It’s Cool To Be Kind: A Children’s Book on Kindness and Friendship
Written and illustrated by Shermaine Perry-Knights
The author introduces three friends and illustrated everyday examples where it is easy to show kindness. Carrying groceries for the elderly, showing a young child how to tie shoelaces, stopping mean kids from bullying, make each of them feel good about themselves as well as those who received their kindness. The illustrations include characters with disabilities.
As a bonus, the author provides a game with activities to show kindness, suggested lessons, and follow-up reading comprehension questions.
A good addition to parent and classroom libraries for any age but especially primary grade readers.
Publisher’s Book Summary: It’s Sunday, the day before the school week begins, and Alycat is nervous. She just knows that Monday is going to be the Mondayest Monday ever! On the playground, Alycat realizes she isn’t the only one suffering from the Sunday Scaries. It’s hard to ride a bike. What if Kit falls? The treehouse is so high. Will Spotty make it safely back down? The kittens band together to overcome their fears, but can they turn the Sunday Scaries into a Sunday Funday? The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity toward problem-solving.
Fans of Alycat and her friends will enjoy spotting references to the kittens’ daily adventures within these pages. Tips for a successful lemonade stand are included!
Alysson Bourque began her career as a teacher after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education and went on to earn a law degree from Southern University Law Center in 2007.
After practicing law for nearly eight years, it was time to trade in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books and collaborating with non-profits to support philanthropic initiatives such as Foster the Love with First Lady Donna Edwards, Lafayette Walk to Defeat ALS, The Family Tree, Operation Shower, Wild Cat Foundation, and Hayley’s Bracelet fundraiser to benefit Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Her series has won over 23 awards and has received glowing reviews.
Another delightful picture book in the Alycat series, which teaches young children how to overcome problems, work cooperatively, and create lasting friendships.
In this adventure, Alycat confides in her mother that although it is Sunday, she is already imagining a Monday full of her worst fears. Her mother urges her to enjoy her Sunday and play with her friends.
Alycat and her friends go bike riding but soon find that their friend Kit needs help and encouragement. After overcoming this problem, the friends encounter Spotty in trouble at his treehouse. What can they do to help?
The book series contains attractive easy to read text and bright illustrations. Most importantly, primary grade readers learn the value of developing strong friendships, teamwork, and ways to solve problems creatively and with compassion.
A highly recommended series for children ages four through eight.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book and three adorable Alycat plush toys!
A charming picture book that teaches the true meaning of a friend, and how our relationships grow and change over time.
Ellery finds a purple bicycle with magical powers. She spends most of her time talking, singing, and playing with it. As she grows, the bicycle grows with her. Eventually, their relationship evolves and changes. Can their friendship survive the test of time?
This beautifully illustrated picture book teaches young children the value of friendship and the importance of maintaining relationships. Children see the value of empathy, kindness, and compassion. They learn the importance of developing good relationships.
I highly recommend it for preschoolers through the primary grades.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
A Letter to My Fifth Grade Self (The Diary of Janie Ray Book 2)
Written by Lila Segal
Janie Ray gets a diary from her mom as a gift. She has the same problems most fifth graders experience. Janie spends most of her time with her best friend, Sheila. But fifth grade is full of social anxiety. There are snobs, bullies, teacher problems and family adjustments.
One thing about Janie is very different. When she was seven, she found a medallion. Together with Sheila. she has developed a secret language. Soon they would find a connection to the medallion that would allow them to travel back in time. Janie would learn about the perils of interfering with events and the responsibility of being the keeper of the medallion.
The book is a coming of age novel, mixed with fantasy and preteen relationships. It moves along fairly quickly and ends with a cliffhanger that will lead to the next book in the series. I did not read the series books prior to this one and did not find that a problem.
Recommended for readers ages eight through twelve.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
This beginning chapter book narrates the adventures of Ender Dragon, who has been appointed by the ruler Notch to guard the End dimension in the Minecraft game. His life is usually boring, but one day a human named Steve arrives with his sword. After Ender is wounded, he strikes a bargain with Steve. Ender will show Steve the way to the portal which leads to the outside portal. Ender and Steve are about to embark on an adventure that neither of them will forget.Ender details their adventures in a diary that takes place over the course of a week’s time. Both discover parts of themselves as their lives are changed forever.
Fans of Minecraft will enjoy the book, but the book does not focus on the game, but rather the interaction of human and dragon personalities and capabilities. At less than fifty pages, the book is an easy read for beginning readers. Because the chapters are short, it could also be used as a read aloud. Recommended especially for readers in the seven to ten age group.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
My computer crashed and I have been down 2 1/1 days. So this post and everything else is late!
Bounce: Help Your Child Build Resilience and Thrive in School, Sports, and Life
Written by Dr. Kate Lund
The primary focus in this book is to teach parents, teachers, and community leaders how to foster resilience in the early stages in life so that children can develop their full potential. Children need to learn how to bounce back from misfortune and adversity in order to continue to move forward and ultimately achieve maximum potential. Young people must develop a tool box of coping skills to manage their frustrations and emotions. Lund presents seven pillars including navigating friendships and social pressures, sustaining focus and attention skills, developing courage, the motivation to succeed, and a spirit of confidence that will lead to optimism and continued forward momentum.
The author bases her book on her own personal experiences in overcoming challenges and studies of elementary school children as a psychologist for the past fifteen years. Lund includes a short autobiography and a list of resources for further study at the conclusion of her book. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers as well as anyone interested in developing the full potential of society’s future leaders.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right hand corner of this page.
February 5, 2025
bamauthor
Comments Off on It’s the little things that matter…
Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.