A Whimsical Retelling of the Christmas Story

I recently read The Christmas Promise with my granddaughter, and it was a delightful experience. This charming picture book retells the Christmas story in a way that captures young hearts and minds, emphasizing how God kept His promise to send a new King—one who would rescue His people and reign forever. Alison Mitchell’s writing style is simple and engaging, making it perfect for children aged 3 to 6, while the vivid illustrations by Catalina Echeverri bring the story to life. As fans of the “Tales that Tell the Truth Series,” we found this book to be another excellent addition. The series consistently provides faithful, Bible-centered storytelling paired with artwork that […]

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Stepping into the Spotlight: A Review of Emily Was So Embarrassed

While she was staying with us over the weekend, my granddaughter and I dove into Michelle Olson’s charming tale about Emily, a little girl with a secret talent for ribbon dancing. However, Emily’s biggest challenge isn’t her dance moves; it’s her fear of performing in front of others. She worries about making mistakes and being laughed at, preferring the safety of her room where no eyes are on her. The illustrations in this book are just as engaging as the story, filled with cute and expressive drawings that perfectly capture Emily’s emotions—from her joyful twirls in solitude to her anxious expressions at the thought of public performance. My granddaughter adored […]

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To Mimi’s House We Go

I recently shared To Mimi’s House We Go with my eight-year-old granddaughter, hoping for a delightful read-aloud experience. This book, written by Susan Meissner, pairs rhyming text with illustrations aimed at capturing young imaginations. She thought it was fun that the book title uses my grandma name, but she found the pictures and rhymes to be just okay, suggesting that the content might not have fully resonated with someone her age; perhaps it’s better suited for younger kids. From my perspective, the book has a nostalgic, sweet vibe that I appreciated. I liked how Susan shared what Christmas looks like in different climates and cultures. However, reading it on a […]

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Our Take on Indescribable Atlas Adventures

I recently read Indescribable Atlas Adventures with my grandkids, who are smack in the book’s target range (ages 5–10). While I found the atlas charming and packed with potential, it didn’t quite hit the mark with our little explorers. The kids perked up for the animal sections—who wouldn’t love learning about the Amazon or the Arctic? But when it came to the country overviews and cultural details, they lost interest fast. I don’t blame them; the information felt more like a lecture than a lively adventure. My daughter, who homeschools them, agreed. While the concept is great, the execution lacked the pizzazz needed to captivate curious young minds. That said, […]

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Peanut Butter Chaos: A Whimsical Recipe for Laughs

Picture this: you’re starving. What better fix than a peanut butter sandwich? That’s when How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich in 17 Easy Steps arrives, accordion in hand, turning your snack craving into a woodland adventure. This isn’t your typical how-to guide. It’s a laugh-out-loud, over-the-top journey featuring a donkey in clogs stomping peanuts, an accordion-playing raccoon, and synchronized squirrels spreading peanut butter with a knife carved by a beaver. And, of course, there’s a skunk adding its own flair. For kids aged 4-7, including four of my grandkids, this book is perfect for giggles. The steps are hilariously absurd, and the story emphasizes teamwork and accepting differences. Each […]

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A Sweet Lesson in Appreciation for Young Readers

We Are All Flowers by Orlaith O’Sullivan introduces kids to the gentle art of “flower-watering,” a mindfulness practice rooted in Zen teachings that encourages appreciating the good qualities in others and ourselves. With its rhyming text and whimsical illustrations, the book delivers a lovely message about kindness, self-esteem, and connection. The concept of “flower-watering” is beautiful—showing children how recognizing others’ strengths can brighten everyone’s day, while also encouraging self-reflection and self-care. The mindfulness tie-in makes it an enriching read, especially for families exploring emotional intelligence or Zen practices. However, the rhyming meter felt awkward, making it tricky to read aloud smoothly. When I shared the book with my grandchildren, I […]

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Chemistry Made Fun for Little Ones

Who knew chemistry could be so charming? My First Science Textbook: Protons and Neutrons introduces kids to the building blocks of the universe in a fun and engaging way. This award-winning picture book brings science to life through Pete the Proton, Ned the Neutron, and Ellie the Electron, turning complex ideas into a delightful story of friendship. The book’s rhyming sentences and vibrant illustrations captivated my grandchildren, ages 8 and 10, but they didn’t understand all the concepts, even though the target age range is 2-7. The bilingual English and Spanish format was a brilliant touch, making it accessible to even more young readers. While my science-teacher husband pointed out […]

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Picture Book Review: Women in Medicine

Women in Medicine, the fifth book in the “Science Wide Open” series, introduces young readers to the incredible contributions of women in the medical field, including Dr. Helen Taussig, Dr. Gerty Cori, and Florence Nightingale. The book’s premise is engaging—a curious young girl asks questions that spark a journey through several careers in medicine. It aims to inspire kids, especially girls, to explore science. The vibrant illustrations by Danielle Pioli are a highlight. They bring the concepts to life and make the historical and medical details accessible. However, medicine is a vast field, and while the author touches on a range of topics—from surgery to disease treatment—the breadth ends up […]

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Beautiful Illustrations, Misaligned Audience

As the grandmother of six (4 of whom are in the target age group), I can’t give this book a glowing review. Read on to see why. Alphabet Rockers’ takes their song of the same name and transforms it into a book, showcasing diverse kids sharing their experiences with exclusion, misunderstanding, and the need to speak up. The narrators, a mix of races, genders, and abilities, tell their stories in a series of vignettes, encouraging readers to listen and amplify voices of protest and support. The book opens with a Black child expressing fears about safety and inviting readers to understand their perspective. Other stories follow, including a South Asian child […]

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