Every child is unique and special. One of the reasons I believe each child’s educational setting needs to be unique not formulated by a cookie-cutter curriculum.
Abigail, the eight-year-old protagonist in this book is intelligent and happy until she notices that her reading group moves slower than the others and fellow classmates make fun of her. When she is diagnosed with dyslexia, Abigail feels stupid and lonely until her family and reading specialist show the remarkable capabilities and achievements of dyslexics. Through their love and support, Abigail learns there are many ways to be “special.”
The illustrations are soft and sensitive, yet emotionally powerful and appealing to the eye.
I would strongly suggest this book be included in elementary and middle school classroom bookshelves as a read aloud discussion book. It provides a wonderful asset for parents of a child with any type of disability to raise self-esteem.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: Coloring the Rainbow: The Power of Connection tells a story of the magic created when the unique talents of a diverse group of children are shared in a colorful adventure.
The adventure begins when we see through a boy’s window to find a young trombonist pausing his practice to wonder if other musical voices exist. When an alluring treble note wafts through his window, he begins an excited quest to find the answer. Playing his horn through his neighborhood, the boy draws other curious children to play their unique instruments along with him.
Together, they played: “Lend your voice, play your part! Something grand is beginning― join us for the start!”
The procession of music makers is touched with magic when their combined voices, raised in harmony, orchestrate a colorful miracle.
The ease of poetry and vibrant illustrations make this book a perfect keepsake for any gift-giver wishing to explore the values of diversity and inclusion with young, loved ones.
Catherine Rose is enjoying that time of life when one thinks of creating a legacy. What are the lessons learned from living life’s adventure that would benefit generations to come?
As a pediatric nurse, she wrote therapeutic stories to help children cope masterfully with injury and illness. Her present stories weave tales with similarly empowering messages to support children’s development of resilience, confidence and empathy.
Rose writes from the back porch of her log home, inspired by the profile of Mount Jefferson in North Carolina. Married to her high school sweetheart, they now enjoy perpetual recess with their two grandchildren, whose favorite activity is to read a book written by Nana!
Jeff Dale’s foray into artistic design began when his boss at a printing shop asked him to design a logo for a client. While the logo was an impressive design, creating the art had an even more impressive effect on motivating a true passion for creative design.
Educated in the design world of Washington, DC, Jeff’s wide scope of interest and talent has inspired him to design, create, and build just about anything one can conceive of creating, including this debut as an illustrator of a children’s book. Jeff is the founder of Dale Design, situated in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he resides with his wife and two grown children.
His varied talent in artistic design can be appreciated by visiting his website: www.daledesign.com.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Coloring the Rainbow and a $100 Amazon gift card!
Coloring the Rainbow: A Story about the Power of Connection
Written by Catherine Rose
Illustrated by Jeffrey Dale
What a beautiful message for children in the primary grades but appropriate for any reader! This beautiful rhyming picture book features a young boy who enjoys playing his trombone. One day he ponders how much more enjoyable it might be if it were combined with the voices of other instruments. He walks through the streets searching for other children who play different musical instruments. Sounds high and low ring out from all parts of the world. What a beautiful symphony they create when blended. Just as music, the unique talents of each child combine to form a gorgeous tapestry creating harmony from individual differences.
Simple, soft colors in conjunction with crisp rhymes suggest this multicultural picture book to be a top choice on a parent or teacher’s bookshelf.
I was elated to receive book five in this author’s stunning picture book series about groundhogs, chipmunks, and squirrels. In this edition, adorable Fiston reveals the secrets of life as a chipmunk.
I love watching these adorable creatures prance around my backyard in the northeastern U.S. Snellings taught me how they eat, move, hibernate, raise their young, and protect themselves.
It is fascinating that these creatures can weigh only two to four ounces yet manage to collect as many as 165 acorns a day when preparing for hibernation! As a history buff, I was delighted to learn about the Iroquois myth connected to them and the analogy of their coloring to the uniforms of the Swiss Guards at the Vatican. The photography is spectacular. Children can visually understand and relate to the fascinating facts that Fiston reveals to his new friends.
I highly recommend adding this beautiful book both to a home or classroom library as a gem of knowledge and a beautiful piece of photography.
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A children’s picture book with a purpose. This book teaches children about one of our most valuable community helpers, firefighters. At the same time, young readers are introduced to a lovable bunch of toys who are looking for someone special to love them.
These toys have been hidden away in a box stored in the firehouse until a firefighter accidentally finds one of them. Read the story to find how how two little girls learn a lesson that pulls the community together and spreads that message of love and empathy to all it touches.
This book is appropriate for all elementary age readers and a suggested addition for a classroom lesson on community helpers.
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Publisher: Brandylane Publishers, Inc. | ISBN-13: 9781958754368
Publisher’s Book Summary: With a sigh, she went pacing before a large mirror that stood,
Remarking: “Ugh! I’m hideous! None of this looks very good!”
After struggling to find the perfect outfit, Emily Soo dances the night away at a fun party. But when she gets home, her inner voice Emily Two tries to put a damper on her evening.
Confronting our thoughts, fully facing tough emotions, and affirming ourselves can be difficult.
Can Emily Soo find it within herself to squash her Worry and Woe?
Drew Palacio grew up in Mendocino County, California. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco and currently practices in Kansas. Clinically, he implores partnership and efforts from local families, schools, and the community. Lastly, Dr. Drew is himself a child a heart, using his love of magic and worldly mystery, whether via comic books, animation, video games, or through the passing daydream, to always stoke his inspiration.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
What a wonderful resource for children in upper elementary grades, middle schools and even young adults! Palacio reminds us not to listen to that nagging inner voice that tries to pull us into negativity. In this beautifully written rhyming story, Emily Soo has spent much time choosing her outfit and then enjoying a night out dancing. But when she returns home, that nagging voice in her head tries to tear her positive image down. Children need to learn we are all unique and special. Rather than paying attention to negative self talk, we need to develop affirmations to remind ourselves to stay positive. Palacio provides the tools to put us on the right path to form a healthy life-long habit of self-esteem and healthy lifestyle.
As an educator, I highly recommend classroom teachers and school counselors add this book to their library.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win a personalized hardcover copy of Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Curious Case of the Two Emily Soos and Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound: The Quiet Wants of Julien J.
Twelve (12) winners receive:
-A personalized, signed copy of Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Curious Case of the Two Emily Soos
–A personalized, signed copy of Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound: The Quiet Wants of Julien J.
Publisher: Pages Street Kids | ISBN-13: 9781645679936
Publisher’s Book Summary: It’s just after midnight on Walton Wharf West, but there’s no time for sleeping―adventure awaits! Get dressed, grab your oars, let’s not delay. Lou Dozens is here, and we’re sailing to Firelight Bay!
In this modern, young, bold, and inventive adventure, Lou drags her more cautious friend on a daring voyage across the sea. Though their destination is a glorious land of year-round summers, long slides, and picnics a hundred yards wide, the children there have never seen rain, even once.
The mission is simple: bring Firelight Bay a cloud in a jar. But the journey is anything but. Readers will delight in the story’s twists, turns, and unexpected solutions―from a sail of patchwork handkerchiefs to a net crafted from recycled cell phone chargers that saves a beached whale. It’ll take every knick-knack in Lou’s pockets and all the cleverness the pair can muster to safely deliver their gift.
With captivating illustrations and whimsical yet delightfully intricate rhyming text reminiscent of classic children’s poetry, this seafaring quest is one young readers will not soon forget.
Aaron Lewis Krol lives with his family in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he writes about climate change science and solutions for the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative. Like many, his early education included many “invention challenges” where students were tasked with building structures from everyday materials, and he’s pretty sure that’s where the idea for Lou Dozens came from. A Cloud in a Jar is his first picture book.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Carlos Vélez Aguilera lived in the oceanside town of Puerto Vallarta for a time and drew from his memory of those beautiful landscapes and the sense of adventure they gave him while illustrating this book. He also poured in his general love of clouds, the sea, and whales. In addition to drawing, Carlos also likes to dance. He lives in Mexico City, Mexico, with his cat, Benito.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023Q&A with Deborah KalbAuthor Interview with Aaron Lewis Kroll
UP, UP, AND AWAY!
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK
A Cloud in a Jar
Written by Aaron Lewis Krol
Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera
Lou decides to bring her best friend on an adventure. She knocks on her friend’s window in Walton Wharf West to urge her to get up from her bed to sail away to Firelight Bay in her rowboat.
Their mission is to reach Firelight Bay where the residents enjoy endless summers and picnics all day long. Sounds wonderful, but one thing is missing. It never rains. The children can never dance in the rain or stomp in puddles. Lou decides to solve that problem by importing rain with a cloud she has trapped in a jar.
The journey seems doomed from the start as they face one mishap after another, but Lou has tricks up her sleeve. A beautiful sea creature appears when their boat breaks apart. Will the girlfriends reach safety? Can they achieve their mission?
Aquilera does a masterful job of creating bold, expressive illustrations that match the different moods of Krol’s poetic adventure. While the fantasy adventure book targets children ages four through eight, the advanced vocabulary might be more suitable as an independent read for middle grade readers.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win a hardcover copy of A Cloud in a Jar!
Oh, How You Are Loved (A KeepsakeBook for Mother and New Baby)
Written by Melanie Hawkins
This simple rhyming picture book tells the story of a mother’s love for her children. Written by a mother of seven, the simple illustrated rhymes portray animal mothers with their young accompanied by nature scenes.
It would make an excellent bedtime story or read aloud for a child of any age. Buyers should note that the book reflects a Christian outlook on motherhood. It might also be a gift for a first-time parent.
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This picture book features a comic book format. For fans of mermaids, sea creatures, and jokes, the first grade reading level makes it a good fit for a beginning reader. There is a bit of potty humor though it is not the focus of the jokes. Eel presents some puns and jokes about mermaids and later gets into a debate with a shrimp who has a much more serious demeanor.
The illustrations are colorful and engaging. I would suggest this short book as a good choice for children who are reluctant readers or comic book lovers.
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One Giant Leap has much to offer. A middle-grade read that leans a bit more to the upper grades of that range contains an interesting plot. Four students have won a science competition to take a trip to outer space from a space tourist organization, but both of Fin’s parents are in the hospital. He needs a guardian to participate.
A conflict of emotions and stress at the outset. Well, I will reveal that Fin accepts the prize, but not the details of this fantastic opportunity. The book combines lots of space trivia, factual scientific information, and middle-grade angst connected with coming of age. Its adventure plot moves swiftly.
I especially enjoyed the author’s approach of including rather advanced vocabulary definitions in the glossary and a section at the end separating fact from fiction. Space afficionados and science geeks will both enjoy the book. Even adults will not be disappointed.
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Bakon is a great character who has multiple lessons for his fans.
In this picture book, Bakon is excited to be participating in the Tootsville Sock Hop. He and the Pork Choppers dancers really want to win. They will be competing against The Oink Angels and The Kickin’ Chickens.
Once the competition gets underway, something amazing happens. The primary grade reading audience learn lessons about friendship, competition, and good sportsmanship.
A fun bedtime story or read aloud with a winning message.
November 15, 2023
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