Children | Page 9 of 55

The Big Umbrella, a teachable moment for any age

The Big Umbrella is a book by Amy June Bates that’s co-written by her daughter Juniper Bates. It’s the simple story of a red umbrella that’s big enough for anyone. That premise-and the whole ‘big tent’ parallel that it brings up might irk some parents who don’t want their children reading anything that’s even pseudo-political. The Big Umbrella is not political. It doesn’t try to sway opinions one way or the other, nor is it presented in a way that promotes one over the other. I’s a children’s illustrated book, with lovely, soft illustrations that any kid or parent, on the right or left can agree with.

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The Play-Well LEGO birthday party for the kids built itself-and was great

We were provided with product to review. All thoughts are our own. When it comes to a child’s birthday party there are two ways to proceed, have it where you live or have it at a facility. Each option has its own pros and cons; and as hard as parents try to organize it, there will be a cost, either in time or money. For our 8 year olds birthday party we did something that involved the theme of this party, kept the party at home, was something that everyone enjoyed and didn’t have the parents flittering about to ensure that things were moving smoothly. The kids have been attending Play-Well LEGO Camps that they have in the summer for year. But, did you know that they also have the ability to do a more concise LEGO workshop and take said presentation to your home?

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Dino-Dancing is elementary school gold

If you’ve been to an elementary school library or have seen the books that your kids bring home then you’ve run across a book by Lisa Wheeler. From Dino-Baseball through Dino-Basketball and now Dino-Dancing her series of books; with illustrations from Barry Gott, illustrate anthropomorphic dinosaurs doing what kids 5 and up do, or either want to do.

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Dino-Dancing is elementary school gold

For example, Dino-Racing is a favorite of our children, but they’re still at least 10 years away from driving anything. As a parent, I love this series because it extends the life cycle of our children’s interest in dinosaurs. Our oldest lost interest in dinosaurs when he was 6, but when he was in it, he was passionate about them. He could identify most of them based on their appearance and going to any dinosaur exhibit in town was mandatory.

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Rot is contest book of a different color that kids will love

For us, Rot, The Cutest In The World, reminds us of one of our favorite children’s books. You see, Rot is a mutant potato. I didn’t know that a mutant potato was an actual named thing. My inner monologue automatically called them mutant potatoes, but never really paid them any mind. And Rot fits the description, he’s speckled, with one pupil that’s three times as large as the other one, has scraggly hair, can’t sing and is a bit socially unkempt. Lucky for him there’s a contest that will decide the cutest in the world about to start and he’s eager to enter.

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Twinkle Twinkle, Little Car is a rhyming, great good night time

First off, any aspiring children’s book authors can kick themselves for not thinking about this book’s title before now. Secondly, Twinkle Twinkle Little Car by Kat Dopirak with illustrations by Mary Peterson is as cute and engaging as one hoped its fabulous title implies. It connects all of the dots required to make an entertaining children’s picture book does it as effectively as any sales person you’ve encountered.

The classic sales adage goes, first you tell people what you’ll be selling them, and then you sell it to them. In this case, the underlying ‘need’ is for small children to go to sleep. Granted the title, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Car implies sleep; but the journey that the car goes on, as well as, that of your targeted reading audience should be far sleepier.

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Norman, The Slug with the Silly Shell review

The fish out of water concept is relatively standard in children’s book and Norman, The Slug With the Silly Shell wears that badge firmly on its back. From the sparkly bits on the doughnut that’s tied to Norman’s back whilst he’s looking back and grinning kids immediately know this is silly fun. To that end, it’s a testament to author Sue Hendra that she could make an entertaining children’s book about such a mysterious and disgusting creature.

Norman is a slug. I haven’t seen a slug since I was a child. The only thing I remember about slugs is that they’re soft, leave a trail of ooze and birds apparently like to eat them. All of these things are addressed in the book.

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Snow Beast Comes to Play, kids of all sorts do too

We love children’s books that effectively tell a story through absurd means. Giraffes Ruin Everything was one recently that had the giraffe playing part of the child who was having a bad day or couldn’t do something well. Snow Beast Comes to Play by Phil Gosier picks up that mantle in this winter themed book that teaches lessons that every kid needs to learn.

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