Book Review - Why Am I Me?

About the Book
Presented as a thoughtful, poetic exchange between two characters -- who don't realize they are thinking and asking the very same questions -- this beautiful celebration of our humanity and diversity invites readers of all ages to imagine a world where there is no you or me, only we.

If the first step toward healing the world is to build bridges of empathy and celebrate rather than discriminate, Why Am I Me? helps foster a much-needed sense of connection, compassion, and love.




My Take on the Book

This is a book that brings together a book that uses images to tell a story that is very important, deep and meaningful. While there are not a lot of words, the book shares a lot about issues of race, identify families and more! The book is a great introduction to these topics and makes you think about their topics in a whole new way. This is a book that I would encourage all to read!


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Book Review - Star Wars BB-8 on the Run

About the Book
When BB-8 is separated from his master, Poe Dameron, on the lonely desert planet of Jakku, he has no choice but to keep rolling. It's all up to him to get a top-secret map back to the Resistance so they can find Luke Skywalker and save the galaxy from the evil First Order.

It's scary to have a big job when you're just a little droid on your own. But BB-8 isn't alone for long. As he speeds across the sand, BB-8 meets all kinds of strangers who need his help. Should he do good things, as Poe always told him, or will that get in the way of his mission?

See how everyone's favorite little astromech droid makes friends and foils enemies in this funny and exciting new Star Wars adventure!



My Take on the Book
This is a fun take on what BB-8 had to do while one the run and by himself. The illustrations within this were a ton of fun and the story was too. If you are a Star Wars fan you will love this easy to read story that will draw you in by the illustrations and keep you rapt in attention as you read through the story, meet new friends and more!


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Book Review - Twice Upon A Time: Rapunzel, the One With All the Hair

About the Book
Rapunzel is having the ultimate bad day. She's been stolen by a witch, may have a ghost for a roommate, and doesn't even have a decent brush for her hair.

Prince Benjamin's got it pretty tough, too. His father wants him to be more kingly, his mother wants him to never leave her sight, and his cousin wants to get him into as much trouble as possible (possibly with a troll).

Both Rapunzel and Prince Benjamin are trapped--in very different ways. Once their paths cross, well, that's when things get really strange.

Journey back to the days when fairy tales were true with this fun and fresh spin on a timeless tale!



My Take on the Book
This was a great book that gives you a fun story with great characters, humor, action and more! My daughter and I just finished reading and I have to say that we loved it! The story had a ton of great characters and my oldest daughter loved that Rapunzel was going through so many things that a typical teenager would go through! There were definitely points in the story that made us laugh and also it was a ton of fun to watch what would happen as the story progressed and we were not disappointed!

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Book Review - The Incredible Magic of Being

About the Book
Some might say Julian is sheltered. But he lives large, and his eternal optimism allows him to see infinite possibilities wherever he looks.

Despite his optimism, he is anxious about his stressed family falling apart. Even his ability to "uni-sense" what's happening with his sister is gone. If he can make his family focus on the magic in the universe, surely they'll appreciate life again. Now that they are moving from Washington, DC, to rural Maine, Julian can use his beloved telescope without any light pollution. He can discover a comet, name it for himself, and show his family how they're all truly connected.

As Julian searches the night sky, he encounters a force that may drive his plan apart. His neighbor, Mr. X, could bring an end to his parents' dream of opening their B&B. Could one negative force unravel everything? An avid student of science, Julian understands that there is much about the universe that we don't yet know. Who is to say what's possible and what's not?



My Take on the Book
My girls love to read and my almost 13 year old and I both read this and we loved the way in which the book has something for readers of all ages. My daughter mentioned that there were things about the main character Julian that she could relate to, which is always a good sign in the life of a pre-teen. The book captures what it is like to uproot yourself and move to a new place. The author also has fully developed the characters within the book into ones that you will love to get to know.  This was a well written book that is current and a great read!


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Book Review - Who Killed Darius Drake?

About the Book
In award-winner Philbrick's new page-turning mystery, Arthur "Bash Man" is the school thug, paid with candy to bully and threaten other students. When genius orphan Darius Drake employs Arthur to help him discover the origin of a suspicious threat, written in blood, they uncover a mystery that involves Darius's estranged grandfather, who was imprisoned for forging evidence in a search for a long-lost diamond necklace worth millions. The boys make the dangerous decision to search for the jewels themselves -- and in the process, they discover that the car crash that killed Darius's parents was not an accident at all. Who will be next?




My Take on the Book
My daughter love a great mystery and you get just that in this fun book. The author does a great job at keeping you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end as you try and determine who did it. There is a great mix of clues, mis-directions and more as you go through this book, but in the end you are brought on a fun ride for any reader. You also get a great mix of characters. The author has really developed the characters well and the relationships between characters really move the story along.


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Book Review - Owl Diaries: The Wildwood Bakery

About the Book
Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Eva's friend, Macy, has a little sister who can't fly on her own. So Eva's class decides to raise money to buy her a super-cool flying chair! Half of the class opens a bakery to raise the money. The other half opens a candy store. Soon the owls are competing to see whose shop can make the most money. But they will all need to work together to raise enough money for the special chair. Can Eva get everyone to work as a team?



My Take on the Book
Another cute story and book with characters you will love. The book is a easy read and my youngest was through it in no time. She loves the plot of these stories and the characters too. This is a great series that continues to encourage my daughter to read and it will do the same for you too!

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Book Review - The Littlest Reindeer

About the Book
From the New York Times bestselling author that brought us The Littlest Pilgrim comes a sweet new holiday companion filled with Christmas cheer and one adorable reindeer!

Dot may be the littlest reindeer in the North Pole, but she has a big desire to help Santa pull his sleigh! But Dot just can't seem to fly the right way, no matter hard she runs, leaps, and kicks. Will Dot learn to fly, or is the littlest reindeer just too little?




My Take on the Book
This is a very cute book that has a fun story that young kids will love. The book is heartwarming and really puts a smile on your face. In the end you will want to read to the very end as you see whether Dot will be able to fly! This is a fun book for the whole family!


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Book Review - Gentle Discipline: Using Emotional Connection--Not Punishment--to Raise Confident, Capable Kids

About the Book
A practical guide that presents an alternative to shouting, shaming, and blaming--to give kids the skills they need to grow and thrive

Discipline is an essential part of raising happy and successful kids, but as more and more parents are discovering, conventional approaches often don't work, and can even lead to more frustration, resentment, power struggles, and shame.

Enter Sarah Ockwell-Smith, a popular parenting expert who believes there's a better way. Citing the latest research in child development, psychology and neuroscience, Gentle Discipline debunks common myths about punishments, rewards, the "naughty chair," and more, and presents practical, connection-based techniques that really work--and that bring parents and kids closer together instead of driving then apart. Topics include:

Setting--and enforcing--boundaries and limits with compassion and respect
Focusing on connection and positivity instead of negative consequences
Working with teachers and other caregivers
Breaking the cycle of shaming and blaming

Filled with ideas to try today, Gentle Discipline helps parents of toddlers as well as school-age kids embrace a new, more enlightened way to help kids listen, learn and grow.



My Take on the Book
This is a great book that all parents should read. The book is chock-full of amazing advice about being a better parent. The book really does help you better understand what you can do to work with kids at different levels of development. I can honestly say that I wish that I had this book when my kids were babies as the advice is perfect for a young parent and grows with you as your kids grow too!

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Book Review - Carols and Crushes: A Wish Novel

About the Book
Charlie's moment to shine has arrived: She's determined to land a solo in this year's holiday concert. With her best friend, Renee, and smart, cute Eric in chorus with her, this winter promises to be pitch-perfect.

Until disaster strikes. The concert is suddenly in danger of being canceled. And Charlie has to partner up with annoying, oh-so-perfect Matthew. If they can't work in harmony, Charlie's favorite time of year will be ruined. Will she be able to save the show from a blizzard of problems -- and figure out who makes her heart sing?


My Take on the Book
This is a cute story that allows you to not only get to meet some very fun characters, but also get to see some love blossoming along the way. While there are some bumps along the way the story bring out some fun moments too and you will laugh and truly want to see what happens next as you read through this fun book!

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Book Review - Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! It's Shoe Time!

About the Book
Bryan Collier turns the closet on its heel and redefines what it means to be a pair.


My Take on the Book
This is a cute story for a young child. There is humor and learning within this story. Your child will learn about the left and right foot, how shoes match, and what the word "pair" means. The humor happens between the talking shoes and the narrators which are a pig and an elephant. There is some drama when a pair of shoes feel left out because they are not chosen, but in the end the reader will see why the little girl mixed the shoes she was going to wear when she met her father.

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Book Review - The Handbook

About the Book
There's nothing Jake likes more than some good trash-picking, so when his elderly neighbors move out and leave an especially promising-looking pile of household refuse on the curb, he goes right for it. He only has the chance to grab one box before his mom catches him and orders him in for dinner, though.

When mysterious goings-on begin to occur in the neighborhood, the trio investigates the hidden box from Jack's garage. In it, they find the Secret Parent's Handbook and with it all the means to subvert the irrational rules and petty tyranny of their home lives. No more clean rooms! No more vegetables! No more brushed hair or washed hands! It's all videogames and junk food all the time!

But the authorities -- and the resistance -- have taken notice of the strange goings-on in Jack and his friends' neighborhood. And they are closing in . . .




My Take on the Book
The chapter book has an interesting story line of three friends and their families as they encounter the rules of their parents and try to survive being 12 and it is summer, a summer of lots of free time and too many rules. Jack finds a book called THE SECRET PARENTS HANDBOOK in Mr. Wallace's garbage. The three friends realize that this is a book their parents use on them with advice for "controlling" children. The three friends realize they can use the book to change their parents behavior and this is where their adventure begins. They meet the challenges of their parents and a secret group who administer consequence to adults and children to do not conform using the book. As Maggie fools everyone with her intelligence and the friends convince their parents to join them in destroying the secret group, everyone decides that loving your children is the best way to live your life.
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Book Review - Big Nate: A Good Old-Fashioned Wedgie

About the Book
Join the unstoppable Big Nate for another round of middle school adventures! From homework and hygiene to hilarious hiijnks – no one quite does sixth grade like Nate and his friends.

Need a way to shut up some snooty kid when he gloats about his private school? Looking for the perfect response when your best friend joins the grammar police? Want a quick and easy way to out-snap even the snappiest comeback? Nate Wright has the answer: a good old-fashioned wedgie!

The whole gang from P.S. 38 is back for more hijinks, hilarity, and underwear hoisting in this new collection of Big Nate comics. Can Chad somehow survive on a diet of kale and soy nuts? Are Jenny and Artur EVER going to break up? And how is Nate supposed to concentrate on baseball when he’s got a crush on his team’s new pitcher? See for yourself! Join Nate and the rest of the crew for another unforgettable round of middle school adventures!


My Take on the Book
There are over ten Big Nate stories. Lincoln Price sure has a wonderful sense of humor and creativity. Once again Nate and his friends in middle school , find themselves in various challenges and situations. There is humor with Nick and his friends and then the humor with the adults that they encounter. Lincoln Peirce definitely is able to get into the head of middle school age kids. You will enjoy this comic strip style book.


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Book Review - Bruce's Big Move

About the Book
After the events of Hotel Bruce, our favorite curmudgeonly bear shares his home with not only his four geese, but three rowdy mice besides! Fed up with their shenanigans, Bruce sets off to find a rodent-free household. But as usual, nothing goes quite according to plan. . .


My Take on the Book
Your young child will enjoy this new story about Bruce, his young geese that thinks he is their mother, and some mice who decide they love Bruce and want to live with him. Bruce once again does not like noise or chaos . With all the animals living with him he decides to move without the mice. It becomes very funny as Bruce decides where to live and escaping from the mice only to find out that they want to help him move and forever live with him. The expressions on Bruce and the other animals faces are priceless and you and your young child will enjoy reading this story often. Great illustration accompany this fun filled story.

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Book Review - Simpson's Sheep Just Want to Sleep!

About the Book
'These stubborn sheep,'' the farmer sighs,
''won't open up their sleepy eyes.
But I know how to wake this crowd.
I'll make some noise and make it loud.''
From pounding on pots and pans to playing a screechy violin, Farmer Simpson makes all sorts of commotion to wake up his sleepy flock of sheep, but nothing works!

• Then Farmer Simpson gets a brilliant idea -- he decides to bring home a puppy who will surely be able to wake the snoozing sheep with its loud barks.
• But the farmer is in for a surprise -- his sheep wake up, but not in ways he expected!
• Author and illustrator Bruce Arant presents a tender tale about the virtues of using a gentle nudge when friends won't budge.
• 32 pages.
• 8-3/4 inches wide by 11-1/4 inches high.
• Full-color illustrations throughout.
• Hardcover picture book with dust jacket.

Author Bruce Arant brings his sheep back into the fold in this sequel to the award-winning Simpson's Sheep Won't Go to Sleep! Prior to becoming a full-time writer and illustrator, Arant enjoyed a career of nearly 20 years in the magazine and custom publishing industry, where he held a variety of editorial and creative positions. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.



My Take on the Book
This is a delightful picture book for young children. The story rhymes and the illustrations are bright and colorful. This is a funny story about a farmer trying to wake up his sheep. He tries many methods but it is not until he adopts a dog that he learns that gentle nudges are better than being loud and forceful. It is evident that some problem solving works better than others. Problem solving with your child is a great way to help him/her try new avenues to finding solutions without too much frustration.

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Book Review - Born Free: Bear Rescue: True-Life Stories

About the Book
Discover the stories of wild animals around the world that have been saved from a lifetime of cruelty and suffering.

The Born Free Foundation's mission is to protect many different species in their natural habitats, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together peacefully. In this book, children will meet Mollie, Georgia, and Louisa, three bear cubs stranded by terrible floods. Now, it's up to Born Free to face raging flood waters in order to save them! Parents will be intrigued by these books as they recall the movie Born Free and the story of Elsa, the orphaned lion cub brought up by Joy and George Adamson (portrayed by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna in the movie and the founders of the Born Free Foundation) and released back into the wild. Children will be inspired as they read how Born Free comes to the rescue even as they learn about life, compassion, and making the world a better place.




My Take on the Book
Here is another wonderful nonfiction story about the efforts of humans to rescue wild animals and allow them to enjoy a healthy and happy life. Three baby bears, Mollie, Georgia, and Louisa were orphaned in the Republic of Georgia (near Russia). There are challenges for the humans as they try to feed them and help the animals acquire the needed weight to be transported to an animal preserve in Greece. Another challenge was introducing the animals to each other so they could live in the same area. With patience the bears are living with fresh food , water, and safety in their new home. The reader will enjoy not only the story, but beautiful photographs of the bears , and facts about bears. Thanks for the Born Free Foundation and other animal groups, these bears and other animals are given another chance to live in an open environment safely.


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Book Review - Playful Painting: Pets: More than 20 fun and clever painting projects for animal lovers

About the Book
From an affectionate French Bulldog and astute Boxer to a sassy tabby cat, if you love animals and art, then your tail will be wagging with each of our easy-to-learn lessons and the humor that goes with them. You’ll be an expert in gouache, pencil, and ink in no time!

Playful Painting: Pets is the first title in Walter Foster’s new compact and portable Playful Painting series, and it is aimed at artists, doodlers, and painting enthusiasts. There has never been a better time to learn to paint and illustrate whimsical portraits of your pets and favorite animals! Startup is easy, with minimal tools and materials required.

You’ll be inspired to create when you see our gallery of dozens of cute cat and dog breeds (plus mixes!) as well as birds, pigs, rabbits, and other favorites. Then, when you’re ready, dive into exclusive bonus content to see how to use finished artwork in fresh and clever ways.

Artist Faye Moorhouse illustrates this book in her signature friendly, quirky style. Not an artist? Playful Painting: Pets is a perfect gift for the animal lover in your life and a must-have for anyone who’s shared their life and living space with furry or feathered friends.

My Take on the Book
If you love to paint and love pets you will love this easy to follow book that will walk you step by step through what you need to do to prepare yourself to create some amazing images. My daughters love to paint and what they loved here is that it really does walk you through the steps you need to follow and even works you through blending techniques and more. This is a thorough book that really delivers quality images in the end!

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Book Review - Kawaii Doodle Class: Sketching Super-Cute Tacos, Sushi, Clouds, Flowers, Monsters, Cosmetics, and More

About the Book
The Japanese word kawaii translates to "cute," and this how-to book is chock-full of super-adorable images of tacos, sushi, smoothies, clouds, rainbows, cacti, doodle monsters, Christmas trees, lipsticks, teacups, and more for your adoration.

Popular kawaii artist Zainab Khan shows you how to draw 75 super-cute characters with simple step-by-step illustrations and instructions. She has also included fun search-and-find images and inspiration boards that show you how to give your characters different facial expressions and zany accessories.

Thanks to this crash course in Kawaii Doodle Class, soon you will be enhancing your notebooks, stationery, artwork, and more with your own unique kawaii world!



My Take on the Book
With this great book you can create some very fun images that are very cute! If you love to draw you will love to draw these cute images too. My daughter loves to draw and these images were ones that she did not want to stop drawing once she started. Get ready to have a blast with this great book!

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