children’s book

Holiday Gift Guide: Klutz Craft Sets

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Watercolor Wonders by Editors Of Klutz

Watercolor Wonders
by Editors Of Klutz (Creator)
5 out of 5 stars
I am so impressed with this cool watercolor set! As you paint, hidden designs are revealed on the page. This whole book is full of pages to watercolor! There are instructions for how to wash your paintbrushes, how to create different effects with the paint, and how to blend colors.

This is such a creative book! It really gets your imagination fired up. I love the cute designs of the coloring pages. Some are peaceful beach scenes, or funny pets, or adorable otters. There are so many to color in and get your creativity flowing!

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Book Review: Made by Hand Guitars

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Guitars by Patricia Lakin

Guitars
by Patricia Lakin
5 out of 5 stars

This book gives an overview of the history of the guitar and how it was developed over time to include different styles in different cultures, finally including the modern guitar and electric guitar. With paintings and photographs showcased in a colorful design, this book is sure to capture the attention of anyone interested in the guitar!

I like that the design has small paragraphs of text so that it is easy to read and absorb the snippets of information. As a musician, I really appreciated all the music history, the explanations about types of guitars, the nature of sounds for each instrument, and how different styles developed.

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Picture Book Review: Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

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Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost, Vivian Mineker (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars

I am in awe of how beautifully this book captures the majesty and mystery of Robert Frost’s poem. The narrator stops in the woods to reminisce about his life, and he is visited by the ghostly memories of his family and friends who have departed. They all come vividly back to him. He cherishes those memories of the people he has lost. He has one of those moments of inspiration when you realize that your journey has led you to a place of beauty and heart’s ease; all these things are explored in this lovely picture book.

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Puzzle Train Reviews: Christmas and Alphabet

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Puzzle Train Alphabet by David W. Miles

Puzzle Train Alphabet
by David W. Miles (Artist)
5 out of 5 stars
This adorable puzzle goes through all the letters of the alphabet with beautiful illustrations of animals and items that begin with each letter. The puzzle creates one long train with the alligator conductor at the front driving the engine of the train.

Each letters connects to the next one by some action taken or item shared between them. “Newt naps in the nest for Owl. Owl orders oatmeal for Pig. Pig plays piano for Quail.” I love that this gives the child a clue about which letter of the alphabet should come next, and they can find the correct puzzle piece.

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Picture Book Review: The Robin and the Fir Tree

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The Robin and the Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen

The Robin and the Fir Tree
by Hans Christian Andersen, Jason Jameson (Illustrations)
4 out of 5 stars

A fir tree hears from the robin about the wide world of men, and wishes that he could go on an adventure, but his roots keep in him in the forest. One day men with axes come to take the fir tree into town, and the fir tree is decorated for Christmas. After the Christmas festivities are over, the little robin looks for his friend and finally finds him cast aside for firewood. However the fir tree is content to have had his great adventure at last. The robin plants a pine cone from his friend, and a new little fir tree grows up in the forest.

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Activity Book: Where’s Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search

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Where's Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search by Martin Handford

Where’s Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search
by Martin Handford
5 out of 5 stars

Waldo and his friends are surrounded by hundreds of Santas in costume. There are a lot of festive activities going on as the Santas prepare for the big sleigh ride. And somewhere in the chaos of reindeer, presents, and Christmas trees, Waldo is hiding among all the red and white. However, each scene is covered by a dark screen, and you have to use the spotlight search tool, a handy cardboard wand, to “light up” the scenes.

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Picture Book Review: Good Night, Toucan

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Good Night, Toucan! by Joanne Partis

Good Night, Toucan!
by Joanne Partis
5 out of 5 stars

Toucan invites his friends over for a sleepover, but then begins to worry that his decorations and snacks aren’t special enough. He flies through the jungle looking for more fluffy bedding, more colorful decorations, and sweeter snacks. But as Toucan is bringing all the “better” things back to his tree, he is overloaded with too much weight and disaster strikes! When Toucan’s friends see his ordinary decorations and plain snacks, they don’t mind. The only thing that makes a sleepover truly special is having it with their friend Toucan!

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Picture Book Review: Violet’s Tempest

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Violet's Tempest by Ian Eagleton

Violet’s Tempest
by Ian Eagleton, Clara Anganuzzi (Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars

Violet has been cast in the part of Ariel in her class’s production of The Tempest, but Violet doesn’t feel light and airy like the fairy she is supposed to be playing. She feels heavy with sadness and worry. Her voice is a whisper, and she is petrified with stage fright. What can she do to find the courage to act in the play?

I loved that Violet’s grandmother encourages and guides her as Violet navigates this internal “tempest”. Her grandmother is so kind and patient. Violet’s uncles, who appear to be a homosexual couple, also try to encourage her.

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Picture Book Review: Mi Casa is My Home

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Mi Casa Is My Home by Laurenne Sala

Mi Casa Is My Home
by Laurenne Sala, Zara Gonzalez Hoang (Goodreads Author) (Illustrations)
4 out of 5 stars

Lucia invites the reader into her home, where she shows us the living room where she makes blanket forts, the kitchen where she helps her mother cook, the patio where she plays with her cousins, and her brother’s room and her own room where they laugh together. Lucia describes her beautiful family and all the fun things they do together!

I love the way this book explores two different cultures and how they blend together in one big crazy family. Lucia has family in Puerto Rico and in Spain, and all her cousins and aunts and grandparents come to visit. The text is mostly in English with many words and phrases in Spanish.

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