4 Upcoming April Children's Books: Which Should You Read

Title: Do Princesses Boogie?
Author: Carmela LaVigna Coyle
Illustrated by: Mike Gordon 
Publisher: Rowan & Littlefield/ Taylor Trade
Publication Date: April 1, 2016

I was excited to find out that there is a whole series by this author after reading this incredibly fun children's book. 

I think was a fun look at attitudes toward standard girl roles and that it was presented in a way that will empower young girls to know that they can do anything anyone else can.

Other titles in this series include "Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?" and "Do Princesses Scrape Their Knees?" 

What an excellent thing to present to growing girls that helps instill confidence in them and allow them to think they can be both beautiful and strong. 

Great message and 5 out of 5!



Title: Manner Are Not For Monkeys
Author: Heather Tekavec
Illustrated by: David Huyck 
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: April 1, 2016

Well this was very cute. A fun little story about manners and why they are important.

I think the illustrations are fun and capture the attention and the story is simple but the message is there.

However, I didn't really feel like their was anything to unique about it and really any book about manners has a similar plot and message. 

It was fun though.

3 out of 5



Title: Life Without Nico
Author: Andrea Maturana 
Illustrated by: Fransico Javier Olea
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: April 5, 2016

I think this was a great story about what it is like when someone close to you has to leave. The art is simple but expressive and I think it is exactly what story needed.

As a young girl deals with the loss of a friend and his return there is a teachable moment here. Even though sometimes people have to leave our lives for one reason or another the bond you shared can last a lifetime.

Would be great for a child whose friend might move away soon or even any child who has difficulty understanding why someone can't always be around.

3.5 out of 5



Title: Outdoor Math
Author: Emma Adbage 
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: April 5, 2016

Another book that I think will be a great upcoming release is this great math activity book focused on enjoying the subject outside.

Not only does this book encourage children to get out and experience nature but it also has fun and education activities to accompany the typical playing outside.

I thought it was full of great interactive ideas and I think it would be great in a classroom setting or even at home to break up the sometimes bad image of doing math. 

This adds a fun element any child would enjoy. 

4.5 out of 5

***I received all the above referenced books for review from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***

4 Children's Book Reviews

4 Recent Children's Book Reviews

I received all of the following books in exchange for an honest review from netgalley.com and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Title: Too Many Carrots
Author: Katy Hudson
Publisher: Capstone
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2016

Description:

Rabbit loves carrots. Maybe a little too much. In fact, his carrots are crowding him out of his cozy burrow. When his friends offer to help — that’s just asking for trouble. TOO much trouble! This charming and lovingly illustrated picture book shows how friendships get us over the rough spots in life, even if the going gets a little bumpy!
For ages 3-5. 
*Beautiful picture book showcasing the value of friendship over material items *Adorable animal characters with tons of appeal including a rabbit, tortoise, bird, squirrel, and beaver *Perfect for Easter and Spring promotions

Review:

This was such a fun children's book. It is suggested for kids between the ages of 3-5 and I think that is perfect. This would be a perfect precursor for spring and maybe even the perfect inclusion in an Easter basket.

That age is when children really start to meet friends outside of their family and this is an excellent way to talk to them about the importance of friendships.

The illustrations are awesome and it has a great flow and it will definitely win over the hearts of children in the 3-5 age range. Definitely a great new release.


My Star Rating:

5 out of 5




Title: Squirrel Me Timbers
Author: Louise Pigott
Publisher: Capstone
Publication Date: April 1, 2016

Description:

Ahoy mateys! A young squirrel has always dreamed of sailing the seas as a pirate. So when he finds a treasure map, he can’t believe his luck! X marks the spot of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND NUTS! Set sail for adventure with vibrant illustrations and imaginative rhyming text to discover how exciting a pirate’s life can be!
For ages 3-6. 
*A spirited picture book full of adventure, mishaps, narrow escapes and a humorous plot twist *Pirates and squirrels are popular and on trend *Rhyming text is fun for read aloud, encouraging participation and engagement *Story teaches children the importance of not giving up hope.

Review:

I loved this selection. Children's books have really been great this year and seem to be headed in an awesome direction in 2016! I love the squirrels and the pirates and all the mishaps and adventures that took place.

It was fun and I could see this being read in a kindergarten classroom and kids participating and enjoying the rhyming rhythm of  the text. So awesome.

Overall, this is a story of a lot of obstacles trying to keep you from completing your goals but keeping hope and faith and completing them despite the difficulties. What a strong image to send young children. I loved it.

The illustrations we also a ton of fun and I think little boys especially will gravitate toward this book.

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5



Title: Why Horses Are...
Author: Tana Thompson
Publisher: Carpenter's Son Publishing
Publication Date: Oct 13, 2015

Description:

It’s not easy to give up something you love, but if you do, for the benefit of a complete stranger, it just might change your life as well. The child in this story has a painful choice to make, and in the process, learns how helping someone else can be more important than keeping the thing you love. In sharing, she receives the gift of joy—and witnesses miracles and magic in others. The story speaks to horse lovers of all ages. Why Horses Are is the second book in the award-winning “Love Unleashed” series. The first book, Why Dogs Are, won the 2014 Silver Medal from Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards (Category: Spirituality), as well as being designated a Finalist in Spirituality for the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. “Love Unleashed” is a project of Kendall Neff Publishing, which donates 100% of net proceeds from the sale of these books to charities that reflect the focus of each book. The series aims to raise awareness of the roles animals play in our lives that enhance and improve our physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Proceeds from sales of Why Horses Are will benefit charities that support rescue horses and horse-therapy programs. One such program is the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrians (MGHSE), a non-profit program of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. MGHSE’s program is a Premier Accredited Center of PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship).

Review:

This was a children's book about giving up something you love for the benefit of others. It was very spiritual and emotional and I think it spread a great message to kids about miracles and faith and if you have a child in your life or you yourself have a great love of horses then I think you would enjoy this.

The illustrations aren't my favorite but I think it had a great message which often times in what you are looking for in children's books. Great lessons about people and morals to help guide them as they grow up. This definitely has that but I couldn't relate to the horse aspect of it. Overall, a pretty decent children's story.

My Star Rating:

3 out of 5


Title: Peanut's Mistake
Author: Karen Kilpatrick
Publisher: Nina Charles Publishing
Publication Date: Oct 6, 2015

Description:

Go, go, go! Peanut’s not slow! But Peanut breaks the rules by running in the house. What will happen when Carmin discovers his big mess? Join Carmin and Peanut in this heartwarming story about learning from mistakes. Part of the national award-winning Pumpkinheads series. Includes learning fun with “The Pumpkinheads Answer.”

Review:

I love Peanut. As a huge dog person I complete relate to dogs needed to grow and learn discipline and I think this is an excellent illustration for children to learn about rule breaking and pet ownership.

Absolutely adorable illustrations and the writing was fantastic. I couldn't suggest this more for young kids whose parents are teaching them about rule breaking, responsibility, or pet ownership.

Such a great read.

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

4 Upcoming Children's Books: Reviews

I received all of the following titles via netgalley.com and the publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.

Title: Little One
Author: Jo Weaver
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing
Publication Date: March 1, 2016

Description:

Spring is here and new life is stirring. There is so much for Big Bear to teach her new cub as they step out into the forest. Together they eat, swim, fish, and play as one season becomes the next. With Big Bears help, Little One grows more and more confident, until winter comes once more and its time to head home. With gentle text and stunning black and white illustrations, Jo Weaver reveals the wonder of nature, the first steps of independence, and the strength of parental love.

My Review:

I loved the illustrations for this book. They were absolutely stunning and I would suggest giving this a look just for them alone. Of course it doesn't heart that the book also happens to be thoughtful and lovely all on its own.

The story follows a bear with its' new cub as they explore the world together in the cub's first year of life. From learning how to gather berries, to fishing, to frolicking in nature it is wonderful to watch this young cub grow throughout the story.

As winter approaches and the snow starts to fall we see a whole new cub who is brave and strong and independent but still thankful and full of love for the parent bear. They cuddle down for the long winter ahead and the story flows seamlessly with the gorgeous illustrations.


My Star Review:

4 out of 5 stars



Title: The Great Carp Escape
Author: Irish Beth Maddock
Publisher: Word Alive Press
Publication Date: January 13, 2016

Description:

Tadpoles, clams, and minnows wow! For siblings Beth and Paul, growing up on a lake is fun... until they are startled by a fishy find along the shoreline. When they discover the scaly, moustached carp, they become afraid.

Seasons pass, and Beth and Paul avoid the swampy reeds at all costs until a flood brings about a life-or-death situation for the creepy looking carp, right in their own backyard!

With guidance from their father, will Beth and Paul be able to overcome their apprehensions about the carp and help save them before it s too late? Watch the Trailer!

The Great Carp Escape "truly captures the magic between children and nature. The story paints a beautiful picture of how all creatures on earth are God-given and shows how compassion shouldn't be based on popularity or defined beauty. This delightful and touching story carries such an important message of acceptance and simply joy. A pleasure to read and surely a popular addition to any child s home library. "

Illustrator Lisa Taron

My Review:

I had the opportunity to to speak with the author about her lovely story and she kindly provided me with a physical copy of the book.

She let me know that this was based on a story from her own childhood which just made this story all the more special.

What a great story about overcoming fears and coming to terms with things that are different from you and helping and persevering. A fun fishy tale that I would recommend. The lesson was there but it was not forced on the reader and the illustrations were wonderful. I would definitely suggest this if you have a child/know a child with a fear they need help overcoming or a child who might not understand how special it is to be selfless and help someone/something else.

I adored that this book is about helping something that is different than you and learning to be a better person because of it.

My Star Review:

4 out of 5


Title: A Friend For Mole
Author: Nancy Armo
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing
Publication Date: March 1, 2016

Description:

An accidental encounter throws Mole and Wolf together. One is afraid of the light, the other is afraid of the dark. Together they learn that friends are all they need to conquer their fears.

My Review:

This was a simple story about a mole who is intrigued by the outside world and who decides to see what all the fuss is about on the surface. Once up there he is blinded by the sun and wonders around and gets lost.

After he gets lost he stumbles into a hole with a wolf in it.

The wolf is afraid of the dark while the mole is afraid of the light. They quickly become friends and help each other face their fears and eventually make it home safely.

I enjoyed this but didn't think it really stood out the way many of the other children's stories I have been reading lately have done.

It was a great story of friendship and overcoming fears and maybe even exploring the fact that this unlikely friendship occurred and even in the light they weren't scared of each other and wanted to remain friends. It was sweet but a bit underwhelming and the illustrations were okay but not wonderful.

My Star Review:

3 out of 5



Title: Little Red
Author: Bethan Woollvin
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing
Publication Date: April 1, 2016

Description:

On her way to Grandmas house, Little Red Riding Hood meets a wolf. Now, that might scare some little girlsbut not this little girl! She knows just what the wolf is up to, and shes not going to let him get away with it. In this updated fairy tale with a mischievous twist, talented newcomer Bethan Woollvin uses sly humor, striking visuals, and a dark irreverence to turn a familiar tale on its head

My Review:

I loved the illustrations for this and the the typical "Red Riding Hood" story was flipped a little to show red not being naive but being brave and independent.

The plot follows the classic tale up until Red makes it to Grandma's. The wolf is there and he has already made a snack out of Grandma waiting for Red to get there but she sees right through his disguise and ends up teaching that wolf a lesson of her own.

I really enjoyed the art style and Red's new intelligence but I was still a little disappointed that their wasn't more to the story. It was enjoyable and I would definitely suggest it to a young fairy tale fan.

My Star Review:
3.5 out of 5

Ava and Pip Series Review by Carol Weston

I received both Ava and Taco Cat and Ava XOX from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



Title: Ava and Pip
Author: Carol Weston
Publisher: Sourcebooks: Jabberwocky
Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Description:

Outgoing Ava loves her older sister, Pip, but can't understand why Pip is so reserved and never seems to make friends with others. When Ava uses her writing talents to help her sister overcome her shyness, both girls learn the impact their words and stories can have on the world around them.



Title: Ava and Taco Cat
Author: Carol Weston
Publisher: Sourcebooks: Jabberwocky
Publication Date: April 7, 2015

Description:

Ava desperately wants a pet for her eleventh birthday-but gets way more than she bargained for when she adopts T-A-C-O-C-A-T.

When Ava Wren hears about an injured yellow tabby with mismatched ears, she becomes obsessed and wants to rescue him. She even picks out a perfect palindromic name: T-A-C-O-C-A-T. But when Taco joins the family, he doesn't snuggle or purr-all he does is hide. Worse, Ava's best friend starts hanging out with Zara, a new girl in fifth grade. Ava feels alone and writes an acclaimed story, "The Cat Who Wouldn't Purr." What begins as exciting news turns into a disaster. How can Ava make things right? And what about sweet, scared little Taco?

The New York Times called AVA AND PIP "a love letter to language. " With this second diary, Girls' Life advice columnist Carol Weston hits another home run.



Title: Ava XOX
Author: Carol Weston
Publisher: Sourcebooks: Jabberwocky
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2016

Description:

Love is in the air—and Ava thinks she’s allergic

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and Ava couldn’t care less. That is, until a new girl, Kelli, asks out Ava’s friend Chuck…and he says yes! What?!? Ava is NOT okay with this. But since when does she think about boys? For the first time ever, words fail Ava. She isn't sure what she’s feeling (Like? Love? Friendship? Frustration?), or what “going out” even means. After all, fifth graders aren't allowed to go anywhere by themselves, are they?
To top it off, Pip’s friend Tanya is being bullied for her size. Ava wants to help—but, uh oh, it's not as easy as she imagines.

The New York Times called AVA AND PIP “a love letter to language. ” With this third diary format, Girls’ Life advice columnist Carol Weston hits another home run.

My Series Review:

I received books 2 and 3 via netgalley.com and the publisher and felt like I might miss too much from the first in the series that I decided to pick it up on my e-reader.

I am sure happy I ended up doing that, This is a great middle grade contemporary story about a girl named Ava and all of her misadventures. As soon as I read this it took me back to the days of reading about Ramona Quimby and her silly sister Beezus.

I decided to consider each book individually and then talk about the series as a whole.

Ava and Pip:

Absolutely a delightful read about two sisters who couldn't be more different. We are introduced to Ava in this book and her precocious and outgoing and her sister Pip who is a bit more shy and reserved. Ava decides to put her writing talents to use and comes up with a plan to get Pip out of her shell and help her make friends.

I loved their relationship and the impact words and story telling had on these young girls lives. So adorable and fun to read. I can see this becoming a middle school girls favorite read and might help her relate to a friend or even a sister of her own. She might even be reading it from Pip's perspective and it might help her come out of her shell. Absolutely great family dynamic and pro-education. I loved this!

Ava and Taco Cat:

Carol Weston has a way of making language and writing fun for middle grade aged kids. She does it again in Ava and Taco Cat. Ava once again shows how big her heart and mind are when she adopts a quirky cat which she names T-A-C-O-C-A-T because it makes the perfect palindrome.

What a fun way to incorporate aspects of language and writing into a story for middle grade kids. Ava wanting to adopt Taco Cat despite his dramatic past is sweet and encouraging and I think a good message for kids. Taco is shy and does nothing but hide so Ava decides to write a story about her cat that never purrs.

Ava is also dealing with other drama that a normal 5th grader would face including trouble with her best friend. She is finding out how to navigate all of these new changes in her life and I think despite a few stumbles she really comes around and inspires the reader to be better too.

Ava XOX:

This newest Ava release find Ava experiencing her first crush. She is struggling to understand her new found hormones as she navigates what it means to like boys or to "go out" with someone when you are in the 5th grade and can't even leave without a parent or guardian. Words to describe how she is feeling are hard to find for the first time in Ava's life and I think that is the perfect way to illustrate what it means to have your first crush, you just can't find a way to say what is going on in your head or with your feelings and that is so realistic.

Also, she is approached with some bullying and body shaming issues and also finds that this isn't a topic that is easy to understand or explain. She tries to help but that also isn't the easiest task she has ever undertaken.

I think this last installment is very age appropriate and topical and that any middle school aged student would gain a lot from reading it.

Series:

Overall, a phenomenal collections of middle grade stories told through the importance of writing and language and with a tenacious main character that you can't help but love.

I will say that I do see these stories appealing more to a female reader than a male reader but they are definitely age appropriate and cover a wide range of topics and introduce children to social issues such as bullying, body shaming, pet adoption, friendship, family, and so much more.

I couldn't suggest this series with any more praise. It is wonderful.

Recommended for fans of:

    

Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1445826604

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1426727477

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1439812697

http://www.amazon.com/Ava-Pip-Carol-Weston/dp/1492601837/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447862605&sr=8-1&keywords=ava+and+pip

http://www.amazon.com/Ava-Taco-Cat-Pip/dp/1402288735/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447862623&sr=1-1&keywords=ava+and+taco+cat&pebp=1447862690425&perid=14GKGVFVE6NJ38GZTS9N

http://www.amazon.com/Ava-XOX-Pip-Carol-Weston/dp/1492620777/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447862706&sr=1-1&keywords=ava+XOX