Bunny Slopes review

Time to tackle the bunny slope! Shake to help Bunny make it snow, tilt to help Bunny ski down the Slope, and turn to help Bunny escape a cliff in his path. Is there any obstacle Bunny can't conquer? (goodreads summary)



Wearing his bright red scarf, Bunny is ready to take on those ski slopes! But first he has a little trouble heading down that hill!  With the help of its' reader, Bunny overcomes a few hurdles for a special warm and yummy treat in the end. 

I love the concept of interactive books! It is so hard for those little kiddos to sit still for any length of time and these are a wonderful addition to a classroom library.  The story is simple but the text and illustrations make for a fun read. For example, Bunny needs snow and asks the reader to shake the book. When Bunny needs to start downhill, he asks the reader to tilt the book to the right. Kids will giggle when Bunny gets to much snow or finds himself suddenly out of control. The powder-blue and white pages with the pop of red in Bunny's scarf adds to the outdoor winter feel the book offers. This short and easy read would be great when a movement break is needed to get out those inside jiggles. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-6.~


Title:  Bunny Slopes
Author: Claudia Rueda
Pub. date: October 2016
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

A Warm Winter Review

One cold winter morning Little Mouse ventures out in search of enough firewood to heat his nest. But when he tries to drag his pile home, he realizes everything he’s gathered is much too heavy for him. Maybe his friends can help out, but they’d better hurry, because there’s a blizzard on the way. (goodreads summary)




When a cold little mouse awoke one morning, he decided he needed to seek out firewood to warm himself and his family.  By the time he rounded up a big pile of sticks it was too heavy to bring back home. With a little persistence and a few friends, mouse may end up with a warm house for his family after all.

What caught me at first with this heartwarming story was the intricate detail of the illustrations. At first glance, I thought some parts were actual photographs blended in with the drawings.  But at closer look, the detail in the artwork was astonishing. The woodland animals expressions are sweet as they ponder the situations they encounter.  It sends a nice message about friends working together especially in an unexpected snowstorm when they hit a snag.   This is another charming story about persistence, problem solving and working together with a good end result for all because of teamwork.  With beautiful illustrations this is a wonderful book you could get lost in on a cold winter afternoon with a big mug of hot cocoa.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~  


Title: A Warm Winter
Author: Feridun Oral
Pub. date: October 2016
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Pub. (English edition, Hong Kong)
Hardcover,  32 pgs.

Waiting for Snow review

Badger cannot wait one more minute for it to snow. When his friend Hedgehog explains that everything comes in its time, Badger is as unconvinced and impatient as ever. But Badger’s friends have a few tricks up their sleeve to try to get the snow’s attention and distract their pal in the meantime.(goodreads summary)



Badger is trying hard to be patient for snow to arrive. Although his friend Hedgehog reminds him "it will snow in snows time". Badger decides he will wake up the snow from the sky by banging on pots and pans.  When the other forest friends come running from all the commotion, they suggest ways of their own that might help Badger make snow come a little quicker.

This is a cute story about impatience that would be a fun read just before the first snowfall is due to arrive. Waiting for things can be a challenge especially when it is something like snow!  It is hard to be patient when there are so many fun things a child can do outside in the snow.  The friends thought up some funny ideas like throwing pebbles at the sky to punch holes in the clouds or wearing you pj's backwards.  But Hedgehog demonstrated a different kind of patience, as he explained how certain things always came in their own time.  The illustrations are in soft muted colors and each character is sweet with expression. Best of all, Badger learns in the end that some things are worth the wait if you just have a little patience.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~


Title:  Waiting for Snow
Author: Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Renata Liwska
Pub. date:   November 2016, HMN Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

Planet Earth is Blue review

 

 

Twelve-year-old Nova is eagerly awaiting the launch of the space shuttle Challenger--it's the first time a teacher is going into space, and kids across America will watch the event on live TV in their classrooms. Nova and her big sister, Bridget, share a love of astronomy and the space program. They planned to watch the launch together. But Bridget has disappeared, and Nova is in a new foster home.(goodreads summary) 

 

 

Nova and Bridget have been in 11 different foster homes in 7 years.  Their mama was not able to care for them but Nova knows Bridget will always be there for her.  She is autistic and non-verbal and Bridget is the only one that understands her.  She tells everyone Nova is a "thinker, not a talker".  Nova is also very enthusiastic about astronomy and the upcoming space shuttle Challenger lift off.  After they run away from their current foster home, Nova is placed with another family and Bridget has disappeared.  All Nova can do is patiently wait for her big sister to return in time to watch the Challenger launch together.  Just like Bridget promised, no matter what.

There are many books and characters that will truly touch your heart and this debut novel is at the top of the list. This is a moving story, set in January 1986, about an autistic girl with a remarkable mind and a deep sisterly bond.  Moving around to different foster families was very hard on both girls and after running away, Nova was then placed with Francine and Billy but this time without Bridget. Uncertain as to where she is, Nova holds onto hope that she will find her in time to watch the Challenger lift off  in 10 days.  Everyday, as she counts down to the exciting day, she writes a letter to Bridget in her notebook.  Her teachers think they are just scribbles but listening to Nova's internal voice as she writes makes you realize how extraordinary children with severe autism might be.  I think more than adults understand or will ever know.  Nova was very articulate and thoughtful in her writing to Bridget and hearing her words made me forget how challenged she really was.  Nobody knows that Bridget taught her the ABC's or read novels to her because she is unable to tell it to the grown ups.  The chapters would also flashback during times in the girls lives giving us better understanding of their past that leads up to the present.  

The day of the lift off has finally arrived but to Nova's dismay Bridget did not come to find her.  Watching the Challenger disaster that day myself brought back that sad memory and I knew what was coming next for Nova and her classmates.   The shock was overwhelming for her to see but it also triggered her memories of that night they ran away and why Bridget has not come back like she promised.  Her final letter was four days after the lift off explaining to Bridget that she finally understands why and it made for a beautiful ending to an incredibly beautiful story.  You know it is a good book when it gives the reader many different feelings throughout while reading.  The author included a note at the end discussing the autism spectrum and an overview of the Challenger launch which compliments the story well.   I think this is a "just right book" for ages 11 -13.~

Title:  Planet Earth is Blue

Author: Nicole Panteleakos

Pub. date:  May 2019

Genre: realistic fiction

Hardcover, 232 pgs.  

Bear has a Story to Tell review

Bear is so tired but before he can go to sleep for the winter, he has a story he wants to tell his friends. Unfortunately, all his animal friends are also getting ready for a long winter's nap and just can't find the time to listen.  When spring arrives, Bear's friends wake up eager for his story. But will Bear be ready to finally tell it? This was a cute and sweet story that really warms the heart on a cold fall day. It would make a wonderful bedtime story because of its' gentle text and subtle watercolor illustrations giving the feeling of sleepiness. I loved the kindness and friendship theme represented among all the animals as each one gets ready for hibernation. Even though this story was short and simple, it captures that cozy feeling of curling up with a warm blanket and settling in for a winter's night sleep. It has a turn around ending that adds a pleasant outcome for Bear. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-7.~

Title: Bear has a Story to Tell
Author: Phillip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Pub. Date: September 2012,  Roaring Book Press
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Room on the Broom review

 

The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?(goodreads summary)


Halloween is right around the corner and this amusing story caught my eye the other day. A friendly witch rides her broomstick cheerfully around the forest with her cat. Along the way, she looses several items and one-by-one are found and returned by several new animal friends. Each one asks if they can have a ride on her broom. Their adventure takes a turn as the broomstick snaps and the witch is confronted by a hungry dragon after tumbling to the ground. The rhyming text flows nicely making for an easy read-aloud.  The illustrations are colorful and with so many characters, each one could be read in different voices adding to the entertaining storyline.  It also depicts kindness and friendship with friends helping other friends in need. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3 - 7.~

Title: Room on the Broom
Author: Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Genre: picture book
Pub. Date: 2001, Puffin Books
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Bear Can't Sleep review

It's winter, and all the animals in the forest are getting ready for the cold weather.  Fox is gathering wood for fires, and Owl  & Squirrel are making jam. But Bear is having trouble falling asleep. He howls & growls & scares the other animals. Patch the Hare isn't scared; he thinks Bear might be hungry & decides to offer him some food. But then Patch learns what the real problem is & he comes up with a clever way to help Bear get some much-needed rest!


The forest animals are hard at work preparing themselves for winter's arrival. They suddenly hear a very tired, grumpy old Bear who is having trouble falling asleep. With his howls and growls, he lets them know he wants to be left alone. All the animals are scared of him except Patch the Rabbit! He thinks Bear is just hungry and bravely takes him some food. When Patch realizes it is not hunger that is keeping him awake, the good friend in him helps save the day by giving him something special that will help him settle in for a long winter nap.

The sweetest character in this story was Patch, who not only shows his bravery but also expresses a genuine concern for Bears well-being. While the other animals were scared of him, Patch was determined there was something he could do to help. When he discovers the main reason Bear cannot fall asleep, Patch's heartfelt gift turned a grumpy bear into a teddy bear.  The story will also teach kids about being kind and thoughtful to others when his persistence pays off in the end.  The large pictures are bold with eye pleasing fall colors making this another cute story to add to the autumn reading collection. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~ 

Title: Bear Can't Sleep!
Author: Marni McGee, illustrated by Sean Julian
Pub. date:  September 2015, Tiger Tales
Genre: picture book, fall season
Hardcover, 24 pgs.

Fall is Not Easy review

Fall is a tough time of year for a lot of us. Kids have to go back to school, teachers and football players have to go back to work, and parents have to look for new places to hide holiday presents. But perhaps fall is hardest of all on trees. After all, they have to change their entire appearance every year! (goodreads summary)




One tree is having a difficult time adjusting to the changes that fall can bring. Winter, Spring and Summer are easy but when Fall arrives something is just not right! He tries hard to make his leaves turn brilliant and bright but strange things keep happening instead. No matter how hard he tries, his colors are not what they are suppose to be.

This was a fun rhyming story that offers a wonderful introduction and discussion about the change of seasons for young children. There will be plenty of silly laughter when kids see the leaves are turning crazy colors and shapes.  For example, a tree with polka dots or stripes?  The text is short, simple and easy for a quick read-aloud. Giving kids a blank tree worksheet afterwards would allow them the opportunity to express their own individual creativity with colors and shapes, instead of the usual fall colored trees they tend to make now.  It is definitely a good choice for those fall-themed and seasonal change centers or crafting story hour. It is a cute story with surprise pages and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-6.~

Title:  Fall is Not Easy
Author:  Marty Kelley
Pub. date: September 1998, Zino Press
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 30 pgs.

My Leaf Book review

When the seasons change, a young girl visits the arboretum to collect fallen leaves and make a book with them. (goodreads summary)






Here is one more fun book for the Autumn season before that last final leaf falls to the ground.  A cheerful little girl goes exploring at an Arboretum and finds many leaves of colors, shapes and sizes to place in her leaf book. She uses a tree guide as a reference to match them up before gluing and describing each one on her page. 

Young readers will enjoy learning about the many different types of trees and leaves after reading this charming and informative book.  Kids are familiar with the usual oak and maple leaf but what I liked was that it mentioned other different types of tree leaves such as the ginkgo, sweet gum and sassafras. If these are not in your specific area, here is an opportunity for learning where these trees are located.  The short and simple text is a quick and easy read aloud for little ones. The pages also stand out with bright and bold Autumn colors. Side notes on the opposite pages give added facts about leaves as well.  This is the perfect book for fall story time and a great companion before a nature walk, picking up leaves along the way and doing many fun projects afterwards. You don't just have to be limited to a leaf book. The back of the book suggests leaf crayon rubbings and prints. When my kids were little, we would make colorful wreaths by gluing leaves and acorns on paper plates.   They sure grew up fast on me!  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title:  My Leaf Book
Author: Monica Wellington
Pub. Date: September 2015, Dial Books
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Let it Fall review

 

The leaves turn red, brown, and orange, then drift down from the trees. It is time to go apple picking and on hayrides at the county fair. Fall is finally here!
With soft colored art, adorable children, and colorful outdoor scenes, LET IT FALL celebrates all the seasonal awe of autumn.  (goodreads summary)
 
 

 

 

 

The fall season is my favorite time of year. There is so much going on yet to enjoy before the arrival of the winter months. This cute book is a nice introduction to the Autumn season reminding us of all the special things we can see, feel and do this time of year. The short rhyming text flows nicely and would be great for beginning readers. The pictures are soft and full of expression as the family rakes leaves that blow in the wind, attend the county fair, view the beautiful colors while hiking and pass a few animals getting ready for the cold changes themselves.  This book put me in the mood for some caramel apples!  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3 - 6.~
 
Title: Let It Fall
Author: Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Genre: picture book
Pub. Date: July 2010, Scholastic
Hardcover, 24  pgs.

Little Tree review

In the middle of a little forest, there lives a Little Tree who loves his life and the splendid leaves that keep him cool in the heat of long summer days. Life is perfect just the way it is.  Autumn arrives, and with it the cool winds that ruffle Little Tree's leaves. One by one the other trees drop their leaves, facing the cold of winter head on. But not Little Tree—he hugs his leaves as tightly as he can. (goodreads summary)



Fall is one of my favorite times of the year! I love taking an early morning hike in the cool and crisp air. As the leaves turn into a brilliant blaze of colors, I stop for a moment and take in the breathtaking beauty nature has to offer. I love sitting by a fire with a warm and cozy blanket, which takes away that sudden chill as it slowly grows darker earlier in the evenings.  But what I really love most is finding all these wonderful fall season books waiting to be read!

Here is a beautiful story to share on a cold and chilly Autumn weekend about a little tree who is afraid to let go and change. He refuses to shed his leaves keeping him from growing big like the other trees around him. Even with the encouragement from his forest friends, he chooses to hold onto his leaves year after year because he is happy just the way he is. Eventually, the other trees grow big and strong blocking the sunshine from Little Tree. As each season passes, he must decide if he is ready yet to move on or keep missing out on the many splendid things going on around him.  The text and illustrations are simple but are definitely full of important meaning.  The pages are bold, full of color and is an easy read-aloud.  Growing up can be a little frightening for young kids. I experienced this with my own son when he was turning 4 years old. The uncertainty of the big world and its expectations must have been overwhelming and this would have been a great read for us at that time.  It is more than just a sweet book about the change of the seasons. It will help kids understand that change is okay and there are many wonderful opportunities awaiting them if they let themselves grow. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  Little Tree
Author: Loren Long
Pub. Date:  October 2015, Philomel Books
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

Bunny's Book Club Goes to School review

Bunny and his forest friends meet at the town library every Saturday morning for book club. But one summer day, their library buddy Josie confesses to Bunny that she's nervous about starting school. Bunny has an idea: He'll go with her!(goodreads summary)





Bunny's Book Club meets at the library every Saturday.  He also made a new book reading friend named Josie.  She recommends good book choices to Bunny and helps him learn the hard words.  One day, Josie tells Bunny that she is going to go to school soon and she is nervous that she won't make any friends.  Bunny comes up with a helpful plan that he will go to school with her.  Unfortunately, all the forest friends want to help Josie too and end up at her school as well.  What happens during the school day makes for an exciting new adventure for the animal friends.

I am so happy to see a second book added to the Bunny's Book Club series.   This sweet story is about friendship and concern for others as Bunny finds a way to help Josie with her first day of school butterflies.  What Bunny didn't expect was all the other forest animals wanting to help Josie too.  Despite the many distractions, the group is finding that school has so many wonderful things to offer.   Each one finds their niche' in special places and shows what a wonderful place school can be.  Especially at the start of the school season when kids are a little unsure of going off for the first time.  The softly colored illustrations are gentle and sweet with cute character expressions that adds a happy feeling while reading about their fun adventure.   Best of all it shows kindness, friendship and what others can do to help someone feel better about an uncertain situation.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~


You might like to read Bunny's Book Club  which is the first book introducing Bunny and his friends.


Title:  Bunny's Book Club Goes to School
Author:  Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Pub. date:  June 2019, Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Genre:  picture book
Hardcover,32 pgs.

I'm Trying to Love Math review

Do multiplication tables give you hives? Do you break out in a sweat when you see more than a few numbers hanging out together? Then I'm Trying to Love Math is for you!(goodreads summary)




Where would our world be if we had no math?  Math is everywhere around us from baking to music to space to even pizza.  I know from experience that math is not my thing and I dreaded it when I was in school.  Reading this book just might help kids, who don't like math either,  understand how important it is to us in our everyday lives.   The likable three-eyed purple alien talks to the narrator of the story explaining how math fits into our daily life. The narrator does try a few attempts to avoid it and express their displeasure.  On a couple of pages, we need to shake the book when some numbers go awry.  Through humor and fun illustrations, the persistent alien offers an informative perspective on how math comes up in many situations we don't think of.  The book is quite busy with lot's of things to see and read making this a good choice for the older elementary reader.   Kids may still not necessarily like math but this book has history, facts and relatable usage that may offer them a different viewpoint to the importance of learning the subject.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 7-10.~

Title:  I'm Trying to Love Math
Author:  Bethany Barton
Pub. date:  July 2019, Viking Books for Young Readers
Genre:  non fiction
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Bears Book review

A story about stories, writing, reading,  and friendship.(goodreads summary)








Bear has a favorite book that he loves to read over and over again.  Unfortunately, it becomes so worn that the pages start to fall out and a gusty wind blows them away.  He decides he should make his own story but once he sits down to write, Bear doesn't know where to begin.  Looking for a little inspiration, he heads off to the forest for a good back scratch.  Along the way he encounters several friends who just may give him a few ideas for an exciting new story.

This sweet and charming picture book is not just about writing but also of kindness and friendship.  The illustrations are soft and gentle with friendly expressions on the cute forest animals.   I did wish though that the text was a bit larger or bolder because it was hard to read on the bottom of the darker pages.  After Bear helped his friends in need he finally realized the cure for his writers block.  This will help young writers understand the "write what you know" adage giving them their own inspiration for a wonderful story to write.  In the end, we get to read Bear's new story from the pull out flap which was a pleasant surprise.  Kids will be excited to hear what he wrote about and to visually see Bear's actual story within the book.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-7.~

Title:  Bear's Book
Author:  Claire Freedman, illustrated by Alison Friend
Pub. date:  May 2019,  Templar Books
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Snowy Race review

Cozy up with this wintry journey.  A girl and her father race their plow through a snowstorm!(goodreads summary)







There is a snowstorm outside but the girl and her father in this story have a very important job to do.  They have to plow their way through town to pick up someone very special at the train station.  The little girl is so excited she gets to ride in the big plow truck her dad drives.  The text was short and simple but the illustrations inside reminded me of the books I used to read.  They have a bit of a vintage feel to them and the plowing of the mounds of snow brought back memories of the big snowstorms I had when was a child.  This was a happy and cheerful story but when the girl finally picks up that someone special it gave a warm and cozy feeling  at the end.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~


Title:  Snowy Race
Author:  April Jones Prince, illustrated by Christine Davenier
Pub. date:  November, 2019  Margaret Ferguson Books
Genre:  picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Snowball review

Miles up, all alone on a hill, looking down, a little round snowball gazed toward town.(book jacket summary)

A funny and easy-to-read rhyming story about a cute snowball who is looking for some playtime and spies a town below his mountain top that could offer some exciting fun.  Unfortunately, he takes an unexpected tumble on his way down while gaining momentum. Besides accumulating extra snow,  he is also picking up other things along the way and growing bigger and bigger!   The illustrations are funny and the text flows smoothly.  Could be read aloud to a preschool group easily.  This board book is the perfect size for little hands to hold and look at all the silly things snowball picks up along the way.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-5.~

Title:  Snowball
Author:  Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet
Pub. date:  October 2019, Grosset & Dunlap
Genre: picture book
Board book