Category: Books Reviews

Books Reviews, Children's Books

10 New Release Books for Winter Reading with the Kids

Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for this feature. All opinions are 100% my own. There may be affiliate links within this post as well that could result in compensation for Parenting Healthy.

There is nothing like curling up under a warm blanket or by the fire with a good book. Good habits start at home and if you make winter reading of a good book a habit, so will the kids. So refresh their book collection, get some hot cocoa and a new fuzzy blanket and let them cozy up with you for some winter reading. Here are 10 new release books from baby to child you may want to consider.

What’s Going On Here?: A Tell-Your-Own-Tale Book is a book where how you turn the pages determines the story. Ages 3-5 years. Buy on Amazon.

Old MacDonald Had a Truck is a take on the original Old MacDonald and his farm animals only now it’s about farm equipment and vehicles. Ages 3-5 years. Buy on Amazon.

A to Z Menagerie: An ABC Baby Book is features a die-cut letter to trace and a satisfying pull-tab reveal for each letter of the alphabet. Ages 2-4. Buy on Amazon.

My Big (Evil) Brother Stole My Lunch: 20+ gross lift-the-flaps. Picky eaters and culinary rebels alike will delight in this endearingly unpleasant tribute to strange lunches and even stranger siblings. Ages 5-6. Buy on Amazon.

Goodnight, Rainbow Cats is a take on Goodnight Moon mixed with a bit of Brown Bear, Brown Bear.., only rainbow colors and cats. each cat enters the house with the turn of a page, and one by one, the die-cut windows are infused with color. Ages baby-age 3. Buy on Amazon.

AlphaBit: An ABC Quest is a child ABC book with 8-bit artwork we recognize from the 80’s and 90’s. learn new words, discover hidden pictures, and find the missing treasure in an epic quest. Ages 2-4. Buy on Amazon

This Is How I Do It: One Day in the Life of You and 59 Real Kids from Around the World is just as the title suggests. Learn what kids from around the world eat for breakfast, transport to school and other tales of daily life in different cultures. Ages 5-8. Buy on Amazon.

Baby Sloth or Baby Llama Finger Puppet Book are small, adorable books that look just as adorable on a shelf. These baby animals experience the world in these interactive books. Ages Preschool+. Buy on Amazon (Llama, Sloth and more baby animals to choose from)

A Forest’s Seasons is a board book Is a forest’s seasons in a one-of-a-kind format, complete with art by celebrated illustrator Ingela Arrhenius. Ages Baby – age 3. Buy on Amazon.

2019 Holidays, Books Reviews

ALMANAC 2020 By National Geographic

Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for feature. Opinions are 100% my own. May contain some affiliate links within post

ALMANAC 2020 By National Geographic

It is now 2020! This is the ultimate almanac looking back on the best stories within our world. The book begins with trending topics in science, technology, and culture, then moves into fascinating chapters on travel, exploration, earth and space, biology, culture, and history.

So many great images (National Geographic photography), some you will remember and forgot about. Then there are bonus content from informative infographics, illustrated time lines, and authoritative maps. You’ll even come across a Quizmaster trivia feature.

This makes a great gift for the History enthusiast and anyone from tween to adult. Available on Amazon.

Books Reviews, Children's Books, Earth Friendly, Education

5 Must Have Books for Kids Ages 5-8 in 2019

Erin Sluka
5 Must Have Books for Kids Ages 5-8 in 2019

With school back in and Holidays nearing, finding new books is a constant. We may need books for reading homework, class reading, gift ideas and at home bedtime routines. There are so many new titles daily and I found 5 Must Have Books for Kids Ages 5-8.

The Boring Book

by Shinsuke Yoshitake

The Boring Book features one particularly bored boy as he discovers, there’s actually more to boredom than meets the eye—more questions, more theories, and heaps of humor. It is playfully—and hilariously—unpacks the ways in which a seemingly stagnant state is actually a portal into a dynamic, life-enriching experience. 

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Grown-Ups Never Do That

by Davide Cali and Benjamin Chaud

Grown-Ups Never Do That is as unbelievable as it may seem, but sometimes even grown-ups misbehave! It’s a rollicking tale, showcasing the humor—and the humanity—of the most important people in kids’ lives.

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Get Up, Stand Up (Bob Marley)

by Bob Marley and Cedella Marley

Get Up, Stand up is an adaptation of one of Bob Marley’s beloved songs and has a timely message for children: To counter injustice, lift others up with kindness and courage. As a young girl goes on with her day in school, she comes across several instances of teasing and intimidation. But with loving action and some help from her friends, she’s able to make things right for herself and others. 

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Caspian Finds a Friend

by Jacqueline Veissid

Caspian lives in a lighthouse surrounded by a cold gray-blue sea—every day, he watches, wishing for a friend, but no one comes. So, Caspian decides that wishing is not enough. What follows is a friendship story between a boy and a bear that is tender, warm, and perfect for gift-giving.

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Most of the Better Natural Things in the World

by Dave Eggers

With just one word per page, in lush, color-rich landscapes, we learn about the features that make up our world: an archipelago, a dune, an isthmus, a lagoon. Across them all, the tiger roams.

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Comment: I was sent titles and chose some to feature on my own

Books Reviews, Children's Books, Infant Toddler Products

7 New Interactive Baby Board Books

Erin Sluka

We love children’s books on this blog and these 7 titles are for the little one’s. I wanted to give a brief feature of these baby board books for your fall and winter reading and gifting!

Pre-Order these titles today!

Where Is My Pink Sweater? by Nicola Slater

Rudy is looking for his favorite pink sweater. It’s a little small—he’s growing out of it—yet he can’t help but treasure it! The nine jiving llamas haven’t seen it, and neither have the eight prima pigerinas. Lift the flaps and peek through the die-cuts as Rudy follows a trail of pink yarn from his bedroom to the kitchen to the backyard and everywhere in between. This sweet, adventurous story is filled with bold and humorous illustrations, plus a fun counting element along the way. Available October 8, 2019 on Amazon

Farmblock by Christopher Franceshelli

It’s time to plant some crops, harvest the veggies, and make jam to take to the farmer’s market! In this follow-up to Alphablock, Countablock, Dinoblock, Cityblock, Buildablock, and Marvel Alphablock, readers are introduced to what life is like on the farm. Like the previous titles, Farmblock explores a concept—in this case, seasons. From a rooster crowing at the crack of dawn to picking pumpkins for Halloween, there is so much to do all year-round! In keeping with the rest of the series, Farmblock features die-cut pages, gatefolds, and the charming art of British design team Peskimo. Available October 1, 2019 on Amazon

Baby Loves: A First Book of Favorites by Molly Magnuson

This bold, playful board book introduces a variety of familiar objects for babies to identify, including a banana, a sippy cup, a ball, and a puppy! Each is introduced with a variety of other objects in the same category, and readers are asked to pick out the featured object from the rest. The very last spread reveals what babies love most . . . being loved! This new board book is the ideal follow-up to Making Faces, which features the same photographer’s playful photos. Available October 8, 2019 on Amazon.

I Love You, Elephant by Carles Ballesteros

“I love you!” is the refrain on each spread of this joyful story. Readers will delight in seeing new faces appear and then change when the page is turned, thanks to the magical Venetian blind element built into the book. This sweet novelty board book is great fun to read aloud, and the perfect addition to our Changing Faces series. Available November 5, 2019 on Amazon.

My Magical Dragon by Yujin Shin

Enter a magical world and go for a ride on the back of a friendly dragon!With push, pull and turn mechanisms and a sparkly foil cover wheel, My Magical Dragon has plenty to keep little ones engaged and entertained.Yujin Shin’s beautifully coloured illustrations are paired with gentle rhyming text and lots of things to spot in four bright and busy magical scenes. Enjoy more magical adventures with My Magical Unicorn. Available October 8, 2019 on Amazon.

Apple (the journey of an apple) by Nikki McClure

Apple follows the life of an apple throughout the year, demonstrating the cyclical patterns in nature. The youngest readers will delight in following the journey of the bright red apple—the only splash of color in the otherwise black-and-white illustrations—as it travels from tree, to harvest, to snack, to compost, and finally to sprout. A single word complements each illustration, urging early readers to reflect on each stage in the apple’s life. Available on Amazon

Christmas Is Awesome! by Eunice Moyle a Hello!Lucky Book

In this whimsical holiday romp, everyone’s getting in on the festive fun, including a grumpy but adorable lump of coal. Celebrate all of the things that make Christmas special as the trees are trimmed, the stockings are hung, and the ugly sweater contest gives out the grand prize. Hello!Lucky lends their winning illustrations and pun-derful voice to this charming holiday read. Available October 15, 2019 on Amazon.