Posts from the ‘teaching’ Category

TRAVELS WITH TWISTY

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO GET NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

A NEED FOR SPEED

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY SUNDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

PARENTING POWER – WHAT YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT

This is the first in a series of articles dedicated to helping parents raise happy, confident and successful children.

5 tips to help tweens and teens resist peer pressure.

Talking to children about resisting peer pressure is crucial for helping them develop strong self-esteem and decision-making skills. Here are five tips that can guide parents in these important conversations:


1.Foster Open Communication:

Create an environment where your child feels comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences with you. Start conversations about their day, their friends, and any concerns they have. Encourage them to express themselves freely without fear of judgment. This open line of communication can make it easier for them to come to you when they’re facing peer pressure.



2.Role-Play Scenarios:

Help your child prepare for potential peer pressure situations through role-playing. Discuss different scenarios they might encounter, such as being offered drugs, being encouraged to skip class, or facing pressure to bully someone. Practice how they can respond assertively. For example, they can learn to say “No, thanks, I’m not interested” or “I’d rather not do that, let’s do something else instead.” This rehearsal can make them feel more confident in real situations.


3.Discuss the Importance of Individuality:

Emphasize the value of being true to oneself. Talk about the importance of having personal values and sticking to them, even when it’s hard. Share stories of people, possibly even from your own life, who stood up for what they believed in. Highlight how respecting their own feelings and thoughts above others’ expectations is a sign of strength and maturity.


4.Teach Critical Thinking Skills:

Encourage your child to think critically about the motives behind peer pressure and the potential consequences of giving in. Ask them questions like, “Why do you think they’re pressuring you to do this?” and “What could happen if you follow along?” This can help them assess situations more effectively and make decisions that are in their best interest.


5.Build Their Self-Esteem:

Children with high self-esteem are more likely to resist peer pressure because they value their own opinions over fitting in with the crowd. Celebrate their achievements, encourage their interests, and support them through challenges. Make sure they know they’re loved and valued for who they are, not for conforming to what others think they should be.

Remember, resisting peer pressure is a skill that needs to be nurtured over time. By using these tips, you can equip your child with the tools they need to stand up for themselves and make choices that are right for them.

<script>
;(function () {
  var script = document.createElement('script')
  script.src = 'https://app.offerlab.com/assets/embed/offerlab-cta.js'
  script.async = true
  script.dataset.publishableKey = '6STWkMgJ3bL4gWhh7LXqeG28'
  document.head.appendChild(script)
})()
</script>

MESSAGE RECEIVED

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

NO MORE NAMES…

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

A CLOSE CALL…

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

EXCITING NEWS!

Tomorrow’s Trailblazer: A Story of Change and Growth (Trailblazers)

Written by Carolyn Watkins

Illustrated by Remesh Ram

Charlotte is intrigued when she finds her mom reading so many books! Her mother explains that she is returning to school to become a veterinarian.

At first, Charlotte worries, but her mother assures her that she will still be a “mom.” Change can be a good thing as our brain continues to expand and grow. Charlotte is excited to share her news with classmates.

Mother and child learn that it is okay to be unsure when trying out new things, but the reward is well worth the effort. This expressive, multicultural picture book encourages preschool and elementary readers to push the boundaries and explore new passions. Recommended especially for ages three through six.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO GET NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

POLAR PLIGHT

Save the Arctic (Save the Earth)

Written and Illustrated by Bethany Stahl

This book is the second in the Save the Earth series.

The picture book targets children in the early elementary grades. It centers around the plight of a polar bear named Nanu. He is hungry because the Arctic is warming and many of his food sources have become scarce.

Nanu meets a Beluga whale named Toklo who introduces him to Ahnah who lives in a local village. They join together to employ conservation measures to conserve energy and increase food resources.

A good introduction to the subject of climate change and conservation for young children.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

A BOOK TO GROW WITH

Sadie Soars into Space: A Storybook with Fun Solar System Facts (STEM Storybooks for Toddlers)

Written by Arezu Sarvestani

Illustrated by Floss Pottage

I received this book to review from Penguin Books and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this board book.

Few books written for a toddler audience combine interesting rhymes with appealing illustrations, plus a wealth of factual information about space. The toddler journeys with Sadie the astronaut and her cat Buckles on an adventure through space. However, the author includes a wealth of supplementary information about stars, asteroids, galaxies and more. As the child matures, he will return to this book for more space science to investigate.

This is a delightful read-aloud and parent or classroom library resource to entice young minds to become interested in stem.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO GET NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

HANUKKAH FOR FAMILIES

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨