Ghosts

Written and Illustrated by Fiona Dalwood

A cute picture book that will stimulate the imagination of the youngest readers. The author poses simple questions concerning common mysteries like “Why does buttered toast always land butter-side down?” and “Why does the internet get slow” Those little ghostly gremlins just might be responsible.

This book about ghosts presents them as non-threatening and not scary. The humor and light-hearted illustrations makes this book a great choice for a read aloud or bedtime story. Appropriate and fun for all ages beginning with preschool.

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The Traveling Book Goes to School: A Little Free Library Book

Written by Charissa Bates

Illustrated by Nadja Bullis

Personally, I love little free libraries and was delighted to find this book!

Twisty is one of the books included in one of these new libraries. The house is unveiled at a local school. Soon the children are choosing books. One of these, named Twisty, gets its pages torn by a careless student. Twisty is afraid of not being chosen.

But soon Twisty is making the rounds of eager readers. Still, the book remains apprehensive of chances to continue his travels. Where will Twisty end up?

This book conveys many valuable messages. Each person is important just as each book contains valuable ideas. It teaches children this message as well as the need to take care of our belongings. The book also shows how teachers carefully transmit knowledge through these shared books.

I hope readers will take advantage of little free libraries in their communities and encourage our children to do the same.

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Theodore: The Sloth Who Wants to Race

Written by J.L. McCreedy and Dr. Sam

Illustrated by J.L. McCreedy

Theodore is a sloth born with two toes instead of three. That is not the most unusual characteristic of the protagonist in this charming, rhyming picture book.

Theodore has a dream. He wants to be the fastest and a racing champion. Unfortunately, speed is not valued by his fellow sloths. No one wants to race. When he finally finds a racing partner, he feels cheated.

All that changes one day, when he finally meets a sloth who shares his need for speed. Theodore learns about the importance of proper physical training to success. This is one of the messages of the book which celebrates the importance of individuality and being true to oneself as well as the necessity of good preparation for success.

I especially enjoyed the author including facts about sloths, the animal kingdom, and a glossary to tackle unfamiliar words.

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A Little Labradoodle Christmas: A Rhyming Picture Book About the Power of Family, Love, and Kindness (The Little Labradoodle 4)

Written by April M. Cox and Kairi Fullerton

Illustrated by Remesh Ram

A cute, Christmas, rhyming picture book for preschoolers and primary grade children with an important message.

Kairi and her pet labradoodles encounter Casper, a grumpy cat on their walk. They decide to spread the spirit of Christmas. They invite the cat to their home to participate in traditions like baking cookies and trimming the tree, but nothing seems to work. Eventually, they find the real reason for the cat’s disdain about Christmas. Will they be able to spread love, empathy and family traditions that will change the tide?

A nice read aloud for the holidays.

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Bobby and His Hobby: Elephant kids book. children book on empathy and kindness in the kindergarten for ages 3-6 

Written by Sholmo Goldman

Illustrated by Tanja Russita

Bobby, the Elephant, has a nasty hobby. He likes to call all his classmates nicknames that are not too flattering.

One day, a huge elephant comes to visit the class. Bobby promptly calls his friend, Reggie, a scaredy-cat. The other students finally realize they can no longer put up with Bobby’s insensitivity. Will Bobby give up his hobby?

The rhyming book is a fun read-aloud with an important message about bullying and empathy. Recommended for readers ages three through six.

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Hop Lola Hop

Written by Kathy Urban

Illustrated by Siski Kalla

Ella doesn’t leave the house without her favorite stuffed, toy, a bunny named Lola. They have shared many adventures. One day, after riding on a bus, Lola gets separated from Ella.

As the story evolves, readers experience the emotions seen from each of their perspectives. Will the best buddies be reunited? Read the beautifully illustrated watercolor picture book for primary grade readers to find out the lessons each learned.

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Would You Rather? Hanukkah Edition: Light Up the Season with a Hilarious Holiday Game for Kids

Written by Lindsey Daly

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zeitgeist Press and voluntarily decided to review with my honest opinions.

This book is filled with more than 160 questions about the Festival of Lights. The questions are aimed at readers in the eight to twelve year old audience. Each of these feature a choice with the reader being asked which is the preferred choice. Players of the game have fun while learning about the preferences of each participant. Judges choose the best answer based on humor, creativity, and logic. There are eight rounds to the game.

An enjoyable way to learn about the foods, rituals, history, and culture of Hanukkah while employing critical thinking skills. This book just might become and annual family Hanukkah tradition.

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What is Hanukkah?: Your guide to the fun traditions of the Jewish Festival of Lights (Jewish Holiday Books)

Written by Shari Last

A comprehensive picture book about this Jewish celebration including lots of additional resources. Last provides facts about its basis on the lunar calendar, the history of the Maccabees, the lighting of the menorah, and the word’s many spellings. Going beyond that, she reveals how Hanukkah is celebrated in different countries, foods and recipes, and how to play the dreidel game associated with the holiday.

The illustrations are bright and appealing and the text large enough to read easily for beginning readers. Language is informal and geared to the elementary school age target audience. This book is a good choice to place on a classroom multicultural holiday bookshelf or as a family activity book to celebrate the Hanukkah holiday at home.

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Horace Won’t Sing: Unless He Doesn’t Have To

Written by Barbara Roman

Illustrated by Vladimir Cebu

As a singer, storyteller, and composer, Barbara Roman possesses the right credentials for writing this beautiful picture book with a wonderful message for parents and an interesting story for young readers.

When Horace’s parents hear strange sounds coming from his room at night, they are curious to investigate, but when asked, Horace says he doesn’t want to explain unless he has to. Furtively, the parents try to peek through the keyhole, climb a tree, and peer down from the attic to find the answer. When they hear Horace singing into a conch shell, they are even more mystified.

The answer is revealed at the school talent show, and things seem to return to normal. There is a surprise ending at the end of the story that puts a smile on the face of the reader. The text contains prose and rhyme, accompanied by colorful illustrations. A book that can be enjoyed by a reader of any age, but highly recommended for middle-grade readers.

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Hamsters Invented Everything

Adisan Books

This colorful picture book is a quick, funny read as a bedtime story or classroom read aloud.

My children had hamsters as pets. We enjoyed watching their clever antics. In this story, readers learn that hamsters invented virtually everything useful that humans employ today. The foxes are the enemy who have tried to prevent hamsters from helping humans. They want to deny giving the foxes credit. When the humans decide to team up with the hamsters, the tables are turned.

Lots of humor, beautiful illustrations and entertainment for primary grade readers.

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