Milo teaches us the value of experiencing new places, but, in the end, we long for the safety and comfort of home and the people we love.
Illustrations are simple, colorful, and appealing to the targeted primary grade reader. Rhymes add to the appeal of reading this adventure out loud.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Milo and His Magic Skateboard and a customized sketch of Milo!
Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 9780593659717
Publisher’s Book Summary: This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. The picnic playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive experience that will provide readers with a reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.
Kat Chen is the author of several bestselling contemporary and historical romance books. She also serves on the advisory board for Books for Newborns.
After becoming a grandmother and spending most of her free time helping with “the fun stuff”—conversations, crayons, and crawling—she was inspired to delve into children’s books and help kids master the art of simple conversation through shared play.
Lorraine Nam is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. She was born in Philadelphia and spent her childhood drawing pictures and folding origami to pass the time at her parents’ jewelry store. She now spends her days combining those two loves to create her illustrations.
She is the illustrator of the picture book biography on Neil deGrasse Tyson, Look Up With Me, and the upcoming Wei Skates On, by Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen.
A board book that will be enjoyed repeatedly when shared with curious toddlers and preschoolers. The setting is a picnic featuring a boy named Ellison and his pet rabbit. Ellison asks many questions of his rabbit and this interactive book’s readers. For example, what kind of drink do you like, what books do you enjoy, what cookies do you like to eat?
Ellison presents the joys of friendship, empathy, and sharing. He respects the opinions of his beloved rabbit and those of his readers inviting them to share in his play dates and conversations.
The illustrations are simple, bright, and colorful and will especially appeal to the targeted age audience of children ages one through four.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of Play with Me and a $25 Amazon gift card!
NaMOOste: A Yoga Book to Develop Social-Emotional Skills
Written by Marlee Kostiner
Illustrated by Manvi Semalty
A very cute book for a parent or teacher who wants to introduce young children to yoga as a way to relax, become mindful, and deal with social emotional issues.
Thirteen basic yoga poses are presented by different animals portrayed in attractive watercolor illustrations. After trying out the poses, young readers can move on to the fourteen emotional skills in the glossary. The author explains the behavior in simple terms. The author also includes discussion questions based on the content in the book and a link to free resources like videos and free printables.
An excellent introduction to yoga for primary grade and elementary age students.
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Publisher: Miranda Moose Publishers, LLC | ISBN-13: 9798988046004
Publisher’s Synopsis:Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice is a delightful tale about friendship, perseverance, and self-empowerment for ages 2-6. Follow Miranda as she embarks on an adventure to find her favorite drink! With the help of her farm animal friends, she discovers the power of self-reliance and realizes that what you need may only be as far as your own backyard! Filled with vivid illustrations and heartwarming rhymes, Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice will captivate your little ones and leave them with a valuable lesson.
As a stay-at-home mother, Melanie Brazdzionis spent much of her time engaging, educating, and entertaining her two children.
Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice was a result of those very efforts.
Prior to becoming a mother, Melanie wrote lyrics and music for her original rock band in the late 1980s. More recently, she launched a virtual assistant business to edit other people’s newsletters and websites. Her current focus is on creating and publishing stories to entertain other people’s children.
When Melanie is not writing, she is practicing yoga, playing piano, studying French, hiking, or traveling. Melanie lives with her husband in Connecticut.
Ning Loo has harbored a deep love for creating, sharing, admiring, and learning about art since childhood. Encouraged by her parents from a tender age, Ning’s early drawings, though crude, sparked admiration and encouragement from her family.
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in biotechnology, Ning’s passion for drawing and painting has remained a constant throughout her life. She eagerly anticipates every opportunity to immerse herself in her beloved art supplies, finding solace and joy in the creative process.
When presented with the chance to illustrate Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice, Ning’s excitement knew no bounds; she couldn’t help but do a little dance right in the middle of her office! Her journey with MMLOJ has been nothing short of delightful. Collaborating with the gracious author, Ning brought to life cozy characters adorned in charming outfits, all the while discovering more about her unique art style.
Ning feels privileged to be a part of this enchanting book and hopes that her illustrations will bring comfort, wonder, and joy to readers of all ages, spreading the magic of Miranda Moose’s adventures far and wide.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
FRESHLY SQUEEZED
Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice
Written by Melanie Brazdzioni
Illustrated by Zing Loo
A charming picture book that teaches children the value of perseverance, empathy, and friendship.
Miranda possesses a rather eclectic taste for a moose. She enjoys things like jam, soda, and fruits, but she especially craves orange juice. One day, she wakes up to find that she is out of orange juice. When her local grocery store is out of stock, Miranda goes off to the farm hoping to find OJ. After interviewing several animals who cannot help her, Miranda gets a clue to point her in the right direction.
The rhymes are crisp and sharp, and the dialogue with animal friends spot on. This book should be read aloud to enjoy it fully. Toddler friends and toddlers will love meeting their favorite farm animal friends, and following the plight of Miranda as she refuses to give up.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for your chance to win a signed hardcover copy or a 25-book classroom set of Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice!
An adorable picture book that features animal creatures getting ready for the first day of school. Each of the animals is associated with a different color The author uses vocabulary that stimulates interaction and even includes a bit of math to enhance the value of the book. When the animals arrive, they meet Mr. Mole, their teacher who assists them in painting a beautful work cooperatively that blends all their colors. Children learn to understand each has something important to contribute. Together, they create a beautiful tapestry.
This is an excellent book to read aloud to a preschooler or kindergarten child ready to begin school to allay their fears and teach them how each child is unique and special.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: It’s Sunday, the day before the school week begins, and Alycat is nervous. She just knows that Monday is going to be the Mondayest Monday ever! On the playground, Alycat realizes she isn’t the only one suffering from the Sunday Scaries. It’s hard to ride a bike. What if Kit falls? The treehouse is so high. Will Spotty make it safely back down? The kittens band together to overcome their fears, but can they turn the Sunday Scaries into a Sunday Funday? The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity toward problem-solving.
Fans of Alycat and her friends will enjoy spotting references to the kittens’ daily adventures within these pages. Tips for a successful lemonade stand are included!
Alysson Bourque began her career as a teacher after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education and went on to earn a law degree from Southern University Law Center in 2007.
After practicing law for nearly eight years, it was time to trade in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books and collaborating with non-profits to support philanthropic initiatives such as Foster the Love with First Lady Donna Edwards, Lafayette Walk to Defeat ALS, The Family Tree, Operation Shower, Wild Cat Foundation, and Hayley’s Bracelet fundraiser to benefit Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Her series has won over 23 awards and has received glowing reviews.
Another delightful picture book in the Alycat series, which teaches young children how to overcome problems, work cooperatively, and create lasting friendships.
In this adventure, Alycat confides in her mother that although it is Sunday, she is already imagining a Monday full of her worst fears. Her mother urges her to enjoy her Sunday and play with her friends.
Alycat and her friends go bike riding but soon find that their friend Kit needs help and encouragement. After overcoming this problem, the friends encounter Spotty in trouble at his treehouse. What can they do to help?
The book series contains attractive easy to read text and bright illustrations. Most importantly, primary grade readers learn the value of developing strong friendships, teamwork, and ways to solve problems creatively and with compassion.
A highly recommended series for children ages four through eight.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book and three adorable Alycat plush toys!
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