My girls and I have enjoyed lots of great books during our summer break. While we had intended on sharing each and every book with you all on our Instragram pages (@cris10_casados and @naptimereviewer), it just didn’t happen this time. Our summer reading list is pretty extensive so bare with me as I share some great books for preschool-aged kids.
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My Yellow Balloon
by Tiffany Papageorge
Illustrated by Erwin Madrid
It all started at the carnival. . . .
That’s where Joey makes a new friend: a bright yellow balloon. Joey and his beloved balloon do everything together, until the balloon accidentally slips off Joey’s wrist and flies far, far away. What will Joey do without his special friend?
Tiffany Papageorge has crafted a poignant tale of love, loss, and letting go that will serve as a comforting guide to children who are navigating the complicated emotions of grief. Rich, luminous illustrations by Erwin Madrid perfectly capture these timeless themes, making them accessible to even the youngest reader.
Honest, unflinching, and ultimately reassuring, My Yellow Balloon will resonate with anyone who has endured the darkness of grief, while offering hope for brighter days ahead.
Buy: www.MyYellowBalloon.com or visit our Amazon aStore
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What in the Wild? Mysteries of Nature Concealed … and Revealed
by David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy
Photos by Dwight Kuhn
This book is full of mysteries that are found in nature. Do you think you can solve them?
What creature made that pile of twigs? What is that mass of leaves? What in the world is the frothy spittle on that plant stem? See if you can guess the animal or insect responsible for each “clue” photograph after reading the poem but before lifting the flap.
In this third book in the Where in the Wild? series, David Schwartz, Yael Schy, and Dwight Kuhn take readers on another remarkable tour through the fascinating world of nature’s mysteries.
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It Feels Good to Be Me!
by Dana Livoti and Anne Oliveri
Did you know that your natural state of being is to feel good? When you are feeling good you are unstoppable! You are a creator! You are limitless! You are divine! This is who you truly are.
Learn to be a conscious creator by paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and visualizations. Know that this is a choice you make. For when you feel worried, afraid, nervous, or doubtful, it is your true self nudging you to shift your thoughts back to what feels good.
Create the life you were meant to live by thinking, feeling, and seeing the true essence of you. You are spectacular! You are grateful. You are peaceful. You are safe. You are secure, and most of all you are empowered to make all your dreams come true.
Go ahead, say it, “It feels good to be me!”
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Lifetime: The Amazing Numbers in Animal Lives
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
In one lifetime, a caribou will shed 10 sets of antlers, a woodpecker will drill 30 roosting holes, a giraffe will wear 200 spots, a seahorse will birth 1,000 babies.
Count each one and many more while learning about the wondrous things that can happen in just one lifetime. This extraordinary book collects animal information not available anywhere else—and shows all 30 roosting holes, all 200 spots, and, yes!, all 1,000 baby seahorses in eye-catching illustrations. A book about picturing numbers and considering the endlessly fascinating lives all around us, Lifetime is sure to delight young nature lovers.
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Liv on Life – Going to the Park
by Elizabeth Gorcey
Illustrated by Kajiah Jacobs
Going to the Park is the first title in the Liv On Life Children’s Book Series (LOL), which features Olivia (aka Liv) and her best friend, Bowie, a Boxer dog. Liv is the go-to-girl for kids and parents looking for advice on how to navigate our modern, technological world. Going to the Park tells the story of Liv and Bowie recognizing that mom and dad need a break from the stresses of work. Liv and Bowie convince their mom and dad to put down the technology and head out for a fun day at the park!
FROM THE AUTHOR: The Liv on Life Book Series (LOL Series) is inspired by my daughter. When Olivia was barely 3 years old, I began to record the wisdom and advice that she would spontaneously deliver to anyone who was listening. I dubbed this collection “Liv-isms” and each book in the LOL Series is based on these utterances. The message is clear… in a high-tech and fast-paced world, kids are still the best teachers. In encouraging my daughter to embrace and use her authentic voice, I realized how much adults can and must learn from the purity and honesty of a child’s perspective. Her untainted and refreshing views affects my life in a positive way on a daily basis. She is my teacher and reminder to stop and smell the roses.
An example of this is the following:
I was very sad and upset that my mother was in the hospital for some serious issues. I was walking around the block with Liv and she saw how down I was and she said to me “you’re all sloshy, I know you’re worried about grandma but you’re right here now with me and this is life right now! Look how beautiful the sky is. Look (as Liv points up to the sky) we can still have fun right now. Grandma will be ok.”
I hope the book can open up a conversation between adults and children about the importance of having quality time together, really listening and hearing each other. Honoring our children’s authentic voices and not being threatened if a child knows more then you!! In this modern technological society we must learn shut off and shut down technology, enjoy the moment and spend some time outdoors in nature.
Twitter: @LivonLife // Facebook: LivonLife
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Tell Me a Story in the Dark
A Guide to Creating Magical Bedtime Stories for Young Children
by John Olive
Tonight, don’t read your child a story. Instead, dim the light, lie down, and create storytelling magic. Weave a spell that will enchant your child. . .
Written by an award-winning playwright, Tell Me A Story In The Dark provides you with every tool you need to tell great and entertaining stories. In a day when parents want to spend more quality time with their children, Tell Me A Story In The Dark:
Shows you how to prepare and tell a story.
Communicates the enormous benefits ending the bedtime battle of wills, building vocabulary, making room for effective parenting moments.
Provides a treasure trove of stories that parents (and grandparents) can adapt for their children.
Teaches you how to make up and tell your own stories.
Anyone who loves children will love this book.
Written by an award-winning playwright, Tell Me A Story In The Dark provides you with every tool you need to tell great and entertaining stories. In a day when parents want to spend more quality time with their children, Tell Me A Story In The Dark:
Shows you how to prepare and tell a story.
Communicates the enormous benefits ending the bedtime battle of wills, building vocabulary, making room for effective parenting moments.
Provides a treasure trove of stories that parents (and grandparents) can adapt for their children.
Teaches you how to make up and tell your own stories.
Anyone who loves children will love this book.
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The Shark in the Park
by Mark Watson and Pablo Michau
The Shark in the Park.
“Highly original, imaginative and thrilling.”
“The best illustrated children’s book of 2014, hands down.”
“An old, old monster in a supposedly safe environment, one familiar to all. A walk in the park will never be the same again.”
“A hit! A brave and brilliant hit! An immediate children’s classic.”
The air is misty, bright and cool, the morning Michael walks to school.
At the boundary of the park he waits, nervously he hesitates.
The day warms up, the sun shines down and Mike walks on, into town.
Gnarly branches, crook and tight, curl around the ghostly light.
Suddenly he freezes, weak at the knees, what is that swimming beneath the trees?
Terrifying, funny, thrilling! This new, beautifully illustrated children’s book is available in paperback and digital versions. The Kindle version includes links to exclusive interactive content.
Hear 7-time Emmy award winner, ABC News correspondent, and currently the host of Primetime: “What Would You Do?”, John Quiñones read “The Shark in the Park” on youtube here… goo.gl/WXPCi0
Enjoy, and remember, it’s just a story.
“Highly original, imaginative and thrilling.”
“The best illustrated children’s book of 2014, hands down.”
“An old, old monster in a supposedly safe environment, one familiar to all. A walk in the park will never be the same again.”
“A hit! A brave and brilliant hit! An immediate children’s classic.”
The air is misty, bright and cool, the morning Michael walks to school.
At the boundary of the park he waits, nervously he hesitates.
The day warms up, the sun shines down and Mike walks on, into town.
Gnarly branches, crook and tight, curl around the ghostly light.
Suddenly he freezes, weak at the knees, what is that swimming beneath the trees?
Terrifying, funny, thrilling! This new, beautifully illustrated children’s book is available in paperback and digital versions. The Kindle version includes links to exclusive interactive content.
Hear 7-time Emmy award winner, ABC News correspondent, and currently the host of Primetime: “What Would You Do?”, John Quiñones read “The Shark in the Park” on youtube here… goo.gl/WXPCi0
Enjoy, and remember, it’s just a story.
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Crazy for Science with Carmelo the Science Fellow
by Carmel PIzza and James Buckley, Jr.
Illustrated by Chad Geran
A hands-on science book packed with fun experiments from rockstar science educator Carmelo the Science Fellow!
Designed to encourage kids’ natural love of science from an early age, this book promotes scientific observation, exploration, and analysis in a way that little kids can get excited about–through do-it-yourself experiments! Each chapter introduces a different branch of science, including biology, chemistry, and physics through kid-friendly experiments–all of which are linked to science curriculum requirements for grades K through 3.
Each experiment includes an introductory question, complete materials list, step-by-step instructions, and Carmelo’s characteristic kid-tested jokes–and is accompanied by full-color illustrations. The experiments utilize common materials typically found around the house. A little bit of help from a grown-up is recommended, and encourages family science time.
“With his exuberant personality, emphasizing humor above all, Mr. Piazza has earned the reputation as the archetypal cool teacher among the younger set.”–The New York Times
“Since getting tons of buzz for his goofball approach to science, Boerum Hill resident Carmelo Piazza has seen demand for his summer camps, kids’ classes and birthday parties soar.”–Time Out Kids NY
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A Caterpillar, a Bee and a Very Big Tree
By Dicksy Wilson and D.B. Sanders
Illustrated by D.B. Sanders
Gus caterpillar – in his newest adventure “A Caterpillar, a Bee and a VERY Big Tree” – overcomes adversity to become a friend and hero to the entire bug community that lives beneath a very big oak tree.
This delightful children’s book centers around Gus, his friend Shoo Bee and an army of ants who help secure the other caterpillar cocoons from a raging storm. Councilor Cricket – the old sage who lives at the top of the tree – helps them along the way, and in the end – Gus is transformed into a beautiful butterfly who joins Shoo Bee in flight.
Co-authored by Dicksy Wilson and her brother and illustrator D.B. Sanders, “A Caterpillar, a Bee and a VERY Big Tree” will inspire readers to:
- Develop courage to overcome obstacles;
- See the value in true friendship;
- Understand that everyone is different and differently abled;
- Value teamwork;
- Be aware of the value of communication;
- and Cherish diversity.
“A Caterpillar, a Bee and a VERY Big Tree” is a story over ten years in the making. The two sibling authors both reside in Oklahoma, and have dedicated this touching book to their mother Daisy as well as the memory of their father Richard, who taught them the value of being silly and remaining young at heart.
“A Caterpillar, a Bee and a VERY Big Tree” is available through bookstores as well as through online retailers. For a sneak peek inside – you can click here.
“A Caterpillar, a Bee and a VERY Big Tree” is published by Yorkshire Publishing.
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Putting the Monkeys to Bed
by Gennifer Choldenko
Illustrated by Jack E. David
Sam is never ready to go to sleep at bedtime. There are always more questions to ask Mama, more books to read . . . not to mention the monkeys! Sam’s rambunctious trio of toy monkeys would much rather jump on the bed and make up songs about ping pong than go to sleep.
Eventually Sam wants to go to sleep. But how will he ever get the monkeys to settle down?
This story’s silly monkey mayhem also includes a calming bedtime routine that really works.
Eventually Sam wants to go to sleep. But how will he ever get the monkeys to settle down?
This story’s silly monkey mayhem also includes a calming bedtime routine that really works.
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Do you have a favorite book that you and your family read this summer? Let us know about it in the comments section!
