Reading for the Love of Books

For starter’s this book is super super cute for young readers! Narwhal and Jelly are finding their inner superhero’s in there under the sea adventures. Narwhal and Jelly take on not one, not two, but three adventures. The first adventure is about Narwhal revealing his superhero alter ego to Jelly! Narwhal already has the name (Super Narwhal), an outfit (a cape), a secret identity (consisting of glasses, a mustache and the name of Clark Parker Wayne, a wealthy and eccentric trillionaire), and now with the help of Jelly Narwhal as a sidekick Jelly Jolt! All that is left to do is to figure out Narwhal’s superpowers and we know as a reader it isn’t invisibility, super strength or flying! The next adventure is Narwhal using his superhero identity to help a friend out (trying to get the star back up in the sky!) which shows that Narwhal’s superpower is being a true friend. The last adventure consists of Jelly being sad (because someone called him jelly dolt) and Narwhal swoops in to the re...

I absolutely ADORED this book, the collections of poems will move the reader through the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) each poem in the book describes the elements of what makes that season special and the beautiful illustration’s help to really transport the reader to that given season. (Ex: Spring – “ rain beat’s down, roots stretch up. They’ll meet in a flower.”) the poems may contain a few words, but they are truly the right words which creates this strong image. Each page is filled with such imaginative scenes which captures the heartfelt essence of the poetry, the poems in the book are written by well accomplished poets and are compiled by the author. The placement of each poems within the different seasons can help younger readers to understand figurative language behind many of the poems. I would absolutely give this poem book a four out of four stars! there are over thirty poems and they are very short, sweet and simple. This particular poem book is challe...

This poem book actually used to be one of my favorite’s when I was younger by Shel Silverstein! I remember constantly “skimming” it because the words at time were quite difficult and being fascinated by just the illustrations. I did that for most of Silverstien book’s, until I actually understood the concepts and could actually read! The poems in the book are about Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an exactlywatt, and the polar bear in the frigidarie, Broiled face, and so many more! The poetry book contains all manner of strange people and animals doing crazy things (how great!?). The text is super witty and at time’s comical because the poems are about people who do crazy stunts (like the baby sitter who thinks her actual job is to sit on babies, or the use of the moon-catchin net) and there are lessons to be learned like using your imagination, laughing often, and kindness. This poetry book is fantastic for getting children excited about poetry due to the illustrations ...

This book  is based on a true story about Henry Brown who is a slave to a “good” man, but the owner dies and left him to his son (Henry thought he would be set free when his master dies), so he wasn’t good enough to free his slaves upon his death. Henry has always craved freedom and all he dreams about is being free. That dream however seems to be getting further and further away especially after his own family is sold for money due to the hard times at the plantation, he is then forced to work at a warehouse. Henry never reunited with his family which seems like a driving force in his quest for freedom. Henry eventually grows up and marries his wife Nancy, she belongs to another master, but they are able to live together,  they end up having children but, Henry is once again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market when he was at work. Henry’s family disappeared once again from his life, he hand to endure this pain all over again. One day, when working he know...

This book is super cute and super informative! from the minute you open up the book you are presented with this fairly large colorful map marked with the countries you will be visiting showing how special each country is and how exciting it will be to learn about that country as a reader. The story line focuses on a boy (Narrative perspective) who visits his friends in thirteen different countries (Canada=Cara, Brazil=Fernanda, U.S=Eddie, Costa Rica=Alberto, France=Leonie, Morocco=Malak, Greece=Constantinos, Jordan=Haneen, China= Xiao, India=Meena, Botswana=Poloko, Philippines=Marilou, and Australia=Joe) As a reader you are taken on this journey around the world and learning about the food, the language, the landmarks, the cultural events, traditions, wildlife etc. For example the boy visited Costa Rica, some fact’s that were presented was “ Costa Rica is a small country in Central America with over 4.5 million people.” The boy is visiting his friend Alberto who lives on a farm near ...

Sea Shapes by Suse Macdonald is an engaging book which allows young readers to identify basic shapes that are then transformed into these beautiful under the sea creatures! (which is great to hold the readers interest.) This allows the young kiddos to see how shapes can be hidden within our environment and how we are always around them! It has a good introduction of all different types of shapes like star = starfish, circle= the eyes of the whale, semicircle= the jellyfish’s head, square, heart, triangle= the shark’s fin, hexagon etc. Young readers will definitely view the sea differently after reading this and hopefully be able to point out different shapes for different animals that they see! The book also comes with an informative glossary that includes sea facts! it’s a great combination of geometry, science, art and reading.  The illustration is super fun, super colorful (Bright and vibrant colors of the ocean and who doesn't love the ocean!?) and the book is super simple....

The Polar Express has to be one of my favorite books and of course movie! it’s simply a classic and a great picture book for all ages. The story is about a young boy who takes this magical train ride to the north pole on Christmas Eve (The young boy has his doubts about Christmas at first, his faith is not all there). As the train arrives to the north pole, the boy is picked out of the crowd by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas, the boy is given a silver bell form Santa’s sleigh and the young boy is starting to realize the magic of believing. This bell isn’t any ordinary bell, it’s a magical bell if you can hear the bell ring that means you believe in the magic of Christmas, if you can’t that means you lost the faith.  The illustrations are so beautiful and eye catching, it depicts how whimsical winter can be through the eyes of a child. The story deals with “magic” and the belief of Santa which ic great for young readers and listeners, it focuses on imagination whic...

The story is about Rubina who is invited to her very first birthday party, she rushes home from school to ask her mom, she tells her mom the birthday party will consist of games, toys, cake and ice cream! Her little sister Sana screams that she wants to go, but Rubina doesn’t want to take her. However the only way she can go is if she calls her friend and ask’s if Sana can join her.  (I think everyone has been in that position before!) They both end up going to the birthday party and Rubina is the only one who brought their little sister. Sana then demands to win every game at the party and when she falls down during musical chairs she cries. When leaving the party they are given party favors. (chocolates, candy, whistle, ruby ring and a big red lollipop) Sana eats her red lollipop on the way home in the car and Rubina saves hers for the next day. Rubina put her big red lollipop on the top shelf of the fridge to have in the morning, Rubina dreams about how good it will taste. In...

A traditional tale that I remember reading growing up is the Three Little Pigs! It’s a classic tale of three little pigs who build three houses out of three different material (1. straw, 2. sticks, 3. bricks) but, a big bad wolf comes around and huffs, and puffs and blows down the first two pigs houses which were made out of straws and sticks. The big bad wolf tries to blow down the third house but is unable to destroy it because it is made out of brick! David Wiesner’s The three pig’s is based on the traditional tale, but with a twist! as the big bad wolf goes to blow the first pig’s house down he huffs and puffs and blows the pig right out of the story into a realm of imagination, as the big bad wolf goes to blow down the second house made out of sticks the pig is also blown out of the story and into the realm of imagination with the first pig! The two pigs then go to the third pig and the three pigs take on an adventure like no other! they are able to jump in and ou...

Who doesn’t love dogs!? this book is a masterpiece filled with all kind's of dogs! it's about all kinds of dogs doing doggy things and some human things! (which is quite comical) the dogs are engaged in the high speed activities and madness like roller coasters, Ferris wheels, leaping off wooden houseboats, driving etc! I adore it when the dogs are wearing hats! it’s quite classic and of course the dog party! the book itself includes big dogs, little dogs, and different colored dogs who are doing doggy things (who knew dog's could be super busy!)  I personally think this book is a great beginner book because it is encouraging children to read all by themselves and it gives some clues (the green dog, the yellow tree) it includes simple words ( Ex: Dog, big) with simple yet fun and vibrant illustrations! it includes early learning concepts, the story is simple yet multi-layered. The words repeat and build on each other allowing the reader to gain confidence...