If Shapes Could Talk

Written by Rella B

Illustrated by Wendy S.

This book is much more than a rhyming picture book about shapes. It teaches young children colors, empathy, compassion, kindness, gratitude, and diversity.

A rhombus introduces us to her shape family. Each member is different but they all live happily together. When the rhombus goes to school, she discovers a world of diversity and begins to feel left out because she has fewer material possessions. Soon, she learns that appearances can be deceiving.

Toddlers and preschoolers learn shapes and colors, older elementary school age readers will better understand the value of uniqueness and diversity.

Recommended for toddlers through grade three.

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Pip’s First Flight and the Power of Visualization: A dinosaur children’s story to teach kids positive thinking

Written and Illustrated by Elyse and Garrett Fox

Pip’s mom comes to the rescue by encouraging Pip to visualize all the wonderful scenarios that could happen when he experiences his first flight. Suddenly, the world opens up and he now can’t wait to venture out into the world.

This book teaches preschool and primary grade readers how to visualize and includes activities and action steps to follow up. The story and activities encourage children to use their imaginations to create positive thoughts and teaches self-confidence.

Recommended for children ages three through eight. It is a good tale to introduce an upcoming new activity or experience for a young child.

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Benjamin Impossible: The Helium Heist

Written by Timothy Root

Benjamin is blessed with a plethora of talents. He considers himself an intellectual genius, kung-fu master and jack-of-all trades, but Benjamin occasionally finds himself upstaged by his two-year-old brother.

The adventure begins when a mechanical robot steals the helium that powers the pirate airship Benjamin’s family calls home. That’s right, the setting grabs the middle-grade audience before the story starts. Benjamin promises to find the culprit. Along the way, each page presents new obstacles.

This book contains more than three hundred pages, divided into fairly short chapters that are introduced with a black and white drawing. Parents and teachers will be happy to hear there is no swearing or violence, just a sprinkling of potty humor and age-appropriate euphemisms.

The book reminded me of the Hardy Boys series popular when I was growing up; it could be likened to a modern-day Harry Potter series. As a bonus, readers are introduced to stem concepts in engineering and physics rolled into the adventure.

Recommended for ages ten and older, but a fun read for any age.

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I Feel Anxious: (Children’s picture book about anger management for kids 3-5)

Written by Aleks Harrison

Illustrated by Ferlina Gunawan

This book is a short, rhyming read for preschoolers who often have difficulty identifying and dealing with their emotions.

The protagonist is a little boy who is playing in the park with his father. When it comes time to leave, the boy is angry and resentful. In another situation, the boy is angry and frustrated when he cannot tie his shoes. Then he becomes impatient and angry when he must wait his turn in nursery school class.

The parent and teacher give the boy three techniques to calm down and control his feelings. They include breathing deeply, counting backwards, and relaxing with art materials or a book.

Its illustrations are huge and the colors enticing to keep the interest and focus of young readers. Recommended as a classroom read-aloud or bedtime story for toddlers and preschoolers.

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Gigi: The Ballet Recital

Written by Carly Mottinger

Illustrated by Dan Seaton Brown

Gigi is over the moon. She loves to dance and has been doing so since age three. This year her little sister will be joining her at the yearly ballet recital. They practice everyday.

One day, Gigi’s teacher informs her she will not be in the front row this year because she is too tall. Gigi is distraught. How will anyone see her? She begins to lose interest in her dancing.

When the big night arrives, Gigi’s sister, Birdie, freezes on stage. Can Gigi figure out a way to help her. Will Gigi learn to love ballet again? Read this picture book with beautiful illustrations to find out what happens to the dancing divas.

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Best Practices for Designing a User-Friendly Website Navigation and Layout

Make your site easy to navigate and you’ll see more conversions, improved SEO, and stronger relationships with your audience.  Here are some best practices you can implement today to create a website with user-friendly navigation and layout.

Keep It Simple

• Prioritize and organize site elements by relevance
• Minimize clutter and unnecessary design elements

Consistent Design

• Maintain design consistency across all pages
• Ensure uniformity in navigation elements

A Clear Hierarchy

• Establish clear visual hierarchy for content and navigation
• Use visual indicators and drop-down menus for primary options

Breadcrumb Navigation

• Use breadcrumb navigation for user location tracking
• Represents categories, subcategories, filters, tags, user path

Mobile-Friendly Navigation

• Ensure easy navigation on all mobile devices
• Incorporate collapsible menus, recognized icons, adaptive layouts

Easy Search Function

• Provide prominently visible search bar on all pages
• Keep search bar placement consistent

Footer Navigation

• Use footer navigation for additional options
• Include links to key pages like About Us, Contact, Privacy Policy, etc.

White Space

• Enhance navigation with white space for element separation
• Ensure white space doesn’t distract users

Testing

• Gather user feedback through testing for improvements
• Conduct usability testing in-person or remotely

Good Design Is All about Good User Experience

• User-friendly design leads to positive user experience
• Increases engagement and conversions

Positivity is My Superpower: A Kid’s Book about Managing Negative Feelings and Feelings (My Superpowers Books 10)

Written by Alicia Ortego

This book is part of a series that focuses on dealing with children’s emotions and turning them into superpowers.

In this book, Lucas is the protagonist. He is facing a move to a different city. That releases a flood of emotions, most of them negative. Lucas is dealing with anxiety, uncertainty, and fear of the unknown. He does not want to leave the house he grew up or the friends he cherishes.

Lucas’s mom comes to the rescue She reassures him with gentle words and simple actions like blowing bubbles that turn his negative feelings into positive ones like hopefulness, confidence, and a sense of adventure.

This rhyming picture book serves as a good teaching tool for elementary age students to enhance social-emotional skills.

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Pebbles and the Biggest Number

Written by Joey Benun

Illustrated by Laura Watson

Benun has managed to combine storytelling with an effective presentation of stem concepts, large mathematical numbers, and ecology in one easy-to digest- picture book.

This book encourages even the youngest child to stretch these skills. Pebbles, a butterfly with an insatiable curiosity, sets out to travel the world to find the largest number. Along the way, she travels through deserts, rainforests, oceans, and space. At every stop readers discover fun facts, scientific knowledge, and learn about the animals living in each habitat.

Children learn a ton of information without even realizing it. This book can be enjoyed over and over, revealing something new in each page.

I would highly recommend this book to homeschoolers, teachers, and parents of elementary and middle-school students. Warning! adults will be expanding their brains along with the young reader.

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Aye- Aye Gets Lucky: Endangered and Misunderstood Animals Book 1

Written by Terri Tatchell

Illustrated by Ivan Sulima

Aye-Aye, a lemur, enjoys pulling pranks on the people who live in the villages of Madagascar. After a time, the inhabitants tire of his pranks and ban Aye-Aye. He wanders around scared and hungry.

After a while, Aye-Aye encounters a flying fox who terrifies him. The fox did not mean to frighten the lemur. He turns out to be a friend trying to teach Aye-Aye a valuable lesson. Aye-Aye becomes brave enough to attempt to regain the villagers approval. He hides for a while, building up his courage. Will he discover a way to obtain their forgiveness?

This rhyming, picture book for elementary school age children teaches them about endangered species and encourages children to get involved in their protection. A portion of the book’s profits go to that cause. As a bonus, readers learn how to draw lemurs and flying foxes, discover fun facts about them, and learn different ways they can protect them.

Recommended for elementary age readers who enjoy books about animals, the environment, and community involvement.

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THE LIGHTHOUSE CATS OF MAZATLAN (TALES OF MAZATLAN)

Written and Illustrated by Carolyn-Watson Dubisch

Sisters, Ana and Luna live in Mazatlan, Mexico by the sea. Everyday, they climb the winding steps of the lighthouse. Most people travel there for the view, but the sisters have a different reason. They make the journey to feed and play with the numerous stray cats that inhabit the lighthouse and its surroundings.

One day, after a terrible storm, the town and its lighthouse are left flooded and without power. The disconcerted sisters cannot reach the closed lighthouse. They worry their cat friends will not survive.

When the lighthouse finally reopens, the girls cannot find one of their cats. Readers will be surprised to find out what surprise awaits these compassionate sisters.

This multlicultural picture book is available in Spanish and English. It teaches primary grade readers about empathy, compassion, and the problem of animal homelessness.

Recommended for ages two through six.

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