Category: children

Author: Craig Kielburger
Illustrators: Marisa Antonello & Victoria Laidley
Publisher: Me to We Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-55365-865-8
Pages: 36
Price: $19.95

Publisher’s website

A visit to Brazil is an exciting adventure for a boy. While exploring the sights, young Craig Kielburger discovers a group of street kids. These young people don’t have homes, and they do what it takes to survive. From performing acrobatics to selling oranges and shining shoes, they scramble for tourist dollars to buy food. And when food is available, they eat it together as if they are a family.

Although living in abject poverty, these street kids try to enjoy life, taking time to sing, dance, and play soccer. They look out for each other’s well-being and share everything. In fact, Kielburger is surprised at one boy’s willingness to literally give him the shirt off his own back.

Kielburger formed Free the Children when he learned of a boy who was killed speaking out against child labor. This non-profit group is comprised of youth who want to be a positive force of change in the world, especially for underprivileged kids. Me to We Books promises that for every book sold, a notebook will be given to a child in a developing country.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Noa Nimrodi
Illustrator: Tamir Lichtenberg
Publisher: Grassroots Publishing Group
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9794805-1-5
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon (Kindle only)

Giraffe sees the birds in the sky and wishes she could also fly. But all things are possible in dreams, and Giraffe soon finds herself soaring through the clouds. The animals and birds are her friends, and they cheer her on as they join in her fun.

Birds Can Fly and So Can I is written in rhyming verse, illustrated in bright and cheery watercolor. Everyone has wishes and goals, and Giraffe’s adventure reminds kids that dreams can come true. Positive and uplifting, this charming book will inspire them to reach for those dreams.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author& Illustrator: Lucy Cousins
Produced by: Story Time Café
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5677-5
Pages: 24
Price: $39.95

Story Time Café
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Maisy Mouse is ready for bed. Following her normal bedtime ritual, she changes into her pajamas, brushes her teeth, and visits the potty. Both she and her bedtime companion, Panda, follow this evening ritual together before Maisy goes to sleep.

The charming simplicity of this book makes it special. Maisy is drawn in black lines, the way a child might, with color filled in. The text is also written in bold, black ink. And the plain primary and secondary colors are soothing and not too busy for a small child to look at just before going to sleep.

The unique Story Time Bundle packaging makes Maisy’s Bedtime even more enjoyable for children as they retire for the evening. It includes a crib size 36”x48” quilt, printed with a picture of Maisy cuddled with Panda in bed. A smaller, matching 24”x24” quilt can be used to tuck in a bedtime companion like Panda. This quilt set and book is a delightful gift for any child who would like to make bedtime more special.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Jaclyn Stapp
Illustrator: Kristine Lucco
Publisher: TriMark Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9816092-8-7
Pages: 41
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Jacky is different from her classmates. Her family is from Jordan, she eats strange food and she has crazy, wild hair. But Jacky volunteers at the children’s hospital, where her best friend lives, and she does her best to be herself.

One day Jacky learns of a local beauty pageant, and makes the decision to compete. She has no idea how much this one event will change her life for the better.

This is the real-life story of Jaclyn Stapp, unlikely beauty queen, told in rhyme with bright and colorful illustrations. While beauty is sometimes said to be skin deep, Stapp doesn’t believe it has to always be this way. Now Stapp empowers at-risk youth, champions women’s rights, and enriches the lives of underprivileged children. Wacky Jacky is truly beautiful from the inside out.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Richard Rosser
Illustrator: Shane Sowell
Publisher: Piggy Nation
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-615-41709-7
Pages: 32
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Piggy behavior is all around us. Talking loudly on cell phones, failing to clean up after our pets, and littering all make life unpleasant for others. So when Sammy’s dad offers to let him ride along as he tickets these folks, Sammy is happy to join him.

Only trouble is, sometimes it’s hard not to be a piggy when you’re pointing out piggy behavior in others. Sammy witnesses some very piggy behavior, but he’s surprised to find out who’s the biggest piggy offender.

Poking fun in a light-hearted manner, Piggy Nation gets the point across. Kids will chuckle as Piggy Dad slaps Piggy Tickets on everyone, while making his own messes as he goes along. And then they’ll be able to point out for themselves, “That’s piggy behavior!”

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Paris Morris
Publisher: New Year Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9-760095-5-9
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
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In this sequel to I’m Having Twins, Paris tells of the twins’ birth. Her mom and the babies need to stay at the hospital for a little while, but she is excited to see them.

Grandmas and Grandpas visit, people bring gifts, and dad tries to cook. It’s a time of great celebration. Finally everyone gets to leave the hospital, and the whole family is home together.

Although not as good as the first book in this series, My Twins Are Coming Home is a child’s eye view of what it’s like when mother has twins. Anyone who has ever experienced this will be able to relate to Paris and her actions as life changes around her.

Reviewer: Alice Berger