YOU LAUGH, YOU LOSE – 9-Year-Old Edition 300 Jokes for Kids that are Funny, Silly, and Interactive Fun the Whole FamilyWill Love
Written by Smiley Beagle
This book is targeted at nine-year-olds and will have its most appeal to middle-grade readers. It is part of a series of joke books that can be read alone or shared with a family or friends as a game. Each person reads a joke when playing the game but must pass the book to another if he laughs.
The jokes are divided into chapters by categories like people, food, animals, science, and assorted jokes.
Children who can’t get enough of jokes will appreciate the series. Recommended especially for reluctant readers and children who are not ready for longer chapter books.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: A Star of David necklace or a rosary?
In 1939 Poland, a young girl is asked to give up one of these and accept the other without understanding why. However, what she must part with happens to be her most prized possession—a precious gift given to her by her father before he died.
The child’s mother then teaches the girl a “game” to prepare her for what is to come. As the Nazis invade the country, the mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.
This beautifully illustrated picture book is loosely based on a true story. Although told through the eyes of a young girl, the book is written for readers of all ages. It also contains two study guides. One is for children, parents, and teachers. The other is for adults who may gather in places of worship, book clubs, and small groups. Discussion topics include themes of compassion, empathy, and diversity.
Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an author. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.
Many years ago, Pat heard a powerful story that haunted her until she committed it to paper. The Crystal Beads was first published in Jewish Fiction. net in 2020. The short story then won first-place honors in two writing competitions conducted by the National League of American Pen Women, Washington, D.C.
The first was an award by the Pen Women Florida State Association. She then received the Flannery O’Connor Short Story Award as part of the National Biennial Letters in Competition. Pat felt it important to bring the story to a younger audience. At that point, she rewrote it as a children’s book. She hopes that The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey, will do justice to the story she once heard and carry its message to younger generations.
Pat’s writing explores topics such as compassion, tolerance, and diversity. She continues to examine these themes in her upcoming novel, Limbo of the Moon, written with her co-writer, Steve Hardiman.
The story opens in 1939 Poland. A little girl named Lalka treasures the Star of David necklace that her father gave her shortly before he died. Suddenly, Lalka’s mother asks her to remove it and instead gifts her a set of crystal beads called a rosary. They will be playing a game. Lalka must learn all about its secrets.
Shortly after, Lalka’s mother enrolls her in a convent school where she will live and go to Catholic school. She is confused and upset but follows the instructions her mother had given her. When two men come to interrogate her, Lalka faces a difficult decision.
Gould writes about the holocaust story in a way with which elementary and middle-school readers understand. Readers empathize and absorb its impact through Lalka’s experiences. The book is sensitive and well-written. Royz illustrates it with compassion and tenderness.
The discussion guides for both children and adults are carefully crafted. They provide the tools to assure a fruitful learning environment. Gould also explains how children may become involved as active participants in the Children’s Holocaust Project.
I highly recommend the book to parents and teachers of children ages five through twelve.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey!
Four (4) winners receive:
A signed copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey.
Kids on Earth: A Children’s Documentary Series Exploring Global Cultures & the Natural World: Costa Rica
Written by Sensei Paul David
My title does not necessarily imply criticism. This book contains a wealth of information. Readers learn about the climate, customs, language, culture, topography, economy, and recreational pursuits available in Costa Rica. A brother and sister, Joaquin and Yocsary, narrate a soup-to-nuts tour of what a visitor might find while in this intriguing land.
Each page includes a colorful illustration and a box of more fun facts after the explanation. My only criticism is that the storyline could be tightened up to read more smoothly. It feels a bit choppy because the information switches topics rapidly. On the other hand, almost any type of question that a reader might have is answered.
I recommend the series to children who love learning about new cultures, travel, and adventure. Recommended for elementary and middle-school students
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Publisher: Practice Readers Books | ISBN-13: 9781778066702
Publisher’s Synopsis: Letter Sounds Abound is a friendly alphabet book that highlights big ideas about how written language works for preschool and kindergarten children. It focuses on the most common letter-sound relationships while helping children tune in to the fact that letters can make different sounds in different situations to avoid confusion for beginners. The rhyming text makes it fun for parents to read to their children time and again, while simple line drawings inspire imagination without competing for attention with text.
Catherine S. Young has spent her career putting research insights into practice across the spheres of education, public health, and electronics. The proud mother of three delightful developing readers, she founded Practice Readers Books to provide evidence-aligned books to support the unique needs of fledgling readers (and their parents) at school and at home.
Victoria Gesner (Pelletier) is an artist and educator based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She believes in making literacy and art affordable and accessible to all.
A simple tool to teach preschool and kindergarten students to learn and read alphabet sounds and words. The author introduces forty-four sounds and the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Young emphasizes first skills of reading like tracking left to right and following with the finger. Gesner’s illustrations are presented as simple black and white pictures containing the single letters, digraph sounds, and alphabet letters. Children learn how to point out the capital and small letters as they find out about the sounds associated with each. Two sentences on each page rhyme to make reading out loud a fun exercise pleasing to the ear.
This book provides a teaching tool for adults to read as well as for the child to pick up independently as she becomes more confident and proficient in phonetic and reading skills. Certainly, a valuable teaching tool for preschool and early childhood teachers as well as parents.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Letter Sounds Abound, the companion practice book Alphabet Print and Colour, a beginner’s notebook, and a set of alphabet letter magnets!
This book is just what the title says, a guide to positive sentences to put in your mind to help you achieve goals in various areas of your life.
A total of 500 positive sentences you can use to motivate yourself in self-worth, achieving success, developing financial success, health, and wellness, and overall happiness in life.
If you are looking for a convenient reference guide to jumpstart your mood and outlook for the day, this book gives you a plethora of mantras to get you started on a positive mindset.
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Millie the Cat Has Borderline Personality Disorder
Written by Jessie Shepherd
Some reviewers have criticized the book for being too simplistic. The author uses a cat named Millie as the protagonist with a borderline personality disorder. Using simple illustrations, Millie first explains the disorder by revealing the opposite emotions it brings on.
The second part of the book is my favorite part. Millie points out certain skills may be learned to control her emotions and then provides concrete examples of how persons suffering from this disorder have significant strengths and advantages as well as weaknesses and disadvantages.
I believe this book can be a valuable tool when used in conjunction with a skilled therapist or teacher. If read independently by a child, it will need adult explanation and elaboration to ensure there are no misunderstandings.
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This book lives up to its title. It is a learning guide that focuses on familiar tunes from cultures across the world. The introduction section is important to spend time learning the basics. There are clear visuals and simple text explanations. This section must be mastered to proceed to the next level.
The book can be used with very young children with parent or teacher guidance. The songs are familiar to school children and fun to play. As the student gains more confidence, she can move up to level two in the series or graduate to more difficult sheet music.
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The Change Guidebook: How to Align Your Heart, Truths, and Energy to Find Success in All Areas of Your Life
Written by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino
Most people would agree we would like to become the best we can be, but how many of us, are willing to put in the effort to achieve that lofty goal?
Guarino has made it possible by providing a simple framework to make it possible for us to grow and change as we move through life. She provides ten points of change in three phrases to help the reader become happier.
These three phases align our heart, our truths, and finally our energy. As one discovers herself, she must act. Guarino provides assessments that help us to think, write, talk, and finally, act. The reader learns to create power phrases and then complete exercises to practice implementing those actions. Practical suggestions help us manage our time and energy. For those who enjoy a challenge, a discussion quiz allows a way to gain certification in completion of the course in recognition of the arduous work and progress made on the path to change and true happiness.
Take the first step to becoming a better you.
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Extraordinary Women in History, 70 Remarkable Women Who Made a Difference
Written by Leah Gail
This book is packed with information. The author explores the lives of 70 women, some of whom are well-known and others left forgotten in the annals of history.
Familiar faces include Florence Nightingale, Amelia Earhart, Dian Fossey, and Joan of Arc. Their field of endeavor ranges from military heroes, activists, athletes, inventors, and creative thinkers. The book harkens back to ancient and medieval times as well as contemporary examples. These women are representative of many races and many countries.
There is a bibliography for additional research. This book would be a good starting point for research on women representatives to be used in the study of woman’s history. My reason for a lower rating is that the writing is choppy in sections which can make it difficult to read. I would still recommend it as a reference book, particularly for middle-grade students.
A nice primer for first-time and newbie authors. Every author needs to decide not only who they are writing for but what problem they are solving for that reader. Before putting pen to paper, the new author must have an overall plan. That includes a marketing plan that focuses on the needs of the audience. She should prepare them with blog articles, videos, and free resources or tools. How will the author sell the book once published?
The book itself needs a great cover, title, book description, categories, and keywords that will gain online traffic and eye appeal when placed in a bookstore. An author needs credibility with reviews and, if possible, testimonials. Ask for reviews inside the book. Give readers a call to action. If possible, place links to additional resources inside the book. Give more than you get.
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July 31, 2022
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