Book Review: Wisconsin: Picture Book by Planet Collection

Title: Wisconsin : Picture Book (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN:
B0091ATHHC
Release Date: August 22nd 2012
Pages: 14
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the Planet Collection, "WISCONSIN" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of the different Wisconsin locations.


Mine: The Badger State. White tail deer is the state’s official wildlife animal

Produce ¼ of America’s cheese, largest milk producing state (15% of all of the US). 2nd largest butter producer – I guess that is why it’s “Dairyland USA”


Reading Challenges:
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)

Book Review: New York: Picture Book by Planet Collection

Title: New York : Picture Book (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B008FTWVVO
Release Date: June 28th 2012
Pages: 20
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the Planet Collection, "NEW YORK" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of the different New York locations.


Mine: New York is the 3rd most populated state.

For a year New York City was the national capital.

The Brooklyn Bridge is highlighted as the oldest suspension bridge.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook) 

Book Review: Sri Lanka by Planet Collection

Title: Sri Lanka
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B0097IW4IW
Release Date: September 7th 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

GoodReads: As a part of the , Planet Collection, "SRI LANKA" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Sri Lanka.

Mine: Wonder fact can be found here – it is home to a World Heritage Site. They are one of the largest exporters of essential oils. They have many different religions: Hindu and Buddhist are a few.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)
Summer Coyer (Fantasy is More Fun, Because Reading is better than real life, Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!)

Book Review: Helicopters by Planet Collection

Title: Helicopters: Picture Book
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B008FTIHJY
Release Date: June 28th 2012
Pages: 19
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

GoodReads:
As a part of the Planet Collection, "HELICOPTERS" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of the different helicopters.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the passages.


Early education sets up your child for success.

We are a green company and a portion of each sale is donated to charity.

Mine: Helicopters are often called “choppers”. They are often used in crowded or isolated areas to get around. They are often used for rescue operations.

It gave some very good facts about what helicopters are used for and how they work.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)
Summer Coyer (Fantasy is More Fun, Because Reading is better than real life, Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!)

Book Review: ABC Come Play With Me by Sandie Lee

Title: ABC Come Play With Me
Author: Sandie Lee
Publisher:
ISBN: B00BFIAA8S
Release Date: August 13th 2013
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

GoodReads: ABC Come Play With Me is a delightful book that will teach and engage your little listeners with all things alphabet. From A–Z the alliterative words will help your toddlers learn and grow and maybe even giggle along the way. The illustrations are simple enough, giving your child a bold picture of the letter and the accompanying word.

Mine: Very nicely illustrated – it’s great to see some different things names for the letters – Olive, Lemon, Jam and Drum. Nice rhyming

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads) 

Book Review: Guinea (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 by Planet Collection

Title: Guinea (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B00A0ZQH9S
Release Date: November 1, 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the Planet Collection, "GUINEA" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of the Guinea.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the passages.

Mine: Guinea’s cash crop is peanuts and they have started to export.

Most of the country is rural – 18% live in urban areas. It is one of the least explore countries. Most people live in mud houses.

The River Zoo Farm is the best place to see most of the regional animals.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read (The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree) 

Book Review: Korea (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 by Planet Collection

Title: Korea (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B0097K9J1A
Release Date: September 7, 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the updated Planet Collection, "KOREA" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Korea.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the large photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the fun fact filled passages.

Mine: Known as “Miricle of the Han River” it was colonized by Japan from 1940 – 1953. Spicy foods are found everywhere.

Festivals are celebrated based on the Lunar Calendar. One of the biggest is the yearly fireworks festival.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)

Book Review: Fiji (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 by Planet Collection

Title: Fiji (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B00A0V4IL6
Release Date: November 1 2012
Pages: 18
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the updated Planet Collection, "FIJI" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Fiji.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the large photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the fun fact filled passages.

Mine: Home to many type of crabs – since it is in the tropical region. It is a top vacation destination.

30% of the population studies Hinduism. The largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere is found here.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
Fun In the Sun Reading Challenge (Whole Latte Books)
Bookshelf Love (Poetree)

Book Review: The Bear Who Couldn't Sleep by Caroline Nastro

Title: The Bear Who Couldn’t Sleep
Author: Caroline Nastro
Publisher: North South Books Inc
ISBN: 073584268X (ISBN13: 9780735842687)
Release Date: October 1st 2016 (expected)
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook (will be hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads:
There’s no place like home when it’s time for bed. When Bear can’ t sleep, he goes on an adventure and discovers the wonders of New York City a parade, Central Park, hot dogs, and more! But when he finally gets tired and looks for a place to rest . . . he learns why it’s called the city that never sleeps. What’s a bear to do? Caroline Nastro’s gentle adventure and Vanya Nastanlieva’s engaging illustrations are sure to comfort and delight!"

Mine:
Bear just can’t sleep so he takes to wandering off. He stops along the way at the other forest animals homes, but most of them are sleeping also. He finds his way to the Big City – New York – what’s a bear to do, but visit all the popular places.


*I received a free ARC of The Bear Who Couldn’t Sleep from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 New Release Challenge (Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! and (un)Conventional Bookviews)

Book Review: A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager

Title: A Tale of Two Mommies
Author: Vanita Oelschlager
Publisher: Vanita Books
ISBN: 9780981971469
Release Date: April 1st 2010
Pages: 42
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook (will be Hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads
A Tale of Two Mommies is a playground conversation between two children. The girl says he heard that the boy has two moms. The boy says that is right--he has Mommy and Momma. True to a child’s curiosity, practical questions follow

Intended for 4- to 8-year-olds, this book introduces a type of family increasingly visible in modern society. Neither favoring nor condemning, it reflects a child’s practical and innocent look at the adults who nurture and love her. It becomes clear that the family bond is unburdened by any cultural discomforts.

Mine
What a wonderful story and illustrated beautifully ( Kristin Blackwood & Mike Blanc). It’s amazing how kids get into conversations. How kids explain things sometimes is the best way. What is the difference between Momma and Mommy? They each do different things to support the little boy, but in different ways. They both tuck him in at night, but during the day they do different things.

A nice book to tell kids about different family dynamics. The age group is perfect, since I believe that is the time that kids start to ask those type of questions.

*I received a free ARC of A Tale of Two Mommies from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*


Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

Book Review: Candy Cane Wayne by Leela Hope

Title: Candy Cane Wayne
Author: Leela Hope
Publisher:
ISBN: B01A4TWG62
Release Date: January 2nd 2016
Pages: 24
Genre: Children’s
Format: Hardback (read as ebook)
Source: Kindle

GoodReads: This is a charming tale about a boy named Wayne who much preferred eating candy over healthy greens.
He is always tired and has no energy to play. And try as she might,
his mother can’t convince him to eat his vegetables.
Follow along as he accepts an invitation for tea at his friend’s house and makes the discovery much more than tea is being served.
Will Wayne have a change of heart and decide to try something new?
Candy Cane Wayne entertains with lively, colorful illustrations and rhyming verse, while sending a positive message to your children about healthy eating.

Mine: I’m right there with Wayne, not a big veggie eater either. Although Wayne finds that he can’t keep up with his friend. His friend has lots of energy and eats veggies and Wayne doesn’t. He’s invited to eat at his friends and veggie are served.

Wayne finally tries some veggies and decides they aren’t so a bad after all. He had the energy to keep up.

Very colorful illustrations.


Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
2016 New Release Challenge (Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! and (un)Conventional Bookviews)

Book Review: Mermaids on Mars by Nancy Guettier

Title: Mermaids on Mars
Author: Nancy Guettier
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
ISBN: 9781614486411
Release Date: April 1st 2013
Pages: 34
Genre: Children’s
Format: Paperback
Source: Author

GoodReads:
Mermaids On Mars is a sweet tale that educates children on the importance of water conservation. Beautifully illustrated and simple to follow the rules the mermaids want to share with children all over the world on the importance of water conservation with simple things they can do to help save this precious resource.

Mine:
What a timely book living in California where we have had a drought for several years. A very cute way to tell children to conserve water. Flush when you use the toilet, not when you throw a tissue in. Water plants with a wateringcan not the hose. Don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth. Love the fact that they tell kids to brush.


Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

Book Review: A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager

Title: A Tale of Two Daddies
Author: Vanita Oelschlager
Publisher: Vanita Books
ISBN: 9780981971469
Release Date: April 1st 2010
Pages: 42
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook (will be Hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads
A Tale of Two Daddies is a playground conversation between two children. The boy says he heard that the girl has two dads. The girl says that is right--she has Daddy and Poppa. True to a child’s curiosity, practical questions follow: "Which dad helps when your team needs a coach? / Which dad cooks you eggs and toast?” To which she answers: "Daddy is my soccer coach. / Poppa cooks me eggs and toast.”

Intended for 4- to 8-year-olds, this book introduces a type of family increasingly visible in modern society. Neither favoring nor condemning, it reflects a child’s practical and innocent look at the adults who nurture and love her. It becomes clear that the family bond is unburdened by any cultural discomforts.

Mine
What a wonderful story and illustrated beautifully ( Kristin Blackwood & Mike Blanc). It’s amazing how kids get into conversations. How kids explain things sometimes is the best way. What is the difference between Poppa and Daddy? They each do different things to support the little girl, but in different ways. They both tuck her in at night, but during the day they do different things.

A nice book to tell kids about different family dynamics. The age group is perfect, since I believe that is the time that kids start to ask those type of questions.

Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

*I received a free ARC of A Tale of Two Daddies from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*

Book Review: If You Were Me and Lived In….Italy by Carole P Roman

Title: If You Were Me and Lived in ….Italy
Author: Carole P Roman
Publisher: Createspace
ISBN: 9781519241412
Release Date: November 24th 2015
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher


GoodReads: Join Carole P. Roman as she visits the Republic of Italy. Learn what it is like to live in Rome, see the famous architecture, celebrate a favorite holiday and discover popular names for both boys and girls. Be fascinated with it's diverse and rich history and colorful traditions. On the way, you might learn a word or two in Italian!.

Mine: Carole Roman has done it again with a beautifully written book about “The Boot” – Italy. She always has some wonderful facts that even as an adult you may not know. I always enjoy her books as the illustrations are very well thought out and she has a vocabulary of terms in the back of the book.


Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

Book Review: Over-Schedule Andrew by Ashley Spires

Title: Over-Scheduled Andrew
Author: Ashley Spires
Publisher: Tundra Books
ISBN: 9781770494848
Release Date: January 12th 2016
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook (will be hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads: Andrew loves putting on plays so he decides to join the drama club at school. Determined to make his performance the best it can be, he joins the debate club to practice his public speaking. He signs up for dance and karate to help with his coordination. Then he's asked to play for the tennis team and edit the school newspaper. Before long he's learning to play the bagpipes, attending Spanish classes and joining the French film club. Suddenly Andrew doesn't have time for anything or anyone else, not even his best friend Edie. And he definitely doesn't have time to sleep. Will Andrew figure out how to balance all his favorite activities and his best friend at the same time? A hilarious, over-the-top look at a common issue many kids today face.

Mine: Very cute – it seems like all our lives – we try to cram too much in to everyday. The only thing here is that it is a little worrisome it that some of this is so true and you wonder if kids really get to be kids it we take them from one activity to another. We spread ourselves thin, but do we need to teach that to our children early on.

He realizes that it’s too much and misses his best friend. It is a over-the-top look at what we all do on an everyday basis.


Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

Book Review: An Armadillo in New York by Julie Kraulis

Title: An Armadillo in New York
Author: Julie Kraulis
Publisher: Tundra Books
ISBN: 9781770498914
Release Date: April 12th 2016
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook (will be hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads:
A winsome armadillo from Brazil takes a trip to New York in this delightful new picture book from Julie Kraulis. Arlo is an armadillo who is always up for adventure. His grandfather, Augustin, loved adventure too. When Arlo was born, Augustin wrote travel journals about his favorite places for Arlo to use when he was old enough to go exploring on his own. When Arlo reads about New York and the mysterious Lady Liberty, he decides it's time for his next adventure. He travels to New York and, guided by Augustin's journal, discovers the joys of the city: gazing at the vast skyline, visiting the Guggenheim, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and, of course, meeting Lady Liberty . . . but who is she? Each spread has a clue about her identity, and kids will see hints of her scattered throughout the pages. This book is like a gorgeous stroll through New York with an adorable friend--a stroll you'll want to take again and again.

Mine:
Arlo is a wonderful creature – who wants to follow in his grandfather Augustin’s footsteps. Based on grandfather’s journals he must find Lady Liberty. On his way there he experiences other sights and wonders of New York” Empire State Building, Broadway, he then finally gets the ferry to see Lady Liberty.

Very cute story that takes you around New York – it’s a nice tour of a wonderful city.



Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

2016 I Love Picture Books

For all of you of all ages who love picture books but find they don't qualify for your other challenges, or just want an excuse to read them. . .here's a challenge just for you!

Formerly hosted by Book Dragon's Lair. She's cutting back her challenge hosting for 2016 and passed the baton to me.

Details:

Challenge runs from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Sign up is now through December 1, 2016.

Read picture books.

Pick a number and go for it. Twelve too easy? Go for 20. Piece of cake? Go for 40.

Books you own and library check outs count. So do ebooks and re-reads.

Please post about the challenge and sign up with a direct link.

A blog is not necessary, just link to where you talk about the challenge or a dedicated public shelf at goodreads or LibraryThing.

Write a review - 2 sentences or an essay, whatever works for you, but there is a minimum of 2 sentences for your review. Not sure what to write? How about something like, "The characters were a delight but the artwork was dreary. It was disappointing." I'll post a link up post each month for those who want to share. Reviews are not necessary but would be nice so we know which ones to read ourselves. :)

My goal is 50 or more. That sounds high, but I teach in a toddler room so I read a LOT of picture books. The challenge will be tracking them and remembering to write reviews!

This reading challenge event is hosted by Bea's Book Nook
​For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

I think I will try to go with 20 books

1 An Armadillo in New York by Julie Kraulis
2 If You Were Me and Lived in Italy by Carole Roman
3 Over-Schedule Andrew by Ashley Spires
4 Mermaids on Mars by Nancy Guettier
5 A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager
6 Two Shoes by Beth Raitt
7 Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein by Amanda Peet, Andrea Troyer
8 Pickin Peas by Margaret Read MacDonald
9 A Color Game for Chester Raccoon by Audrey Penn
10 Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 by Ami Rubinger
11 Candy Cane Wayne by Leela Hope
12 I Came From The Water Vanita Oelschlager
13 Big Cat, Small Cat by Ami Rubinger
14 A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager
15 Being A Captain is Hard Wrok by Carole Roman
16 If You Were Me and Lived in …Egypt by Carole Roman
17 The Bear Who Couldn't Sleep by Caroline Nastro (Netgalley)
18 Cuba: Picture Book by Planet Collection
19 Korea: Picture Book by Planet Collection
20 Germany: Picture Book by Planet Collection
**************************************************
21 Guinea: Picture Book by Planet Collection
22 Fiji: Picture Book by Planet Collection
23 Alphabet Everywhere by Elliott Kaufman (Netgalley)
24 All About Forests by Mac Van Gageldonk (Netgalley)
25 The Green Umbrella by Jackie Azua Kramer (NetGalley)
26 Silly Monsters 1, 2, 3 by Gerald Hawksley
27 Alphazoo by Anastasya Shephard
28 Silly Cute Monsters A, B, C by Tanya Turner
29 Sri Lanka by Planet Collection
30 Helicopters by Planet Collection
31 Estonia: Picture Book by Planet Collection
32 ABC Come Play with Me by Sandie Lee
33 Herbie's Big Adventure by Jennie Poh
34 The ABC Train - Learn the alphabet!: A book with fruits and vegetables! by Andrew Becket
35 Abigail the Whale by David Cali
36 Meet the Denver Broncos by Zack Burgess
37 The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
38 Let's Go, Dear Dragon by Margaret Hillert
39
40