Rocket's Leaf Pile review

Rocket, Bella, and Owl are busy gathering colorful fall leaves until a strong breeze blows the leaves away!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

A nice story for fall about Rocket and his friends in search of colorful leaves. As the leaves fall from the trees, Rocket and Bella the squirrel make a beautiful collection.  Owl adds a few yellow leaves to the pile but a strong wind blows them away.   They decide it will be fun to find more leaves and as they do admire the shapes, various sizes and differences in each one.  Soon more friends arrive to add to the pile.  Colors are vibrant throughout the story and the many friends are shown working together to make a beautiful leaf pile for Rocket.  The illustrated animals are always sweet and cute just like in the many other Rocket  stories.  This is a short but fun board book getting ready for the autumn season.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-5.~

 

Title: Rocket's Leaf Pile

Author: Tad Hills

 Pub. date:  July 2021,  Random House for Young Readers

Genre:  board book

Hardcover,  22 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

Rocket has a Sleepover review

 

Rocket is having fun at a sleepover! But when Owl, Bella, and Fred get ready to catch some Z's, Rocket refuses to go to bed. Can a bedtime story soothe Rocket and help him fall asleep? (goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

Rocket stories are always fun to read.  Especially when they are a Step into Reading Book for the beginning reader.  Rocket is happy that his friends are coming over for his sleepover.  They play games and have snacks but when it is time to say goodnight Rocket is not tired.  His friends think a story might help but each one falls fast asleep before the story is complete.  Easy to read large text and short sentences help encourage kids to read on their own.  The illustrations are bold, colorful and appealing. In addition, being able to read these type of books alone builds great confidence for the young reader.  Especially when they have cute characters involved.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-6.~

Title:  Rocket has a Sleepover

Author: Tad Hills

Pub. date:  July 2021, Random House for Young Readers

Genre: early reader, picture book

Softcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

A Story for Small Bear review

 

In this sweet, lyrical picture book, perfect for bedtime, a playful cub prepares for hibernation, saving just enough time for Mama to share a story before they must settle down.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

After reading this sweet story about a small bear getting ready for winter, I realized that in no time we will be getting ourselves ready for the change of season as well  Small bear is eager for his mama to tell him a story before they turn in for their long winters nap. But before she can do that, he has certain things he needs to do first to get ready.  "No dilly dally", says mama.  The text and illustrations are soothing and gentle making this a great story to cuddle up with before bedtime.  Soft muted colors also add to the very calming read.  It is sweet how small bear keeps mama's words in mind to help him stay focused and on task with his chores so he can hear a story in the end.  It could begin a conversation about bears and hibernation or even things we do to prepare for winter.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  A Story for Small Bear

Author: Alice B. McGinty & Richard Jones

Pub. date:  October 2020, Schwartz & Wade Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

How to be Kind in Kindergarten review

 Now the best-selling author of Kindergarten, Here I Come! has written a companion book of poems to guide kids to be their very best self. (book jacket)

 

 

 

 A new school year is upon us and here is a book that parents may want to read aloud to their child  helping them with the transition into kindergarten about kindness.  Not only will it teach them to be kind but it could also help your child teach others in their classroom to be kind as well.  It does not take a lot to be kind.... Anyone who needs a helping hand, a friend looking sad, including shy children in games, being from a different culture or just how to share your toys are just a few of the examples talked about in the story.  It is a pocket size book perfect for little hands to hold and follow along turning the pages while you read.  Teaching our children kindness helps make the world a better place and it is never to soon to start.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-6.~

 

Title:  How to be Kind in Kindergarten

Author: D.J. Steinberg, illustrated by Ruth Hammond

Pub. date:  June 2021, Grosset & Dunlap

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

How to Get Your Teacher Ready review

Written in tongue-in-cheek instructional style, a class of adorable students gives tips and tricks for getting a teacher ready for the first day of school, and all the events and milestones that will follow. (goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

  

This cute and simple how-to book is a great way to help kids get off on the right foot when starting out a new school year.   The children are the experts in this story by giving their teacher wonderful advice that starts with the transition of the first few days. It then prepares the class for several other special events to expect throughout the upcoming year such as; picture day, holiday concerts, the 100th day of school celebration and many other amazing things the class will encounter.  The text is simple with large and colorful illustrations making this a nice circle time read aloud for the younger grades.  This is a fun role reversal book showing how students are getting their teacher ready for a new school year instead of the teacher getting her students ready.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  How to Get your Teacher Ready

Author:  Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

Pub. date:  July 2017, Alfred A. Knopf 

Genre: picture book

Hardcover,  32 pgs.