This picture book presents a bilingual overview of weather and seasons in Spanish and English for young readers. The publisher targets the audience as preschoolers but there are parts of the book that contain a lot of text on one page that might be difficult for a child that young to digest.
There are several things that I like about the book. On the pages where English and Spanish are placed side by side, it is easy to translate from one language to the other. Many pages contain pictures to explain the text within the sentence. Illustrations are AI generated but they do correlate well with the text. The author covers different types of weather common in various parts of the world. There is an interactive component which encourages readers to search and find for certain images which keeps the child engaged in the story.
I do believe the book is a valuable tool for bilingual Spanish/English children and especially for ESL students. However, I feel it most effective for children in elementary grades.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Fizzy and Lou are two siblings who want to adopt a dog as a new member of their family. They have a conversation with their mother.
She quickly points out that adopting an animal is like assuming responsibility for a new member of the family. Mom points out there will be new expenses, responsibilities, and job- sharing. The children learn about preparing a budget to pay for the expenses, and the work entailed in having a pet. They even discover new ways to earn that money and practice responsible leadership skills.
This book is the first in a series that will teach children about finance and money. Using animals as an important part of the story line is a clever idea. The vocabulary reinforcement section at the end of the book can be used to review the concepts taught. It is a wonderful introduction to economics for elementary school-age children. Highly recommended to parents and teachers of children to learn about budgeting.
A wonderful early chapter book that contains beautiful colorful and expressive illustrations. This book centers about a baking competition.
Cassie, a pup, and Cordelia, a cat both work as apprentices at Bindi’s Bakery. Bindi provides them both with aprons and chef’s hats. As they begin baking, Cassie and Cordelia allow their competitive spirit to create a disaster in the kitchen.
The adorable cat and pup need to learn that teamwork and friendship would be better choices in achieving their goals. Elementary school readers will enjoy reading the lovely, multicultural book with its crisp, colorful language and amusing illustrations.
Shelly and Spike are two starfish playing hide and seek in the ocean when Spike gets trapped under a seashell. They will need a new friend and teamwork to set him free.
When the two friends discover a treasure map, they are eager to set forth on an adventure. As they bring readers on the journey, they will learn about ocean currents, sea turtles, and stingrays. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The text vocabulary includes analogies and onomatopoeia that make it fun to read out loud.
This book is part of a series. While I enjoyed the tale, readers will need to purchase the second book to find out its conclusion. Recommended especially for primary grade readers.
Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Case of the Two Emily Soos
Written by Dr. Drew Palacio
Illustrated by Apolline Etienne
A common dilemma. Emily is going to a party and doesn’t know what to wear. Looking at herself in the mirror, nothing looks right. Suddenly, the mirror begins talking to her? Can Emily find the courage to stand up for her convictions and show the world the real Emily?
I really enjoyed the crisp rhymes that employ lively language of sounds and alliterative phrases that roll off the tongue and make this book a delightful read aloud. Illustrations portray the emotions beautifully. Young readers get the message to stand up and use affirmations to transmit their true feelings to others.
I highly recommend parents, teachers, and counselors place this book on their must read bookshelves.
This is book two of a series of books that assist preteens in dealing with emotions. The subject of this one is pride. Mintner begins by explaining the two types of pride, the first rightfully acknowledging accomplishments, and the second which originates from ego and a false sense of superiority.
Billy has an argument with his best friend, Ant. When Ant ignores him and finds new friends, Billy becomes jealous and resentful. Deciding he knows better, Billy hangs out with older children who soon offer him the opportunity to make wrong choices and get into trouble. When Billy steals Ant’s bike, it seems as if their friendship might be lost forever.
Can Billy find a way to return to his former self and restore his values? This book is accompanied with an activity book that children can use to reinforce the book’s message.
Recommended for children ages seven through nine who are beginning to experience independence and the new emotions which accompany it.
What a creative way to introduce math operations, place value, and the concept of zero in a funny, engaging graphic novel.
Illustrated with funny graphic space creatures and real photographs from the Hubble Space Telescope. The space creatures transport readers on an adventure into space where they meet and explain the mathematical symbols, zero, and place value while traveling through space.
This book might be used with children of different ages. Younger children learn the basics, while older children will better understand the more complex interrelationships presented in the adventure. Space enthusiasts will love the story line.
Highly recommended for parents and teachers of children ages seven and older.
A fun picture book to delight young dinosaur fans.
Luke is playing in his backyard when dinosaurs suddenly appear. He and his friends spend the day playing with several different types of dinosaurs giving young readers a lesson about them. The children go to the playground, play catch, play hide and seek, and share dinner with their new friends.
The children encounter some difficulties playing with their unique new friends. They must learn teamwork and cooperation to accommodate their dinosaur friends’ needs. The book teaches these lessons as well as empathy and the value of friendship.
Preschoolers may find the book a bit difficult but the illustrations fill in the gaps. Probably better suited to kindergarten and primary grades.
Shreiks and Sounds and Things Abound:The Quiet Wars of Julien J.
Written by Dr. Drew Palacio
Illustrated by Etienne Apollinne
Julien sits under the shade of a tree reading his comic book about his favorite superhero, but distractors keep getting in the way. Julien’s frustration escalates. Suddenly an amazing figure appears to offer some good advice that young readers might follow to release themselves from the anger engendered by minor frustrations.
The rhyming picture book draws readers into the emotions felt by Julien in the tale. Even adults can relate to how easily common frustrations arise within us to create uncontrollable feelings. This story uses a superhero to teach a valuable lesson on how to control our emotions.
Recommended highly to parents and teachers who are searching for an effective approach to help young children reign in harmful emotions that lead to frustration.
Publisher’s Book Summary: Tiki is an honest, fun, and adventurous boy full of integrity. Lately, his behavior has been too rambunctious and he needs guidance. He meets a magical spirit who gives him the guidance he is looking for and much more. The spirit grants him magical powers and sends him on a quest to save the village of TikiTown from the evil King Lauia. Come join Tiki and his friends as they go on a magical time-traveling journey to save TikiTown. Tiki and his friends must find King Lauia, take back the sacred magical Toku Mask, and return the mask to Tiki Town to unfreeze the town. If Tiki doesn’t succeed, TikiTown will remain frozen forever…
Creator JJ and Fates are the creative duo bringing you this fun and magical adventure.
Fates has been making cartoons for over 30 years, bringing stories to life through drawing and imagining. Fates wants the world to draw and dream just a little more every day.
Creator JJ is the creative writer who dreamed up the storylines and characters in their stories. By using their imagination, he believes that everyone can create characters, worlds and stories of your own.
Together, the goal is to use their creative talents to create fun stories and ignite the hearts and minds of young children for both educational and self-development purposes.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK
Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Written and illustrated by Creator JJ and Fates
This book is the first in a series. Tiki lives in a faraway magical, jungle village. He considers himself a noble warrior, but lately he has been acting strangely. His sister, Tari, advises him to take a long walk to clear his head and so begins the adventure.
On the journey, Tiki meets Fetu, a spirit who grants him superpowers of speed, strength, and time travel. There is a catch. Tiki must use them to defeat an evil sorcerer who wants to plunge his village into a dark, frozen wasteland.
Tiki amazes his friends with his new powers and recruits them in his quest. Will they be successful in saving the town and restoring Tiki’s reputation as a noble warrior?
I like the messages of bravery, courage, friendship, and teamwork presented to young readers. This book contains large, vivid, cartoon-style images in and 8 and ½ by 11-inch book with large print. However, the book must be turned and opened from the top to read it. I would have preferred the book to be spiral bound so that a reader might place it on the lap to open and read easily.
Fans of time travel, superheroes, and comic books will especially enjoy the tale targeted for ages six through eight.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed copy of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn and a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
October 13, 2024
bamauthor
Comments Off on BILINGUAL WEATHER REPORT
Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.