A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Elementary

My Friend Earth

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raincoast FTC

Earth day is coming!  Can you believe it!   A day to celebrate all that is good about the earth and to think of ways to help perserve her. My Friend Earth which I am reviewing today helps youngsters see all that the earth is.  It also serves as an inspiration in caring for our world. 

My Friend Earth

What I am Reviewing

Patrician MacLachlan wrote My Friend Earth, a beautifully illustrated hardcover book with interactive elements. Francesca Sanna, illustrator, brought together vibrant colours with multiple shades of greens and browns to tell Earth’s story.  Chronicle Books produced this 44 page picture book that is written for preschool and kindergarten children.    My Friend Earth teaches children about the earth, it’s seasons, and the environment. 

Reviewed on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

The Details of My Friend Earth

sample page from My Friend Earth

Just look at those colours eh?  So bright and inviting!  The cut outs help create action and movement resulting in drawing you in to learn more.   See birds flit, fish dart, and water flow.  

my friend earth, sample page

You’ll be delighted with the antics of whales, the coursing of horses, and fierce winds that blow hard.   The seasons will come and go, showing the earth in action.

sample page My Friend Earth

The text fits within the images, flowing as the images pass. The lines aren’t poetic in nature but just fit. Easy words to read the help you delight a child with the turn of page.  What will happen next?  What might Earth do or see or cause to happen? Are there flaps to lift?  Holes to peer through?

Recommendations

Celebrate Earth day with your littles.  This delightful book is geared for them.  So much to see and talk about on each page.  I love the peek-a-boo holes.  It’s wonderful to read of the variety of animals and see the gentle change in seasons.  For all the activity that happens within the pages, this is a very calm, peaceful picture book.  Introduce your littles to the environment of the world, talk about how we can preserve it, and have a great Earth day!  My Friend Earth.

Tiny Bird

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raincoast FTC

Raincoast books is the story of one little hummingbird’s migration journey.  Let’s travel with him from the northern part of the USA to the Gulf of Mexico. Beautifully illustrated with a treasure trove of information about hummingbirds.  It has been my pleasure to review this picture book. 

Tiny Bird: A Hummingbird's Amazing Journey

What I am Reviewing

Tiny Bird: A Hummingbird’s Amazing Journey was written by Robert Burleigh.  Illustrated by Wendell Minor, and published by Henry Hold & Company.   It is 40 pages long and intended for ages 5-9.  Covering hummingbirds and migration, ecology and zoology.   This is a beautiful book.  Reviewed for Raincoast books.  I received a softcover ARC copy for this review. 

The Details on Tiny Bird

I love it when picture books open up with an introduction to the topic at hand before they get to the title page.  Tiny Bird opens with facts about hummingbirds along with a map showing the journey that tiny bird will be taking. 

Tiny Bird

I learned a ton about hummingbirds reading this book, some of it actually surprised me so I had to fact check.  Nothing that I checked was proven to be false, so if you are undergoing a study on hummingbirds, grab up this book!  The beautiful illustrations that show off the speed and grace of the hummingbird will delight you. 

Tiny Bird sample page

Tiny Bird brings out the hardships these little birds face on their journey.  I could see how their tiny size belies the strength behind them. 

Most of the pages have ample white space to showcase these tiny birds.  But occasional pages are full colour.

Tiny Bird sample page

No rhyming lyrics fill the pages, just straightforward informative text, written in easy to understand language for the young reader.   The font size is easy to read. 

Tiny bird, sample text

This inspiring migratory and life cycle story celebrates the important and impressive feat of a small but mighty creature.  You will learn so much about this smallest of birds travelling over 1500 miles.  Many of these birds don’t make it, but in Tiny Bird we celebrate the ones that do!

Young or old, Tiny Bird is worth a look at. You won’t regret the read for yourself or your children. 

Iceland: The Puffin Explorers Series

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ASCOT media FTC

Imagine visiting a country that gets more than 2.3 million visitors a year, more than the whole country has as it’s population, and falling in love with a “flying football”.  Put those two loves together and you get an engaging series entitled Iceland: The Puffin Explorers by RA Anderson.   Three books thus far in this series extolling the virtues of puffins and the land they live in.  Join me in this review, won’t you?

iceland the puffin explorers series

What I am Reviewing

Ascot Media was kind enough to send me the entire series of Iceland: the Puffin Explories Series.   The three books in the series are 

Written by RA Anderson, who also wrote the “if pets could talk” series, she gears this series to children up to grade two. My Favourite Books Publishing Company put together these three books that average 70 pages each. 

Each book centres around young puffin Arni and his friend Birta. As they look for various things they also learn a lot about Iceland. 

The Details

You will find every page filled with brightly coloured images and good clear text.  The text is great size for reading to singles or a group.  Please note these adorable puffin footy-prints running throughout the pages. 

iceland the puffin explorers

Most pages that Arni, Birta or puffin parents talking about things they see, the concerns they have, etc.  These words are always italicized and in rhyme.

iceland the puffin explorers

The author adds tidbits of learning with cutouts borded in orange.  You will learn facts such as statistics, puffin details, green power in Iceland, and cultural information.  They even brought in Icelandic words such as lopi, tog, thel, and tolt. 

iceland the puffin explorers

The Individual Books

Puffins Take Flight

Puffins take flight book cover

Puffins take flight introduces us to Pabbi (Arni’s dad), Arni, Birta and Arni’s mother.  Arni is up for an exploration but his best pal Birta is missing!   In this first book we predominately learn all about puffins, from how they walk, fledge, nest, their predators and more. 

Did you know there were four types of puffins? It was news to me as well.   These books are definitely not just for youth up to grade two, if you are interested in puffins and/or Iceland these books are a treasure trove of information for one and all. 

Puffins take flight sample page

Puffins off the Beaten Path

puffins off the beaten path book cover

In Puffins off the beaten path, Arni and his best friend Birta are looking for two lost sheep.  These twins need to get back to their mama and these two puffins are determined to help!

Along the way we learn more about puffins, and a lot about Iceland. Learning about farming and sheep, horses, swans, foxes, turf homes and more.  You’ll pick up some Icelandic language along the way.

puffins off the beaten path sample page

Puffins Encounter Fire & Ice

Puffins Encounter Fire & Ice book cover

Puffins Encounter Fire & Ice is the last book in the series. Arni and Birta are off for one last land adventure before they head off to sea for the next four years. 

Arni and Birta will discover glaciers, volcanoes and natural energy.  They will learn about some of the Iceland’s legendary folk.  You’ll see beautiful pictures of waterfalls, lighthouses, and wildlife. 

Puffins Encounter Fire & Ice sample page

Recommendation

I found these books to be simply fantastic.  Most of the pictures are unique to each book but I did find some puffins duplicates.  The full colour images, the interesting and varied facts about both puffins and Iceland, make for a compelling read. 

The large font size makes it easier for adult and child alike to read.  I could easily see letting the child read the puffin conversation while the adult reads the factual bits. 

The author mentioned that the pictures in the book were of adult puffins, not immature ones like Arni and Birta would have been. 

Mindful Day

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Raincoast FTC

Mindfulness is a big thing now-a-days, promoting a growth orientation. Mindful Day is a book geared to little ones, helping them learn to think in the moment.  To carefully pay attention to what you are doing, slowing down using rhythmic breathing so you can experience everything you can. 

Mindful Day by Deborah Hopkinson

What I am Reviewing

Mindful Day is written by Deborah Hopkinson, and is geared for children preschool to grade three. Illustrations are done by Shirley Ng-Benitez.  32 pages of lyrical narrative and illustrations to brighten each page.  It plugs into the mindfulness movement to teach early concepts to young children.  This children’s health book aim to help your children experience new and routine experiences in an emotionally healthy way. Published by Sounds True.  I am reviewing this book for Raincoast Books. 

Mindful Day

Details of Mindful Day

In this picture book you will find a mom and her children going about their daily business.  As they do so they will carefully pay attention to everything they are doing.  They will often take the time to focus on their breathing. 

Mindful Day

Illustrator Shirley Ng-Benitez has taken the time to draw amazing pictures.  I love the details she has incorporated. 

From the cat meowing as the children have breakfast.

Mindful Day

To the variety in the colours used on every page.  This book is done in all the brilliant colours you find in life.  The grey of a rainy day, the darkness of nightfall and fresh greens of the market. Lots of details to draw out of your children as you sit to read together.

Mindful Day

With large letters and excellent use of white space you’ll find it a pleasure to read to a group of children.  The simple lyrics roll well off the tongue.  They are not done in a rhyming style, but more like a mom telling a story to her children, talking together about the day they have had.  Remembering together all the things they experienced. 

Mindful Day

My Thoughts

There is much in this book that I like, but I am having a hard time with this whole mindfulness element.  Mindfulness tends to be fairly self-centered, a horizontal relationship between you and your view of the world. 

I love the simple enjoyment of every day activities, taking the time relish them, and appreciate them in the moment.  There is much to be said about appreciating what you have and taking the time to breathe through what happens in life that you don’t like. 

BUT the element of mindfulness that runs clearly through Mindful Day has me concerned.  I would issue this caution: if you are a person of faith, read it first and then decide if this book is right for you and your littles to read.  Pay attention to the language used, change it if you must, work on the vertical relationship more than the horizontal. 

Emily Writes

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Who doesn’t know Emily Dickinson?  A beloved poet born in Massachusetts in the 1800’s, she pushed the boundaries of poetry. She has been loved ever since.   A new generation of children are waiting to meet her in Emily Writes.  Jane Yolen shows us a delightful young Emily Dickinson.  Let’s dig into this review shall we?

Emily Writes

What I am Reviewing

Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and her poetic beginnings by Jane Yolen is a walk into the early years of Emily Dickinson. 40 pages of engaging art work were provided by Christine Davenier. These delight the senses as we wander through Emily’s early days. Children aged 4-8 are invited to follow Emily as she discovers her own love of poetry.

Step into United States history as you read this biography of an important American Poet.  Emily Writes was published by Henry Holt & Co.  I am reviewing this advance readers edition on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

Emily Writes book cover

The Details for Emily Writes

Emily Writes is an imagined story of Emily Dickinson’s early life.  Elements from different stages of her life were included in this one day of her life. Was her first poem really what it was?   I don’t know.  🙂  But it does showcase her love for poetry from an early age. 

And as the author explains at the close of the book, her envelope poem as captured above wasn’t actually written until some 40 years later.   

Emily Writes - author explanation page

Every page is filled with colour, with ample white space so as to not overload the senses or crowd out the words. Her yellow dress dotes the face of almost every page.  This is Emily’s day. 

emily writes - sample page

We catch glimpses of how it was to live in her family.  An older brother Austin who also loved poetry, a hard-working, not particularly attentive father, a sickly mama and a younger sister. 

Emily Writes - sample page

Recommendation

I love how the illustrations by Christine Davenier really help to make this story.  This is an imagined walk through one day in Emily’s life. We see her wandering through the pages in her yellow dress.  She enjoys life, visits with her family, and more. We get to see everything she does. It inspires conversation between adult and child.

They help us see Emily’s fascination with making her first poem.  The joy she had in walking through the garden. It was easy to see the fun she had with the housekeeper. There is so much in this book to make for a nice story.  Images to expand the story line and the joy in words Emily shared.

This is a good first book to introduce children to Emily Dickinson.  Enjoy Emily Writes!

Emily Writes

Cookies For Santa

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Raincoast FTC

OH!  I think I have a new cookie to make!  Santa’s Krinkle Cookies!  In Cookies for Santa, children the world over come to Santa’s rescue.  It’s a fun, cute read just in time for Christmas. Let’s dive into this review shall we?

Cookies for Santa

What I am Reviewing

Cookies for Santa is the Story of how Santa’s favourite cookie Saved Christmas.   Johanna Tarkela with the help of America’s Test Kitchen brings us a gorgeous picture book all about cookies for Santa.  

Santa’s tradition of baking cookies for all of Santa’s helpers is under threat!  Where’s the cookbook? Christmas is bound to be cancelled if proper thank you’s can’t be made.   Who will help Santa?

Children 4-8 years old will be delighted with the 32 full-colour pages of this beautiful picture book.  A delightful Christmas book, takes the folktale of Santa and his cookies and flips it on it’s head.  What a great way to look at one of the many Christmas myths!  🙂  

Cookies for Santa

The Details of Cookies for Santa

Johanna Tarkela has done a remarkable job illustrating Cookies for Santa. I loved the colours and details in the illustrations.  Seeing the children’s faces come to life… just marvellous don’t you think? 

Cookies for Santa

Thoughts/Recommendations

I rather enjoyed this picture book. It was interesting how they took the “leave cookies for Santa” and turned it into a deeper meaning, helping Santa save Christmas. 

If it wasn’t for America’s Test kitchen they probably wouldn’t have managed.  But that’s the joy of cooking isn’t it?  To experiment until you get it just right.  🙂 

Cookies for Santa

Through them, the recipe was perfected and the whole world worked to help Santa. Cookies were made for Santa to eat, and enough that he can share them with all his loved ones and helpers. 

It was a cute story and well worth reading, even if you don’t believe in Santa.

Cookies for Santa

You might remember The Complete Baking book for Young Chefs that I reviewed a bit back.  This was also from America’s Test Kitchen.  

disclaimer

Looking for Picture Books

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Ssine last week I looked through my review books for the best I had for middle school, It was time to look at the best in picture books.  I have had some absolutely marvellous picture books come though as I sit here looking back over the list.   Let’s take a look shall we?

Looking for Picture Books

Picture Books about People

Do you remember the book The Crayon Man?  What a meaty book.  I learned a lot about how crayons were made and the man responsible for their creation. 

And what about Finding Narnia?  Learning about the boyhood and life of C.S. Lewis. Beautifully illustrated. 

How about learning about Eliza Hamilton?  A sweet story.  The illustrations fit the story so well. 

Love music?  You just might know Carlos Santana.  If not, this book might inspire you to hear his music. 

Finding Narnia Review

Picture Books That Made me Smile

Almost Time… the hardness of having to wait for maple syrup time to come!  It’s almost as hard as waiting to grow up a bit!

I almost forgot about Little Juniper Makes it Big.  What a fun story.  🙂

Special Paws the Family List teaches youngsters to think through what they want in a family pet.  Preparation is an important part of having a pet.

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug.  Never ever give up.  You just don’t know when or how you’ll succeed!

little juniper makes it big

You need to check out Go for the Moon.  Take a trip to the moon with a lad and the launch to the moon. 

I love you funny bunny, what can I say… it’s bunnies and a nice story of love between parent and child. 

This book made me laugh out loud.  It was such a hoot.  Have fun looking at this alphabet book. P is for Pterodactyl.

I love you funny bunny

Not sure if Picture Book

Survivors of the Holocaust is one of those inbetween books, not a chapter book, not a non-fiction book, and not truly a picture book.  But it’s one worth looking at.   So exercise your judgement.  Not really for littles, but many picture books aren’t really for littles either.  🙂

Born to Draw.  Part picture book, part comic strip.  Learn the life of Charles Schultz. 

Born to Draw Comics

I hope you have enjoyed this walk down memory lane looking for the best picture books I have reviewed.  Aren’t some of the books just scrumptious?  Grab them up, share them with your littles!  (or even your not so littles!)  🙂 

Others in this Series