How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin review

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"How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess. (goodreads summary)


This will make a wonderful addition to the Fall Harvest parties this upcoming week. It is just the kind of book that is great for the math or science unit!  Mr. Tifflin has three different sized pumpkins and asks his class to guess "how many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Naturally, the kids think the biggest one will have the most. When they open each one and count the seeds, they discover a scientific surprise!

This book will reinforce concepts on size and prediction, as well as estimating and counting in various ways such as by 2's, 5's and 10's.  To add further to the teaching moment, the kids could weigh and measure their pumpkins as well.  Pumpkins also offer a great opportunity for sensory input with their funny shaped exterior, unusual smell and mushy insides. There is even a nice lesson for Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, who learns that it is not so bad being small. The story does read aloud easily with colorful and bold pictures that add to the fun. With the interesting facts included at the back, I managed to learn several things from this educational book that I didn't know.  Hope the kids have some fun this fall experimenting with pumpkins! I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title: How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin
Author:  Margaret McNamara
Pub. Date: July 2007, Schwartz & Wade Books
genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

If you Find a Leaf review

An exquisite picture book that celebrates the fall season and encourages children to see the colorful leaves around them in an entirely new way. The artist uses real leaves of vibrant hues to make her oh-so-charming illustrations.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn is right around the corner and here is a beautiful inspiring book that would be perfect for the upcoming season. 

 

 A young girl discovers the wonder of a leaf and all the different things it could be just by using a little imagination.   It could be a hat on a chilly day or a hammock that sways in the gentle breeze.  The simple poetic sentences flow nicely for an easy read aloud to the younger ones. What makes this story even more special are the beautiful illustrations.  The mix of watercolors, charcoal, photography and collage that the author uses creates a uniqueness to the ideas of what a leaf could be.  Soft and gentle artwork adds a sense of calmness to each page.  At the end of the book there is a suggested activity and several leaf identifications.  You could easily go on a leaf hunt after reading this story and use your imagination to do your own art or writing project.  After reading this, I found myself missing those days when my kids were little. We would always go on fall nature hikes and pick up several leaves so we could make fun projects.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title:  If you Find a Leaf

Author:  Amiee Sicuro

Pub. Date:  July 2022, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

 

 

Pancakes for Breakfast review

 

This warm, feel-good tale of friends working together to make delicious pancakes is the ultimate comfort food read. (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Cat loves to wake up on Sunday mornings and make pancakes. But  there are a couple of main ingredients missing.  So Cat calls on Rabbit and Moonbear to borrow milk and eggs and invites them over for a pancake breakfast.  Rabbit brings blueberries and carrots and Moonbear brings honey to share.  A couple of clumsy mishaps cause a little chaos in the kitchen.  But the friends manage to pull it off and make some very special pancakes for everyone.

 

This was a cute and easy-to-read picture book that may have the family thinking about warm stacks of pancakes on a Sunday morning.  The soft page colors were sweet and pleasing.  The text is simple and short for a quick read for the little ones.  The characters were joyful working together while cooking in the kitchen despite a few messy incidents but they soon enjoyed a wonderful breakfast that they created themselves.   It is filled with happiness, friendship, working together and having fun cooking.  At the end of the book, there is Cat's Sunday Pancake recipe included for you to gather the family and make your own special Sunday morning breakfast together.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  Sunday Pancakes 

Author:  Maya Tatsukawa

Pub. date:  June 2022, Dial Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

The Adventures of Tintin review

Don't miss this expanded novelization of the action-packed film! Tintin stumbles across a model ship at the Old Street Market. Only it isn't any model ship--it holds a piece of the puzzle to finding the resting place of Red Rackham's treasure! But Tintin isn't the only ones after the notorious pirate's booty. With dangerous treasure seekers at their heels, Tintin and his dog, Snowy, are on a high-stakes thrill ride, that takes them from land to sea, from open air to the ocean floor! (goodreads summary)




Tintin is a young newspaper reporter who loves a good story!  While perusing the local market, he purchases a model ship only to find he is not the only person interested in this fascinating item. Barnaby, an American, gives Tintin a verbal warning about the ship and Sakharine, a man insisting on purchasing it even after Tintin tells him no. Curious as to why so much interest, he examines the model and finds a parchment hidden inside the mast with a secret message. With his reporter instincts, he sets out to discover the origins of the ship and learns that the Unicorn was commandeered by Sir Francis Haddock and holds an exciting mystery of pirates and possible hidden treasure. The tale of the Unicorn states that it sailed the Barbados Seas in 1676 but was attacked by pirates leaving Captain Haddock as the only lone survivor. According to the Captain, there is a secret behind the Unicorn that only a true Haddock will find. When his apartment is ransacked and the model is stolen, Tintin's nose for reporting kicks in. With his trusted dog Snowy, the two embark on an exciting adventure and discover the truth behind the Unicorn that takes him not only to many places but meeting many unusual people that could help make this the best story ever!

I don't recall ever reading a book filled with so much adventure starting on page one and continuing all the way to the end.  The nonstop action kept rolling along from one exciting part to another and it was truly a fun read.  The details of Tintin being kidnapped, a daring escape from a large vessel, outsmarting henchmen and flying an airplane for the first time over rough seas (just to name a few) gave me images of Indiana Jones. Tintin and Snowy are highly intelligent characters and extremely diligent on piecing together one clue after another of this puzzle leading them to the true story and making for a great pair of heroes. Several other characters also make it lively, funny and no doubt heart pounding at times from the bumbling Interpol Detectives to the Villain who is also looking for his own answers to the mystery.  There are several things that do stand out in the book. A character is shot and killed on Tintin's front porch steps along with other scenes of bullets flying. There is also the breaking of whiskey bottles either being thrown at people or over their heads knocking them out cold. Even Tintin gets knocked out with a clunking of a candlestick over his head. There was quite a bit of alcohol references and drunkenness on the part of Captain Haddock too but his character developed in the end.  All of these together would make for a good discussion about what is reality and what is entertainment. I did find this fast-paced story interesting and know it will keep readers wanting to read until the end. I enjoyed the exciting plot and writing style that took me from a laugh to an Oh No, look out! part with a turn of a page.  I do look forward to watching the movie but satisfied I read the book for now. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 10 and up.~

Title: The Adventures of Tintin
Author: Alex Irvine
Pub. date: November 2011, Little, Brown & Co.
Genre: adventure, mystery, middle grade
Hardcover, 227 pgs.

The Year Money Grew on Trees review

Jackson is a 13 year old boy living in New Mexico during the 1980's and is offered an unbelieveable opportunity.  If he succeeds at reviving a neglected apple orchard owned by an elderly neighbor into a healthy and prosperous one, she will give it to him for a price of $8,0000 and gets to keep any profits he makes.  This sounds better than working at the local junkyard which his dad is fixing for him to do for the summer.  Jackson and Mrs. Nelson sign an official agreement between the two and his challenge begins.  He knows nothing about farming, apple growing or what to begin with first. After searching out a book from his school library, he realizes he needs plenty of help and recruits his sisters and cousins by offering them a percentage of the profits for their hard work.  He does not tell them though of the agreement that he has with Mrs. Nelson.  Jackson needs to learn many things on his own while facing struggles along the way. Not too many adults are eager to be helpful or become involved either.  These parts made me sad but he was persistant enough to learn and accomplish them on his own.  He bounces with every up and down thrown at him and working out solutions to many problems he ran into. What a group of hard-working and dedicated kids...........

I thought this was a great book!  I found myself cheering them on and was eager to keep reading to see how it would end.  This book also taught me plenty about apple farming that I never knew. There were times when the kids had to figure out how much items cost or how much they needed to sell to make enough money. Several math equations were worked into the writing as well. The author also included various illustrations, for example specific farming equipment, that I felt offered great visualization to something unfamiliar to young readers.  The kids had so much determination and hard-work ethic that they make wonderful role models for readers and  send the message that in order to succeed, you should never give up. It may even inspire some future entrepeneurs this summer. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 9 and up. ~

Title: The Year Money Grew on Trees
Author: Aaron Hawkins
Genre: Fiction
Pub. Date: November 2010, Houghton Mifflin
Hardcover, 293 pgs.

Go Out and Play! review

Do you know how to draw a hopscotch grid? What’s the silliest challenge in the game of sardines? How do you keep from being "out" in SPUD? Is there any way to escape the blob? This lively, infectious guide to games runs the gamut from classic to contemporary.(goodreads summary)





The warm weather we have been experiencing this past week reminds me of when I was a kid and how I loved playing outside as much as I could..... I loved softball, kickball, hopscotch, riding skateboards and biking on the dirt trails. We also had our favorite jungle gym at the neighbors house where we played Freeze Tag or SPUD. There is no doubt that our children are spending less and less time outdoors playing and just being a kid. They are either being shuffled here and there or plugged into electronics during their free time. Not to mention, the childhood obesity rate is climbing higher and higher as well. So, here is a fun book I found with some great outdoor games that may help get the family out and become active!

From tag games to team games and sidewalk games to ones with no rules, there are plenty of activities to choose from. Each page offers a detailed instruction on how to play, the number of players needed, recommended age group the game is best suited for and if you will need any extra materials like balls or beanbags, etc. There are the old standbys like Flashlight Tag or Simon Says. A few new ones caught my attention such as coconut bowling. You fill water bottles with a small amount of water, place in a triangle and roll a coconut to knock the pins down. Just the idea of using something other than a ball is creative and fun. Another suggested game is Clean Your Room. This is a game where two teams throw as many balls as they can over a net in a specific amount of time. The team who has the less balls on their side after time is called, wins. The games do not require much and the best part is that this book will get everyone moving! So.... why not take one day and turn off all the electronics (including yours Mom and Dad), round up the kids and grab this fun filled book for some wonderful ideas and "Go Out and Play"! I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5 and up.~

Title: Go Out and Play!
Author: KaBoom - Julianna rose, Darell Hammond
Genre: non fiction
Pub. Date: March 2012, Candlewick
Paperback, 104 pgs.

 

Words with Wings review

Gabby's world is filled with daydreams. However, what began as an escape from her parents' arguments has now taken over her life. But with the help of a new teacher, Gabby the dreamer might just become Gabby the writer, and words that carried her away might allow her to soar.(goodreads summary)




I am usually not a big reader of books written in verse but this one is definitely mentionable.  The beautiful poetry will hook you from the first page to the last wanting to hear Gabby's voice. She feels the other kids in her class thinks she is shy and weird which becomes even harder for her when she relocates to another school due to her parents separation. At first her mom and new teacher, Mr. Spicer, do not understand her drifting off and both feel it is interfering with everyday tasks. Gabby is labeled a daydreamer.... She decides she will work on focusing when she needs to but during times like recess, she will let her mind carry her away again. Then one day her teacher begins to recognize a special quality about her daydreaming and instead of stopping it he surprisingly encourages her instead.  

This short and fast read would be great for teachers and parents as well as children. Many times we view them as not paying attention to us or being in their own world. After reading this inspiring book, it just might open our adult eyes to the possibility there may be more to a child that we don't see. There could be a future author or artist, composer or an inventor who just needs a little understanding and guidance to help them channel some creativity, letting them know they are "okay".  I am glad I found this powerful book by accident and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 8-99.~

Title: Words with Wings
Author: Nikki Grimes
Pub. Date: September 1, 2013, Wordsong
Genre: non-fiction
Hardcover, 84 pgs. 

Moonpenny Island review

Moonpenny is a tiny island in a great lake. When the summer people leave and the ferries stop running, just the tried-and-true islanders are left behind. Flor and her best friend, Sylvie, are the only eleven-year-olds for miles and miles.  But come the end of summer, unthinkable things begin to happen. Sylvie is suddenly, mysteriously whisked away to school on the mainland. Flor’s mother leaves to take care of Flor’s sick grandmother and doesn’t come back. Her big sister has a secret, and Flor fears it’s a dangerous one.(goodreads)


Flor lives on Moonpenny Island year round with her parents, older sister Cecilia and younger brother Thomas. She and her best friend Sylvie are inseparable. During the summer months, the island is filled with visitors and new people.  One such visitor to the island is an unusual girl named Jasper. She and her geologist father are on the island in search of prehistoric trilobites.  But suddenly at the start of sixth grade, Flor is faced with unexpected changes to her family and friendship. Syvlie is sent away to live with relatives on the mainland to attend school there, Flor's mother leaves to take care of her grandmother wondering if she will come back and her sister begins to act strangely giving Flor the feeling she is keeping something from her.   As Flor's world is suddenly crashing down on her, she discovers her tiny island holds many truths she was not aware of.

One of my favorite authors has once again, beautifully written another heart warming, coming-of-age story for young readers.  From the summer island descriptions to each of the many different characters,  I found the story engaging and believable.  After Sylvie is unexpectedly sent away for no apparent reason, this abrupt change strains their friendship like many girls can go through when a friend moves away.  The characters of Jasper and her father Dr. Fife were a subtle but important part to Flor's insight and character development. She is faced with many issues in her young life. Her parents argue and her mother suddenly leaves to take care of a relative with Flor not knowing when or if she is coming back. Her sister is resorting to sneaking around, lying and is holding a secret from Flor. There is even a mention of alcoholism when she learns  of another secret her friend holds that she never realized was happening all along. The changes she faces gives her uncertainty but she learns that adapting and going along with those changes is how you grow.  It is a warm and gentle realistic story about friendships, family, conflict, secrets and change. The story moved along nicely offering a message to its reader about opening your eyes and seeing the things around you but it is how you see those things that will help shape you.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 9-12.~

Title: Moonpenny Island
Author: Tricia Springstubb
Pub. Date: February 2015, Balzer & Bray
Genre: realistic fiction, middle grade
Hardcover, 292 pgs.

Get Crafty review

'Get Crafty' is a craft book for everyone. You do not need to have any previous art or craft experience to enjoy the crafts included.(goodreads summary)







With the snowstorms currently around the country, it seems like winter is not planning on going away anytime soon. To help ease with cabin fever or maybe spring break is just around the corner, here is a fun crafting book to share with the family.  What I found inside was a wonderful variety of simple craft ideas that will keep those kids inspired for a few hours.  Not only is crafting fun for for all ages but it also encourages motor development and social skills, eye/hand coordination and sparks the imagination!

After looking it over there were several interesting ideas that stood out. For example; salt dough snowmen, paper mache` vase, driftwood sailboats, decorated pirate hat, butterfly masks, mini ice cream shop, mess-free dyed pasta, pencil snake toppers, mini tea party cups, painting marshmallow people and dolly puppets made from toilet paper rolls just to highlight on a few. There are also sections on celebrations and holiday themed crafts for the year.  Each project lists things needed (some you may even have around the house now), detailed instructions and included are bright, vivid photographs showing a step-by-step process. The author placed crafting tips as a side note at the bottom of the pages that are helpful suggestions too. The various ideas are creative with a few new ones I have not seen before and are easy enough to keep the attention spans going for several hours.  These all can be done either one-on-one or with a larger group of kids for a planned party.  Any time of year can be a good time for crafting but these ideas can be done either inside or taken outside on a sunny day.

Spending quality family time together is so important today. Sometimes we just need to unplug from this hectic world and take a day to let those creative juices flow.  This book will help make those special moments together memorable not only for you but for your children as well.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-10.~


Title:  Get Crafty - Fun, Creative Crafts for Children
Author: Ali Coghlan
Pub. date:   February 2017, Mercier
Genre: nonfiction
Hardcover, 192 pgs.

On Snowden Mountain review

Twelve-year-old Ellen learns the quiet strength of family when her mother's deep depression prompts her to ask an estranged aunt for help.(goodreads summary)






This heartfelt story set in early September of 1942 during WW II,  contains numerous themes such as; depression, poverty, alcoholism and domestic/child abuse.  Ellen is trying her best to take care of herself and her mother who is suffering from severe depression ever since her father volunteered for the War.  Food is running out, funds are low and because her mother is not getting better she decides to contact her Aunt Pearl for help.  Aunt Pearl is a stoic, gruff woman from the mountains of Virginia, who insists they move from Baltimore and go back to live in Snowden.  Moving to the country was unexpected for Ellen and she is having a hard time adjusting to the simple rustic life.  There is no electricity or running water and only an outhouse for facilities.  When she attends the local school, she finds it is not like her school in Baltimore.  There are no desks but only benches with limited supplies and books.  She also has a classmate who smells like skunks and even though he is 15 years old, sits up in the front row with the 6 year old's.   As Ellen gets to know Russell better, she learns that he cannot read or write and has an alcoholic abusive father that makes him trap skunks for pelts instead of attending school regularly.  She also witnesses Russell's abusive father towards him and his mother first hand after he asks Ellen for help when his mother is beaten.  This is the first step towards an unlikely friendship for the two.  Ellen secretly teaches Russell school work and in return he teaches her the beauty of the mountains and nature around them. As the fall season closes and winter begins, Ellen starts to see things with a different view, where she eventually comes to accept the community she must now consider as her home. 

There are many other characters in the story that help in Ellen's character development.  Besides Aunt Pearl. there is Moselle Toms who is a busy-body and town gossip and latches onto Ellen for her own gain.  Ellen soon discovers that how things look on the outside is not always the same on the inside.  I liked that even though Aunt Pearl knew of this, she let Ellen find this out by herself so she could make her own conclusions about a true self.  Ellen also has fears of someday having the same depressive disorder that consumes her mother.  Aunt Pearl finally opened up about her family history and she learns many things about her Aunt and mother that she never knew before.  When I saw the cover of this book I thought it was a nice, gentle historical fiction for the younger middle grade readers.  After I read it, I learned just as Ellen did,  that you cannot judge a book by its' cover.  I feel it would be better suited for the middle school aged because of the heavy themes.  The end wrapped up very quickly and left me wishing for a few more chapters because it  left me thinking with further questions about Ellen or Russell and his mother.   I could visualize Snowden, Virginia in 1942, the rustic mountain town, Ellen's one room schoolhouse and each character easily with the beautiful descriptive writing style.  I could also feel what Ellen was feeling and thinking as she tried to adapt to the uncertainty of her future.  For being such a short story, it will leave the reader thinking about the realities of the past.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 11-13.~ 


Title:  On Snowden Mountain
Author:  Jeri Watts
Pub. date:  September 2019, Candlewick Press
Genre:  historical fiction
Hardcover, 193 pgs.

Leif and the Fall review

Leif is a leaf. A worried leaf. It is autumn, and Leif is afraid to fall. "All leaves fall in the fall," say the other leaves. But Leif is determined to find a different way down, and with his friend Laurel, he uses the resources around him to create a net, a kite, a parachute in hopes of softening his landing.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 Leif knows that in Autumn leaves will eventually fall from the trees.  He is so afraid of falling and possibly hurting himself that this fear makes him worry even more.  It doesn't help when the other leaves are always telling him "all leaves fall in the fall".  With the help of his kind friend Laurel, he comes up with several ideas that might help catch his fall when his time comes.  But each one just doesn't seem to be the right answer to his problem.   After a few failed attempts, his collection of discarded ideas give him an unexpected surprise landing.  

Finding creative solutions and having persistence to help solve a problem is the theme of this Autumn tale.  Having a friend like Laurel showing kindness and offering encouragement is also an important part of Leif's story.  While the other leaves taunt him, Laurel's reassuring calmness was a plus for Leif's worries.  When the wind becomes stronger and Leif shivers, I liked how Laurel gave him a squeeze showing empathy for him.  The illustrations show expression and emotions and are in soft greens and browns, then gently turn to golds as Leif gets ready for his fall.  This is a good read for a fall and windy day about determination, thinking creatively and never giving up on your ideas.  It also has a subtle message of kindness, empathy and being a good friend when needed.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-9.~

 

Title:  Leif and the Fall

Author:  Allison Sweet Grant & Adam Grant, illustrations by Merrilee Liddiard

Pub date:  September 2020

genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Nixie Ness Cooking Star review

 

Best friends Nixie and Grace spend every afternoon together . . . until Nixie's mom gets a new job and Nixie must attend the after-school program, without Grace.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Third grade best friends Nixie and Grace spend every afternoon together after school at Nixie's house.  Nixie's mom tells the girls she has taken a new job and she will have to attend the after school cooking camp program while Grace will be staying with another classmate, Elyse.  Nixie dreads going to the cooking camp without Grace and begins to worry that she is loosing her best friend to someone else.  While tying to come up with plan after plan to win her over, each one fails and Nixie ends up turning things into a big mess!  She may even loose Grace's friendship forever. 

This is a wonderful chapter book for elementary aged kids about friendships, feelings and everyday school life. They will find the story relatable to their own daily situations as the author does a nice job writing from a young child's perspective.  Nixie is so fixated on Grace and Elyse's bonding that she ignores any opportunity of new friendships for herself with her cooking camp group.  There are several new and nice classmates but she is so jealous of Grace and Elyse that she cannot enjoy the camp for all it has to offer her.  She is having a difficult time with the sudden changes coming all at once which kids can struggle with at this age group. With her "Get Your Best Friend Back" plan, each one backfires on Nixie making her feel sadder and alone.  Nixie even ends up saying something very mean to Grace that may end their friendship but learns the meaning of  giving a sincere apology.  There are illustrations throughout the chapters giving visuals of the cooking camp, Nixie's feelings and of the many diverse characters which adds nicely to the story.   Included at the end is a recipe of Nixie's favorite Morning Glory Muffins that kids might be inspired to bake after reading how much fun cooking can be.  This is the first in the After-School Superstars series with other characters from this story branching out having books about their own after school activity experiences.  There are a total of four books so far and I hope more characters will follow. These stories can also teach younger readers about new ideas, social mistakes, consequences, empathy and problem solving.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 7-9.~

Title:  Nixie Ness Cooking Star

Author: Claudia Mills, illustrated by Grace Zong

Publisher date: June 2019, Margaret Ferguson Books

Genre: chapter book

Hardcover, 118 pgs.