Category: childrens books

Get Ready for Back to School with Raincoast Books

Raincoast Books

Back to school is always a nervous time for children. Children heading off to school for the first time are scared of the unknown, children returning are nervous about their new teacher, if their friends will be in their class and what will the new year be like. These fears are completely normal and okay – even as adults we have these feelings too when we start a new job or meet new people. One of the best ways we can prepare our children (besides sitting down with them and discussing their fears) is reading a book that helps bring humour and reassurance that we all go through the same fears, expectations and hopes.

Raincoast Books has several books that help children learn about others thoughts, fears and hopes for school all while giving you an excellent opportunity to get your child talking to you about the upcoming school year. Two of my favourite picks are: Kisses for Kindergarten and Zombelina School Days.

Get Ready for Back to School with Raincoast Books

Kisses for Kindergarten

School is about to begin, and Stella Isabella Harden decides that kindergarten just isn’t for her. Instead, she decides to spend the day learning from her puppy named Buster. Together these two adventurers plan a day full of playtime, tea time, nap time, and story time. After every lesson,” Stella gets the best reward: a kiss from her best friend and favorite puppy. But will she change her mind about kindergarten before the first day of school? Join Stella and Buster in this lyrical read-aloud and heartwarming story about growing up.

“Stella Isabella Harden
contemplating kindergarten
declared she didn’t have to go…
because her puppy told her so.” – Kisses for Kindergarten

Kisses for Kindergarten is a 2017 Mom’s Choice Awards, Gold Award Recipient.

This was an adorable book to read to young children. Stella doesn’t want to go to school, she wants to stay at home with her puppy because her puppy really needs her to be there for him. And her puppy can teach her everything she needs to know right?

In a series of adorable and humorous moments, Buster tries to teach Stella but Stella comes to the realization all by herself that going to school may just be the best decision for her and Buster. The best part? It only makes their bond that much stronger!

We fell in love with the easy to read story with gorgeous illustrations. It is a great book for children entering Kindergarten so that they know they are not the only ones scared of the change and why it is important to go to school. Not to mention all of the fun things they will do, see and learn! I loved how the end of the book showcased that although Stella decided to go to school, everything else in her life remained the same. Buster was always there waiting for her to return and still loved her just as much as before she went to school.

You can purchase a copy of Kisses for Kindergarten on Raincoast Books.

Get Ready for Back to School with Raincoast Books

Zombelina School Days

The only thing Zombelina loves as much as dancing is going to school! When it’s time for show and tell, her new friend, Morty, experiences a terrible case of stage fright . . . something Zombelina knows all about. Zombelina has an idea to help Morty work through his jitters-a big dance party!

After all, friends who dance together, stay together!

Starring in her third picture book, this adorable zombie ballerina tackles themes of family, friendship, and school day anxiety. The rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud, and the delightfully spooky illustrations are full of charm and heart.

I really enjoyed this  book myself. Zombelina stands out from her classmates with her unique features and of course by being a Zombie in a class full of humans. She shows us that even though we may look different on the outside, we still love the same things, want to be accepted and have the same fears as each other. She shows us that it is important to step outside of our comfort zone, to try  new things and to show compassion for others. It helps children to realize we are all the same on the inside and that is what  matters the most. I loved that the book did this with adorable illustrations and humour. You can’t help but fall in love with Zombelina. She is a definite big hit in our home!

You can purchase a copy of Zombelina School Days on Raincoast Books.

Have an amazing few last days of summer before your child heads back to school. Happy Reading!

Disclosure: I received the above books in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Top Children’s Book Picks From Raincoast Books for the Holidays

Raincoast Books

I love books – my family tease me daily about my obsession with reading. It started when I was a child and my parents could find me curled up on the sofa with a great book. I want my children to have and know this love of books. Books are magical – they take you on adventures, they help you escape, help you to learn and understand the world around you. Children’s books do this in a very special way and the best part is you get to experience this with your child as you either read along with them or read the story to them.

Here are four of my top children book picks from Raincoast Books for this holiday season:

The Wish Tree

The Wish Tree

Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don’t believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways. The poetic text and heartwarming illustrations evoke the true essence of the holiday season and will inspire wishers everywhere. This gem of a book deserves center stage year round.

The Wish Tree is a beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations about a young boy with a kind heart. He wants nothing more than to find a wish tree, his siblings don’t believe in his dream and don’t support his search. He heads out with his trusty companion and meets many new friends on his special journey. It was a truly beautiful, heart warming story that made the perfect bed time read.

The Story Book Knight

The Story Book Knight

In The Story Book Knight even dragons love a good story. Leo was a gentle knight in thought, word and deed. While other knights liked fighting, Leo liked to sit and read. When Leo’s mom and dad pack him off to fight a dragon, he takes a shield, a sword-and a pile of his favorite books. But can a story be as mighty as a sword?

The Story Book Knight is a truly special story about a gentle knight who sets out to change the image of knights and how to be mighty. He loves his books but it just doesn’t quite fit in with the picture of what a knight should be. He sets off on his first and very important mission to fight a dragon and meets many creatures along the way. Instead of using his sword, he uses his love of reading and books to save the day. A truly special book to show children they are all special in their own unique way – we don’t have to use strength and power to save the day. Instead love, compassion and kindness are the most powerful gifts of all.

The Truth About My Unbelieveable Summer

The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer

What really happened over the summer break? A curious teacher wants to know. The epic explanation? What started out as a day at the beach turned into a globe-spanning treasure hunt with high-flying hijinks, exotic detours, an outrageous cast of characters, and one very mischievous bird! Is this yet another tall tale, or is the truth just waiting to be revealed? From the team behind I Didn’t Do My Homework Because . . . and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to School . . . comes a fantastical fast-paced, detail-rich illustrated summer adventure that’s so unbelievable, it just might be true!

The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer is a fantastic read for young readers a like. It reads like a conversation that children can relate to and has excellent illustrations. I found we could easily use silly tones in our voices and get very serious to help draw our boys into the story. They were giggling throughout the whole story and trying hard to guess what would happen next.

Curious George

Curious George, 75th Anniversary Edition

This treasured classic is where it all began for the curious, loveable monkey. Special anniversary cover with foil and spot gloss make this edition a must-have for any children’s book collection. Includes bonus downloadable audio read by the actor, producer, and director John Krasinski. Access code can be found inside the book on page two for the bonus audiobook.

Curious George is a classic that all children love – as well as adults! It brings back so many great memories for me from my own childhood! This edition covers George as he leaves Africa with the man with the yellow hat and sail to the big city. Get ready for laughs as George gets caught up in antics that only George can get caught up in.

What do you look for in children’s books? Happy reading this holiday season!

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned books free of charge. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Utterly Amazing Dinosaur Book Review

Visit the amazing world of dinosaurs in the Utterly Amazing Dinosaur from DK Canada!

Utterly Amazing Dinosaur Book Review

About Utterly Amazing Dinosaur

Packed with pop-ups, flaps, games, activities, and mind-blowing facts, Utterly Amazing Dinosaur explores the prehistoric world of dinosaurs, from the mighty T. rex to the armored Stegosaurus. See the different stages of how fossils are formed, and study the skeletons of different dinosaurs, and get up close to a Velociraptor with a special pop-up.

Learn about the dinosaurs that swam in the sea, stomped on land, or flew in the sky. Find out what different dinosaurs ate, from herbivore to carnivore to omnivore. The colorful illustrations clearly show the different types of dinosaurs, and the pronunciation guide teaches readers how to say those tricky dinosaur names.

From the biggest predators to the discovery of fossils, Utterly Amazing Dinosaur takes children back to an awe-inspiring era of history using innovate paper tricks to create fun and stunning effects.

Utterly Amazing Dinosaur Book Review

Our Thoughts

Dinosaurs have a way of fascinating children and adults alike. They are majestic and beautiful in their own special way. They are powerful and fierce and yet gentle and kind. Movies have sparked the imagination of little ones and it is in books that they find the real good information that makes them want more. Utterly Amazing Dinosaur is an excellent book for children that not only provides information but fascinates and fosters a love of learning of these powerful creatures.

The book is large (roughly letter page sized) with a hard cover and the pages inside are also made up of a stiffer material (so much better for rougher little hands who get excited easily). The book is full of pop ups and flaps that your child can explore – my personal favourite pop up was the long necks (not just because they are my favourite dinosaur!). The hard material of the book helps to ensure the pop ups and flaps wont tear the first few times your little one plays with them because lets face it, kids get far to excite to open flaps and use a stronger force then necessary. The dinosaur facts were age appropriate but still gave enough information to keep us adults interested and it felt natural reading it aloud to our child and easy to make dramatic or silly to help engage our son in the book more. The illustrations are bright and bold that helps to draws you into the story.

Utterly Amazing Dinosaur will be a perfect addition under the Christmas tree this year. I am a firm believer of giving gifts that inspire and educate – Utterly Amazing Dinosaur does this and more. This book will definitely be a hit among the Dinosaur fans in your home. You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Rating: 5/5

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review, all opinions expressed are my own.

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Bossy Flossy

iRead Book Tours

Had Bossy Flossy finally met her match?

Bossy Flossy

About Bossy Flossy

Flossy is the bossiest girl around. She’s bossy at home and she’s bossy in school. She’s bossy to her friends and she’s bossy to her cat. Sometimes she’s even bossy to her teacher! Flossy doesn’t understand why no one will listen to her. One day, Flossy meets Edward, a boy who may be just as bossy as she is. Has Flossy finally met her match?

Bossy Flossy book review

My Thoughts

It is hard not to be bossy as a child, sometimes they can’t control their own emotions or even making up with their own perceived disadvantages of being smaller by being bossy. I know my youngest can sometimes be quite bossy but he doesn’t always mean it. When children first meet someone with the same personality they can get quite a shock. Are they really that mean and pushy??  (I know adults can have quite a shock to when they meet their match!). But in some ways this is a good thing, they can learn from these encounters. Children can learn how not to behave and how words can hurt. This is the perfect book for toddlers and young children alike who are entering school or daycare. They can learn so much about behaviour, words and actions and how they can hurt others. It opens up so much discussion  between parent and child.

Bossy Flossy is well written, age appropriate language and sentences. The illustrations are bright, bold and perfect for young children. We fell in love with the title of this book and made it into a catchy tune when someone in the house was being too bossy (‘who is a bossy flossy, bossy flossy!’!). A well written, fun book for children that will be perfect to add to your child’s library!

You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters and Indigo.

Rating: 5/5

Bossy Flossy book review

About the Author

Paulette Bogan admits she was bossy as a child. She is the author and illustrator ofVirgil & Owen, which was chosen as one of Bank Street Best Children’s books of the Year 2016, Virgil & Owen Stick Together, which won a Mom’s Choice Award Gold Medal for Picture Books, and Lulu The Big Little Chick, which won a Children’s Choice Book Award. She lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and two dogs. They ALL think she is STILL bossy. But they’ve never told her to go to her room! You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Make Bedtime Memorable with Lost My Name

Make Bedtime Memorable with Lost My Name

Books take us on an adventure, teach us valuable lessons and sometimes they can create memories that last a lifetime. With a personalized story tailored to your child’s name, Lost My Name, makes bedtime stories fun, memorable and precious.

Make Bedtime Memorable with Lost My Name

The Story Behind Lost My Name

This is one of the best parts about the Lost My Name books, they were developed by a group of Dads and an Uncle who wanted better books for their kids. This simple dream started back in 2012 and with the help of their understanding families, they grew and eventually they began to sell their books. They rocked The Dragons Den, they gained investment and have continued to grow. But the heart of their company still lays in bringing magical moments to bedtime.

The Little Boy Who Lost His Name

Creating a personalized story for our youngest son was beyond easy. We visited their site, entered his name and the magic began behind the scenes. We were quickly able to flip through the images that would accompany his story. One of the neatest parts of this process is that the story is developed using the letters of your child’s name. This means that each child’s name creates a unique story from over three hundred variants, awesome right?

Make Bedtime Memorable with Lost My NameOur book arrived in under a week (just in time to read Christmas eve!) and our son was delighted that his book had an extra special message written to him inside the front cover. The illustrations were bright, colourful and adorable. They almost reminded me of a hand painted water-colour story. The story line was fantastic and had us giggling and guessing the whole way through. It was a beautiful story even more so knowing how much thought and time goes into each and every story. We have read The Little Boy Who Lost His Name every night for the last two weeks! It has become a huge hit in our home. The book also makes a fantastic keepsake for our son and an even better gift if you are attending a birthday party, shower or just because you want to spoil that special person in your life!

Interesting Facts

  • Over 500,000 copies sold in over 150 countries.
  • 2014 top-selling children’s book in the UK and Australia.
  • The books are available in seven languages.
  • Lost My Name is one of the world’s first full stack publishers based in Hackney, east London.

Make sure you follow Lost My Name on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest to keep up to date on titles and more.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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