Review: The Gift Shop Bear by Phyllis Harris

The Gift Shop Bear is the right book to warm your heart just in time for the holidays.

We are introduced to a bear who loves nothing more than his friend Annie. He patiently awaits all year for when it’s time to hang out at her grandmother’s shop every Christmas. Sadly, this year her shop will close and bear doesn’t know what his future will bring. Follow along this heartwarming holiday story and experience what’s to come for this special friendship. 

Overall, the book was a wonderful read. It’s beautiful illustrations complemented with it’s sweet  story give it an inviting feel. What I love most about this book is the beauty of their genuine friendship. This is one that I’m sure you’ll read over and again. This book is 32 pages and is recommended for ages 4-7.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

Review: Dash and Nikki and The Jellybean Game by Anthony C. Delauney and illustrated by Chiara Civati

Dash and Nikki and the Jellybean Game is a colorful rhyming book that teaches children about the value of saving for the future. This book describes a simple game that any family can play with their children and gives parents a tool to discuss the importance of patience and sharing. With a rhyming format that is easy for children to read and remember, it’s easy to follow along as Dash and Nikki play the Jellybean Game, learning to be patient in their decisions and to always help one another. Sometimes a simple game can teach a lifelong lesson!

Review

What a wonderful book this was! Not only was the book inviting from it’s colorful illustrations but it offered some important lessons that the author brought to a level that was relatable and teachable. I loved how the characters were siblings because not only was it a fun game they could play together but it taught them how to help each other. Two important things that kids struggle with are being patient and sharing. This story does a great job with taking those two things and showing children the benefits of what can happen when you work together and share. This would be a wonderful introduction to show them the value in saving while playing a fun game.

This is recommended for grade level 3-4 and has 38 pages.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

Review: You Are Revolutionary by Cindy Wang Brandt

Parenting Author, Advocate and podcast host, Cindy Wang Brandt has written her first children's book, You Are Revolutionary. In this inspiring picture book she speaks to every child who sees injustice in the world, revealing they have everything they need inside themselves to make big, transformative change in the world, just as they are. Every kid is a revolutionary! You don't need to wait until you grow up. You don't even need any special skills. Kids who are loud, kids who are quiet, kids who make art, kids who are good at math, kids with lots of energy, kids who are good listeners--all kids have what it takes to make a difference. Lynnor Bontigao's vibrant illustrations feature a diverse group of children taking up a call to action and using their individual gifts to change the world.

Review

You Are Revolutionary is one of those books that I loved from the start. From that empowering young girl of the cover representing what “you” can be, this is a definite read that is relevant today. What I thought was creative and inspiring were the affirming words inside the cover pages that have meaning and call to action. This was a beautiful story that showed the importance and potential of a young voice and how despite opposition and obstacles, you can be the change you want. No matter how small the task is or where you come from, your voice and actions can make a difference. It's so important to not only show but instill that giving back and helping others is an important part of living in this world together.

Overall, the book had an empowering message that will inspire young kids to hopefully want to be proactive with making the world better. The beautiful illustrations were diverse and everyone will be able to relate with someone in the book. The suggested age range of the book is 4 -7. It has 32 pages.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Hardcover | Bookshop.org

Review: Dozers Don't Doze by Melinda Lee Rathjen and Illustrated by Gareth Williams

Fans of cars, trains, and construction vehicles will love this bedtime board book about a little bulldozer who won't go to sleep.

All kinds of vehicles take breaks, naps, and snoozes—but not bulldozers! Dozers don't need to go to bed, at least that's what the bulldozer who narrates this humorous book thinks. The self-assured dozer brags that it doesn't need sleep, but gets sleepier and sleepier as it lists all the other vehicles that do need rest: race cars make pit stops, trains stop in their tracks, tractors hit the hay, and more.

The conclusion to Dozers Don't Doze, in which the dozer ultimately dozes, will entertain little ones and please parents; the illustrations of sleepy machines may even lull children to sleep despite their own efforts to resist dozing.

Review

If your child loves all types of vehicles, then this cute board book will appeal to their senses through these beautiful illustrations. For that child who has trouble sleeping, this is a nice message to encourage children how important sleep is. Even though the narrator thinks he doesn't need to sleep, he sees things different as he talks about other vehicles and gets sleepy himself. Follow along this fun story that will hopefully be a bedtime story that they will fall straight to sleep.

This book is 24 pages and is ideal for your baby through 3 years old.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

Review: Where's My Christmas Tree? by Bob Holt

Unwrap a smile with this board book about a little penguin who discovers that the joy of Christmas and the love of friends are all they’re stacked up to be.

In Where’s My Christmas Tree? a little penguin wants nothing more than to see a Christmas tree, but where will he find one in his Antarctic home? After his exhaustive search, his friends take action to help. Bringing together the pure joy of Christmas anticipation, a simple quest, and friends who will do whatever they can to make you smile, this board book is the ticket to a bit of holiday happiness.

Review

Where's My Christmas Tree is a cute board book about a penguin who's excited about Christmas until he realizes there's no tree. With the help of some special friends and a little bit of Christmas magic, they bring the joy of Christmas with a sweet gift.

This was a fun story that had colorful illustrations and was nice to follow along. It really was the highlight for me of the book. It made it more engaging and complemented the colorful text. This will be 20 pages. The suggested age is 1-4.

Review: Kobee Manatee: Climate Change and The Great Blue Hole Hazard by Robert Scott Thayer and illustrated by Lauren Gallegos

In this adventure, we see Kobee the Manatee head off to Belize with some friends to help clean up plastic litter around his cousin's cafe. As always, the beautiful illustrations draw you into these wonderful characters that make the experience inviting and fun. Not only a fun adventure but the fun facts along the way are a great way of learning that complement with education on climate change, plastic pollution and the affect it has on the oceans inhabitants.

If you haven't checked out one of Kobee's adventures, than you are missing out. Overall, this was another wonderful addition to the collection. This is recommended for children ages 4-8.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Hardcover | Bookshop.org