Category Archives: Books – Children

May 8 2012

Who Loves Me? Personalized Book

[ABOUT] It is often said that there is no better gift that you can give a child than love. Who Loves Me? features the names of family members and friends who love the child, and encourages the child to reach to the sky when asked “how much” each of one of them loves him or her. This beautifully illustrated book reassures the child that he or she is loved “so much” by each person, with melodious rhymes describing the depth of each individual’s love. Written by Jennifer Dewing, with colorful, whimsical illustrations by Maria Carluccio, this hardcover book is a perfect gift for a new baby or young child!

[REVIEW] This is the sweetest book and you can include all the extended family member names in it when you personalize it. The story is sweet and on each page, your child is reminded of someone else they know that loves them. It makes a wonderful gift and one we will order again.

Dec 7 2011

I See Me – Personalized Children’s Books

[ABOUT] My Very Own Name is a beautifully illustrated personalized children’s book that helps children to learn to recognize letters and spell their names. In this hardcover, professionally bound book, animals bring letters one by one to create the child’s first and last names in rhyme. A jackal brings a J, an ostrich brings an O, and so on. At the end, the animals celebrate because they’ve created the perfect name.

MY VERY OWN PRIVATE TALE – In My Very Own Pirate Tale, entertaining sea creatures bring letters one by one to spell out your child’s name, and they describe why he or she is the perfect candidate to be the captain’s first mate. The sawshark brings the S, the octopus brings the O, and so on. At the end of this adventurous pirate story, your child’s name is revealed as the secret to opening the treasure. Includes an illustrated encyclopedia of 62 sea creatures with fun facts about each. Filled with beautiful, hand-painted illustrations, this hardcover book is a unique keepsake that will be cherished for a lifetime.

[REVIEW] These are beautiful books and the perfect gift for a child. They will truly delight the way ours did in discovering that the book is all about them. We love that the book encourages the child to learn to spell their name. We would make this a baby gift for every new parent.

Nov 24 2011

Book: Kate Kate The Fashion Plate

[ABOUT]Kate’s adventures are educational, inspirational and encourage girls to follow their dreams.  WEBSITE

[OVERVIEW] Kate has been busy designing dresses for Marie and Antoinette, her two little dogs.But now she has a chance to shine as a famous fashion designer, or so she thinks.   When Kate’s mom, a fashion icon and head of The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, arranges for Kate to help dress the mannequins at Bergs, New York’s fanciest department store, Kate is jumping for joy.  Kate has to promise her mother that she will dress in the latest style, “plain and simple” when she goes to Bergs, and not  in one of her own designs. But it seems Kate has a problem. Although she tries, she just can’t  look like everyone else. Even worse, the dresses she is given to put on the mannequins are so “booring” they make Kate feel sad. Bursting with ideas on how to give the dresses more sparkle and pizzazz, Kate gets carried away …. until Mrs. Blinker, the owner of Bergs walks in and sees what Kate is doing.  Now that Kate is in big trouble, what will happen to her dreams of being a fashion designer? Does Kate learn that she has to look like everyone else to be accepted?

[REVIEW] This is a wonderful new book series for young tweens [ages 6-10]. This will be our next mother-daughter Book Club pick. It was a fun, charming, and an easy read that kept my daughter engaged and entertained.

Oct 29 2011

Mommy Brings Home the Bacon

[ABOUT] “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” is a heartwarming children’s book that explores the touching relationship between a young boy and his working mom.

Told from the young boy’s perspective, the whimsical narrative reflects a child’s imaginative interpretation of why mommy goes to work, and the beautiful bond that develops as a result.

Bringing simplicity and lightheartedness to an emotional topic, “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” fosters a child’s appreciation for a working mother, while simultaneously easing the minds of moms who balance the difficult responsibilities of financially supporting their household and raising the children they so dearly love.

[AUTHOR] Nikki Mark

[REVIEW] Years ago this reviewer babysat for a spritely little girl who delighted in playing the parent role in a reenactment of “preschool drop off”. She would solemnly charge me, “Don’t be sad. I’ll be back soon,” give a cheery wave, and scoot off in her plastic convertible. Many years later, I have good-bye rituals with my own kids, special formulas meant to impart security for the time apart. “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” captures the importance of how we explain these times of separation to our children.

A parent’s explanation is vital, helping children make sense of their world and understand the connection between love and the practical elements of care-taking. The book gently works through the thought life of a child processing his working mother’s words about the need, and enjoyment, of her work. There is tenderness written into every page, and a dash of humor as the young boy imagines his mother’s day at the office, and muses over the incredible quantities of unseen “bacon” being secured by working moms everywhere.

Any mom who has felt her heart contract when saying good-bye to her little one will read the short book with a lump in her throat. This would make a thoughtful gift for a working mom, or a great read for a child who needs to identify and explore their feelings on the subject. If “The Kissing Hand” is perfect for preschool age children, “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” is a great companion read for slightly older children who are able to compare experiences, reflect on the meaning of words, and are learning to empathize.

Oct 29 2011

Potter the Otter

[ABOUT] Potter the Otter is made available for free by FIRST 5 of Santa Barbara County with funding from FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, Kaiser Permanente, and the Department of Health and Human Services. FIRST 5 wants kids to grow up healthy and strong, and knows that habits form early. They developed Potter the Otter: A Tale about Water to assist parents and childcare providers in talking with young children about making healthier drink choices.Visit potterloveswater.com to learn more, play games, meet Potter, order the book and much, much more.

[REVIEW] A Tale About Water is popping up all over Santa Barbara County this year! Throughout the book, Potter the Otter, in charmingly simple illustrations, takes children on a walk through the park, talking to friends about the benefits of drinking water (did you know that the average 4-5 year old child drinks 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day? Hand over the juice box, stat!). The rhyming story is simple and repetitive, which will help Potter’s message stick long after the last page is turned. The words are in English and Spanish.

Oct 29 2011

The Cult of Lego

[ABOUT] In The Cult of Lego,  Wired’s GeekDad blogger John Baichtal and BrickJournal founder Joe Meno take you on a magnificent, illustrated tour of the LEGO® community, its people, and their creations. The Cult of LEGO introduces us to fans and builders from all walks of life. People like professional LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya; enigmatic Dutch painter Ego Leonard (who maintains that he is, in fact, a LEGO minifig); Angus MacLane, a Pixar animator who builds CubeDudes, instantly recognizable likenesses of fictional characters; Brick Testament creator Brendan Powell Smith, who uses LEGO to illustrate biblical stories; and Henry Lim, whose work includes a series of models recreating M.C. Escher lithographs and a full-scale, functioning LEGO harpsichord.

[AUTHOR] John Baichtal

[REVIEW] For any child or adult that had a passion for Lego, this book is for you. The illustrations will inspire you to pull out the Lego and start building again.

We have one book for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

Beast Friends Forever: The Super Swap-O Surprise!

[ABOUT] Beast Friends Forever: The Super Swap-O Surprise!  Nine-year-old Zeke and his seven-year-old sister Hannah have a furry, two-foot-tall beast named Otto living under Zeke’s bed. In the second installment of this wacky series, the siblings experiment with Otto’s magical “Swap-O” ability to exchange everyday item for interesting objects. Like a music box for a golden egg; a small robot for a tiny green man; and a tree for a…huge dinosaur! How will Hannah and Zeke get out of this scrape?

[AUTHOR] Vince Evans

[REVIEW] My nine year old daughter loved this book. It was an easy read with silly illustrations that had her laughing. It was not especially challenging but rather a fun change of pace.  This author knows the words to use to keep even the kids who do not like to read wanting more.

We have one for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

The Noodle series

[ABOUT] Say hi to Noodle, a brand-new character for babies and toddlers! Busy, inquisitive, and cute as a button, Noodle just loves to have fun. This series of bright, robust touch-and-feel board books with simple rhyming texts provides plenty of details for parent and child to talk about and explore. Nosy Crow is a new, independent company, publishing children’s books and apps.

  • Noodle Loves Bedtime -  Noodle loves getting ready for bed and then snuggling down under the covers, in this book full of gentle touch and feel fun.
  • Noodle Loves to Cuddle – Noodle loves to play with lots of things – a fluffy duck, a cosy blanket, a bumpy ball – but most of all Noodle loves to cuddle with mummy! A cute, colourful and utterly irresistible touch and feel book to share with babies and toddlers.

[AUTHOR] By Marion Billet

[REVIEW] These are sweet board books that toddlers will enjoy reading.

We have one for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

Dinosaur Dig!

[ABOUT] Dinosaur Dig! has everything that boys love — diggers, dinosaurs, and dirt — plus a bit of counting thrown in for good measure. Bursting with energy, noise, and a splashy, surprising ending, this is an absolute riot of a book. The first title from Nosy Crow, a new imprint of Candlewick Press!

[Author and illustrator] Penny Dale

[REVIEW] Your child will be drawn in immediately by the illustrations in this fun counting book.

We have one for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.

Oct 29 2011

Handstand Kids Cookbook series

[ABOUT] The Handstand Kids Cookbook series introduces kids 3-13 to new and familiar foods, featuring the languages  and cuisines of Italy, Mexico and China. Each Handstand Kids cookbook translates each of the ingredients and utensils into the country’s primary language, familiarizing them with international cultures.

[REVIEW] The Handstand Kids Cookbooks are a  great way to introduce children to culture, language, cooking and at the same time expose them to thinking of others. Kids are given choices with how to alter the recipes by substituting ingredients and make healthier meals. The illustrations are captivating and fun.  These are wonderful cookbooks for kids and make terrific gifts with the fun packaging and accessories that they include.

We have one for a GIVEAWAY so enter our ParentClick.com Contest! Go to your community and click on the CHATTER page to find out the latest way to enter the contest.