These books are gold for my daughter - a beginning chapter book with great illustrations that uses the treatment of magical creatures as a sneaky educThese books are gold for my daughter - a beginning chapter book with great illustrations that uses the treatment of magical creatures as a sneaky education into the scientific method. My little loves these books, can read them herself (though she still prefers the joint read) and she will be a whiz for making her own experiments (with only one variable change), creating hypothesis and documenting her work! That makes this B.S. grad very happy. There are even new science glossary terms at the end of each book (this one included herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, warm-blooded and cold-blooded e.g.) Science is pretty fun when you're helping fuel a dragon with the right input (marshmellows yummy but not so good for the tummy, fish is better, also, gotta keep a reptile warm!) to let him grow big, strong and energetic!
My daughter laughs out loud with frequency and doesn’t fight reading aloud herself when we read these books (and sneaks the light back on after bedtimMy daughter laughs out loud with frequency and doesn’t fight reading aloud herself when we read these books (and sneaks the light back on after bedtime to rush through entire editions!) the only downside is the limited volumes (only 5 books) in the series! Dory has a huge imaginative world that she lets everyone in on to her parents chagrin and older sibling’s embarrassment. But she’s the most interesting person to know in elementary school!...more
a slower wrap up of the series but still sweet as ever - and actually, the pace was always a plus for this sweet story of friendships, finding your pua slower wrap up of the series but still sweet as ever - and actually, the pace was always a plus for this sweet story of friendships, finding your purpose, life changes both intentional and circumstantial, being responsible, finding joy in art and intention, re-kindling joy in art when it's been lost and handling grief - your own and others (or rather letting others grieve).
I'm pretty sure my kiddo doesn't love it as much as me, but every once in a while when she needs something calming or comforting, she'll ask to re-read a chapter (season). ...more
I love a good early-scientist true story and if the tale is about a woman who had to fight to even take her classes in university let alone start diviI love a good early-scientist true story and if the tale is about a woman who had to fight to even take her classes in university let alone start diving with sharks, discovering new species of ocean life and upending presumed knowledge, I'm here for it. This is a beautifully illustrated picture book I'd recommend to any parent or teacher....more
see my comments on Pink is for Blobfish - Jess Keating's books are fun and educational and my daughter keeps requesting them. can't ask for much more see my comments on Pink is for Blobfish - Jess Keating's books are fun and educational and my daughter keeps requesting them. can't ask for much more as a parent....more
Great pictures and cartoons, fun facts for kids and parents and in general a great way to introduce weird and wonderful animals (and science) to kiddoGreat pictures and cartoons, fun facts for kids and parents and in general a great way to introduce weird and wonderful animals (and science) to kiddos. It's somewhere between a picture book and a wordy science book so my daughter uses it to extend reading before bedtime but it never bores. I liked the three books we've read by Jess Keating so much (Shark Lady and Cute as an Axolotl are the other two) that we checked out her YouTube stuff and unfortunately she hasn't figured out how to TedTalk yet. Here's hoping cause she's smart and makes zoology pretty fascinating (and upends kids ideas of what is scary, ugly or boring)...more
I start choking up whenever I describe this book to others and sometimes when I’m reading it aloud to my kiddo. A beautifully illustrated story of beiI start choking up whenever I describe this book to others and sometimes when I’m reading it aloud to my kiddo. A beautifully illustrated story of being brave and kind....more
Gave this to my toddler for Christmas because I wanted it :) So beautiful, terribly fun to revisit, and already foreshadowing the end of the series. ThGave this to my toddler for Christmas because I wanted it :) So beautiful, terribly fun to revisit, and already foreshadowing the end of the series. This was the first time reading The Sorcerers Stone since finishing the final book in the series, and I’m impressed at how well planned Harry’s arc is from the start. ...more
Katie O'Neill writes lovely, educational and inclusive graphic novels for kids that move at a pace I'm unused to. They don't necessarily have high draKatie O'Neill writes lovely, educational and inclusive graphic novels for kids that move at a pace I'm unused to. They don't necessarily have high drama or quick plot points, instead they build a slow, lovely environment of characters learning to trust (themselves and others) and to do good with their trust and faith. Aquicorn Cove is another in that vein, this one teaching youngsters how to care for their environment and consider their actions....more
I picked this up because somewhere I read about this as a delightful Dutch Shel Silverstein and thought 'ok!' It is probably perfectly lovely in DutchI picked this up because somewhere I read about this as a delightful Dutch Shel Silverstein and thought 'ok!' It is probably perfectly lovely in Dutch, but I am sorry to say that this will not capture my child's ear because the translation is awkward, the rhymes are forced, and the meter is absent. Even a basic limerick would be more natural and thus better received by one's hearing. What a shame because the gist of the poems are indeed childishly subversive which would otherwise delight both my inner and biological children. The illustrations ARE gorgeous though.
My apologies to anyone who has heard/read this in the original language with adoration.
a lyrical and inspiring tale of a little girl and her friends who learn to keep on creating and to find the progress & learnings out of failures
this ra lyrical and inspiring tale of a little girl and her friends who learn to keep on creating and to find the progress & learnings out of failures
this reads very quickly and rhymes so it's great for pre-school age. One star-off for the busyness of the drawings which are a little overwhelming....more
a little wordy for a picture book... my 3-year-old was easily distracted. But I loved the common refrain of a gal who did not fit the directive that ga little wordy for a picture book... my 3-year-old was easily distracted. But I loved the common refrain of a gal who did not fit the directive that girls and women should be quiet and complacent, and how she consequently made the world a better place. Let's all teach our little girls to stand up and say "I disagree" or "That's not right!" when they know these to be true!
I'll be pulling this out again when she's a little older....more
3+ stars. Great rhymes, drawings and intention... choppy execution. This is a really cute feminist retelling of Cinderella for young children. However 3+ stars. Great rhymes, drawings and intention... choppy execution. This is a really cute feminist retelling of Cinderella for young children. However they have to know the story pretty well to follow along because it feels like pages are missing (I kept checking) and character names are delivered once without intro (e.g. "Grisella" instead of "her step-sister" or "Metatroyd" for a robot rat... then never again) plus the origin story is missing. But I appreciate the intent and my 2-year-old doesn't seem to mind or miss the point. (then again, our Cinderella DVD has almost fried it has been played so many times)!...more
Loading...
