I Love A Book by Joe Rhatigan, illustrated by Olga & Aleskey Ivanov

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: MoonDance Press (November 7, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1633222268
• ISBN-13: 978-1633222267

About the Book:

This is a celebration of books, reading, and our imaginations, I Love a Book opens with a list of types of books and where to find them. The simple, lyrical prose then becomes more frantic as a young reader encounters pirates sailing the sea, a classroom of monsters "learning math with their paws," and even an animal doctor making house calls in a helicopter.

With lavish illustrations nearly spilling off the page, the young reader finally reaches the end of an exhausting day, ready for bed ... and more books. This book is for anyone who loves books and wants to instill this passion in the next generation.

My Thoughts:

I. Love. This. Book!  It's jam packed with everything to love about books: imagination, illustration, and knowledge.  The illustrations are amazing, detailed, and you could probably read "I Love A Book" a dozen times and still not catch all of the wonder of the illustrations.

The story is written in rhyming couplets, and would make a perfect read-aloud story.  Even reluctant readers will be captivated by "I Love A Book", and it just might change their minds about how much fun it is to read a book.

Seriously, I read a lot of children's books as a reviewer, and this is hands down my all-time favorite children's book EVER.  This hardcover wonder was given to me by MoonDance Publishing (with no services promised in return) and it is a must have for this Christmas!

Merry Christmas, and until the next page turns,

Deena

Nifty Gifty #6: Duck and Hippo in the Rainstorm by Jonathan London, illustrated by Andrew Joyner

• Age Range: 3 - 7 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 2
• Series: Duck and Hippo Series (Book 1)
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Two Lions (March 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1503937232
• ISBN-13: 978-1503937239

About the Book:

Get ready for a rainy-day adventure with Duck and Hippo!

Duck and Hippo may be completely different, but they are best friends. When playful Duck invites careful Hippo to go for a walk in the rain, they have trouble sharing Duck’s umbrella. But Duck and Hippo won’t let that stop them. Soon they are puddle-jumping and sailing down the river! Until…WHOOOSH! A terrible wind sends the umbrella flying up, up, up into the air, with one friend holding on. What will Duck and Hippo do now? Jonathan London’s charming text and Andrew Joyner’s delightful art bring to life two lovable friends in this fun new series.

My Thoughts:

Duck and Hippo are adorable friends and they go on hilarious adventures.  "Duck and Hippo in the Rainstorm" is the first book in this new children's series.  The illustrations are solid, full color and loaded with fun.

Of course, something goes wrong and the fun day turns into an adventure.  Children learn about friendship, being friends with someone who is different than you, safety, and problem solving.  I really think Duck and Hippo are going to be the new Frog and Toad.

Until the next page turns,

Deena

Nifty Gifty #5: Good Night, Baby Animals by Karen B. Winnick, illustrated by Laura Watkins

• Age Range: 2 - 5 years
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (January 24, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805098836
• ISBN-13: 978-0805098839

About the Book:

Whether they're dashing, splashing, munching, or crunching, baby animals are ever-exploring! At home in their natural habitats, baby animals learn about the world that surrounds them. When the fun is done, it's time for baby animals to go to sleep. After all, every baby animal has to rest.

Full of action, sound effects, and patterned text, each story features the adorable antics and accurate behavior of six wild animal babies: tiger, elephant, giraffe, rhinoceros, panda, and gorilla. This 64-page, beautifully designed story book is perfect for bedtime.

My Thoughts:

My oldest daughter has five children, ages 10-1 year, and bedtime has it's own special routine.  But getting little ones to settle down for sleep can be difficult, if not impossible at times.  So I'm thrilled to offer you an adorable story collection that will arrive in time for Christmas and make next year's bedtimes more fun.

"Good Night Baby Animals" is a collection of six original stories about different animals parents and their babies.  The tiger babies romp, while the baby rhino is brave.  Each story is brief, and the words are just enough on each page--because your children will be eager to turn the page to see what's next!

My only wish is a table of contents page, which makes it easier for parents to find their child's "read it again!" story.  Other than that, this is an ideal book for families with children of all ages, but especially the little ones.

My thanks to my friends at Henry Holt Publishing for my complimentary copy with no services provided in exchange.

Merry Christmas, and until the next page turns,

Deena

Adored: 365 Devotions For Young Women

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 3, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310762790
• ISBN-13: 978-0310762799

About the Book:

In an ever-changing world, we can be certain of one thing: we are beloved by God. Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women tackles tough topics girls face, from bullying and social media to friendships and dating, all the while showing readers how infinitely precious they are in God’s sight.

Each day features an easy-to-read, relevant devotion paired with a scripture verse and journaling space to help readers reflect on the day’s message. With honest, poignant, and sometimes humorous text, every page will speak to the pressures and changes girls face, giving them real-world applications to find God in their hearts and in their lives. 

Perfect for everyday use, Adored will resonate with girls searching for truth and guidance. Gift givers will love this highly designed book featuring a beautiful, foiled cover, and two-color interior pages.

My Thoughts:

We live in a world filled with Kardashians, supermodels, and Disney stars all telling our young women and girls that you have to look this way, have this figure, make these choices, and wear this stuff in order to be adored.  The problem is two-fold: the lesser issue is we don't have access to the people who make these people look like 'perfection'.

But the most important issue is we've forgotten that we are made in the image of God, fearfully and wonderfully made, and gifted with talents and abilities that can change the world.  Sure, since the fall nothing is perfect.

Oh, wait!  The Bible is perfect, Jesus is perfect, God is perfect, and we can perfect our personality, our wants, our desires...our everything by living out the Word daily.  "Adored" gives young women the opportunity to make reading the Bible a daily habit.

This gorgeous book has 365 devotionals and they are not dated--merely Day 1, Day 2, and so on.  You can begin on any day and in any month--like Christmas day.  And did I mention this book is GORGEOUS?  Major applause to the creative designer of the cover and inner page design.

At the end of each devotional a few lines are included so you can jot down your thoughts after you've read the daily reading.  In fact, once you finish the devotional, save it for your daughter and pass it down so that she can also learn just how ADORED she is as well.  I'm giving "Adored" my 'for such a time' award of excellence.

Until the next page turns,

Deena

Nifty Gifty #4: Purple Turtle Graded Readers, Level 3 from ELT

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Aadarsh; First Editon edition (April 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9386090759
• ISBN-13: 978-9386090751

About the Books:

A1 Edutainment takes you to the world on an amazing new reading programme with Purple Turtle. The first level of Purple Turtle Graded Readers includes a set of 12 books with interesting stories and activities and 150 word count. This level is exclusively for learners who have just started reading. It is based on ATOS and Lexile reading level system.  

My Thoughts:

First off, I received the level 3 reader set, and I love them!  I have several grandchildren all at different stages of reading ability, so this gift is ideal.  Each set comes with 12 hard cover books, all little and perfectly sized for a child's hands.  The stories are engaging and the illustrations are colorful.

Each book opens with a greeting from Purple Turtle (I'm nuts for turtles, by the way!).  He introduces the book and the reading skill the child will learn with the book .  In "Purple Turtle and The Rhyme Game", the children learn about words that rhyme.  In "Purple Turtle and Grows a Garden", the reader will learn all kinds of facts about gardening.

My thanks to A-1 Edutainment for my complete set of Level 3 readers, with no services promised in return.  I absolutely cannot wait for these to go under my Christmas tree this year!

Merry Christmas, and until the next page turns,

Deena

Nifty Gifty #3: If You're Happy and You Know It, a sing-along book, illustrated by Barbara Szepesi Szucs

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: 1 - 2
• Series: A Sing-Along Book
• Board book: 20 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz; Brdbk edition (August 8, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310759226
• ISBN-13: 978-0310759225

About the Book:

f you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap) If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap) If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it! If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)

Read or sing along with your little one’s favorite song! If You’re Happy and You Know It pairs adorable illustrations with the lyrics of the familiar children’s song. This newest board book in the beloved Sing-Along series also features a padded cover perfect for little hands, and is sure to delight children and parents alike.

My Thoughts:

How many of us remember singing this song as kids??  How great is it that we can pass it along to our children and grandchildren in this amazing new board book from Zondervan (thank you for my copy, with no services provided in exchange!)??

The illustrations are adorable, from the accordion playing elephant to the turtle on the triangle!  To be completely honest, this is a book I'd buy for myself just because it makes me so happy!  Sturdy binding, nice and thick pages, and a fun book for the entire family to enjoy!

Merry Christmas, and until the next page turns,

Deena

Nifty Gifty #2: Little Jesus, Little Me by Doris Rikkers, illustrated by Lizzie Walkley

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 3
• Board book: 14 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz; Brdbk edition (August 29, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310761778
• ISBN-13: 978-0310761778

About the Book:

Jesus was a baby just like me.

Jesus learned to walk one step at a time just like me.

Jesus once was a little child too! With sweet and simple text and colorful illustrations, Little Jesus, Little Me helps your child learn to connect with Jesus at an early age and learn about God’s great love. Perfect for parents and grandparents to share with children, this book will soon become a favorite for your little one!

My Thoughts:

Yes, Jesus was a baby, born of a virgin and He grew up just like our babies grow.  This gives little ones the chance to see Jesus and identify with Him from a very, very young age.  The book has sturdy pages and a solid binding, and the illustrations a whimsical and colorful.  Everything your child will learn to do, Jesus learned to do it, too.  My thanks to Zondervan for my complimentary copy with no services provided in exchange.

Merry Christmas, and until the next page turns,

Deena