by Carolyn | Boys, Character Training, Cultural Diversity, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Parenting, Recommendations
Save Me A Seat takes a deep dive into the perspective of two 10-year-old boys to show that the assumptions we make about other people are often wrong. Authors Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan team up in this novel to give authentic voice to the dual protagonists....
by Carolyn | Character Training, Imagination, Parenting, Picture Books, Preschool, Read Alouds, Recommendations
I’ve been looking forward to this new picture book for a while, and it did not disappoint! Reading Unplugged by Steve Antony will gently encourage your kids to turn off their screens and head outside. Most kids, given the choice, will choose screen time over...
by Carolyn | For fun, Middle School, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Poetry
When I finished reading I’m Just No Good at Rhyming (And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups) by Chris Harris, illustrated by Lane Smith, to my kids, my older two begged for their own copy of this hilarious book. We laughed together and...
by Carolyn | Education, Poetry
April is National Poetry Month, which makes it a great time to introduce your kids to haiku. Haiku and quick to read, fun to write, and deceptively difficult to master. These books of haiku for kids will get you started. How to Haiku Haiku: Asian Arts & Crafts for...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Classics, Fantasy, Girls, Imagination, Read Alouds
I was enchanted by this lovely fairy tale. Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin is a retelling of the story of Snow White and Rose Red. (Which, apparently, isn’t at all the same story as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves). The Story Snow and Rose grow up in a...
by Carolyn | Animal books, Book Lists, Picture Books, Preschool, Read Alouds
It’s been a little over a year since we got our dog, Nugget. (Yes, we got his name from The Wingfeather Saga). So, I thought it only fitting to give you a list of some of our favorite picture books about dogs. (Not to mention that it’s the Year of the...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Fantasy, Girls, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School
I wrote this review a while back, but this year’s Newbery awards reminded me that I never posted this review of last year’s winner, The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. The Story The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is the story of Luna,...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, For fun, Newbery
The ALA Youth Media Awards like the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and the Newbery came out this morning, but some of my family’s favorites were missing! So, we decided to create our own, very unofficial, favorite book awards of 2017. Each of my kids and I...
by Carolyn | Baby, Book Lists, Parenting, Picture Books
I hope you haven’t forgotten that Valentines Day is also Book Giving Day! (Really! I didn’t make it up!) Here are some adorable picture books to tell your kids, “I love you.” And if you have older kids, any book they really like will tell them...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Audiobooks
If you missed any of Audible’s Daily Deals last year, they are all back on sale this week only! I’ve linked to some of my favorites below. Make sure the “Buy Now With One Click” button is selected rather than the free trial. You can get the...
