Review and Giveaway: When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang

Publisher: Orchard Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: July 18th, 2023
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Google Books | Kobo | Scholastic
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Blurb from goodreads:

From the PW Flying Starts creative force, Gracey Zhang, comes a touching and beautiful story about community, finding your own voice, doing what you love the most, and expressing your passion with FORTE!

Rubin loves the beautiful sounds that are played by the orchestra. He wants to learn to play the violin and make his own music. But when Rubin plays, it doesn't sound like he imagines it should. Rubin goes into the forest to practice alone and despite only getting the violin to screech, he finds an unlikely audience that loves his unique style.

In another inspiring and lyrical picture book that deftly dives into the psyche and heart of a child's viewpoint and experience, the creator of Lala's Words , Gracey Zhang, offers confidence to everyone who longs to master something that can be difficult and shows that there is only one way to do something that is to do it your own special way. This is the next book from one of today's most gifted young creators. Zhang is a Publishers Weekly 's Spring 2021 Children's Flying Starts creator and her debut, Lala's Words , was the 2022 EJK Award Winner.

"Little Lala helps the weeds in the vacant lot blossom into full, gorgeous plants just by talking to them and showing them a little love. This picture book is breathtaking, and Zhang’s use of color really helps the story come alive. It’s like a modern inverse of The Giving Tree .” -- Paul Swydan, The Silver Unicorn Bookstore

Review & Giveaway: A is for Ambitious by Meena Harris, Illustrated by Marissa Valdez

Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: pr firm in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 20, 2023
Buying Links: Amazon*  | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books 
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Blurb from goodreads:

The awesome, bold, charming, and decidedly ambitious new picture book by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ambitious Girl, Meena Harris, is also a must-have ABC book.

The #1 bestselling team behind Ambitious Girl is back to take AG on a new adventure. A is for ambitious—and so much more in this fun and empowering picture book that reclaims words often used to undermine girls and women from A to Z. When they're ready to take on the world, ambitious readers will have the vocabulary to do so.

This book offers ambitious children everywhere inspiration as they pursue their goals and dreams. With a powerful message for us all, this is a perfect read aloud for showing children the power of words.

Review & Giveaway: ROTO AND ROY: HELICOPTER HEROES by Sherri Duskey Rinker & Illustrated by Don Tate

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: pr firm in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: February 1, 2022
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | BookShop .org |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Meet Roto and Roy, helicopter heroes!

When a dangerous forest fire burns out of control, helicopter Roto and pilot Roy are ready to fly to the rescue! They're braver than brave, tougher than tough, and nothing will stop this firefighting crew from completing their mission.

From Sherri Duskey Rinker, bestselling author of the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series, and award-winning illustrator Don Tate, this action-packed series starter will have kids cheering for two awesome new heroes—and imagining how they might save the day themselves!

Review: How to Hear the Universe by Patricia Valdez, Illustrated by Sara Palacios

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 8th, 2022
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Discover new realms of outer space in this picture book biography of scientist Gabriela Gonzalez, who immigrated to America and became a ground-breaking scientist. Written by a molecular biologist and illustrated by an award-winning artist, this stunning picture book explores science, space, and history.

In 1916, Albert Einstein had a theory. He thought that somewhere out in the universe, there were collisions in space. These collisions could cause little sound waves in the fabric of space-time that might carry many secrets of the distant universe. But it was only a theory. He could not prove it in his lifetime.

Many years later, an immigrant scientist named Gabriela Gonzalez asked the same questions. Armed with modern technology, she joined a team of physicists who set out to prove Einstein's theory. At first, there was nothing. But then... they heard a sound. Gabriela and her team examined, and measured, and re-measured until they were sure.

Completing the work that Albert Einstein had begun 100 years earlier, Gonzalez broke ground for new space-time research. In a fascinating picture book that covers 100 years, 2 pioneering scientists, and 1 trailblazing discovery, Patricia Valdez sheds light on a little known but extraordinary story.

Review: Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan, Illustrated by J.T. Morrow

Series: Llama Llama
Read As A Stand Alone: Yes
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 31st, 2022
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

A Netflix Original series

With over 30 million copies in print, Anna Dewdney's New York Times bestselling Llama Llama books have provided hours of comfort and fun-to-read-aloud rhyme.

Summer days are getting shorter and it's almost time for the first day of school for Llama! But Llama Llama isn't ready for summertime to end. It's been full of backyard camping, family picnics, and ice cream with friends. All he wants is for summer to go on forever! He's anxious about his first day back at school but maybe, with some help from his friends and Mama Llama, going back to school will be fun after all!

Review: Most Perfect You by Jazmyn Simon, Illustrated by Tamisha Anthony

Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 31st, 2022
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Jazmyn Simon's debut is a moving love letter to children struggling to accept themselves inside and out--exactly as they are. This gorgeous picture book was inspired by a conversation between the author and her daughter.

I was shown all the smiles in the entire world. I looked at all of the many bright smiles until I found my favorite: your smile.

After comparing herself to other little girls, Irie confides in her mama that she feels something is wrong with her, that she's not perfect as she is. And so Irie's mama tells the magical story of how Irie was intentionally and wonderfully made. In fact, Irie is made up of all her mother's favorite things: sparkling eyes, a bright smile, and a kind heart.

Actor and activist Jazmyn Simon's tender picture book emphasizes the unique beauty and strength of all children, encouraging them to love their most perfect selves.

Elizabeth L. Reviews I Am!: Affirmations for Resilience by Bela Barbosa, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez

Publisher: Rise X Penguin Workshop
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: October 6th, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | 

Google Books | Kobo |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

A stunningly illustrated guide to simple affirmations for young children, building self-esteem and confidence.

When you feel nervous, And you are ready to move on, Put your hands on your belly, take a breath, and say:

I Am Brave!

This brightly hand-lettered board book empowers young readers to lift themselves up! Ten relatable emotions are each followed by a centering exercise and a positive affirmation to be recited, as a practice in mindfulness. Young readers are encouraged to find their inner strength by recognizing and addressing their emotions, instilling a sense of power and self-confidence.

Bea Reviews Always Together at Christmas by Sara Sargent & Illustrated by Mark Chambers

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: Nov. 3rd, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon*  | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo | 

* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Help children discover the joy of Christmas 2020 with this timely picture book that affirms the special magic of the holidays even if we're physically separated from our loved ones!

Christmas will always mean love. Even if love looks a little different this year.

As families and communities come together--and stay apart--in creative ways this holiday season, bring comfort and joy to children with this story about a Christmas like no other.

Always Together at Christmas highlights different family traditions and the ways they're changing in 2020: from Santa's elves practicing social distancing to opening presents via Zoom on Christmas morning. And it even includes ideas for new quarantine-appropriate Christmas traditions!

The sweet and cozy illustrations add classic touches, making this book the perfect gift to share with family and friends from across the miles.

Bea Reviews I Feel... by DJ Corchin

Series: I Feel...Children's Book Series 

Read As A Stand Alone: Yes

Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore 

Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: August 25th, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Explore the complex world of feelings with the fun and uplifting I Feel... series!

Sometimes I feel happy.
Sometimes I feel sad.
Sometimes I feel angry and want to be bad.
So many emotions. How do I deal?
I need to remember, it's okay that I feel.

Kids experience countless emotions every day but often don't know how to recognize, express, or deal with them. I Feel... is a simple, silly book that offers a great way for kids to talk about different emotions and discover it's all right to feel them all! With fun, witty illustrations and simple, straightforward text, this book makes it easy for kids to identify their own emotions—and have fun too. 

Bea Reviews The Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James and Illustrated by Matthew Rivera

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: July 1st, 2020 according to GoodReads & NetGalley; August 7th according to Amazon. The title isn't listed on the publisher's site.
Buying Links: Amazon*  | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Lola, a young flamingo, knows that eating shrimp will make her feathers pink, but when her parents look away she tries different foods and turns a series of wild colors.

Bea Reviews The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil & Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: February 18th, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

That night, Kanzi wraps herself in the beautiful Arabic quilt her teita (grandma) in Cairo gave her and writes a poem in Arabic about the quilt. Next day her teacher sees the poem and gets the entire class excited about creating a “quilt” (a paper collage) of student names in Arabic. In the end, Kanzi’s most treasured reminder of her old home provides a pathway for acceptance in her new one.

This authentic story with beautiful illustrations includes a glossary of Arabic words and a presentation of Arabic letters with their phonetic English equivalents.

Bea Reviews Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry & Illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Publisher: Kokila
Source: Purchased
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

When mommy is away, it’s up to daddy to do his daughter’s hair in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters from former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestseller Vashti Harrison.

Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When mommy does Zuri’s hair, she feels like a superhero. But when mommy is away, it’s up to daddy to step in! And even though daddy has a lot to learn, he LOVES his Zuri. And he’ll do anything to make her—and her hair—happy.

Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair—and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.

Bea Reviews Read To Your Toddler Every Day by Lucy Brownridge & Illustrated by Chloe Giordano

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date:
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*  | iBooks* |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Science tells us that young children develop best when they are read to. In this follow-up to Read to Your Baby Every Day, soothe your toddler with retellings of traditional folk tales, fairy tales and fables from around the world paired with images of Chloe Giordano’s charming hand-embroidered illustrations on cloth.

Every tale is the perfect length to read aloud to your toddler before bedtime and carries a message of empathy, friendship and care for the world around us. Bond with your toddler and help them grow as you read to them these timeless stories:THE THREE WISHES, Scandinavia

THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER, Ancient Rome

BRER RABBIT AND THE WELL, North America

HOW THE BEAR LOST HIS TAIL, Iroquois

THE MAGIC PEAR TREE, China

WHY THE BANANAS BELONG TO THE MONKEY, Brazil

THE FISHERMAN AND THE GENIE, Syria

THE STONECUTTER, Japan

THE RAINBOW SERPENT, Indigenous Australia

THE CLEVER LITTLE TURTLE, Mexico

THE SCRUFFY DUCKLING, Denmark

THE LION AND THE THORN, Ancient Greece

ANANSI AND THE TURTLE, Caribbean

KING MIDAS, Ancient Greece

A BAG FULL OF STORIES, Cambodia

THE MICE AND THE ELEPHANTS, India

SNOWFLAKE, THE SNOW CHILD, Russia

WHY CATS CHASE MICE, Nigeria

HOW THE WREN BECAME KING OF THE BIRDS, Ireland

THE FEAST, Mali

Bea Reviews No More Naps! by Chris Grabenstein & Illustrated by Leo Espinosa

Publisher: Random House
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: Feb. 4th, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

The #1 New York Times bestselling middle grade powerhouse of Lemoncello fame brings his wit and humor to a pint-sized audience in his picture book debut that turns the universal dilemma of getting kids to sleep on its head.

It’s time for a nap but, just like stubborn toddlers everywhere, Annalise Devin McFleece won’t have anything to do with bedtime. Dad tries to encourage sleepiness by pushing her around the park in her stroller. Along the way, they pass a man sitting on a bench, dog walkers walking dogs, a boy on a skateboard, kids playing ball, a girl practicing her juggling, and others. Each of them thinks that taking a nap is a great idea and if Annalise Devin McFleece doesn’t want hers, they’ll happy take it. And one by one, everyone falls asleep…except Annalise Devin McFleece. But when she’s finally ready for her nap, all the naps are taken! Is there anyone who has an extra nap to spare?

With every turn of the page, the busy city scene becomes more and more quiet…except for Annalise Devin McFleece.

Will she ever take a nap?

Bea Reviews The Buddy Bench by Patty Brozo and Illustrated by Mike Deas

Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Source: the pr firm in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: August 6th, 2019
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*  | * affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

A school playground can be a solitary place for a kid without playmates; in one survey, 80 percent of 8- to 10-year-old respondents described being lonely at some point during a school day.

Patty Brozo’s cast of kids brings a playground to raucous life, and Mike Deas’s illustrations invest their games with imaginary planes to fly, dragons to tame, and elephants to ride. And these kids match their imaginations with empathy, identifying and swooping up the lonely among them.

Buddy benches are appearing in schoolyards around the country. Introduced from Germany in 2014, the concept is simple: When a child sits on the bench, it’s a signal to other kids to ask him or her to play.

Bea Reviews I'm A Gnome! by Jessica Peill-Meininghaus and illustrated by Poly Bernatene

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: August 13th, 2019
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*  | * affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Fans of Mo Willems and Dev Petty's I Don't Want to Be a Frog will love this humorous tale about one gnome's journey to prove he is unlike the other magical creatures in the forest.

Join Gnome (that's spelled G-N-O-M-E--don't ask why the G is silent!) as he travels through the magical forest to attend the annual Gnome Festival.

Along the way he encounters elves, dwarves, trolls, and fairies. But don't be mistaken. He is NOTHING like those magical creatures. Well, maybe he is . . . but only a little bit!

When Gnome finally arrives at the festival, he realizes that all the traits he thought made gnomes different from the others actually made them alike--and that's just fine.

Bea Reviews My Tiny Pet by Jessie Hartland

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: August 6th, 2019
Recommended Age: 4+
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository  | iBooks* |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

A witty celebration of the tiny tardigrade, a microscopic creature that looks like a bear

Living in a tiny house has one huge drawback--no space for pets. So when a little girl's parents announce that it's time for the family to simplify, downsizing from a huge home in the city to a tiny house in the woods, it's quite a blow--after all, she's grown quite fond of her pet poodles, cats, tarantula, snake, hedgehogs, mice, birds, fish, octopus, rabbits, pony, pig, and turtles. Fortunately, she finds them all good homes, and she has to admit that she enjoys her new simpler life. 


There's just one thing: She still really wants just one pet. 


At first the answer is no. But using a little scientific savvy, she finds one that could be just the right fit--how could anyone turn down a pet smaller than an ant's eye that doesn't need special food or toys or walking, and will always be small enough to squeeze into their home, no matter how much they downsize?

Jessie Hartland creatively blends fantasy and science in a far-out story that bursts with exuberance. Her whimsical art celebrates one very thoughtful, persistent little girl and introduces readers to the tiny tardigrade, with its fascinating array of survival skills.

Bea Reviews The Grown-Up's Guide to Making Art with Kids by Lee Foster-Wilson

Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 21st, 2019
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*  |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Make art and memories with the special kids in your life! Packed with how-to drawing and painting projects, creative prompts, and original crafting activities, The Grown-Up’s Guide to Making Art with Kids will inspire you and your little ones to spend hours of creative fun together.

This book includes drawing and painting projects featuring popular, kid-friendly, and on-trend subjects—like dinosaurs, pets, flowers, and robots—that adults and kids can create together. Guided practice pages invite interactivity and allow children and adults to draw and paint the same subjects, side by side, for a fun-filled joint activity. The book’s artwork is colorful, approachable, and done using ordinary, easily available art tools, including markers, crayons, colored pencils, and acrylic paint.

In addition to drawing lessons, The Grown-Up’s Guide to Making Art with Kids also includes projects and ideas for using artwork created from the prompts in the book to make crafts, including a map, pop-up art, and paper dolls.

The Grown-Up’s Guide to Making Art with Kids teaches valuable drawing, painting, and crafting skills to both kids and adults; inspires creativity; and encourages family togetherness. What better way to avoid screen time than by drawing, painting, and creating together with your kids? Follow-up books in the series include The Grown-Up's Guide to Paint Pouring with Kids and The Grown-Up's Guide to Crafting with Kids, both publishing in June 2020.

Bea Reviews Up, Up, Up, Down! by Kimberly Gee

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 7th, 2019
Buying Links: Amazon*  | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository  | Google Play | Kobo | * affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Follow an energetic toddler's day with Dad that's full of opposites - up and down, make and break, yum and yuck, and more.


From his first demand to be picked up and then immediately put down, opposites pop up all day long for this energetic boy. Breakfast is no, no, no, yes! At the sandbox, it's make, make, make, break! And jumping into the pool goes from can't, can't, can't, to can!

Kimberly Gee's expressive illustrations emphasize the loving connection between a boy and his father in this clever concept book about everyday highs and lows that is sure to entertain little (and big!) members of the family.

Bea Reviews You Are Never Alone by Elin Kelsey, Illustrated by Soyeon Kim

Publisher: OwlKids Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: April 15th, 2019
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository  | Google |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

From the creators of You Are Stardust and Wild Ideas comes a new informational picture book that explores how humans are inextricably connected to nature. This book draws examples from the clouds and the cosmos, the seafloor and the surface of our skin, to show how we are never alone: we are always surrounded and supported by nature. Whether it's gravity holding us tight; our lungs breathing oxygen synthesized by plants; the countless microorganisms that build our immunity; or the whales whose waste fertilizes the plankton that feed the fish we eat: nature touches every aspect of how we live.

Using lyrical text grounded in current science alongside detailed diorama art, this book presents the idea that we thrive through connections to the land and sea and sky, and togetherness is key to nature. It encourages inquiry-based learning, inviting readers to wonder, ask questions, observe the natural world, and engage with big ideas. An author's note at the end offers more insight into the research behind the text.