A little boy is afraid of thunder. He decides he must put his foot down and conquer this fear. He ventures off on a trip to the sky with helium balloons. Once there he meets all kinds of fascinating scenarios like a pirate ship and a family of dinosaurs who are eating their delicious pie.
Bonus extras include a yummy recipe for Berry Crumb pie. Children will lose their anxiety about thunder and enjoy a delightful rhyming picture book filled with imaginative pictures and verse. I particularly like the color enhancement of key vocabulary words and the font that is friendly for dyslexic readers.
Recommended for parents and teachers of children ages three through eight.
Looking for more learning opportunities for the family.
Publisher: Book House Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781952483257
Publisher’s Synopsis: Follow the wondrous and challenging life of our friend, the leaf, living alone and happy and confident that only he controls his surroundings and his good fortune. Then one day, Mother Nature teaches a lesson we all can learn from.
Through the journey in this heartfelt book, you will gain a new appreciation when taking a walk past your favorite tree. Our friend, the leaf, is given a gift of knowledge and understanding about the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
Author Bruce Nemovitz has written two other books. He has been a full-time Realtor for over 43 years in the Great Milwaukee area. The first book is called “Moving in the Right Direction”, A Senior’s Guide to Moving and Downsizing. His second book, also related to the senior real estate market is called “Guiding Our Parents in the Right Direction”, A Children’s Guide to Helping Mom and Dad Move From Their Long-Time Home.
Bruce’s passion has always been with children. He has two daughters, Dara and Karra, who blessed him with seven grandchildren! Bruce wanted to leave a message for the next generation who are living in a world divided. This book offers a message of hope and togetherness, that we are all connected to one another and to nature.
Bruce has won several awards in his field of real estate. Bruce has been a monthly contributor for over 12 years with 50plus Magazine in the Milwaukee area. He has written several articles related to the challenge of seniors moving from their long-time homes. He works with his wife of 48 years, Jeanne.
This is a delightful picture book for young children.
All the animals of the forest respect the tree. Readers learn about the tree through the eyes of a leaf. The leaf reflects on the cycle of life but sees itself independent of the tree. When the seasons pass and the leaf falls to the ground, it realizes that the roots, trunk, and branches all played a part in its journey. The book teaches children that all parts of nature need to work as a team that benefits the individual members.
The digital illustrations of personified nature appeal to the senses and reinforce the story line. Rhyming text makes the book an excellent choice for a read-aloud. Recommended for children ages three through eight.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Leaf & The Tree, autographed by Bruce Nemovitz!
Jordan is about to turn 3 years old and he is not thrilled. He believes that up to now he has succeeded in doing pretty much as he pleases. Jordan swipes prized possessions and toys from his siblings and cousins. Then he hides them in his room.
Up to this time, adults have made excuses for him, saying he is only two. Jordan must face the consequences when his “stash” is unexpectedly discovered in his room Dad sits everyone down for a serious talk. Jordan learns that bad behavior brings consequences.
The large and colorful illustrations appeal to a preschool audience. Children can follow them while an adult reads the story aloud. One suggestion I have is that the text near the end of the story be spread out on several pages to make the story flow read better.
Highly recommended read for children ages two through six.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: Everyone’s favorite character from I Need a New Butt!, I Broke My Butt!, and My Butt is So Noisy! is back in a hilarious new story about a silly butt that won’t stop moving! The talented duo of children’s author Dawn McMillan and illustrator Ross Kinnaird have created another delightful, laugh-out-loud tale of a bothersome backside that leads to all kinds of amusing adventures. The fun never stops, from the first page to the last of this newest book in the best-selling series.
Dawn McMillan writes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and storybooks for children. She is also the author of Woolly Wally and Holy Socks. Dover also publishes her collaborations with illustrator Ross Kinnaird including everyone’s favorite character, the boy with the troublesome backside from bestsellers I Need a New Butt!, I Broke My Butt!, and My Butt is SO NOISY! Additional Dover publications include Doctor Grundy’s Undies and Seagull Sid and the Naughty Things His Seagulls Did! She lives in Waiomu, New Zealand.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
In addition to his collaborations with Dawn McMillan, Ross Kinnaird has illustrated such children’s books as 50 Body Questions and the animated poem “Smaller,” winner of the People’s Choice Award at the World Parkinson Congress. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
This book is a rhyming picture book that is also a good choice as a beginning reader or a selection for a reluctant reader. Children will enjoy reading it aloud. Fans of the series will laugh at the hilarious hijinks of a butt that has gone out of control. The sounds and sights featured delight fans of potty humor. For children ages six through ten who can’t get enough of silliness.
ADDITIONAL BOOKS BY DAWN MCMILLAN
I Need a New Butt! 978-0-486-78799-2
A boy suddenly notices a big problem — his butt has a huge crack! So he sets off to find a new one. Will he choose an armor-plated butt? A rocket butt? A robot butt? Find out in a quirky storybook that children and parents will love, no ifs, ands, or butts about it!
I Broke My Butt! 978-0-486-84273-8
The inventive young hero from the bestselling I Need a New Butt! is back and this time he has accidentally glued a serving tray to his behind — and he’s tickled pink! See, it’s great for sliding down hills, surfing big waves, and other booty-full fun and games. Now all his friends want one too! Another cheeky farce from Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird.
My Butt is SO NOISY! 978-0-486-84731-3
Everyone’s favorite character from the bestselling I Need a New Butt! and I Broke My Butt! is back with a new problem — his butt is too noisy! The latest and loudest sequel follows our hero’s hilarious adventures caused by the hooting and tooting, humming and strumming, and clicking and ticking of a bothersome backside. Can the noises be put to good use? Find out in this latest cheeky tale from Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird.
I Need a New Butt!, I Broke My Butt!, My Butt is So NOISY! 978-0-486-84863-1 – Hardcover bindup with sound button
Brimming with fun, this hilarious collection combines all three bestselling books about the boy with the troublesome backside: the original I Need a New Butt!, its sequel I Broke My Butt!, and the latest addition to this series of silly stories, My Butt is SO NOISY! The children’s book duo of author Dawn McMillan and illustrator Ross Kinnaird offers laugh-out-loud humor in these delightful rhyming stories, now with an interactive sound button that will keep preschoolers and kids—and grown-ups, too—giggling from the first page to the last.
Doctor Grundy’s Undies 978-0-486-83248-7
A strong gust of wind sweeps Doctor Grundy’s best undies off the clothesline and out to sea. Who will get their hands on these unusual undergarments? A cracked crew of pirates? A silly Scottish bagpiper? Find out in this fun-filled and irreverent world tour by the bestselling team of McMillan and Kinnaird, the cheeky creators of I Need A New Butt!
Seagull Sid 978-0-486-83247-0
The bestselling creators of I Need a New Butt are back with more wisecracking rhymes and side-splitting illustrations! Seagull Sid and his fine feathered mates are sick of looking at all the rubbish that people leave behind at the shore. But how can the seagulls reclaim their beach from the trashy humans? No worries, Sid has a mischievously messy plan of attack — watch out below!
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a prize pack that includes three hilarious stories in one NOISY book with a sound button!
Five (5) winners receive:
A copy of I Need a New Butt!, I Broke My Butt!, My Butt is So NOISY!: 3 Hilarious Stories in one NOISY Book
The giveaway ends February 27, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2022 (1/28/22) is in its 9th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission & History HERE.
MCBD 2022 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!
Join us on Friday, Jan 2, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party! Be sure and follow MCBD and Make A Way Media on Twitter!
This especially fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away an 8-Book Bundle every 5 minutes plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. See you all very soon on Twitter!
Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.
I HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO PARTICIPATE IN MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY SINCE ITS INCEPTION NINE YEARS AGO. HERE IS MY AUTHOR’S REVIEW FOR 2022!
A MISSED OPPORTUNITY?
To Carnival!
Written by Baptiste Paul
Illustrated by Jana Glatt
Melba lives on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. She feels excited because tomorrow the town will celebrate Carnival. Her Uncle has chosen her idea for his band’s costume. Melba hopes they will win a prize in the parade.
The next morning, Melba hurries to catch the bus into town, but people and things along the route distract her. Will she arrive on time? Her idea might be the winner.
This adorable, multicultural picture book contains beautiful illustrations created in childlike images. It also reinforces the sequence of events told in the tale that enhances a child’s reading comprehension skill. In addition to the charming cultural tale, readers learn about the creole language, customs, and the geography of Saint Lucia.
Highly recommended for elementary and middle-grade students. An excellent choice for parents and teachers to open a discussion of Caribbean language, customs, and traditions.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.
Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the 20th century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.
As a child in Georgia, Alma Thomas loved to spend time outside, soaking up the colors around her. And her parents filled their home with color and creativity despite the racial injustices they faced. After the family moved to Washington DC, Alma shared her passion for art by teaching children. When she was almost seventy years old, she focused on her own artwork, inspired by nature and space travel.
In this celebration of art and the power of imagination, Jeanne Walker Harvey and Loveis Wise tell the incredible true story of Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum in New York City and to have her work chosen for the White House collection. With her bold and vibrant abstract paintings, Alma set the world ablaze with color.
Ablaze with Color includes extensive backmatter with photos, an author’s and illustrator’s note, a timeline, and a list of sources and resources, which will be a great tool for parents, educators, and librarians. Perfect for Women’s History Month and Black History Month units alongside such favorites as Malala’s Magic Pencil, Hidden Figures, andMae Among the Stars.
Jeanne Walker Harvey has been a longtime docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Just like Alma Thomas, Jeanne believes that art brings us joy. Her other picture books include Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines and My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey. Jeanne studied literature and psychology at Stanford University. She lives in Northern California.
Loveis Wise is an illustrator and designer from Washington, DC. They are currently based in Los Angeles and their work often speaks to themes of joy and liberation. Their work can be found through the New Yorker, Google, Adobe, and the New York Times.
Harvey and Wise share the story of the first black woman to have her work exhibited in a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York City. Michele Obama chose her Resurrection painting as the first Black woman’s art displayed in the White House.
Alma grew up in segregated Georgia where schools and institutions remained segregated at the time. Her parents countered that by opening their home to books of all sorts and teachers who gave lectures. Alma preferred to be outside absorbing the colors, sights, and sounds of nature.
Alma’s parents moved to Washington, DC as she turned fifteen. Schools and institutions remained closed to black students. As alma matured, she followed in her parents’ footsteps and brought art to students in her home. She organized field trips and encouraged them to display their work.
When Alma retired from teaching, she turned back to creating her own art projects, infusing them with the colors of nature. She grabbed inspiration from the space program of the late sixties. Galleries soon took notice of her brilliant abstract pieces, leading to her solo exhibit and notoriety. The Mayor of Washington, DC proclaimed “Alma Thomas Day,” on September 9, 1972.
The book features stunning illustrations, along with a timeline of Thomas’s life and historical events. Harvey provides references for young readers to satiate their curiosity and expand their knowledge. Highly recommended resource for students and teachers in elementary, middle school, and beyond.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a classroom set of the picture book Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas!
Three (3) winners receive:
A classroom set of Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, autographed and personalized for each student and the teacher by Jeanne Walker Harvey (no more than 30 books per set).
This book is Part One of a two-part series about a beloved grandpa. Grandpa wants to oblige and help, but he has his way of doing things. When his wife makes a simple errand request, he immediately offers to comply. There is one problem, he has a unique way of achieving that goal.
In this tale, Grandma asks her husband to perform four simple errands to purchase ice cream, pizza, soil, and oranges, but in each case, Grandpa causes great anxiety by disappearing. Grandma is frantic. She calls the family, neighbors, hospitals, and police. Ultimately, Grandpa calls from a different destination each time telling her he is unharmed.
This book has a unique message. Not all people follow the accepted way of achieving our goals. It is okay to be different. Mrs. D’s beginning chapter book contains beautiful, color illustrations, and an important life lesson. I would recommend the book for elementary school readers and would also be an excellent choice for families with members afflicted with early Alzheimer’s disease. Looking forward to Grandpa’s adventures in Book 2.
Okapi Loves His Zebra Pants (Endangered and Misunderstood Animals Book 3)
Written by Terri Tatchell
Illustrated by Ivan Sulima
What a cute, rhyming picture book for elementary school readers! Children learn about the okapi, a relative of the giraffe with striped legs. This animal is a native of the Congo.
The fictional tale relates how a monkey makes fun of Okapi’s striped legs. His friend the grey parrot comes to his defense. Still, Okapi is curious about the zebra, who is reported to wear stripes like him. Off he goes in search of the zebra. His journey is dangerous, but he finds friends among the elephants, hippos, and gorillas.
Children learn about diversity and the value of individual differences as strengths rather than weaknesses. The author teaches children how to draw these animals, why they are endangered, and what children can do to help them. Recommended especially for preschoolers to age eight.
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Once “a pun” a Time: A guide for reading and telling jokes
Written by Wolf Cub Chloe
The personality of the author shines through every page of this book. Chloe wants to make people smile, and she certainly succeeds. Chloe began writing her books at the age of six when the pandemic started.
These simple jokes with adorable illustrations written by a child will put a smile on the face of readers. The best part is that Chloe wants her readers to continue her mission of spreading cheer. In the second part of the book, she teaches how to set up simple funny jokes by using homophones and by telling a story around a keyword.
A perfect choice for elementary school readers who want to put smiles on the faces of those they love and improve their community one person at a time.
Fatso Runs Away from Home: An easy reading adventure following a cat’s adventure
Written by Garth and Mo Reason
Illustrated by Harriet Kim Anh Rodis
Fatso is a spoiled cat. For many years he has lived a comfortable life in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Reason.
One day a visitor to the home brings a dog named Maria to the home. Fatso wants to become friends but Maria is bossy and unwilling to share. So Fatso ventures out into the outside world he has never seen.
At first, Fatso sees his outing as an adventure. He meets a neighborhood cat, Sebastian. When Fatso gets lost, he becomes frightened until he meets up with Fluffy and her family.
Will Fatso survive in the outside world? Does he ever find his way back home?
This picture book uses a cat world view to teach children how to have courage, resilience, and empathy. The author includes activities to encourage young readers to think about what happened in the story and enhance reading comprehension skills.
I would suggest this book as a picture book for younger children or a beginning reading for older elementary school readers.
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