Tag Archives: children’s books

Children’s Corner — Love You, Little Peanut

26 May

Love You, Little Peanut is a heartwarming padded board book about the deep bond between a parent, grandparent, or any loved one and their little one. The sweet rhymes and adorable illustrations help show all the wonderful moments shared with a child, reminding even the youngest readers how special they are and how much they are loved.

Little hands can comfortably hold this durable board book, and little fingers can point out pictures and follow along with the easy-to-read text. 

The adventures we’ll have

each day as you grow

just wait, Little Peanut —

there’s so much to know.

Whether you’re reading out loud, reading together, or being read to, Love You, Little Peanut will help you snuggle and hug your way through one cherished story time after another.

Annette Brashler Bourland has been writing books, poems, cards, cartoons, and jingles ever since she can remember. With more than 25 years in the publishing world, Annette has a love for creating entertaining, great content for children. She earned degrees in English and Business Administration from Hope College, and an MBA from the University of Colorado. Annette lives in Michigan with her husband and son, and runs her own publishing consultant business.

Website: http://www.bourlandstrategicadvisors.com

Instagram: annette.bourland

My Impressions:

My little granddaughter loves to be read to. I am so pleased that I will be able to share Love You, Little Peanut with her. The rhyming text talks about the love for a small child and the adventures that life together (whether with a grandparent or parent) will bring. I loved that each page features different animal pairs, adult and child — skunks, alligators, elephants, etc. — exploring the world. The pictures are detailed and boldly colored capturing a child’s attention as they listen to the narrative. And while Vivian loves to be read to, she also likes to look at her books independently. This sturdy board book will stand up to her perusal. 😉

A fun book to share with your little one, Love You, Little Peanut is recommended for your family library.

Recommended.

Audience: toddlers – preschoolers.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Children’s Corner — Pugtato, Let’s Be Best Spuddies

21 Apr

Pugtato is back in a new board book that will appeal to the littlest of readers. Pugtato, Let’s Be Best Spuddies is as cute as the first book in the series with all the vegetable critters showing how to be friends. My granddaughter loved the original Pugtato book, but let’s be honest, at 16 months old she is a bit rough on standard children’s books. Besides engaging her with colorful illustrations and easy to understand text, she can throw it, stand on it, and chew on it to her heart’s content! I know this book will become a favorite. I can’t wait to give it to her!

Recommended!

Audience: toddlers to preschoolers

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

What does it mean to be a best spuddy? Spend the day with Pugtato and his very best spuddies and find out! A best spuddy likes to play and listen, share, and give a helping hand. Spend time with Pugtato and his very best spuddies as they show us exactly how to be a best spuddy too.

Pugtato, Let’s Be Best Spuddies:

  • Features adorable and silly illustrations by Sophie Corrigan
  • Shows the youngest readers ages 0-4 how to be a good friend
  • Written in delightful, giggle-inducing rhyming text
  • Is great for discussions and story times focusing on friendship, sharing and helping others

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Children’s Corner — Near

25 Mar

I am excited to share a wonderfully engaging children’s board book based on Psalm 139. With Sally Lloyd-Jones‘ verse and Jago’s illustrations, Near is sure to become a favorite in your family.

From Sally Lloyd-Jones, the author of the bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, comes an uplifting new board book in a soft padded format that is a perfect fit for little hands. Inspired by Psalm 139—which begins, “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me” — Near’s lyrical text reminds little ones that God is with them anywhere they go in God’s wide world.

God is my Father who made everything.

And I am a little explorer of the wide world.

He is near me

And he protects me.

He sees me

And he knows me.

He is strong

And he looks after me.

He is with me—always!

Sally Lloyd-Jones is a Brit who came to the US in 1989 “just for a year.” She’s still here.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, raised in East, and West Africa and at a boarding school in the New Forest, the first book she ever remembers reading all the way through was THE COMPLETE NONSENSE by Edward Lear. Things have not been the same since.

She lives in Manhattan and enjoys dividing her time between the front half of her apartment and the back.

http://www.sallylloyd-jones.com

My Impressions:

I loved Near by Sally Lloyd-Jones. The author takes the beloved Psalm 139 and presents it in a way that even the littlest of readers can understand. The verse shows God as creator, provider, and sustainer in all situations and in all places. The accompanying illustrations by Jago are wonderful. Not only are they vivid, but they help a child visualize what the Psalm means to them. I am looking forward to sharing this one with my granddaughter! Highly recommended!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: preschoolers

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Top 10 Tuesday — Love is In The Title!

9 Feb

Happy Tuesday! This week I am featuring books — some I have read, others on the TBR list — that have LOVE in the title. They run the gamut of genres but all feature love in some form or fashion. There are books for your reading list and books for your kids. Check them out — there’s still time to get them before Valentine’s Day! 😉

For more LOVE-ly books, head over to That Artsy Reader Girl.

 

 

Top Books with Love in The Title

 

For The Love of Joy by Janet Ferguson

The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck

The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

Love of The Summerfields by Nancy Moser

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

To Love A Prince by Rachel Hauck

The Trouble with Love by Toni Shiloh

 

God Loves You, Little Peanut by Annette Brashler Bourland

Little Sweet Pea, God Loves You by Kit Chase

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

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Top 10 Tuesday — Books Popular The Year I Was Born

2 Feb

I unintentionally tweaked this week’s Top 10 Tuesday. I checked this week’s challenge before doing research and inadvertently settled on books that were published or were bestsellers the year I was born and that I read at least a few years later 😉 . I will own up to my age by saying that 1960 seems to have been a good year for books! I have included children’s, as well as adult fiction, because I have been an avid reader from the get-go. In a world that is all about the next shiny thing, it is great to see many books that have stood the test of time — at least 60+ years of it.

 

Do you read books from days gone by?

 

For more books through the ages, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

 

Top Books from 1960

Hawaii was the year’s New York Times number one bestseller. I think this was the first book I ever read by Michener. He was a favorite of mine throughout high school.

The saga of a land from the time when the volcanic islands rose out of the sea to the decade in which they become the 50th state. Michener uses individuals’ experiences to symbolize the struggle of the various races to establish themselves in the islands.

 

Here are other favorites published in 1960

 

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

Green Eggs And Ham by Dr. Seuss

 

The Clue in The Old Stagecoach by Carolyn Keene

The Island of The Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

 

Exodus by Leon Uris

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

 

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Children’s Corner — God Loves You, Little Peanut

2 Dec

Aww, what a sweet, sweet story for a newborn and his or her parents! I loved the message of love in God Loves You, Little Peanut.

God Loves You, Little Peanut is a heartwarming premium picture book about the deep bond between a parent, grandparent, or any loved one and their little one. From playtime to bedtime, silly time to cuddle time — the sweet rhymes and adorable illustrations show many different wonderful moments shared with a child, reminding boys and girls how special they are and how much they are loved.

Little Peanut there’s so much to know.
At night we’ll share stories or maybe tall tales
of giants and lizards and huge talking whales.

God Loves You, Little Peanut!

Annette Brashler Bourland has been writing books, poems, cards, cartoons, and jingles ever since she can remember. With more than 25 years in the publishing world, Annette has a love for creating entertaining, great content for children. She earned degrees in English and Business Administration from Hope College, and an MBA from the University of Colorado. Annette lives in Michigan with her husband and son, and runs her own publishing consultant business.

Website: http://www.bourlandstrategicadvisors.com

Instagram: annette.bourland

 

My Impressions:

What a sweet, sweet story! I have to admit that God Loves You, Little Peanut brought a couple of tears to my eyes as I imagined reading it to my granddaughter. The message of love for a child — both of his or her earthly parents and God — is told in rhyming verse with charming illustrations. The story tells of all the special, yet everyday moments in a child’s life. As I was reading the book, I kept thinking that my son and daughter-in-love just had to have this book! Perfect for a newborn’s library, this book will be cherished for years. I can’t wait to share this book when my son’s family visits in a couple of weeks.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

 

 

 

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Children’s Corner — Two Books to Delight Your Toddler

25 Nov

I have two board books to share with you today — Fun Fall Day and Sleepy Time Colors. The pages of both books feature a surprise. Textures and colors teach and entertain your child. All the details are below.

 

Fun Fall Day by Tara Knudson

Fun Fall Day is a sensory celebration of the season for little ones. Young children can scratch a leaf, feel a smooth pumpkin, and brush a horse’s coat in this colorful touch and feel board book.

Parents, grandparents, and anyone else with little loved ones in their lives will be kicking up some leaves and some laughs this autumn every time they read Fun Fall Day. The magic and splendor of fall comes to life at the harvest fair, where there’s a petting zoo, corn maze, pumpkin patch, and plenty of treats for everyone!

It’s a celebration of the unique sights and sounds of fall through adorable and engaging illustrations, simple and playful rhymes, and touch and feel elements on every page of Fun Fall Day.

 

My Impressions:

I read this book to my grandbaby when my son’s family came to visit. At eleven months of age, her curiosity of the world around her knows no bounds! She loved feeling all of the textures each page features. The bright colors are engaging, and this sturdy book took all of her abuse, including chewing the corners. LOL! And children a little older than my grandchild will enjoy finding all their favorites of the Fall season. Fun Fall Day is a good book to introduce to the smallest of readers.

Recommended.

Audience: toddlers. 

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

Sleepy Time Colors by Deb Gruelle

If you’re looking for that one colorful and cozy book your little one wants to read before bedtime again and again … you’ve found it! A follow-up to the bestselling Ten Little Night Stars, snuggle your little one in their favorite jammies as they lift the flaps to learn their colors alongside cuddly animal friends in this bedtime board book.

Sleepy Time Colors:

    • Is an early learning concept book of colors in a playful format that includes sleepy-eyed, bedtime rhymes and an interactive lift-the-flap element that’s perfect for little ones age 0 to 4
    • Is written by Deb Gruelle, the author of bestselling Ten Little Night Stars, with over 100,000 units sold
    • Is the perfect gift for birthdays, baby showers, adoption parties, Valentine’s Day, Easter baskets, stocking stuffers, and holiday gifting
    • Deb Gruelle is the great-great-grandniece of Johnny Gruelle, creator of Raggedy Ann and AndyTeach your child colors as you read these playful, sleepy time rhymes together. Utilizing calm, play-based learning,‎ your child will love to lift the flaps to reveal all the different colors while they gain fine motor skills and learn basic concepts.

       

My Impressions:

Sleepy Time Colors is a great book for bed time reading. Each page introduces a little one getting ready for bed. The focus is on colors as each rhyming verse introduces the pajamas that the animals are donning for night. A color is hidden behind a flap — what fun to discover their favorite colors. While my grandchild is a bit young for this book’s color concepts, its bright colors and rhyming text will engage her. And its sturdy board book format will withstand all of her exploration 😉 . I look forward to reading this to her in the near future.

Recommended.

Audience: Toddlers.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Children’s Corner — Grandma Snuggles

19 Aug

Grandma, this one’s especially for you! Cuddle your grandchildren close with this adorable book. Written by bestselling author Glenys Nellist, this board book celebrates the loving relationship between a grandma and her little ones with sweet animal rhymes and charming illustrations.

Grandma Snuggles is an engaging, board book that celebrates the love between a grandma and her little ones. Whether it’s Grandma Mouse who shares her cheese or Grandma Duck who splashes in the lake, this book shows special cuddles and love, relaying a message that all grandmas are special in their own ways.

So, hop, skip, and run with Grandma Rabbit and roll into a ball with Grandma Hedgehog. Most of all, celebrate Grandma who’s as sweet as pie!

Through the fields and gardens,
We hop, and skip, and run.
God made the world’s best Grandma —
She’s really lots of fun.

Glenys Nellist was born and raised in a little village in northern England. The author of multiple children’s books, including the bestselling ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas, The Wonder That is You, and the popular series Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time, her writing reflects a deep passion for helping children discover joy in the world. Glenys lives in Michigan with her husband, David.

 

My Impressions:

I cannot wait to share Grandma Snuggles with my grand baby! The perfect choice for grandma/mimi/nanna time, this book features rhyming verse about a variety of grandma and grandchild relationships. Besides showing the animals in their unique habitats, the book reinforces the wonderful bond within extended families. The illustrations are cute and will keep your child interested as you turn the pages. In fact, talking about each animal will lengthen the fun read together time. This beefy board book will become a favorite.

Recommended.

Audience: babies to Pre-K

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

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Book Review: Pugtato Finds A Thing

5 Aug

Enchanting illustrations. Giggle-inducing text. Unique and loveable characters. Join Pugtato and his cute and quirky pack of pals in this heartwarming picture book that celebrates the power of friendship, compassion, and believing in your own unique gifts. 

When Pugtato’s simple, quiet life is disrupted after he digs up a strange object in his garden, he enlists his best “spuddies” to help (they are more clever than he is, after all). Tweetroot is certain it’s a new egg for her nest. Tomatoad is quite sure it’s a toy just for him. And Purrsnip simply won’t stop scratching it! Luckily, Pugtato has another very special spuddy to ask . . . .

Sophie Corrigan is a freelance illustrator and authour from Lancashire, UK. She graduated from University of Central Lancashire in 2013 with a first class degree in Illustration, and recieved a Distinction in her Masters degree in Children’s Book Illustration from the same university. In 2017, her children’s picture book I’m a Little Monkey was Highly Commended in the Macmillan Prize for Children’s Book Illustration, and she has since worked with publishers such as Bloomsbury, Chronicle Books and Wicked Cow.

Sophie has produced illustration work for Hallmark Cards, Papier, Moonpig, Ohh Deer, Jellycat and Boomf, and her work has been stocked by John Lewis, Paperchase, Urban Outfitters, Sainsbury’s, Clinton Cards, Hot Topic, Topshop, Tesco, The Range, Ryman Stationery, Calendar Club, SOMA Gallery, Yard Gallery, ASOS and the RSPCA shop.

When not illustrating and maintaining her online art shops, Sophie spends the spare time she has going to shows, watching nature programmes, eating vegtarian food, hanging out with her pet cockatiels, and occasionally crafting cute things from wool and clay.

 

My Impressions:

Pugtato Finds A Thing is a quirky and cute book — a delight for kids of all ages. The rhyming story follows Pugato, a charming character that is part pug dog and potato, as he searches for the answer to the mysterious thing he has dug from his garden. He asks all his friends, including Purrsnip, Colliflower, and Croccoli, to help him puzzle out what he has found. I thought the combination of vegetables and animals was very original, and I can’t help but imagine a child’s eager turning of the pages to discover what fantastical creature awaits them and probably coming up with combos of their own! The whimsical illustrations complete the fun. Each character’s individuality is emphasized, and in the end Pugtato discovers the key to who his newest friend is. I have a young niece who is going to love this book. Cannot wait to share it with her.

Recommended.

Audience: preschoolers to young elementary-aged children.

(Thanks to Zonderkids for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

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Children’s Corner: Honesty Counts

23 Jul

In The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts the Bear family is headed out for the annual cub campout and are especially excited about the canoe race down Rapid River. Who will win the big race and ribbons? The competition between Brother and Sister’s team and Too-Tall’s gang is fierce. But when Too-Tall and his gang decide that winning is the most important thing — even more important than telling the truth — Preacher Brown makes sure the cubs remember just how important honesty is!

This fun, new book in the popular Zonderkidz Living Lights series — beloved by parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren alike — will earn a quick spot on your child’s bookshelf. But not for long! Your child will want to read along with you again and again as the kid-friendly text and easy-to-read, easy-to-remember Scripture verses teach valuable life lessons, encourage discussion, and take you down memory lane with each subsequent reading.

Parents and grandparents looking for a Bible-based, read aloud story that encourages faith in Jesus and instills a love of reading in their children and grandchildren need look no further than the newest book in the Living Lights series — The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts.

 

My Impressions:

If you are looking for a book that will allow your kids to keep up with their reading skills during this long break from school and learn a valuable lesson, then The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts is a great choice. As always the Berenstain Bears look for the right ways to do things, and honesty, even when there may be a shortcut available, is the focus of this book. I found the vocabulary challenging enough to polish skills, while the story engages the reader. Scripture to back up the moral to the story is naturally inserted into the narrative. Whether you use this book as a family read-along or as a means to encourage reading in an early reader, Honesty Counts is a winner!

Recommended.

Audience: early elementary ages.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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