Genre: Children's Book

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This is a sweetly illustrated book narrated by a young boy who explains What Not to Give Your Mom on Mother's Day.   For example, he says "do not give her a bucket of big, fat worms," but qualifies that on the next page by explaining, "unless she is a bird."
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I loved how the message clearly explains that what is not good for one might be perfect for another.  The book is perfect for toddlers who can laugh at absurdities while learning life lessons.

- Beverly


​Publisher - Two Lions 
Date of Publication - April 2, 2013

Genre: Children's Book

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With Mother's Day several days away, I thought it fitting to mention two children's books that celebrate moms.  Hero Mom is a short book that features military moms in action.  It is difficult for small children to watch their parents go off to "serve their country."  That is a nebulous term that often translates into "leaving their families."  This book shows military moms in a heroic light as women of all ethnicities work in all fields to protect us every day.  It gives children something to be proud of while their mothers are serving.

- Beverly
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​Publisher - Two Lions
Date of Publication - April 2, 2013

Genre: Non-Fiction/Children's

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The topic of Affirmative Action always brings up debate, and sometimes it is difficult for us to understand the need for it.  I believe that it is important for everyone to understand the background of integration, and the best place to start is in the home.  Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation is a wonderfully written and illustrated book about a young girl who fought to integrate schools years before the famous Brown vs the Board of Education decision.

When her family moved to Westminster, California in the 1940's, Sylvia and her brother were told that they had to attend the Mexican School.  The dilapidated school was next to a cow field, with no playground and teachers who seemed unmotivated.  This children's book takes its readers through this family's fight to integrate schools.  With the help of other families and the NAACP, the Mendez family won battles and broke the ground for battles to follow. 

The story is concisely told, well translated when needed and beautifully illustrated.  Even the cover tells a story that children can relate to, and I think that this is a great addition to every youngster's library.

-Beverly

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Publisher - Abrams Books for Young Readers  
Date of Publication - ​May 6, 2014

Genre: Children's Book

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Brad Meltzer is a top author whose thriller books have mesmerized many people (myself included) through the years.  His gift to the world, however, is his wonderful "I am..." series.  Years ago, I chose the teaching profession, because I realized that when you influence the children, you change the world.  Meltzer has been having the same results with these beautifully written and illustrated books.​

I have read several of these books and enjoyed how he gave children of all color, religion and even disabilities heroes to look up to who mirrored them.  Martin Luther King Jr, Albert Einstein, Helen Keller have been written about time and again, but Meltzer writes in a way that small children can relate to, and he shows them what it takes to be a hero.  

Jim Henson has always been one of my heroes.  He showed us the world through muppet colored glasses, and young and old responded with wonder.  His muppets were silly and somewhat flawed, but they always believed.  Whether they dreamed of scientific discoveries or chocolate chip cookies, these wonderful characters believed their dreams were attainable.  

Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos in I am Jim Henson (Ordinary People Change the World) do a marvelous job introducing young people to this man who died before they were born, but whose work entertains and reaches them every day.  Henson's childhood shows where he might have picked up his sense of humor.  The picture of his mom pouring milk all over the table because young Jim said "that's enough" instead of "when" as she was pouring milk into his morning cereal shows the reader the sillier side to growing up in the Henson household.

Eliopoulos' illustrations are recognizable and funny, as he portrays people and muppets to go along with Meltzer's descriptions of a life well spent.  I imagine Henson would have loved the portrayal of a young Jim with a thick Henson-like beard.  Meltzer's facts always seem to be on point, and young people will quickly understand that Henson was a dreamer who wanted to share his dreams with them.

- Beverly


Publisher - Dial Books
Date of Publication - January 10, 2017

Genre: Children's Book

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This children's book, about growing up and facts of life ages 2-8, is beautifully written and illustrated, and it is a great teaching tool for parents.  The third in the Hilly series, it discusses (in poetic form) this young girl expressing various emotions as she goes through her day.  After each emotion there is a stanza explaining how it is perfectly fine to show our emotions.

Hilly experiences things that all children experience (embarrassment over dropping an ice cream cone or disappointment when inclement weather interferes with fun plans) and handles her emotions well. This book is easy enough for a young child to understand, and there is a page in the back for parents who need help in relating this to their children's lives.  

As a fan of books that children can enjoy while learning a lesson, a am happy to recommend this book to parents and grandparents as a great gift for young children.

- Beverly


Publisher - Healing Publishing House 
Date of Publication - April 3, 2016

​Genre: Children's

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I am not sure how to go about reviewing this book.  I am not sure Zombies should be on every little child's reading list, but Knuth and Dasgupta do a great job bringing the Moore family of Zombies to life for young readers in Moore Zombies: Happy Kamper.  Perhaps it is a perfect lesson in everyone being the same no matter how different appearances may be.  This is the only book I have read in the series, and I found it captivating in its simplicity.

These Zombies live a normal type of life as they go camping, eat popcorn, catch fireflies and roast marshmallows for "some moores."  Young readers can relate to this family of zombies, and that in itself is a vital lesson.  After all, who wouldn't want a camping trip, complete with a hooting owl? The book has a little bit of shared knowledge, but I must say I was expecting a bit more.  

There are pictures to be looked at and charming stories to be told in this children's book, and I am glad that I gave the Zombies a chance.

- Beverly

​​Publisher - Amazon Digital Services LLC
Date of Publication - ​​July 13, 2016

Genre: Children/Fiction

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Billups did a good job with this children's book, Bearded, written for 3-8 year olds. I imagine that it is a bit simplified for seven and eight year olds, but the illustrations are captivating and the simple plot is engaging. The little girl with the missing tooth is adorable as she travels around with her bearded bear.  The bear is friendly to all he meets in his travels, and is especially charming with his beard.  Coincidentally, every person and animal he meets is sporting a pretty spiffy beard too.

The author made this book into a learning experience for his young readers, and that is always a plus for the teacher in me.  Some of the animals that he introduces are not familiar to children, such as the ibex in France and the bearded dragon named Jon, and lends itself to a discussion of different animals that we might meet. Perhaps a trip to a local zoo might be a great follow up to this book.

This short (40 pages), well illustrated book is a good addition to your children's library.

​- Beverly


Publisher - Billups Creative, LLC
Date of Publication - ​​June 3, 2015

Genre: Children/Non-Fiction

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I am a Brad Meltzer fan.  I know that I enjoy him as an author, but his obvious love of his children and all children makes me admire him as a person.  His ability to mix his love of writing with his love of children really seals the deal for me. Several years ago he decided that he wanted to share his love (and knowledge) of history with young people, and he started writing about different important people in history at a level that very young children could appreciated. The books, though true stories, are written in graphic novel style.  Illustrator Eliopoulos does a great job showing thoughts and emotions through his pictures.

His latest book, I am Lucille Ball, was just published, and I have yet to read it. Last year's book, I am Rosa Parks, was one of my favorites.  I love that in the Kindle edition (and I assume in the print edition) the pages before the beginning show a young Rosa playing with a toy bus surrounded by a pattern of buses...a subtle and clever way to introduce this strong woman.  As the story progresses, both author and illustrator take the young readers into a world that is much less accepting than the one they now live. We see the beginnings of Rosa's fortitude in her relationship with her family and neighbors.  This book, like all of the books in his excellent series, shows Brad at his best...giving children real heroes to identify with during their formative years.

There is obvious research in these books, and I recommend this one, and all of the series, as a wonderful way to slip history into children's play time.

- Beverly


Publisher - Dial Books
Date of Publication - June 17, 2014

Genre: Children's Book

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Sometimes the illustrations are even more important than the words in a children's book.  I always enjoy the illustrations in Vitale's books. They are brightly colored and completely recognizable. In her latest story, little Lisa Marie and her best friend play hide and seek.  Unfortunately, Lisa Marie decides to hide under a wooden deck and accidentally sits on a pile of ants.  Of course mom comes to the rescue, and all ends well.

The story is written in rhyme, which makes it easily understood by little ones. It is short enough to keep the interest of children who have been raised on short spurts of television between commercials but still long enough to be a bedtime story. The pictures are inviting and follow along with the rhymes, and who doesn't love a story where mom saves the day. This would make a nice gift when visiting with a child.

- Beverly


Publisher - Mary Ann Vitale Author; 1 edition
Date of Publication - January 11, 2014

Genre: Children's Book

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Okay...I admit that I am a bit of a softie when it comes to anything that I can relate to my children, husband, family, friends, students, neighbor's dog. You name it, and it will bring a tear to my eyes.  Most books, however, don't leave me emotionally crippled for three hours.  The first time I read this book was in a seminar with a room filled with other teachers.  I broke into such wracking sobs that I had to leave the room.


Don't worry, your kids won't be upset, but moms need to bring tissues.  Munsch starts the book with a mom singing to her sleeping, baby son:
 "I'll love you forever
  I'll love you for always
  As long as I'm living
  My baby you'll be."

Through the trials and tribulations of childhood and teen years, she continues singing those words to him. When he becomes an adult she drives to his home and once again rocks her sleeping son and sings those words.  This brought my tears, but the ending did me in.  When the mom is too old and sick to hold her son, he rocks her and sings, substituting the word mother for the word baby.

Uh oh...I am crying again.  Just buy this beautifully illustrated book today.  Well worth the tears!

- Beverly


Publisher - Firefly Books
Date of Publication - September 1, 1995