by Carolyn | Adventure, Bible, Biography, Biography, Boys, Character Training, Education, Historical Fiction, Middle-grade, Nonfiction
I’ve been anticipating this illustrated juvenile biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer for over a year! The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix is a work of art. Hendrix challenges readers in their own view of responsibility,...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Character Training, Education, Parenting, Picture Books, Preschool, Read Alouds, Recommendations, Resources
My husband is a pediatrician, so it’s no surprise that he asked me to come up with a list of picture books to help little kids deal with big emotions. I found some great ones that may help your kids learn how to process their feelings better. (And thanks to...
by Carolyn | Boys, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Recommendations
You may have noticed the nod to Pinocchio in the title of The Real Boy. But Anne Ursu’s book isn’t a retelling. She takes elements and themes from the story of that wooden boy and weaves them into a fantastic tapestry that speaks to very real issues. The...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Books about Books, Picture Books, Read Alouds
Picture books about books may be a little meta, but they’re also a whole lot of fun. Hopefully these books will inspire your kids to pull a few more books off the self for reading time. Books About Books The Good Little Book by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by...
by Carolyn | For fun, Free, Parenting, Reading, Recommendations, Resources
It’s time to think about summer reading programs 2018! I always get excited about summer reading programs, especially when the rewards are more books! We all want to avoid the summer slump, but remember, our goal is to get your kids excited about reading. If...
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...
