by Carolyn | Classics, Cultural Diversity, Education, Fantasy, For fun, Girls, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Magical Realism, Middle School, Middle-grade, Mystery, Nature, Older Elementary, Recommendations
A real-world middle-grade fantasy built around the plot of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Yes please! Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca is a magical story about a young baker and her family. The Story Eleven-year-old Mimi Mackson is the...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Character Training, Education, Older Elementary, Parenting, Picture Books, Preschool, Read Alouds, Reading, Recommendations, Resources
I’ve got a great list of picture books about kindness and respect for others for you this week. I love when picture books can convey a message, especially when they can do so in a non-preachy and kid-relatable way. In a world increasingly polarized, where cancel...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Picture Books, Read Alouds, Recommendations
I thought National Library Week would be the perfect time to share this list of wonderful picture books about libraries with y’all. Unfortunately, we are also in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis. So, libraries are closed. On National Library Week. Boohoo! But...
by Carolyn | Animal books, Baby, Board Books, Book Lists, Character Training, Classics, Education, Newbery, Older Elementary, Picture Books, Toddler
I usually review newer picture books, but sometimes it’s good to take a look back in time. Classic picture books have a lot to offer our fast-paced society with their simple, slower pace. They can remind us to slow down, take notice, embrace imagination. These...
by Carolyn | Animal books, Chapter Books, Education, For fun, Girls, Juvenile Fiction, Nature, Older Elementary, Recommendations
As you may know, my first book, Noah Green Junior Zookeeper and the Garage Sale Pet, came out last month (March 2019). And, no, I’m not going to “review” my own book. But I would like to introduce you to it!( Let’s start with a pop quiz. Is...
by Carolyn | Audiobooks, Book Lists, Education, Imagination, Nonfiction, Older Elementary, Picture Books
If you ask my kids what sports they play, they’re likely to reply, “piano.” If music is important to your family too, you’ll want to nurture your child’s love of music with these picture books. Here are some of my favorites. Fiction...
by Carolyn | Biography, Biography, Book Lists, Education, Historical Fiction, Nonfiction, Older Elementary, Picture Books
Do you have a favorite author you’d love to introduce your kids to, but they aren’t old enough yet? Or maybe they’d love to learn more about the author of their favorite picture books books. Either way, you just might find some of your family’s...
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 | 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...
